betsey johnson mini reviews (purse, earrings, and perfume)

Some designers pride themselves on creating pieces that are classic and sophisticated. Other designers just want to enjoy fashion. Betsey Johnson certainly falls into the latter category. My favourite Betsey quote is: "Always have fun with fashion. Dress to entertain yourself." There is so much sadness, fear, and hurt in this world...and I love that her designs are a stark contrast to that. They are a celebration! That is one of the many reasons Betsey Johnson is my favourite fashion designer. I love her aesthetic and the playfulness of her pieces. Since all of my loved ones are well aware of how much Betsey means to me, it is no surprise that I was gifted some Betsey pieces over the holiday season. Lately, those items have been put to good use. Ready to take a look? Here are some current favourites and some mini reviews. 

current obsession: betsey johnson back to school inspired earrings

One thing I do not miss? Being in school. Though several friends are currently enrolled in classes and have had to readjust to "back to school" life, thankfully, I do not. Though education is extremely important (and it is necessary to continue to learn throughout your life)...my school days are over as far as I can tell. I have long since graduated from university and have achieved what I plan to achieve academically. The truth? School was never my favourite place. I was bullied in elementary school and high school. I was mostly ignored and uncomfortable in university. Oh, and I hated the early mornings and the long commute. There were a few friends who made life better, but school in general was not a positive experience for me. I actually love that those days are behind me. That being said, a pair of back to school inspired earrings from Betsey Johnson caught my eye recently. At this point, it is clear that I have a serious weakness for anything and everything Betsey Johnson. She just has a way of making the world seem a little bit brighter. It is time to take a closer look at these back to school inspired earrings.

designer spotlight: celebrating betsey johnson

We all have that one designer. The one you simply cannot get enough of. The one you keep up with, follow on Instagram, and anxiously await new designs from. For me, that designer is and has always been, Betsey Johnson. Her fun personality matches her equally fun, bold, and creative designs. She is an icon in her own right. With over forty-five years in the industry, there is no denying her talent. With such an incredible career and legacy behind her…. it is time to take a step back and celebrate all things Betsey.

junk food inspired accessories + fashion inspiration

It may seem crass to follow up my last post (which was dedicated to reviewing Richard Simmons workout videos) with a post about junk food but...it is what it is! Recently, I was gifted a couple of pieces from Betsey Johnson. Her designs are always fun, vibrant, and a little bit out there. So it should come as no surprise that these particular pieces were inspired by junk food. There is a soda pop necklace and a burger necklace. Which perfectly compliments my french fry necklace from Betsey. I've got a full combo going on now! Today, I wanted to show you the latest Betsey Johnson pieces in my jewellery collection and highlight some junk food inspired fashion items that never go out of style.

real success is being totally indulgent about your own trip.

Any Betsey fans out there? By this point, you probably know that I am a massive Betsey Johnson fanatic. I just love her design aesthetic. It's fun, flirty, and in your face. Plus, none of her pieces take themselves too seriously. I guess I'm a kid at heart...and sometimes, I like my wardrobe to reflect that!

My mom, my sister, and I all have one thing in common: we adore Betsey Johnson. Clothing, jewellery, purses. Well, anything we can get our hands on is fair game. That is why I was so excited to receive the Eau De Parfum by Betsey Johnson gift set for Christmas this year. The set itself came with a 100ML bottle of the perfume and a 200ML body lotion. Love! Ready to take a peek? Here is what the perfume and body lotion look like:

What do I think of this perfume? I am definitely a fan of the scent. It is a light floral scent that is perfect for daytime. When I wear it, I find that it lasts really well (especially if you layer it with the body lotion) but doesn't come off too strong either. There is a really nice balance! I think this has a sweet but flirty kind of appeal, which is something that I really enjoy.

Perfume for me, is all about showcasing your mood. On days that I feel a bit sexy, I might wear Hidden Fantasy by Britney Spears. If I am going out dancing, it's got to be Snooki's signature scent.  So, what occasions do I reach for this fragrance? If I am heading out to a movie, go to the mall, or see friends, I think this perfume is absolutely perfect. It is just such a light, pretty scent.

Something else that I really enjoy about this Betsey Johnson gift set has to be the packaging. The floral print everywhere is super cute. Perfect for springtime, too. And the bottle itself is fantastic. I love the decorative pink flower that sits on the top. That really adds a lot of glamour to my perfume shelf. Though, I confess, it takes up a lot of space....such is life! Overall, this is a fragrance that I am glad to own.

Have you tried this perfume? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

earrings haul (kate spade, hot topic, and more!)

It is no secret that I love a good pair of earrings. Quite frankly, there is a very good chance that I have too many pairs...but I love being able to choose the perfect set of earrings to compliment an outfit. I especially love fun earrings that are whimsical or express lots of personality. Though I may be shy by nature, my accessories are rarely quiet! I like them to stand out and express different parts of my personality. Recently, I shared some details about my fairly short trip to Niagara-On-The-Lake. While I was in that area, some shopping took place, and I somehow ended up buying a lot of earrings. It wasn't that I meant to come home with lots of earrings, it just seemed to work out that way. That is why today is a good old-fashioned haul. Ready to take a closer look at some earrings from Kate Spade, Glamour, Hot Topic, and Betsey Johnson? Keep reading...

current favourites: christian siriano and betsey johnson earrings

Every now and then, it is nice to focus on the little things that make life brighter. Like sparkly accessories. Though there are all sorts of accessories that I love and adore...a couple have been standouts lately. For whatever reason, I keep reaching for these earrings over and over again. One pair is from Christian Siriano and the other is from Betsey Johnson. Not only do these items come from some of my all-time favourite fashion designers, but both sets of earrings are ultra sparkly and fun. 

new purses: betsey johnson + barbie

"Handbags speak louder than words." This is more than a humorous quote...it's true. I firmly believe that the purse you carry can reveal an awful lot about you. Maybe it says something about your mood that day (quirky, understated, or casual) or perhaps is telling of your personality (colourful, outgoing, or modest). To some, a purse is just a purse. But it can also be a whole lot more. If you couldn't tell, I have a certain love affair with handbags. They don't necessarily have to be expensive or come from a high-end designer store for me to love them. In fact,  most of mine are pretty affordable. More recently, two new purses entered my life. Which is why today's blog post is dedicated to my latest loves.

girls do not dress for boys. they dress for themselves.

Fashion is a beautiful expression of the way we see ourselves. While there are many designers I admire and adore, there is none more than Betsey Johnson. I love the bold, fun, edgy, retro elements found in everything she creates. Every Betsey Johnson piece has personality.

new in: accessories from betsey johnson + nina ricci

Accessories are always in style. I don't know quite what it is about accessories, but they always seem to make me smile. It amazes me how the right bracelet or set of earrings can transform a look. One moment you are sweet and simple and the next, edgy and over the top. Though I have been trying to be a little more selective about the accessories added into my collection (because quite frankly, my accessories collection is a little full)....there are a few new items that I have been enjoying lately.

mermaid inspired accessories + betsey johnson review

Mermaids have long been a part of storytelling, folklore, and popular culture. Growing up, I was obsessed with movies like The Little Mermaid and Splash....and used to dream of being as graceful and beautiful as those underwater creatures. Whenever something is mermaid themed, it tends to be on my radar. For instance, the mermaid tail brushes in my collection that have pink, blue, and green handles. Not to mention scales! Or the Tarte eyeshadow palette, Be a Mermaid & Make Waves. There are so many examples of mermaid inspired makeup and beauty collections. Accessories are just as popular! Recently, I was given a beautiful pair of Betsey Johnson mermaid tail earrings. It was love at first sight! In honour of those earrings, this post is dedicated to lots and lots of different mermaid inspired accessories. 

current favourite accessories (betsey johnson, swarovski, and more)

Who doesn't love accessories? Certain pieces have the ability to take an outfit from meh to marvelous in an instant. Lately, I have been ultra focused on accessorizing my ensembles. Though I currently have an obsession with silver sparkly rings (on three to four fingers at a time) there are a few other accessories that have brought joy to my life lately. Ones gifted to me and a few that I've added to my own jewellery collection. Today I wanted to showcase some of those items. They are definitely topping the list of my current favourite accessories. Some of the pieces are from Swarovski, some from Betsey Johnson (who is one of my all-time favourite fashion designers ever), and a handful of random items scattered in there as well. Ready to take a peek? Here are the accessories that have been making me smile.

you have to hold onto your fantasy.

What is it about Betsey Johnson that intrigues me so much? It seems that I am always adding more and more of her accessories into my collection! I can't help it. Her designs just embody bold, energetic style. There is something exciting about them. And when it comes to fashion, excitement is great.

There are a number of designers that I am a big fan of - but Betsey is by far my favourite. She's never stuffy, never predictable, and always outrageous. She puts life into fashion. She pushes the envelope. She makes fashion fun!

So, it's no wonder when I was out, a few accessories caught my eye. The theme was Paris....what girl could resist? I bought a bracelet with fake pearls, charms, and the famous Audrey Hepburn quote "Paris is always a good idea." I love it! To go with it, I also picked up a pair of Paris themed earrings - pink Eiffel tours with kisses all over them. Totally cute and totally Betsey. Take a look!

I am definitely excited to wear these out...again! (I confess, that I wore them literally the day after I bought them. I was impatient!) These pieces perfectly blend classic style with fun and trendy flair. In my opinion, Betsey is always a good idea.

What do you think of these Betsey Johnson accessories?

xo Shannon

12 days of Christmas (Winterlicious Questions) - Day 4

How is your holiday shaping up so far? As much as I love Christmas....I always feel like the lead up to the big day is the best part. I love spending time listening to music, watching holiday movies, catching up with friends, and enjoying special seasonal traditions. Are you ready for Day Four of my countdown to Christmas? If you missed my first post, check out the Winterlicious Questions. Today is all about accessories - and there are a couple of new pieces that have absolutely been making me smile lately. Keep reading to find out what they are.

current obsession: betsey johnson purse.

Okay, so I have a lot of purses. Some are big and some are small. Some are bold and some are neutral. There is a little bit of everything in my collection. Everything except a pizza purse. Until now, that is. This Christmas, my mom gave me the most incredible purse I have ever laid eyes on. This pizza shaped bag has everything I love - a dash of novelty and tons of glitter.

That is what I love most about Betsey Johnson's designs. She doesn't take anything too seriously and nothing is off limits. Her pieces are bold, fun, and energetic. I absolutely adore them....so of course, I cannot stop thinking about this incredible pizza purse! I love how sparkly it is, the expressive eyes, and the cute detail on the zipper (it says Betsey's Pizza Pie on it).

Quite frankly? There was a ton of thought put into this small, sparkly bag. While it is not the most practical purse in the world (it cannot hold more than the bare essentials), it more than makes up for it with that gorgeous exterior. Every time I carry it this pizza shaped bag, I feel amazing. And that is what fashion is all about.

Another one of my obsessions is the Too Faced Mascara Melt Off. Take a look at my latest YouTube video to see the product in action!


What do you think of this purse? Do you have a favourite bag?

xo Shannon

new in: accessories (guess, betsey johnson, and more)

Now that spring is fully underway, there are a few fashion and beauty goals on my radar. Some examples? Taking better care of my skin, wearing all of the shoes in my collection, going through my wardrobe, and being bolder with accessories. The latter is especially important to me right now. Why? It seems that accessories are the one area that I have been slacking on lately. Even though I have tons of different pieces (that I adore)....I often forget to wear anything other than my favourite necklace.

I am ready to change that habit. On a recent shopping trip, a few accessories caught my eye. They were all on sale, so I was able to nab them for a great price. Score! Already, a few of them have been incorporated into my daily outfits. These a fun, fresh, and the perfect way to welcome in a new season of fashion. So, what did I pick up? My mini mall haul included:

• Guess choker set (which included a white felt rose-inspired choker, a burgundy and gold suede choker, and a gold choker with danging spades). These are all really gorgeous, nice quality, and comfortable to wear. The gold one is my favourite, for sure.
• Forever 21 fluffy pink scrunchie. Boy, am I glad the 90s are back in style. It means this Clueless-esque scrunchie is totally wearable again! My plan is to incorporate this bold hair accessory into a topknot bun.
• Disney earring set. These Little Mermaid earrings were gifted to me from my mom....and I love them! My favourite pair is definitely the ones of Ariel. These will come in handy during my Disney vacation this summer.
• Betsey Johnson pink pretzel earrings. There are many reasons that I love all things Betsey, but these pretzel earrings pretty much sum it up. They are so fun! I just could not get over how cute and original they were. Fingers crossed that I will find the perfect time and place to wear them.

These are a few of the latest accessories in my collection. So far, they are inspiring me to get creative and mix things up every now and again.

Something else that has been inspiring me? The Koko Kollection from Kylie Cosmetics. My latest YouTube video is a try on and review of the set....take a look!

Have you bought any accessories lately? 

xo Shannon

new in: pink kate spade bow wallet

My favourite designers tend to have a little more fun with fashion. I think I will always lean towards brands like Betsey Johnson and Kate Spade. I believe that clothes and accessories should be whimsical and express different parts of your personality. Kate Spade certainly does this with ease. The brand constantly has a mixture of elegant basics and perfectly themed pieces. (This Kate Spade cat-inspired purse is a wonderful example of how brands can create luxury items that are still adorable.) Recently, the Kate Spade wallet that I have had for many many years started to look a little rough and worn down. So I actually purchased a Betsey Johnson wallet as a replacement. It was a wristlet wallet with a dark floral pattern. Gorgeous! I was all set to make the switch when my mom gifted me a new Kate Spade wallet. As you can see from the photograph above, it is absolutely beautiful. 

if the shoe fits, buy it in every color!

Purple tinted Betsey Johnson sunglasses

....and the shopping has begun! With the warm weather approaching, my shopping habits have hit an all-time high. Despite this, I am still trying to be better with my money (Ha!) - I've cut myself off from doing any shopping until my trip to New York next month. Until then, I will have to comfort myself with some of the amazing things I have purchased lately.

the best gifts come from the heart.

This is officially my first post of 2014...how strange. I hope that you have been enjoying the holiday season. It's difficult to get back on track after all of the festivities, though. Well, speaking of the holidays....I thought that I would show you some of the gifts I received this year. I was certainly very spoiled by my family and my boyfriend!

Ready to take a peek? Here goes!

 From My Boyfriend: 

Perfume galore!! I have been wanting the Katy Perry perfume for ages, 

so that was super exciting. Extra points for the cute Hillfiger bottle 

and a new fragrance. Love, love, love!

 

Loads of goodies from Bath & Bodyworks...yay! 

 

Books, scarves, a Mockingjay pin, and an Avril Lavigne compact! 

 

   Cute stuffed things! I love Disney and I loved plush things...perfect!

 

And my favourite gift from my boyfriend this Christmas? Records! 

The Bruno Mars one is my favourite...because it has our song on it.

This gift was so sweet and thoughtful.

 

 

From My Family:

Lots and lots of makeup to try out - including the 

Little Mermaid palette from Sephora.

 Super cute (and fluffy!) unicorn slippers from my sister!

 Betsey Johnson necklace and earrings. LOVE THEM!

Betsey Johnson perfume and body lotion.

(I absolutely love that bottle!)

  Celine Dion perfume (oh my gosh, I have so 

many new perfumes to try out this year!)

Odds and ends - notebooks, CDs, a brush holder that looks

like a shoe....amazing.

 A gorgeous new pair of earrings.

A super glittery purse - perfect for going out.

  Michael Kors wallet to match my favourite purse! Love!

Annnd lastly, a gorgeous Christian Dior purse. I adore it. It's so

pink and pretty!  

What gifts did you receive for Christmas this year?

xo Shannon

current obsession: happy face everything

In middle school, happy faces were considered to be ridiculously cool. And they were everywhere! On necklaces, keychains, t-shirts, mood rings...everywhere. At that time, my collection of happy face inspired items started. I remember that at one point, my room had happy face containers, an array of happy face necklaces, rings, stick on earrings, shirts, patches, pins, and stuffed animals. I loved happy faces a lot. Over the years, many of those items were tucked away or donated. (Though the holiday-inspired happy face stuffed animals have remained and come out for various holidays.) Imagine my surprise and delight when happy faces - and all things 90s - came back in style. It reminded of how much I loved all of those adorable yellow happy faces in my youth. Lately, I have been embracing the past and have welcomed a few new happy face items into my life.