October 2011 Favorites- Happy Halloween!

Faves time! :) I love October because the weather is cooler and the leaves are on the ground. I love putting on my boots and walking in the crisp air while wrapped up in a cozy cardigan. Instant mood lifter!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple cleanser - cleanses and takes off makeup
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - nothing cancels out dark circles better
Benefit Erase Paste
YSL Rouge Volupte in #2 (Sensual Silk)
Sephora by OPI "The Way TuTu His Heart" nail polish - a perfect milky pink
DKNY Be Delicious perfume - my favorite perfume for the fall
MAC Hang Loose blush duo (LE) - a blush/highlighter in one & the lilac shade gives a perfect glow

P.S.- My contest ends at 11:59PM tonight, so there is still time to enter!

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipsticks in #1 and #2

I recently bought the Rouge Volupte in #1 (Nude Beige) and I have owned #2 (Sensual Silk) for some time now. I am including it to show the packaging and difference in colors. I originally thought they would be similar in color once on the lips, but they are delightfully different.



^The new packaging is on the left. They used to have a mirror on the lid. Quite frankly, I don't miss it. I found it to be way too small to get any true use out of it.



^Nude Beige on the left, Sensual Silk on the right. You can see the dent I've put into my Sensual Silk. I love this little baby! ;)




YSL lipsticks are very expensive, but I believe they are worth it. The formula is creamy and produces enough sheen to not need a gloss. They are my best smelling lipsticks...I can't even tell you just how scrumptious these smell. Almost like a Kool Aid flavor! It's kind of odd because I feel like these two color names should be switched. The Sensual Silk color is much more of a nude beige. Some complain about staying power, but these last for several hours on me.

Jewelry Haul

I had to go downtown for a doctor's appointment yesterday. Loads of fun (and that is loads of sarcasm). Bleh! I had a specialist appointment and still have some tests to go through, but I'm really hoping for some answers soon. There is nothing worse than knowing something is wrong with you but not knowing what. I'm not looking forward to my appointment next week, but you have to do what you have to do to get back to 100%. Fingers crossed!

While downtown after my appointment, I needed a pick-me-up. I heard a few things I didn't want to hear, so I wanted something nice and shiny to forget about some of my sorrows for a moment. I went into the Polar Bear Store, which I think had to have been created for me since I have never hidden my obsession with polar bears! :) Anyway, I was looking at the jewelry and found these two necklaces that made my jaw drop. Gorgeous!

They are by a Canadian company called Storrs. The left is a polar bear and the right is a dream catcher. They have a whole lot of designs (most under $20) and it took a lot of will power not to buy others! Because of the pearl, no two are alike. I absolutely love one-of-a-kind pieces! I did find this one online store that shows some of their items. Just thought I'd share them with you. :)

Mall Haul & Contest Reminder

I went to my favorite mall this weekend for the first time in over a year. And the consequence of doing so was this trip being my biggest shopping spree in months. Though, I must admit it felt extremely good to get in some tried and true retail therapy! ;)

^My bags full of goodies.

^My Holt Renfrew purchases. Holt Renfrew is a Canadian chain similar to Nordstrom, Macy's, etc. These are all my first ventures into these brands (aside from my Chanel perfume I got a few months ago). Chanel eyelash curler, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy, Chanel nail polish in Paradoxal, Deborah Lippman nail polish in Lady Sings the Blues, and Butter London in Big Smoke. Swatches and more pictures are to follow on all of these!

^Bobble water bottle. It has a built-in filter and is good for up to 300 bottles full before it needs to be replaced. You can buy replacement filters for $6.99. I'm already in love with it. I found mine at Indigo Books and Music, Canada's equivalent to Barnes and Noble.

^Also at Indigo, I picked up a few books and a magazine. People Style Watch magazine, Domino: The Book of Decorating (amazing so far!), Style A to Zoe, and Gossip Girl Psycho Killer. I can't wait to read Psycho Killer, because it sounds hilarious and perfect for Halloween.

^At Kiehl's, I picked up my second bottle of Tea Tree Oil shampoo. My dermatologist recommended it to me and it's a great clarifying shampoo to use once a week.

^I printed out the 25% off coupon and figured I'd use it if I saw something I liked. I should have known I would! I picked up some purple plaid PJ bottoms which are very soft and warm. The gray sweater was love at first sight! It has stripes of sequins across the front with 3/4 sleeves and it is extremely soft.

^At HMV, I had to catch up on my Glee CDs. And as obsessed as I am with Lady Gaga, I never actually got a physical copy of her newest album. But the best part? The Snoopy DVD. I needed it for my Charlie Brown collection of DVDs. I don't care how old I get, the Charlie Brown gang has permanent residence in my heart. :)

^At Sephora, they've finally started carrying some bigger brands that were originally not available in the Canadian stores. I only picked up one item- YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in #1 (Nude Beige). Why only one thing? The MA promised me that the Canadian Friends and Family Sale is coming up in the next few weeks. I'm holding out! I'll be posting pictures and a swatch soon!

^This "evil eye" bracelet isn't from my shopping spree, but I just got it in the mail. I ordered it from Beyond the Rack. I thought I'd include it in this post. BTR is a Canadian version of Haute Look and Rue La La. I received a $15 off coupon in the mail and had a $10 credit, so I got this bracelet and some glass canisters for my kitchen for only $10 including shipping! Score! You can click on my invitation link or just go to the regular site address and sign up.

It was a successful shopping trip! If you have questions about anything, let me know in the comments or message me. :) Also, don't forget my contest is still open for one more week!

Old Navy Haul & Polyvore Outfit

I just put through an order on Old Navy last night, because they were offering a 30% off code. And I'm not one to turn down an amazing deal! I only got three things and they just happen to match together perfectly. All are still available on the Canadian and American Old Navy websites, so I'd assume you can also find them in stores. And there's a code today that is good for 25% off- "ONHARVEST". Let me know if you get anything!

Southwestern-Pattern Wrap Cardigan in Neutral Fair Isle (Canada, US)
Shelf-Bra Cami in Bright White (Canada, US)
Heathered Scoop-Neck Tee in Charcoal (Canada, US)


*click picture to enlarge :)

NYX Palette: Versus

Continuing on with my NYX palettes, here are my swatches of Versus. I'm a bit disappointed in my swatches this time. They came out a little blurry and I think that's because it's very overcast today. I don't think they are bad enough that you can't see the true colors, though.





^ swatch 1

^ swatch 2

I love that this palette dedicates the top row to neutral colors and the bottom to mostly purples. The most pigmented are the two brown colors in the second swatch of colors. And the most unique would be the first purple in the second swatch. I don't think I have a color exactly like it- a muted purple with golden shimmer. It's gorgeous!

If you like purples, I really think this is a good palette to try out.

IMATS Toronto + Contest Reminder!

My ticket has been ordered and printed for IMATS Toronto. I'll be going on the first day, November 12, 2011. So if you're going that day, I hope that we can do a quick meet-up or maybe lunch! Be prepared because I get ridiculously hyper around all of the glorious beauty around me with the makeup and artists. ;) Also, if you think it will be awkward to walk up to me...don't worry. I don't bite!

To see what the past two Toronto IMATS events look like and to hear about my experiences, just check out my IMATS label. You'll see pictures, tips, and hauls. With item prices being mostly discounted and getting some hard to come by items, IMATS is worth the ticket price to get in. Hope to see you there!

Also, don't forget that my contest is still open until the end of the month. All it takes is a follow and a comment to enter! Click here to read the instructions and to enter.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Before this year, this month meant something to me because my great aunt died from breast cancer years ago. Fast forward to this year and my mother-in-law has been diagnosed (in the early stage...thank goodness) and is currently undergoing treatment. Luckily with time, treatments and knowledge have really progressed. With this being the month that breast cancer is in the spotlight, many companies come out with charitable products. You still get the awesome product you want and part of the proceeds go to the cause. It's a win-win situation for everyone. Here's a list of a few things I've found!

Clinique Dramatically Different lotion (luxury size)- $10 goes to research
Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection- $10 goes to research
Essie Raise Awareness nail polish- unknown portion goes to Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Donna Karan Cashmere Mist candle- $5 goes to research
New Balance 993 running shoes- unknown portion goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure
EOS Strawberry Sorbet lip balm- 5% going to research
Philosophy Shower for the Cure bath gel- 100% goes to research
Carolee set of three pearl bracelets- unknown portion goes to research
Tweezerman tweezers- unknown portion goes to cancer care
Clarisonic Skincare Brush- unknown portion goes to research

Please think of donating in some way, rather by buying dedicated items or just straight-up donations. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women. It's already affected two wonderful women in my family. No one is immune, so remember to do self exams along with professional ones. Get to know your body!

September Favorites 2011

Favorites time! :)

• Urban Decay Naked palette- Especially Virgin, Naked, Buck, and Darkhorse.

• Buxom Lash mascara

• UDPP in Sin (depotted)

• MAC lipglass in Nymphette

• Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Stray Dog- I love this shade so much that I've written them with a request to make it a part of the permanent line. It's such a beautiful taupe color!

• Illamasqua blush in Unrequited
  

Share your favorites with me!