Latest Outfit: Breaking Plaid

JACOB blazer | J. Crew 'Tippi' sweater (other styles) | Gap 1969 Always Skinny jeans | Maison Birks earrings and bracelet (c/o) | Beausoleil glasses | Coach city bag | Joules 'Evedon' wellies | Lipstick: Rouge Dior 999

I couldn't resist punning on the title of one of my favourite shows while sporting the blazer I bought during Shop 'Til You Drop. (The boy and I haven't seen the second half of season 5 of Breaking Bad yet, so no spoilers, please!) In all seriousness though, the green and blue tartan, which I later learned is called Black Watch, goes with so many things in my heavy-on-the-blue wardrobe. I'm looking forward to wearing it all season long.

Happy Monday!

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Metropolis at Metrotown x LOULOU Magazine Shop 'Til You Drop

There's nothing like a magazine partnering with retailers for a big party to lure shoppers out in droves, as VOGUE proved with Fashion's Night Out. But while FNO fizzled, the third annual Metropolis at Metrotown x LOULOU Magazine is going stronger than ever. Last night, more than eighty retailers offered one-night-only discounts to hundreds of fashion-hungry spenders looking for deals. Complimentary beauty treatments, a candy bar, gift bags, and the chance to win gift cards only sweetened the deal.

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Seeing Stars

With a constant influx of beauty products to test and review, sometimes limited editions fall through the cracks and I don't get around to posting about them until too late. But of the times I have done this, I've never felt as much regret as I do with the Dior 5 Couleurs Mystic Metallics Eyeshadow Palette in 'Bonne Etoile'. Those of you who didn't get your hands on this one really missed out, and for that I'm sorry.

The star-embossed eyeshadow palette is a thing of beauty. The eyeshadows themselves have an eye-brightening, metallic finish and seem to work equally well with or without primer. (I would expect nothing less from Dior.)

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MAC F/W 2013 Deep Lip Colours

Now that fall is officially here, I'm very excited about re-acquainting myself with deep, dark lip colours. (Mattes, reds, purples, how I've missed you!) Evidently MAC feels the same way because they're rolling out some beautiful new shades this season, shades which I can finally share with you now that the embargo's been lifted. Here's a look at three captivating reds and a bewitching plum you'll want to add to your lipstick collection, stat.

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Latest Outfit: Emerald City

J. Crew schoolboy blazer and 'Janey' flats | Aritzia Babaton 'Benedict' dress (on sale) | Forever 21 leggings and bow brooch | Maison Birks pearl earrings (c/o) | Coach city bag

After a summer of too much work and not enough exercise, I was dismayed—but not at all surprised—that my skinny jeans were feeling snug. I've since resolved to get back to a healthier routine: salsa, yoga, and using the elliptical in my building's gym twice a week. I'm not expecting miraculous overnight results (I'm no fool), but there are tangible benefits already. Better sleep, more energy, and improved digestion are enough to keep me on track.

Until I'm back to my old self, I'll be wearing Things With Forgiving Waists in heavy rotation, of which this drawstring waist silk tunic is a prime example. It's a perfect transitional closet staple, season-wise and weight-wise. So glad I also bought this in another colour.

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Luxury Supercar Weekend 2013

The boy does a lot for me: taking my outfit photos, giving me foot rubs when my shoes hurt, cheerfully ordering takeout when I'm too lazy to cook. So when the chance to attend the Luxury Supercar Weekend fell into my lap, I was definitely game to take him along as my plus one. I'm not much of one for cars, but he was very keen on ogling Porsches, Teslas, and Ferraris while strolling the beautiful grounds of Van Dusen Botanical Gardens on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Turns out this was one of our more inspired dates. For a non-car enthusiast, I had a surprisingly good time learning the different style signatures of each auto-maker: the Porsche's sleek and almost frog-like lines; the Lamborghini's futuristic look and hard edges; the pure sex appeal of the Ferrari's curves. We oohed and aahed over super cars like the Pagani Huayra and the MacLaren, and admired rare vintage vehicles like a navy blue Morgan and a Bentley.

The photos here are just a small sample of what I took that day. For more, see the album on my Facebook page!

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Product Review: LUSH It's Raining Men Shower Gel & Fair Trade Honey Shampoo

Honey is for more than just drizzling over Greek yogurt or putting in your tea. It's also a natural preservative and a super moisturizer with antiseptic properties, and now, it happens to be the star ingredient in a new array of products from LUSH.

I've been using the It's Raining Men shower gel ($9.95 to $28.95 for different sizes) for a couple of weeks now, and have nothing but good things to say about it. Like other LUSH shower gels I've tried, it has a superior lather but doesn't dry out skin. The honey and lotus flower scent is sweet and mild. And although I haven't worked up enough of a sweat to vouch for it, I'm pretty sure that the honey's antiseptic properties are beneficial for fighting B.O.

The Fair Trade Honey shampoo ($9.95 to $29.95 for different sizes) is aptly named: over half the formula is composed of fair trade honey currently sourced from Zambia, which bodes well for restoring moisture to parched locks. Like It's Raining Men, this shampoo has a sweet, natural scent that never seems cloying. So far, I'm digging how this shampoo leaves my hair soft, healthy-feeling, and residue-free post-shower. A few spritzes of leave-in conditioner and heat styling spray afterward, and I'm good to go.

Have you tried any of LUSH's honey-infused beauty products?

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The Ultimate Fall Nail Polish Guide

Left: Coco + Lulu 'Bordeaux', Butter London 'Shag' | Right: Revlon Chroma Chameleon 'Rose Gold', Dior Vernis 'Galaxie'

Strap yourselves in, ladies, because this is going to be the most ambitious nail polish post I've done to date! I've been overwhelmed and delighted with the nail lacquer samples crossing my desk. Many are new takes on familiar favourites, but that doesn't make them any less appealing. From metallics to darks, from blues to reds and some of the prettiest nudes around, here are my top polish picks for Autumn/Winter 2013, along with a few tried-and-true favourites for comparison.

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Latest Outfit: Silver and Chambray

Madewell chambray shirt and booties | J. Crew belt and clutch (other versions) | Chinti and Parker skirt (from Oliver and Lilly's) | Birks silver charm bracelet (c/o)

While attending the media preview for Oliver and Lilly's last week (now located at W. 6th and Fir!), I couldn't resist snapping up this Chinti and Parker skirt. There are so many things to love about it: the flattering shape; the elastic waist (so comfy); the hidden pockets; the little scattered sparkles which, upon further inspection, are stitched-in dots of mirrored thread. I wore this skirt pretty much all weekend and got quite a few compliments, mostly about how it looked like a starry night sky. The navy twill feels substantial, making this a true all-season skirt and a new closet favourite.

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Maison Birks Launches Bridal Atelier

Calling all modern, stylish-minded brides! Whether you're engaged and in the throes of planning your big day, or you're still dreaming of your perfect proposal, you should definitely check out the Bridal Atelier on the relaunched and rebranded Maison Birks website.

The Bridal Atelier is going to be a place for advice on all things bridal, from fashion, hair, and beauty to entertaining and etiquette. (Yours truly has an article on it about gift-giving at multicultural weddings.)

Enjoy your visit to the atelier, and happy Friday!

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Product Review: CoverGirl Flamed Out Mascara

CoverGirl mascaras have long been some of my favourites, so when I traveled to Toronto for Beauty United and found out they were launching a new one, I was definitely intrigued. CoverGirl Flamed Out Mascara ($8.99 at London Drugs) promises to boost volume and give lashes a bold, winged-out look. The peanut-shaped brush is the main innovation here, a departure from the plastic polymer brushes of their LashBlast line and a nod to more traditional applicators.

I would love to say Flamed Out is my new favourite, but LashBlast is still the one to beat in my books. Like CoverGirl's other mascaras, Flamed Out has a stay-all-day formula that comes off with just a bit of warm water and face cleanser. However, instead of making my lashes wing out and curl up, the applicator seems to flatten any benefits my lash curler may have imparted.

If you've been blessed with naturally gorgeous lashes (jealous!), this may be the mascara to take them to the next level. But for my skimpy little lashes, I think I'm better off with the fine-bristled polymer brushes in the LashBlast line.

Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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Tops in Top Coats

Whether you spend $2 or $20+ on a bottle of nail polish, it pays to shell out a little extra for a good top coat. I learned this the hard way after many a ruined home manicure with an inferior top coat, where I would wait 2-3 hours between doing my nails and going to bed, and still wake up with dents and crease marks. But those days are behind me thanks to these 3 tried-and-true top coats.

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Latest Outfit: Don't Sweat It

Forever 21 sweatshirt | J. Crew no. 2 pencil skirt (other colours) | Roots bag | Marais USA leopard flats | H&M, Joe Fresh, and Nordstrom bracelets

As a recovering fast fashion addict who's purged countless Forever 21 purchases from my closet, I admit I felt a twinge of guilt when I bought this sweatshirt on a whim last week. But the heather grey raglan sleeves and classic style proved too irresistible a combination. I used the sweatshirt to dress down a pencil skirt and leopard pointy-toed flats—the perfect outfit for a relaxing Sunday. I'm already picturing it with other low-key outfits (skinny jeans and metallic loafers!), or as a casual counterpoint to ladylike lace. Maybe this wardrobe regret might turn out to be a wardrobe revelation after all.

Happy Monday!

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L'Oréal Collection Privée by Colour Riche

I may never have Doutzen Kroes's killer curves or Eva Longoria's sex appeal, but for a limited time at least, I can cop their favourite makeup shades. Launching exclusively for TIFF, the L'Oréal Collection Privée by Colour Riche features four coordinating nude lipsticks and neutral nail lacquers, all inspired by L'Oréal beauty ambassadors Doutzen Kroes, Eva Longoria, Freida Pinto, and Jennifer Lopez.

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#BeautyUnited

Those of you who follow me on Instagram probably noticed I was posting from Toronto last week, and for good reason: I was in TO to celebrate the launch of Beauty United, a new blogger ambassador program between indie beauty bloggers and P&G Beauty, which represents such brands as Cover Girl, Pantene, Olay, Clairol, and Vidal Sassoon.

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Latest Outfit: Cherry Blossoms

JACOB dress (c/o; part of the dress sale on now) | J. Crew 'Martina' patent wedges | Saint Laurent 'Belle de Jour' clutch | Nails: Dior 'Diablotine' | Lips: Givenchy Le Rouge in 'Carmin Escarpin' & Chanel lip pencil 24

I'm usually not one to get sentimental over shifting seasons, but this was the first time in a long time that I felt like Vancouver had experienced a true summer, complete with leisurely evenings and incredible weather. Fall will bring a lot of good things: crisp air, the changing leaves, my birthday. But for now, the impending end of summer feels bittersweet.

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