Major Haulage

Hauls are fun. Truly.
(WARNING: picture-heavy post. With swatches).

 New NARS blushers! Hooray!

Top: NARS "Mata Hari"

Bottom: NARS "Madly"

Top: Annabelle "Rose Fawn"

Bottom: Bourjois "74 Rose Ambré

Pictured above: Bourjois Délice de Poudre "Peaux claires/médianes 51" (smells like chocolate... yum)

 And in case you're curious about the packaging of the three more unfamiliar products:

Swatched, left to right: Bourjois bronzing powder; NARS "Madly"; NARS "Mata Hari"; Annabelle "Rose Fawn"; & Bourjois "Rose Ambré"

An entire video dedicated to this haul will be up in the morning.

Until then....

xoxo

Shorts Story; Shorts Blog

Rather than beginning this post with the obligatory excuse for why I've been so M.I.A., I'll just say that if you follow me on Twitter you probably know that I've had a lot going on and you may also have some insight into why I wasn't able to post last week.

But seriously, on to the mindless stuff.
I have a pretty nailpolish to show you. Pretty, that is, if you're into almost sickeningly feminine, vibrant, medium Barbie-pinks. Naturally, it was love at first application for me.

The specs:

Name & Brand: Shorts Story; OPI
Application: Smooth, easy to work with
Longevity: Decent, average
Shade: This is more subjective, of course, but in my humble opinion it is nothing short of fabulous

I had heard horror stories about the application of this nailpolish prior to my purchasing it, but I'm pleased to report that was not my experience with the polish at all - and I'm rather picky when it comes to nailpolish formulations. Mostly because I make a terrible manicurist. No joke, I could definitely benefit from taking some sort of remedial nailpolish class. 'Nailpolish Application for Dummies' or something of the like.

For reference, the above photos were taken with flash photography (at night, as per usual) and I've applied two coats. Underneath I have applied my favourite base:

And then I finished it all off with favourite topcoat:

Recently I've discovered another basecoat/topcoat that I've been loving as well. But more on that later....

What do you think of OPI's Shorts Story? Is it a colour you'd dare to wear? Also, what is your favourite topcoat and basecoat?

Love,

Laura xoxo

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Gettin' My Hurr Did?

Major yuck.

I've "contracted" my second cold in just 2 weeks, but this one is even worst than the first was. I always try to let my body heal itself naturally - so instead of popping pills or downing a Buckley's mixture (which actually does taste awful and work, by the way) I've been consuming copious amounts of orange juice and forcing myself to sleep more than I usually do. My immune system and I are not friends.

The silver lining in all this is that I have a week-long break coming up this month and the weather is starting to get warmer. Whenever the temperatures start to rise after a long, cold, Canadian winter - I start to crave change. Change of scenery, change of pace, change of.... hair.

I've been debating going a bit lighter with my hair colour for awhile now. It's a scary proposition because I adore dark hair so much. I've been nearly blonde before so it isn't like I'm a stranger to changing my hair - it's just that I've been a brunette for so long now and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I love the way dark hair contrasts with pale skin (à la Anne Hathaway) and also the way it complements darker, tan skin (à la Penelope Cruz). Alas, I think I'm ready to add some more complexion-brightening tones to my hair - at least for the warmer months.

This all started when I began watching the current season of American Idol. I immediately fell in love with Jennifer Lopez's soft, caramel/honey hair.

Photo Courtesy

Then, somebody tweeted this (super sexy) picture of Olivia Wilde. And while the rest of the world was probably staring at her hot body, I was staring at her beautiful hair.

Photo Courtesy

Of course there's still a part of me that thinks nothing will ever come close to the loveliness of this:

Photo Courtesy

And another part of me that lusts over this unattainable hair:

Photo Courtesy

But I'm looking for more of a middle ground like JLo, Olivia, or......

Alessandra

Photo Courtesy

Lauren

Photo Courtesy

And just to prove to you my familiarity with various shades on the hair-colour spectrum:

I'm thinking it's also time for more layers as my hair is currently all one length (with the exception of my terribly annoying bangs). I've recently come to the realization that my hair is way too thick to not have layers.

Will any of you be changing your hair colour this spring/summer? And which of the above photos do you think I should I bring to my hairdresser?

Love,
Laura xo

Pretty Little.....Things

So.Tired.

It feels like my eyelids are experiencing some sort of magnetic pull towards my toes. They weigh about 50 tonnes at the moment but I know I can't go to bed because my favourite show (The Amazing Race) comes on in about an hour. I'm of the belief that CBS should pay me for my loyalty (and let us Canadians participate in the race while they're at it!)

So, I've been meaning to blog. I really have. I even thought about it everyday this past week. Unfortunately, simply "thinking" about it doesn't string my words together and send them out into cyberspace.
--Excuse Alert!--
The new job makes me feel like a sponge that has been completely drained of moisture. At the end of the day, my energy is nonexistent and I feel much like I do at the present moment. I am enjoying the new job, but it's quite high-stress and I'm on the road for 2 hours 5 days a week.

With all that out of the way, I just wanted to share with you a couple of pretty things that I've had my eye on. Because if you're reading this, you probably enjoy pretty things.

This is from Shopbop - one of my absolute favourite places to shop online and just in general. It's by Alex & Ani - an eco-friendly jewelry brand that I love. The ring is called the Smitten Kitten Romance Cocktail Ring (cute name, no?) and you can find it here for $48.97 Canadian.

I know, I know. About 50% of you are probably rolling your eyes right now because everybody and their dog's goldfish's librarian's 2nd cousin twice-removed has a Michael Kors watch of some sort. It's very 'trendy' to own one right now, I suppose. But trust me, I don't jump on trends unless I actually like them, and I think this watch has been incredibly flattering on every wrist I've ever seen it sitting on. I just want it to be flattering on mine at this point! This one is also from Shopbop (but you can get it at a variety of shops) and it's the Jet Set Sport Watch which you can find here. The thing about this watch is that it will set you back about $255.03 Canadian. Poutyface.

These shoes are so lovely and the heels aren't ginormo so I think I MIGHT even be able to walk in them. They're the Selma Sling Backs by Elizabeth and James and I found them at another online boutique called Revolve Clothing. I've never purchased anything from Revolve so I can't comment on the quality of the service, but they have some really, REALLY pretty things. In any case, because these shoes are by Elizabeth & James you know they're going to be outrageously priced (at least by my pocketbook's standards). $275.00 for little heeled sandals? I think I will forever admire them... from afar.

Another Elizabeth & James piece from Revolve Clothing that I can't help but lust over! This dress caught my eye immediately, and if you think it's pretty in this picture - I recommend heading here so that you can take a closer look at the gorgeous detailing of it. This dress is SO my style, but at $395.00, so NOT a price I'm eager to pay.

Love this. It's a shirt, but it looks like a flower. No surprise that it's by Nanette Lepore, who is one of my favourite designers when it comes to romantic and feminine pieces. Again, I discovered this on Revolve, and you can get a closer look at it here. It's called the Seychelles top and it currently costs $298.00.

Have had my eye on this cashmere Vicenzo vest from Oonagh by Nanette Lepore for the longest time. And it's gone on sale! It currently sits at $174.00 and I'm half tempted to get it, but I think Craig would kill me for even suggesting such a thing. :) This is another piece that l found on Revolve - you can view it here. Please don't buy it though because I'll be sad if it sells out, haha.

Michele1218 talked about this on YouTube the other day, and I had been looking for a nice evil eye piece to add to my jewelry collection. I'm not superstitious at all; I don't believe that this will protect me or ward off 'evil spirits.' I do, however, think that it's pretty. It's also by my favourite Etsy jewelry-maker Theresa Mink. I've purchased jewelry from her in the past and was quite impressed with both the quality of the pieces and her service. The best part is that this lovely little gem costs only $38.00 USD. You can find it here. I'm pretty sure I will be ordering this bracelet soon!

Annnd... that's it for this edition of pretty little....things. Pretty is such a subjective word, so I'm wondering: do you like any of these things? Would you wear any of this?

Until next time!
-Laura xo

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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  >>>

Photo Courtesy

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

Crazy Week, Pretty Nailpolish

Phew! What an overwhelming, crazy week this has been! A lot of pretty big changes have occurred in my life over the course of just a few days and those changes will surely result in me becoming an even busier girl than I have been.

Which is yet another reason why I love delving into the world of beauty/fashion. It's a bit frivolous and provides me with a chance to escape from all the seriousness of life. I'm certain that's something we all can appreciate.

So in light of my intense, arduous week (and the one that's ahead) I've decided to grace you (haha) with yet another care-free NOTD post:

This is Zoya's "Adina" nailpolish, which was released with the Reverie Collection for Spring 2010. This purple-green duochromatic polish caught my eye several months ago but as it is with most products, I wanted to do a bit of research on it before I decided to purchase it for myself.

What I found through my research is that the polish was named after a beauty blogger, and she can be found over at Krasey Beauty. While I knew straight away that this was an incredibly unique colour (I've never seen anything like it in my life) I did read some reviews  which stated that the polish has an abnormally long dry-time on the nails.

Fortunately, I did not find that to be true for me. The dry time was okay but that could very well be a result of me having time to waste when I applied it.

You guys, just look at it! LOOK AT IT! Isn't it lovely? Isn't it special? Application was good (no surprises there - it's Zoya) and I would consider the longevity of the polish on the nails to be average.

If you're looking for something different, something eye-catching and interesting, I would recommend this in a heartbeat! Zoya has such a great range of nailpolish colours to choose from. They tend to create things that nobody else has thought of, and I like that.

The writer of another review I read discussed how she wanted "Adina" in eyeshadow form. I could not agree more. Dear MAC, you listening?

-Laura xoxo

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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