Club Monaco

I am in shock that I haven't done one post on Club Monaco considering that I am likely their most loyal customer. I was there today, I was there yesterday, I was there the day before yesterday...in other words, I am there every day. I have always been madly in love with Club Monaco, but lately the obsession has come to the point where I basically refuse to shop anywhere else. My wardrobe is slowly drifting away from Zara and towards Club Monaco. What I love most about Club Monaco is that it is sophisticated yet young and trendy yet classic, and do not even get me started with the quality and materials (half the store is cashmere). The store is just perfect, everything is well executed, the clothes are basic but absolutely breathtaking, and the jewelry is luscious with rhinestones galore. So happy my brother works there now so I can get a discount :)

Let's Talk Accessories!

Here are some pieces of jewelry and accessories that I can't stop wearing these days!

The "Prop" is from Urban Outfitters and anything that says "BR" means that I purchased it at Banana Republic...is it obvious I love their jewelry? I wear the Michael Kors watch almost every single day, I find it goes with anything...silver, gold, rhinestones, etc. The Antik Batik headband is probably my favorite item shown above. I bought it in Paris and it was so inexpensive; on sale for about 15 Euros!

Lykke Li

Woke up to a cold and rainy morning, but was uplifted to see that Lykke Li has two new singles! She's such an amazing music artist; I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do :)


Get Some - Lykke Li

Paris Blue - Lykke Li

Wish I could just lay in bed all day long and watch a TLC marathon of Say Yes To The Dress, but I've got to keep on studying! Cannot wait until this midterm is over with!

Black & Blue

Art of the Day: Robert Demachy

...still studying for my photography midterm and came upon this striking Pictorialist photogravure done in 1904:

STRUGGLE

Link

What's On My Mind These Days...

While Studying...

I am in the middle of studying for my History of Photography midterm that is in two days and all I've been listening to is this song right here...

...absolutely beautiful.

It's also freezing in Montreal and even though the heater is on in the house I'm still cold! I have huge thick socks on, pajama pants with little dogs on them, a black knit long sleeved top, and a HUGE vintage Ralph Lauren wool cardigan in a camel color that i think was my Opa's back in the day and it has an enormous American flag on the back...it's beautiful and warm! I'm also sipping some amazing chamomile and mint tea because I feel a cold coming along. I can't wait for my Sunday night ritual when I make some tea (tonight I might have vanilla oolong tea) and paint my nails (might go with a chocolate brown by Essie) while watching Brothers & Sisters. Happy Sunday :)

A Good Gift Idea

I just received a few days ago customized Vera Wang stationary for my birthday from the wonderful girls I work with at Ogilvy's! This is such a great idea for those times when you're stumped on what to get someone for a birthday, Christmas, etc. because not only is it beautiful but it's personal, unique, and thoughtful. Thanks girls for the gift...you know me well :)

Stereo Mood

I have a new favorite website that my brother Nick told me about called Stereo Mood. Basically you go on their website and choose the mood you are in; there are dozens to choose from including Lonely, Chillout, Melancholy, Sad, Sexy, Feel Like Crying, Groovy, etc. In each category there are hundreds of really good songs that reflect the mood perfectly. Anyone is able to add a song to a category as well, which gives the website a lot of diversity. You can also shuffle the playlist so that you can discover new songs in the category! I usually listen to Reading, Sleepy, Calm and Acoustic when doing homework. So ya, all in all I am absolutely addicted to this website and have discovered around 100 amazing songs that I have added to my iTunes playlist. I hope you all enjoy it as well :)

Link: Stereo Mood

I Am Dying For...

...the classic Mulberry Oversized Alexa Shoulder Bag in Oak Soft Buffalo.

Bay Area Bags

The Detail

Editorial Inspiration

A mish-mash of editorial photographs I have stumbled upon in the past few days...

Dustjacket Attic

Beauty Regime: Body

Here is my daily beauty regime (excluding makeup and hair) coming from a girl who has tried it ALL. Literally hundreds upon hundreds of different products for years and I have finally found my ultimate beauty regime that works 100%. Here is a step by step of what I do every single day:

Shower:

1) First I cleanse my body and face with regular Dove soap...simple and plain but it's the best, cleans but doesn't dry out my skin.

2) I then use Ocean Salt Cleanser Scrub by Lush, which contains sea salt (which is a natural healer), coconut, lime, and a hint of Vodka to scrub my legs, arms, and feet to take away the dry skin and ingrowns. I swear it's as if you've been on the beach in the Caribbean for the past week!

3) I will then alternate on a daily basis between the Ocean Salt Cleanser Scrub by Lush which heals blemishes and Dark Angels Cleanser Scrub by Lush, which contains charcoal and rhassoul to really get the dirt out on days when the skin on my face feels really gross.


*** Best beauty tip I have ever received in my whole life was when I was working at my dad's salon Samuel Augustin and was told to ask clients if they would like a cool rinse when washing their hair. What it does is close the pores on your scalp making you hair shiny and also makes the skin on your scalp silky smooth and not dry. The same therefore goes for the skin on your face and body; dipping your whole body in cold water isn't the most fun thing but it's the absolute best thing for you skin and hair!

Dark Angels Cleanser

Ocean Salt Cleanser

After Shower:

4) Once out of the shower I pat (not rub) off the extra water on my skin with a towel, not to irritate the skin and spread bacteria.

5) I then immediately apply La Roche-Posay Toleriane Soothing Protective Skincare for normal to combination intolerant skin on my face. The light cream soothes my skin making it feel velvety smooth and doesn't irritate or block my pores.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane

5) I then apply Dove Ultimate Go Fresh Cool Essentials Deodorant. I have tried dozens of deodorants and this particular one is best for me...never have any b.o. thankfully (it's my all time greatest fear). Keep in mind everyone is different when it comes to deodorant, this one works for me but might not work for you. I have friends who use deodorants like Secret that worked horribly for me but amazing for them. So it really just depends, it's one of those things you have to try a million to find the perfect one.

6) I then apply on my entire body the best thing that has ever happened in my life which is the amazing L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate. The smell is out of this world amazing to the point where I sometimes skip putting on perfume. It firms up your skin and nourishes it like crazy, best moisturizer out there! Pricey...68$ for a glass mug, but worth it!

L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate

7) I then will apply perfume, if needed. There are quite a few perfumes that I love, unfortunately I haven't found a signature one, but my favorite is Burberry by Burberry women perfume...it is to die for. Otherwise I also wear sometimes Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf, which is just as good!

Burberry by Burberry Women Perfume

8) Finally throughout the day I will apply L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream with 20% shea butter, the absolute best hand cream out there, honestly it doesn't smell bad at all but it's not the best smelling hand cream either...but it works incredibly. Really good for when seasons change (like now for example).

L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream

Well there you have it, my ultimate daily body beauty routine. Long post, but I hope this will help with your own daily beauty routine. Try some of these products and let me know what you think. Also, tell me what your favorite body products are!

Links:

Portmeirion Lush La Roche-Posay Perfume L'Occitane

Alexander McQueen SS '11

Despite the absence of Lee, this was a brilliant transition for the House of McQueen gearing towards a more feminized, nurturing, earthly, and softer route yet still capturing (to a certain extent) the essence of McQueen. There is a bitter-sweet sensation when viewing the show; the soul of McQueen is missing and the grief of Lee's sudden death still looms, however at the same time Sarah Burton beautifully and successfully uplifted the collection subtly easing her own flair into the aesthetics.

Style.com