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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Ten Holiday Style Tragedies To Avoid

This holiday season you might have to go to a party or two so I thought I would discuss the top ten mistakes people do when getting ready for the big event.

1. Open Toed Shoes And Sheer Stockings

I know Zeke discussed this as one of his fashion faux paws recently, but it never hurts to repeat this one again. If you can’t go barefooted in open toed shoes, then it’s time to buy a cool pair of closed toe shoes.

2. Overdone Hair

It’s time to stop using a can of hairspray to do your hair for evening. Your dress should take centre stage, so why not try more of a natural look such as a ponytail with a section of hair wrapped around the elastic? Or a messy updo?

3. Too Much Cleavage

A Christmas party is not a nightclub! Showing some cleavage is acceptable but if your dress has a neckline that plunges more than half-way down your upper arm, you will look trashy, not sexy.

4. Excessive Bling

If aliens can see you from outerspace, then you’ve overdone it with the sequins. Yes holiday parties are a great time to break out the sparkle, but limit it to one item. For example, wear a sparkly skirt with a non-sparkly blouse.

5. Visible Panty Line (VPL)

It’s never a good idea to have a visible panty line in any outfit you wear, however it looks even more cheesy when you dress up. Wear a super thin thong, laser cut panty, or full coverage pantry to have people looking at you, not your bum.

6. Tight Dress

Too tight is not right! You will want to move around freely and even dance at some parties. It is never good to look like a stuffed sausage. And you will want to have some breathing room with all the yummy goodies that will be everywhere.

7. Holiday Themed Sweater

This should be a no brainer, but in case there is one person out there I can get through to about this, then it will be worth it. Holiday themed sweaters make you look fumpy not festive and haven’t been in style since the eighties. People nowadays even have ugly sweater theme parties to mock them.

8. Wearing Green And Red Together

We get it, it’s Christmas! You don’t have to be obvious about what time of year this is. Green and red will always scream Christmas and don’t look that wonderful together. Wear a red dress or a green dress instead.

9. Business Attire

The only appropriate time to wear business atire to a Christmas party is if it’s an office party. Otherwise dress up! If you have to go to a party right after work, then plan ahead. Take a wrap (to wear instead of your suitcoat), evening shoes, a clutch, and some statement jewelry to work with you the day of the party.

10. Make-Up Overload

Yes this is the time to wear red lipstick, but if you do, then tone down your eyes and cheeks. If you desire a dramatic smoky eye, then wear a natural blush and lipstick.

Now get out there and paaaaaarty!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American friends!

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Colour Me Impressed - Colouring Your Hair At Home

Today I want to talk about something that many women (and some men) are afraid of – colouring your hair at home. I started going grey at twenty-five so I have been colouring my hair ever since and have gotten rather good at it. So good that no one notices, so let’s just keep this between you and me. 😉  Here are some important things to know if you’re thinking of taking the plunge:

 

  1. If you want to just cover grey and you don’t have a lot of grey, or just want a temporary change, then choose a temporary colour stain. I love Clairol Natural Instincts Level 2 Non-Permanent hair colour. Because this is not a permanent hair colour, it will not change the colour of your hair from brown to blonde. However, if you have blonde hair, it can colour it a darker shade ie. brown. Even though it’s temporary be careful! If you’re blonde and decide to change your hair to a dark brown, it could permanently stain it that colour. Contact this hair transplant nyc company for more information about hair treatments.
  1. If you want to actually change your hair colour, then go for a permanent hair colour. My favourites are Perfect 10 and Nice N’ Easy – both by Clairol. Both are great options with easy instructions. It’s important to know that with these products you cannot go from black or dark brown hair to blonde. For dramatic lightening, you need to first buy a colour lifting bleach (I like L’Oreal Paris Perfect Blondissima Crème) and take your natural or dyed hair colour out. When done, your hair will look white, light grey, light orange, or light pink. Make sure it dries completely and then colour your hair with the colour of your choice. I don’t recommend doing something this elaborate if you have never coloured your hair before.
  1. The best way to keep roots from constantly showing is to stay within three shades of your natural colour. Otherwise you will have noticeable roots within two to three weeks.
  1. When colouring hair for the first time or trying out a new shade, do it when you have lots of time and not before a big event. By lots of time I mean five to seven days at a minimum before your event. That way if something goes wrong you will have time to head to your nearest salon for some help.
So, have you ever coloured your hair at home? If you never have, would you try it now?

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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Tuesday's OOTW - Mixing Prints

My wonderful husband bought me an awesome birthday present – my first SLR camera! So of course I thought he should christen it by shooting my outfit of the week. So happy that it’s a super nice day and not too cold for some outdoor shots. However, if you’re looking for everyday outfit that you can use in your daily work, you can check out work uniforms for some choices of outfit.

Mixing prints is still going strong in the fashion world, so I teamed up two hot trends – plaid and polka dots. My new sweater totally scored big points with my two Boston terriers. I’m totally loving my new burgundy booties as burgundy is everywhere this winter and I can’t wear it next to my face because it washes me out. And just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to go with dark nails. I chose a nice bright orange/red hip-anema by Essie to warm things up. What prints do you like to mix?

Earrings Forever 21 $5 (in stores now) // Sweater Old Navy $22 // Shirt Old Navy$15 (similar) // Ring  H&M $5 (similar) // Purse Value Village $10 (similar) // Skirt Reitmans $20 (similar) // Booties Old Navy $34

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Monday, November 25, 2013

Monday's Meme

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Thanks to Nicole over at VV Boutique Style for sharing this meme with me.

And a big congratulations to the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League for winning the 101st Grey Cup! Arf!

FBO CFL Grey Cup 20131124Image from nationalpost.com

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

How To Fix Beauty Mishaps

Sometimes when I’m getting ready to go somewhere, I will goof up my make-up, hair, etc. I have found that the following are very useful tips, to correct various getting ready mistakes and I hope you’ll find them helpful too.

1. Eyebrow Gap

To fill a gap in your brow, brush your brow hairs in the opposite direction of the growth so the bare area becomes more visible. Use a brow pencil to cover it with light hair length strokes. brush the brow back into place.

2. Too Much Blush

Sprinkle translucent powder on a make-up sponge and blend over the blush. Blend the colour in toward the cheeks instead of out towards your ears. If your cheeks still look too dark, then go over them again with two drops of foundation on a make-up wedge.

3. Streaky Self -Tanner

To lighten colour in one spot, stroke the area with a lemon wedge or a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide. To fill in light streaks, even out colour by applying self-tanner with the edge
of a make-up wedge, or brush on matte bronzer with a small blush brush.

4. Perfume Overkill

Rub skin with an unscented baby wipe or a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. If you’ve sprayed too much perfume on your clothing, blast fabric with a hair dryer for 30 seconds.

5. Too Light Highlights

Wash your hair twice with a caramel hued colour depositing shampoo to deepen your highlights.

6. Smudged Nail Polish

Put some nail polish remover on the end of a cotton swab and gently blend away the smear. Add a coat of clear polish instead of more colour which will make the nail darker than the others.

7. Clumpy Mascara

Do this immediately as mascara dries in seconds. Wipe all the mascara off the brush with a piece of napkin or paper towel (don’t use a tissue because it could leave pieces of it on the wand). Wiggle the wand gently from side to side from the roots to the tips of the lashes. You can also purchase a dedicated de-clumping wand in the make-up brush section of the store.

8. Dirty Hair And No Time To Wash It

Blot your scalp with an oil-absorbing sheet (the kind you use for your face), then sprinkle baby powder or a dry shampoo onto your brush and comb through your roots.

9. Eyeliner That Has Gone Astray

Dip a cotton swab in an oil-free moisturizer and dab the sift tip on the back of your hand until it almost feels dry. Use it to wipe away stray marks.

10. Deodorant On Your Clothes

Simply take a clean, white sock and rub the sock over the deodorant mark in small circles. It removes the white mark without leaving behind any bits (like paper towel does) or smearing the mark into a bigger mess (like using water can do).

Hope these suggestions assist you the next time something goes wrong while getting ready.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Some Exciting News!

logo-en (1)I’m absolutely delighted to announce that our blog has made it into the top ten Canadian fashion blogs in the Made In Blog Awards for 2013! A HUGE thank-you to all of you who voted for us. We couldn’t have done it without you! Three blogs will be chosen out of the top ten to win some great prizes. Now we await the judging from the industry professionals…

Now for some more exciting news! I have drawn a winner for our Bubble Necklace And Jewelry Giveaway. The lucky winner is: Verena! Congratulations!! I will be emailing you soon to get your mailing address so I can send you your prizes. Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway.

I’m all fresh out of good news so I will be heading off now.

Enjoy your Wednesday. See you tomorrow!

 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Monday's Meme

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Or are they the same people? Have you ever seen all four in the same room. Hmmmmmm….

And a BIG happy birthday to Joelle today!! Love you Mom!

 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

How To Look Younger Part II

As promised on Thursday, here are more tips on how to look younger without going under the knife. If you missed How To Look Younger Part I you can find it here.

Tip Eleven – Skip The Powder

Powder tends to settle into your fine lines and wrinkles, making them more noticeable. Older skin doesn’t produce as much oil as younger skin. Plus a matte face look solder than a dewy fresh face.

Tip Twelve – Eat Healthy

Too much sugar can make your skin look dull and wrinkled due to a process called glycation which breaks down you skin and decreases firmness and elasticity. Make sure to eat enough protein because your body needs it to convert it to amino acids to repair skin cells, cartilage, and muscles. Aim for 120 grams of protein a day or else your skin could start to sag more.

Tip Thirteen – Don’t Overpluck Your Brows

Once you hit your 30s, you’ll want to be careful not to overpluck your eyebrows since brows are less apt to grow back if you excessively pluck. Full, natural looking eyebrows can soften your face making you appear younger. Fill them in with feathery strokes using a matte eyeshadow that matches your hair colour.

Tip Fourteen – Update Your Wardrobe

If you’re wearing stuff from the 1970s, 1980s, and in some cases the 1990s, it is definitely a time to ditch those outdated clothes and buy more current pieces. When I say current, I don’t mean trendy. I mean age appropriate, modern pieces that suit who you are now. Every five to ten years it is a good thing to re-evaluate what works and what no longer does.

Tip Fifteen – Don’t Smoke

I know that Zeke has blogged about this one before, but I would be amiss if I didn’t bring it up here as well. Smoking prematurely ages skin by between ten to twenty years, increases the likelihood of facial wrinkling (by 3 times) particularly around the eyes and mouth, gives a sallow, yellow-grey complexion and hollow cheeks, which can cause smokers to look gaunt. Yep, it makes you look older.

Tip Sixteen – Curl Your Lashes

If you are already blessed with thick, curly lashes then this tip is not for you. For the rest of us mere mortals, break out the eyelash curler. Curling lashes opens eyes making them pop and eyelids look less droopy.

Tip Seventeen – Lighten Up On The Make-Up

The term less is more truly applies here. “Less makeup is more youthful,” says makeup artist and Cover Girl Pro Paul Venoit. “But it doesn’t mean no makeup. Foundation in particular helps gives the complexion a fresher finish.” Gravitate towards eyeshadow in natural colours like browns, and plums. Swear off dark matte lipstick and instead opt for creamy formulas with a satiny finish. And use gloss, since shine makes lips look fuller.

Tip Eighteen – No Shiny Eyeshadow

When you’re in your 20’s you can get away with any type of eye shadow. As we get older, it’s best to use only matte eye shadow because it stays on better, plus it won’t amplify every wrinkle making you look older. If you must use sparkly/shiny eye shadow, only apply it on your brow bone as a highlighter because there usually aren’t many wrinkles there.

Tip Nineteen – Use A Retinol Product

This Vitamin A derivative boosts collagen production and normalizes cell renewal, a process that slows with age. Use Retinol to help keep your skin plump and smooth. Retinol is available in a variety of over the counter products.

Tip Twenty – Look After Your Smile

A great smile makes one look youthful. Teeth-whitening kits are budget-friendly and effective if you follow instructions. And take note: “Brushing immediately after consuming teeth-staining food pushes the stain deeper into the enamel,” says the Baltimore-based dentist Michelle Dozier. “Instead, rinse as soon as you can, and brush about 30 minutes later.”

Hope this has been helpful in your quest for the fountain of youth!

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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Have you checked it out?

This giveaway ends in just four days and it’s for a black bubble necklace (full-sized – not the mini version), a leaf necklace, two pairs of earrings, and a cocktail ring. It’s international, so everyone can enter! All you have to do is head HERE and enter through the rafflecopter widget. Super easy! Enter now because this giveaway ends Sunday November 17th, 2013 at 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time.

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Monday, November 11, 2013

Monday's Meme

Funny-memes-red-shirt-and-khaki-pantsLet us never forget the brave men and women who have died so that we may live.

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Thursday, November 07, 2013

How To Look Younger Part I

It sure would be nice if we all had lots of money (and weren’t scared) so we could have cosmetic surgery. But we don’t – at least that is what I am assuming. And surgery is a pretty drastic measure. So why not employ some of the following tips which don’t involve pain to help you turn back the clock?
Tip One – Apply mascara to your upper lashes only.
As we get older, dark under eye circles become more noticeable as well as those dreaded crows feet. Also mascara on the lower lashes can smudge and flake off more easily. If you are trying to draw attention away from those areas, then just put mascara on the upper lashes only.
Tip Two – Use age appropriate concealer.
Purchase under-eye concealer which doesn’t settle into wrinkles and skip the powder which can also settle into fine lines.
Tip Three – Colour the grey.
Stay within two shades of your natural colour so you avoid roots. As you get older you also lose colour in your face so make sure that the colour you choose isn’t too dark which will make you look older by washing you out. The colour that looks best now might be a lot lighter than what your natural haircolour was at one time.
Tip Four – Get a modern hair cut.
This no longer means you have to go short, this just means that if you wear the same hair style you’ve had for decades, you will look dated or like you’re trying desperately to hang onto your youth. If you are petite, you could look like a 15-year-old with super long hair. Keep your hair between your chin and your shoulders. Side-swept bangs and hair no longer than your shoulders will take off years. Shoulder-length hair looks good on all women no matter their size, face shape or age.
Tip Five Dress age appropriately.
Know your body shape; this is essential to dressing appropriately for your age. Get in front of a full-length mirror and try on all the clothes in your closet. Get rid of anything that is too tight and too revealing. Remember to show skin appropriately. Tops that show off your shoulders and neckline are timeless and can be worn at any age. As you get older, stay away from teeny mini-skirts and the itty-bitty midriff-baring tops. Stick with the classic looks like a well-tailored jacket paired with classic-cut pants. If it is dresses that you adore, choose wrap dresses. These classic dresses look good on women of any age. Follow trends in small doses. It is okay to be trendy, but do it with accessories such as jewelry and scarves. Wearing a few accessories shows that you are still fashion forward but not a slave to clothing trends.
Tip Six – Stay in shape.

Everyone looks younger when they are physically fit. Try walking, yoga, water aerobics, pilates, the list is endless. But make sure you lift weights because they are many benefits to strength training as we age. Strength training increases your metabolism, increases and restores bone density, prevents injuries, improves balance, and decreases coronary disease. However don’t lose too much weight. When you do, your face can look hollowed as you age and that will make you look older.

Tip Seven – Exfoliate.
Your skin is composed of layers of skin cells. Some dead skin cells remain bound to the skin. This can cause your skin to appear dull or damaged if excess dead skin cells build up. Exfoliating frequently can remove the skin’s natural oils that help to keep your skin soft. Because your skin naturally becomes drier as you age, exfoliating every day can be harmful. Instead, you should exfoliate no more than twice a week. And don’t forget to exfoliate the rest of your body as well!
Tip Eight – Wear Sunscreen.
When it comes to the details of how to protect your skin in the sun, what you don’t know can damage your skin. The result of this damage is wrinkles, brown skin discolorations, dull-looking skin, and potentially even skin cancer. So make sure you wear a sunscreen in the winter with 15 SPF and a sunscreen in the summer with at least a 30 SPF. Don’t forget to re-apply if you are in the sun for many hours, sweating, or in the water.
 
Tip Nine – Drink water!
If you want to stay young looking, make sure you drink at least 64 ounces (8 glasses at 8 ounces each)of water daily. There are many benefits of upping your water consumption including:
  • Water helps the body get rid of acid waste and alkalize, slowing the aging process.
  • Water helps you fight colds and other viruses.
  • Water moisturizes your skin from the inside making it more youthful looking.
  • Dehydration is the No. 1 cause of daytime fatigue, headaches and heartburn.
  • Water helps the body metabolize fat, keeping you slimmer.
Tip Ten – Get a Good night’s sleep.
Few things age you overnight more than a poor night’s sleep. Your eyes are puffy, your skin sallow and dull and your face sags. Daily stress ages your face and body because of the release of cortisol and the increase of bad neurotransmitters like norepinephrine. Sleep is a time for your body to repair damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposures. Your cells produce more protein while you are sleeping. These protein molecules form the building blocks for cells, allowing them to repair damage. When you sleep soundly your body releases growth hormone – and for growth hormone read youth hormone. During sleep, your body also releases melatonin, which has incredibly positive effects on your skin and your immune system. So make sure you get as close to eight hours as you can!
Join me next Thursday for How To Look Younger Part II.

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