Category — beauty

Pastels will dominate: I never had Teen Vogue growing up. Just Vogue. Aging myself.

Dearies, in every attempt to be The Love Collage in real life, I like to give how I live, which means bohogi or bust!  Socials are my favourite way to meet readers and share some of my personal interests. 

A very FUN charity I am involved with is The Corsage Project - a volunteer-organization that helps graduating highschool women who are unable to afford the expense of Prom by outfitting them from head-to-toe with a prom dress, accessories and shoes.  Since its inception, the founders dreamed of being able to provide scholarships to outstanding individuals who are pursuing post-secondary education.  Every year, we have a huge Boutique Ball and it’s very exciting to be a part of movement of women who are helping their little sisters.  Fairy Godmothers for the next generation!  Girl power.

Every year, when I meet and talk with the volunteers, many are eager to help more because the experience is extremely moving.  I am excited to partner with Nathalie-Roze Fischer to bring you a crafternoon of prom, crafts and witty banter!

Fascinating Fascinators, a “Make & Donate” Workshop
Hostessed by Nathalie-Roze Fischer benefitting The Corsage Project 
Date: Sunday, April 15th, 2012
Time: 1-4pm
Place: Nathalie Roze Fischer
1015 Queen St East  
Toronto, ON
M4M 1K3
 
Follow her on Twitter: @NRandCo and @CorsageProject
Nathalie-Roze and I will be providing the supplies and snacks; participants can bring their favourite sewing needle, glue gun, any sequins, notions they would like to use during this crafternoon.  If anyone is interested in dropping off their donations, this funky boutique in Leslieville will be accepting donations of new purses, pashminas & prom accessories until April 15th, 2012.

There are 2 timeslots:  Group A/1PM  & Group B/2:30PM.  Please email vanessa@corsageproject.ca to sign up for a timeslot as spaces are limited.  Beginners and sewing goddesses welcome – Don’t wait!  Don’t hesitate!

Go big or go home: Kate Middleton likes her feathers young, wild & free like a Wiz Khalifa track.

You're crazy wildcat: In High School Musical 3, my celluloid date to Prom is Zac Efron. And I am obviously played by Vanessa Hudgens. All that dancing and tulle looks like fun. Know of any good Proms worth crashing?

Do you remember being obsessed with the Prom Issue of Seventeen?

As a teenager, I would always steal my sister's pink pair.

I am obsessed with my eyebrows.  And I despise falling into strange lighting in an elevator only to catch glimpses of stray hairs that I have missed.  Ooh, it gets me so crazy.  The best on the market are Tweezerman Tweezers – an Allure fan favourite.  The slanted edges make plucking less ouch and its tiny size are great for travelling.

Do you believe in magic? Nars Bronzer Brush, cheaper than a spray tan or a trip to Mexico!

A little bronzer goes a long way, especially if you use a chubby bronzer brush.  I don’t have a particular favourite brand, however, I never leave home without bronzing up the apples of my cheeks, my nose, chin and slight brush all over (where natural sunlight hits your face).  Otherwise, I would look like an extra from The Walking Dead (ahem, a zombie if you didn’t get my pop culture reference).

MAC 219 Pencil Brush. Good enough for makeup artists and drag queens everywhere

If you are going to invest money in makeup brushes, I firmly believe that M.A.C. has the best ones out there.  Because I like to create sexy eyes on a daily basis, I swear by MAC 219 Pencil Brush.  After applying a pencil eyeliner to my top and bottom lashline,  I tap this brush gently into a chocolate eyeshadow and blend for a smokey effect.   

Be not afraid of Smokey Eye! Just beware, if you sport these to work, NOBODY will get any work done.

Read more on Fave Beauty Tools and be sure to enter BlogHer Life Well Lived Sweepstakes.

Did I mention I love precocious teenage Fashionistahs? Elle Fanning keeping it cool in Rodarte

My favourite flavour of gelato is Pistachio.  I like a refreshing brew of Mint tea in the afternoon.  I am partial to vacations by the ocean.  Why did I never think to incorporate any pale green into my wardrobe until the Pantone gurus declared it was THE COLOUR of the season?  To be honest, it’s a subliminal marketing thing – the colour gods choose the “it” trend colours, release it to the design world, they incorporate it into their collections, the editors pick it up, the buyers buy and presto:  You crave it like a tray of soft chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven!

Contrary to what the magazines are claiming, Mint is not an easy colour to wear.  Hold it up to your face and you may look like you’re about to vomit.  But for those of you who can pull off Cool Tones, I support you completely.  For the rest of us we can always merch(andise) it up and style it up with some accessories.  For you non-committal fashionistahs, try Essie in Turqoise & Caicos on your fingertips. 

With all trends, remember that they come and go.  Spend minimal on items that will update your wardrobe in season and choose to invest in classic pieces that will never go out of style.  Trust.

This Aqua cluster necklace in a subtle mint would look perfect with a soft cotton t or paired with a simple cocktail dress.

Delicious Botkier Valentina Satchel: Loving the gold hardware, convertible straps and vintage shape of this leather bag.

Appropriate for the Mediterranean: Cameron Diaz pairs a tan cinch belt with her mint shirt dress. Well played Cammie.

Darlings, thanks for sticking out my blog drought.  It was a desert.  You were thirsty.  Your lips were cracking.  You really needed a hit of Chapstick.  For you, I present a tall glass of lemonade-vodka on the rocks with a tiny pink tiki umbrella and a pot of Kiehl’s lipbalm.  Ahhhh.  So much better right?

All of a sudden, my toes are freezing and I am most inclined to reach for my 20 denier tights than freeze my legs off.  What does it all mean?  It means we need to get serious about our Fall fashion.  Friday after all, is the official start to the season.  Take stock of your rolling rack and make a list.  It’s easy to get side-tracked when so many sumptuous cashmere sweaters are folded neatly on nesting tables and shiny baubles gleam from glass cases. 

Focus is key.  Here are some fall suggestions to get your MUST HAVE list going…

Nuzzle-nuzzle into your neckline: Stay cozy in this Michael Kors Faux Fur Neck Warmer

Every Fall, treat yourself to a brand new sweater. Try a classic cable knit, a loosely woven crochet or a felted woolen blanket style. Channel Stevie Nicks in this Free People Knit Poncho

Expand your animal print repertoire by getting your Snake on. Dolce Vita Sicily python flat lets your feet do the talking.

Trade in your cherry reds for gothic dark colours. Try any of these from the OPI Touring America collection - "I Brake for Manicures"...literally.

Gossip Girl Season 5 Sneak Peek: I love it when Blair makes her "ugh" face.

Ooh la! I thought since Blair Waldorf  has been a perennial top search (creeping my own stats), I would give you a fashion and cultural trivia mashup.  We all adore the celluloid rich snob, glorified in fictional form yet loathed in real life (see/ Olivia Palermo).  But before there ever existed the perfectly barrel curled, pouty Upper East Side Blair (Leighton Meester) another brunette wrecked havoc on her clique of hangers on’s and wannabe friends.  Let’s pay homage to the original tween villainess, Sydney Rutledge (Sarah Michelle Gellar) from 90′s daytime BOP-era soap Swan’s Crossing.

There is a Sarah Michelle Gellar renaissance of late with her long-awaited return to television on Ringer this Fall.  I am beyond excited.  Buffy fans will always LOVE her.  Obviously, I speak for my people.  But before she played the Chosen vampire slayer, or stole the Emmy from Susan Lucci, she played the manipulative and scheming rich girl Sydney Rutledge.  Gellar was cast as the popular only daughter of the mayor whose character was embroiled in a love-hate relationship with her neighbour/ex-boyfriend/familial rival Garrett.  Ridiculously, the plots involved pool parties, secret rendez-vous and daily tween dramas in which Sydney was always the puppetmaster.  Clad in oversize polka dots, white jeans, chiffon blouses, sheath dresses with contrast piping and trademark red lipstick (at 13 no less!), her character always got the chic-est wardrobe.    

If you woke up extra b*tchy (rhymes with twitchy), you might ask yourself, “Hrmm, what would Sydney wear?”

Nautically is clearly tops: Sydney favoured a loud stripe of the blue, black or red variety.

Here ye, here ye polka dots! Don't just stand there! Say something nice about my Alice + Olivia Louisa Dress! Moi improvising a Sydney Rutledge-esque quote

She would totally wear these Tory Burch Riding Boots. Hello outfit of champion equestrian.

Sydney's matte red lipstick: Even if you get pushed into the pool at the club, your red lips will never fail. Outline, apply lipstick, blot, reapply.

"Friends" carry your shopping for you. Sydney in a classic shell with matching cardi. P.S. Do you know how impossible it is to find fashion pics of Sydney Rutledge? It's impossible. Ugh! Pre-internet??!!

Madonna Crazy For You: OMFG!?! Remember when we used to buy singles on vinyl then set our record players on repeat if we were obsessed?

“Trying hard to control my heart
I walk over to where you are
Eye to eye we need no words at all”

Lordy.  There’s something about a 1980′s Madonna ballad that takes you out of time and space.  Singing along to the lyrics sucks you back into your tween self swaying dramatically whilst emoting in your pink acid-wash.  I love this early Madonna era with her round face, lace lingerie, plastic bracelets, rosaries, untouched roots and oversized hair accessories.  Sometimes I forget how amazing old school Madge songs are, then I hear one and remember…

Here are my top choices for early Madonna karaoke songs.  Please take a few moments to savour the videos.  And for you kids born after 1990, please don’t talk to me.  Just kidding.  I love you *insert tickle-tickle

• Crazy For You - Madonna croons in a smoky bar wearing a pretty major bow.
• True Blue – Red lipstick, beach blonde pixie cut and culottes.  This song would be good for sassy dance moves with your girlfriends.
• La Isla Bonita - Make sure you memorize the Spanish lyrics because it’s really embarrassing to mumble made up words over a loud speaker.
• Borderline – Dancing under the bridge, neon green socks, boyfriend jeans and a cheesy faux fashion shoot!  

The Hair Bow Revival: Marc Jacobs was inspired by early Madge in 2009. The mega bow is a trend for the young girls.

The Original Madonna of the 80's: Less polish, more roots and gum popping.