H&M+LUSH= a happy SBG

As you know, I just got back from a weekend in Toronto, Canada. My relationship with the city is love/hate, as I usually hear of at least one homicide in my hotel's area per stay and have a miniature anxiety attack when I'm forced to drive on the roads that have streetcar tracks. However, this stay was an absolute dream and I really did enjoy myself.

We took the subway to the Eaton Centre for a little shopping on Saturday morning and I made a few choice purchases from H&M, LUSH, and Sephora. The thing about the Eaton Centre is that it's a BIG mall with next to no stores. I'd say it's moreso used for its fourth level office space than it is for shopping, but it's a definite spot to check out as a non-Toronto native. Note to travelers: don't look up while walking on the street, locals find this absolutely repulsive for some reason or another. Also, don't look directly at the CN Tower. They hate that, too. SORT of kidding.
In this post, I'm going to gush over my H&M and LUSH purchases...I'll be doing a separate piece on the Naked 2 Palette. I promised myself that I was going to limit myself as the goal of this trip was to "enjoy ourselves, eat delicious food, and relax".

I picked up a soft knit sweater with cream and navy horizontal stripes, that features an adorable gold knit collar. It's quite nautical and preppy, but I think it's feminine enough to go with a number of outfits. This sweater was $29.95.

H&M Knit Sweater

I also grabbed a braided leatherette bracelet adorned with clear gems. I like this one because it was a)cheap and b) has a 2 button enclosure so I can make it tight enough for my child sized wrist. The bracelet was a mere $9.50 so I won't break down crying if I lose it, but it definitely looks like it cost much more!

Leatherette Bracelet

Leatherette Bracelet

While I waited for my husband to finish up his H&M shopping, I traveled over to LUSH Cosmetics and picked up a few items. First, I scoured the store for any leftover Angel's Delight Body Soap. Unfortunately, as I predicted, it has been sold out for weeks as it's a limited edition fragrance only available around the holidays. Boo. I grabbed the closest thing to it, Miranda Body Soap. It smells almost identical to Angel's Delight and comes in a sea foam green bar. It's loaded with organic kiwi, bergamot, ylang ylang, and juniperberry. Love!

Miranda Body Soap - image from Lush Website

Tip: Put the wrapper in your sock drawer to "save a tree"... but mostly to keep your feet smelling delicious

I am trying to get into the routine of taking one, long, warm bath a week (typically occurs on a Sunday evening to recharge for the work week and send me off to a deep slumber). This week I'm going to try Phoenix Rising, a bath bomb. You drop it into warm water and watch it sizzle and fizzle down to nothing, while releasing delicious fragrance and moisturizers into the water. Some bombs come with a tag in the middle that says something fun like "Bang!" or "Hey!"... this bath bomb has a cinnamon stick at its core. I won't be eating it as that's disgusting but it's pretty cool. Did I mention that it smells of apple cinnamon and pure delight? It also has orange scent in it, so it's perfect for reviving tired minds and bodies - particular during the winter.

Phoenix Rising Bath Bomb

While passing the checkout, I grabbed a Mint Julips Lip Scrub for $8.95. I've mentioned in previous posts that my lips have been simply atrocious and that I can't believe people can stand looking at me as of late.... OK, maybe they're not that bad but I've convinced myself that they are. This stuff is AMAZING. I don't know how I held back from buying this up until now, and I absolutely recommend you check it out. You just take a pinch of the peppermint oil infused sugar and rub it into your lips to rid them of dry, dead, flakes. Finish it off with your favourite lip balm and you've got yourself a beautiful pucker you're sure to be proud of. The sales associate suggested I "lick the scrub off" but I'm going to wipe it off like a normal person who doesn't enjoy eating dead flakes of skin. I'm not Goldmember, after all.

Mint Julips Lip Scrub

That's it for this post, but you can expect another one in which I'll review the Naked2 palette, and a third in which I'll review our experience at Le Méridien King Edward hotel.

Hotel Indigo Chelsea, New York City Trip

As you may have caught in my not so subtle previous posts, I'm jetting off to New York City in a mere 11 days. To be more specific, I'll be covering Leanne Marshall's NYFW show and meeting up with fellow Project Runway star and celebrity makeup artist/columnist, Nathan Johnson - all on behalf of the very generous company that I work for (they're sending me - as a person, not the SBG). Obviously, I'll be making the absolute most of this already amazing trip and packing in some shopping, sight seeing, and loads of picture taking. I'll there for 2 days, and plan on spending every waking hour doing anything and everything. I've always heard that it's the city that never sleeps, so I plan on doing the same. ;)

My coworker and I will be staying at the Hotel Indigo Chelsea. It's got great reviews, chic and eco-friendly decor, and is in central Manhattan. What more could a girl ask for? I've stayed at Hotel Indigo in Ottawa before and loved it. I'm hoping for a similar experience. Looks good, no?

I'm going to try my best to put up a few live posts while there, and will be sure to share my photo diary with you once I return and have time to sift through the batch and permanently delete the unflattering pics. I'm excited to check out some vintage shops, hit up just about any and all stores mentioned in Gossip Girl and Sex & The City (pathetic, but true) and to spend as much time as possible people-watching and pretending that it's my everyday life and not just a weekend visit.

Anyways, I'm very excited to come back and post all about the weekend, fashion finds, and NYFW experience, so you better check back here throughout Feb for that! Meeow.

Coming to a monitor near you...

...or iPhone, Blackberry, Android, iPad, tablet - you get the idea.

Here's what you can expect from The SkinnyBlondeGirl Blog over the next week or so. I always vow to give more and not less, so consider this "what you ordered" and anything extra is a surprise bonus fun present. Remember to click HERE and HERE to share the word with your friends, family, and anyone you want to show off to. The more the merrier here at SBG...until the Vampire Diaries comes on and then you've gotta be out the door. Sorry.

1) Big exciting announcement #1.
2) H&M and LUSH purchase review (from my recent voyage to Toronto)
3) Urban Decay Naked2 palette review & Toronto visit diary
4) ADIDAS 2.0... all day I dream about shoes.
5) How I curl/wave my hair (I love using my flat iron, so I'll throw in a review of my fave styling tools as well)
6) Shutterfly photobook review (perhaps a few snapshots from my wedding albums?)

As always, send me your topic suggestions at k@theskinnyblondegirl.com. I've become more and more inspired by lookbook.nu, so you may see a few random outfit posts coming your way as well. Stay tuned!

Yours Truly,

Hot in T Dot

Hot in T Dott? Anything but, actually. I am writing this as we just got into our hotel from the long drive and I'm ready to enter a deep, deep slumber and escape from the bone chilling winds that rattled against the car windows for the entire drive.

Tomorrow, I'm going to be hitting up Yorkdale Shopping Centre and, specifically, the new Top Shop in The Bay. I've waited since last summer to pay a visit to the UK wonder and am excited to pick up a few dresses, tops, and hopefully a pair of jeans (I am still wearing a pair from when I was 15... and almost all other pairs are actually jeggings - the kind you wouldn't realize are jeggings, not the elastic-y ugly ones).

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

We're staying at Le Méridien King Edward on King Street. I'm a Priceline queen (thanks to my father) and landed a great, central, 4 star hotel for a sweet, sweet price.

Hotel Front - Le Méridien King Edward

Lobby - Le Méridien King Edward

Guest Room Photo - Le Méridien King Edward

Guest Room Photo - Le Méridien King Edward

I'll be sure to upload some trip photos, and to post about anything exciting that I might encounter... including whatever I end up buying and hauling back to our already overflowing closet. I'll be off the grid from now until Tuesday, so I'll see all of you stalkers again then! Off to a night of restful sleep (with no bass coming from our upstairs neighbours), a day of shopping and hand-holding on the streets of Toronto, and a night enjoying some drinks and food with friends. Oh, we're fancy like that.

Everyday earrings

Over the years, I've bought more earrings than I can keep track of. I've also lost more earrings than I even want to think about. This has all been in my quest to find a pair that I'll actually and continually wear. It's really difficult to find a fab pair of "everyday earrings". There are so many options out there, yes, but it's hard to come across a simple yet stunning pair of earrings that will match pretty much anything and everything.

Skip to late 2010. In the winter of 2010, I picked up a pair of "Angelic" earrings from Swarovski for about $75.

They come with a warranty - I know, shocking.  I love them and wear them almost every day. I'm thinking of grabbing another pair of Swarovski earrings because I've been so impressed with the first pair, and wanted to share my choices with you. I'm into something that is mostly crystal with minimal metal... that way they match both gold and silver accessories. I've never been much of a dangly earring girl, so you're only going to find stud/post earrings in this particular post. Sorry if that upsets you. not Check out my top picks below.

My Favourite Everyday Earrings

Nuts - Clear Crystal

The first pair are called "Nuts". No clue why they chose such a horrible name, but they sure are gorgeous earrings. They're almost all crystal and the post is next to invisible - so they'd match just about any accessory and outfit imaginable. They're a mere $70, which is not too shabby considering you can easily pay $50 for a pair of earrings at Aldo Accessories and have them turn teal after a month of wear....gross.

Pastel

Another top pick is the "Pastel" earring. These are different than what I usually wear, but I think they'd make more of a statement while still matching most things. At first I thought that I wouldn't be able to wear them with red, but the colour may actually pop real nice next to certain shades. They're also on sale for a spectacular $42, which is obviously a nudge in the "buy, buy, buy" direction.

Emma

The "Emma" earring is what I like to call a safe pick. They're not overly original, there are plenty of look-a-like earrings out there, but these are better quality and - again - come with the warranty. The price tag is $70. Not bad, but I would personally like to see a bit more crystal for that amount. This earring features a lot of rhodium-plating, and I figure that if you're gonna wear a Swarovski earring - it better be rocking the crystal.

Mix

Another earring that has caught my eye, and is not your usual "everyday earring", is called "Mix". Bold black and white was fairly big over the fall and winter of 2011 (that's an update for all of you who haven't gone outside, visited the internet, or opened a magazine since Thanksgiving), and I think that it may just carry through to the summer. I like that the black is unexpected, but still dainty and feminine. They'd match a number of outfits, and would add a little more "pop" around the face than a typical crystal earring. These are $75 as well, even though they feature 2 different colours of stones.

I am really in love..... OMG JK. Just checking whether or not you're paying attention. I don't know who in their right mind would buy Minnie Mouse earrings, let alone a $90 pair of Minnie Mouse earrings. Keep in mind that these are not marketed towards children as the website's model is a late 20s early 30s female. There's nothing that anyone can say to make these OK. They need to join the animal ear muffs and never be seen again.

OK, so those are my choices... once I've finished obsessing and over-analyzing I'll be sure to share my #1 pick with you and post some photos of the little beauties hanging out on my lobes. I also have to say that I can't believe I've had my Angelic earrings for over a year and haven't lost them..... good job, SBG!

The weather outside is frightful

Hope you're all having a wonderful Wednesday. Thought I'd share a picture of what the weather's been looking like here for the last few weeks. It's actually quite warm today compared to recent lows... but it's still below zero and the ground is covered in ice.

View from apartment living rm window

View from apartment living rm window

View looking towards downtown

Not too lovely! On a side note, today is the day that I debuted my new 4+ inch suede booties. Suede booties + ice = awful, awful time. They sure looked great, though! ;)

Yours Truly,

My spring wardrobe wish list

As you know, I love to avoid malls whenever possible. I have a thing about the crowds of people (all of which seem to not know how to walk), the children screaming and dripping ice cream on everything, everyone touching everything, the free hand sanitizer at the entrances always being empty, annnnd people not knowing how to walk. It's a serious issue. SRSLY.

So, I've been perusing the interwebs lol as of late in search of some fantastic spring purchases.  I've come across some great UK-based sites that offer actual cute clothing that you can't find at Sirens  really unique pieces that are affordable, too. These are some pieces that I'm just dying to get my hands on!

Wish List

www.romwe.com - Retro Fine Waves Hemming Apricot Shirt - $35.99

www.romwe.com - Heart Print Multi Layers Beige Blouse - $40.99

www.romwe.com - Retro Peter Pan Collor Navy Dress - $36.99

www.chicwish.com - Knit Cable Shorts - $24.90

www.inlovewithfashion.com - Love Berry Chiffon Cross Back Dress - $56.06

www.inlovewithfashion.com - Love Berry Chiffon Cross Back Dress - $56.06

www.inlovewithfashion.com - Love Tan Chiffon Tutu Skirt Dress - $70.08

I'm getting really into the nude, muted pinks, and all around vintage feel that's popping up in so many stores for spring 2012. I can absolutely not pull off the edgy, grungy, leather leggings look that seemed to last forever, nor can I deal with the ultra feminine sparkly nonsense that sat in stores all winter long. Here's to a spring filled with 50s and 60s inspired looks and to getting dressed each morning feeling like January Jones' Mad Men character, Betty Draper.... only with shorter hemlines.

I always thought that shopping from an international site would mean super expensive shipping (to the point where you're really not saving any money on the actual items) but I was totally wrong. A lot of euro sites offer free worldwide shopping with tiny minimum purchase amounts. Check out the sites above, and let me know what you think. Or, continue to shop at Sirens... it's really your mistake to make call. ;)

Yours Truly,

Coming your way...

Why hello there, stalkers and stalkerettes! I wanted to give you a sneak peek into what you can expect to read about over the next week or so. If you have a product or topic you'd like to see covered, don't bite your tongue. I'm not a mind reader, and I haven't secretly enabled your web cam and microphone to spy on you (can you say creepy?) So, email me at k@theskinnyblondegirl.com with your ideas and suggestions, and I'll see what I can do.
Coming up...

1. My spring wardrobe wish list (the title says it all)

2. The truth about being a dog owner (what do you mean it's hard work?)

3. Trip to Toronto (duh)

4. BIG, EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT (MMM are you feeling the suspense???)

5. I dream of shoes (another duh)

6. What a deal: discount websites (a savvy shopping guide for the thrifty fashionista)

Stay tuned! I'll be posting roughly every other day between now and February - so check back and make sure you spread the SkinnyBlondeGirl word. 

Yours Truly,

From treasure to trash & back again

Whenever I clean out my closet, dresser, or old bags, I always come across 5 or 6 empty makeup containers and sometimes full ones that I forgot I purchased OOPS. I do my best to recycle what I can, but they too often find themselves in the trash. What's more upsetting is that it's only when you're dropping that Sephora labelled black container into last night's spaghetti that you realize you spent $20 on a quarter-sized amount of coloured powder for your eyes.

I've been big into cosmetic recycling programs lately. Well, big into trying to find some at least.
With everyone freaking out about global warming and vowing to "go green", you'd think that more health and beauty companies would instate in-company recycling programs. But most don't, unfortunately. Perhaps it's because the world is ending in less than a year and they figure there's just not much of a point anymore. PS anyone who believes in the 2012 shenanigans is an uneducated moron

Back in 2009, Origins kicked off its recycling program by installing recycling stations at all of its counters, where customers can drop off ANY brand's containers and walk away with a free sample of an Origins product. Good for them for taking in any cosmetic brands' empty bottles and tubes, but a tiny sample isn't much of a reward for driving all the way to one of their stores to drop off a bottle.

MAC doesn't care how dirty or gross the empty cases are. Bring them back anyways!

The best one I've come across thus far is still Back To MAC. MAC Cosmetics allows its customers to bring back any 6 empty product containers (think eyeshadow case, foundation bottle, lipgloss) and walk away with a lip stick/gloss/glass of their choice. You can even mail the empties in, so you don't actually have to even leave the house! This offer's available from just about any MAC counter. But, if you want a really good return on your investment, take it to a stand-alone MAC store. There, you can select a free eye shadow OR lip stick (you have to come right out and ask for the eye shadow, but they'll give it to you). Personally, I always go with the eye shadow. It's something that I know I'll use regularly, is worth $16, and besides - I often lose my lipsticks and glosses within a week of buying them so it's just not a good idea to choose the lip stick. And yes, at first I felt like a dirty little hobo trekking into the store with my ziploc bag full of empty bottles....but I got over it and so will you.

If you're a fan of LUSH, they have a pretty decent recycling program as well. It's a little more specific in that you can only bring back empty "black pots" (they're what moisturizers, body scrubs, face masks, etc. come in) but if you bring back 5, you'll get a free face mask pot. These things last 2-4 masks and are worth about $7. Not as great as MAC's program, but definitely worthwhile.

Like I said, more cosmetic companies need to look into implementing something similar to these guys. If not for the sake of the planet, do it for the sake of mine (and every other makeup junkie's) bank account.

Yours Truly,

Mission Halo Braid

Hey, blogworld! I've gotten a few messages asking how I created the look below and thought I'd share my deepest dark secret. Just kidding. It's a simple dutch braid that begins behind one ear and ends wherever you want it to! Personally, I pick up hair and wrap it around my entire head to get more of a boho look, but you can finish it behind your other ear for a headband look.

You'll need some day-old hair (the oilier your hair, the better the braid will stay...freshly washed hair will slip right out) and some tiny elastics. I use Goody's Abby Elastics. This YouTube video is one of the best I've come across, and quickly teaches you step-by-step (seriously, it's fool proof) how to create a dutch braid, french braid, rope braid, fish tail braid, and more.

She has a TON of other videos on her channel: Let's Make it Up!

Sure, it'll take you a few practice runs, but it's worth it and will save you from your inevitable bad hair days. Plus, you could always create a bun at the nape of your neck and have both braids running into it for a quick - and easy - updo.

I stole this outfit & I'm totally okay with it

Hello, stalkers! I hope that this work week hasn't been too mentally straining for you. I don't know about you, but I'm certainly looking forward to The Vampire Diaries the weekend! I've got an adorable triple date planned with some fantastic people and plan on enjoying some relaxation (and wine, obviously).

I spent a lot of the weekend scouring lookbook.nu for adorable, trendy outfits. Why, you ask? Well, because I'm headed off to NYC in just a few short weeks for a NYFW event. I can't disclose all the details just yet, since it is a work trip, but it's VERY exciting and I'll definitely be posting lots of photos throughout the event and will fill you in on everything shortly afterwards. Basically, I'm freaking out inside my skinny blonde body. AAH!

I've stumbled across this one girl's lookbook profile in particular, and am now stalking it like a total crazy person. Her name is Jennifer G, she's from California, and I want to steal all of her clothes and her hair. I've taken one of my NYC outfits from her inspiration photos, and cannot wait to wear it. It took a bit of time to find affordable pieces that will give the desired finish result, but so worth it. I've ordered the clothing from Forever 21, purchased the tights and over-the-knee socks from Fancy Sox, and recently ordered similar suede "shoeties" from Aldo Shoes. Check it out below:



The shoes arrived in the mail on Tuesday afternoon (I ordered them at midnight on Sunday, and can't believe they got out to me so quickly!) and they fit perfectly. They're easy to walk in, have a chunky heel for ultimate balance (and stuckinthesnow avoidance) and are very understated. I treated them last night with Leather/Suede protectant spray and cannot wait to wear them. Here are some pics of my new size 9 "Hams" shoes/booties/shoeties.



If you haven't checked out the insane sale prices at Aldo Shoes yet, I'd recommend you do so! Obviously, skip the mall and head straight to the online store. They, surprisingly, have tons of sizes in stock, and the shipping is almost ways free and (obviously) fast. Plus, you can return them in-store for a full refund, store credit, or exchange if they don't fit or you just realize that they're ugly. You can also mail them in, but I'm not one for paying postage when I don't have to.

**Update** My Forever 21 order arrived today, and everything fits wonderfully. Here's a pic of the finished outfit sans-jewelry. Sorry for the crap quality, my camera's batt is low so I resorted to PhotoBooth. But, you get the idea.

If you find any other great outfits that would look good on a SBG, please send me an email so I can check them out. If you happen to have any NYC shopping tips, send those my way as well. ;)  Keep in mind that I'm going to be there for 1 night and 2 full days and want to get the most packed into that time as possible. Sleep is for the weak, right?

His parents don't want to see your booty or its shorts

Most people dress a little differently depending on the crowd and environment. While visiting the grandparents, for example, we ladies tend to tone down the heavy makeup and tend to veer on the side of conservative as far as clothes go. We all know that it wouldn't be appropriate to show up to Grandma's house wearing a strapless mini dress showing off everything that your momma (and grandmomma) gave ya. This logic, or WWNS - What Would Nana Say - should also be applied to your pajamas. Or, for some of you, your lack thereof.

This is NOT appropriate for breakfast with the in-laws!

This post will give you a clear idea of what is OK and what's NOT OK for the 4 situations you're most likely to find yourself in!

Scenario 1 - Sleepover at your significant other's parents' house
Yes, you want to look good for your bf (if you're into that), but keep in mind that he won't be the only person seeing you whilst you stay over at his parents'. At the same time, you don't want to go the polar opposite and dress in sweatpants and a grungy old T-shirt, since you're going to look hideous and just like a homeless person at breakfast with his family in the morning. It's a tough situation! Consider something simple, like pajama pants and a matching tee or tank (not spaghetti straps). And PLEASE remember to wear your bra ew ew ew.

This outfit says, "I match, am fun, and am not a skank".

Scenario 2 - First sleepover with a new friend
Your first girls' night with a new friend can be lots of fun, and also a little awkward since you're just getting to know each other and she might think it's weird that you still wear a retainer. Don't make it worse by letting everything hangout... especially if she lives with her parents! Of course you don't need to dress like a nun, but consider the possibility of bumping into her parents or brother/sister... or even the fact that your new found friend might not want to know that you have 5 tattoos and haven't shaved your legs for 2 weeks so soon in your blossoming relationship. Her first impression of you is still being formed, and you know that she's checking out what you look like without makeup. No need to embarrass yourself further.
Consider something comfy but cute, like this adorable satin set. It'll let you show off your fabulous legs to make her totally jealous and therefore want to be your BFF while remaining otherwise underwraps. Obviously, you'll have to remember to do up all of the buttons, unlike this girl.

Is there a draft in here? No, you just put your shirt on halfway is all.

Scenario 3 -Business related overnight trip (also great for stays with your/his grandparents)
If you're traveling for work and are sharing a room with one or more coworkers, remember that they're just that - coworkers. They're not your BFF since high school, they're not your parents, and they're not interested in seeing you in ALL of your radiant glory. Even if you have a room to yourself, remember that you may have a visitor in the early morning before your meetings, or a work emergency late at night, and need to be "coworker ready". This pajama set, an adorable satin pant and top, is a great option for a situation like this. It's also fantastic for a stay with the grandparents. My suggestion? Go for a fun, girly colour like purple or pink. Don't you look so innocent!

I always wake up with a full face of makeup!

Scenario 4 - Sleeping alone/with a long term significant other...or if you just don't care at all
I'm going to tell you right now that this is what I look like every single night and every single morning. I know it's bad, but I'm really past the point of caring. I reserve the least faded of my T-shirts for girls' night and visits home, but that's truly as good as it gets. Basically, this ensemble is just fine (and oh so comfortable) if you're with someone you've known for a while, or live by yourself. Or... if you just don't care.

The slippers are a must.

Yes, I know, I'm a hypocrite. I'm more than happy to wear matching pajamas when they come as gifts from others (annual Christmas eve pajama gift, adorable pajama sets from Nana) but I just don't buy them for myself anymore.Let's hope you don't now think less of me.

Yours Truly,