mall haul: sephora, hot topic, and payless

Nothing like last minute plans! My weekend was meant to be relaxing, with absolutely nothing planned or on the to do list. This is a rare occurrence. Then, out of nowhere, I got an invite for a movie and a bit of shopping. Though part of me was disappointed that my blissful weekend of lounging was gone....there was another part of me that was excited to go out and be social. (For the record, the movie we ended up seeing was "I Feel Pretty" by Amy Schumer and there will be a review of sorts posted here in the next couple of days!) The shopping itself was really fun and we checked out an awful lot of places. So, on that note, here is my latest mall haul.

how to snag selfie worthy hair during travel

The travel bug has bit me hard. It seems that lately I've been dreaming of exotic locations and adventures to be had. Though there are no definite plans in the near future, travel is on my mind. Are you gearing up for an exciting vacation of your own? Then this post is for you.

Every travel snap should be something special. Regardless of whether you are sitting poolside or sightseeing in a far off country, there should always be one constant: great hair. There is nothing worse than trying to snap a super cute vacation selfie only to find out that hair is a total disaster. It happens, especially when you are in the midst of a long day of sightseeing. So, how can you keep your locks looking gorgeous and photo ready? These tips are all you need for fabulous selfie-worthy hair.

live like it's spring.

Can you tell? I am completely and utterly obsessed with all things spring. Not only am I in the process of doing some heavy-duty spring cleaning, but the windows are open, the sun is shining, and I am dedicated to colour and carefree days. There is something so wonderful about this time of year. It is all about renewal and starting fresh. About possibilities and purpose. Honestly, the spring season has left me inspired by just about everything. So today, I wanted to share a few of my current spring favourites.

what falling asleep in makeup does to your skin

My worst beauty habit? Falling asleep in my makeup. Forgetting (or being too tired, lazy, or unmotivated) to remove makeup before bedtime is one of the most common beauty blunders there is. Realistically, it will happen to all of us at one point or another. Maybe you had a crazy long day at the office and you want nothing more than to plop down onto your warm, comfy bed. Or maybe you went out with friends and the evening ran crazy long. There is always a reason to skip this step. Trust me – I have come up with more than a few excuses of my own! However, falling asleep in your makeup can affect the health and overall appearance of your skin. So, what does it actually do?

new in: paris hilton cosmetics (brushes and holographic lip glosses)

Though it hasn't been long since my last post about Paris Hilton Cosmetics, I was recently able to track down a few new items from her collection. This is no easy feat! Finding makeup from her line requires lots of browsing and wishful thinking. So, when I came across the Beauty & the Blush makeup brush set and the Pretty Fun and Fearless holographic lip gloss set (on sale!), these simply had to come home with me. How do these perform? Are they standouts or so-so? Here is everything you need to know about these Paris Hilton products.

how to achieve happy hair this spring (with addcolo)

Life can get pretty hectic. Unfortunately, one of the first things we tend to neglect when our calendars fill up is hair. If we manage to find time (between work and an always hectic social life) to jump out of the shower and throw our hair up in a messy ponytail, that's okay, right? Not so much. You deserve gorgeous, enviable hair all season long. So, stop settling. It is time to spring clean your hair care routine with these tips for happy and healthy spring hair.

four ways to improve the quality of your photos (inspired by: shopbackdrop)

Photography has always been a source of inspiration to me. Whether I am trying to snap the perfect photo or am enjoying the work of others....a single image has the ability to inspire, tell a story, and bring up deeply rooted emotions. Have you been wanting to up your game lately? Maybe you are trying to improve the quality of your blog pictures. Or you want to take an unforgettable family photo. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of ways to take your next photographs to the next level.

dressing for festival season.

Festival season is here! What could be more exciting? Whether you are planning to check out local festivals, head to Los Angeles to enjoy Coachella, or are simply looking for a fun weekend trip, now is the time to do it. Here’s the thing…. festivals aren’t just about awesome music and Instagram snaps. It is also about great fashion. Over the last several years, festival fashion has become just as exciting as the main event. Are you planning to check out one of the upcoming festivals? Then you need to look the part. These tips will help you dress for festival season with ease.

review: michael kors very hollywood perfume

There is one quote that always stands out in my mind: a woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting. It is so true. The fragrance you choose to wear at any given time can indicate how you feel and who you are. This may vary from day to day - and you might reach for a sweet floral scent one morning and a sultry musky scent the next. It all depends on your mood. See, the perfumes in your collection do more than smell good...they are opportunities to highlight your personality.

look good while working out

I’ll be honest. Today, I experienced a serious moment of jealousy. The kind of jealousy I have not felt since my elementary school days – when my nemesis showed up wearing a pair of Spice Girls-esque platform sneakers. What caused this moment of pure unbridled envy? Khloe Kardashian’s fitness closet.. Yes, her fitness closet. Everywhere you looked, there were workout tops, track pants, and cute exercise accessories. Not to mention every essential and then some! Me? I am lucky if I am able to cram my workout clothes into one lone drawer. What a difference the A-list makes. 

life is about creating yourself.

It amazes me how incredible life can be. Even when things seem out of sorts....there is something to be gained from each and every experience. The things that happen in our lives present us with opportunities to learn, grow, and form a deeper connection to self. Which is why it is important to reflect on both the positive and not-so-positive moments. Today? I wanted put my energy into some of those positive moments. So, here are a few of highlights from my life lately.

FOTD featuring Katy Perry + Cover Girl

Music and makeup have long been loves of mine. When the two collide, it is pure poetry. That is the best possible way to describe the latest offerings from the Cover Girl and Katy Perry collaboration. In the past, she has released the Katy Kat Eye Mascara along with a line of glosses and lipsticks. Now? The collection includes both glitter and eyeshadow. Recently, I decided to create a makeup look that was both casual and glam, using the latest items from Katy Perry and Cover Girl.

how long does it take you to get ready?

It’s a personal question. One few people have ever dared to ask me. One that takes a lot of nerve. So, just what is this dreaded question? How long does it take you to get ready? Whether we are styling our hair before work or getting glammed up for a girls night out…. our beauty rituals can range from 5 minute face to a head to toe polish. It’s interesting. Survey after survey has been conducted on this very topic and people are desperate to find out a definitive answer. Yes, they want to know just how long it takes the average woman to get ready.

review: makeup for ever star lit glitter palette

Glitter is my everything. Over the years, my obsession has increased....and loose glitters and glittery palettes have become staples of my (always expanding) makeup collection. There is just something about it! All of that shimmer and sparkle is fun, exciting, and adds an extra oomph to any and all makeup looks. Despite having a fair amount of glittering products already, the Makeup For Ever Star Lit Glitter palette immediately caught my eye. If you are a glitter addict like me, then keep reading. This is a full breakdown and review of this oh-so-glittery palette.

christian dior x ROM

I love fashion....but my mom loves fashion. Thanks to her interest in the latest trends and high-end designers, we have been able to do some pretty awesome things. (Like see the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit many years ago in Montreal or checking out shoes from Louboutin for instance!) Our latest fashion adventure? Seeing the Christian Dior showcase at the Royal Ontario Museum. It was originally supposed to run for a limited time but wound up being extended until April 8th...so if you are in the area, you might want to move quickly before it closes. So, what was the exhibit like? Was it good? Bad? Somewhere in between? This is everything you need to know about Dior at the ROM.