May 2012 Favorites!

May has been pretty good. It went by quickly! I've started another Project 5 Pan and put myself on a bit of a shopping ban, so it was all about shopping my stash. I haven't been that tempted except with the MAC Hey, Sailor! collection. I have a gift certificate to a department store so if I buy any new makeup in the next little while, I'll probably use it. Gotta love gift cards!

So here are my favorites for this month:

MAC Studio Careblend powder- So smooth!
NARS Laguna bronzer- It's that time of the year where the sun is shining and the bronzer comes out!
MAC Satin Taupe eyeshadow
Revlon Sweet Tart lip butter
Essie Peach Daiquiri- A perfect color for a bright pedicure!
ELF powder brush- Puts finishing powder on like a dream.

I didn't post for the past two days, because we took a mini-vacation on Tuesday and Wednesday to go to Niagara Falls to celebrate my husband's birthday. I found a great deal that included breakfast, dinner, hotel, and a tour of a chocolate factory. I never get tired of Niagara Falls and I love being only about two hours from it. The chocolate factory was a pretty cool experience of seeing the chocolate being made and I never would have thought to do it if it had not been included in the package! Below is the view from our hotel room of the Horseshoe Falls. We had a fantastic trip!

Hope you are all having a great week so far!

5/27/12 OOTD and NOTD!

We went out yesterday to run some errands and to have the family dinner to celebrate my husband's birthday. We went to this really kitschy local German restaurant and it was a lot of fun.

Dress: Old Navy
Cardigan: Old Navy
Necklace: Tiffany & Co.
Shoes: I honestly can't remember, but maybe American Eagle.

Nails: Essie's Brooch the Subject with As Gold As It Gets topcoat
Accent nail: LA Colors' in Seashell with Milani's Jewel FX in Gold

And just randomly wanted to share this picture from my Instagram. I just really like how it turned out. :)

I'd like to wish all of my fellow Americans a safe, wonderful, and reflective holiday. While you enjoy the fireworks and cookouts, I hope that the true reason for the day does not go unnoticed. And though I'm not in the US today, I'm still celebrating in my heart. Enjoy your holiday! ♥♥

Garnier BB Cream Review- Light/Medium Shade

I got it in the lightest shade that they offer, because I'm pretty pale. I was afraid it would be too dark, but it melts into the skin well. I find that it does oxidize minimally. I just make sure to use the smallest amount possible and set it with a light shade of powder and that seems to do the trick. I can't say that I've noticed much of a difference in my skin. This does tend to get a little "shiny" during the day, so I would not recommend this to those with very oily skin.



I do find that it covers up the redness in my cheeks quite well and I do not have to use as much concealer. The shade collection is not the best, with Garnier only offering two shades in Light/Medium and Medium/Deep. I also do not care for the smell. I don't mind it in the tube, but the scent lasts all day on my skin. One day I forgot I was wearing it and I kept wondering who around me was wearing such strong perfume when I realized that it was my face!

Hand swatch. I have NW20 skin.

I understand that they are two different types of products and while I don't mind the Garnier BB Cream, I still prefer my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. I'm not sure that this product is completely worth the hype, but I do not hate it. I just don't think I'll repurchase it.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

On My iPod Pt. 17- Exercise Playlist!

I started Couch to 5K this week and it's killing me. No seriously, I haven't jogged since high school. I have muscles aching that I forgot I even had! I usually rely on walking, dancing, Yoga, and Pilates as my workouts, but I find that I've gotten too used to them and needed to find a new way to challenge myself. I found an app for my iPhone called C25K Free and it offers a count down of each step and when to switch from walking to jogging.

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of the songs that help me keep me grooving and moving! :D

Warm Up:
Hush Hush; Hush Hush - The Pussycat Dolls
Love You Like a Love Song - Selena Gomez
Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall

Full-On Exercise:
Stronger - Kelly Clarkson
Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen
Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5
Knock on Wood - Amii Stewart
Domino - Jessie J
Part of Me - Katy Perry
Runaway Baby - Bruno Mars
Boogie Shoes - KC and the Sunshine Band
Born This Way - Lady Gaga

Cool Down:
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
I'm Still Standing - Elton John
Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye

I have plenty of alternates that also get played, but these never seem to fail me. Do you have a song that you love to exercise to? I'd love to add some new ones to my playlist!

Sorry to make this a short entry kind of day, but it is my husband's birthday! So I'm off to get ready for our plans tonight. :)

Victoria Day OOTD via Instagram!

Yesterday was a holiday here. We celebrated Victoria Day! It's not celebrated everywhere in Canada, but it is in most of the provinces and all of the territories. It's similar to Memorial Day as far as how people enjoy cookouts and fireworks. Ah, I love being an American in Canada. I get to celebrate all kinds of different holidays! :)

I went out for a coffee at Starbucks with my husband and a friend that was visiting from Ottawa, before coming back to my condo to enjoy the fireworks. Being on the 19th floor gives us quite a view, so my husband and I watched about thirty different firework displays! The photos are from my Instagram. I'm "wendybanner" on there, if you want to add me!

Cheese!

Who doesn't love mint and leopard? Together? Even better!

Mint v-neck: Target
Leopard print scarf: H&M
Skinny jeans: Paris Blues
Shoes: I have no idea! :(

Spring has bloomed!

I love this time of year! The weather isn't hot yet, but the sandals can start being worn. I especially love this time of year because the flowers start to bloom and even though I'm allergic to some flowers, I can't help but want to be around them. They give me inspiration in makeup and fashion with all of the various colors and shapes. Don't you love when you get inspiration from your surroundings?!

So don't forget to stop and smell the flowers...unless you're allergic like me. Then, just rely on a handy camera zoom lens. ;)





*Pictures were taken in my MIL's garden. These are of her lilac tree! So lovely to take pictures of each year.

Affordable Spring Clothes Wishlist

I've put myself on a strict budget for the upcoming months, because my fingers are crossed for a Chicago/St. Louis trip for my birthday in July! And I just booked a one-night trip to Niagara Falls for my husband's birthday this month. :) With that said, that's probably why I've been obsessed with making wishlists lately. I have to get my shopping addiction in some form! The best part about the pieces that I am loving below is that they are easy on the wallet. I'm all about chic pieces of clothing that won't break the bank.

Actual pieces shown:
Paris Blues colored jeans (offered in four colors) - Alloy
Havaianas flip flops - Roots (I live in these during the summer. So comfortable!)
Off Shoulder t-shirt - Asos Curve
Jersey romper - Asos Curve
Chambray skirt - Old Navy
Belted utility dress - Old Navy
Printed tunic - Old Navy
Ruffled dress - Old Navy

Do you have anything in particular that you're craving for your spring wardrobe? Once it hits spring and summer, I always feel like I need more sandals and dresses!

Designer Accessories Wishlist

It's been so long since I've done a wishlist post, so I thought I'd share some designer accessories that I have on mine. Some have been on the list for ages and some are newcomers. They range from inexpensive to ridiculously expensive (at least for my wallet!).

Shashi Rose Gold Nugget bracelet
Alexander McQueen skull scarf
Longchamp Le Pliage tote
Birkenstock Kairo sandals
Henri Bendel bangle
Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC (in any color!)
Tory Burch Reva flats
House of Harlow Sunburst necklace

What's on your designer wishlist? Is there a bag that you're drooling over? Some shoes that you just have to slip on your feet? I love wishlists! :)

Met Gala 2012

Sorry to take so long to post again. What I thought was a cold turned out to be another sinus infection. My second one this year...blah! I'm still getting over the body aches, a raspy voice, and a little congestion, but I can finally breathe through my nose again. At this point, if I never see another Kleenex again, I'd be a happy camper. I must have went through around eight boxes! Thank you for the get well wishes!

I thought I'd share my two favorite looks and my least favorite from the red carpet of the Met Gala. I always love looking at the arrivals to this particular event each year. Celebrities get to play it up a notch that they normally might be too afraid to do at any other red carpet event! Love it!

Carey Mulligan in Prada. Definitely my favorite of the night! This was the first dress to truly capture my attention in all of the right ways. The makeup, hair, and shoes were styled just right. Gorgeous!

Kristen Bell in Tommy Hilfiger. While this isn't really a costume ballgown, it's absolutely stunning. I saw a lot of tangerine on the red carpet, but I think this color suits Kristen perfectly. She looks glowing and radiant.

Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen. I know that Alexander McQueen's line is the master of costume dressing and all, but I just don't like this. Seriously, I don't like anything about it. I know Florence is one to often dress "out there", but this? Perhaps it is just a little too avant garde for my taste. It reminds me a bit of a Christmas tree! I love that she takes chances, though.