Everyday Simplicity

A few months ago I decided to declutter my makeup bag - It was a very theraputic experience, getting rid of the products that were just 'sitting there' and taking up space.  Since I've started to feel comfortable with my natural and soft makeup look, I decided it was time to go through my makeup bag one last time to really simplify my look and decide once and for all what type of look I want to create for myself.  I want to stop 'spending' money on needless products and stick to my tried and true basics.  I've only made one recent purchase and its been on my wishlist for a while (Cosmo lipstick by MAC) - I decided to create a makeup look around it today, but before I post my picture, I want to share what is currently in my makeup bag:

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude
Loreal true match concealer in N4
Mocha Blush - MAC
Gentle mineralize blush - MAC
Loreal Voluminous mascara in carbon black
Lise Watier eyeliner in Charbon and MAC eyeliners: Prussian, PermaPlum, Earthline and Coffee
MAC eyeshadows: Quarry, Copperplate, Scene, Print, Concrete and Vex is on my wishlist as a highlight/base shade
Lipliners: Soar and Burgundy by MAC and Fig Lipiner - Estee Lauder
Lipsticks: YSL #9 (Rose Stilleto), Cosmo, Capricious, Partyline (MAC), Brownie Pink by Bobbi Brown and Baroque by Chanel
Gloss - YSL#9 (I'm not a gloss person at all, but this is a great shade and I love the quality and texture).

Cosmo listick my MAC is my most recent makeup purchase and I wanted to get it because it's been described as the perfect pinkish-brown shade, perfect for creating that natural, soft look that I've been craving lately.  Its such a stunning every-day colour:

For this look, I used LM tinted moisturizer in Nude and N concealer by Loreal.  I used Quarry eyeshadow on my lid into my crease and lined my eyes with Permaplum liner and used Copperplate to smudge into my upperlashline.  I used Mocha bush and lined my lips with Soar lipliner before finishing the look with Cosmo lipstick!

I think that simplicty really is elegance - its about not trying too hard and being happy with the things that work for you, while eliminating the things that just take up space in your life.  I'm really enjoying these neutral-cool based shades of makeup and I'm done with buying makeup for the sake of being trendy - I think I'm finally growing up and maturing into my own look!!!

Ready to Work

I love to look professional when I go to work and my staples are usually a blouse and pencil shirt, a shirt-type dress with 3/4 sleeves or black dress pants with an original blouse or shirt.  On more casual days, I like to sport more of a rugby, polo type of shirt.  A few days ago I took my camera into work and a co-worker of mine decided to take some pictures of me - I'm totally working the teacher look here because thats what I am:

 I work at a regular catholic high school in my area and I work with students wth special needs.  Most of the time I work with the severe needs group - students who have autism and often non-verbal, students with developmental disabilities and students who have cerebral palsy and other exceptionalities where they need the assistance of wheel chairs.  I have some people tell me - why do you get dressed up when you work with 'those' kids?  Comments like these make my blood boil because they are filled with ignorance.  I want my students to arrive to my classroom and feel loved, resected and worthy - so I try to make my class look good and I come dressed professionally and classy becase my students are worth it and I'm worth it!  I often play soothing music and like to create an aesthetically pleasing environment!

The white shirt is one of my staples and my favourite way to wear it is with a pencil skirt - There is often a ton of paper work that goes with teaching special needs students, so I need to be prepared to work hard and stay late often - I always feel comfortable in my staples, but I also 'always' carry a pair of ballet flats in my bag - at the end of the day my feet are 'throbbing'!!!

I'd love to hear about some of your favourite work looks and staples!!!

Dreaming of Nantucket

Nantucket island is just south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and I put it on my traveling 'Wish List' - I can't wait to go on a road trip and take in the best that New England has to offer.  One of the things that I'm so drawn to right now is the scenery in New England, particularily the ocean and the stone, taupe and soft beige colours of the ocean front homes.  I also like the nautical elements associated with New England and of course, who can pass up on a hot bowl of clam chowder???
Here are some images that have really inspired me lately:

I would love to wake up this scene in the morning - this is simply beautiful!!!  When I first saw this photo, I automatically felt a sense of peace and relaxation come over me - I hope to experience a scene like this when I go on my future Nantucket road trip!

This is such a classic New England nautical scene - I love the rich blue colour of the sea and the lighter blue sky - I wish I was sitting on that chair with a cup of tea - I could stare at the ocean all day and be completely mesmorized by its beauty!!!

One of the things that I can't wait to do is to visit as many antique and small shops as I can - I love shopping in little stores that have unique items and I love little country inspired stores - This display brings about a warming feeling to the soul - I love the nautical inspired pillows and I could see myself picking up some items and doing some re-decorating!  I really like when a home has that country-cottage feel - its makes my heart smile!!!

This image is so connected to the essence of the New England lifestyle!  Sailing, the ocean, nautical themes, is what inspires me to travel to New England!  I admire anyone who gets to sail on a regular basis - I love the free-spirit feeling of being on the water and taking in the sounds of the waves and the smell of the ocean - its real joy in its purest form!

After a day of being out on the ocean, who wouldn't want to sit down to a warm bowl of New England clam chowder or a bowl of Boston baked beans???  Nothing says comfort and love more than a warming bowl of something mouthwatering after being out in the sun, sand and water!!!  I love the comfort food elements that are so much a part of New England cooking - everything from crab cakes to polenta to spiced roast potatoes and corn on the cob!!!

The more I read about New England - its history, culture, cuisine and style - the more I love how 'comforting' and inspiring it makes me feel - I love how its such an elegant and preppy place, but at the same time, its what being down to earth is all about - Its about embracing the 'home sweet home' inner feeling regardless of where you live!!!

Preppy Vibe and Euro Chic Connection

I have always been inspired by all things preppy, but recently, I've really embraced it will full force.  It sort of came about when I was reading a book on Parisian Chic and also started reading up on the preppy look - I noticed a lot of comparisons between the elegent preppy look and the elegant Euro-chic look.  Many of the same looks cross over into one another - such as wearing delicate peices of jewelery like pearls and diamond studs, embracing the natural application of makeup (i.e. the 'le no makeup' look is highly respected amoung most preppy women) and the simple yet classic styles of clothes (the white shirt with a hint of rugby/polo sophistication).  The common elements of elegant style are numerous and I'm excited to add both elements into my wardrobe (actually, the book about Parisian Chic I was reading stresses that women should not try to conform to any one style, but pick what they like and what works for them and in turn, create their own style - I love this concept!!!)

These are some of the basics of preppy style that I want to start including in my wardrobe collection:

I'm rediscovering my obsession with rugby and polo shirts - I particularily love the light pink shirt labeled #3 - its so feminine -I can just invision myself wearing it with a pair of pearl stud earings, jackie O sunglasses and possibly even a head-band!  I'm also loving the nautical inspired tote bags - I actually purchased one last year at an antique store and can't wait to wear it once the weather gets a little nicer (its actually been snowing in April in Toronto - I have no idea what mother nature is thinking, but we usully have such beautiful spring weather and I'm hoping to see it soon)

I think this look is uber sophisticated - I adore this shirt with the blue and white striped/nautical element.  I love the simplicity of this look - the natural makeup, the hair pulled back in a ponytail, the classic white pants worn with blue - This is such a classy, elegant, casual day look - love, love, love it!!!

One of the common traits between the preppy look and the Euro Chic look is the elegant way in which women can combine mens-wear into their wardrobe - the blazer is the perfect example of this - it adds such flair and really makes a statement.  I admire women who are able to wear ties succesfully - I stll need to perfect and work on embracing the tie, but when I see a woman work the tie, I am always inspired to try it!!!

I love how this look embraces elements of both the preppy and euro chic looks- it combines the best of an elegant polo inspired blouse and the classic black pencil skirt and knee high boots -  I think this look is oozing with sophistication!!!

Brooks Brothers is perhaps one of the best representations of what elegant preppy dressing is all about - I adore the shirt dress this model is wearing in the ad - She looks so elegant and I admire how natural she looks - she really captures the true essence of what it means to be elegant!

This picture is the perfect illustration of how similar preppy and euro chic can be - the one thing that really captures my attention about this connection is how feminine and natural the look is - in both cases, its this subtle simplicity that adds to the allure of the look - its this simplicity that I love and desire to embrace!!!

I hope that you enjoyed my comparisson between some of the elements of preppy style and Euro chic allure - I hope to revisit this topic because it inspires me so much!!!

Earthline

I know its been a while since I've posted something - things have been a bit hectic in my neck of the woods lately - A hot water pipe burst on the 6th floor of my apartment building.  I have a lot be grateful for because I'm on the 19th floor and there was no damage done to my place, but there were people hurt and some even rushed to hospital, others have major damage to their apartments and won't be able to move back for a while. I did have to evacuate my building for a few days and stay with my parents, but I am able to move back now - its been scary and really made me realize what's really important in life!!!  Nothing can replace family and true friends!!!

I recently came across this eyeliner at MAC called 'Earthline' and decided to get it -its a gorgeous 'greyish-taupe' shade, perfect for creating that neutral and natural look.  Lately, I've been inspired by all things 'preppy' and I'm loving anything nautical and New England inspired - the food, the clothes, the sea, the stone/taupe shades of the houses and cottages in New England - Earthline definitely has that stone/taupe edge to it.  Paired with copperlate eyeshadow, its ideal for everyday.  Pair this look with a soft pink blush and lipstick and put on a pair of pearl studs and you're ready for the perfect weekend garden party or sailing trip (I'm going to have to make New England my next vacation destination - be prepared for some upcoming preppy, New England inspired posts in the future).  Check out my new soft-taupe-grey look:

For this look I used Copperplate eyeshadow on my lid into my crease, Used Earthline to line my upper and lower lashliner and then smudged Copperplate into my upper lashline to create a slight smokey look for day.  I used Mocha blush my MAC and used Fig Lipliner (Estee Lauder) with Blonde Venus lipstick (NARS).  I'd love to hear your feedback about this look!

A touch of "Fig"

Estee Lauder makes the most amazing lipliner called 'Fig' - If you read the reviews on makeupalley.com you'll notice that a lot of people say this is their 'my lips but better' colour.  For me, this really is quite similar to my natural lip colour - a soft plum-pink shade.  I recently wore this lipliner with my favourite Baroque lipstick by Chanel and got a ton of compliments, so when I got home I had to take a picture and post it:

I started off with Laura Mercier 'Nude' Tinted moisturizer, Loreal's N4 true match concealer and then dusted on some Refined Golden Bronzer by MAC
I used Mocha blush by MAC (a pinky-plum shade)
On the eyes, I used my signature Copperplate+Print blend and lined my eyes with Prussian eyeliner (blending Copperplate into the upper lash line)
I used Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black on my lashes
On my lips: Fig lipliner - Estee Lauder, topped with Baroque (Chanel)

I'm loving these colours for an every-day/business look!!!

The prettiest Rose...

Roses are the purest expression of happiness, joy, sweetness and everything that is pretty and feminine in this world.  I love the colour of rose - its the perfect balance of pink and blush:

Now that spring is approaching, I'm going through my makeup case looking for that perfect rose shade!  Here are a few of my favourites:

Yves Saint Laurent makes the most perfect shade of rose - #9 lipstick (Rose Stiletto) - This colour is the most lovely shade of rose that I've come across - I'm addicted to how creamy and satiny YSL lipstick feels on my lips!

YSL also makes a #9 lipgloss - it looks stunning on top of the #9 lipstick.  Annabelle makes a lipliner called 'Blush' - I can't wait to pair this gloss with 'Blush' lipliner for an evening look - I think the effect will be soft, feminine and romantic.

I'm not sure what this model is wearing, but it looks similar to the #9 gloss - I love how rose shades on the lips give just enough colour, while still being soft and feminine - I'm begining to adore 'rose' lips.

MAC makes a stunning soft plumy-rose shade called 'Capricious' - If you're looking for a rose colour, but want a sheer texture, this is perfect.  Capricious is such an elegant colour!!!

 I wanted to create a soft look with taupey-grey shades on the eyes, so I blended copperplate and print eyeshadows (MAC) and applied this mix to my lids and blended in into my crease as well.  I lined my eyes with Charbon eyeliner (Lise Watier) and used 'Copperplate' on an angled-brush and smudged it into the top lashline.  I used Mocha blush my MAC (a stunning soft plum-pink shade) and finished off the look with my favourite Rose-toned lipcolour YSL #9

This spring, surround yourself with the colour of pink roses - you will instantly feel happiner and more feminine!!!