Dior Glowing Gardens – Spring 2016

February 15, 2016
Beauty, Dior, Dior Vernis, Nailpolish, Obsessed
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Dior Glowing Gardens

“After women, flowers are the most divine creations,” said Monsieur Dior. Mr. Dior never ceased to reconstruct the poetry and magic of the original garden of Granville in his creations. Faithful to the love of Christian Dior for blossoming gardens, Peter Philips, Creative & Image Director for Dior Makeup, has created a ‘glow manifesto’ for the Dior Spring look. Elements of Mr. Dior’s magical Granville Garden flourish in this collection designed to create both graphic and natural looks that are at once radiant, luminous and bright. Floral and neutral shades blossom together in a fresh colour palette, balanced with deeper tones.

Dior Glowing Gardens Spring 2016

Peter Philips created three incarnations of Glowing Gardens palettes including two shades of 5-Couleurs, two shades of Diorskin Nude Air and one flattering shade of Diorblush, each imprinted with a floral pattern inspired by the beautiful gardens of Christian Dior’s childhood home in Granville. He also designed the brand-new Diorshow Colour & Contour eye duos, a two-sided pencil with a luminous, long-wearing eyeshadow on one end and an easy-glide eyeliner on the other.

Dior 5-Couleurs Glowing Gardens Eyeshadow Palettes

The two harmonies of 5-Couleurs Glowing Gardens palettes are:

Rose Garden #451 (top right in photo below) features shades of lilac, soft pink, vibrant yellow & crisp green
Blue Garden #031 (bottom left) features shades of peach, sky blue, blue iris and subtle Dior grey. $70 Cdn each.

I am absolutely blown away by the bright-yet-subdued shades selected for this collection, making them highly versatile and wearable. I absolutely LOVE the combo of green and yellow against the brown in Rose Garden, while I love the soft grey, peach and white of Blue Garden. And as if that were not enough, the Glowing Gardens motif is breathtaking. Zoom in for the stunning detail!

Dior Glowing Gardens 5 Couleurs

Diorshow Colour & Contour Eyeshadow & Eyeline Duo

This ingenious eyeshadow and liner duo creates an instant eye makeover in a few simple movements, for a quick contrasting eye look with a soft colour glow underlined by a graphic stroke. On one side a luminous silky and long-wearing eye shadow swaths the eyes in colour, while on the other side, an easy glide, pigment-rich long-wearing eyeliner sets the look. Available in shades of lilac, peach and flattering taupe, $40 Cdn each.

Diorskin Nude Air Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder

Introducing two shades of Diorskin Nude Air Invisible compact powders, enhance with subtle shimmer for Spring 2016 to create two iridescent beige and rosy nude highlighters. The powders boast a weightless formula with sweet orange extract, vitamins and minerals to support a toned complexion. Glowing Pink #001 (below right), Glowing Nude #002 (below left), $64 Cdn each.

Glowing Pink has a subtle duochrome that makes it extremely wearable for a soft finish, while Glowing Nude provides a soft bronze highlight. The powders are so softly milled and apply like butter.

Diorskin Nude Air Glowing Gardens

Just look at this INTRICATE DETAIL! I absolutely LOVE the floral motif under the ‘nude’ insignia. These Illuminating Powders are almost too gorgeous to use:

Diorskin Nude Air Glowing Pink

Diorblush Glowing Gardens Vibrant Colour Powder Blush

Dior’s iconic blush imprinted with intricate florals for Spring 2016. The unique Diorblush formula allows for maximum colour expression with a texture that blends seamlessly with the skin, leaving nothing but a veil of pure weightless colour. Floral Pink #844

 

Dior Vernis Glowing Gardens Spring 2016 Shades

Two new shades of Dior’s bestselling gel-like nail lacquer enriched with organic silicon for extra-long wear and formulated without toluene, formaldehyde, phthalates or camphor. Bluette #301 and Lilac #491, $31 Cdn each.

Dior Glowing Gardens Dior Vernis

I knew right when I saw Bluette and Lilac that I wanted to do a gradient with them… but first, a nude and Lilac mani was needed. So I selected Dior Vernis in Lily (121) as my ivory base and created this gradient mani.

Dior Glowing Gardens Vernis Lilac Gradient

and is it not so candy-like? : )

Dior Vernis Lilac Gradient twist

Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Reviver Balm

Dior Addict Lip Glow — the Dior Backstage must-have to enhance lips and bring out their natural colour. Formulated with Dior’s Colour Reviver Technology, SPF 10 and enriched with Wild Mango and Luffa Cylindrica to protect and moisturize. Wear alone as a lip balm or primer, or team with Dior lipstick or gloss for even more radiant results! Two permanent shades: Pink #001 or Coral #004, and a limited edition Spring shade: Lilac #005, $40 Cdn each.

 

I don’t even have words for my Lip Glow addiction. It’s an incredible balm or nude finisher if you don’t want to bother with lip products… and as the amazing Ricky Wilson, Dior Celebrity makeup artist extraordinaire, taught me, a softly blended pinkish liner like Dior’s Swan topped by Lip Glow results in the perfect rosy pout!

And now it’s here in limited edition Lilac, with a Lip Glow liner to boot. Run — don’t walk — to your nearest Dior counters!!

Dior Glowing Gardens Spring 2016 Collection is Limited Edition, and is now available at Dior Counters nationwide, including at The Bay.com, Sephora and Holt Renfrew.

Which of Dior Glowing Gardens pieces are you going to pick up?

 

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Jord Wood Watch in Sidney

January 25, 2016
#Jord, Accessories, Fashion
3 Comments

I consider myself obsessed enthused with all things beauty and fashion, which has led me to own more than enough a few watches in my accessories collection. There are lots of metals in a spectrum of colours in this collection, leather, rubber even… But surprisingly, one material I never connected with the word “watch” was wood! When Jord reached out to introduce me to their collection of Wood Watches by Jord, I was hesitant, but intrigued… How can one make watches of wood, I wondered… Until I finally relented and headed over to the Jord site.

Not only does Jord create unique masterpieces of watches from wood, they create luxurious, high-quality models ranging from minimalist Swiss calibre to chronographs. The watches are computer-cut and hand-finished and treated, leaving them with a very natural aesthetic while allowing us to wear them without too much worry in our everyday lives (more on the care of the watches later).

I finally selected the beautiful Sidney model in red sandalwood and mother of pearl, a mid-toned, chic chronograph with a gorgeous bezel inlaid with Swarovski crystals.

The watches arrive in a natural wooden box with slide-off lid, with the watch safely secured on a soft pillow inside.

Jord Unboxing

I absolutely love that Jord keeps the natural theme commencing at its website, where you find out more about the species of wood you’re purchasing, to the delivery and presentation! The Sandalwood used in my watch, for example, is described as prized for its fragrance which it can retain for decades after cutting, the oil in sandalwood has been used for centuries in cosmetics, eastern medicine and religious ceremonies. JORD uses various species of sandalwood, each chosen for their unique and varying color tones. Red, black/brown, and green sandalwood can all be seen in our line. Unfortunately it is also listed as a “vulnerable species” as opposed to some of the more sustainable woods available; however, I love how informative their website is to share this with the consumer.

These wooden watches, even my Sidney model with its weightier chronograph, are lightweight but very sturdy (i.e. no rattling or ‘loose’ sounds). The watch’s stainless steel double butterfly clasp is secure once locked in place, and the watch is easily size-adjusted by a pro (if you didn’t order it sized to your wrist, which is an option).

I absolutely love chronographs, and love larger, bulky watches on women, and knew that I could dress Sidney up or down very easily. The style’s simplicity and neutral colours make it highly wearable no matter the colour of your outfit.

The first time I headed out with my new Jord watch, I was wearing yoga leggings with a cute top – super-casual, with a hint of bling arm candy. I absolutely love the sparkle of Sidney’s Swarovski crystals against my nude bracelet!

Jord Sidney casual 1

Jord Sidney casual

To showcase its versatility, I took Sidney out for a night on the town. In the winter, I love wearing watches over fitted sweater sleeves – it’s both stylish and cozy! And who doesn’t love arm candy?

Jord Sidney Watch

Jord Sidney Watch2

Oh, and do you know what’s great about a wooden watch? You don’t have to worry about matching it to either silver or gold or rose gold — it goes with any metal!!  (Who would have thought….)

For its care, the natural red sandalwood is hand finished and pretreated with tung oils. The Sidney is splash-proof but should not be submerged in water (3 ATM). Lemon or orange oil extract is best for cleaning the natural wood. When storing this timepiece, avoid extremely hot, cold, and excessively dry/humid environments. All Jord watches come with a 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY.

Prices range from a moderately priced $100 USD upward to about $395, with free shipping in the USA!

For more info, head on over to the Jord website, and be sure to follow them on Facebook and on Instagram!

 

And now for the very best part??? Head on over to my giveaway and enter to win a $129 (USD) credit toward your very own watch!

Good luck!

~xo

 

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Product provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

L’Occitane’s Valentine’s Day Sets!

January 24, 2016
Beauty, L’Occitane, Skincare
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L’Occitane’s Valentine’s offerings for 2016 include sweet gift sets for both men and women. This year, L’Occitane partnered with celebrated French illustrator Soledad Bravi to design two limited edition gift sets, featuring her signature romantic, girlish style. Sets range in price from $24 to $150, sure to please any Valentine on one’s list.

Soledad Bravi x L’Occitane:

Soledad Hugs & Kisses- Shea Butter wb

Shea Butter Hugs & Kisses ($24): Surprise and delight that special someone one with this charming hand cream and lip balm duo in our cherished classic shea butter scent.

Soledad Hugs & Kisses- Shea Butter Rose wb
Shea Butter Rose Hugs & Kisses ($24): With a delicate rose scent, this practical hand and lip duo is the perfect way to shower a sweetheart in love.

Soledad Hugs & Kisses Tin wb

There’s also the limited-edition kit designed by Soledad Bravi in a beautiful keepsake tin, complete with Shea Butter Hand Cream and Lip Balm, along with Shea Butter Rose Hand Cream and Rose Lip Balm with a limited Edition Soledad Nail File! (Sorry, my fellow Canucks – US only.)

Collection Gift Sets:

Cherry Blossom Voyage Gift Set wb

Cherry Blossom Voyage Collection ($26): The feminine cherry blossom set is the perfect bathroom accessory for any woman. Includes Cherry Blossom Body Milk, Cherry Blossom Shower Gel, Cherry Blossom Hand Cream and Bonne Mere Rose Soap.

Lavender Voyage Setwb

Lavender Voyage Collection ($26): The ultimate gift of pampering for her.  Direct from the majestic fields of Provence, this set is filled with the calming aromas of lavender to help soothe the senses and induce blissful relaxation. Includes Lavender Body Milk, Lavender Shower Gel, Shea Butter Hand Cream and Bonne Mere Lavender Soap.

L'OCCITANE Voyage Set wb

L’OCCITAN Voyage Collection ($26): This deluxe doc kit satisfies all of his grooming needs with shaving and body care necessities. Includes L’OCCITAN Shower Gel, L’OCCITAN After Shave Balm, L’OCCITAN Shaving Gel.

Verbena Voyage Setwb

Verbena Voyage Collection ($26): Spice things up or keep it zesty with this lemony citrus verbena set. The combination of verbena essential oils, orange, and lemon tree offer a refreshing and reviving shower experience for men and women alike. Includes a Verbena Shower Gel, Verbena Body Milk, Verbena Hand Cream and Bonne Mere Verbena Soap.

Divine Collection wb

Divine Collection ($190): Our ultimate skincare regimen, offering luxurious radiance in a box. This set captures the age-defying benefits of the precious Immortelle essential oil to leave skin looking more youthful and rejuvenated. Includes Immortelle Precious Cleansing Foam, Divine Cream, Divine Eyes and Divine Lotion.

All sets will be available at L’OCCITANE boutiques nationwide and online at ca.loccitane.com starting on January 26th, 2016!

Which ones have caught your eye? I would love the Divine Collection… it includes everything you might need for your skincare regimen (and it includes the very special Immortelle essential oil!), or, from the Soledad Bravi x L’Occitane collaboration, the delicious Shea Butter Rose Hugs & Kisses is calling my name…. 🙂

~xo

OPI’s The Venice Collection Pictures & Swatches!

November 14, 2015
Nailpolish, OPI
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ESCAPE TO ITALY
WITH THE VENICE COLLECTION BY OPI

THINK: Romantic color inspired by Baroque period decadence

WHAT THEY ARE: New lacquers and gels that pay homage to one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The leading nail professional and color experts at OPI have created a collection this Fall/Winter 2015 that captures the essence of one of Europe’s most romantic ancient capitals. A city of opulent pleasures, lavish artwork, and breathtaking Baroque architecture, for centuries Venice has inspired artists and composers to create works of timeless beauty. The world’s number one salon brand has created its own tribute to the famed “Queen of the Adriatic” with the all new Venice Collection. Featuring 15 new lacquer shades with matching GelColor to evoke the sumptuous elegance and grandiose splendor of the floating city, the OPI Venice Collection brings the alluring spirit of Venice to life anywhere.

OPI Co-Founder & Brand Ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann explains, “Dreaming of Venice calls to mind people- watching in the piazza, sipping champagne in a gondola, or enjoying a gelato in an outdoor café as you stroll and float through this extraordinary city. So we created a collection of romantic reds, decadent blues, striking corals, dreamy pastels, elegant nudes, dramatic darks, and luxurious metallics that celebrate this vision of over-the-top indulgence.” This bold and elegant collection will introduce 12 new shades to the permanent OPI color family, and three limited edition offerings to ignite and renew your passion for color with a touch of Italian seduction.

OPI Venice Collection

The Complete Venice Collection Includes:

  • Venice by OPI Nail Lacquers ($4.75 salon, $9.50 retail) ($5.95 CAN salon, $11.50 CAN retail): Enjoy 15 shades of on-trend color that puts Venice at your fingertips. Available as part of the permanent OPI color offerings in lush melon A Great Opera-tunity, persimmon crème It’s a Piazza Cake, shimmery copper Worth a Pretty Penne, coffee cream Tiramisu for Two, ravishing red Amore at the Grand Canal, red shimmer Gimme a Lido Kiss, opaque crème Be There in a Prosecco, pale gray I Cannoli Wear OPI, icy-sweet Gelato on My Mind, pastel lilac Purple Palazzo Pants, bold eggplant O Suzi Mio, luscious black My Gondola or Yours?. Catch these three LIMITED EDITION shades of bold aquamarine Venice the Party?, glittering gold Baroque…But Still Shopping, and deep navy St. Mark’s the Spot.
  • Venice by OPI GelColors (salon price $15.99): Enjoy the same 15 Venice Collection lacquer colors in long wearing, durable OPI GelColor: A Great Opera-tunity, It’s a Piazza Cake, Worth a Pretty Penne, Tiramisu for Two, Amore at the Grand Canal, Gimme a Lido Kiss, Be There in a Prosecco, I Cannoli Wear OPI, Gelato on My Mind, Purple Palazzo Pants, O Suzi Mio, My Gondola or Yours?, and the LIMITED EDITION shades of Venice the Party?, Baroque…But Still Shopping, and St. Mark’s the Spot.

I have to say, OPI’s preview boxes of the Venice Collection were adorable, with an Italian theme including a gold masquerade mask, Dean & Deluca tiramisu caramels along with some Ferrero Rochers to tantalize your taste buds.

How cute was this box??

OPI Venice Collection box

OPI Venice Collection contents(If you noticed that the two reds on the left look the same, you have a great eye. 🙂 My box is missing Amore at the Grand Canal, instead having two Gimme a Lido Kiss {probably the cutest name ever!}. Now I want just a “lido kiss…”)

Now for a few swatches of some of my very favourites from this collection!

Two immediate standouts for me (as you can see from the above photo of the Venice Collection box where I had displayed the two bottles) were I Cannoli Wear OPI and the sweet Gelato on My Mind. I mean… I LOVE these two shades! Of course I had no choice but to combine them into one of my favourite looks, an easy sponge gradient. Seriously though, how stunning are they together?

OPI Venice I Cannoli Gelato Mind GradientDaylight

OPI Venice I Cannoli Gelato Mind Gradient2Artificial light

Another standout, and sure to be a hit for years to come, the pink-leaning nude Tiramisu for Two… truly a colour for divinity:

OPI Venice Tiramisu for Two sun

Direct sunlight

OPI Venice Tiramisu for TwoIndirect natural light – Drooling yet??

The beauty of the Venice Collection continues with A Great Opera-tunity, a pale salmon that makes for a darker nude.

OPI Venice A Great Opera-tunity

To learn more about OPI visit http://www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter and Instagram and become a Facebook fan!

Which of the Venice Collection shades are your favourites?

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Meet Coby!

November 13, 2015
Obsessed, Puppy love
1 Comment

I realize I’ve been very quiet for a while…. There has been lots going on, and I’ve tried to stay active online, on my Instagram and on Facebook. 🙂  I’m hoping that things will finally return to a new kind of normal and we can spend time on here reviewing beautiful things again!!!

Now on to more important things. I’d like to introduce you to the newest love of my life, a little (ok, not-so little) rescue doggie whom we have named Coby!!

Hi!

(Those puppy eyes!!!)

Coby was a rescue saved from Miami-Dade, an awful place to be if you are a homeless or shelter dog… Unfortunately the simple fact that you are a dog, and alive, could be a death sentence. Their stories are sad, upsetting and often disturbing. And many are euthanized due to overcrowding.

Enter Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary. A beautiful place just north of Toronto, 50 acres of rolling hills and sprawling greens, this independent rescue has endeavoured to save dogs like my Coby from Miami-Dade (as well as many other places around the world such as Israel). This incredible rescue took the long drive to Miami, prepared with climate-controlled vehicles, and on their most recent trip, instead of saving the 40-50 they intended to, left with 110+ dogs ready to return to cold Canada (with ~half of them being brought up on an upcoming subsequent trip). My heart just shatters for those left behind… We really need to find a way to address this sad, sad overcrowding in Miami and address the animal control system’s issues. 😦

Here are some photos of Dog Tales Rescue:

I took this on a recent visit to the rescue… also a sanctuary for horses saved from slaughter….

Source – Dog Tales

 Source – Dog Tales

Well… my angel Cody was one of those babies saved from warm Miami and brought to Dog Tales for a new life! Is she not adorable? ❤️


Above two photos courtesy of Gotcha Photo Studios, an incredible photography studio that volunteers their services to help photograph these babies in natural serene locations, away from their sad shelter reality (although Dog Tales is far from sad– more like a luxe temporary “hotel” for dogs, if you will!!!!), in order to help them look happy and as beautiful as they really are and find a new forever home.

In a wonderful twist, my other baby girl Bella was also photographed by Jen from Gotcha a few years ago — which is how I found her. ❤️


Hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my life as well as the photos of my babies!

Please don’t forget to check out both Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary (and take a drive up there if you are anywhere near southern Ontario—their Bette’s cafe makes the best hummous you’ve ever had!) and Gotcha Photo Studios!! These incredible places dedicate themselves to the saving of innocent animals, and showing them love and compassion until we find them and adopt them.

And please remember: Adopt, don’t Shop.

xo

Dior Presents Sauvage

September 6, 2015
Beauty, Dior, Dior Parfums, Perfume, Press release
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SAUVAGE

A FILM BY JEAN-BAPTISTE MONDINO

Sauvage_Walking_Dessert_wb

He digs deep to find his inner animal. Recapture it and lay himself bare.
Be one with nature,
An appeased “sauvage”, freed from his own chains.

DIOR_Sauvage_wb

It’s a rite of passage in response to a vital instinct.
To leave the urban rage and the shallow cities behind.

And drive toward the desert, trusting the road to take him there.
Joshua Tree, mystic land, is there to teach him how to live again.
A flat, wide and powerful landscape. Where he encounters a surreal beast. Where the “Sauvage” shaman knows that each image is a message.

He leaves in the night, and travels all day, As the inky blue sky of dusk comes to free him.
Bury the talismans, drop the masks;

He marks his trail with a sacred Cairn to show the end of artifice.
The ceremony of a metamorphosis.

“Out of my head, into my heart”

The desert is the sign
Of a new departure.
Now he can shine.
And Johnny Depp shows us who he is…

Sauvage_Ingredient_wb

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