Keeping Lips Soft & Hydrated in Winter

It’s happened. I knew it would eventually, but you always think maybe this will be the year we get skipped, maybe it won’t be so bad. No such luck, winter is here and I think it’s here to stay. So long cute heels, fall jackets and moisturized skin and hello winter boots, parkas and dry chapped lips!

 

My lips get incredibly dry during the cold months and as a result, lots of TLC is needed. We all know that the most important way to stay hydrated is by making sure we’re drinking water, but sometimes a little more help is required! I’ve found that one of the best ways to keep my lips looking and feeling soft and hydrated is to treat them overnight. Below I am sharing my favorite products that I make sure I always use before I go to bed so that I can wake up with beautifully soft and hydrated lips, no matter how low the thermostat dropped overnight!

 

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask – $30

 

If you haven’t tried these lip masks yet, you need to! (pro tip: you can ask for a sample at Sephora if you want to test it out first). Handcrafted with agave nectar and jojoba oil, this lip product is actually designed to be used overnight. One swipe of these lip masks before bed guarantee that you will wake up with softer, smoother and healthier lips!

I have a few of these but my favorite is the lavender one, it actually contains lavender, which helps to promote restful sleep.

 

FRESH Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm – $22

 

 

I’ve posted about this before and there’s a reason for that because this balm is seriously amazing! The scent is absolutely decadent and the formula actually feels like you are putting caramel on your lips (minus the stickiness!). I usually put this on my lips on days where I need the hydration but I don’t feel like I need anything quite as intense as a lip mask. It never fails that I always wake up with moisturized and soft lips whenever I use it.

 

Has anyone else used the products above? What are some of your favorite winter beauty tips?

-SS

Fall 2018 Fashion Shopping List

I’m still not ready to embrace Fall (and I don’t think I ever will be), but I am able to face up to the need for a new wardrobe. I mean, who doesn’t want that?!

Since our warm seasons are so short I find that I usually have a lot of items leftover from the previous year that I can wear so I find that for spring and summer my shopping list isn’t too crazy. But, when fall rolls around my list is always huge! I find that since I wore all of my pants/sweaters/blazers so much last year and for so long, I’m ready for some new stuff!

Here is what’s on my list for this season:

Watch this space for ideas on how to style the items below!

 

Black jeans. My current pair is getting really old and I need new ones. I love the versatility of black jeans, you can pair them with a silk cami and pumps for a dressier look or a sweater and sneakers when you are feeling more casual.

Casual joggers. I am becoming so obsessed with joggers lately. I bought two pairs from Aritzia earlier this year and I wear them All. The. Time. I’m starting to feel over wearing leggings at home so I’m really looking for a cute comfy pair for lounging around.

Over the knee boots. These have been kind of on my list for years, but I always hesitate because are they are so not the usual style for this city, and even though I always feel like a million dollars when I try them on, I always think that people are judging me for being over 30 and wearing them. Well this year, I don’t care, I’m getting my boots!

Gucci belt. One splurge per season is fine, right!?

Graphic t shirt/s. I’m really loving the look of jeans with a graphic t shirt (preferably a band shirt), or with a leather pencil skirt (which I have) and I have decided that I need them all.

Off white sweater dress. How cute would this look with the Gucci belt *insert winking emoji here*

White button down shirt. Super versatile, goes with everything and the white will brighten up my usually depressingly dark fall/winter style.

Silk duster/kimono in blush or champagne. I have become quite the kimono/duster collector lately and I see no signs of slowing down. I love how they can elevate an otherwise basic outfit into something more striking. I would love to find a silk one in either blush or champagne!

Quality white t shirt/s. This is almost always on my list! If anyone has any that are not too big, not too tight and not see through I would be forever indebted to you!

Dark denim jacket. In the warmer months I wear my denim jacket to death and often I plan my outfits around it. I don’t really want to give that up for the other 8 months out of the year so I thought if I add a darker one it would give me the same look but with a fall/winter spin.

Olive green bomber jacket. I put this on here because I already bought one and I am in love with it. Sure, I feel like Tom Cruise when I wear it with my aviators but I don’t even care, it’s the perfect fall jacket.

Slouchy off the shoulder sweaters in a chunky knit (can’t wait to pair these with white jeans!). I’m thinking taupe, white, or grey would be cute.

Dark green and black plaid shirt. I’m not a fan of plaid at all, but I saw a picture on Pinterest of a dark green and black plaid shirt with a pencil skirt and became obsessed with the look. So, this year I’m hopefully going to add one to my wardrobe.

Skirts. Usually I don’t add skirts to my fall and winter lists because our weather October-May is brutal and wearing a skirt is just, well, kinda dumb. But this year I think I want to live on the edge a little and sacrifice warmth for fashion. I’m loving these 90’s style ones (and yes, I did wear these styles the first time around!)

 

What are you guys looking for this season?

-SS

 

 

Winter Boots (for those who hate winter boots)

November 4, 2017 was a big day in my life. For the first time since I moved to Canada 20 years ago, I bought my first pair of actual winter boots! I have always been a more “style over practicality” type of person, and although a pair of boots won’t change that about me, I had to admit that I was getting sick of my footwear dictating what I can and can’t do during the months of November-April.

We have had a ton of snow over the past couple of weeks, and it has been cold! As much as I would love to keep wearing my heels throughout this, it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

After a lot of Pinterest browsing and wandering around the mall feeling kind of sorry for myself (have i mentioned how much I miss summer?!), I finally decided on the Timberland Teddy Fleece Boots . They come in ten different colours (I got the taupe ones), they’re waterproof, fleece lined (hello warm feet!), have a rugged rubber sole, and they’re kind of cute!

My favourite thing about these boots, other than the whole warm/safe on ice thing, is that they can be worn two ways – either with the top up or folded down. It’s like getting two pairs of boots for the price of one!

During my Pinterest browsing, I found a video showing different outfit ideas for women –  It’s definitely worth checking out! How to wear Timberland boots / outfits 

So far I have worn them with leather leggings, jeans (black, blue, and ripped) and they look great with everything. Most importantly, my feet have stayed warm and my butt has not met the snow yet so they are clearly doing their job! Definitely worth the $165!

To all of you that live in winter-y climates, how do you handle the footwear issue? Any tips?!

-SS