I've fallen back in love with small handbags. I think this happens every year when the weather gets warmer. I don't feel like carrying a large bag, especially if it is a day I can carry a purse instead of my gym bag; I don't want to lug around too many things. This is why I try to carry the least amount of makeup/beauty products are possible. It doesn't always work but I think we can all agree that most of us end up loosing half our lip products in our handbags. So to prevent that, I try to keep it as clean as possible. I limit myself to the products I know I reach for on a regular basis and that I know I'll regret if I forget them.


Hand cream: This is a staple for me. Surprisingly, not because I have very dry hands but because of the gym, I end up with blisters and calluses on my palms so having cream with me keeps them hydrated and nice. I don't have a particular favourite hand cream but must often its some type of The Body Shop cream or the Soap&Glory Hand Food.


Chapstick/Lip Product: I'll always have a moisturizing lip product with me, even if I'm wearing a lipstick that day. I really don't enjoy having chapped lips so keeping them moisturized has just always been a norm. I love the Baby Lips products because they are super hydrating and that hint of colour allows me to skip on a lip gloss or stick for that day. My favourite is the Baby Lips in Cherry Me.

Powder: I have oily skin and live in a city which gets very humid in the summer so having powder is definitely a must. I usually just grab the powder I used that morning and more often then not that's the Rimmel Stay Matte powder.

Blotting Sheets: Along the same lines as the powder I'll use this before to get rid of any excess oil before deciding if I need to reapply any powder.


Water Bottle: I am not good at drinking enough water throughout the day. And even though I know all the benefits of staying hydrated it's never been a good habit I've been able to keep. That being said it is a lot easier for me to drink water during the warmer seasons then during the winter. In a attempt to make sure I drink enough water I bought myself a "pretty" reusable bottle so that I'm more inclined the drink. Hey whatever works, I'll try it:).

I'm not the best with face masks. It's the one part of my face routine I just can't seem to do on a frequent basis. It's been a few weeks where I've noticed that I'm not too happy with how my face looks in the morning. Even after I wash and moisturize it, it still looks dull and tired.
So while watching an April Favourites on YouTube, I stumbled upon Zoe's video and was instantly drawn to a face mask she was talking about. Now normally, I usually just watch the videos and while the products look interesting, I'm not one to go out and buy them straight away. However, this one hit me. It sounded really interesting and I was curious to see if I would enjoy it.
The product I'm taking about is The Body Shop's Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask.


The mask claims to "smooth, refresh and replenish" and honestly that's exactly what my skin problems were. I felt like it was lacking life and while I was keeping it clean, it didn't feel or look fresh.
Well I've used the product a few times now and I can definitely see the difference when I do. I wake up in the morning and I don't feel like my face is angry at me anymore. It's so much more relaxed. I had found my skin looking very tight, like it was stressed. And while yes, we all have stresses in our lives, it wasn't exactly been a serious problem in mine at the moment. My skin is also a lot smother when I wake up and doesn't feel as rough. I haven't used it twice in a row because it still is a pretty even formulation, but I imagine that if you have very dry skin (mine is oily/combination), you could get away with that.


In all, I'm very impressed with the mask. I didn't expect to see results right away and I'm only praying that I keep seeing results as I continue to use it.

Starting work has been both exciting and nerve racking. I feel like this is the first job I’ve ever had that utilizes my passions, such as style and beauty. For the first time I can see myself having fun at work and not simply doing a job. While all of this is excited, I get nervous because I’ve never studied the field. While I have a passion for style and beauty, it’s never something I studied. I'm looking forward to the nerves subsiding!

This is one of the first outfits I wore to work. I wanted to keep it professional and since it was sunny outside, I thought I’d wear some coral. Once September hits, you never know when it’ll be your last day to wear summer colours. I decided I would take advantage of the sun.





I hope you've enjoyed the look and let me know what you've been wearing these past few weeks!

August has come and gone which means that while summer may be ending, fall is approaching. I always find this time of the month bittersweet. While the hot weather and beach day opportunities are looking more scarce, it does mean that the autumn weather is approaching and truthfully, it's my favourite season of the year. 

So while September may be upon us, I thought I would revisit my August favourites. Many of these items are quite transitional pieces, so while they may make you think of summer, they are also good for the early autumn weather.





I hope you've enjoyed reading all about my August favourites. Let me know which items you've gravitated towards in your beauty bag or closet; let's share our essentials for this transitional time.

I've really loved looking at all the street style and runway posts from the past week at New York Fashion Week. It gives one the opportunity to see glimpses of the new collections, as well as, great outfit ideas from all the street style. The only thing better would be to actually be in New York (or Paris, London and Milan). Most of these can be found on Tumblr but other blogs and sites have featured some great shots.

Here are some of my favourites:

http://alexastyle.tumblr.com/

http://kendallandkyliejennerlove.tumblr.com/

http://j2martinez.tumblr.com/

http://sand-snake-kate.tumblr.com/

http://thequeenoliviapalermo.tumblr.com

http://weworewhatworld.tumblr.com

http://stopdropandvogue.com/

http://alexastyle.tumblr.com/

I've been doing a bit of beauty shopping over the past month and so here's what I've gotten. Since getting these products I've been able to test them out so I'll also include a brief review of each one.

First on the list is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and this has been raved about by so many bloggers. I never decided to pick it up simply because I've enjoyed the ones that I do have but recently it was used on me and the results were amazing. I found it really long lasting and while it is the most recent purchase of the lot I feel like I'm going to continue loving it.

I decided to pick up the Buxom Mascara and I love it. I had first tried it when I got it as a sample and I was blown away with its effect it had on my lashes. The wand is large so it gives plenty of volume and length which is perfect it you're looking for a big glamorous look.

I also decided to treat myself to the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess which again has been raved about for years. I got it in the shade 003-Medium and its perfect. It adds just the right amount of colour and glow without looking overdone.

On my same trip to pick up to bronzer, I also got my hands on the Dior Lip Polish. I have to admit, I'm become a lipstick gal. However, I've opened up my eyes to the beauties that are lip glosses and got something that would add some gloss to my lips while keeping my natural colour showing.

Next up is the Anastasia Brow Wiz and I've never been a fan of pencils for eyebrows. I  simply used an eyeshadow because I felt it gave a more naturally finish. This brow pencil does the exact same. You need to have a light hand but the shade is perfect and I'm still able to create a nice brow that doesn't have the "drawn on look". Excellent.

The moment I lay eyes on this palette, I knew I had to have it. It is absolutely beautiful. I'm talking about the Tarte Rainforest After Dark Eye and Cheek Palette. The eyeshadow colours are gorgeous and the highlighter is amazing. The blusher is also such a beautiful pink that I would wear it any season. The only product that I'm not over the moon about is the bronzer. There isn't anything inherently wrong with it, I just prefer the look of my Estee Lauder one better.

The final product is the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. While I love wearing this mascara and it does make my lashes fuller, I think it's a little over hyped. There are so many other mascaras out there that give the exact same result. So while I'll continue to use it, I wasn't as wowed with the results as I thought I would be.

Summer has come and gone and while these purchases are quite bright and summer friendly, I think I'll be able to pull them off in all seasons- well maybe i'll think of dialing back on the bronzer come January!

This Wednesday I had the opportunity to take a day trip to Montreal and see my Mum on her birthday. It was also perfect timing because my cousin from Dubai was also in town visiting.



We decided to go see the "Fabulous Faberge" exhibit currently held at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Faberge was a jeweler for the Russian Royal family between 1885 and 1917. His most famous pieces consist of the Easter eggs presented by Tzar Alexander III to his wife Empress Maria Fedorovna and then later his son, Tzar Nicholas II, upheld the tradition with his wife Empress Alexandra Fedorovna.

Painting at the entrance of the exhibit

The collection had four of these eggs on display and then hundreds of other pieces the jeweler made for the family. There was everything from tea pots to mantel pieces and picture frames. I was blown away by the beauty and detailed craftsmanship. It was unbelievable to see the wealth found in these pieces and then comparing it to the struggles the country was going through at the time.




I have a great love for 20th century Russian history. And while part of me was fascinated with the pieces before me, I couldn't help but think about the poverty and despair the rest of the country was suffering through at the same time.

Nonetheless, the pure beauty and skill seen in the exhibit cannot be ignored and if you look at the collection through a purely artistic eye, none can deny the elegance of every single piece.


The collection will be at the museum until October 5th so if you're in the Montreal area and feel like going to see some amazing jewels, then I definitely recommend you make a stop.

* I apologize for the quality of the pictures, they were taken on an Iphone.