tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69094220576163058592024-03-26T23:38:15.797-07:00Open Along the EdgeMaria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-90252504244769035282018-03-31T06:45:00.003-07:002018-03-31T07:25:08.991-07:00Oh Canada! Banff & Vancouver Travel Guide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Before going to Banff and Vancouver the only part of Canada I had ever visited was Niagra falls, which is quite touristy. I didn't really get a sense of Canada, but the second I saw photos of the turquoise lakes in Banff I knew that was more our style. We planned a visit last year and we're in luck that Canada was celebrating their 150th anniversary by making all of the national parks free to the public!<br />
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<b>Where to stay in Banff?</b><br />
We stayed in an Airbnb in Canmore, which is a less touristy town 25 minutes away from Banff. The Airbnb was a motel, not a house, but the location was in the middle of town and we could walk to restaurants, bars and hiking trails. I would recommend checking out Airbnb's because hotels in Banff can be very expensive in the summer and even three star hotels can go for $250-$300/night.<br />
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<b>Things to Do in Banff:</b><br />
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<b>Hike</b><br />
If you enjoy hiking then this is the place to be. The Banff national park is expansive with hiking trails ranging from an hour or two to whole day adventures. We hiked the Tea House trail which starts by Lake Louise in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This is a moderate trail that takes you to the Plain of Six Glacier's Tea House, which was built in 1924 as a refuge for hikers. It's a great place to rest your legs and get some fuel in the form of biscuits and tea. The people that run this tea house actually stay on the mountain for days at a time, returning to the mainland on their day off and most ingredients like flour are actually helicoptered in. After the Tea House we hiked to the Plain of Six Glaciers and made our way to the Lake Agnes tea house, which turned into a five hour hike. You don't need to do the whole hike, but it's a beautiful place to spend a few hours.<br />
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<b>Kayak</b><br />
We spent one afternoon kayaking down the Bow River with kayaks we rented from the <a href="https://banffcanoeclub.com/">Banff Canoe Club</a>. Theres a chance you might see some muskrats, ducks and beavers so you have to keep your eyes peeled. You can kayak this river for hours without ever looping, which we realized after an hour of kayaking.<br />
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<b>Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary</b><br />
We made a pit stop at the <a href="http://yamnuskawolfdogsanctuary.com/">Yanmuska Wolfdog Sanctuary</a> on our way to Alberta Airport and I'm so glad we did. This is a safe sanctuary for wolfdogs who have been neglected, abandoned or displaced. In Canada it is legal to have a wolfdog as a pet, but it turns out that owning a wolfdog is quite challenging because THEY ARE PART WOLF. Most are not easily trained and they require a lot of space to roam. It was fascinating watching them roam their enclosure and learning about their lives. This place also has a bunch of goats and geese which are always entertaining to watch.<br />
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<b>What to eat?</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.thebagel.ca/index.php"><b>Rocky Mountain Bagel Co</b>.</a> This is a super chill bagel shop in Canmore with the most delicious rosemary salt bagels. I had one every day I there. If that doesn't tell you how much I liked it, I don't know what will!<br />
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<b><a href="http://rockymountainflatbread.ca/">Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co</a> </b>These flatbread pizzas are made with all local in-season ingredients that went really well with a Rock Creek Dry Cider.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.thegrizzlypaw.com/">The Grizzly Paw Pub & Brewery</a> </b>Beer samplers and comfort food, what's not to like?<br />
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We only spent a few days in Vancouver, but this city is beautiful in the summer. It's seaside mountainous landscape was such a treat and the food was so good! I definitely want to pay another visit and explore a little more.<br />
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<b>Where to Stay?</b><br />
We did another airbnb in Renfrew Heights because it was affordable and we had a car, so we didn't want to pay for city parking every night. There are a lot of cool neighborhoods in Vancouver, so you really can't go wrong.<br />
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<b>What to Do?</b><br />
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<b>See a Comedy Show</b> Vancouver has a great comedy scene. We were lucky that one of my favorite comedian's Graham Clarke from <a href="http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/stop-podcasting-yourself">Stop Podcasting Yourself</a> was having his weekly Comedy Show while we were there. It was super fun and J won an amazing Russian space hoodie t-shirt, which brings me much joy.<br />
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<b>Grouse Grind</b> The <a href="https://www.grousemountain.com/grousegrind">Grouse Grind</a> are 2,830 steps that go to the top of Grouse Mountain. In our naïveté we took this climb lightly and thought it would be tough, but not anywhere as bad as it actually is. It's hilarious to think about how badly we were sweating midway through, gulping down our water, feeling our shaky sore legs and knowing we were only half way. Honestly it was seeing older people making the climb that inspired me to keep going. You do feel really proud once you make it to the top and catch your breath for a few moments. Once you're at the top there is so much to see like its two resident bears and you can catch different shows, which are all free. I wish NY had its own Grouse Mountain because I'd go every year and maybe one day I would climb it without breaking a sweat (yeah right).<br />
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*One little note on the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This is a very popular place to visit, second to the Grouse Grind, but we found it to be very expensive compared to the activities you can do once you're over the suspension bridge, and in the summer it's very crowded. If you do want to make the visit bring a student ID because it can save you money ($42CAD for Adults/ $33CAD for Students 17+).<br />
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<b>Rent Bike and Ride Around Stanley Park </b>It seems that every tourist does this, but thats because the park is huge and it's such a scenic fun ride along the waterside. The park also has a beach which was awesome. Why can't Central Park have a beach?<br />
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<b>What to eat in Vancouver?</b><br />
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Let me preface this by saying that Vancouver has an amazing food scene and we were only there for three days, so we barely scratched the surface. If we ever go back I'd definitely like to hit up the Richmond night market, which looked like a food paradise.<br />
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<b><a href="http://beavertails.com/en/">Beaver Tails</a> </b>These are everywhere in Canada, but we only found these at the end of our trip after seeing a few people with them on Grouse Mountain and we were grateful we didn't miss them! Fried dough topped with an array of sauces and sweets, my favorite being the Nutella and banana because it's a match made in food heaven. Have one on Grouse Mountain to congratulate yourself for not dying on the Grouse Grind.<br />
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<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g154943-d1062512-Reviews-Go_Fish-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html"><b>Go Fish</b></a> Granville Island is definitely a tourist stop, but if you walk out of Granville Island towards Kitsilano and down by False Creek Fisherman's Wharf you can get delicious fish and chips from the Go Fish shack. Enjoy it while watching the boats come in and out of the harbor.<br />
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<b><a href="http://rainorshineicecream.com/">Rain or Shine Ice Cream</a> </b>This is phenomenal ice cream. J got the honeycomb ice cream and we couldn't stop talking about how DAMN GOOD it was. We still talk about it because our relationship is built on food memories that we reminisce on, not weird at all.<br />
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<b><a href="http://maenam.ca/">Maenam</a></b> I found out about this Thai restaurant from a random tweet from vancouverite Seth Rogan where he was recommending good eats in Vancouver. Maenam's refined traditional Thai food and delectable craft cocktails really blew us away. The 8 spice ling cod is something else we reminisce on because it was perfectly crispy, sweet, and tangy. Just do the tasting menu and enjoy this blissful place. There is also a Rain or Shine shop super close to Maenam so have an ice cream cone after dinner. Yes, that's an order.<br />
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Our trip to Banff and Vancouver was definitely one we look back at with fond memories of sore legs and full bellies and hope we return someday soon.<br />
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-26783298252828877112017-02-09T20:53:00.000-08:002017-02-09T20:55:38.909-08:00We'll always have..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our excitement leading up to this Paris trip was at all time high. It was always at the top of our list of cities to visit and when we found a great
flight deal we knew we had to take it. We went for a week and at first we wanted to split the trip and go to two different cities, but then decided to have a more relaxing trip and really take in Paris. I'm so glad we did because even though we went in cold December it was blissful just exploring, eating really good food, and drinking lots of wine. We were lost in the moment for a lot of it, so I didn't take out my camera too many times, but I'm glad I managed to capture a few bits and bobs of our sweet little trip, which has now become extra special since we got engaged there.
<br /><br /> I guess it's true Audrey Hepburn, Paris is always a good idea.
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XX
MJ
Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-39564182538153798822016-10-09T16:31:00.004-07:002017-02-10T19:34:23.554-08:00Going Back to Basics: Best Moisturizers After Chemical Peel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A few weeks ago I went in for my monthly facial, which I'm starting to do now because I still have the hormonal skin of a 13 year old girl, and my estetician (whom I adore and trust) decided to have her way with my face and applied a salicylic acid peel. For the most part my face took it really well, but the skin around my chin reacted strangely to say the least. It frosted within seconds, and I came out of the spa with dark splotches all over my chin and jawline, which were so bad that I had to take an uber home to avoid ogling subway riders. These splotches were actually burns that turned into tight feeling scabs, and I knew that the only thing that would keep my skin from getting worse was lots of sunscreen and to moisturize around the clock. <br />
That's when I turned to my go-to moisturizers below: <br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Lotion-12-oz/dp/B000YJ2SLG">CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion </a><br />
Most of us know about this staple moisturizer, but if you don't have this already, please get yourself a bottle to keep around the house for those just in case moments. The CeraVe moisturizer is a light, water based solution, but it sinks into the skin quickly, and works well under makeup. It's also non-irritating, so it's great to use for eczema, or sunburns, and in my case as chemical peel aftercare. It's also non-comedogenic, which is always a good thing, so you can pile it on, and not worry about clogging pores.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sephora.com/ceramidin-cream-P382354?country_switch=ca&lang=en">Dr. Jart + Cermidin Cream</a><br />
<b>Oh baby baby baby. </b> That's how I feel about this cream- if that even says anything to you. This Korean moisturizer has been my favorite cream to use with my retinol treatment because it's so calming on my skin that it minimizes a lot of flaking, and dry patches that occur with this strong treatment. My skin seems to love cermides, which is the main component of this cream, because it always looks and feels better when I'm apply this.<br />
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<a href="http://www.skinceuticals.com/hydrating-b5-gel-635494117004.html">Skinceuticals B5 Gel</a><br />
I got this at the recommendation of my esthetician, and at first I didn't really know what the big fuss was about, but once I started using a few drops of this before my regular moisturizer it really helped with alleviating the chemical burns I had (sounds so horrible, doesn't it?). It's quite an expensive product, so I like to save it for extreme dryness- AKA winter time.<br />
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Hope this helps any of your dry skin problems!<br />
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-81234592546699484122016-01-24T17:55:00.002-08:002017-02-09T21:11:43.779-08:00Bring on the Shine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Gel nails have special place in my heart. Their longevity and shiny crystal finish make me giddy, but the UV light process, and the ordeal of wrapping each finger in pure acetone to remove gel polish is enough to keep me from doing it often. I usually save gel nails for special occasions, but I was on the hunt for that glossy finish of gel polish that I could use everyday. And, let's all take a deep breath, I think I've found it with Nails Inc. Gel Effect polishes and Essie's Gel Setter top coat. </div>
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I picked up the <a href="https://us.nailsinc.com/nail-polish/black-taxi_323/">Nails Inc Gel Effect in Black Taxi</a> at Sephora a few weeks ago, and it's just too good. This British brand makes a mean nail polish with high pigmentation, and luxe shine. The polish itself is thin, so each coat glides on effortlessly, and dries a lot faster than other polishes I've used. Black Taxi is pretty shiny on it's own, but being the glutton that I am I topped it with <a href="http://www.essie.com/nail-care/top-coats/gelsetter.aspx">Essie's Gel Setter</a>, which boosted my nails with extra shine. This combo made my nails look as if I had wrapped them in patent leather. I tried capturing the glossiness in my photos, but you might have to go to Sephora and sample it. </div>
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Please do, and experience this joy for yourself.</div>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-60045345890703952972016-01-18T13:46:00.001-08:002016-01-18T13:52:00.934-08:00Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1625/24440646426_468b07837e_k.jpg" width="650" />
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Ever since I got into skincare it's been very rare for me to repurchase products after finishing them. There are so many new skincare products that I usually just bounce around from product to product, trying out new things. The <a href="http://www.kiehls.com/clearly-corrective-dark-spot-solution/842.html?dwvar_842_size=3.4%20fl.%20oz.%20Bottle">Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution ($49.50)</a> is the rare unicorn that I can't seem to replace. I purchased my first bottle a year ago, and used it daily for a few months until one day I looked at my face, and noticed that those darks spots that had been plaguing me had disappeared. This I can tell you is a great feeling, and one we should all enjoy.<br />
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This serum is not going to erase all of your dark spots overnight, but what product out there will do that? If you have the answer, please let this girl know, thnx. This silky serum made with activated C, white birch, and peony extracts feels light and refreshing on the skin, and is instantly absorbed. In fact it absorbs so quickly that sometimes I will do a double layer just in case I missed a spot. I put this serum on after washing and toning my face, and before my topical retinol solution. I purchased a new bottle a few weeks, and am testing it out all over my body on any old scars that could be lightened. I think this is a great product to add to any skincare regime, and though it does take time to see results, there are results with this product, which is inspiring.</div>
Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-851741999261564022015-02-17T19:30:00.000-08:002015-02-17T19:30:42.758-08:00Winter Candles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/16374979878" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="426" id="blogsy-1424229770569.0056" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/16374979878_45bb891f82_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>I'm back! Oh, how neglectful I've been! 2014 had a few life changes for me, such as getting a new job and moving to Brooklyn, which caused me to be bit preoccupied. But do not fret, I'm back to update my little space on the internet. </div>
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Moving out meant redecorating, but it also meant having more rooms for candles! Candles are an instant pick me up and can make any space inviting. This winter I've been really into woodsy/floral scents, and below are my top picks. </div>
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<a href="http://us.rituals.com/en-us/winter-limiteds/sacred-fire-2418.html?gclid=CLK9oe_E6cMCFSgV7AodHn0AFQ" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Rituals Sacred Fire</a>: If candles could be sexy, this is would be it. It's dark red color, and spicy warm cedar wood scent is divine, and looks quite good in the moonlight (is that creepy to say?).</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/16565442402" target="_blank"><img alt="Thymes Frasier Fir" class="alignnone" height="426" id="blogsy-1424229770631.7537" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/16565442402_fe3e76011d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thymes.com/Products/Candles/Frasier-Fir-Candle/">Thymes Fraiser Fir:</a> This is the perfect winter candle because it smells like evergreen trees. It reminds me of Christmas each time I burn it, and I think it will always remind me of our first Christmas in BK. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/15943990924" target="_blank"><img alt="Candles" class="alignnone" height="426" id="blogsy-1424229770653.6653" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/15943990924_0c1a7844c5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mrsmeyers.com/product/Geranium-Scented-Soy-Candle-Large/155692.uts">Meyer's Geranium Candle</a>: I love this clean floral scent a bit too much, and already had it as my dish and hand soap, so when I saw it came in a candle I didn't think twice. I love lighting it in the kitchen because dissolves cooking smells perfectly, but it's never overpowering.</div>
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<a href="http://www.pfcandleco.com/shop/amber-moss-soy-candle">Pomme Frites Amber & Moss:</a> I found this candle in a little shop, while strolling the neighborhood, and I've already gone through two. It's earthy scent is perfect for any season, and I think it's especially nice in the bedroom.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/16561532822" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="426" id="blogsy-1424229770616.6296" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/16561532822_a62f54e9b4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nestfragrances.com/birchwood-pine-3-wick-candle-589">Nest Fragrances Birchwood Pine</a>: I recieved this candle as a gift from a friend, and it's musky scent is like an expensive cologne. It takes no time for your whole space to smell like you invited a Ralph Lauren male model over for tea.</div>
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<a href="http://www.diptyqueparis.com/baies-candle.html">Diptyque Baies:</a> If you've ever been to the Club Monaco flagship on 5th avenue, you know it smells like floral heaven. I've always wondered what that scent was, and I was starting to accept the fact that I would probably never find out, but then a few days ago I gave Baies a whiff at Space NK, and the clouds parted, and I was reborn and enlightened. Too dramatic? Anyway, this is scent, or a rendition of this scent is definitely what they use in that store. The Diptyque Candles are quite popular among bloggers, but I've always been hesitant due to their lofty price tag. I got the small one to try out, and the rose and black currant scent makes my heart so so happy. It's the little things people!<br />
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I hope this was inspiring enough for someone to go out and give some of these candles a whiff, or at least browse them on the web, since it's too damn cold to go shopping outside. <br />
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-1828100734790493522014-08-03T16:40:00.001-07:002014-08-03T16:55:05.447-07:00YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yves Saint Laurent is a brand that extends their luxurious eye for detail all the way to their makeup. They make products that you want to showcase, and their quality is worth the splurge. The <a href="http://www.sephora.com/baby-doll-kiss-blush-lips-cheeks-P386609">Baby Doll Kiss & Blush</a> is a two-in-one lip stain and cream blush put together. Usually dual lip and blush products come in a pot, but the Kiss & Blush comes in a bottle that looks like nail polish. This is because it has a wand, which is the perfect tool to apply the colorful mousse. </div>
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The two colors I picked up were the bright florescent, No.1 Fuchsia Desinvolte, and the subdued baby pink, No.3 Rose Libre. The shades are beautifully opaque and pigmented, so you can really intensify the color. As a blush it has a long staying power, which is surprising considering cream blushes and combination skin don't mix that well together. The blush colors look natural, and dry soft to the touch with a matte finish. On the lips it lasted for hours, all while feeling comfortable and not drying. Since the colors are so opaque it requires a bit more care when applying, so that it can look perfect.</div>
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The Baby Doll Kiss & Blush is a fantastic multitasker, and makes other lip and blush combos step their game up. Check out the shades below!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14782903813" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="433" id="blogsy-1407107002538.1765" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14782903813_6fa8814b5e_c.jpg" width="650" /></a></div>
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<i>No. 1 Fuchsia </i></div>
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<i>No. 3 Rose Libre</i></div>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-2575930695667690162014-07-15T21:09:00.001-07:002014-07-15T21:28:11.629-07:00Summer Look with Tarte Cosmetics Feat. Lipsurgence Power Pigments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is the summer of Tarte for me. I love this brand because they are focused on creating cosmetics with the most natural ingredients, but it doesn't impinge on their ability to create amazing makeup. I'm always curious to try Tarte's newest additions, and lately I haven't been disappointed. Below are some of my favorites for an easy summer look. <br />
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<a href="http://www.sephora.com/amazonian-clay-airbrush-foundation-P380829?icid2=Tarte_Bestsellers_Carousel_P380829_link">Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation</a> <br />
I've tried mineral foundation in the past, but I was never drawn to it enough to reach for it frequently. That is, until I got my hands on this. I don't think I've ever had a foundation that was so easy to put on. I just dip my <a href="http://www.sephora.com/airbuki-bamboo-powder-foundation-brush-P380827?skuId=1534346">Tarte Airbuki Brush </a>into the powder and blend it on face for less than a minute, and finito! I'm ready to go. There is something special like fairy dust in the formula because it actually stays put for hours, unlike so many mineral foundations that just disappear the minute you start to perspire, which is a given since every morning my subway station feels like one of the circles of hell. It also doesn't cake up if you feel like reapplying over the day. One tip I would give is that the foundations tend to look darker on than they look in the pot, so go one shade lighter than you normally would. <br />
<img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="433" id="blogsy-1405479315726.927" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14662989131_a76314aec3_c.jpg" width="650" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.sephora.com/power-pigment-lip-tint-P384572?skuId=1577709&om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=BP3LCGdz&pcrid=45181943919&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en">The Tarte Power Pigments Lip Stain in Blissful </a><br />
The Power Pigments come in variety of wearable colors, but my favorite this summer has to be Blissful because the warm peach shade compliments every look. The best thing about this lip stain is that it is infused with shea butter, so it feels like lip balm, and it has a touch of mint that tingles your lips with coolness, which is a nice surprise. And not to mention that this shade is a breeze to apply, making it even subway ride approved. <br />
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<a href="http://www.sephora.com/amazonian-clay-12-hour-blush-P278610?skuId=1306836&om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=BP3LCGdz&pcrid=45181943919&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en#BVRRWidgetID">Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Tipsy</a><br />
I've had this blush for over a year, and I still adore it as much as I did when I first bought it. The Amazonian Clay blushes are extremely pigmented, but wearable. I've noticed that I gravitate towards this blush when I want my makeup to be perfect for the whole day because its lasting power is at least 8 hours. With such a range of colors you're bound to find the perfect one for you, but I think that Tipsy is by far one of the most universal shades. Everyone looks great in coral, and this is as coral as it gets.<br />
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Hope you're all having a great summer!</div>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-64182341558830352522014-06-29T19:18:00.001-07:002014-07-15T21:28:56.451-07:00Review: Phyto 9 Nourishing Hair Cream With 9 Plants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When it comes to beauty products I usually do some research before
purchasing it at store. I, like many others, don't enjoy pushy sales people, and I don't often purchase many beauty items on a whim, but sometimes
life happens. On a recent trip to Sephora (why must you be so close to where I work?!) I was in the hair section,
casually browsing. From across the store this man, who was not wearing a
Sephora uniform, saw my hair, which was long at the time, and couldn't
stop himself from coming up to me and presenting this small gold bottle
of <a href="http://www.sephora.com/phyto-9-ultra-dry-hair-nourishing-day-cream-with-9-plants-P2891">Phyto 9 Nourishing Hair Cream with 9 Plants</a>. In fact, without saying a word he put a nickle sized drop in my
hand and motioned me to try it, and so I complied, secretly wanting to
show him that taming my hair wasn't going to be that easy. After running my fingers through my hair I saw how easily this cream hydrated and tamed my curls
back to life. Even though he had given me a substantial amount to try, my hair looked shiny, but not greasy, and it didn't weigh it down, which is usually the Achilles' heel of really hydrating creams. I showed my amazement and he responded
by smiling, tapping me on the shoulder, and walking away. I don't even
know if he worked there, but this guy knew that the product would do the
talking, and I liked his style. My hair felt silky for the rest of the
day, and I even put it through the test during my vacation to Florida. I was sans blow dryer for the whole trip, and only wore this
for frizz control, and my hair stayed soft and manageable
through beach days, and roller coasters. I've said more about this
product than that mysterious man ever said to me, but this is definitely
one of those see-to-believe products, so give it a whirl. </div>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-21218011250678273182014-06-16T07:15:00.001-07:002014-06-16T07:43:29.476-07:00Mani Roundup: Spring Edition <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14429833263" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5565/14429833263_55974bf56e_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1402929798980.141" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="433" alt=""></a></div><p> Summer is around the corner, and to celebrate I've been rocking the brightest polishes. Instead of explaining each color, I thought it would be better to show little photo diary of all of these beautiful shades. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Clockwise starting from top left: Dior Bouquet/ Essie Sittin' Pretty/ Ciaté Mojito / Essie Serial Shopper/</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em> Dior Perle</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14223012179" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14223012179_757a4d272d_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1402929798939.4312" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="650" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p>Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-16505384425983867312014-06-09T18:13:00.000-07:002014-06-09T18:13:04.269-07:00Shampoos for Highlighted Hair<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 1.3em; text-align: left;">Jet black hair is lovely until you want to dye it. Back in March I bit the bullet and got a light brown balayage, which came out super nice despite my worries. My highlights looked seamless and I planned on keeping it that way. My hairdresser warned me that highlights on black hair have a tendency to turn brassy, so I took her advice of buying a quality everyday shampoo and purple shampoo. After a few trials and experiments I think I have found the best combination to preserve my highlights and prevent them from looking orangutan orange. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14379225894" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/14379225894_ea2ac1255f_c.jpg" height="433" id="blogsy-1402362639739.008" width="650" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Schwarzkopf-Bonacure-Color-Silver-Shampoo/dp/B000O5UWTA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top" style="line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank">Schwarzkopf Color Save Silver Shampoo</a></div>
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I love purple shampoos because it does wonders at neutralizing the yellow-orange hues in brassy hair. A cheaper purple shampoo would be the <a href="http://www.sallybeauty.com/blonde-shampoo/CLAIRL3,default,pd.html" style="line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank">Clairol Shimmer Lights Blonde & Silver Shampoo</a>, which does a pretty good job, but I prefer the Schwarzkopf because it has a thicker consistency, which coats my hair better. I apply this shampoo once a week, and leave it on for five minutes before rinsing it out. And don't be scared of the dark purple color staining your bathroom because I've had this splash everywhere and it all came off with a bit of water. </div>
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<br /><a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3410083#" target="_blank">Pureology Volume Shampoo</a><br />This shampoo is great as an everyday shampoo because it's moisturizing, but not heavy. It's also sulfate-free, so it won't strip your hair, or leave it terribly dry. This is a pricey shampoo, but it will extend your highlights, which means less trips to the salon.<br /><br />These shampoos will help revive your color, but if you have reached the brassy point of no return, I would recommend going to the salon and getting a toner. It's cheaper than dying your hair all over again, and it will significantly tone the brassiness, and make your hair more shiny. After that you can use these shampoos for maintenance mode. So, if you have dark hair like I do, don't be scared of going lighter because these products will have your back. <br /><br />P.S. Tomorrow marks the one year birthday of my little blog. I quite enjoy blogging, and it has kind of become like my tamagotchi, which is the closest thing to a baby I've ever had. I can't believe a year has gone by, but I think it's time I rev it up a bit, and post more often. I'm holding myself to that promise, so expect more things!</div>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-75656321319636733152014-06-01T16:27:00.001-07:002014-06-01T17:31:09.793-07:00Unlikely Purchases<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14135542968" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/14135542968_4249d74e0e_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1401668071450.02" class="alignnone" alt="" width="650" height="433"></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I like bright makeup as much as the next girl, but sometimes I want something that's easy to wear for those I-can't-be-bothered days. That's the mood I was in when I spotted these two products among all the new spring collections at Sephora. There is something very cool and unique about these shades, but they are also versatile, and make it easy to look put together on those lazy days. </p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.sephora.com/dior-vernis-gel-shine-long-wear-nail-lacquer-P386289" target="_blank" title="">Dior Nail Polish in Junon</a><br>First and foremost, I want my next pet to be named Junon because it's a rad name, and secondly this slate blue nail polish is a head turner. The cool undertones make this polish super chic, and it's a refreshing take on a classic nude nail. The color looks more gray indoors, but in the sun the blue color comes out to play. Dior is my favorite high-end brand of polishes because their formula is great, never streaky, or clumpy, and it dries fast. I can't stop wearing this color, and I hope it isn't limited edition, so you can all experience the beauty.<br></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.sephora.com/ambient-lighting-blush-P384963" target="_blank">Hourglass Ambient Lighting in Mood Exposure</a><br>I've already professed my love for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes. They look beautifuly natural, and have an amazing lasting power. When I first saw this blush, I was hesitant because judging from the pan it looked too dark, but when I swatched it I saw it was actually a stunning plum. Hourglass is really blowing me away with their blushes, and hope they come out with more shades.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14342400883" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/14342400883_c036177838_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1401668071417.3308" class="alignnone" alt="" width="650" height="433"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><em> Left: Mood Exposure / Right: Luminous Flush</em></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to makeup judge away, and keep an open mind because you might be pleasantly surprised. </p>Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-81663201180175942812014-05-27T19:27:00.001-07:002014-05-27T19:39:31.685-07:00All About Rosehip Oil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It seems that every season there is a new beauty oil craze. First it was coconut oil, then argan oil, and now it seems that rosehip oil is receiving all the hype. According to the Aura Cacia <a href="https://www.auracacia.com/dspCmnPrd.php?p=p&cn=Organic+Rosehip+Oil&ct=anpcpcosc" target="_blank">website</a>, "rosehip oil contains pure retinol (Vitamin A), which is best known for replenishing and restoring mature or sun-damaged skin. It also contains essential fatty acids, including linoleic and linolenic acids, which are known for their skin conditioning properties and for restoring suppleness". Those are big claims, if I do say so myself.<br />
When buying rosehip oil, I recommend making sure it's organic. There seem to be a lot of counterfeits out there with unnecessary filler ingredients, which can clog your pores, and wreck havoc on your skin, instead of help it. There are more expensive rosehip oils by brands such as <a href="http://usa.paiskincare.com/rosehip-bioregenerate-oil-22" target="_blank">Pai</a> and <a href="http://www.trilogyproducts.com/products/certified-organic-rosehip-oil-45ml" target="_blank">Triology</a>, but for me, a rosehip newbie, the $12 <a href="https://www.auracacia.com/dspCmnPrd.php?p=p&cn=Organic+Rosehip+Oil&ct=anpcpcosc" target="_blank">Aura Cacia</a> one was perfect and easy to find at Whole Foods. The bottle is small, but it goes a long way because two drops is all I need for my whole face. I've been using it for a few months now, and though I like this oil, I have come to realize there are a few things I don't love about rosehip oil:<br />
<br />
- It doesn't absorb into the skin as easily as other oils, so it will leave you with a shiny disco ball face, which makes this product more suited for bedtime.<br />
-It occasionally makes my face itchy, especially if used on top of a product containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. <br />
-This may be silly, but it kind of bothers me that it doesn't smell anything like roses or flowers- just plain EVOO. <br />
<br />
Though there are a few cons, the one big positive is that it has never caused any breakouts. This is my main concern when trying facial oils, and this rosehip oil has never made me regret ever putting it on. Nowadays I apply this every other night, and never on nights when I have on a spot treatment, which has reduced the itchiness significantly. In the mornings when I wash it off I do notice brighter skin, and it's a noticeable change, and one I haven't seen with other face oils. I can't say it's a miracle product, but any dark spots I had on my face are looking lighter. I would recommend this rosehip oil solely on the price, but it does appear to be a special oil, worthy of its praise.<br />
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-7028087312202750652014-05-25T13:48:00.001-07:002014-05-25T14:00:19.137-07:00Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14261678063" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/14261678063_a11f8ab383_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1401051599711.3975" class="alignleft" alt="Hourglass" width="650" height="433"></a></div>
<p> The <a href="http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=Hourglass%20ambient%20blush&skuId=1581339&productId=P384963&_requestid=114949" target="_blank" title="">Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush</a> is a beautiful rose blush and champagne highlighter blended together. The Hourglass brand always seems to impress me because the quality and texture of their products are truly unique. The blush is satiny soft, and not powdery. Similar to their ambient lighting face powder, the blushes seem to cover your pores, and stays put for hours. The color provides exactly what its name depicts; a natural flush, which highlights without enhancing pores, and even changes shades of pink depending on the lighting. How cool is that?</p>
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<p> I'm such a big fan of theses blushes that I picked up another shade, which is the complete opposite of this color, so expect a review on that sometime soon.</p>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-62970230466953606362014-05-21T19:10:00.000-07:002014-05-21T19:11:15.669-07:00The Scrunchie Comeback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14054547918" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14054547918_ba5bcd5ffa_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1400724645899.3123" class="alignnone" alt="" width="650" height="433"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Remember when Carrie Bradshaw bashed the scrunchie into oblivion? Well, she would be biting her tongue now because the scrunchie is making a comeback! Though I have seen it on the runway, I don't think I will be sporting it to the office, but I did buy a pack of scrunchies for the sole reason of sleeping at night. </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The loose hold keeps my hair away from my face, and it's ideal for days when I straighten my hair because it doesn't cause the dreaded hair tie dent. So, get a pack of scrunchies and pay homage to Michelle Tanner, while you snooze. </span></div><p> </p>Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-1959556645168852942014-05-13T07:38:00.003-07:002014-05-13T07:46:26.436-07:00Manicure Bliss at the New Paintbox Studio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last week I was in a deep search for a salon to get a
manicure for my birthday. I wanted to
try something new, like a gel design manicure, but the salons that offer gel designs
always seem to be booked weeks in advance.
I was losing hope until my bestie told me about this new salon called
Paintbox Studio that just opened up in SoHo.
After some investigating at home I saw an opening for the following day,
and I booked an appointment for my first gel design manicure. :cue a little happy dance:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Paintbox Studio offers regular manicures with polishes from
Chanel, Deborah Lippmann, Butter London, and Dior to name a few, but what makes them innovative
are their twenty five nail designs, which are curated each season, and take
inspiration from trends seen in magazines, and on the runway. I sat there wide-eyed flipping through their
nail book for ten minutes, and ended up giving the reins to my manicurist,
Christine, who picked a light peach color with gold foil. Christine was extremely nice and
meticulous. This type of gel requires
many layers, and she did everything flawlessly, never missing a beat even when
the gold flakes would stick to her hands, instead of my nails. It was a nice treat to sit back, drink some
wine, and watch my nails transform from eh to woah! Christine told me they are
trying to become like the Drybar for nails, so don’t go there expecting to see pedicure
chairs because they don’t offer that. They love manicures so much that they even
have a built-in manicam, so your nails are instagram ready the second you step out of
the salon. I know my nails will last for
a few weeks, but I’m already thinking of making my next appointment, and opening
a gel manicure savings account at my bank.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-2425036385257945702014-05-07T20:45:00.001-07:002014-05-21T19:15:16.816-07:00The New Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet Foundation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/13940521165" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/13940521165_3852030b0b_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1400724811929.8743" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="976"></a></div><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">A few days ago I stumbled into Lord & Taylor and found myself amidst their friends and family sale. I wandered around a bit not thinking I was going to get anything until I saw the sleek black bottles of the new <a href="http://t.tellapart.com/hif?p=cVFy-oezfkfpqxEOe8UJyMkw90kLAAEAAAAQpotU1l1a1xHJPpjn7HkYuAsAAgAAABCRangwTKhnE6DjBt2ZugNTCgADAAABRdncCMoPAAQLAAAADAAAAAMxNTAAAAADMTU1AAAAAzE0MAAAAAI0NAAAAAMxMjEAAAADMTE2AAAAAzExMAAAAAMxMTIAAAADMTM4AAAAAzExOQAAAAMxMTgAAAACNzQLAAUAAAAMS3pqWnM2cEtyVVJyDAAGCAACAAAACwIACAECAAkAAgAKAAIACwEEAA2_8FoZjCx-IgYADgAAAgAPAAIAEQACABIBAA8ABwsAAAAACAAIAAAAAQA=&tms=1399519447379" target="_blank" title="">Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet foundation</a>. What won me over at first was that the color 40 Beige matched my skin to a tee, which anyone who has ever used foundation can appreciate as a rare occurrence, and one that deserves to be taken home. </span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> Perfection Lumière Velvet is Chanel's answer for oily/combination skin, and it truly delivers. Just like the original Perfection Lumière you have to give the bottle a good shake before applying. The foundation itself feels extremely light, and it's watery consistency is unlike any foundation I own. The magic of this product happens when it sets because it dries in a matte, velvety finish (hence the name). This foundation dries quickly, so I suggest applying it in sections. Since purchasing it I've been using my fingers to apply because the foundation's light texture doesn't require intense brush stippling. Though it's targeted for combination skin, </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">I think this foundation could be used on any skin type, but if you have dry skin try exfoliating before applying, and it should prevent the foundation from clinging to dry patches.</span></p><p>Perfection Lumière Velvet wins in my book because it's long lasting, applies easily, and wears well through my eight hour workday, and still makes it through my evening workout classes. I also have a sweet spot for the sophisticated travel friendly bottle. I have now entered the world of high end foundations, and I'm curious to see what other luxury brands have to offer. This could be dangerous...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97282712@N02/14135162304" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/14135162304_a0fe154e08_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1400724811897.8572" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="433"></a><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">(Wearing 40 Biege)</span></div><p> </p>Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-41347702710820432082014-04-30T16:30:00.001-07:002014-05-07T21:09:13.352-07:00Summer holiday fashion <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /><br />I love the saying "going on holiday" way more than "going on vacation" because it makes me think of a celebration, instead of a break from real life. A fun, sunkissed celebration. I might be going on holiday to Florida this June, and I would love if the following things went there with me. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Starting from the top left:</i></div>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Essie-Fashion-Playground-Nail-Polish/prod170830011/p.prod?ecid=NMCIGoogleProductAds&ci_sku=prod170830011skuCHARTREUSE&ci_gpa=pla" target="_blank" title="">1</a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=blogger&id=103131495" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2</a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=blogger&id=108126474" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank">3</a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=blogger&id=106618021" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank">4</a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=blogger&id=108227570" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank">5</a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=blogger&id=108114170" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank">6</a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=blogger&id=108126026" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank">7</a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=blogger&id=108175965" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank">8</a></pre>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-85351548975953945062014-04-27T21:09:00.000-07:002014-05-07T21:10:30.196-07:00Sunday Skincare #1: At-Home Spa Treatment <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My Sundays usually consist of lounging, reading, watching TV, (Orphan Black, anyone?) and pampering my skin, which just means I do everything on Sunday with a face mask on. I thought I would share the products I used today, and though it may seem like a lot, each product does something different, and together create an at-home spa treatment. And in the words of Parks and Rec's Donna and Tom, Treat Yo'Self!<br />
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In the order I used them:<br />
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<a href="http://www.origins.com/product/3857/11588/Clear-Improvement-/index.tmpl">Origins Clear Improvements Mask</a><br />
I did a review on this one before, and I still love it. It's great for drying spots, and leaves my skin super soft.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sephora.com/glycol-lactic-radiance-renewal-mask-P203616">Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask</a><br />
This has been a skincare staple of mine ever since I bought it. I put this one right after the origins (who says you can't do two masks in one day?) This mask brightens my face, and I try to use it once a week.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sephora.com/alpha-beta-peel-original-formula-P377533?skuId=1499474">Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula</a><br />
After the masks I like to use this as my acidic toner. It exfoliates my face, all while brightening and treating my skin. </div>
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<a href="http://www.glossybox.com/anatomicals-spray-misty-for-me-facial-spritz">Anatomicals Spray Misty for Me Facial Spritz</a><br />
I got this in a Glossybox a few months ago, and I really enjoy it. I use it as my hydrating toner, and it adds a soothing spritz after the Dr. Dennis Gross pads, which is nice because they extinguish the sting of the pads.<br />
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<a href="https://www.auracacia.com/dspCmnPrd.php?p=p&cn=Organic+Rosehip+Oil&ct=anpcpcosc">Organic Rosehip Oil</a><br />
I picked this up at Whole Foods, and have only been trying it for a week, so I can't speak as to the claimed miracles about rosehip oil, but I can say it is seriously moisturizing. I'll do a review on this in a few weeks when I really have formed an opinion on it.<br />
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Sundays are already fun, but my little skincare ritual seems to relax and prepare me for the long week ahead.</div>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-77524933562558268312014-04-14T20:40:00.001-07:002014-04-14T22:01:02.530-07:00Empties #1: To Repurchase or Not? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's not everyday that I finish a complete bottle of something, so I thought I would share what's done, and what I'll repurchase. <br />
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<a href="http://www.sephora.com/self-tan-bronzing-lotion-P261321?skuId=1256858" target="_blank" title="">St Tropez Bronzing Lotion (travel size)</a><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">I got this sample from Sephora a few months ago and finally finished it. In the winter I didn't have the energy to put it on, but as the temperature started to rise the more I reached for this bronzer. St. Tropez is far from the Oompa Loompa self tanners, and offers a natural bronze glow. I was going to repurchase the lotion, but I opted for the mousse version because it's easier to put on and takes a shorter time to dry. Also, I saw that this month Sephora Beauty Insiders can exchange their points for a sample of this lotion, so give it a try!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.harmondiscount.com/071661420650.html" target="_blank" title="">Harmon Face Values Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover</a><br />
Before I started using this waterproof mascara as a mission to take off. Now I just pour a bit on a cotton pad, gently rub my eyes, and so long stubborn eye makeup. Even though this is the generic brand, I prefer it to the Neutrogena one because I think it works better. There's no question as to whether I would repurchase this, I already have a mini stock pile in the bathroom. <br />
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<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/moroccanoil-treatment/3585685" target="_blank" title="">Moroccanoil Treatment</a><br />
I love using copious amount of this oil on my ends because my hair sucks it up like a plant being watered. I have other argan oil treatments, but I always lean towards this one because of its lush feeling, and smoothing abilities. If I don't find a new hair oil to try out, I will definitely repurchase this one.<br />
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<a href="http://www.aveda.com/product/5303/16973/Hair-Care/Treatment/Smooth-Infusion-Style-Prep-Smoother/index.tmpl" target="_blank" title="">Aveda Smooth Infusion</a><br />
Before I got a haircut last week, my hair was the longest it has ever been. I don't think I would've been able to manage it without the miracle that is the Aveda Smooth Infusion. Putting this on my hair was the only way I could manage to run a comb through it, or else it would've gotten stuck in my thick hair forever. This has always terrified me considering I knew a girl in elementary school who got a barrel brush stuck on the side of her head, and had to get half of her hair chopped off. And this was before girls with half-shaved heads was a trend. Anyways, I'm trying to finish other hair products before repurchasing this, but I already know a new bottle of this stuff is going to end up with me sooner or later. <br />
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I hope you had fun reading about my empties, and hopefully inspired you to try some of great products.
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-28354453534367375992014-04-09T21:13:00.001-07:002014-04-14T19:22:08.657-07:00Swaying to the Beat of Your Own Blending Brush<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Whenever I go to a drugstore, or beauty shop I can't help but notice that someone out there in the beauty world has assigned specific eyeshadow colors for each eye color, and brown eyes are always assigned bronze, or purple. Sure, warm bronze shades suit my complexion, and compliment my eyes, but I shouldn't feel discouraged to step of my comfort zone, and sway to the beat of my own blending brush. This is where the Bobbi Brown Smokey Cool Eye Palette comes in. When I first saw it I didn't think the cool tones would look good on me. Maybe I was conditioned to think that, and almost walked away, but the colors looked like it would create a fabulous smokey eye. Thankfully, I ignored the gnawing, "bronze shades for life" feeling and took this baby home. Not only did the shades suit me, but the cool tones against my complexion give a very modern look. Unfortunately, this palette was limited edition, so I don't know if you can still find it, but what I'm really trying to say is no one should decide what colors suit you best, but you. <br /><br />And now I'll put my soapbox away for the night. <br />
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-75275942727006572402014-04-06T08:26:00.001-07:002014-04-08T07:37:26.416-07:00Birthday Wish List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My birthday is in exactly a month, and I've been told I'm very hard to gift, so I thought I would share some things I've been eyeing lately. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/birthday_wish_list/set?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=118093310" target="_blank"></a></small></div>
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<em>List starts from top left:</em></div>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=106216451" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size: large;">1</span></a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=101679876" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;">2</a>/<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=106198429" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;">3</a><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;"> / </span><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=100817830" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;">4</a><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;"> / </span><a href="http://www.freepeople.com/Tarot-Cards?productOptionIDs=0B6E9CAD-A8F4-4CCF-8A37-466219F4EA95&cm_mmc=CA_PLAUS-_-Google+PLA-_-PLA-_-26475905&CAWELAID=120120800000006813&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=120120800000045141&cadevice=t" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank" title="">5</a><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;"> / </span><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=105764304" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;">6</a><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;"> / </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Bakery-Cookbook-Miisa-Mink/dp/1849754586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396801359&sr=8-1&keywords=Nordic+bakery" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank" title="">7</a><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;"> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Smitten-Kitchen-Cookbook-Perelman/dp/030759565X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396802163&sr=8-1&keywords=Smitten+kitchen" target="_self" title="">8</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Smitten-Kitchen-Cookbook-Perelman/dp/030759565X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396802163&sr=8-1&keywords=Smitten+kitchen" target="_blank" title=""></a><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;"> / </span><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=106199191" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;">9</a><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;"> /</span><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;"> </span><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=105032452" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.3em;">10</a><small><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9171837&.svc=copypaste&id=106216451" rel="nofollow"><!--</p--></a>
Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-86489249917827414012014-03-26T11:29:00.002-07:002014-04-02T10:12:42.972-07:00Morning Routine With Aesop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/13564744724_6956341354_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1396458717910.1853" class="alignnone" alt="" width="650" ></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> I've been hooked to Aesop ever since I discovered them last year. <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The </span><a href="http://www.aesop.com/usa/skin-care-1/fabulous-face-cleanser-2.html" target="_self" title="" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Fabulous Face wash,</a><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> and </span><a href="http://www.aesop.com/usa/skin-care-1/bitter-orange-astringent-toner-1.html" target="_self" title="" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Bitter Orange Astringent Toner</a><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> were given to me as a gift for Christmas and I have been cherishing them ever since. Lately my morning routine consists all of my aesop products because they are gentle, natural, and the invigorating aesop smell wakes my sleep induced face. The Fabulous Face Wash completely cleanses my skin, and never leaves it stripped of moisture. The Bitter Orange Toner brightens my face, and I feel that the witch hazel helps dry out any spots I may have. It also sinks into your skin and doesn't drip down the skin into oblivion as most watery toners do. If you're looking to change up your skincare give Aesop a try. </span></div>
<p> </p>Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-89569925164171540562014-03-24T18:00:00.000-07:002014-04-08T07:38:42.865-07:00Spring Trends: Ciate Flower Manicure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Ciate Flower Manicure is the perfect spring touch for your nails. The flowers are delicate, and can be tricky to put on, but I recommend slightly pushing the flower on your nails with the end of a tweezer, then applying two layers of the topcoat, and putting on another topcoat layer the next day to seal it in. It's supposed to snow tomorrow in NY, but these flowers give me hope for sunnier days, even if it's just wishful thinking.<br />
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Final look with Essie's Tarte Deco nail polish.</div>
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6909422057616305859.post-36030164617437150882014-03-15T12:00:00.000-07:002014-04-14T22:15:19.318-07:00 Portland & Seattle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A few days ago I took a trip to the pacific northwest, and visited Portland and Seattle. For a few days we explored the city life, experienced northwest nature, and ate some damn good food.<br />
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If you ever plan on going to Portland or Seattle here are a few things I would recommend doing: <br />
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1. Hike! Especially Forrest Park in Portland. It was only a few minutes from the city, and filled with cool trails, and beautiful moss covered trees.<br />
3. Grab lunch from the vast selection of food trucks. <br />
2. Go on a food tour. We went on the Hip on the Hill tour with Savor Seattle, and it was great. We got to stuff our faces with delicious food all while learning about the Capital Hill district in a fun way.<br />
3. Take highway 84 towards the Columbus River Gorge. It is a scenic ride with lots of waterfalls to stop at and awe.<br />
4. Check how windy it is before visiting the Vista House. Seriously, we nearly broke the doors to our rental car.<br />
5. Get a pint of ice cream from Salt & Straw. You'll thank me later.<br />
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Maria http://www.blogger.com/profile/04030035529761159380noreply@blogger.com0