new in: eshakti printed dress

Okay, so I love clothes. A lot. I also adore dresses....which is why it feels so good to wear them again! This winter, the weather was absolutely insane. There were ice storms, snow storms, and plenty of chilly weather to be found. Even the month of May has been rainy, cold, and unpredictable. It's only now that we've reached the end of the month that I feel comfortable saying goodbye to all of that terrible weather.

With sunshine finally on full display, I am making the most of every moment. That means, all dresses all the time! I recently received a gorgeous dress from eShakti and couldn't be happier about it. They were nice enough to let me pick this stunning printed dress from their website. Like all of the pieces they sell, it was customized to compliment my size, height, and style preferences. Yes, they cut to order, which helps keep prices low and make sure the fit is always right.

Are you ready to take a look at my new dress from eShakti? Here is it!

As you can see from the picture above, the dress is gorgeous! I am so so happy with it. I love the navy colour and the classic cut. Plus, that small "v" at the neckline is super flattering. Another thing I am completely obsessed? The print! I don't always wear a ton of print but when I do, I like it to be fun yet sophisticated. That is what makes this print so perfect. It's not too much but definitely makes a statement. Also, this dress has pockets! I don't know why, but I always love when a dress has pockets. It just makes it easier to stash your phone or your chap stick.

If you couldn't tell, I love this dress a lot. I wasn't just impressed with the design, but the material quality and fit was a stand out, too. I can definitely see myself wearing this dress all summer long. It's perfect for a nice dinner or a day out in the sun. 

Ready to see the dress in action? I ended up wearing it for the first time while meeting up with a couple of friends. So, here it is!

I am loving the warm weather and my new dress. If you haven't yet, be sure to check out the designs at eShakti. There are a lot of pieces to lust over!

What do you think of this dress? Have you ever ordered anything from eShakti?

xo Shannon

if you're presenting yourself with confidence, you can pull off pretty much anything.

Okay, I love Katy Perry. Like, a lot. I love her music, I love her attitude, and I love her style. Another thing I love? How she can effortlessly blend fun music with meaningful and empowering lyrics. She is someone I am a massive fan of. (It's no wonder I dressed like her for Halloween last year....and plan to be another version of Katy this year as well. She is so fun!)

So, it should come as no surprise that I got super excited when I saw the range of Katy Perry accessories in the window of Claire's. It had been years since I stepped foot into that store, but I saw that Katy poster and went running! And I am really glad that I did. Her line of accessories was so gorgeous. For starters, the quality was much higher than your typical Claire's products - but it was also a little more expensive.

Before I get much further....here are the pieces I ended up buying from her line. There were plenty to choose from, and I debated on a few, but these were the ones I could see myself wearing the most.

I chose to buy a bracelet, earrings, and a pair of sunglasses. The bracelet is my personal favourite. It was $25 CDN and features a bunch of different Katy-related charms. As you can see from the picture above, there is a tiger ("Roar"), a "Prism" symbol (the name of her latest album), a leopard print cat (Kitty Purry!) and some cute sparkly charms, too. It's a little bit chunky and super stylish. What I love? If you're not a Katy fan, you're not going to immediately know that it's Katy merch. It'll just look like a cute bracelet. If you are a Katy fan, you'll know right away what it all means.

The earrings ($14 CDN) were a last-minute decision because they had the Prism symbol and matched the bracelet. And the sunglasses, well, I have a total sunglasses obsession. They weer $20 CDN - which actually isn't too bad. I love that these glasses were cat-inspired and so Katy. They're fun, super cute, and will look great this summer. I can't wait to wear them!

I love Katy Perry and I absolutely love these accessories. They are affordable, pretty, and definitely represent Katy well.

What do you think of these accessories? Have you bought any?

xo Shannon

they say time is a healer but it's more like a concealer.

I am always on the lookout for a seriously awesome concealer. At the moment, I have a bunch of different concealers in my makeup collection. Some are high end and some are drugstore. I've got cream, liquid, you name it...it's there. Despite all of the products in my collection, I had never come across the one concealer that totally blew me away.

Then the other day, I was watching a YouTube video by Beauty Broadcast. Emily named one of her favourite drugstore products: the Glamoflauge concealer from Hard Candy. In the past, I've had a hit or miss relationship with Hard Candy. Some of their products (specifically the baked blushes and bronzers) have been absolutely amazing....while others have been total duds. So, you never know exactly what you're going to get.

After hearing Emily's rave review, I decided to give this product a try. To start with, I was totally blown away by the shade range. Usually, I struggle to find a concealer or foundation shade from the drugstore that is light enough for my skin. (I am crazy pale. Alas!) But there was a great colour selection. I chose the "Very Light" concealer shade.

Swatches - Left: Glamoflauge Pencil, Right: Glamoflauge Concealer

The package came with the liquid concealer itself and a small concealer pencil. On the package, they tell you to use the pencil to outline a tattoo and use the concealer to cover it up. Sounds pretty cool! I don't actually have any tattoos, so I wasn't able to try that part out. But it's a nice little extra to add in there. As it stands, I don't have a use for the concealer pencil because the colour is fairly dark and it's a bit dry and tough to apply.

Now, for the concealer itself. Let me just say: Emily was right. There is no better drugstore concealer that I have tried. Heck, there's no better high end concealer I've tried either. The pigmentation is intense. You need to use so little to get full coverage, so the product lasts for a really long time. The texture isn't light and runny - it is a little bit thicker. I find that it helps the concealer to set better. Also, it applies really well when you use your fingertips or a concealer brush.

Honestly, I am so amazed at the quality of this product. It covers dark circles incredibly well and the texture and longevity is fantastic. It's about $9 CDN - so it's a great bargain as well. I would definitely recommend the Glamoflauge.

Have you tried Hard Candy's Glamoflauge? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

the first five days after the weekend are always the hardest.

Things I love? Long weekends! All of my fellow Canadians will know that this past weekend was the Victoria Day long weekend. What did that mean for me? A Monday off of work, time spent with loved ones, and plenty of fireworks. As far as I'm concerned, there is no better way to enjoy the festivities!

I spent the Saturday with my boyfriend. We started off the day by seeing some friends, then went on to buy some CDs and DVDs, watched movies, ate dinner, and even unleashed our kiddie side. I bought some bubble wands and sidewalk chalk so we could be silly and have fun outdoors. The bubble wands were so much fun. (You're never too old for bubbles!) It was just a really nice day.

Then Sunday was spent doing some work (boo) during the day and then hanging out with my mom. We did some shopping in the afternoon and then came home to watch a ridiculous amount of Bridezillas on Netflix. It was a nice day, for sure.

And lastly, Monday was spent catching up on things. I tried to be productive but still find some time to relax. It felt nice to watch a couple of my favourite TV shows during the day. Once the sun went down, my family, my boyfriend, and I went outside to light sparklers and watch fireworks around the neighbourhood. Overall, it was a nice weekend. I definitely needed it!

Here are some of my pictures from the Victoria Day long weekend:

Did you celebrate Victoria Day? How is your week going?

xo Shannon

new favourites and good friends.

Sometimes, you just need a girly day. A couple of weeks ago, a friend and I went downtown for just that reason. We spent some time catching up, had lunch at a local pub, and did some shopping. And boy, did we ever shop! We hit a ton of different stores. No wonder we were so exhausted by the time we caught the train back home. I tried to be good about spending, but ended up buying a couple of t-shirts (a cute floral print shirt, a My Chemical Romance tee, and a Supernatural tank top) and of course, a few beauty products.

What beauty products did I bring home with me? The Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Violet, the Apricot Body Cream from Forever 21, and the Morocco Orchid and Pink Amber Shimmer Fizz from Bath & Bodyworks.

So, what am I thinking of these new products? Here is a breakdown of my latest additions.

The Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Violet: 

Let's start with the most exciting....the Too Faced Melted Lipstick. I've been hearing about this line from YouTube gurus, bloggers, and beauty fanatics everywhere. So, I couldn't resist trying one myself. By the time I got to Sephora, they were pretty cleaned out of shades. Thankfully, I got my hands on the one I really wanted: Melted Violent. (I have such an addiction to purple lipstick, I can't even deal with it.) Let me say: this product totally lives up to the hype. The pigmentation is insane! It is bright, bold, and absolutely gorgeous. It doesn't dry out my lips, the colour lasts really well, and it just looks gorgeous. You can see me rocking it in my recent sunglasses post. I would love to add more from this line to my makeup collection. Time will tell!

The Apricot Body Cream from Forever 21:

I don't normally grab lotions or body creams from Forever 21. I tend to stick to clothes and accessories exclusively. When my friend and I were waiting in line, though, this little baby caught my eye. They had a ton of lotions and beauty products just sitting there! So, I unscrewed the top and the smell was just so pretty. Light but noticeable. I've been using this one on my hands and arms a lot. It's not the best lotion ever but my gosh, does it smell good. Plus, it was only $4. Well worth the money.

Morocco Orchid and Pink Amber Shimmer Fizz from Bath & Bodyworks:

And lastly, the shimmer fizz from Bath & Bodyworks. I had put myself on a ban from buying anything else from this store, because I already have so much....but then I saw this at the front and couldn't resist trying it out. It's a mousse type product that fizzes on the skin. When you rub it in, you are left with tons of shimmer. It looks so pretty! I love rubbing some on my arms and collarbone for just a little extra pop. Totally perfect for spring and summer.

I was super happy with everything I ended up buying. I think they will get a lot of use in the coming months!

What are your recent beauty loves?

xo Shannon

real techniques: night owl makeup palette

If you read my last post, you'll know that I recently placed an order with Real Techniques. As a Pixiwoo fanatic, I couldn't wait to try out their very first makeup palettes! There are two on offer right now: Modern Natural and Night Owl. The first is a neutral palette with brown shadows and the second (pictured above) is a little smokier. Perfect for a night out!

The Night Owl set includes: four eyeshadow shades, one gel eyeliner, one blush, one cream highlight, and two mini lip glosses. One thing I love is how complete the set is. You can create a full look just by grabbing your favourite foundation and mascara. Ready to take a peek inside? Here is a closer look at the palette:

So many new products to play with! (Always an exciting thing, as far as I'm concerned.) Before I get into my review of the palette, these swatches will give you a better idea of the colours and pigmentation.

Top: eyeshadow shades.

Bottom: gel eyeliner, blush, and cream highlight.

As you can see from the pictures above, this set comes with four eyeshadow shades. One is a creamy white, there is a deep purple, a dark grey, and a shimmery charcoal colour. Overall, I was really pleased with the pigmentation. Each shade had a lot of colour and they went on really smoothly. Great texture and easy to blend. My favourite shade is that purple - it's super intense and it looks amazing! Love!

The gel eyeliner was...okay. I wanted to be wowed by it, but unfortunately, I just wasn't. The colour payoff wasn't great. It is a decent liner, but I expected a lot more. I think I will stick to my Maybelline gel liner in future. The cream highlight was another letdown. It looks really nice when you swatch it, but the formula isn't super creamy. You have to press pretty hard to get the product to come off. The blush shade on the other hand, I quite liked. The shade was subtle and soft. It gave a perfect flush of colour that didn't detract from the dramatic eye look.

Mini Lip Glosses

The lip glosses were another standout product from this palette. It came with two shades: a nude caramel colour and a bold red. I was surprised at how intensely pigmented they were and how smoothly they went on. The only negative? The size. I would absolutely love a full sized version of the red shade. I am a little bit obsessed with it!

So, there you have it. My thoughts on this set. Want to see the look I created using the Night Owl makeup palette?

Overall, I was happy with certain parts of this set and a little disappointed with others. But for just $25 I would say it is definitely worth the price. The eyeshadows, the blush shade, and the lip glosses are absolutely amazing. This is definitely something Real Techniques fans will want in their collection.

Have you tried this palette? What do you think of it?

xo Shannon

it's okay to love something a little too much,as long as it's real to you.

I remember when I first started to get into makeup. It wasn't my mom or sister that I turned to...no, it was the Internet. One day, I was searching for a makeup tutorial on youtube, so I could have some seriously awesome makeup for Halloween. That led to one video and then to another, and eventually, I found myself watching video after video from Pixiwoo. All of you makeup fanatics probably know Pixiwoo pretty well by now. They are seriously the best!

So, needless to say, I have a bunch of Real Techniques brushes in my collection. I absolutely love them. They're great quality, the bristles are soft, and they work really well. When I got an email last week about their new makeup sets, I didn't even hesitate. I ended up buying the Night Owl makeup set - and a few new brushes, too!

What did I order? The Night Owl makeup set (which comes with 4 eyeshadow shades, 1 gel eyeliner, 2 mini lip glosses, 1 blush, and 1 cream highlight), the stippling brush, and the sponge applicator. As a bonus, I also received a free pencil brush. Woohoo!

So far, I've used the stippling brush and I love it! I was using another one by Sonia Kashuk that I really loved, but it had gotten pretty worn down. It was definitely in need of replacing. The bristles on this brush are super soft and it works really well to apply my foundation. I also gave the pencil brush a try and it's great. I like using it on my lower lash line to smudge out my eyeshadow and make it super smokey.

Now, I haven't used the sponge applicator yet, but I am eager too. Believe it or not, I've never tried a beauty blender before. It's been on my to-do list for way too long, so I finally decided to take the plunge. I'll let you know how it goes in a future post! As for the Night Owl makeup set, I've been using this for the last several days. There are things I love and was disappointed in on this one. But I'll let you know all about that in my next post!

Nic and Sam took my budding interest in makeup to the next level. So, I have an odd thrill when I use one of their brushes - or now makeup products - in my daily routine. They helped me get to where I am today. I love Real Techniques and can't wait to add more of their brushes into my collection as time goes on.

Do you love Real Techniques brushes? Have you tried their makeup yet?

xo Shannon

i could give up shopping, but i'm no quitter.

There are certain things I love about life. Like, sunny days, movie nights with friends, and yes, shopping. Okay, I admit it. There is some kind of thrill I get when I shop. You know, when you see something that you instantly fall in love with? And then you couldn't possibly imagine it not being in your life? I'm pretty sure that makes me a shopaholic, but....well, I've accepted it.

On that note: here are a couple of my favourite quotes from "Confessions of a Shopaholic"....

“I love new clothes. If everyone could just wear new clothes everyday, I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore.” 

“Shopping is actually very similar to farming a field. You can't keep buying the same thing, you have to have a bit of variety. Otherwise you get bored and stop enjoying yourself.” 

“So I buy it. The most perfect little cardigan in the world. People will call me the Girl in the Gray Cardigan. I’ll be able to live in it. Really, it’s an investment.” 

Since I've just confessed my total love of shopping - and the whole shopping experience - I thought it only fitting to show you a few of my latest purchases. It's nothing too crazy....just a few spring pieces to spice up my wardrobe.

First up, my favourite new pair of earrings. They were an impulse buy for $8...but I am so glad that I picked them up! They're a really fun and easy way to add a little colour to an outfit.

Next was a cute, flowy black and white printed top. I think it'll be great to wear out rollerblading or even with a simple pair of denim shorts. I was totally drawn to the fun print.

Then there was this super adorable dress. The cut is really classic and sophisticated but the print is so cute! It's got giraffes, lions, and elephants. I just love it. It's perfect for going out to dinner....I can't wait to wear it.

Last up on this mini new in post...this floral crop top. I love the sheer part at the top and the feminine details. I've already worn this one out and I just love how it looks. Such a pretty spring top!

I don' t know about you, but I definitely have a little Rebecca Bloomwood in me. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing, but it's sure a lot of fun! I am looking forward to wearing these new pieces out this spring.

Are you a shopaholic? What pieces have you added to your wardrobe lately?

xo Shannon

there's no such thing as too many sunglasses.

On my list of spring and summer must-haves, one of the highest ranked is: sunglasses. Yes, I love a great pair of sunnies. (That's probably why I seem to collect them each season!) Not only do sunglasses protect your eyes from those harsh UV rays - but they're totally stunning, too! The right pair of shades can perfectly compliment an outfit or make you feel like a million bucks.

Recently, I was lucky enough to snag a gorgeous pair from Firmoo. In case you don't already know about Firmoo, they offer tons of gorgeous and affordable glasses. Some are fashionable sunglasses and others are prescription glasses. Whatever you need, fashion is just a click away!

Ready to see the stunning pair of sunglasses I've added to my collection? Here they are:

As you can see from the pictures above, the glasses are seriously stunning. They have a really cool old-school, retro kind of vibe that I can't get enough of. The frames themselves are rounded, have a tortoise shell frame and flexible arms. I really love the cool-girl look they give off. Gorgeous!

Honestly, I can see myself wearing these an awful lot this summer. They just go with so many different looks. Something else I really loved about my Firmoo glasses? The case! As you can see from the picture above, it's got a map of the world on it. So cute! Plus, it is super study. It was such a nice little extra.

If you love these glasses from Firmoo as much as I do: good news! You can get a pair of your own completely free. They offer new customers their first pair of glasses yes, for free! Take advantage of their virtual try-on system, shop around, and find a pair that you adore. The possibilities are endless.....

Head on over to Firmoo's website: http://firmoo.com to find out more. And be sure to let me know what glasses you've added to your summer wish-list.

What do you think of these sunglasses?

xo Shannon

art can never exist without naked beauty displayed.

In the last few years, Urban Decay has become one of the most buzzed about cosmetics brands out there. And it's all thanks to the Urban Decay Naked palettes. The first palette became a must-have for makeup lovers around the world. Ditto the second palette. And the third.

I've had the Naked 3 palette in my makeup collection for quite some time now...but was holding off on posting about it. I wanted to make sure I had a good feel for the colours, the pigmentation, and the versatility of the shadows first. Now that I've been using it on a fairly regular basis, I can honestly say that I am ready to share my thoughts on their latest collection of neutral shades.

So, here it is: my review of Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette. To start with, let's take a peek at the shades inside. 

Rose gold tones, galore! My gosh, I love it. From left to right, the shades are: Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick, Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, and Blackheart. In addition to the shadows themselves, this set came with a double-sided eyeshadow brush and a sample of primers. Bonus!

There are plenty of gorgeous shadows here. Some of matte, some are shimmery, and some have a satin finish. While all of the shades are gorgeous - there are some that stand out to me the most. I love Dust (which is a metallic shimmery shade), Nooner (perfect for blending out the crease), Mugshot (my absolute favourite - a metallic taupe shade), and Blackheart (love this as a crease shade!).

Let's take a closer look at the pigmentation and colour quality with a few swatches! (They go from left to right)

 

As you can see from the swatches above, most of the colours are quite pigmented. The lighter shades obviously come off fairly light, but they are great for blending. In fact, the only shade I was disappointed in was Dust. I didn't find it overly remarkable or pigmented. The rest of the colours, though? Stunning! There are so many beautiful looks you can create. I just love the taupe and rose gold combinations. 

This is the Naked 3 palette in action. For this makeup look, I used Trick, Blackheart, and Nooner. Let me know what you think!

Overall, I absolutely love the palette. This may not be as versatile as the original Naked palette but it is definitely a must-have for makeup lovers. The neutral shades are absolutely gorgeous - and you're sure to love them!

Do you own the Naked 3 palette? What do you think of it?

xo Shannon

can't get enough of: midi rings

Do you ever have a fashion obsession you just can't seem to shake? That is me and midi-rings right now. Every time I get ready to go out, I find myself layering on a bunch of these cute and trendy rings. They are the perfect way to add a little something special to any outfit. Even better? They are also super affordable. That is always a major plus for a fashion lover on a budget. 

Every time I look at fashion blogs or see a stylish fashionista wearing midi rings, I just get excited. I can't help it! Midi rings are just so stylish and fun. In the past few months, I've added more than a couple of these rings to my collection. (I've actually banned myself from buying any more. Must wear what I have! Must stop shopping!) As of right now, I have gold, silver, rose gold, round shapes, triangles, and well, just an awful lot. They're all pretty - so I think it's okay.

Here are some of my midi rings in action! I wore them on a shopping day out with my friend and just loved the way they finished off my look.

I don't know how long this trend will last, but I know one thing for sure: I love it! This spring and summer, I plan on making midi rings a regular part of my look.

What do you think of midi rings? Are you embracing this trend?

xo Shannon

orange is the happiest colour.

Lately, orange is everywhere. It is the perfect colour for spring and summer! Clothes, accessories, makeup, and nails....there are so many ways to incorporate a little bit of orange into your look. Lately, I've been adding more orange pieces into my wardrobe, without even meaning to. I'm just drawn to anything and everything orange.

Case in point? All of the orange that seems to be peeking out from my closet. The last time I was at Forever 21, I instantly fell in love with a striped orange romper. Then, when I was at The Bay, I found a pair of orange heels that were too perfect to resist. (And on sale, too. Total bonus!) Add that to the orange ring and lip gloss I already had in my life, and well, orange really is everywhere! Here is a look at my newly bought pieces - and a few old favourites.

Okay, so maybe I won't wear all of these together...but I can't wait to incorporate these pieces into my spring and summer looks. A little colour can go a long way. Yes, there's just something about orange. It's the perfect way to add a pop of colour to your outfit - or to bring a little sunshine to your day. Love!

How are you adding orange to your wardrobe? What do you think of these pieces?

xo Shannon

today, i am excited about everything.

Writing is my life. It's what I do, it's what I love...it's in every part of me. Over the last several years, I've managed to take my long-time hobby and turn it into something more. Yes, I've been lucky enough to write about plenty of different topics for various websites, companies, and blogs. I love it! But recently, something exciting happened. I mean, really really exciting.

Here is my big news: I am officially a fashion blogger for Style It Rock It.

Out of everything I write about, I love writing about fashion, makeup, and beauty the most. It's fun for me. That's exactly why I started this blog - and that's why I'm so excited about this opportunity to write for Style It Rock It. I get to bring two of my passions together: writing and fashion.

So far, two of my posts have gone up. (I post Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays!) The first is a bit about my story and how I fell in love with fashion. The second post is all about Taylor Swift's style. I'm definitely excited to write more.

It would mean the world to me if you took a minute to look at my posts so far. And be sure to let me know what you think! 

Finding My Voice...And Filling My Closet
Sweet Spring Style Inspired By Taylor Swift

This spring, I feel like I've got an awful lot to be excited about. Warm weather, cute dresses, and yes, being a fashion blogger for Style It Rock It. I can't wait to see what happens next!

What are you excited about this spring?

xo Shannon

happiness is perfume: you can't pour it on somebody else without getting a few drops on yourself.

There is something wonderful about perfume. It finishes off your outfit - and gives you that extra oomph of confidence before you walk out the door. As for me? I have a massive collection of perfume. There's something nice about having a good selection. That way, you can choose the scent that suits your mood and perfectly compliments your look.

Since I am a huge fan of Paris Hilton, I was excited to snag one of her fragrances, Can Can, for a great price. It was on sale for $20. Who would resist that price? Immediately what I loved was the packaging. The box is super fun and flirty - and features a picture of Paris herself. Plus, the bottle is sexy and curvacious. You can definitely see the inspiration from Moulin Rouge from the bottle alone.

As for the scent? It's just as sexy. There is a fruity scent right off the bat but it has a sultry and spicy undertone to it as well. This scent is perfect for a dinner date or an evening in with your special someone. The staying power is pretty good. I find that it lasts throughout the night without any issues. However, if you're hoping to go from day to night, you may need to re-apply.

In general, I am a big fan of Paris Hilton perfumes. They are fun and flirty...and Can Can is no exception. With a gorgeous bottle, great price, and fantastic scent, it's a must-buy!

Have you tried Can Can by Paris Hilton? What do you think of it?

Editing Note: Since Paris Hilton has decided to publicly support an abusive man, her products will no longer be reviewed on the creation of beauty is art. All previous reviews will remain, but no new content will be shared. 

xo Shannon