if you're not really having a good time, it's not worth it.

I don't get the chance to go out much. I mean, sure I go to dinner and movies and stuff like that...but I don't often have the opportunity to go to bars and clubs with my friends. (It doesn't help that so many of my friends live far away!) It seems that plans always fall through. Especially this summer.

Many, many times, I've found myself planning the perfect outfit....only to find I have no reason to wear it! So, I thought I would get a little creative and put together my ideal night out look.

I chose a neon orange rouched skirt from H&M that I have been dying to wear, along with a simple black one-shoulder top from Joe Fresh. The shoes were gold glittery heels from the iconic Betsey Johnson, along with a pendant necklace, sparkly earrings, and a ring with a floral design.

For makeup, I opted for neutral shades on the eyes (nothing is better than Urban Decay's Naked Palette...nothing!), an orangey-bronze blush from NARS in Liberte, NARS the Multiple in South Beach, and to top it all off a bold, bright lip. (The deep orange gloss pictured is from Real Colors in Turn The Other Chic.)

So there you have it - my perfect night outfit. Now, if only I had somewhere to go!

What do you think of this look? When is the last time you went out?

xo Shannon

but i'm working on the foundation.

I have too many foundations. I think it's because I always want to try a million different types - just to see what they're like and whether or not they work for me. I've been doing my best to use up the ones I have and only re-purchase the ones I absolutely love.

...but then I saw the new Maybelline stick foundation. And well, I've never tried a stick foundation before. Needless to say, my curiosity took over and I added one more foundation to my collection. Oops! So, I picked up the Maybelline Fit Me! Shine-Free Foundation with Anti-Shine Core in the shade 115.

What are my thoughts?

This foundation is absolutely wonderful! Now, I wouldn't say it's a full coverage foundation - it is more of a light to medium coverage. However, it is so quick and easy to use. Since I get up at 6am for work, I don't have a ton of time (or energy!) to do full-on makeup each morning. So, I've been using this Maybelline stick foundation. I just apply it to areas that need a bit of coverage, like underneath my eyes, my cheeks, and my nose, and blend in with my fingertips.

Another way that I've been using this stick foundation is applying it on my face before using my regular foundation. It creates a super full-coverage look! The stick foundation is super creamy, lasts well, and comes with a ton of product. (I've been using it almost every morning before work and I'm not even halfway through it!)

My rating: 4/5 - for the texture, quality, and ease of use.

Have you tried the Maybelline Fit Me! stick foundation? What do you think of it?

xo Shannon

you never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.

This summer, life has been busy. Well, in all honesty, life has been busy for a very long time. The difference is that somehow, things seem balanced now. I'm more focused and determined than ever. I'm working hard to build my writing career and I'm doing my best to have more of a social life. I may be swamped, but in a weird way, I'm happy about it.

Part of the reason I've been swamped is that I'm writing for more websites. (Which is always a good thing!) So, I thought that I would share a few of my recent articles with you all!

I've been writing for a website called Hairstyle Stars on and off for a little while, and I'm back to writing for them again. I love it! Here are a few of my recent articles.
Undercut Hairstyles for Short and Long Hair
Dry Long Hair: What To Do
3 Fun Hair Colour Trends 2013
Faux Bob
Bangs For Long Hair
3 Haircuts for Very Long Hair

I've also started writing for a website called Butler Way, where I write a weekly column about fashion and beauty....something I always love writing about! Here are my columns:
How to Summer Proof Your Makeup
Going Red: Achieving The Perfect Red Lip
Traveling In Style: Your Fashion and Beauty Essentials

Writing has always been my passion. Lately, I've been feeling especially blessed that I am able to do more of it. With each passing day, I get closer to achieving my dreams...and I can't ask for much more than that.

xo Shannon

khloe kardashian: makeup inspiration

As I mentioned in my recent post, I kind of have an obsession with Khloe Kardashian at the moment. I don't know exactly what it is, but I think she is amazing. Plus, she has ultra-glam makeup down pat! So, I decided to re-create one of her more memorable makeup looks.

This makeup look (pictured above) is super smokey, sexy, and glamorous. The Kardashian's are known for their stunning dark makeup looks, and Khloe is no different! This makeup look has winged out shadow, bronzed cheeks, and a nude lip. (Always a good look.) I totally fell in love with it and simply needed to try to recreate it.

Check out my Khloe Kardashian inspired makeup look:

Overall, I'm happy with how this look turned out. I love dramatic, smokey eye makeup looks, so this was right up my alley. It made me feel super sexy and confident - which is exactly what makeup should do. And I have Khloe to thank for inspiring me!

Products used for this makeup look were:

MAC Studio Fix Foundation, Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer, Cover Girl powder, Rimmel Bronzer, NARS the Multiple in South Beach, Sally Hansen Blush in Fawn, Kat Von D palette in True Romance, Eyeko London Liquid Eyeliner Pen, Dior Show Waterproof Mascara, Blinc Eyebrow Mousse, Maybelline Extreme Moisture Lipstick in Buttercup.

What do you think of this makeup look? Who has been inspiring you lately?

xo Shannon

are we not like two volumes of one book?

A few days ago, my boyfriend and I celebrated a year and a half together. Time flies when you're having fun! He surprised me with flowers at work - pink roses....my favourite. It was so sweet and unexpected. I definitely felt spoiled. Then, we celebrated properly on the weekend by heading down to see a Blue Jays game before grabbing dinner and spending the night watching TV together. It was so so wonderful.

I always have fun when I'm with him and this weekend was no different. It felt great to take a bit of time to celebrate the best year and a half of my life. I am so blessed to be with him. He truly makes every single day better. I really do feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Okay, okay, I'll stop. I just can't help it! But, since I'm being such a sap, I thought I would share some of our pictures from the weekend.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, 

while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

So, that was how I spent my weekend! How did you spend yours?

xo Shannon

inspired by: khloe kardashian

Lately, I have been watching a lot of Netflix while I work. I blame the return of Arrested Development. My family never had Netflix before the latest season, but now we've signed on for another six months. And it's amazing. There are just so many TV shows and movies to choose from. It's paradise!

Let me admit right now that I have mostly been using Netflix to catch up on episodes I'd missed of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I love that show. It's addicting!  I may love Kim's style the most (pre-pregnancy of course), but my current obsession is with Khloe. I love her bold, outrageous personality. I admire that she is always so fun, lively, and outspoken. I definitely wish that I was a little bit more like her! 

Since my Khloe Kardashian love is at an all-time high, this post is going a two-parter. (This is obviously part one!) This first post is totally dedicated to her style. Her fashion sense is definitely a little hit or miss for me, but I love that she takes risks. She epitomizes sexy, glamorous style. Plus, her makeup always looks flawless.

Here are some of my favourite pictures of Khloe's style!

Do you like Khloe Kardashian? What do you think of her fashion style?

xo Shannon

keep calm and paint your nails.

I have become very vain about my nails. After years and years of bare nails, suddenly I'm allowed to have pretty painted nails. Yup, ever since my work changed the rules about nail polish at work, I think I have a full-blown obsession. Okay, I'm still stuck in neutral territory, but still! It's something.

This time, I opted for a soft baby pink shade. I think this is my favourite of the colours I've had so far. It's super girly and pretty. I just feel really confident with them! I haven't decided what colour I'm going to try out next, but I have a feeling I'll keep coming back to this baby pink shade in the future.

Ready to see my perfectly pink nails?

Do you like this shade? What colour are your nails right now?

xo Shannon