Ready for brunch - styling

As things begin to open up (depending on where you live) brunch is becoming an option again. Considering we’ve been shut in, doing the MOST for brunch is definitely in order.  Even though I’m 5’2 ½  I love wide leg pants, I find that the silhouette makes me feel taller and slimmer. The pants I’m wearing here are silk from Theory and are quite flowy which I believe adds extra sas! The cropped organza top I’m wearing is from M boutique, it can be worn on the shoulder but I like to style it off the shoulder. Mainly, I feel like when worn off the shoulder it creates a nicer visual on me. 

Now I personally will not be going to any restaurants but you can find me in a park having socially distanced brunch with my peeps ✌🏾.

Beauty Review: PAT MCGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation

Since Pat McGrath starting dropping hints about her foundation, I was AMPED!  As a fan of her work and makeup I knew this foundation would be amazing. I am here to report that this foundation is gorgeous, it’s lightweight, and will give you an amazing glow.

I was able to try out this out at Sephora while in Vegas this past week. I had missed my makeup makeover appointment, but I was able to get a 15 minute skin-mini makeover. During this session my skin was prepped and I was colour matched. Luckily the brand representative was present and gave me some tips on how to match my colour and how to apply the foundation. For some context I have normal skin with a shiny T-zone. My foundation colour for Fenty Beauty is 430 and Cocoa in Huda Beauty.

Notes from brand rep:

Pre-foundation: when trying to find your colour put a bit on your forehead, cheek, and chest to find your best match. I’m colour Deep 31,  Deep 32 was too orangey-red and Deep 30 was giving a grey tinge.  

1. This is a water based foundation and you should not mix with non-water based products as it will cause the foundation to separate

2. If you use a water based moisturizer you can avoid the primer

3. Auntie Pat applies the foundation starting from the centre of the face moving outward

I took my sample back to the hotel room and applied it a bit later and OMG! It looks fabulous, see the pictures below:

Before the club: Other than the eye makeup I’m only wearing foundation - no powder, blush, bronzer or highlight.

After Travis Scott performed: Chillin by the pool

I applied the foundation with my fingers (I didn’t pack any foundation on this trip but that's another post). Las Vegas is HOT-hot (42 degrees celsius) and this foundation didn’t move. Rolled up to the Travis Scott show at Marquee, got sucked into the crowd and had to fight my way out, and finally chilled by the pool for another 2 hours by the pool and this foundation was locked in.

I would definitely recommend this foundation. The price tag is steeper than your average foundation, it’s listed on Sephora at $90.00CAD, the Primer is $80.00CAD and the setting powder is listed at $80.00CAD. In total if you buy the 3 products together in what Pat McGrath calls the Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection The System you’re spending $250.00CAD. You can find some savings if you buy The System directly from Pat McGrath’s website for $205.00CAD and it’s free shipping and no duties to Canada. You pay $93.00CAD for just the foundation on her site so you save $3.00CAD if you only want to buy the foundation from Sephora. If you want the setting powder its $75.00CAD on Pat McGrath’s site so there is a $5.00 savings there. 

Have any of you tried this foundation yet? What do you think? Were you able to find your colour?

Houndstooth fit for fall

One reason that I absolutely love houndstooth is that it never goes out of style. For as long as I can remember it’s always been popular.

*A little side note - the same day I wore this skirt to work another manager was wearing her “old” (that’s how she referred to it) houndstooth blazer and it matched my skirt perfectly*

My goal when it comes to dressing for work is style that is a no-brainer. This iteration of a stylish no-brainer is my favourite red silk blouse from Équipement (I’ve had this blouse for a while) and this midi length houndstooth skirt I recently bought from Zara.

My 3 favourite things about this skirt :

1. The timeless pattern

2. The length - For work, I prefer skirts to be knee length or midi. In a professional setting shorter hemlines are always risky and not worth the embarrassment of someone commenting on the length of your skirt.

3. It’s easy to style with various tops to get you through the fall/winter

*And it’s only $79.99 at Zara (a steal in my opinion)

For some extra style points add some cute shades and a leather jacket to this look and you’ll be feeling like a BOSS!

Shop my look below:

Parisian attitude and a look

​I’m so excited it’s finally Fall! I won’t lie I was over the summer humidity but not sunshine and being able to go outside with wet hair and flip flops. Now that Fall is finally here we get to have Fall fashion - lots of layering, cozy sweaters, and tights.

To kick off the new season, I’ve put together the cutest outfit that is perfect for work and after hours.

I’m giving you Parisian swag and european lewks (half of this outfit was bought in Europe - but can easily be replicated without a eurotrip price tag).

I bought this lovely V-neck Wool dress with a ruffled hem in London at Oliver and Bonas. I knew as soon as I saw it that I needed to add to my wardrobe. The dress is a great length, an a-line cut, and it’s sleeveless so it’s great for layering. 

The dress shirt is from Pink Tartan a Canadian brand. This is one of my favourite shirts - it was a splurge purchase from a couple years  ago but totally worth it. The cut and fit are perfect and it has some really nice details like the grosgrain trim around the cuffs and collar, and the pink stitching in the buttonhole on the cuffs. The yellow belt was a pop of colour that I bought from Uniqlo - if thrifting is up your alley then you could definitely thrift a colourful belt.

“Raspberry Beret,the kind you buy at a second hand store” - lyric by Prince. This beret isn’t raspberry but a lovely mustard I picked up at the Notting Hill market for £8. It’s super cute but also something you can buy anywhere. It was my first purchase on my London trip this fall so it’s a special mustard beret.

I’m also wearing tights which I have a love and hate relationship with. Either I’m super irritated or slightly annoyed while wearing them. Last year I bought Wolford tights in 20 denier and honestly they are the most comfortable tights I’ve ever had. My shoes are super old as I don’t remember where or when I bought them but the best thing about this outfit is you can wear whatever shoes you like; flats, oxfords, heels, booties etc.  

Finally, I got my yellow coat on my first Euro trip in 2015. Boo (my husband) and I left warm Barcelona for cool and wet Amsterdam. With the change in temperature I got a cold and didn’t have a coat. I spent the next day searching for a coat and stumbled upon a random boutique downtown and when I saw the colour and the lining I was sold!

Me in Delft, Netherlands

What do you think? I’m pretty sure anyone can pull off this look. I think the hardest part about pulling this look together is finding the dress for layering so, I’ve found 3 alternative options below to the Oliver Bonas dress I bought.

Happy Layering!