DREAMING OF BIARRITZ

 

Photo sources: 2/3/10/12/20 are my own

1/4/5/6/7/8/9/11/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/21/22



IN MY BAG: CAMPING

Or should I call this post In My Bag: Glamping?

This Victoria Day weekend marks my very first "real" camping trip (my first first time was just at a provincial park 20 minutes from my house). I am kind of nervous about it, and everyone I know has been warning Jordan that I will hate it. Hopefully I can prove them wrong!

Some extras I'm packing (please let me know if you have any camping favourites!):

No7 Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes: There are bathrooms at this camping site, but you never know if there will be a time where you can't wash your face. These wipes should be a great stand-in should that occur.

Avene Thermal Spring Water: This spray is in my daily cleansing ritual, but it's also great for sunburns and general refreshment.

Benadryl Itch Stick: No matter where I am or what time of year, the bugs will find me. Last summer I had 20 mosquito bites on just my butt (!!). I even think I'm allergic to bug bites because the affected area always swells a ton. When I inevitably get my first bites of the year, this lotion is the only thing that soothes the area, brings down the sweeling and takes the itch away.

Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes: You can really use baby wipes for anything (i.e. oh no! they're out of toilet paper, oh no! my feet are super gross and dirty, etc)--therefore they are a necessity.

Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 45: Last year I was faithful to La Roche Posay's Anthelios. I'm on the hunt for a great sunscreen for our honeymoon this summer. The girl at Shoppers recommended this lotion to me--so I'm giving it a trial. (If you have any sunscreen favourites, please leave me a comment!)

WANT: BICYCLE

1/2

As the weather gets nicer, all I seem to want to do is take a bike ride to our downtown area, buy a loaf of bread, fill my basket with bouquets of flowers and slowly make my way around the neighbourhood to look at the beautiful houses. As I walk to and from work everyday in Toronto, I see more and more bikes emerging as the temperature rises.

Instead, we go for walks and I pick a blossom or two from the houses (there are so many astoundingly beautiful magnolia trees in my neighbourhood). It's pretty fun, but I still want a bike for short jaunts around town.Who wouldn't look chic riding around with a cute hat and a breezy dress blowing in the wind?

Top row: Pashley Princess, Bobbin Daytripper

Bottom row: Linus Roadster, Moynat

 

INSPIRATION BOARD #23

Follow on Tumblr

BORN TO STYLE

Last night, Anna and I were invited to attend Aveda's Born to Style event--a contest where aspiring amateur hairstylists compete to win a $10,000 scholarship to the Aveda Institute in Toronto. It was an exciting night--they had a great DJ playing our favourite songs (Daft Punk, Destiny's Child, Hot Chip) and they had great hors d'oeuvres making their way around the party (including drool-worthy cheesecake balls and chocolate covered belgian waffle chunks).
The contestants were given the challenge of creating two looks--creative couture and ready-to-wear. The five contestants did an amazing job, it was hard to pick out our favourites. Melissa Kaoy was the grand prize winner of the night (though we had to agree that contestant Jessica's fiery red hair was rad).
The panel of judges included Ray Civello (of the Civello salons--Anna and I go to the one in Oakville), Paige Dzenis of FASHION magazine and Melissa Hill of Salon Magazine. We got to have quick chats with Paige and Ray about their favourite products (you'll be surprised to hear what is Ray's favourite hair product) and meet a few other bloggers in the crowd.

Thanks again to Aveda for inviting us, we had a great time!

Winner Melissa Kaoy



The judges



The DJ

One of Melissa's elaborate looks



HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Like mother like daughter.









Bianca Balti and her daughter, Grey S/S 2013.

CLARINS HYDRAQUENCH CREAM

As you already know, my skin has been very dry and dehydrated lately.

A few weekends ago, while at my parents house, something got stuck in my eye, and I just could not get it out for the life of me. I took out my contacts, flushed my eyes, etc. etc. Eventually, the skin around my eyes began to feel dry and tight. I took a look into my mom's bathroom cabinets (she always has tons of samples of the best, most expensive stuff) and found a sample of Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream for Very Dry Skin. I smoothed it around my eyes, and then realizing how beautiful and non-greasy or heavy the texture was, I preceeded to apply it to the rest of my face. Immediately, my face felt quenched and more hydrated and comfortable than it had been in a long time. My forehead, normally the most parched area of my face, no longer felt tight!
I told my mother I was taking the sample (such a nice daughter) and decided I had to get this cream.
Well. I found out on the Clarins website that this cream was an anti-aging cream meant for mature skin. Then, on my trip to Shopper Drug Mart to do more research, I found myself in the 50+ section of Clarins. I'm getting older day by day, but I am certainly not 50 yet. This had my worried--how strong are this cream's anti-aging properties? Will they harm my skin? Can't I start preventing aging now? The ingredient listing on the website only listed some plant extracts, so isn't that ok because it's natural?
The girl at Shoppers told me that I was way too young for the Super Restorative and re-directed me to the HydraQuench cream for normal to dry skin. She reassured me that it would be just as hydrating--and she has not let me down. My skin is more hydrated than ever now, never tight or uncomfortable. This thick, smooth and non-greasy cream just glides over the skin. It has also done something I would have never expected--clear up my hormonal acne on my chin! I guess my skin was so dehydrated that it was compensating by making more oil which then resulted in acne, who knew!

FYI, I tweeted at Clarins about using the Super Restorative on younger skin, and they let me know that it would be totally fine. I totally love my HydraQuench now, but if you are 50, or even if you are younger and looking for a fabulous cream, pick this up!