#NOTD: Cover Girl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss

Cover Girl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss Ever Reddy

Doing my nails is my relaxation ritual of choice, namely because waiting for them to dry forces me to sit still and do nothing for once. But sometimes a girl just needs to shed a chipped mani and re-paint her nails as quickly as possible, and for that, Cover Girl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss fits the bill very nicely indeed. I recently dipped into my sample stash by trying 'Ever Reddy' (a very pretty tomato red) and sharing a photo of the results on Instagram. I was so impressed I started moving on to other colours.

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Latest Outfit: Camel Blazer & Birthday Thoughts

Fall weekend casual: Camel blazer, vintage Coach bag, Keds, skinny jeans, navy tee
Banana Republic blazer | J. Crew tee | Madewell jeans | Coach City bag | Keds sneakers | Ray-Ban shades (similar) | Nails: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant 175 'Ever Reddy'

I turned the big 3-0 last Thursday, but the day passed as uneventfully as any other. Between everything that's been going on lately and feeling under the weather, I was honestly very grateful for a night at home watching Bones on Netflix. If I've learned anything as I enter a new decade, it's that sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best ones, and the same can be said of one's wardrobe.

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Pomellato, Please

Attention, lovers of artful bijoux: Milanese fine jewelry maker Pomellato has just opened its first Canadian standalone store in Vancouver's Pacific Centre. Despite Pomellato's little-known status in North America, the artisan-driven label has a huge following in Europe thanks to its winning combination of Old World craftsmanship, modern innovation, and warm organic shapes. No wonder Pomellato counts the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Sofia Coppola as fans! If you're planning to check out the Vancouver store, keep your eyes peeled for these pieces.

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Bridal Style: Wedding Planning So Far

Don't worry, this blog won't turn into a Bridezilla-tainted place. But that being said, it has been 2 months since I announced our engagement, and when I'm not thinking about work or the blog or plans for next weekend, my attention is focused on planning our big day. I've got some fun wedding/bridal content in the works, which I'm kicking off with a status update on how our own nuptial planning is going. More details after the jump!

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Latest Outfit: Chambray, Lace & Bootlegger Denim

Transitional summer to fall dressing: chambray shirt, white lace tank, and skinny black denim

Saying last week was "busy" is an understatement. Between a full work week and 9 media previews, my days were planned down to the last half hour increment. I didn't feel crazed despite how crazy my schedule was though. Proper planning and self-care helped: I made sure to get lots of sleep, eat my veggies, and keep exercising, which went a long way in keeping me sane. The other thing that helped was a throw-on-and-go 24/7 uniform. Cue the skinny black denim like this inky pair from Bootlegger. Not only are they colour-fast and fade-resistant up to 20 washes, they fit just as they ought to thanks to Bootlegger's newly redesigned fits and cuts. They're tight without being too clingy, curve-hugging in all the right places, and the mid-rise waist doesn't gap or give me that dreaded muffin top. If you want to try a pair for free, enter my $100 Bootlegger GC giveaway, but you better hurry! It ends at 12pm PST today.

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Product Review: Dermalogica Precleanse Wipes

Dermalogica Precleanse Wipes

I'm a huge fan of makeup remover wipes, so when I heard about Dermalogica precleanse wipes ($27 for 20) in the spring I was definitely intrigued. Think the same bestselling formula (which contains aloe and apricot oils, rice bran, and vitamin E) but in convenient wipe form. What's not to love?

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Oliver + Lilly's Fall 2014 Media Preview

Vancouver boutique Oliver + Lilly's fall 2014 preview media dinner table setting

At Vancouver boutique Oliver + Lilly's, the name of the sartorial game is evolution, not revolution. Oliver + Lilly's hasn't strayed very far from its classics-with-a-twist roots since owner Leighann Boquist opened shop in 2008, all while subtly forging new directions each season. On Monday evening, I was reacquainted with their offerings in the best possible way: an intimate multi-course dinner by The Farmer's Apprentice served at the shop, followed by delectable French pastries from neighbouring Beaucoup Bakery.

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Lise Watier Fall 2014

Lise Watier fall 2014 Féline collection

The Lise Watier fall 2014 collection takes classic shades and beauty bag staples, then gives them a fashion-forward twist. Think rose gold and animal print motifs, combined with formulas with innovative longwear finishes. It's enough to make you want to reboot your makeup routine, stat. Ready for a closer look?

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Latest Outfit: Buffalo Plaid & Bootlegger Giveaway

Summer to fall transitional style: buffalo plaid, heather grey tank, red lips
Bootlegger 'Everett' wrap (c/o) | Stillwater x Style by Kim XO tank (c/o) | Banana Republic shorts | Madewell boots (similar) | Ray-Ban cat-eye shades (similar) | WENDYB squirrel necklace |
Lips: Chanel Precision Lip Liner 'Rouge' & AERIN Rose Lip Conditioner |
Nails: Dior Vernis Gel 'Carré Bleu' & Anna Sui Gel Top Coat

I already have two red plaid shirts in my closet, but that didn't stop me from coveting this wrap from Bootlegger the instant I saw it in their fall/winter lookbook. The draped front lends a feminine vibe to an otherwise tomboyish style, and the soft cotton is just as cozy as any borrowed-from-the-boys flannel. I'm pairing it with summer staples and ankle boots as we ride out the last of the warmer temperatures; so perfect for crisp evenings and long hours spent working at home.

More photos (and a chance to win a $100 Bootlegger GC) after the jump!

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The #ShineStrong Questionnaire

By now I'm sure you've seen Pantene's thought-provoking #ShineStrong ads, like the one questioning the negative labels applied to assertive women in the workplace, or the one that cleverly pokes fun at the female tendency to apologize needlessly. As part of P&G's Beauty United blogger program, I was invited to share how I shine strong by answering a series of questions. (Think the Proust questionnaire, but with a Sheryl Sandberg Lean In bent.) Read my answers after the jump!

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Back to School for Grown-ups

Shopping for school supplies was always one of my favourite parts of September, and although my tastes are more Kate Spade than Kaboodles these days, not much has changed, I'd say: pretty stationery and workspace objets still set my heart racing. Here are my picks for making your work/study life lovelier, happier, and—dare I say it—more productive.

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Latest Outfit: Plaid and Lace

Transitional summer-to-fall dressing: Plaid blazer, white lace top, Chanel WOC, red lipstick, Karen Walker sunnies
JACOB blazer | LOFT lace tank | Banana Republic jeans (similar) | J. Crew Factory sandals | Karen Walker shades (from Rebecca Bree) | Chanel WOC (quilted version) | Lips: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil 'Cruella' | Nails: MAC x The Simpsons Nail Stickers & Dior Vernis Gel 'Incognito'

Apologies for the radio silence last week, dear readers! Between flying from San Francisco to Vancouver Tuesday night and a short yet surprisingly stressful week at work, I was in no mood to blog. Consequently, my weekend was full of quality downtime: cleaning, errands, Netflix marathons, magazine-reading, and hanging out with family. Taking it easy turned out to be a wise decision because I feel so much better about tackling the busy weeks ahead.

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