As most people who know me, I am obsessed with anything skulls, I have earrings, necklaces, tee’s etc. It could be my love affair with Alexander McQueen or just my dark side. Last winter I was introduced to this amazing brand at Pink Tartan‘s store Seventy Seven in Yorkville, DL & Company, they have amazing skull pieces. Since then I have explored their site and found many amazing things, from skull candles (great interior home accents), stationary, candle snuffers and sculptures. Here are a few of my favourite pieces from their memento mori collection. They will definitely be on my wish list for this upcoming holiday season:
As all my friends know especially the ones who are hair and makeup artists, I am completely challenged when trying to do my hair. I have had them text me step by step instructions for when I have had to do my own hair for events. But now things have changed. I picked up the Bumble and BumblePin Tin the other day, which is in stores just in time for the holidays, and I am officially in love. This pin tin has 4 different styles of hair pins and are stored by type and size, it also comes with a few step by step instructions. I can honestly say I attempted one of the styles and I succeeded and got a ton of compliments at two separate fashion events. I also love the fact that they are white as they become part of the style. Plus I love how organized they stay. A definite recommendation.
Smashbox cosmetics is a company that is extremely well known especially for their primers. The original primer has garnered a cult following. Now there is a new addition to the family and I have to say I am pretty excited about it. The Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer is a primer that provides amazing hydration to the skin yet is still oil free. Something that has been hard to find. This is a great item to have in your makeup bags for this upcoming fall and winter when the heat gets turned on and your skin starts drying out. Try it, I definitely recommend it. And bonus…it’s paraben free!
The countdown is on for probably one of the most anticipated Target collaborations yet….that is right Missoni is doing a 400+ piece collection for target with pieces starting at $2.99 and going up to $599 with the majority of the collection under (that is right under!) $40. The collection will include housewares, bed linens, women’s clothing and accessories, men’s clothing and accessories and even wardrobe and accessories for all the little nuggets out there. There is also a bike and patio furniture. If you couldn’t tell I am over the top excited for this. I have found some great images from the campaign as well as the some pieces included in the September Vogue issue with Margherita Missoni that includes some of the Target pieces.
So far from all the feedback from the fashion editors this is definitely a collaboration worth checking out. It launches September 13th and goes till October 22nd. But I recommend being there the first day as I think the first drop wont last too long. I personally have my eye on many pieces…suitcase, rugs, housewares…etc.
Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure:
Margherita Missoni at home showing her collaboration with Target for the September Vogue Issue:
Margherita wearing Missoni for Target Sweater ($45) and Skirt ($40) www.Target.com image courtesy of Vogue MagazineMissoni for Target Ceramic Regtangular Tray ($20) Octagnonal Tray ($25) www.Target.com image courtesy of Vogue MagazineMissoni for Target Canisters ($20) www.target.com image courtesy of Vogue MagazineMissoni for Target rugts ($30/each) and the imfamous Bicycle ($400) www.target.com image courtesy of Vogue Magazine
Some behind the scene ad campaign shots:
Margherita Missoni modeling the Missoni for Target collection with another female modelMargherita Missoni modeling the Missoni for Target collection with a male model
So I admit I am a total product junkie. It may be a result that I continually get bored of my natural hair colour so I do things like dye it red or dark brunette, and when the upkeep becomes too much I strip it out and go back to my natural hue of blonde. But from all that torture my hair is just not as great as it used to be, say bye bye to natural waves and healthy shine. Well I have been scouring high and low to find products to try and revive my hair instead of chopping it all off and starting fresh. So when L’Oreal started advertising their new hair care line I thought I may try it. When I saw it on sale in my local drug store I bought every piece from the Total Repair 5 Collection; shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, overnight treatment, leave in detangler treatment; junkie, I know…Anyways to my surprise for the first time ever my hair has taken to all the claims and actually looks healthier, feels softer, has more body and has more shine! I felt I had to share as I know many of us are obsessed with finding the perfect product. Well as of right now this one comes pretty close and it is at a much more affordable price than the professional brands. I will definitely recommend this particular collection and I have a feeling the other ones in it will be just as great.
It is getting close to that time of year again where the holiday gift giving begins, so I thought I would include one of my biggest gift obsessions that I love to receive….books on Fashion. Here are a few I am coveting, and a few that I have recently added to my collection:
Alexander McQueen: Genius of A Generation
by Krisin Knox
Alexander McQueen: Genius of a Generation
This book is a tribute to Alexander McQueen’s (1969-2010) life and his incredible style genius. Iconic images from his collections and shows are included in the book. I picked it up for myself and all I can say is “wow”. His genius in fashion was unreal and for those who are creative, it is truly inspirational ($34).
Fall Winter 2006: Image from Book
Fall/Winter 2006: Image from Book
Spring/Summer 2007: Image from Book
Kate Moss by Mario Testino
Kate Moss by Mario Testino
This book is absolutely unreal, for anyone that is a Kate Moss fan, the 100 plus photos in the book of her history with Mario Testino is amazing. It is a book I am truly coveting, but the expensive price tag and extremely and I mean extremely limited number (1,500 in the whole world) of copies available make it a very special gift ($800), each copy is numbered and signed by Testino.
Kate Moss: Image from Book
The ELLEments of Personal Style: 25 Modern Fashion Icons on How to Dress, Shop and Live
This book follows the career of Emilio Pucci and his prints and legacy within the fashion industry. What makes this book even more exciting…there are 10,000 copies only in the world and each one is uniquely bound with fabric from some of the most recent Pucci prints, so not all the covers are the same, definitely a collectors piece ($210).
page from Emilio Pucci
page from Emilio Pucci
P.S. I Made This: I See It. I Like It. I Make It.
by Erica Domesek
P.S. I Made This
This is a great book, where Erica Domesek looks at runway and designer pieces and then makes versions herself at a fraction of the cost to get a similar look. Truly a must for the crafty fashion lover ($23).
These are just a sampling of books that would be great holiday gifts to any fashion lover, with a few of them true collectors pieces, and my best tip for saving a little money on them, try and order online, Chapters/Indigo and Amazon all offer discounts off of the actual price and there is often free shipping as well, can’t really go wrong with that.
I am definitely a make-up junkie…there really is no question. But I have to admit my newest cosmetic obsession really does deserve it. Burberry Beauty is really what I feel so many woman were looking in the beauty market. It is makeup for women, not makeup artists. It was the brain child of Christopher Bailey as he felt there wasn’t any makeup out there that reflected his Burberry girl. With colours named like Trench, Khaki, Almond, Cameo, you can truly see the Burberry influence. The colours are incredibly wearable and soo easy to use, and it it gives a great fresh faced look.
I also love the packaging with the iconic plaid all over it.
Shadows:
Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow No. 6 Almond
These sheer shadows can be applied with your finger or a brush. The colours are amazing. Some of my favourites are Khaki, Gold Trench, Almond and Trench.
Lip Gloss:
Burberry Natural Lip Glow Lip Gloss
This gloss is absolutely amazing. There is great colour coverage, but absolutely noooo stickiness, so hello windy days, as there were will be no hair caught in the gloss or leaving those dreaded gloss lines on your face!
Lipstick:
Burberry ‘Lip Cover’ Soft Satin Lipstick
This lipstick actually feels hydrating on your lips. I love how if you apply it and slighlty blot it with your finger you get a great stained appearance. And can I just say how much I love the packaging. It is so sleek and sophisticated AND there is a magnet in the cap which prevents it from falling off in your purse….Genius!
Foundation:
Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation
This foundation is absolutely incredible. I have been one to preach them amazing qualities of Gorgio Armani, but I must admit as much as I still love the Armani foundation, this one has surpassed it in my loves. There are uv filters in it, so you need to shake it up before you use it, but the colours and texture on the skin are incredible. One pump is truly all you need for coverage. I find I don’t even need to use concealer anymore with it. This is a definite recommend to anyone, and they have a great range of colours to choose from.
Currently in Canada Burberry Beauty is exclusive to Holt Renfrew Bloor Street in Toronto and Vancouver, you can order it from them from where ever your are, or you can also shop online at Nordstrom since they now ship to Canada.
So every season Chanel always seems to come up with the best nail colour trend defining colours, Le Vernis Nail Colours have always been on every fashionista and fashion and beauty editor’s nails and wish lists. Will we ever forget Black Satin, Noir Cermaic, Jade, Particular, or Nouvelle Vague? Well this fall they have quite a few colours up for grabs, some of them very limited and very hard to get your hands on, and one that has now, so I have been told, been added to their line-up, just like Black Satin was. Here are the shades that I am truly lusting after….
Paradoxal
Paradoxal
This is an incredible dark grey with an iridescent violet in it…definitely looks incredible on the nails, and if it is any indicator, even though it is no longer limited edition, they still can’t keep it in stock and there are wait lists.
Black Velvet
Black Velvet
This is an amazing velvety black with more of a matte finish. One word of warning this limited edition shade definitely needs a base coat, it grips your nails like I have never seen before. I love the velvety matte finish, I feel that is a fresh take on the normal shiny black we have been seeing everywhere.
Les Khakis
Les Khakis
These three shades were limited edition shades created for Vogue’s Fashion Night Out and they were launched at the Chanel in SOHO. So many people were lusting after them in other cities, that some Chanel counters got them, though I can tell you there was a definite wait list for them – I was one of them on it! I have to admit, I love all three shades:
Khaki Brun
This one looks a little more green in real life. I absolutely love it, it is a nice warm shade that really flatters many people and makes a great every day colour.
Khaki Rose
This is a more pinky brown version of particular. It is a colour that I can see all ages loving and is incredibly sophisticated.
Khaki Vert
This one is probably my absolute favourite of all the fall shades. It is the perfect Khaki green, is more cool toned then the other two shades in Les Khakis. It is most likely going to be my go to colour for the whole fall season. I absolutely love it!
Chanel has definitely done it again as Peter Philips has been creating some incredible colours that women are going nuts for. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for Spring 2011!
As much as I love summer, one does need a few great beauty staples to help survive the heat while still looking absolutely fabulous. These are a few items I use every day that help me stay looking my best and help to keep me cool and fresh looking during those extremely hot and humid days. Ladies you really only need a few essentials to get you through, so are are my beauty must haves:
Sunscreen:
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a true beauty must have for anyone. A quick application every day before you head out and before your make up is applied is all that is needed. It helps keep your skin looking younger and you can still get a tan, just a much safer one! My absolute favourite is Dermalogica’s Solar Defence Booster SPF 30. I have tired many brands through out the years and this is definitely the best. It doesn’t irritate your eyes, so you can get it nice and close to the eye area and it leaves no white residue, which is something I absolutely hate.
During the summer I find foundation just too heavy. I also feel that it looks super obvious when you start to sweat it off. A great tinted moisturizer is really all you need. The great thing about a tinted moisturizer is you can go a shade darker than your natural skin tone to give you more of a tan look with out the dreaded face mask look of a foundation since it goes on nice an sheer. It is great at evening out your skin tone and giving it that nice and healthy glow that everyone covets. I really like the ones by Laura Mercier as they offer great options for different skin types; there is the original, oil free and luminizing. I really feel everyone can find their perfect match from them.
So I have still yet to understand why make-up companies continue to make non-waterproof mascara…really what woman is able to wear it and not raccoon it? Anyways, after many tests with many different brands including the expensive designer ones, I have found one that seems to really live up to all its claims, and it stays on. Trust me, I have gone swimming with it on, worn it in of 46°C weather with high humidity and even slept with it on (I know I know…soo bad for you) BUT alas no smudges!!! I also love how the Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express mascara really allows you not to have to choose between having volume or length for you lashes from your mascara. It really delivers, and I find when you have great lashes you need very little else make-up wise.
Gloss is a must with any girl, and the is especially evident in the summer months. But in the summer you also want to protect your lips from the sun. Not only to keep them looking great, but also take it from me, sun burnt lips are the absolute worst!!! There are lots of lip balms to choose from with an SPF in them and even a few tinted ones, but to be really honest I am lazy and I don’t really want to go through a whole process of applying those and then following up with a gloss. Plus that is way to many products to carry around. That is why I was soo excited to find out that Clinique now offers there long last glosswear with an SPF 15. My favourite every day colour is bamboo pink, a beautiful natural pink with a little bit of an extra punch to it.
Everyone sweats, it really is a natural phenomena. Though I do love how many women refer to it as glowing…sounds soo much classier. Unfortunately to continue adding powder to combat it, ends up making your face look like you have caked make up on, that is why I prefer blotting papers. There are lots out there but I have to say it is better to go with the ones that don’t have powder in them. I really like the MAC ones. There blotting film works amazing. I have even had some of my guy friends borrow them to remove the extra grease on their face. I will tell you one secret though…if in a pinch, toilet seat covers work great!
If my hair isn’t up for the day, I still need to have an elastic on hand just in-case I want to throw it up and get it off my neck, or it just isn’t looking so fabulous. I love these hair ties for that reason, they look great on your wrist if you aren’t using it, and they also are so gentle on your hair that when you do use them to through your hair up, it doesn’t damage it like other elastics do. The brand emi-jay are my favourites since there are lots of colours to choose from including my favourite, the metallic collection, and they are also done by these two teenage girls in the states, which I think is amazing. Try them I guarantee you will be as addicted to them as I am, I sometimes even have more than one on my wrist since they look so great!
So it is that time of year again…summer. It is one of my favourite seasons, where you can wear fabulous fashions and enjoy the sun, with out the need of a coat or boots! Don’t get me wrong though, I do love my boots.
During this time of year I have some favourite accessory staples that I rely on to help me enjoy the weather while looking truly stylish with little effort in this amazingly hot and sunny weather. Here are a few of my absolute favourite obsessions:
Nude Leather Flip Flops
These incredibly comfortable leather flip flops from tkees foundations collection, are my go to footwear. They can be dressed up or down since the leather makes it a little more stylish than rubber ones. I wear mine almost every day, the buttery soft leather and the memory foam cushioning make them so comfortable. The foundations collection comes in a range of colours so you are guaranteed to find one that matches your skin tone, and as all stylists know, nude shoes including flats truly elongate your legs! Always a great way to dress!!
I am a true believer that everyone just looks that little bit sexier in a classic gold frame aviator. My go to pair is the classic ones by Ray-Ban. They truly seem to suit everyone, and there is something to be said for a style and a brand that have been around for years! I also am a fan of wire framed sunglasses in the summer as when it is really hot, the plastic ones seem to slide around on your face way too much.
There is something about feathers that truly speak summer to me! I love this feather ring by Elizabeth and James, but there are tons of feather jewelry out there. I love to mix my silver and gold as I feel the combination can really set of a tan, be it real or the health faux from a bottle! I got this amazing one from Shopbop.
I love having my hands free when I am out and about, and the cross body bag is my true go to, I can run my errands and not worry about my purse slipping down my shoulder. This Marc by Marc Jacobs one is my favourite. I love the nod to the traditional swallow tattoos and the multiple pockets. Definitely keeps me organized and no more lost keys in the depths of my bag! The leather and the gold make it great for summer, but you can truly use this all year round.
The Eco Tote! With the 5¢ charge for plastic bags, a true style setter needs to have a great eco-tote on hand. This one by Jenny Bird is my favourite as it give money to Haiti, and it has a fabulous design that will be sure to get attention. I have also used mine as a great beach tote! There is something to be said for great style that is also functional and environmental!
