What’s On My Christmas List This Year

With Christmas approaching faster than ever, I’m getting asked for my Christmas list. Yes, I’m a professional in my mid 30’s and I still provide a list! The truth is that I would be happy with just spending some time relaxing with loved ones. I love everything about this season and one of my favorite things is when my husband and I have our annual Christmas date night where we dress up and go to a nice restaurant. I would honestly be happy with just that! But for those who need something more tangible, this is what I’m wishing for this year:

 

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Hair Mist – $65

hairmist

If you have been following my blog for a while you will know that Flowerbomb is one of my favorite perfumes, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw that they make a hair mist with the same scent. I’m new to the hair mist party but I have a feeling I’m going to love it.

Barefoot Dreams Blanket – approx. $246 Canadian

blanket

The dream in the brand name is probably more likely where this blanket will be for me, but I can wish for it though right?! I wasn’t sure what the hype was with this blanket given the cost of it… until I tried it in store. It’s so incredibly soft and cozy that I keep thinking about it.

Just about anything from Lush

Bath bombs, lip scrubs, shower gels, massage bars, bubble bars, I love it all! Anything from Lush will make me deliriously happy. When all else fails when it comes to shopping for me, go with Lush.

 

 

Gift Cards – Nordstrom/Aritzia/Sephora

Gift cards are not given the credit they deserve. When you get a gift card for someone you’re not only giving them the freedom to pick out their own gift, you’re giving them the gift of a trip to their favorite store. How can you go wrong?! Answer: you can’t.

 

Does anyone else have a Christmas list? What are you hoping for?

-SS

2018 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – My Top Picks

If you are following any fashion bloggers/Influencers on Instagram right now I’m sure you have already heard all about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. And I’m here to tell you a little more about it! This is my absolute favorite sale and I look forward to it all year.

 

This is not your typical sale. You won’t find anything that has been on sale before, or that is out of season. Every July, Nordstrom releases a bunch of items from their Fall lineup and then marks it all down for about 3 weeks giving you ridiculous savings! It’s a great way to start stocking up for Fall (my least favorite F word). After the sale ends all of the items go back to their regular pricing, so if you see something you like you want to make sure you get it during the sale! There is nothing worse in the shopping world than missing out on a great sale price, and then having to purchase at full price. Also, these items sell out fast so don’t wait if you see something you like!

 

There are a few dates to be aware of with this sale:

  • July 12th: early access online and in US stores for Nordstrom credit card holders
  • July 17th: early access in Canadian stores for Nordstrom credit card holders (why is everything in Canada always so far behind?!)
  • July 20th: sale opens to the public
  • August 5th: sale ends. This is also my birthday!

 

I’m sharing some of my favorite items from the sale so far and noting the sale price and after sale price. All prices are in Canadian dollars, as a Canadian resident I can’t access US pricing on the website.

 

BP Raw Edge Scoop Neck Tee (comes in 6 colors and 6 sizes)
Sale price: $26.05
After sale price: $39.97

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BP Lace Trim Satin Camisole (comes in 4 colors and 7 sizes:
Sale price: $31.47
After sale price: $48.24

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BP Twist Front Sweater (comes in 2 colors and 7 sizes)
Sale price: $43.97
After sale price: $67.54

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Madewell Ryder Cardigan (comes in 4 colors and 6 sizes)
Sale price; $89.46
After sale price: $135.08

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Vince Camuto Pevista Bootie (comes in 3 colors and available in sizes 4-13)
Sale price: $137.70
After sale price: $206.69

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Halogen Ribbed Casmere Vest (comes in 4 colors and one size fits all)
Sale price: $136.62
After sale price: $205.38

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BP Textured Stitch V Neck Pullover (comes in 6 colors and 6 sizes – size up to wear off the shoulder)
Sale price: $35.70
After sale price: $53.76

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BP Washed Moto Leggings (comes in 2 colors and 6 sizes – I also have these in green from the Anniversary Sale a couple of years ago, I’m still wearing them)
Sale price: $35.70
After sale price: $53.76

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The Rivington Ripped Straight Leg Jeans (available in 7 sizes)
Sale price: $89.46
After sale price: $135.04

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Vince Alora Mule (comes in 2 colors and sizes 5-11)
Sale price: $268.65
After sale price: $406.63

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MAC Little Lip Nude Lip Duo (Anniversary Sale exclusive!)
Sale price: $23.43
After sale price: N/A

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Charlotte Tilbury Pretty Glowing Skin Palette (Anniversary Sale exclusive!)
Sale price: $103.38
After sale price: N/A

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Barefoot Dreams In The Wild Throw (comes in 4 colors)
Sale price: $165.27
After sale price: $248.11

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Slip for beauty sleep Slip Silk Pure Silk Queen Pillowcases (one color – Anniversary Sale exclusive!)
Sale price: $151.63
After sale price: N/A
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We are only one day into the early access and I think I already have a ton of favorites! I will do another roundup towards the end of the sale. Has anyone else checked out the Anniversary Sale yet? I’d love to hear about it!
-SS

My Favorite Colour

September Writing Challenge #18 – My Favorite Colour

This one is well-timed, because I was already planning on writing a post about this! I’ll start by saying that I have a few things going for me right now in terms of this being my favorite colour:

  • I’m a millennial (and older one, but still!)
  • I love fashion and beauty, and therefore, I’m a sucker for trends

In case you haven’t already guessed it, my favorite colour (right now) is blush. Seriously, give me everything blush! Clothes, wine, home decor, makeup, candy… if it’s blush, I pretty much need it!

Why do I love blush so much? Other than it being everywhere right now so it’s an easy colour to find, I do have a list of other reasons why:

  • I see blush as kind of a grown up version of pink. Pink has been one of my favourites for as long as I can remember, so it’s only natural that I would graduate to the more mature version
  • It goes well with black, my other favorite colour. Seriously, black and blush together?? Gorgeous!
  • It’s a neutral so not only does it go with black, it goes with just about everything else you can think of
  • Because it’s so subtle, it brightens everything up without being too bright. You can wear a pair of blush shorts without the reaction of “wow, you’re wearing pink shorts”!

Right now, here are my favorite blush items that I have recently purchased:

Blush Leather Biker Jacket – $399.99 – Mango

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Blush Steve Madden Quilted Slip On Sneakers – $80 – Steve Madden

2017-09-18 12_59_07-Quilted Slip on Sneakers _ Steve Madden ECNTRCQT

Leith Pleated High Waisted Shorts – $89 – Nordstrom

2017-09-11 14_14_38-Leith High Waist Pleat Shorts _ Nordstrom

Pink & Grey Plaid Blouse – $39.95 – Dynamite

2017-09-11 14_08_55-Plaid Button Up Blouse with Pockets

Rebecca Minkoff Velvet Crossbody Bag – $222.90 – Nordstrom

2017-09-11 14_11_39-Rebecca Minkoff Small Love Velvet Crossbody Bag (Nordstrom Exclusive) _ Nordstro

Sugarfina Rose All Day Gummy Bears – $10.95 – Sugarfina

2017-09-18 13_04_08-Rosé All Day Bears - Infused Gummy Bears _ Sugarfina

What are some of your favorite blush items?

-SS

Friday Favourites: Pampering Edition

I don’t think I have ever been this happy to see Friday arrive, this week has been INSANE! Sunday night I had an idea of how I thought this week would go and it ended up throwing me for a total loop and being completely different. Between work drama, an ever growing workload, bridesmaid dress shopping, getting my house back to normal after throwing a bridal shower last weekend (so fun!), and just normal life, I have had enough with this week and I seriously cannot wait for work to be over today so that I can go home and relax with a glass of wine and have some well-deserved downtime.

So, I thought that in honor of my crazy week, I am going to focus this weeks’ Friday Favourites on products that are perfect for pampering yourself, and you can imagine that they have been well used this week!

Fresh Rose Face Mask – $75 – Sephora (Rose Face Mask)

2017-08-18 14_36_57-Rose Face Mask - Fresh _ Sephora

Whenever I’m really stressed, my skin really starts to suffer and starts looking dull and tired. One thing I found that really helps is the Rose Face Mask by Fresh. Not only does it revive dull, dry and tired skin, it has a cooling sensation and smells amazing! I mean, with an average of 2.5 roses per jar, how could it not smell amazing?! As soon as this mask touches my skin, I instantly feel better. The consistency is more of a gel and it doesn’t harden while on your skin. You leave it on for the desired amount on time, wash it off with water, and just like that, you look (and feel) refreshed again! This is one skin product that I will always keep in my cabinet.

Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Honey Bath – $56 – Sephora (Fig Honey Bath)

2017-08-18 14_45_20-Fresh Fig Honey Bath - Laura Mercier _ Sephora

When you’re feeling stressed and burnt out is there anything better than taking a bubble bath?! I think not. Especially when you add in Laura Mercier’s Fresh Fig Honey Bath. This stuff is seriously amazing! The consistency is truly like honey and it really takes your bubble bath to the next level. Whenever I use this, the entire upstairs of my house smells like fresh figs and it’s both luxurious and fresh smelling. The tub itself is full of bubbles and afterwards your skin feels soft, smooth and lightly fragranced. Definitely a winner in the relaxation department!

It’s pricey but you only need a little bit (1-2 swirls from the super cute wooden honey twirler that comes with it), so the jar lasts for a long time and it’s great at doubling up as bathroom decor!

 

Voluspa Embossed Glass Chewan Bowl Candle – Japanese Plum Bloom – $33 – Nordstrom (Voluspa )

2017-08-18 14_52_27-Voluspa Embossed Glass Chawan Bowl Candle _ Nordstrom

I feel as though a relaxing night in wouldn’t be complete without some candles, especially if you are enjoying a bubble bath. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love candles, my house is full of them and it’s rare that I don’t have at least one burning at all times. However, a favourite for me right now is the Voluspa range. They have a huge range of scents, and colours, and one cool fact is their wax is coconut wax! The Japanese Plum Bloom is definitely one of my favourites, it’s floral but also fruity and the purple colour of the glass is stunning! Just like the honey bath above, these candles can double up as decor and look great in either a living room, bathroom, or even bedroom. They are also really great gifts!

Folklore Hand Cream – Raspberry – $8 – Chapters Indigo (Folklore Hand Cream)

2017-08-18 14_57_51-Folklore Hand Cream - Raspberry 50ml by Folklore _ Lotions & Oils Gifts _ chapte

If you are unable to do the full bubble bath/face mask/candles routine above, then using a rich, nourishing hand cream is a great alternative. Folklore hand creams leave your hands feeling immediately moisturized, calming dry or overworking hands and leave a delicious raspberry scent. I always have a tube of it in my bag!

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Cream – $32 – Sephora – (Sugar Lip Cream)

2017-08-18 14_58_15-Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment - Fresh _ Sephora

Last but definitely not least, this is a product that I cannot live without. My lips are always dry. I think it’s a mixture of the dry climate in my city, being stuck in an air conditioning office building all day, wearing lipsticks, and not drinking enough water (I know, I need to work on that). I have tried just about everything and nothing compares to the Advanced Lip Therapy Cream from the Fresh Sugar line. It’s translucent so it doesn’t leave any colour and it always leaves my lips feeling moisturized and smooth. Huge bonus is that it also tastes really good! Since it smooths out fine lines, it’s also a perfect primer under other lip products. This is another staple that is always in my bag… and bathroom…. and car… and office.

***Enjoy!***

SS