alison*elle

Instagram Lately

2012-02-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

Too much time has passed since I last did one of these posts so I thought I'd share some more iPhone snapshots. A little bit of style, some recent purchases, some fun things I've been up to, and of course a whole lot of food!

A night out, wearing my Mackage "Ava" Coat (this one is similar)

Warby Parker Zagg glasses in "Tennessee Whiskey"... unfortunately they didn't fit me well so I returned them

I've been super into prints lately, especially chain print

Some new Sorel winter boots (here in darker brown)

Simulated skydiving at Fly Zone - so much fun (though I totally look like a chipmunk in the goggles)

Was finally able to bring out my ice skates for the first time this year

Chicken karaage at Guu, one of my fave restaurants for Japanese tapas

Brunch at the Blue Fox Cafe in Victoria

Dim Sum = major comfort food for me

No Korean meal is complete without soju!

Take-out treats from True Confections

Love these Starbucks "Love" cups

If you're on Instagram, feel free to follow me! My username is alison_elle.

P.S. If you live in the US, don't forget to ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR A $50 VISA GIFTCARD AND EUCERIN PRICE PACKAGE!

Valentine's Day Get-Together & Mani

2012-02-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, Cee of Coco and Vera hosted a pre-Valentine's Day blogger get-together. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday... chatting with some lovely ladies over a big bottle of wine and an array of sweet snacks.

L-R: Randa, Cee, Leonie, Veronika, me, and Alicia

Thanks to Cee and Randa for these photos!

Of course, I can't let a holiday pass without some appropriately themed nail art. Compared to last year's somewhat ridiculous Valentine's Day mani, however, I did decide to keep my nails a bit more subdued this year.

OPI Japanese Rose Garden, OPI Off With Her Red!, Kiss Nail Art Pens in White and Silver Glitter

My bf and I usually don't do anything super fancy but I am looking forward to whatever little surprise he's got planned. I know that many people do not celebrate Valentine's given the whole rampant commercialization factor, but for those that do, Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

P.S. If you live in the US, don't forget to ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR A $50 VISA GIFTCARD AND EUCERIN PRICE PACKAGE!

GIVEAWAY: $50 VISA Giftcard and Eucerin Skincare Products (US Only)

2012-02-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

I am super excited to be partnering with Eucerin to host this giveaway because their Original Moisturizing Lotion has been working absolute wonders for my dry skin this Winter. That's why I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to try out some of the company's other products... and thanks to Eucerin, one of my lovely readers can too!

The winner of this giveaway will receive: a $50 Visa Gift Card, Eucerin Calming Daily Moisturizing Crème, Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash, and Skin Calming Itch-Relief.

$50 Visa Gift Card
To be spent on anything your heart desires!

Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Crème (8 oz.)
A gentle, non-greasy formula that combines calming oatmeal and rich emollients to help relieve dry, itchy skin for softer, healthier-looking and more comfortable skin. I've been applying this after my morning showers and it keeps my skin moisturized throughout the day. I like the thicker texture and the fact that this cream doesn't have a harsh scent (I'm often allergic to highly scented products and this, thankfully, does not cause uncontrollable sneezing fits).

Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash (8.4 oz.)
A unique body wash formulation that combines soap-free cleansing with omega oils and other natural lipids to nourish and soothe. Despite being called a "shower oil", this wash doesn't leave your skin greasy. In fact, it's quite easy to use: just shake the bottle, apply, and the product gently foams. This is great for those with extremely sensitive skin though the smell may be off-putting to some (the bottle says it is "fragrance free" but I wouldn't say this is quite accurate).

Eucerin Skin Calming Itch-Relief (6.8 fl. oz.)
An external analgesic lotion for itchy skin flare-ups with cooling menthol and natural oatmeal for effective relief that lasts up to 8 hours. When I was younger I had eczema and now that I am older, I still battle occasional flare-ups with certain types of weather and temperatures. I usually use a medicated cream when my skin gets really itchy but find this product to work pretty well in a pinch.

INTERESTED IN WINNING? HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:

1. Follow my blog on either Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'.
2. “Like” the Eucerin Facebook Page.
3. Leave a comment on this post to let me know that you've done both these things and an e-mail address or other way of contacting you.

For an extra entry, tweet the following: "I've entered to win a $50 Visa Giftcard and prize package from @EucerinUS and @alison_elle - http://bit.ly/ykei8w". If you do this, don't forget to leave a separate comment on this post.

Open to US residents only. (Sorry! I will be hosting a non-restrictive giveaway soon!)

Even if you don't win this giveaway, you can still receive a FREE sample of the Eucerin Skin Calming Crème! After "Liking” the Eucerin Facebook Page, simply follow the instructions on how to take the Eucerin Skin First Pledge.

Giveaway closes on February 26, 2012 at 11:59 PST. Winner will be drawn randomly. Good luck!

Parliament Buildings

2012-02-08T20:44:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in this post, I was recently in Victoria for a work function. It's funny... though it's a relatively short ferry ride away, I've actually only visited a few times before. I'm always surprised by how quaint and familiar the city feels, especially given the fact that it's the capital of British Columbia (for some reason I tend to think of capital cities as being super big and constantly bustling).

After grabbing brunch, we wandered around a bit, snapped some photos in front of the iconic Parliament Buildings, and I managed to pick up some of my favourite teas from Murchies. Next time I'm in Victoria for the weekend I'm really hoping to go to high tea at the Empress Hotel - it's been on my to-do list for ages!

Top: Forever 21 / Sweater: Pink Martini / Jeggings: Paige Premium Denim / Boots: Rachel Comey
Bag: Longchamp / Bangles: MBMJ and Lulu Frost for J. Crew / Sunglasses: Alfred Sung

An Après-Christmas Party

2012-02-05T15:18:00.000-08:00

My firm has two offices, so every year we alternate cities for our big interoffice après-Christmas party. Since last year's party was held in Vancouver, this year's was in Victoria. Admittedly, it's a little strange to be celebrating the holidays in February but who can say "no" to a weekend getaway and the chance to mix and mingle with colleagues we don't see very often?

For the party, I decided to wear my Club Monaco "Angela" skirt (I love skirts with pockets!) paired with black & gold accessories. I first discovered Erica Anenberg's beautiful braille jewelry from Aney's blog and eagerly snatched up this gorgeous "Blind Faith" Cuff during a recent Hautelook sale.

Blouse: Zara / Skirt: Club Monaco (here) / Tights: H&M / Shoes: Aldo / Clutch: Joe Fresh Style

Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 (here) / Cuff: Erica Anenberg / Nails: OPI My Private Jet

Lumene Skincare

2012-02-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

I was recently sent some products from Lumene, a Finnish skincare and beauty line whose formulations are packed full of Arctic plants and berries. I hadn't heard of the company before but I love their philosophy of "harnessing the power of natural Arctic ingredients with a Scandinavian approach to beauty to create skincare and cosmetics with proven effectiveness, integrity, and purpose."

Radiant Touch with Arctic Cloudberry Moisturizing Toner
I don't use toners with alcohol because I usually find them too drying for my skin, so I was pleased to see that Lumene's toner is alcohol-free. The formula is extremely gentle, almost like water, and leaves the skin feeling refreshed. The cloudberry scent is difficult to describe but it's quite sweet and pleasant.

Radiant Touch with Arctic Cloudberry Moisturizing Cream Cleanser
The formula of this cleanser is lighter than other cream cleansers that I've used and doesn't do such a great job at removing my makeup at the end of the day. Like the toner, the scent is great, but I will be using this as my morning cleanser and using a more heavy-duty one at night.

Vitamin C+ with Arctic Cloudberry Pure Radiance Day Cream
This detox properties of cloudberry are supposed to make skin look brighter and more radiant. The cream's texture is very light and applies easily, though it is best formulated for dry to normal skin rather than my combination/oily skin. I do like that it has SPF 15, which is a must in a day-cream.

Time Freeze with Arctic Heather Firming Day Cream
This cream is thicker than the Pure Radiance Day Cream and doesn't have the same sweet cloudberry scent. In fact, it smells just like plain lotion, perhaps a bit chemically. I personally don't find it too offensive but I imagine some people might not like it. Although I don't have any wrinkles, I do prefer the thicker formula and like that it contains SPF 15.

Sensitive Touch Cleansing Wipes with Soothing Arctic Linen Seed
These wipes are not textured and less "wet" than other cleansing wipes I've used which I guess is what makes them so perfect for sensitive skin. They didn't irritate my skin at all, which can happen with more harsher formulas, but at the same time are probably not the best for removing heavy makeup.

These products seem perfect for sensitive skin that is more on the dry side since they have high moisturizing qualities. The cloudberry scent is delightful so if you are looking to try some Lumene products, I definitely recommend something containing that.

A Lot of Bows

2012-01-31T08:34:00.000-08:00

Do you ever put together outfits and then realize afterwards that perhaps you sub-consciously had a certain theme in mind?

I'm usually quite deliberate in what I choose to wear but in this instance, it was only after I had put this outfit together that I noticed just how many bows I was wearing. It's a good thing I adore them... after all, how else would you explain the fact that I was able to so easily pick out all these bow-adorned items from my otherwise overflowing closet?

Cardigan worn as dress: Delphine (Aritzia) / Tights: Primark / Bag: Miu Miu (here)

Hat: Joe Fresh Style / Belt: H&M / Socks: Garage / Booties: Topshop

Bobbi Brown Shadow Options Palette

2012-01-28T00:26:00.000-08:00

For my last birthday, one of my best friends (who obviously knows me very well) gave me this gorgeous Bobbi Brown Shadow Options Eyeshadow Palette.

Top Row: Pebble (Metallic), Moonlight (Sparkle), Storm Cloud (Sparkle), Pink Chandelier (Metallic)

Bottom Row: Navajo, Flint, Iron, Caviar

The palette comes housed in Bobbi Brown's signature sleek packaging with 4 shimmery shadows on top and a pull-out drawer below featuring 4 matte shadows. The idea is that you can use the shimmery shadows to quickly bring your daytime look into an evening look. This process is made even easier thanks to the double-ended shadow/liner brush that's included, and which I find to be much of better quality than your typical palette applicators.

I am a huge fan of neutral matte shadows (one of the reasons my Urban Decay Naked Palette doesn't get much love) and I absolutely adore the ones in this Shadow Options Palette because they are well-pigmented and apply buttery smooth. Lately, my go-to eye look has been Navajo (creamy pinkish white) as a highlight, Flint (light grey brown) as a base, Iron (neutral grey) in the outer corner, and Caviar (black brown) as a liner.

Apologies for not swatching Pebble (golden ivory), Moonlight (silver pink), Storm Cloud (dusty heather), and Pink Chandelier (pink copper), but the reality is that they are a little difficult to work with - not to mention photograph! All 4 of the shimmers are on the sheer side as they are meant to be layering shadows as opposed to standalone shades. Application with a brush also results in major fallout so using fingers is probably the best way to make them work. I'm not the biggest fan of using fingers to apply makeup but at least the product is pretty to look at!

Marc By Marc Jacobs Babylon Stripe Cardigan

2012-01-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

I first saw this Marc By Marc Jacobs Babylon Stripe Cardigan in Holt Renfrew a few months ago but couldn't decide if spending so much on a sweater would be worth it. However, after seeing a girl wearing this cardigan (in Holt's again, of all places) and how cute it looked on her, I realized I kind of needed it to be in my closet... you know, right now. As luck would have it, Holt's didn't have it anymore, so I took to the Internet and found it on major sale at Neiman Marcus. Not only that, there was only one left and it was in my size!

Clearly this sweater + me were meant to be, right?

Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs (here) / Jeans: Paige Premium Denim
Boots: Primark / Gloves: Club Monaco / Bag: Primark

Majolica Majorca: Pressed Pore Cover, Skin Lingerie Pore Cover, and Dress Glove Cream

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

While I was in Singapore, I was able to pick up a few products from Majolica Majorca, a brand that I've been wanting to try for the longest time.

Majolica Majorca is a Japanese drugstore line owned by Shiseido, and is marketed towards a "younger" crowd with its reasonable price points and adorable packaging. Despite the fact that I am probably too old for their target demographic, I am forever a sucker for cute packaging so I could really care less!

Here's what I picked up:

Pressed Pore Cover

Although my tried and true HG blotting powder is MAC Blot Powder, this little compact was too cute to pass up. I love the 3D design on the top! The compact also has a full mirror for easy touch-ups and comes with a soft sponge for application on the go.

According to its package, Pressed Pore Cover is "a soft, micro-particle face powder that covers skin's unevenness like pores to create uniformly smooth skin." It is also supposed to control "shine and oiliness so that the beautiful just-applied look lasts for a long time."

The powder only comes in one shade but blends into my skin well. I'm not sure how it would look on darker skin tones, however. Somehow I feel it might leave a bit of a white cast.

The powder is also very finely milled and the texture is silky smooth. It leaves the face nice and matte after a fresh application but it does not do a very good job at oil control. Since that's my main skincare woe, this will not be replacing my MAC. However, I'll continue to use it from time to time for touch-ups... just means more applications than normal. Thankfully it's not super cakey!

Skin Lingerie Pore Cover

To go along with the Pressed Pore Cover, the Skin Lingerie Pore Cover is a "makeup base that instantaneously creates smooth skin by concealing those pesky open pores and red cheeks."

Unlike the other makeup primers that I use (e.g. Smashbox, Reviva Labs), all of which are clear, Skin Lingerie is tinted. Like the Pressed Pore Powder, it only comes in one shade, but when smoothed onto the skin, it blends right in. The formula is similar to Urban Decay Primer Potion and like UDPP (the non-genie bottles), it comes packaged in a squeeze tube. That's great because it's more hygienic and less prone to waste.

As for the product itself, I didn't notice much difference in the look of my pores after using this. Is it just me or do these so-called miracle pore refiners never work? Nonetheless, I was impressed at how well Skin Lingerie mattified my skin. It definitely works well as a base for foundation but if your skin is good I think it you could get away with just powder on top for a "barefaced" day look.

Dress Glove Cream

Dress Glove Cream is part of Majolica Majorca's new Glass Trick Collection and "translucent like sparkling glass, this cream slips on like a velvety-smooth glove for beautiful hands." It's formulated with raspberry and rose extracts for extra-moisturizing qualities. Plus it seriously smells delicious!

The texture is really nice - not too sticky, thick, or waxy like some other hand creams. The formula also contains some shimmer particles which I usually don't like but I find these to be quite subtle. I do regret not picking up another tube, as unfortunately it's limited edition.

For those of you in Asia, Majolica Majorca should be fairly easy to get your hands on (in Singapore and Malaysia it's sold at Watson's). For those outside of Asia, Ichibankao carries the line and ships internationally.

Train Tracks & My New KeepCup

2012-01-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

For the first time this Winter, Vancouver finally got some snow. Of course, it was basically all gone by the time I left the house but it was still nice to see a few smatterings on the ground. Apparently there will be more on the way in the coming weeks!

I know a number of you were wondering what my Miu Miu Mini Bow looks like when worn, so I hope these pictures help (for reference, I'm 5'5"). As you can see, it is fairly small but I tend to prefer this size for my weekend day bags.

Top: Wilfred Free / Leggings: H&M / Leather Jacket: Mackage
Ballet Flats: Bloch (here) / Purse: Miu Miu (here) / Beanie: TNA
Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 (here) / Ring: Michael Kors (here)

And how cute is my new KeepCup? As a hot beverage lover, I'm always adding reusable cups to my collection and I love how the KeepCup is different from your typical travel mug. It's "barista standard" because it replicates standard takeaway sizes and fits under the heads of most espresso machines. That means baristas don't have to make your drink in a paper cup first before pouring it into your travel mug. Plus they are completely customizable, with a variety of sizes (mine's a large) and colour combinations (I love this one).

KeepCups have been available in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK for a couple of years, and they've only recently been introduced in North America. If you're interested in getting one for yourself, you can buy them online (at www.keepcup.com and Amazon.com) or find them in certain coffee retailers and select Whole Foods stores.

LUSH No Drought Dry Shampoo

2012-01-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

I've always envied girls who can get away with not having to wash their hair everyday. Since my hair is super fine, it tends to get greasy fast and on sweltering summer days it often ends up looking like a hot mess by noon. Dry shampoos are often touted as saviours for people like me but until now I haven't had much luck. The last one I tried (Klorane) wouldn't blend into my hair no matter how much I brushed, leaving giant dandruff-like flakes all over my head. Trust me, not a good look.

So I gave up on dry shampoo for a while and resorted to pinning my bangs back when they started to separate. But I think I've finally found something that works! The kind people at LUSH sent over their new No Drought Dry Shampoo (it's about time they came out with one!), and though I was initially skeptical given my previous track record with dry shampoos, I'm so glad I decided to give this a try.

I can't really go without washing my hair everyday, but I've been using this as an afternoon pick-me-up when my hair starts to fall flat. For this purpose, it's done a good job at mattifying greasy strands. The texture is great; not chunky or too fine. And even though the powder is white, I am able to brush it out easily without an awful white cast left behind on my dark hair (the key is to apply sparingly).

No Drought also has a nice lemony scent which is quite refreshing. It's not a scent I would normally choose for regular shampoo/conditioner but it's certainly not offensive to the nose.

However, you'll notice the product comes packaged in one of LUSH's regular bottles, which makes it much more difficult to dispense than the dry shampoos that come in aerosol cans. When I first tried it, I accidentally dumped too much on my head, causing powder to fall all over my clothes and the counter. I think the best mode of application is to pour a little bit in your hands and apply manually. There is still some fallout but much less.

Despite the packaging problems the actual product works really well so if you're looking for a dry shampoo, I recommend giving No Dought a try. It's available for only $12.95 CAD in stores and online.

Bag Reveal: Miu Miu Mini Bow

2012-01-08T13:44:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share the AMAZING Christmas present I received from my parents this year (or should I be referring to it as "last year" since it's now 2012?) through an exciting bag reveal post. Kind of a fun idea, right?

As a long time reader of The Purse Forum, I have always loved bag reveals but hate when they're super drawn out. I'll try and make this one short and sweet :)

Miu Miu, one of my absolute fave designer brands. Hmm... now what could possibly be inside this pretty pink dust bag?

...

Of course, it's the Mini Bow Satchel in Mughetto!

The regular bow has always been a bit too big for my liking but the mini is the perfect size for me. Plus the colour is a lot more versatile that you would think.

This bag was on my lust list for the longest time... it's almost hard to believe that I finally own one! I am so lucky to have the best parents ever... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ♥

Singapore Slinging

2012-01-05T22:04:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the brief blogging hiatus... things were absolutely crazy both at work and in life in the days leading up to Christmas. Before I knew it, it was time to hop on a plane to Singapore, which has always been one of my favourite places to visit in Southeast Asia. My parents recently moved there so I had an "excuse" to go again!

Although most of my time was spent doing family things, I managed to take in a few sights, including the Marina Bay area, Chinatown, and Sentosa Island.

I also enjoyed eating some favourite local foods. Desserts in this region are especially yummy. Pictured below: mango sago, iced kachang, and cendol.

Kuala Lumpur is only a 40 minute plane ride away from Singapore, so I was able to spend a few days there as well. I finally got to see the Petronas Towers in real life since the last time I was in KL I wasn't able to.

Anyway, that was a very short but much-needed break. Now to get over my jetlag and back into the routine of things here in Vancouver. I hope you all had a great holiday season and a happy new year!

A Touch of Paris (Longchamp Limited Edition Galeries Lafayette 2010)

2011-12-21T10:34:00.000-08:00

In my "What's in my (work) bag?" post, I mentioned this limited edition Longchamp Galeries Lafayette 2010 Le Pliage tote that I picked up in Paris this summer. I was immediately drawn to its unique design, which pays tribute to the iconic dome architecture of Galeries Lafayette, one of Paris' premier department stores. This tote is one of the more special bags in my collection because just looking at it reminds me of all the great memories from my European vacation (which now feels like it happened forever ago).

To add a bit more "Paris" to my winter outerwear, I also decided to throw on the new angora beret that I recently won from Olivia at Stylestruck and Barefoot Contessa. The bow detailing is so cute!

Coat: Community (Aritzia) / Boots: Aldo / Hat: C.C Exclusives (Barefoot Contessa)

Gloves: Roots / Bag: Longchamp

OPI Nicki Minaj: Save Me

2011-12-18T23:36:00.000-08:00

The OPI x Nicki Minaj collaboration is set to launch in January, but it's already out in some stores (for my fellow Vancouverites, you can find it at Shifeon).

Although there are some great colours in the collection, I only picked up Save Me, a clear base with silver micro-glitter and silver and blue holographic bar glitters.

Bar glitters can be a little hard to work with in terms of placement and they and tend to drag if you don't allow each coat to dry properly. Thankfully drying time between coats was quite short with Save Me, so I didn't have too many problems with application. You will need a thick top coat though, since the polish does dry gritty and rough.

Save Me would make an interesting top coat over some darker colours, but three coats of it make a good standalone polish. The bar glitters give it a surprising 3D effect and it's quite striking on the nails... very blingy and reminiscent of fireworks!

Chain Print: Minkpink Excessive Shirt

2011-12-14T21:02:00.000-08:00

Although I'm not generally a print person, I've been obsessively purchasing a lot of printed clothing lately. I find that I'm usually drawn to the same types of prints, and the gorgeous chain print on this over-sized boyfriend blouse is one of them (not ashamed to say I actually bought a chain print dress in the same order).

For anyone who's interested, this is the "Excessive" Shirt by Minkpink, an Australian brand that I have recently fallen in love with. Not only do they have great prints, but unique cuts of clothing as well!

Blouse: Minkpink / Cardigan: gift / Leggings: TNA / Booties: Topshop

Belt: H&M / Clutch: Joe Fresh

What's In My (Work) Bag?

2011-12-09T23:06:00.000-08:00

I've always enjoyed those "what's in my bag?" blog posts and Youtube videos, so why not do my own? I personally love seeing what people carry with them on a daily basis... it's funny how some are super minimalistic while others seem to carry their entire lives with them. I think I fit somewhere in the middle, but I'll let you guys be the judges of that!

Since the majority of my week is spent at work, I decided it made most sense to show my work bag. Evenings and weekends I tend to carry a lot less in a different/smaller purse (usually my Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo).

Anyway, so here is my black Longchamp Le Pliage "Shopping" Tote (I also have a purple one and a limited edition red Galeries Lafayette one from Paris) and what's inside:

WALLET
My beloved Miu Miu Matelasse wallet (in pale pink, stone, and sea blue), which was a gift from my bf. It holds all my cards and money, of course!

MAKE-UP BAG
This is the Tory Burch Brigitte Cosmetic Case in "Dakar" (different prints here, here, and here). It fits quite a bit but I try not to carry too much makeup around with me because not only can it get heavy but I'm afraid of losing my favourite or limited edition products somehow. Maybe I'm just paranoid, haha.

BUS PASS
If I drove to work, parking would cost me a fortune so it's much cheaper for me to take transit. Thankfully my bus ride is only 15-20 minutes; I don't know if I could handle a super long commute!

WATER
Staying hydrated is essential so I try to carry a bottle of water with me at all times. Usually I have a refillable Bobble but recently I've been drinking this Icelandic Glacial natural spring water. It tastes great, is the world's first carbon neutral water brand, and I love the glacier-inspired bottles. Random but cool fact: Parfums Christian Dior recently selected Icelandic Glacial as a key ingredient in its new line of skincare products!

PLANNER
I'm obsessed with organization so I keep track of my entire life in my Moleskine, which is colour-coded thanks to my collection of Staedtler pens! Check out this post for an example of what it looks like on the inside.

SNACKS
I hate being hungry with nothing to eat so snacks are important. I usually carry a granola bar of some sort and/or fruit. This strawberry tupperware container was from Daiso, the Japanese $2 store. I couldn't resist, it was too cute!

UMBRELLA
It rains all the time here in Vancouver and I hate getting stuck without an umbrella. Especially in the Fall/Winter months, I always have one in my bag. This one is by Moschino.

EPI-PEN
I'm the queen of allergies (nuts, shellfish, most raw fruits and veggies, dust, pollen, hay fever, etc. etc.). Unfortunately my nut allergy is deadly so having an Epi-Pen on hand is a necessity.

+ CELLPHONE & HEADPHONES, GUM, KEYS

And here's a peak at a few of the things I carry in my makeup bag (other less exciting things include Band-Aids and bobby pins). I try to keep it to a minimum but always end up toting around a ton of lip products for some unknown reason.

Vasanti Lipshine in North Sea, Benefit Ultra Shines in Who Are You Wearing?, Paul & Joe L/E Lipgloss, MAC

Lipglass in Nymphette, Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle, MAC Hug Me Lipstick, EOS lip balm, Hello Kitty

tissues, MAC Studio Fix, MAC Pressed Blot Powder, L'Occitane En Provence Cherry Blossom Hand Cream

If any of you have done a similar post or Youtube video, please post a link because I'd love to see!

Tiffany & Co. Nails (China Glaze For Audrey)

2011-12-06T09:16:00.000-08:00

I've always loved the idea of having nails that match Tiffany & Co.'s infamous blue, and thanks to China Glaze's For Audrey, now they do!

If you've read my previous reviews of China Glaze (see here, for example), you'll know that I'm not the biggest fan of China Glaze's formulas and often find their polishes hard to work with. However, For Audrey didn't cause me any problems and was opaque in only two coats. The polish itself dries a little dull but nothing some top coat can't fix.

Taking from my "inspiration," I decided to use this mani to pay homage to the blue boxes Tiffany & Co. is known for. I didn't want to go overboard on every nail so these simple free-handed bows on my ring fingers created just the look I was going for.

And as a special treat for my readers, Nail Polish Canada is offering 50% off China Glaze For Audrey with the coupon code ALISONELLE (Expires Dec. 23, 2011).

If you haven't heard of Nail Polish Canada, it's a great alternative to sites like 8ty8beauty and Transdesign because shipping is much cheaper for Canadians, they have a wide selection of brands, and their hot deals section is pretty awesome. Plus, how can you not love a company with a sense of humour? Check out their charitable organization, Adopt A Polish, where you can give needy nail polish a new home!

Holiday Gift Guide: LUSH Home For Christmas Gift Set (+ Winner of the Skindinavia Giveaway)

2011-12-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I blogged about the Calgon Holiday Gift Sets and now I have another suggestion for those bath & body product lovers on your Christmas shopping list... none other than a LUSH Cosmetics holiday gift set! This year, LUSH has assembled a collection of festive holiday items and gift sets, a magical mix of old favourites and new goodies, which are all available for your gifting pleasure.

Take this great Home For Christmas Gift Set, for example, which not only comes in an adorable hatbox emblazoned with wintery scenes, but saves you from having to worry about gift wrap at the very same time. Take a look at what it includes:

Thanks to the wonderfully kind people at LUSH, I was able to happily test out the products in Home For Christmas and can now give you the full run-down in case you're thinking of picking this up for yourself or someone else.

CHRISTMAS EVE BUBBLE BAR
Christmas Eve is jasmine-scented, which is not my favourite scent. However, this was pleasant enough and made a ton of bubbles. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of jasmine, I did find my bath with this very relaxing and I loved how it turned the water blue.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE BUBBLE BAR
This is definitely one of the cutest bubble bars I've seen with its sprinkles, snow, and cinnamon stick chimney. It smells spicy and sweet - perfect for holiday bathing.

THREE GOLD RINGS BUBBLE BAR
Along with the Gingerbread House Bubble Bar, I also loved the Three Gold Rings Bubble Bar because the scent is absolutely divine. It's a mixture of vanilla, sweet orange oil, and myrhh - yummy! Plus, it's formulated with soya milk powder to leave your skin extra soft.

LI'L LUSH PUD BATH BOMB
Li'l Lush Pud is apparently inspired by British Christmas pudding (which I've never had before), but it smells delicious, kind of sweet and clove-y. However, it is smaller in size than LUSH's other bath bombs so it fizzes and dissolves more quickly.

HONEY I WASHED THE KIDS SOAP
Like most LUSH products, Honey I Washed The Kids smells almost good enough to eat. Its featured ingredient is honey and it quite literally smells like toffee-fudge. I loved the texture of this soap (very soft) but for optimal longevity, you're supposed to keep it away from water between uses. I didn't the first time I used it and I guess it melted somehow because almost 1/4 was gone when I went to use it the next day. Learned my lesson!

IT'S RAINING MEN SHOWER GEL
It's Raining Men matches perfectly with Honey I Washed The Kids because it's the same scent! I liked this a lot more than the soap because the bottle prevents accidental "melting" and I can use it with my loufah.

DREAM CREAM HAND AND BODY LOTION
Along with Honey I Washed The Kids and It's Raining Men, Dream Cream is the other product in Home For Christmas that's available year-round as part of LUSH's permanent collection. I'm still unsure as to how I feel about this scent... sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. I think it might be the lavender that gets me (not one of my favourites). This is supposed to be quite good for sensitive skin and I didn't experience any irritation, but I found the texture kind of watery. For the Winter months, I prefer to use thicker products like body butters.

Home For Christmas is available on LUSH's website and in-stores for $59.95 CDN. LUSH also sells the products listed above individually, or you can check out the rest of LUSH's holiday collection for gift ideas to suit any price range. I've bought other sets for people before and they've always gone over well with the recipients!

Also, big congratulations to OPI Addict of Addicted to OPI (great blog name, btw) for winning the Skindinavia Giveaway! Stay tuned for some other fun giveaways in the future!

Wrap (Dress) Me Up

2011-11-28T09:38:00.000-08:00

A wrap dress like this one is seriously one of the easiest things to throw on when you can't be bothered to come up with an outfit. Just add some tights, a pair of boots, a few statement accessories and you're good to go!

These days, I've been living in variations of this outfit because those extra minutes of sleep seem to count for so much more in the wintery dark mornings. Surely I'm not the only one who feels this way?

Dress: Wilfred (Aritzia) / Tights: Primark / Boots: Aldo

Watch: Michael Kors (here) / Cuff Bracelet: Soo Ihn Kim (here)

P.S. Thanks to everyone who entered my Skindinavia giveaway! I'll be announcing a winner shortly.

GIVEAWAY: Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish {CLOSED}

2011-11-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

{GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED}

Quite a number of you expressed interest in the Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Sprays that I reviewed in this recent post, which is why I'm super excited to be hosting this giveaway!

Thanks to Skindinavia, one of my lovely readers will receive my favourite product from their line, the No More Shine Makeup Finish.

Entering is super easy!

Mandatory entry:
♥ Leave a comment on this post telling me what makeup item you absolutely can't live without

Additional entries (please leave a separate comment for each):
♥ Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect (+1 entry)
♥ Follow my blog on BlogLovin' (+1 entry)
♥ Follow me on Twitter (+1 entry)
♥ RT "I entered to win a @Skindinavia makeup finishing spray from @alison_elle at www.alison-elle.com!" on Twitter (+1 entry)

Deadline for entries is NOVEMBER 27. A winner will be selected randomly. Good luck!

3D Flowers & Rhinestone Mani from Shi Nail Salon

2011-11-16T09:42:00.000-08:00

For the November Vancouver beauty blogger meet-up, a bunch of us headed over to Shi Nail Salon in Richmond for an afternoon of pampering.

Top: H&M / Leggings: H&M / Scarf: Wilfred

Bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane / Watch: Michael Kors

Instead of opting for a regular manicure, I decided to add some sparkle and go all out with some 3D nail art and rhinestone bling. Apparently I like breaking my own rules about seasonal nail polish colours because the nail design I decided on totally screams "Spring". But who cares? They bring a little tropical delight to the dreary days we've been experiencing.

I didn't realize how much work went into creating 3D nail art. My nail technician carefully hand crafted each petal and individually glued on little rhinestones and baubles to create this look.

Final result: AMAZING! I can't stop staring at my nails. Now if only I could figure out a way to preserve these forever...

I had a ton of fun catching up with my fellow bloggers and was extremely impressed with Shi Nail Salon. Everyone was so professional and attentive, from bringing us drinks and magazines to helping select the perfect nail colours and designs. Not to mention the great pedicure "pods" with built-in massage chairs, overhead heating, and mini laptops to surf the Internet while you soak your feet.

The salon offers a wide range of services from regular manis and pedis to the 3D nail art that I got, as well as paraffin treatments and hand/foot massages. There is also a huge wall of OPI, Sparitual, and Anna Sui nail polish to choose from.

Isn't the decor so cute? Next time I'm in need of a nail art pick-me-up, Shi Nail is definitely at the top of my list.

Address: 115-8033 Saba Road, Richmond, BC (right by the Richmond-Brighouse Canada Line station)
Website: http://www.shinail.com/

P.S. Thanks to Sheila for playing blogger nail party photographer!

Leather and Layers

2011-11-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

In order to get some Fall wear out of this summer maxi dress, I did some improvising and knotted it up to create a "new" look. Nothing better (read: cheaper) than shopping my own closet, no?

Dress: gift / Cardigan: Zara / Leather Jacket: Mackage / Bag: Longchamp

Scarf: Wilfred / Tights: H&M / Boots: Aldo / Hat: Talula

I'm also one of those people who only wears certain colours on my nails depending on the season (with some exceptions, of course!) so I've been loving a lot of darker shades these days. Here I've got on Nothing But Truffle from the Color Club Fall 2010 Indulgence Collection. It's a rich shimmery brown with a lot of dimension. A great alternative to Essie Little Brown Dress.

P.S. Who else gets excited when Starbucks starts making their holiday drinks again? I've always been a Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha girl but recently branched out and tried the Caramel Brulee Latte. SO GOOD. I think I've found my new favourite drink!

Holiday Gift Guide: Calgon Holiday Gift Sets

2011-11-10T22:31:00.000-08:00

This year, Calgon has packaged up a series of holiday gift sets that I think will make perfect gifts for those random people on your shopping list that you may not know all that well but still need to find presents for.

I mean, how cute are these gift sets? I especially love the packaging with the bows and the little gift tags!

Back when I was in middle school, we all used Calgon body sprays after gym because there wasn't enough time to shower between classes. I don't think I've actually bought or used a Calgon product since then so given the opportunity, I was more than happy to test out the Spa Essentials Set.

This set includes: Refreshing Body Mist, Relaxing Bath Salts, Moisturizing Shower Gel & Foam Bath, and a mini shower pouf for the extremely reasonable price of $6.99 CDN. It comes in two scents, Morning Glory [pictured] and Hawaiian Ginger.

I'd never smelled the Morning Glory line before but (perhaps unsurprisingly) I find it to be a very fresh almost powdery floral. It's personally not my cup of tea as I prefer more gourmand and fruity scents. However, these make great bath products since they evoke a kind of clean, "just got out of the shower" feeling.

Calgon's holiday gift sets do feature a range of the company's top scents, including the aforementioned Hawaiian Ginger, Moon Petal Musk, and Marshmallow among others. So if you're like me and find Morning Glory too cloying, there is still plenty to choose from.

The sets are currently available at Shoppers Drug Mart at very affordable price points, ranging from $6.99 to $21.00 (CDN).

Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Sprays

2011-11-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

Long-time readers of my blog know that one of my biggest makeup/skincare woes is having to deal with constant shine due to my combination skin. I'm constantly on the look out for products that will help with this and I think I've finally found one that works! Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Sprays are in one word: AMAZING.

Thanks to PR, I was able to try out Skindinavia's Original Makeup Finishing Spray and their oily skin formula, No More Shine Makeup Finish. Skindinavia makes a few other varieties that are targeted towards different skin types as well.

I have been testing out both of these products for about a month and have been extremely impressed with the results. I've always had problems with blush fading throughout the day even if I'm wearing face primer and since I've started using these sprays, I've noticed that the colour has remained consistent from morning till night.

To apply, I shake up the bottle then spray on my cheeks, nose, and t-zone before and after applying my makeup. I've still been using Urban Decay Primer Potion for my eye makeup but I believe you can use these sprays to help set that as well. Skindinavia sprays are lightly scented but I haven't found the smell overbearing. They settle into your skin very quickly and dry to a smooth finish without altering your makeup application.

Of the two sprays I received, I don't think it's any surprise that I prefer the No More Shine Makeup Finish. I still have to blot with powder but considerably less than normal and usually only just my nose. However, I've noticed that my skin feels a bit "tighter" for a few seconds after application than when I use the Original Makeup Finishing Spray. I suppose this might be due to the oil control capabilities but I'm not quite sure? I was afraid this meant the spray was clogging my pores but so far, I haven't had any breakouts caused by usage.

To illustrate how my makeup has been holding up with the use of these sprays, I decided to do a time-lapse style photo to illustrate (in these photos, I used the Original Makeup Finishing Spray). The morning photo was taken after my makeup was freshly applied and the evening photo was taken much later in the day, as evidenced by how much flatter my hair is!

I did not reapply any makeup throughout the day except for lipstick after eating and blotting shine with MAC Blot Powder. As you can see, my makeup looks essentially the same.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with makeup finishing sprays, I think they are a great alternative to makeup primers and they save you from having to cart around your foundation and blush for touch-ups.

Skindinivia sprays are available on their website, and they often have coupon codes for free shipping and 20% off. If you're hesitant about buying online, Skindinavia is also apparently behind Urban Decay's line of makeup setting sprays, which are available at Sephora.

Rain-couver

2011-11-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

When I first moved to Vancouver from Toronto, one of the hardest things to get used to was the constant rain and grey skies. Since then, I've come to realize that these things are what make the city as beautiful as it is. But not gonna lie, sometimes I really do miss playing in dry leaves as opposed to wet ones.

You'll notice my hair is up in these pictures, which is a very rare occurrence. I'm one of those people who prefers wearing my hair down no matter what and I almost never put it in a ponytail or bun. I feel like I look totally different when it's up like this!

Tanktop: TNA / Plaid Shirt: TNA / Sweater: Wilfred Free / Jeans: Habitual

Rain Boots: Hunter / Pashmina: Singapore

iPhone Snapshots: Lately (and Not So Lately)

2011-10-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

I realized it's been quite awhile since I did an iPhone snapshot post, so some of these are from 1-2 months ago. I really should make the effort to upload these photos onto my computer more frequently!

A casual, last days of summer outfit

So glad Pinkberry is finally here though I'd be happier if it wasn't only in West Vancouver...

A special birthday surprise from my boyfriend delivered to my office

And another surprise later that night (I am obsessed with mango cake)

The best fish & chips in Vancouver, courtesy of Go Fish! at Granville Island

A sweet treat (okay, six sweet treats) from Cupcakes

New nail polish from Deborah Lippmann: Sarah Smile, Glitter in the Air, Across the Universe

Current mani: Deborah Lippmann Glitter in the Air over Essie Blanc

My new monogrammed mug from Anthropologie makes tea-time perfect

LUSH Cosmetics Limited Edition Halloween Collection

2011-10-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

What do you do on those days when you're feeling a bit down or need to de-stress? For me, a tried and true pick-me-up is to draw a nice hot bath and toss in some yummy smelling bath products from LUSH Cosmetics. What I love about this company is that all their products are fresh, handmade, and cruelty-free. Plus, they're incredibly innovative and always coming out with brilliant themed holiday items that customers can't get enough of.

Halloween, of course, is no exception! Thanks to the wonderful people at LUSH, I was able to test out a few products from their most recent Halloween/Day of the Dead collection:

GHOST SHOWER GEL ($17.95 CDN for 250ml / $27.95 CDN for 500ml)
Spiritually uplifting & shimmery
Made with rose and dove orchid infusions, this shower gel will leave your skin feeling soft with the lingering fragrance of lilies.

PUMPKIN SOAP ($6.95 CDN)
Spicy Fall soap warms you up when you're chilled to the bone
This limited edition soap is pumpkin-colored and shaped with a lovely and rejuvenating scent of cinnamon that smells good enough to eat (or drink - the scent seriously reminds me of a pumpkin spice latte).

CALAVERA BATH BOMB ($5.95 CDN)
An explosion of vibrant colors to lift your spirits!
Inspired by Calaveras, an iconic image for Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, this bath bomb contains marigold petals and zesty lime oil.

These three items are available for purchase in stores right now. There are also even more delicious-looking limited edition products which are only being sold in the LUSH Online Store. Check them out before they're all gone!

Houndstooth

2011-10-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

I ventured out to Fort Langley for the first time recently, which is a little ridiculous considering the fact that it's the birthplace of B.C. and not even an hour's drive away from Vancouver. I really should make the effort to leave the city sometimes!

After wandering around the main street, we happened upon a canoe relay race down by the water - complete with silly tasks like catching pumpkins dropped off a bridge and running across the sand with a wine glass balanced on a paddle. As you can imagine, it was quite entertaining...

Blouse: H&M / Skirt: Forever 21 / Tights: Urban Outfitters

Boots: Rachel Comey / Watch: Michael Kors

Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle

2011-10-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

In Chanel's ads for its Rouge Coco lipstick, Vanessa Paradis is wearing one of the most gorgeous pink lip colours I've ever seen - the aptly named Mademoiselle 05.

The Rouge Coco line has been out for quite some time now, but it took me a while to finally get around to purchasing this because the price was a bit of a deterrent (~$39 CDN). However, I've been on a bit of a lipstick kick these days so I decided I might as well treat myself.

I'm glad I did because Mademoiselle is everything I hoped it would be. It's a gorgeous pinkish-brown that results in the perfect "my lips but better" neutral on my rather pigmented lips. I wouldn't call this a "wow"-worthy shade per se but rather a great "classic" that can complete any makeup look.

Application is smooth and creamy though you'll want a good lip balm underneath since the formula can be a bit drying. The formula is neither matte nor particularly glossy though there is a bit of shine to it.

There is also a very light scent, which is apparently a special blend of fresh roses, raspberry, and a hint of vanilla. It's not overpowering at all and probably wouldn't bother anyone who's sensitive to smells.

When I was researching Mademoiselle before buying it, I found some random but kind of interesting facts about the Rouge Coco line on Makeup and Beauty Blog. For example, engineers apparently opened and closed hundreds of lipstick tubes to find the perfect click. Who knew so much work went into something like that? Though I must say, the click on this lipstick is rather nice...

Black, Blue, and Deborah Lippmann Across The Universe

2011-10-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

Here in Canada it's the Thanksgiving Day Long Weekend! I actually used to hate turkey and refused to eat it up until a few years ago (when I was younger I asked my parents for roast chicken instead). Somewhere along the line I changed my mind and I'm glad I did. There's just something about a big Thanksgiving feast complete with turkey, stuffing, and gravy...

By the way, you know that so-called fashion faux pas about mixing black and blue? Yeah, I totally don't agree with it.

Blouse: Olive & Oak / Vest: Central Park West / Pants: 7 For All Mankind (here) / Shoes: Topshop
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs (here) / Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 (here) / Watch: Michael Kors (here)

I also recently picked up a bunch of Deborah Lippmann nail polishes, including the infamous Across The Universe. While I am not the biggest fan of glitter polish, Deborah Lippmann's unique use of glitters really drew me in. Across The Universe features blue glitter and teal and green hexagonal glitters suspended in a gorgeous dark blue jelly base.

The important thing to remember when working with glitters like this is to make sure you let each coat dry before applying another to avoid pulling the glitter out of place. I used four coats to reach opacity but I think you can get away with three.

This nail polish is pricey ($22 CDN) but I think it's worth it if you're looking for a very unique colour. For my fellow Canadians, you can find Deborah Lippmann at Murale stores (note: you can also earn/redeem your Shoppers Optimum Points for them!)

Pastel Nails: Soulstice Spa Provence and Skinfood Grape Milk

2011-10-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

My friend and I had a bit of girly day yesterday: we noshed on sushi, I dyed her hair, and we gave ourselves manicures. It was the perfect way to wind down the weekend, if I do say so myself.

I was excited to finally try out this new Soulstice Spa Nail Polish that I received from Nail Polish Canada. I'd never heard of this brand before but I like that it's vegan, cruelty-free (verified by PETA), and 3-free. All the polishes are named after cities - from Rio to San Francisco - and there are a wide variety of shades to choose from.

Provence is a pretty muted lilac that reminds me a bit of Joe Fresh Faded Violet. Application was really smooth and I only needed two coats to reach opacity. Since I used thin coats, the polish dried quickly with a shiny (but not too shiny) finish.

I decided to paint my ring finger a different colour as a kind of accent nail using Skinfood Grape Milk and some nail art pens. Skinfood is a Korean beauty and skincare line that I wish it was more accessible here in Canada.

I just noticed that my nails actually kind of match my blog layout. I guess I inspire myself? Haha.

Black & White

2011-09-29T21:20:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending the Vancouver Beauty Bloggers Meet-up at Sanafir, organized by Sheila of Maddy Loves. It was so nice to finally meet the faces behind some of the blogs I read... Vancouver has such a great blogging community!

I arrived straight from work so I was in total work attire (a.k.a. a full suit) but black and white are a classic combo, right?

Blouse: Talula Babaton / Pants: Gap / Shoes: Michael Kors / Watch: Michael Kors

I was also sporting my most recent nail experiment, which involved layering Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure over OPI Bubble Bath. I had always thought Hidden Treasure worked best over darker colours (see this post) but it turns out it looks great over light colours too. I think it gives it an added pop to an otherwise neutral mani.

A big thank you to the sponsors (we left with amazing gift bags full of items) and the industry reps from Vasanti Cosmetics and Nail Polish Canada who were in attendance. ♥

Lounging Around in Wilfred Free

2011-09-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

This past week has been super exhausting so it's been nice to spend the entire weekend basically relaxing and doing not much at all. Sometimes there's nothing better than curling up at home with a hot cup of organic Chai tea while the rain beats down outside.

My entire outfit is from the Wilfred Free line at Aritzia, which is my absolute favourite for comfy, lounge clothing. This chunky knit sweater is super warm and I love that the French terry sweat pants are tight and tapered - perfect for tucking into boots.

Sweater: Wilfred Free / Top: Wilfred Free / Sweat Pants: Wilfred Free

Hunter Regent Grosvenor Rain Boots

2011-09-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

I've never been a big sale shopper because I feel like people often end up buying things they otherwise wouldn't just because it's on sale. Don't get me wrong though, when I find a good deal I am HAPPY.

Case in point: these Hunter Regent Grosvenor Rain Boots that I just scored for 20% off with a VIP discount from The Bay. When I first saw these a few months ago it was love at first sight. The military details make these so much more than just the average rain boot (which are a necessity living in Vancouver).

Seriously, I cannot even begin to describe how excited I was to find the last pair -- in my size!! I never get this lucky!

(These are also available in black with gold button detailing. Check them out on the Hunter website.)

Winter Kate Dixie Tunic

2011-09-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

Vancouver's enjoying a heatwave right now but you can still tell summer's coming to an end, much to my (and I'm sure everyone else's) chagrin, because it's been getting darker so much earlier. My boyfriend and I were literally chasing the sun to try and get these photos in!

Regular readers of my blog know how much I love Nicole Richie's lines, Winter Kate and House of Harlow 1960. I recently picked up this tunic dress because I was drawn to the crazy big sleeves and open back.

Tunic Dress: Winter Kate / Tights: Primark / Shoes: Topshop

Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 (here) / Barrette: eBay

ALL MINE!! Rachel Comey Mars Boots

2011-09-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

In honour of my quarter century birthday which is coming up in less than a week, I decided that now was probably a better time than any to splurge on a birthday present for myself. I mean, I'm only turning 25 once, right? (Oh, justifications).

Anyway, I've wanted these Rachel Comey Mars Boots for ages but the price was kind of a deterrent ($425 CAN at Gravity Pope). Plus they sold out so fast last season there was no hope of finding them anywhere in my size. Thankfully they were re-released again this year and I quickly snapped up a pair in the gorgeous "Whiskey" colour.

I. AM. SO. EXCITED. I can't wait to wear these with everything!

Snakeskin / Sunset / Stanley Park

2011-08-31T15:57:00.000-07:00

Things have gotten a little crazy at work since we have a big trial coming up so unfortunately my blogging activities have fallen a bit to the wayside. Thankfully there has still been some time for breaks, such as enjoying outdoor movies in Stanley Park at the Fresh Air Cinema. It's like a drive-in movie but with blankets and camping chairs instead of the cars!

P.S. I love English Bay and Stanley Park at sunset... gorgeous, no?

Blouse: Primark / Jeans: J Brand (here) / Shoes: Aldo / Necklace: H&M

Europe Part 3: Roman Holiday

2011-08-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

Finally, the last installment of my European vacation... the amazing city of Rome! Since we didn't have much time on this trip, we were unable to travel throughout Italy (which is next on the agenda, trust me). However, a visit to the capital was enough to whet my appetite and leave me wanting more. It's almost hard to fathom just how old this city is and what a rich history it has.

One of my favourite things to do was just take in all the breathtaking architecture. This skylight at the Pantheon, for example, provided the perfect spotlight for completely natural-lit photo ops.

Then, of course, there was Trevi Fountain and the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, among so many other gorgeous buildings and statues.

Obviously, a trip to Rome wouldn't have been complete without a visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Ruins...

... which, by the way, looked pretty cool at night. See?

We also checked out the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel (unfortunately no pictures as they're not allowed).

Like Paris, Rome has tons of outdoor cafes where we indulged in delicious food and bevvies while soaking in the atmosphere. Total bliss!

And that's it! It's hard to believe it's almost been a month since I got back. I'm already dreaming about my next vacation...

(In case you missed them, don't forget to check out my other posts featuring London and Paris).

Colourblock Me

2011-08-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite things about this top is how it looks so different from the front and the back. The bright coral adds a little element of surprise, no?

Top: Zara / Slim Cropped Pants: Gap / Shoes: Steve Madden

Purse: Joe Fresh Style / Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 (here)

Goldenrod

2011-08-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

Things have been a little crazy since I recently started working full-time (here in BC, you have to complete a year of articling before you can get called to the Bar and practice as a licensed lawyer). I'm at the office all day so as you can imagine, my chances for photographing my outfits has decreased exponentially.

Night shots aren't my favourite but better than nothing, right?

Lace Dress: Primark / Belt: H&M / Tights: Primark / Boots: Topshop

By the way, aren't these platform boots amazing? I picked them up on my recent trip to London. For anyone who's interested, they're the called the Allegra Chelsea Platform Heeled Boots from Topshop and they also come in brown. I really wish we had a Topshop over here - I'd be shopping there all the time!

P.S. Major thanks to Leah over at Leah Writes Pretty Fierce for the Liebster Blog Award and the nicest comments ever ♥

Europe Part 2: Paris, Je T'Aime

2011-08-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

The last time I went to Paris I was about 3 years old, so I obviously remembered absolutely nothing about the city. This time around, I have so many great memories from my short stay that I'm sure I'll never forget it again.

For example, the streets of Paris looked exactly like how I imagined they would. Case in point: where our hotel was located in the 5e arrondissement.

Notre Dame was only a short walk away, as was the infamous Shakespeare & Company bookstore.

I went to sooo many museums over the course of my 3 weeks in Europe, but a trip to the Louvre was necessary to check out all the famous artwork (oh you know... just that little painting called the Mona Lisa...). However, I actually enjoyed Napoleon's Apartments the most. Seriously, how amazing is this dining room?

Next on the agenda was the Eiffel Tower, which we decided to climb to get a better view of the city. Walking up the stairs is cheaper than taking the elevator and the lineup is much shorter.

We visited the Panthéon, where I decided to take a rest on the steps...

And of course, our trip would not have been complete without a stroll down the Champs-Élysées for a peek at the Arc de Triomphe and a visit to Sacré-Cœur.

Once all our tourist-y stuff was done, my bf and I enjoyed relaxing over food and wine at the many outdoor cafes the city has to offer. I wish we could have these outdoor cafes in Vancouver but unfortunately it rains too much for that to be possible. Plus, it just wouldn't have that European flavour. The food in Paris, by the way, is YUMMY. I wanted to eat baguettes all day everyday, and I usually hate bread!

Anyway, that was an overload of pictures... I hope you enjoyed!

Stay tuned for the last part of my Europe trip featuring Rome in an upcoming post.

Anna Sui Lip Rouge G in #301

2011-07-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

As I was Googling Anna Sui's Lip Rouge G in #301 (I always like to check Makeupalley and beauty blogs for reviews when I'm shopping - thank you data plan!), I was disappointed that I couldn't find any posts about it. However, I've been in the market for a new pink lipstick for quite sometime and this looked like it might be "it" so I decided to pick it up anyway. Let me just say I'm so glad that I did!

Anna Sui products are known for their cute packaging, which utilizes a girly-gothic black rose motif. This lipstick is no exception - look at how pretty it is!

Although it's all plastic, the casing seems like it's fairly good quality. Plus, I love all the little details like the cut-out hearts on the lid.

#301 is a gorgeous pink that looks a lot brighter in the tube than it does on my medium pigmented lips. Strangely enough, I don't have a colour quite like this in my collection at the moment so this fills that gap perfectly.

The lipstick has a light rose scent which is pretty neutral. It might bother some people who are sensitive to smell but personally I don't find this one to be too strong. The product itself applies easily, leaving a nice opaque colour. And since the "G" in this line stands for "Glossy", so you can expect the shine of lipgloss without the stickiness.

At $25 CDN the Lip Rouge line is a bit of a splurge, but I think if you're looking for a product that combines quality with cute packaging, you should definitely look into Anna Sui. There were a few other shades that caught my eye that I'm hoping to try out in the near future.

Europe Part 1: London Calling

2011-07-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

The first stop on my European vacation was London, a city I've been to many times (I was born there and have lots of family there). For my boyfriend, however, it had been about 17 years since he was last in London so we decided to hit up a few of the main tourist destinations to reacquaint ourselves.

Among the sights included were the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.

A great thing about London is that the museums and art galleries have no entrance fees. Think of all the inexpensive (/free) dates you could go on! I enjoyed the British Museum the most for its beautiful entrance foyer and amazing sculpture rooms.

London is such a bustling, vibrant city that even walking around is enjoyable because there's so much to see and take in. The stroll along South Bank, in particular, is not to be missed!

Hope you enjoyed this little snapshot of my time in the UK. To be honest, most of our time there was spent with friends and family or shopping (in my case) so I don't have too much in the way of "tourist-y" things.

Europe Parts 2 and 3 featuring Paris and Rome are coming soon!

Back From Europe

2011-07-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back from my trip to London, Paris, and Rome and not going to lie, it's a little hard to adjust to the fact that I'm not on vacation anymore. It also feels like I've been away from the blogging world forever - there are so many blogs I have to catch up on!

With hundreds of photos to go through, I'm not quite ready to post about my trip yet though I will try to soon. In the meantime, here's what I wore today...

Tee: Plenty / Trousers: Primark / Bag: Primark / Shoes: Marc By Marc Jacobs

Belt: H&M / Earrings: Front & Company / Necklace: House of Harlow 1960

My nail polish totally clashes with the earthy tones in this outfit but I was so excited to finally get my hands on it that I don't care (plus I kind of like that it doesn't match).

"It", by the way, is Illamasqua Loella, which I picked up at Selfridges in London (in the US, you can get it at Sephora but sadly Canadian Sephora doesn't sell Illamasqua). This shade is the perfect Barbie pink with a slight shimmer and it applies opaque in only two coats. Love!

Travel Preparations

2011-07-02T17:44:00.001-07:00

My European vacation is finally here! I've been planning this trip for what feels like ages, so it's a little hard to believe I'll be jetting off in less than 24 hours.

Having traveled a lot, I'm a notorious light packer and this time is no exception. Plus I hate being bogged down by excess luggage! To make things easier for myself, I decided to sketch out some basic outfit remixes for each day of my trip based on the weather forecasts:

That's not weird, right...? Haha.

I've also pared down my makeup bag to the "bare" essentials. I forgot to include my Shiseido eyelash curler in the picture (that's a necessity!), but having the right tools is important to me because it means I can create a pretty wide variety of looks with a single eyeshadow palette.

Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation, MAC Blot Powder, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Urban Decay 24/7

Liner in Zero, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water Light Sunscreen, MAC Dollymix Blush, Smith's Rosebud

Salve, Maybelline Volum' Express Mascara, MAC A Tartan Tale Palette, NARS Giza Lipgloss, MAC

Hug Me Lipstick, MAC Carbon Eyeshadow, Smashbox Photofinish Primer, & assorted brushes

NOTE: I won't have regular Internet access while I'm away so there will not be any new blog posts till I get back. However, rest assured I will be sharing plenty of photos from London, Paris, and Rome soon!

Red Brick Background

2011-06-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

Decided to take some quick photos of today's outfit at the elementary school across the street. There's just something about the red brick and bright yellow picnic tables that makes me so nostalgic about my childhood (though I don't think we had either at my elementary school!)

I also finally got my hair cut after about 4 months. I know you're supposed to get a trim every 6 weeks but I'm so bad about getting it done! However, I will admit that my hair does feel much softer and healthy now that all the split ends are gone.

Blouse: Wilfred / Tank: TNA / Pants: 7 For All Mankind / Shoes: Lindsay Phillips

Necklace: House of Harlow / Bracelets: Kenneth Jay Lane & gift from friend

Summer Solstice

2011-06-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

I decided to celebrate the first day of summer by going to the beach today! There was perfect weather (hot but not too hot) and it was so nice to relax under the sun. I'm lucky to live such a short walk away from this:

What else have been up to lately? Well, in addition to preparing for my impending trip to Europe (in less than 2 weeks!), much of the past month has been occupied by Canucks games and spending time at some favourite food & drink spots around Vancouver.

Catching a game at The Commodore

A whole potato spiraled on a skewer dipped in your choice of topping = heaven on a stick at Night Market in Richmond

I've been obsessed with the white wine sangria at Steamworks

Japanese tapas at Hapa Izakaya

Patio drinks at The Mill in Coal Harbour

My first time at La Casa Gelato, where there are over 200 different flavours of gelato - including Curry Peanut Butter, Balsamic Vinegar, and Garlic!

Sunday afternoon tea at The T Room

I'm obsessed with Cream of Earl Grey Tea (this tin's from Davids Tea)

Reflections

2011-06-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Does anyone recognize this kimono from my Zara wishlist post made back in March? Well, as you can see, I did manage to get my hands on it! It only comes in one size (medium), so it's a little baggy but I suppose it's okay for the whole "loose and flowy" look that I love so much anyway.

Thankfully, I had also recently rediscovered these white jeans that my aunt gave me a while ago. When I first got them I scoffed at their impracticality, but they were totally necessary for me to blatantly rip off Zara's lookbook.

Kimono Wrap: Zara / Tank: Smart Set / Jeans: Falmer

Heels: Ralph Lauren / Wristlet: Coach

In other news, I woke up this morning reeling from last night's events. For those of you who aren't in Vancouver and don't know what happened, essentially a bunch of hooligans took to the streets after the Canucks' Game 7 Stanley Cup Final loss, wreaking havoc throughout downtown. They set cars on fire, smashed windows and looted stores... (there are some devastating photos online if you Google them). I can't believe people would do this to their own city. This wasn't the Vancouver I know and love. Thanks so much to everyone who has shown their support for our hockey team and our city by helping with clean-up efforts this morning. ♥

Hem Gems: An Inexpensive Way to Temporarily Alter Your Jeans

2011-06-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

This post about about Hem Gems is long overdue (Laura at Hem Gems sent me a box to try out last year), but better late than never, right? They really are such an ingenious idea - especially when you've already spent tons of $$ on premium denim. Basically, you use these little pins (they come in four different styles: silver rivets, gold rivets, silver studs, and gold studs) to temporarily alter the length of your jeans depending on the type of shoes you're wearing.

Since visuals are key, I decided it would be best to demonstrate myself:

The inseam on these jeans is so long on me, they're even almost too much for heels!

With hem gems, they're now perfect for flats!

Blouse: Jacob / Blazer: Zara / Jeans: Paige Premium Denim / Flats: Marc By Marc Jacobs

The pins are a little hard to work with sometimes since they need to be quite strong to go through denim, and obviously you're not going to get the perfectly "clean" look you'd get with a professional alteration, but Hem Gems are perfect for those pairs of jeans you want to wear with both heels and flats. Plus they're only $19.99 for a pack of 8 that you can re-use again and again.

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this review; I just wanted to share this cool product with you all!

A Chunky Knit in the Summer?

2011-06-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that temperatures are rising here in Vancouver, I could not stay away from the Patterson J. Kincaid Melinda Sweater (which is actually currently on sale at ShopBop). I immediately fell in love with the chunky knit, nautical stripes, and extra-long sleeves. It's perfect to throw on when the summer breeze hits or if I'm stuck in the shade, though I've already been envisioning plenty of Fall outfits too. Yes, I realize I have been complaining about the lack of Summer weather and now here I am almost wishing it was Fall...

Sweater: Patterson J. Kincaid / Skirt: Forever 21 / Sandals: Shellys London

Necklace: H&M / Hat: Banana Republic

For my fellow Canadians, do you guys shop at The Bay? I have recently been reacquainting myself with our historic department store (it's where I bought this sweater!) and seriously, it is soooo much better than it used to be when I was younger. They have done such a great job re-branding and bringing in brands like Rachel Roy, Brochu Walker, Free People, among others. Plus I love the change rooms at the downtown location! So many mirrors!

Sunshine & A Pop of Colour

2011-06-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

Apologies for my lack of recent blog posts... I've been super sick for the past week with one of those coughs that just will not go away. You know the kind where you literally cannot sleep because you are coughing for three hours straight? Yeah, that's what I had.

But thankfully I'm finally getting better... perfect timing because this looks like it's going to be an awesome weekend. Can't wait to go for walks outside, drink sangria, and cheer on the Canucks!

Silk Top: Forever 21 / Tank: TNA / Trousers: Talula / Belt: J.Crew / Wedges: Nine West

Bangle: Marc By Marc Jacobs / Bag: Joe Fresh Style / Sunglasses: Aldo

Sephora x Hello Kitty Nail Decals

2011-05-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

I'm totally one of those girls who used to collect Hello Kitty everything, from plushies and stationery to pajamas and t-shirts. There's just something about Hello Kitty that causes uncontrollable urges to squeal "she's so cute!" every 5 seconds (or is that just me?)

So when Sephora introduced their new Hello Kitty line at the end of last year, I anxiously headed over to check out the products. Aside from the cute packaging, I wasn't super impressed. A lot of the items seemed easily dupable, and since I have a rather large makeup collection already, I've been a lot more picky with my makeup purchases (hence the reason you've been seeing less product reviews from me lately).

I did, however, pick up a sheet of the Hello Kitty Nail Art Stickers! Can't say "no" to cute little Hello Kitty faces on my nails...

Application-wise, these are really easy to use. Just peel them off the clear plastic backing, stick them on, and brush on top coat. I was really impressed with the adhesive on these - stickier than a lot of other decals I've used.

American Apparel Coney Island (see my review here)

However, these are kind of pricey for nail stickers (I think like $7 CDN), and I thought it was kind of weird that there were jam jars and milk cartons... why not just Hello Kitty faces?? There are a couple designs available aside from the ones I got but I thought these were the cutest of the bunch.

Weekend Wedding

2011-05-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

Given my last post, you might be thinking: "Two maxi dresses in a row?" Well, aside from the fact that I am now apparently obsessed with maxi dresses, this one was actually purchased a few months ago in anticipation of a very special event... you see, this past weekend, one of my oldest university friends got married! (In case there was any confusion, I mean "oldest" as in known a long time, not in age - haha).

Now that I'm in my mid-twenties, engagements and marriages amongst my friends and acquaintances are becoming more and more common. It all seems so weird to me! I mean, these are people I've grown up with, and now here we are moving onto the next "stage" in life with our professional careers and ready to start families of our own.

Time really does pass quickly, and this is something I'm really going to try and remind myself of when times get hard. It is so so important to live every day to the fullest and embrace each experience that comes our way - whether good or bad.

Dress: H&M / Clutch: Joe Fresh Style

Congratulations on your marriage, Gary and Elais! I am so happy you found each other and wish you all the best! ♥

Maxi (Dress) and Me

2011-05-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

Vancouver weather has been so sporadic lately but the sun has finally come out and people have been shedding their jackets and donning sandals for the first time this year - just in time for the Long Weekend!

I admit I'm kind of late on this whole maxi dress trend... to be perfectly honest, I hardly ever wear dresses and skirts. But I decided to try it out anyway with this inexpensive jersey maxi dress from H&M (seriously, it was like $35). Now I understand why some girls live in maxi dresses all summer; they are so light and airy!

Maxi Dress: H&M / Belt: J. Crew / Sandals: Shellys London

Bracelets: gift from India / Sunglasses: Primark

I ♥ Winter Kate

2011-05-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

Nicole Richie has been one of my fave style icons for years and I absolutely love her Winter Kate and House of Harlow 1960 lines. I had been coveting this Winter Kate Tamarin Jacket for quite some time so when I found it at Aritzia, I decided now was the time to get it! It's made of vintage silk and I absolutely love this print.

One of my favourite things about this wrap is how versatile it is... there are seriously tons of different ways to wear it. For instance, you can make a bow with the hanging front ties or wrap the front ends around to turn it into a blouse.

Silk Crepe Wrap: Winter Kate / Tank Top: TNA / Jeans: J Brand

Cut-Out Heels: Mossimo / Necklace: House of Harlow 1960

I'm also really loving pastel nail colours for Spring. I've got Essie Smooth Sailing (from the Summer 2011 Brazilliant Collection) topped with OPI Silver Shatter (Pirates of the Caribbean Collection) on my fingers and one of my fave minty greens, Essie Mint Candy Apple, on my toes.

Tutorial: Leopard Print Nails

2011-05-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

A number of people were wondering how I did the leopard print nails in this recent blog post so I thought I'd do a quick tutorial. These are actually really simple to do and are super customizable because you can choose whatever colours you like. Who says leopard print has to be "traditional" anyway?

So to get started, you will need three different nail polishes: a base colour, a colour for the spots, and colour to line the spots with (it's easier if you have a nail art pen but you can use a paint brush/old eyeliner brush with regular nail polish too).

Here's what I used for this tutorial:

OPI Pamplona Purple, AA Peacock, Kiss Nail Art Paint in Black

1. Paint your nails the base colour and let it dry.

2. Use the spot colour to paint different sized spots over your nails.

3. Using the liner colour, dab around the spots randomly. Don't worry if it's a little imperfect.

4. Brush on top coat (I've been loving Essie Good To Go recently), and you're done!

I hope this tutorial was somewhat useful... please let me know if you try it out - I'd love to see your take on it!

Spring Snapshots

2011-05-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

Time for another edition of my iPhone Snapshots featuring deliciousness in the form of food and desserts, some recent purchases, and other miscellany. As you can see, I have been filling my new-found free time with some of my favourite things to do: eating, shopping, cleaning & organizing (does this make me weird?), and reading.

Enjoying a delicious bowl of pho - yummy!

Cajun Tuna Tacos at Ebisu

Strawberry Cheesecake & Earl Grey Tea at Cheesecake Etc.

Frozen yogurt and a game of Guess Who? at Scoop! on West. 4th

New earrings and vintage scarf from Front & Co. on Main Street

My new jewelry tree - in its preliminary stages as I decide which items to showcase

Currently reading :Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

All photos taken with the Instagram App for iPhone... if anyone has an account, feel free to follow me (and I'll follow you back)! My username is alison_elle.

Making Lists & Checking Them Twice

2011-05-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to tackle all the little errands that piled up while I was busy with school, such as getting clothes altered, re-organizing my room, etc. I'm one of those people who ~~likes~~ loves making lists and checking things off, so the past week has been full of mini accomplishments for me.

Blazer: Zara / Top: Forever 21 / Jeans: J Brand / Scarf: gift / Cuff: gift from Scotland

Flats: Michael Kors / Sunglasses: Aldo / Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs

Oh... and it's hard enough taking pictures when there are lots of people walking by who want to know what you're doing, but what about random wildlife? For some reason this goose was wandering about on top of the Law Courts and ended up in a few of our shots. Too funny!

Reviva Labs Makeup Primer (+ Winner of the DealByDay Giveaway)

2011-05-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago, I was sent some products from Reviva Labs to review. I had never heard of them before, but they have actually been around for over 3 decades and were the original "health food store" brand featuring natural, paraben-free ingredients. The company is apparently a leading innovator in skincare products, some of which I will be featuring in another post. Today, however, I would like to share my thoughts on their Makeup Primer.

I know a lot of people don't wear makeup primer regularly, but it really is a great multi-functional product. If you wear it under makeup, primer can help your foundation last longer and control oil. And even if you don't wear makeup, using a primer will leave your skin looking silky smooth and velvety.

I currently use Smashbox Photofinish Primer, which is quite expensive, so I'm always looking for cheaper alternatives. Reviva Labs Makeup Primer is quite similar to Smashbox, but much cheaper at $19.50 for a 1 Fl. Oz. (29.5 ml) bottle. It's a clear, fragrance-free gel formula that applies smoothly. It's also non-comodegenic and contains COQ10 for extra protective antioxidant action.

My skin gets super oily so finding oil control products is always difficult. This Makeup Primer wasn't completely effective in that department as I still have to blot throughout the day (still looking for that miracle mattifier!), but it did provide a good base for my foundation. I love how smooth my skin feels after I apply it and the pump bottle is great (more sanitary this way).

For those of you who don't want to shell out the $$ for Smashbox, I recommend this for sure. Check out Reviva Labs Makeup Primer here for more information.

Also, big congratulations to PD of Baking in the Rain for winning the DealByDay (who have recently changed their name to MyDealBag) giveaway!

Leopard Print Love

2011-05-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

When I was younger, I used to think animal print was kind of tacky but lately I've found myself really embracing it - leopard print in particular. The lining was what first drew me to this camel blazer, which is perfect for the warmer weather and can easily be dressed up or down.

Camel Blazer: Zara / Tank: Wilfred / Bandage Skirt: Talula

Tights: Urban Outfitters / Boots: Aldo / Pashmina: gift from Hong Kong

I don't think I'm quite ready to wear full-on leopard print, but subtle touches of it are nice. I decided to experiment with some leopard print nails that I've been seeing on a lot of other bloggers. For a first attempt they turned out okay but I realized afterwards that I should have used brown instead of white for the inside of the spots. I'll have to try it the "right" way next time!

China Glaze Classic Camel, Kiss Nail Art Paint in White and Black

P.S. Thank you so much for the nice comments in my last entry, your support means a lot to me!

Freedom!

2011-04-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today I wrote my last exam, which means I am officially done law school forever! 7 years of university and 2 degrees later, I think it's safe to say that I'm ready to not be a student anymore. Thankfully I have a few months off before I start working... I can't wait to do all those things I've missed like, you know, reading for fun? If anyone has any good book recommendations, please let me know.

My bf stopped by with some flowers to surprise me (thank you!). If you can't tell by these pictures, I am really really happy! :D

Bustier Tank: Wilfred / Pocket Skirt: American Apparel / Cardigan: Urban Planet

Tights: The Bay / Belt: Urban Outfitters / Riding Boots: Aldo

** P.S. DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY TO WIN A DAILY DEAL OF YOUR CHOICE FROM DEALBYDAY!

Canucks Nails

2011-04-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's NHL playoff time right now and Vancouver is buzzing with Canucks fever. It's funny, a few years ago, I knew absolutely nothing about hockey. And now, thanks to my bf, I know far more than I ever thought I would - stats and player bios included.

So how better to show my support than some Canucks-themed nails in the team's signature colours? I don't have any lighter blues so had to use a dark navy...the picture makes it look almost black but I swear it's blue!

Sally Hansen Navy Baby, OPI Jade Is The New Black, Kiss Nail Art Paint in White

They match my shirt perfectly! And yes... I did just discover the Instagram app for iPhone, in case you couldn't tell ;)

GO CANUCKS GO!!

** P.S. DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY TO WIN A DAILY DEAL OF YOUR CHOICE FROM DEALBYDAY!

GIVEAWAY: DealByDay Daily Deal {CLOSED}

2011-04-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

As you may remember from my review of Akbar's Own, DealByDay offers a great service for all of us daily deal lovers. Instead of receiving multiple e-mails a day from all those random daily deal websites (e.g. Groupon, Living Social, SwarmJam, etc.), you can sign up for their early morning e-mail, which consolidates all the day's deals for you. You can even personalize your e-mails so that you only get deals in your area and in the categories that interest you.

And now, the guys at DealByDay are offering you, my lovely readers, the chance to win a daily deal of your choice! That means you can choose anything - from food gift certificates to fitness or spa and nail packages!

HOW TO ENTER:

It's super easy! All you have to do is sign up for DealByDay's personalized daily e-mail and leave a comment in this post saying that you did that. Don't forget to include your e-mail address so we can contact you if you win!

Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian readers or anyone who will be able to use a deal in the cities that DealByDay currently serves (see HERE for the complete list).

A winner will be chosen randomly after April 30, so tell all your friends to enter before the deadline!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Akbar's Own

2011-04-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

Since the launch of Groupon, group-buying websites have become a sort of phenomenon, with many of us anxiously awaiting the amazing daily deals that arrive in our inboxes everyday. However, I don't know about you guys, but I was starting to get annoyed sifting through all those e-mails... it can be a bit much sometimes!

That's why I was so excited to find DealByDay, which allows you to consolidate all the daily deals into one convenient e-mail. By signing up, you can also pre-set the categories you're interested in as well as make sure you're only getting sent deals within a certain number of km from your house.

Thanks to the guys at DealByDay (who are from Vancouver, btw!), I was able to try out Akbar's Own, an Indian restaurant in my neighbourhood. It's one of those places I always walk by but never actually go inside, so I'm glad I got the chance to see what it was like.

When it comes to Indian food, I have a few favourites that I always order: butter chicken, muttar paneer, and aloo gobi. Surprise, surprise... guess what I ordered? And of course, some sides of naan bread, rice, and raita (a yogurt sauce that kind of reminds me of tzatziki).

The food was, as expected, really good. You can choose how spicy you want your dishes and I felt the portions were an appropriate size for an a la carte menu.

Akbar's Own is more of a "fine dining" establishment, so it's not really the place you would go if you were looking for cheap Indian food. I think it would be good for a date night of some sort, as there is also an extensive wine/drink menu and the ambiance sort of lends itself to that type of atmosphere.

Address: 1905 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.akbarsown.ca/

Night Vision & Knee-Highs (Boots, That Is)

2011-04-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

Along with the cognac satchel from Primark that I featured in this post, I picked up this pair of knee-high black suede boots. I loved them so much, I got the exact same pair in grey too. I figure if you find something you like, might as well buy back-ups or at least a few different colours of it. Surely I'm not the only one who does this, right?

Side note: when you don't have proper equipment and lights, let me just say, it is sooooo hard to take pictures at night! And standing in an alley way trying to find some sort of lighting is only slightly awkward...

Boyfriend Button-Down: TNA / Leather Jacket: Mackage

Jeggings: 7 For All Mankind / Knee-High Boots: Primark

Snapshot Tour of Vancouver Food & Drink Spots

2011-04-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've done a full restaurant review though, of course, I have still been eating and drinking my way around Vancouver. So in this edition of iPhone Snapshots, I've decided to feature a few of the places I've been in the past few weeks.

Not gonna lie... I was getting pretty hungry as I wrote this post!

La Petite France

There are a few French bistros and bakeries in my neighbourhood that I've been meaning to try out so thankfully I was able to drag my friend Lara along for the ride.

La Petite France has a rather small menu but there are some good choices on it. I decided on a classic ham and cheese croissant and side salad. Yum!

Their baked goods also looked delicious (does anyone love fruit tartes as much as I do?), so I've decided I need to go back again soon for an "afternoon treat."

Address: 2655 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC

Gilt and Company

What's better than a couple drinks over board games? A bar that offers drinks, board games, live music, and a giant Jenga!

I've got to say, Guilt and Company has really upped the ante on the whole "bar" experience. They have an extensive drink list as well as a "games menu" where patrons can pick from a whole range of board and card games.

My friends and I decided to pair our drinks with a game of Life: The Rockstar Edition and it was a total throwback to my elementary school years. I really need to start playing board games more often - they're so much fun!

Address: 1 Alexander Street (Gastown), Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.guiltandcompany.com/

StackHouse Burger Bar

StackHouse is one of the new burger joints in town and I'd actually been watching the whole restaurant come together as I bussed home from downtown every week.

Once it finally opened, I was dying to check it out. After all, the interior intrigued me... very "minimalist-cool"... think: glass, mirrors, high tables, and white stools.

The burgers are also all made with local prime rib (with the exception of the non-beef burgers, of course!) and are served on brioche buns. I had the pancetta burger which was super yummy. They're not cheap (mine was $14) but are well worth the price. Definitely planning on going back again soon.

Address: 1224 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.stackhouseburgerbar.com/

The Alibi Room

The Alibi Room is a great bar on the outskirts of Gastown which refers to itself as a "modern tavern." I can see where they're going with this description... there are lots of long tables and chairs, as well as other types of seating. I really like the overall feel of the place.

There is also a huge menu of beers from around the world. My bf and friends ordered a few different kinds of beer, which I'm told were delicious. I, however, am not a beer drinker, so I opted for the Pimms cooler. Kind of like a mojito with a twist - refreshing and delicious!

Unfortunately I wasn't hungry on this visit so didn't order anything off the food menu. I want to go back and try something though because I saw a few dishes that looked and smelled mouth-watering.

Address: 157 Alexander Street (Gastown), Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.alibi.ca/

The Secret Garden Tea Company

What's classier than Sunday afternoon high tea? Every year, my friend has her birthday party at The Secret Garden Tea Company in Kerrisdale, which is the cutest little tea room ever!

I love the Creamy Earl Grey tea the best (though there is an extensive list of teas to choose from), and always look forward to the tiers of food they serve along with it.

This time around there were mini croissants filled with roast beef and roasted red peppers, Albacore tunu salad biscuits, egg salad pinwheels, scones with jam and Devonshire cream (my fave), lemon tarts, apple crumbles, and more. Of course, High Tea is quite pricy (~$34) but it's worth it every once in a while for the experience.

Address: 5559 West Boulevard, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.secretgardentea.com/

Olive & Oak

2011-04-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

I've always been a huge fan of light, floaty tops and was happy to add this recent find from Olive & Oak to my collection. I love all the great details: low neckline, sheerness, rolled up sleeves and little buttons.

And I must apologize for how awful my hair has been looking recently. I have been much too lazy to get it re-dyed, but am planning on fixing it once I'm done exams. Let's just pretend this is a new way to do ombre, shall we?

Sheer Tunic: Olive & Oak

White Tank: Old Navy

Wallet: Miu Miu

Bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane

Nail Polish: Essie California Coral

Essie California Coral

2011-04-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

I usually equate Essie California Coral with summer, as I only wear it during the hot months. And in fact, up till now, it has exclusively been a pedicure colour for me. So today I'm mixing things up: California Coral in April and on my fingernails instead! I know, I know... I really do live life dangerously, don't I?

California Coral is a bright and punchy coral shade which leans a little on the orange side (in my opinion). It kind of reminds me of Nicole by OPI The Right Thing, though The Right Thing is more red. Eithery way, a polish like this definitely eye-catching and the perfect complement to monochromatic outfits.

I know some people aren't fans of Essie's formula because it can be difficult to work with. However, I loveeee Essie because it usually dries super shiny, and California Coral is no exception. Now I really can't wait till summer!

The Cognac Satchel

2011-04-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

While in London a few years ago, I picked up this satchel at Primark (one of my fave British stores for inexpensive clothing and accessories). As I was eagerly yanking it off the wall, some man who was shopping for his wife came over and asked me if I thought she might like it too. Umm... who wouldn't love this bag?!

Bonus: it can also be worn messenger-style, with the top folded over. It's basically like having two bags in one!

V-neck Tee: Ribbon Luxe

Cashmere Cardigan: Zara

Jeggings: 7 For All Mankind

Belt: Urban Outfitters

Bag: Primark

Wedges: Naughty Monkey

Chocolate Chip Oreo Chunk Cookies

2011-03-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

In case anyone forgot about my previous foray into baking, let me just remind you that I am a total baking newbie. So when I'm in the mood for some fresh-baked goodies, I have no choice but to rely on my much more savvy friends to help me (thank you!).

A few months ago, I stumbled upon a recipe for Chocolate Chip Oreo Chunk Cookies on Crepes of Wrath, whose blog always has me drooling. When I saw the ingredients (white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips AND Oreo cookies - a cookie in a cookie???), I knew I needed to make these.

Thankfully, I was not disappointed. The results were chewy, chocolate-y, and delicious. However, if you do decide to try out this recipe, I must warn you that you may be tempted to make multiple batches. DON'T DO IT! My friend and I ended up with over 60 cookies and passed out, sick from cookie coma. These cookies are definitely best enjoyed in moderation.

And, of course, some proof that I did indeed have a hand in the process:

The Neighbourhood Wall & American Apparel Peacock

2011-03-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

It's kind of funny... I walk past this weird old wall on my way to the bus stop everyday but have never really taken the time to stop and appreciate it. To me, it's always seemed a bit out of place compared to the modern buildings surrounding it - a remnant, I suppose, of this neighbourhood's past.

Wrap: Forever 21

Tank: Wilfred

Jeans: Rock & Republic

Heels: Steve Madden

Bangle: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Sunglasses: Primark

Also, I'm not sure if anyone noticed that it's been a while since I posted any of my usual makeup/beauty reviews. I've been on a partial shopping ban to save up for my Eurotrip this summer so haven't really been testing out any new products.

That said, being the "polishaholic" that I am, I have still been wearing lots of nail polish and have amassed quite a few swatches that I need to post. Something to look forward to, I guess?

For most of this week, I was sporting American Apparel Peacock. It's a really nice teal colour that stands out without being garish. Kind of reminds me of a greener MAC Blue India.

To be honest though, I actually bought this polish last year and haven't worn it until now because I didn't really like it. But I've gotten so many compliments on it that I've kind of changed my mind!

I've been pretty impressed with AA's formula before (see some of my other reviews here and here), but I think Peacock really takes the cake. It was opaque in only one coat, though I used two for good measure. And application was incredibly smooth! So glad I decided to give this polish another chance.

Springing Forward (in Seasons as well as Life)

2011-03-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a relaxing, errand-running and shopping-filled day. Just the kind of break from reality that a girl in her final semester of law school needs before hunkering down for her last exams ever. Did I really just say that? No more exams ever?? Well... except for that pesky Bar Exam...

Boyfriend Blazer: Zara

Black Tank: Smart Set

Pocket Tank: Wilfred

Bandage Skirt: Talula

Tights: The Bay

Jazz Flats: Aldo

And after a week of rain, Vancouver finally saw some sunlight! Of course, it's only March so the weather was still being deceptive - outerwear remained a necessity. But what a great taste of the Spring to come. I can't wait till it finally starts to warm up!

Trench Coat: Talula Babaton

Pashmina: gift from Hong Kong

The Suit Photoshoot

2011-03-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

Suit: Jacob

Blouse: Jacob

Heels: Ralph Lauren

Coat: Community (Aritzia)

This is not really an outfit post per se, but as you can see, I have clearly been preparing for my impending entrance into the corporate world. Finding work-appropriate attire, particularly for those of us in the legal profession, can be so difficult sometimes. I mean, there are only so many colours of suits and mixes of pants/skirts/dresses/blazers that one can own!

Sometimes the only option when you're forced to wear suits everyday is to accessorize. Cute shoes and bold statement jewelry! I also prefer to match my suits with silk patterned blouses instead of collared button-downs.

Oh, and in case you were wondering exactly why I was wandering around by the beach in a suit... I was taking some "professional"-type photos for a project I'm working on. ;)

Casual Day & My Crested Blazer

2011-03-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

Blazer: Urban Outfitters

White Tank: Wilfred

Yellow Tank: Razzle Dazzle

Jeggings: Paige Premium Denim

Combat Boots: Aldo

Zara Wishlist

2011-03-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad Zara finally has an online catalogue, as it is one of my favourite stores for on-trend and relatively inexpensive staples. Here are a few items I'm currently loving:

Blouse With Pockets - $69.90 CAD

Flower Blouse - $49.90 CAD

Blouse With Pleated Front - $59.90

Printed Kimono - $119 CAD

Dress With Crocheted Sleeves - $139 CAD

Wide Strap Sandal - $69.90 CAD

And yes, I think it's fair to say that I do gravitate towards a certain colour palette... ;)

Tiny Closets: Organization 101

2011-02-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I was overcome with the sudden desire to reorganize my closet a bit. The problem is it's way too small for the amount of clothes I own and I refuse to stop shopping (common dilemma for us shopaholics, no?). Oh, how I long for the day when I can finally have a walk-in closet!

But until then, here are a few things I've been using to try and maximize the tiny space I have:

1. Flocked Hangers

These hangers are super thin and lightweight, so you can fit a lot more in your closet than with those big wooden and plastic hangers. Plus, they're covered in velvet flocking so that your clothes don't slip off!

I believe that the original ones were Joy Mangano's "Huggable Hangers" and sold on the Home Shopping Network. However, lots of other companies have begun making their own versions, which are just as good and cost much less. I got mine on sale for only $5.99 for a pack of 10 at London Drugs. You can also find similar ones at HomeSense and Costco.

2. Baskets on Wheels

I'm in love with IKEA's Antonius frame and wire baskets, which like everything from IKEA, are completely customizable. If you don't like the wire baskets, for example, there are plastic ones. I also added wheels to mine so that I can move them around easily.

These baskets are great for anything that can be folded/doesn't need to be hung up. I use mine for basic items like tees/tanks, sweaters, and pants. And they may not look it, but they do hold a fair bit... I can fit about 40-50 t-shirts in one basket.

3. Hanging Organizers

Because of the way my closet is laid out, there is an odd corner section with no bar/shelving. Basically, useless. However, turns out it's the perfect size for two of these hanging organizers (also from IKEA).

I bought four (two of the clothes-sized ones and two of the shoe ones) and then sewed them together to make two organizers that are double the length. The clothes organizers are great for stacking out-of-season items/bulky sweaters or things I don't really wear much but don't want to get rid of yet. I keep most of my shoes/boots in the hall closet, but use the shoe organizer in my bedroom closet for heels/dress shoes.

4. Baskets and Bins

Baskets and bins are basically the easiest storage solution ever. Got some clutter? Toss it all in a box and suddenly everything looks cleaner and more organized!

Plus there is such a huge variety of options out there: plastic stacking boxes, wooden baskets, etc. so it's easy to find ones that co-ordinate with your decor.

I use the bins in my closet for miscellaneous accessories like scarves, hats, gloves/mittens, and belts.

Cake Beauty Velveteen Hand Creme

2011-02-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

A while ago, I blogged about Cake Beauty's Milk Made Smoothing Hand & Cuticle Buffer (see my review here) and mentioned that I was looking forward to trying their Velveteen Hand Creme. Thankfully, Sephora was selling a holiday hand creme trio over Christmas and I managed to pick up Desserted Island, It's A Slice, and the limited edition Vanilla Snow.

According to Cake, the velveteen hand creme "soothes and nourishes dry hands with a luxurious and silky formulation that absorbs quickly into your skin, leaving your hands feeling smooth but not greasy." They are not lying! This stuff is amazing. Plus, all the hand cremes are paraben-free! Since I am constantly re-doing my manis, I've been using this stuff religiously and it's kept my hands looking great.

But not only that, the scents are to-die-for. All of Cake's products smell delicious and these are no exception. Desserted Island is infused with tropical scents of Tahitian vanilla and coconut; It's A Slice is infused with fresh scents of sweet orange and vanilla cream; and Vanilla Snow is scented with notes of sweet vanilla cream. Even the descriptions are drool-worthy...

And now, for Strawberry Shortcake's 30th Anniversary, Cake have released a line of strawberry-scented products - including bath & shower suds and a new decadent hand creme. I tested this out at Sephora last week and it is now on my to-buy list. Yummy!

Hand-Knit Scarf

2011-02-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

Leather Jacket: Mackage

Cardigan: Zara

Jeans: Rock & Republic

Boots: Steve Madden

Scarf: knit by me

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

I know, I know... it's a Hallmark-created holiday. But I found these adorable Hello Kitty valentine cards at Shopper's Drug Mart and had to have them. So cute!!

I also couldn't pass up the opportunity to cover my nails in pink and purple hearts... after all, what's more appropriate for such girliness than a Valentine's Day mani? This one ended up being a little over the top, but still fun.

Essie Blanc, China Glaze Fairy Dust, Haute Nails decals, Viva La Nails heart-shaped rhinestones

Lancome Pure Focus Matifying Moisturizing Lotion

2011-02-10T11:29:00.000-08:00

I've been testing out moisturizers for the past few months, on my search for that "HG product." I have combination skin and my biggest woe is constant shine. Anyone who knows me knows that I am basically attached to my MAC Blot Powder, haha! But in conjunction with my powders and foundations, I realized that a good mattifying moisturizer might also help.

I had been using Lush Enzymion (which did nothing and I do not recommend) before I decided to splurge on this Lancome Pure Focus Matifying Moisturizing Lotion. And I mean splurge... this stuff was expensive! I think it was almost $60 CAD with taxes (although you can get it for much cheaper in the States and possibly elsewhere in Canada though I'm not sure).

You get 50 mL of product in rather nice packaging. The bottle comes with a removable plastic cap, and of course, the best part is the pump applicator. This allows you to control how much product you use so you don't have to waste any.

The actual product is very light-weight, almost like a gel. It absorbs into the skin quickly and doesn't feel heavy. In fact, it's quite refreshing in a "cooling sensation" kind of way. It also leaves the skin feeling quite smooth and velvety. Initially. This is where my positive impressions kind of end.

Pure Focus is supposed to be a mattifying moisturizer, but when it came to shine protection, I was rather disappointed. Although this moisturizer does work better than others I've tried and at least didn't break me out, my skin stays shine-free for maybe 1-2 hours before I am back to blotting away. Honestly, if I am paying this much for a product, I expect it to last longer than that.

I'm also not a huge fan of the scent. It's a very strong floral-type fragrance that I'm sure some do like but I personally cannot stand.

So unfortunately, Pure Focus and me were not meant to be. I'm starting to wonder if this mythical shine-free moisturizer actually exists...

P.S. On my nails, I'm wearing Wild Orchid from the Color Club Indulgence Collection which I just blogged about. It's an awesome grey with subtle purple tones (has much more dimension than the "flat" AA Factory Grey.)

Color Club Indulgence Collection: Pretty in Platinum

2011-02-05T08:46:00.000-08:00

I recently picked up one of Color Club's Fall 2010 sets, Indulgence, from the Untamed Luxury Collection. It's a collection that's very "me" - full of neutral and dark colours that are mostly creme formulas. My faves!

L-R: Pretty in Platinum, Wild Orchid, Positively Posh, Soft As Cashmere, Nothing But Truffle, Jewel Of A Girl, Ready To Royal

I've been wanting to try Color Club for quite a while now but it's not readily accessible here in Canada. Thankfully, every so often, sets will appear at Winners (where I found this one) or London Drugs.

I decided to start out with Pretty in Platinum because it was the first colour that caught my eye and I don't have any similar polishes in my collection. It's a gorgeous silvery-greyish-white with a very subtle shimmer. LOVE IT.

Application was great. This was opaque in only two coats though the streaks are somewhat visible due to the light colour. Not really noticeable, however.

Dry time was really fast, as well. I sometimes like to skip top coat if I'm in a rush, but you definitely need to wear a top coat with this polish. I initially had Pretty In Platinum on my nails without top coat for only a few hours and was left with visible tip wear.

Nonetheless, this was a good first experience with Color Club, and I can't wait to try out the other colours in the Indulgence set. You can expect to see more blog posts featuring these polishes soon!

Avenue Q

2011-02-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

Blouse: boutique in Sydney, Australia

Bandage Skirt: Talula

Wool Tights: The Bay

Booties: David Dixon (via Town Shoes)

Beaded Cuff: gift from South Africa

Yesterday, I went to see Avenue Q! I've wanted to see this musical for ages, ever since I first found clips of the song "What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?" on Youtube. I also have a B.A. in English so this was kind of funny, haha!

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Avenue Q is an award-winning Broadway musical that features both puppets/their puppeteers and human characters. It's pretty unique in this way, and the storyline/topics are clever and relevant. Not to mention the fact that the songs are hilarious (i.e. "If You Were Gay", "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist", "The Internet is for Porn", etc.)

I had a great time and left feeling thoroughly entertained. Avenue Q is on tour right now and will be in Vancouver till the end of the week. So glad I managed to get tickets... if you get the opportunity to see this, I highly recommend it!

Dine Out Vancouver 2011: Samba Brazilian Steakhouse

2011-01-31T09:40:00.000-08:00

You know those times where there's not a single moment to rest and it seems like there's no end in sight? For me, this past week has been one of those, and I was glad to finally get a break last night.

Horse-Print Blouse: Zara

Jeggings: 7 For All Mankind

Jazz Shoes: Aldo

Cuff Bracelet: gift from Mexico

Dine Out Vancouver is back again (see my 2010 reviews of Stonegrill and Accent Dinner Cruises) and being the food-lover that I am, I couldn't let this one pass by without at least checking out one restaurant. My bf wanted to go to Samba Brazilian Steakhouse, which specializes in Brazilian BBQ. Their specialty is all-you-can-eat meat (plus a salad bar) but we decided to go with the Dine Out menu ($28) just 'cause!

I've never eaten Brazilian food so I wasn't sure what to expect. For my appetizer, I chose the Fried Polenta Sticks with Bolognese Sauce (they are less like sticks and more like squares). The sauce was literally all meat and really filling. Honestly, if I wasn't super hungry I think I could have eaten just this as a meal. My bf's appie (Flat Bread with Salmon Tartar) was a lot smaller than mine but it tasted pretty good.

For our entrées, we both selected the Filet Mignon in Demi Glace with Cassis Sauce, Champagne Risotto and Grilled Asparagus. It was fine but not the best steak I've ever had. Also, risotto is not my favourite thing in the world.

At this point, I was feeling really full but I am not one to say "no" to dessert, and especially not tiramisu. Yummy!!

Ambiance-wise, the restaurant decor is awful. It looks like a banquet hall or some type of family restaurant from the early 90's. I mean, you wouldn't be coming here for a "romantic" date anyway, but I did think it was odd. The Brazilian dancers and live music were a nice touch though.

Overall, my Dine Out experience was okay but I think next time, we'll probably try Samba's all-you-can-eat option since that's what they're known for.

Location: 1122 Alberni Street, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.thaihouse.com/samba/

Sally Hansen Ring My Shell

2011-01-23T14:36:00.000-08:00

I have a lot of professional obligations this week, so decided to choose something more neutral and work-appropriate for my nails. I decided on Ring My Shell by Sally Hansen which is, unfortunately, limited edition from the Tracy Reese Spring/Summer 2010 collection and may be hard to find now - if at all.

I usually don't like frosty colours like this, but Ring My Shell is really pretty. It's a silver shimmer but in some lights it looks pink, in other lights more lavendar. Actually, it reminds me of mother-of-pearl (maybe that inspired its name?)

Application-wise, it's on par with the other Complete Salon Manicure polishes. The wide brush with tapered ends makes it easy to apply the colour in three broad strokes with little mess. However, because Ring My Shell is a shimmer and somewhat sheer, you have to be careful to paint straight because brush strokes are visible, no matter how many layers you use.

This polish is, of course, a departure from my preferred light creme colours. Not something I'd wear everyday but I think it does the job quite well.

Jewelry Box

2011-01-20T00:50:00.000-08:00

I've never been big on accessorizing and in fact, tend to wear the same jewelry all the time. Here are a few of my everyday pieces:

Diamond Heart Necklace (gift from grandma)

Juicy Couture Bow & Couture Cut Ring

Tiffany & Co. "I Love You" Ring

Marc by Marc Jacobs Candy Logo Bangle

Of course, I am aware that the right accessories can make an outfit. As such, I've been on the hunt for a few statement pieces. It's taking awhile because I'm sooooo picky about jewelry! Currently have my eye on the YSL Arty Ring but what else...?

The Boathouse (English Bay)

2011-01-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

The Boathouse in Vancouver's West End is one of my favourite restaurants, offering a gorgeous view of English Bay. The interior is reminiscent of a boat with lots of hardwood, and their patio is great for drinks on hot summer days.

The restaurant's regular menu is always delicious, but this time we decided to try out some items from their winter menu. I opted for the Sirloin with Blue Cheese Demi Glace and Mashed Sweet Potatoes (I can never say "no" to steak!)

I usually don't like the taste of blue cheese, but this glaze was really good. And while I make yam fries all the time, it's never occurred to me to try mashing them. Thank you Boathouse for this wonderful idea!

My bf chose the Seafood Jambalaya which was apparently very tasty, as evidenced by the "mmm"s and "yum"s I kept hearing.

I'll admit I was jealous of this dish... after all, The Boathouse is a seafood restaurant so why not try their specialty? Unfortunately for me, I am allergic to shellfish! I've never eaten lobster, crabs, shrimp, clams, or any of those other wonderful shelled things. But I'm not allergic to fish (thankfully), so at least not all seafood is lost on me!

Address: 1795 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.boathouserestaurants.ca/

Strawberry Nails

2011-01-09T17:32:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned before that I rarely do complicated nail art (lack of skills/I have no patience whatsoever) but I have been meaning to do strawberry nails for ages. What I love about this design is that it's quite easy to do, but still looks like you put more effort than normal into your nails.

Products used: OPI Off With Her Red!, OPI Jade is the New Black, Joe Fresh Style Butter

Drugstore Finds: Rimmel Airy Fairy Lipstick and Revlon Lilac Pastelle Lipgloss

2011-01-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

I don't own many drugstore cosmetic products, but Shoppers Drug Mart was having a sale! So, I decided it was time to try out a few drugstore makeup products that many beauty bloggers and Youtube gurus have been raving about.

The first product I chose was "Airy Fairy" Lasting Finish Lipstick by Rimmel. I haven't used a Rimmel product in YEARS and I guess sometime in between they changed their lipstick packaging. It's much cuter now with a crown engraved on the cap and no distinct logos. It kind of reminds me of the Japanese brand, Lavshuca.

The lipstick itself is a nice light pink with a bit of golden sheen but honestly, nothing special. I have rather pigmented lips so on me, Airy Fairy isn't really that noticeable. It's still a good everyday neutral though, so I will continue to wear it.

Some of you might also like that it's a cheaper alternative to MAC Viva Glam V. Just beware that the lipstick does have a very distinct bubblegum scent which might be a turn-off for those who are sensitive to smell/taste/whatever.

This summer Revlon also released its Spring/Summer collection of Super Lustrous Lipgloss, which many feared were limited edition. I guess Revlon realized it would be far more profitable to make these glosses permanent... "Lilac Pastelle" was apparently the "hot" colour, so I picked this up too.

Lilac Pastelle is apparently comparable to the limited edition MAC lipstick, Lavender Whip (though it is, of course, a lipgloss and not a lipstick). On me, the lavender sheen is barely noticeable and overall, I kind of look washed out. I think my lips must be too pigmented/the gloss is too light for my skintone because other swatches I saw of this looked great.

The packaging is really nice and classy... kind of reminds me Chanel lipgloss or even Dior without the bobble thing on top. Formula-wise, I do like this Revlon gloss a lot. Not too sticky, no weird smell/taste. However, I don't think I'll be wearing this alone anymore; instead, I'll try and come up with some lipstick combos to get my use out of it!

End of Year Snapshots

2011-01-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I can't believe it's already 2011! It's crazy how fast time flies.

I was just reviewing a few iPhone snapshots that I've taken this last little while and thought it would be an appropriate way to commemorate the end of 2010 by sharing a few of them.

Joe Fresh Style Faded Violet topped with China Glaze Fairy Dust

& amazing Christmas present from my bf (I feel so spoiled!)

Strawberry margarita while watching the Canucks game at Original Joe's

Obsessed with the giant pom-pom on this hat from ASOS

My new Moleskine planner and Staedtler Triplus Fineliners

OPI Brand New Skates

2010-12-26T11:39:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas (or other holiday-related celebration)! It's been so nice to relax, not have to worry about anything, and stuff my face with delicious food.

In the spirit of the season, I thought it would be appropriate to paint my nails one of my absolute favourite cool weather colours: Brand New Skates by OPI. This is from the 2008 Holiday in Toyland Collection and has been a staple for me ever since it came out.

You just can't go wrong with this gorgeous metallic charcoal! It's packed with lots of glitter so that it shines differently in all sorts of lighting. Brand New Skates is quite a unique colour too; I don't think there are really any dupes for it.

Application, as with most OPI polishes is also great. You can reach opacity in two semi-thick coats, though I usually do three just for good measure.

♥ Happy Anniversary

2010-12-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

My bf and I recently celebrated our anniversary at The Observatory, a restaurant at the top of Grouse Mountain. You have to take the gondola up the mountain and on a clear night, there is a beautiful view of the city.

Top with Lace Sleeves: Zara

Pants: 7 For All Mankind

Pumps: Steve Madden

Pashmina: gift from Hong Kong

Bangle: Marc by Marc Jacobs

The Observatory is quite small, with attentive staff and a really nice ambiance. It's the perfect place for a romantic date!

The food is also sooooo good. I had the Diamond Willow Organic Beef ($39) and Vanilla Crème Brûlée ($13) for dessert.

Address: Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver, BC

Website: http://www.grousemountain.com/Winter/dining/the-observatory/

2010-12-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say that I got a domain name! The old address still works but from now on, my blog will also be accessible through:

www.alison-elle.com

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

2010-12-14T16:16:00.000-08:00

In February 2011, Burt's Bees will be launching their new line of Tinted Lip Balm, available in a range of 6 versatile shades to suit every woman. They are 100% natural and contain vitamin E and shea butter to keep your lips soft and moisturized.

Thanks to PR, I was able to get a sneak peak at Hibiscus, a rosy pink that looks much darker than it actually applies. The product itself is very sheer but definitely gives me "my lips but better." Perfect for those simple makeup days. Plus, this stuff is yummy! A sweet and delicious pear flavour that's not overpowering at all.

Look for the adorable packaging in stores next year. I know I'll be stocking up!

Green Gradient Nails & Another FOTD

2010-12-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

Finally got a much-needed break from the stress of finals and papers. I would so much rather be shopping for Christmas presents and relaxing! December 17 can't come soon enough...

Sheer Blouse: Zara

Jeggings: Paige Premium Denim

Boots: Aldo

In the spirit of the season I also decided to adapt my pink gradient nails with a more holiday-appropriate green colour palette. It turned out a lot better than I thought it would!

Products used: Nicole by OPI Sheer Fun; Nicole by OPI Nicole...Spotted!; Essie Sew Psyched;

Revlon Galaxy Top Coat; Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

And while I was at it with all the picture-taking, I figured I might as well do a FOTD too. I've been getting a lot of use out of my MAC Tartan Tale palette (it really does make the perfect purple-hued smoky eye).

Face:
- Benefit Dr. Feelgood
- Everyday Minerals Foundation in Golden Medium

Eyes:
MAC Beauties Play It Cool Palette: Silverwear, Hold My Gaze, Magic Moor, Heather Belles (reviewed here)
Sephora Eyeshadow in Alpine Snow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero
Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Mascara

Cheeks:
Rock & Republic Blush in Tease (reviewed here)
NARS The Multiple in Copacabana

Lips:
MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick

Holiday Wishlist: $$$ Edition

2010-12-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of Christmas (or perhaps I should say, in the spirit of all things materialistic), I have been wasting a lot of time compiling various wishlists. I love making lists of things (makes me feel accomplished when I cross things off!), and I keep a Word Document of things I want that I am constantly updating.

This list, what I like to call the "$$$ Edition" features some of my more expensive wants - basically things I totally don't need but lust after like mad. I'm sure everyone's got at least a couple of these!

1. Chanel Classic Flap with Silver Hardware (Medium/Large or Jumbo)
I have wanted one for years and years. When spending over $4000 on a bag is the equivalent of spending $500 on a bag to me then this will be mine (haha!)

2. Louis Vuitton Epi Speedy 30

3. Guccy Sukey Medium Tote (Special Edition Gucci for UNICEF)

4. Tiffany & Co. Diamond Key Necklace
So. Much. Shiny.

5. Miu Miu Matelassé Wallet
Price-wise, this is much more reasonable than the other things on this list but still a splurge considering the fact that I rarely use large wallets. But perhaps if I got one, I would be encouraged to use it all the time!

Rock & Republic Contrived Pressed Blush: Bedroom and Tease

2010-11-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

The beauty blogger world has been raving about Rock & Republic Contrived Pressed Blush for quite some time now, and I finally managed to get my hands on Bedroom and Tease from a HauteLook (invite code link) sale a few weeks ago.

First off, the packaging is beautiful and super luxe. Each blush comes individually packaged in a round "hat box". When you open that up, you reveal the absolutely gorgeous, shiny compact with the R&R logo embossed on the front. So pretty!!

Now, these are rather pricy ($40 retail or cheaper if you get them on sale) but when you think about it, you really are getting your money's worth. These compacts are HUGE compared to other blushes [see my comparison with MAC and NARS below]. You get 9g of blush versus 6g in MAC and 4.8 g in NARS.

Bedroom is described as a "guava" (essentially a matte peachy-pink shade). Tease, on the other hand, is a cool-toned mauve/pink. I decided to blend out my swatches a bit to show how these would look when worn (for reference, I'm a C4 in MAC). Both are great, wearable colours.

I was super impressed with the quality of these R&R blushes. They are finely milled, apply like a dream, and last a long time. Since they are extremely pigmented, however, you do have to be careful not to overapply. I usually use my MAC 187 duo-fibre brush to apply blush and that works well with these.

Anyway, long story short, I LOVE THESE BLUSHES and I highly recommend them. Next time they show up on HauteLook I am definitely purchasing more (and you should too!)

Aki Japanese Restaurant

2010-11-25T16:56:00.000-08:00

In a city where there are sushi restaurants on every corner, it's a treat to find a joint that is actually authentically Japanese. Aki Japanese Restaurant is one of these places.

Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver and in operation since 1963, the restaurant is reminiscent of the izakayas you can find in Japan with its wooden decor and perky waitresses who greet you in Japanese the moment you walk through the door.

Their menu features a wide variety of sushi and sashimi, but you can also order plenty of robatayaki items (meat, seafood, and veggies that are grilled up by the chef). And of course, there are the standard tapas items, like gyoza and my favourite - agedashi tofu.

I prefer Japanese tapas over sushi and sashimi (when I eat sushi it's generally only the vegetarian kind), so I opted for the above dishes along with a plate of beef short ribs (not pictured) from the robatayaki menu.

My friends are more adventurous than me, however, as evidenced by their orders of sushi, chirashi-don (sashimi over a bed of rice), and Japanese-style pasta with beef (which I forget the name of!).

As you can see, there are plenty of menu options to suit all tastes and the prices are consistent with most other Japanese restaurants in Vancouver (not dirt cheap but not super gourmet either). Definitely worth a visit for the atmosphere and delicious food!

Location: 745 Thurlow Street, Vancouver, BC

♥ This post was kindly sponsored by Sauce Communications.