Noir

(Sweater - Wilfred Free; Aritzia, Crop Top - Costa Blanca, Trousers - Costa Blanca, Ankle Boots - Fergilicious by Fergie, Bag - Bluenotes, Necklace - Aldo, Watch - Fossil)

xoxo

Inspired

"Be inspired and play around with clothes, but keep your own personality. I feel sorry for people who want to look like someone in a magazine. You will always look better when you are YOURSELF, and when you understand what fits you and what pleases you. For me, that's the key to style." - Isabel Marant; H&M Fall '13 Issue; Isabel Marant pour H&M

As I was impatiently waiting for my mother to finish work so we could go home together, I was reading H&M's new Fall'13 issue and stumbled upon an article featuring Isabel Marant - renowned fashion designer, and birth mother of heeled sneakers. She was interviewed in regards to her collaboration with H&M due November '13 in select stores and her closing remarks - which I've quoted above - really spoke to me.

While I may post outfit of the days here on my blog, I am by no means trying to put myself out there as a fashion icon or fashion advisor. I was discussing it with one of my friends last night that my OOTDs don't really have a specific theme or style to them. So while part of me thinks I should have a specific style to keep things a little more uniform, there's also a part of me that just wears what I want to wear.

To be honest, I haven't really found a specific style to stick to. I think I'm still trying to figure that out. Just like everything else in my life - although I should probably have things sorted by now.. - my style changes with my mood. I like to be comfortable but presentable at the same time. I'll admit I've made a bunch of fashion don'ts. Trying to fit into trends that may look good on someone else but doesn't flatter my body type has been a long time flaw that I'm slowly but surely trying to correct.

With that said, I shall take Isabel's words to heart. The world of fashion and style is just as much a learning experience for me as is makeup and beauty. But I guess it's the learning and growing that makes things all worth it.

xoxo

Blue Had Me At Hello

(Necklace - Costa Blanca, Romper - Costa Blanca, Belt - Costa Blanca, Watch - Fossil, Ankle Boots - Spring)

I'm normally not a fan of rompers but this one spoke to me somehow.. Must've been the in your face royal blue!

xoxo

Fashion Pick-Ups// COSTA BLANCA HAUL

- Sleeveless Crew Neck Tank [Black]

- Crochet Lace T-Shirt w/ Pu Trim [Cream]

- Racer Strip Denim [Navy]

- Short Sleeve Romper w/ Belt Detail [Royal Blue]

- Long Sleeve Side Rouched Cardigan [Black]

- Crew Neck Sweater w/ Open Back [Cream]

I stopped by my Costa Blanca location and picked up a few items from their new Fall/Winer 2013/2014 collection. Considering I won a $100 gift card from their previous Summer Essentials Contest, I decided to put the gift card + my employee discount to use and pick up a couple items that intrigued me. While it may not be the most colourful selection, I know these pieces will be staples in my wardrobe as the summer heat dies down [I'm just about over summer and ready for fall weather and fall fashion at this point..]. You can check out Costa Blanca's Fall/Winter 2013/2014 line HERE or visit a location near you!

xoxo

Blackberry

*All pieces are from Costa Blanca apart from the bralette [Brandy Melville Chiyo Top]*

Watch/Riley Rosegold Boyfriend Watch//Fossil

Lips/Rebel//MAC

xoxo

Urban

Black Crop Top//Costa Blanca

Denim Vest//Levi's

High Waisted Shorts//Jacob

Shoes/ChuckTaylors//Converse

Watch/Riley Rose Gold Boyfriend//Fossil

xoxo

Boho Lovin'

Floral Tank//Brandy Melville

Bralette/Chiyo Top//Brandy Melville

Bubble Hem Maxi Skirt//Costa Blanca

Sandals//Aeropostale

Aviators//H&M

Watch/Riley Rose Gold Boyfriend Watch//Fossil

Accessories//Brandy Melville/Pandora

xoxo

Fashion Pick-Ups// ARITZIA, LEVI'S & OAKLEY

Classic Rise Straight Cut/Demi Curve//Levi's

Denim Vest//Levi's

Black Snapback//Oakley

Coquette Scarf in "Wind"/Wilfred//Aritzia

I went to the Toronto Premium Outlets yesterday with my boyfriend and his family and while I didn't find too many good deals, I did land a few steals at Levi's and Oakley. While Nike and Levi's were my only targets on this outlet adventure and the Nike outlet sadly a dud, Levi's wasn't a complete let down. Obviously they didn't compare to the sales in the States, however I did manage to score a pair of $10 jeans and a denim vest. Funny store with the vest.. I probably went back and forth within the store trying to decide if I wanted to buy it.. trying to justify it for myself really. In the end I obviously decided to purchase it as it's posted here on my blog! How could I pass it up when it retails for $80, outlet priced at $60 and promoed for an additional $15 off! Anyway, I wasn't intending on purchasing anything else but stumbled upon a hat I've been wanting from Oakley on clearance for $15. To find out that it was on BOGO made it even better so I basically got it for $8. Apart from the outlet the only thing I purchased full price yesterday was yet another scarf from Aritzia that I've been anxiously awaiting for. I picked up one of Aritzia's famous Wilfred blanket scarves in "Wind"! Love love love it [despite my weeping pockets!]. So those are my most recent purchases..

xoxo

Top 5 Drugstore Lipsticks

Airy Fairy// Rimmel/ mauvey pink with golden flecks

Pink In The Afternoon// Revlon/ medium warm pink with a cream finish

Sheer Linen// L'Oreal/ browny pink nude

Raspberry Pie// Revlon/ deep berry 

Red Velvet// Revlon/ blood red

xoxo

Basic Brandy

Top - Brandy Melville

Shorts - Levi's

Shoes - Converse

Accessories - Brandy Melville

xoxo

What I Thought// Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation

I don't know what exactly drew me to this foundation to be honest. I never tried the Maybelline Fit Me liquid foundation because it's not exactly targeted for my specific skin type but for some reason, I was drawn to this one. It could be due to the fact that it was receiving fairly good reviews on YouTube, or the fact that it stated that it was a "shine free" foundation. With that said, I basically hunted this down when I went to the States last month - if you're Canadian you know it takes ions for us to get anything new - and finally found one at Wal-Mart. I believe it was about $8-10 USD. 

This foundation, as stated above, claims to be shine free. It's a gel stick foundation with what is marketed as an "anti-shine" core to "instantly" dissolve oil. I picked up the shade 220 Natural Beige because between this one and the shade above, this one looked like it had yellower undertones. It is smidgen light for my skin however it works well if I keep it away from the perimeter of my face [which generally tends to be darker anyway..]. 

I find the fact that it's a stick foundation to be rather convenient if you're on the go. I've heard it applies best when blended out with fingers, however if I'm not in a hurry I like to blend it out with my MAC #130 duo-fibre brush. I would say the coverage is light to medium however it's definitely something I'd recommend using on good skin days, or if you don't really need full coverage to begin with. 

As for it's "shine free" claims.. to be honest I don't think it hold true to those claims. The "anti-shine" core is supposed to dissolve excess oils however I find that I get oily quicker with this foundation than I do with the Revlon Nearly Naked [Review HERE]. I would probably recommend this foundation to those with normal skin because it doesn't hold up amazingly against oily skin, however because it's in a stick formulation I don't think it'd agree with dry patches either - it may even accentuate them more than you'd like. If you're a teen whose just starting out with makeup this might be for you as well as it's easy to use and take with you on the go. Otherwise.. it's not my favourite.

xoxo

Tuesday Date Night

Nothing screams post workout like a chicken burrito from Mucho Burrito and froyo from Ci Gusta! While it may not be the most healthiest of post workout meals, sure makes my taste buds and stomach do a happy dance. Not to mention, spending quality time with the boyfriend tops it all off! Gotta love a relaxing date night.

xoxo