Yays & Nays of March

I've seen several bloggers do these "yay and nay" postings so I figured I'd follow suit!

Yays

- Chanel >>> I've been bitten by the Chanel bug, and while it's a nay for my wallet, it's a definite yay for my life

- YouTube >>> I think it's pretty obvious that I love YouTube, and even though it's hard to keep up with sometimes (both in terms of putting out videos and watching videos from people I'm subscribed to) I'm really enjoying meeting so many fantastic people on there

-Uphill walking on the treadmill >>> This is a tricky one, because it isn't like I'm in love with working out. In fact, I don't enjoy it that much at all while I'm doing it. However, I love how I feel afterwards and the energy it gives me. I've been doing a little over 3 miles uphill whenever I can which is probably not as often as I should. But it's better than nothing, right?

-Shopper's Drug Mart >>> Their prices are inflated but they have a pretty decent cosmetics/fragrance selection, and Optimum points make me happy

-These sandals by Free People (my favourite clothing brand by far) and the fact that I can finally start thinking about sandals again  >>>

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Nays

-Winter  >>> In a couple of days it will officially be spring, but spring is not really anywhere in sight where I live. Around here, spring usually only begins to rear its head around late April/May - and that makes me sad. Snow is of no use to me unless I'm a.) on a ski hill b.) snowmobiling, or c.) sledding/making a snowman

-Dishonesty >>> Nay, nay, nay.

- Fatigue  >>> I've been working a lot lately, and when I get home in the afternoons I tend to just crash. Like seriously, everything in my body wants to just lie on the couch and just sleep before I can even get my coat off! No bueno!

And that's all I have for now! If you haven't seen my latest video, here's what's in my purse:

What are your yays and nays so far this month?

-Laura xo

Recent Purchases from my Wishlist

As promised, not long after I wrote my wishlist post I put my VISA giftcard to good use. Here's a little summary of the damage:

The (short version of my) Wishlist

-Dior 5 eyeshadow palette in "Incognito"

-Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in "Dragon"

-Clinique Brush-on Cream Liner in "True Black"

-YSL Rouge Volupté lipstick in No. 9 "Caress Pink"

-YSL Rouge Volupté lipstick in No. 13 "Peach Passion"

-YSL Rouge Volupté lipstick in No. 27 "Rose Paris"

-NARS eyeshadow duo in "Silk Road"

-Chanel Vitalumière Aqua foundation

-MAC lipstick in "Hue"

-MAC lipstick in "Blankety"

-MAC lipstick in "Crème Cup"

-MAC eyeshadow in "Bamboo"

-MAC eyeshadow in "Cork"

-MAC eyeshadow in "Wedge"

-MAC eyeshadow in "Vapour"

It really is amazing how quickly a wishlist can change, and I don't just mean in terms of products acquired thanks to a VISA giftcard. I'm not only constantly adding new items to my wishlist, but crossing them off as well! For example, the YSL lipstick in No. 27 "Rose Paris" has been taken off the list altogether (not the literal list, but the list in my head) and replaced by the YSL lipstick in No. 1 "Nude Beige." Then there are a few items on my list that I'm not quite as eager to get anymore, such as the NARS duo and the MAC eyeshadow in "Vapour." 

I haven't yet received the items from MAC, but they are on their way to me! I am thoroughly impressed with each and every one of the things I bought from Holt Renfrew, however. In fact, I even added a nice little Chanel lipstick (Rouge Coco in "Cambon") to my wishlist last minute. And I'm so glad I did! But I have a video coming up on my YouTube channel very soon where I'll go more in-depth talking about the products I purchased, as well as some of the new products I've added to my wishlist. :)

Until then........

<3 Laura xo

What's on my Beauty Wishlist?

What did you do today? 

Personally, I spent the better part of today admiring a whole slew of beauty products online. I was given a $100 VISA giftcard for Christmas and have been waiting for the right moment to use it. I think the moment has arrived. Here are some of the lovely products I've been eyeing:

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1. Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in "Dragon"

---I currently own only one Chanel lip product and it's a Glossimer that was given to me as a gift. It's just hard for me to justify spending so much on a single beauty product. However, once in awhile I think it can be justifiable, and this is one of those instances. Chanel "Dragon" is the most beautiful shade of red I've ever seen. I originally saw it on Temptalia's pout and have been pining after it ever since. When Temptalia raves about something over and over again, you know it's probably worth having in your collection.

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2. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté lipsticks in #9 (Pink Caress), #13 (Peach Passion), and #27 (Rose Paris)

--- I have one Rouge Volupté lipstick, and it's #7 Lingerie Pink. While the colour is pretty, it isn't the most wearable lipstick I've ever owned. It's this extremely light, milky pink that is almost too pale for my strongly pigmented lips. As for the packaging and formula? To die for. Seriously. The packaging alone would almost be worth the 30-something dollars it costs, even if there was no product in it. In any case, I would like to own just a few more of these luxury lipsticks and the three mentioned above are the ones that have grabbed my attention. They all seem like they would work much better for me colour-wise.

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3. NARS eyeshadow duo in "Silk Road"

--- I own several NARS eyeshadow duos and they never cease to impress me. "Silk Road" is not one that I have heard a whole lot about, but it is one that I am certain I would love to add to my collection. The first colour looks like it may have some similarities to a couple of my favourite eyeshadows, namely: Stila's "Kitten" and MAC's "Naked Lunch." The second colour looks as though it has pure gold woven through it, and I have a feeling that it holds potential of becoming a go-to shade for me.

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4. Chanel Vitalumière Aqua

--- I blame the Pixiwoo sisters for this one. I have never owned a Chanel foundation. I was quite tempted by the Chanel Vitalumière, but always decided to pass for one reason or another (usually as a result of the pricetag). What's more, though, is that while I love the look of dewy, glowy skin, I don't like the look of slippery, slimy skin and I worried that's what I would get with Vitalumière. After watching the Pixiwoo sisters apply this and hearing them say that it gives you dewy skin but not to the extreme of Vitalumière, I decided it was a better option for me. Right now I have several foundations that I need to get through before I can justify purchasing another, but this one is most certainly on the list!

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5. Dior eyeshadow palette in "Incognito"

--- I have been lusting after this palette for such a long time now. Firstly, the packaging is nothing short of incredible. Secondly, those colours are just screaming out my name. Loudly. I don't know how much longer I can handle the screaming.

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6. Clinique brush-on cream liner in "True Black"

--- The reason I haven't purchased this yet is because I still have over half of my MAC "Blacktrack Fluidline" and over three-fourths of my Stila Sumdgepot in "Black." However, the Stila Smudgepot is bordering on ununsable and the Blacktrack Fluidline is not much better. They've both dried out significantly. I'm working Jillian Michaels style to make them go the distance as I hate being wasteful. Rumour has it that the Clinique gel liner lasts much longer and glides across the eyelids very smoothly. As someone who knows just how annoying it is to have so much product dry out on you (care to discuss MUFE Smokey Lash mascara anyone?) I appreciate a product I can actually hit pan on and it is a welcomed addition to my wishlist.

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7. MAC lipsticks in "Hue," "Blankety," and "Crème Cup"

--- I already have what I feel is an extensive MAC lipstick collection (though it probably pales in comparison to a lot of other beauty bloggers), but it should be pretty obvious by this point that my major weakness is lip products in general. These three lipsticks are staples for MAC collectors - cult favourites, if you will. Therefore, it makes good sense that as an avid lipstick collector I feel like I probably need them. Think of it this way: if you collected hockey cards or stamps, you know you'd yearn to add the most sought-after ones to your collection. And in this case, it doesn't hurt that all three colours appear to be extremely flattering.

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8. MAC eyeshadows in "Bamboo," "Cork," "Wedge," and "Vapour"

--- If you view the links to the swatches of these eyeshadows, you'll see that I'm still on a neutral kick. I don't think that will change anytime soon. It's not that I don't love colour - because I do. However, I'd choose bold lips over bold eyes any day of the week. A result of this is that the purples/pinks/blues/greens in my eyeshadow palettes are not the recipients of a whole lot of love from me.  :(

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If you could see my Sephora shopping list or my MAC "favourites" list, you would know that this is certainly not an exhaustive list. Nevertheless - these products have really stopped me dead in my tracks and I am hoping to use my VISA giftcard to make a wonderful (albeit small) dent in this list very soon!

Do you have experiences with any of these products? What is on your beauty wishlist currently?

Love,

Laura xo

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Bonjour Mes Amis

It's been awhile.

I have completed all of the necessary courses for my Master's degree, and now only have an internship left. Well, that is if you don't count the fact that I also have to carry out a massive research study and write an even more massive thesis on it. But that requires discipline- something that isn't my strongest point. Clearly, I would much rather write on my neglected blog than worry about some silly research project. :)

To those of you who are new here, WELCOME! To those of you who are not, I'm sorry! Please don't hate me!

I put the following look together a couple months ago, so the entire thing may be completely out of style now. BUT, I still quite enjoy it and that's gotta count for something.

I feel like this is a "classy lady" kind of look. Very feminine and chic. If you live in New York, some might call it "office appropriate attire." Personally, I've never seen anybody in an office dress in a way that comes close to paralleling this. I'm not even sure what kind of situation I'd have to be in to wear this, maybe a fancy dinner at a fancier restaurant? It's tough for a girl like me, who prefers practical food over fancy food. Alas.....

Nude Frill Front Shirt - $43 CAD - www.missselfridge.com

Black Satin Look Lantern Skirt - $46 CAD - www.missselfridge.com

Charlotte Olympia Suede Leaf Open Toe Ankle Boots - $1220 CAD - www.luisaviaroma.com

Guiseppe Zanotti IB9111 Clutch - $725 CAD - www.endless.com

Amrita Singh Allie Bangle Set - $105 CAD - www.amritasingh.com (often sells on Hautelook)

Vintage Chanel Gold Tone Drop Drop Logo Round Earrings - $475 CAD - www.asos.com

Gloss Pur, 47: Pure Peach - $31 CAD - www.barneys.com

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks - $23 CAD - www.nordstrom.com

Black False Lashes - $6.23 CAD - www.mydivascloset.com

Satuesque Eyeshadow by Lancome - check local Lancome counter - (MAC's carbon would work just as well)

NARS nail polish in Zizi - $17 CAD - www.barneys.com

So basically, it's pretty, but where on earth would I wear it, realistically? Where would you wear it, or would you at all? I think all of the pieces individually are quite wearable actually - but I just feel like if there's anything worse than being underdressed, it's being overdressed.

I hope to do a blog post in the near future about some of my favourite YT personalities (makeup and fashion-wise, of course). I watch a lot, but there are just a handful whose videos I get excited to see showing up in my subscription box.

Love!

Feminine Motorcyclist

I think I have made it pretty clear already that I have a love for trying out new makeup products. What you may not know about me is that I also love fashion. I had a lot of fun creating the look above. Coming up with an entire look from scratch (makeup included) makes me happy - the possibilities are endless! So, I fully expect to show these little outfit creations on a regular basis via this blog!

I've always loved rocker-chic meets feminine-delicacy. That's what inspired the look above. I think there's a perfect balance of harsh and sweet. The makeup is huge here, especially the lipstick. I wanted a pop of colour and that lip colour certainly pops! Also, I thought about leaving out the falsies as I really wanted to include the glasses, but then I thought: "hey, people who wear glasses get to have pretty lashes too!"

Dress - D&G

Leather Jacket - H&M

Multi-Strap Sandals - Miu Miu

Santi Clutch - Chinese Laundry

Earrings - Chanel

Fancy Feather Headband - Forever21

Eyeglasses - Chanel

Stud Dome Gold-Plated Ring - Stephen Webster

Bronzing Powder - Chanel

Lipstick (in Centrifushia) - Candyfuture

Black False Lashes - From www.mydivascloset.com

Gold Nailpolish - Barry M

XOXO

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