THIRST¥ FOR... MAR¥-KATE & ASHLE¥ OLSEN MAKEUP

My mind has officially been blown. Did you know that Byrdie posted an article detailing the EXACT MAKEUP PRODUCTS that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen use? Where have I been all this time?! If you are someone who knew about this article and didn't tell me... well consider us officially at war with each other. Everyone else... I like you, and you can read the full article – here. 

I've always loved the 'Olsen look', it's minimal, natural and effortless. And ironically enough, the Olsens and I seem to have similar taste in beauty brands – the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup is hands down my favourite foundation,  I rarely leave the house without smelling of Nirvana Black, and Benefit's Erase Paste, as well as the Anastasia Brow Gel frequently find themselves in my makeup kit. The friend of mine, Steph, who showed this article to me, had already purchased the lip and cheek products the girls use, so I've had a chance to play around with those and will definitely be adding them to my collection. Especially the Stila Convertible Colour Blush in Lillium – the cream formula blends into the skin flawlessly, leaving a natural flush. 

The one product I've included in this post that the Olsens actually haven't used is the Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette in Color Field. The girls actually use the Kat Von D Ladybird True Romance Eyeshadow Palette, however that palette has since vanished, and I figured the Modernist offered a fresh new, sleek idea. Last on my list are the Eye products! All three look enchanting, especially the Guerlain Maxi Lash Mascara – that tube! And I love how affordable the Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner is. Has anyone tried these mascaras? Which one would you recommend purchasing first?

THE PRODUCTS

Did you know such a wonderful article existed?!?
Will you be updating your collection now?

AM¥     XO

THIRST¥ FOR... GEMS & JEWELS

One of my resolutions for this year was to accessorize more often – easier said than done when you feel like your jewelry is two years behind the times. So over the weekend I searched the internet high and low to find some inspiration to use while I shop around the city. I definitely have a definitive taste when it comes to gems and jewels. Distressed metals, geodes, evil eyes and snakes all top my radar – in true Erin Wasson form. Below are a few of the pieces that stood out on my search, and may soon be added to my collection.

Do any of these gems catch your eye?

AM¥     XO

GREEN MONDAY . HOLIDA¥ DEALS

Today, Dec. 8th is Green Monday. And although I'm completely baffled by what 'Green Monday' is and why it presents itself so soon after Black Friday I will rejoice in the deals it provides. Below are the deals that you can find online today and a cheeky little wishlist created by yours truly.

Happy Shopping!

THE DEALS

• FOREVER 21 – 30% OFF Select Merchandise w/CODE:DEAL30 [Ends 12.8.14]
• CLUB MONACO – 30% OFF Select Merchandise w/CODE: WINTERFAVES [Ends 12.8.14]
• ANTHROPOLOGIE – Extra 30% OFF w/CODE:EXTRAMERRY [Ends 12.9.14]
• AMAZON – Green Monday Promo Items
• NORDSTROM  – Up to 40% OFF New Markdowns [limited time]
• J.CREW – Up to 30% OFF w/CODE:MERRYMERRY [Ends 12.9.14]
• C.WONDER – 30% OFF + Free Shipping [Ends 12.18.14]
• MADEWELL – 30% OFF w/CODE:MERRIEST [Ends 12.8.14]
• ASOS – 20% OFF Select Brands [limited time]
• KATE SPADE – 25% OFF w/CODE:JACKPOT [Ends 12.9.14]
• SAKS FIFTH AVENUE – Up To 40% OFF Designer Sale [limited time]
• NEIMAN MARCUS – Up To 50% OFF Womens [limited time] 

THE WISHLIST

AM¥     XO

G¥M POSER . WORK OUT BEAUT¥ MUST HAVES

I'm working up the willpower to make the commitment to the gym again – I'm still in that hazy phase where you set your alarm each morning with intent but never make it out of bed on time. This overwhelming feeling of lazyness needs to end and this week I've taken matters into my own hands – and by that I mean I've bought some new workout gear, created the ideal playlist and assembled my very own post-workout beauty army.

THE GEAR

Getting the courage to go to the gym for the first time in a while can be daunting – you want to look the part and fit in seamlessly. When it comes to gym wear I tend to stick with brands like Lululemon, Addidas and Nike – their products last the test of time and keep me stylish as I sweat. Lululemon is my true kryptonite. Just one look at the Cardi All Day ($178) cardigan, made of merino wool and you'll understand why. I've also recently become obsessed with a new water bottle company called bkr – their simplistic design mixed with edgy editorials and vivid inspirations make them a brand to know. Below are a few products that are currently on my gym-wear wishlist.

THE PLAYLIST

Now that we've got the look down pat it's time to focus on the music. I spend days at a time researching what songs to add to my playlists because I hate the feeling of begrudgingly listening to a song I dislike while running – it's completely demotivating. The genre that gets me moving: trap music. I've found so many great trap playlists on 8tracks – a site similar to Spotify that let's you explore pre-made playlists. The playlist from 8tracks on days when I'm too lazy to create my own is called Okay Work, found here. It features strong women like Rihanna and Queen B to empower you as you work out and even offers some profound advice: Do your damn squats, wear red lipstick and tell boys to fuck off.

THE POST-WORKOUT BEAUTY ARMY

Before we get into the powerful little post-workout beauty army that I've assembled let's talk about my pre-workout regime, which consists of simply one detoxifying cleanser, the Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser[*]. It's lovely. The Purifying Cleanser deeply cleanses my skin removing all traces of makeup and even imparts a cooling sensation that feels great pre-workout. Post-workout I like to cleanse my face and neck using a cleansing cloth –  currently the Olay Fresh Effects S'Wipe Out. However I find them slightly irritating. I'm dying to try out the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One Step Cleansing Cloths or the new Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleansing Wipes. Once cleansed I give my face a quick spritz of the Caudalie Beauty Elixir for a boost of radiance before moisturizing with whatever sample has peaked my interest that week. This week I've settled on the  Eve Lom Moisturizer[*] – so decadent, and so spa-worthy ahh.

My post-work makeup regime needs to remain quite simple because personally, I'm likely to be running errands or simply headed home to nap/binge on chocolates. The best errand running foundation I know of remains the Benefit Big Easy – it delivers light coverage, enhancing your skins natural beauty and hides any signs of the workout with it's matte finish. I then simply fill in my brows using the Benefit Gimme Brow, add a few coats of mascara and bring some life to my face with a pretty pink lip courtesy of the adorable Royal Apothic Tinties Lip Butter[*] in Pink. Although another great lip/cheek product to add colour and warm up the complexion are the Josie Maran Coconut Cheek Gelées – I used the shade Pink Escape while vacationing in Miami and absolutely loved the natural effect it delivered. Et voila, ready to face the world.

What keeps you on track before and after the gym?

AM¥     XO

*Some of items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer. 

THIRTS¥ FOR... 2

1. J. Crew | Jewelled Quill Statement Necklace ($150)

No one does statement necklaces quite like J.Crew. This necklace has all the fixings for a statement look, but if I'm being totally honest I see myself wearing this with black skinnies, a black crew neck and a camel coloured coat. 

2. Janessa Leone | ISIS Hat ($170)

Unfortunate name given the times but what a lovely little chapeau otherwise. And when it’s worn by the likes of Khloe Kardashian – my personal favourite – you just know it needs to make it’s way into your closet.

3. Herschel Supply Co. | Parker Backpack ($57)
Still on the search for the perfect backpack I stumbled upon the Parker Backpack by Herschel Supply Co. This backpack is much more utilitarian than what I’ve currently been searching for, but is more realistic for my current needs. Now the question is whether I would get sick of the camo print too quickly.

4. Kiehl's | Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($50)
Those who know me will know that I am oil obsessed. I’ve currently been using the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil as my nightly moisturizer but it’s become a bit of a bore, and I’ve recently noticed a greasy film left on my skin come the morning. Now I have my sights set on the Midnight Recovery Concentrate by Kiehl's, an elixir made up of Squalene, Primrose Oil and Omega-6 Fatty Acids. I’ve had a few samples in the past and always loved the way my skin looked and felt come grind time. And it’s paraben free & mineral oil free.

5. Kat Von D | Studded Kiss Lipstick in Coven ($26)
From the bold lilac colour to the name, Coven is exactly what I’ve been searching for. The new(ish) Studded Kiss Lipsticks from Kat Von D offer 10-hour wear in unexpected ‘gothic’ shades that are able to deliver one-swipe payoff thanks to the Color Cushion Technology. Questioning my sanity on this one? Go take a peak at the swatches on Temptalia.

6. Shelley's London | Lovenia Boot ($150)
There is something unexpectedly chic when you black and navy blue are combined and these boots epitomize of that statement. From the suede to the subtle heel I’m obsessed. I see them paired with a pair of dark skinny jeans, a white blouse and a brown leather tote.

7. Buxom | Vanity Lash Mascara ($28)
Kind of the coolest concept in makeup currently, the Buxom Mascara Bar offers the Vanity Lash Mascara with seven brushes to choose from to create an array of lash effects. The mascara itself is infused with biotin and provitamin B5 to help strengthen lashes while shea butter, vitamin E, and olive oil work to nourish them. Now to choose a brush:

• Full & Fabulous – Its molded ball tips power through lashes for lavish fullness from roots to     ends.
• Big & Bushy – The ultra-bushy bristles layer on massive volume for maximum lash             length.
• Curl & Contour – An angled brush that hugs, contours, and shapes for head-turning curves.
• Thick & Defined – Its flexi-bristles and tapered tip create maximum thickness and ultimate definition.
• Strong & Long – A sleek, chic brush shaped to tease lashes to extreme lengths.
• Itty Bitty – This small but mighty brush discovers and amplifies your tiniest lashes.
• Lush & Lifted – One side of this brush builds ultra-plush lushness, while the other separates and lifts lashes to sky-high lengths.

8. Halloween Inspired Everything

This one is more of a general want. Which includes, but is not limited to: hocus pocus watching, pumpkin carving with a hot, manly beard (where are you!?), blood drip manicures, glow in the dark manicures, deeply discounted chocolate post-halloween and of course: halloween baking. 

9. Elizabeth & James | Nirvana Black Perfume Oil ($42)

No other scent will capture the essence of my personality quite like Nirvana Black. With heavy notes of Violet, Sandalwood and Vanilla this fragrance is the perfect balance of mystery, sensuality and warmth. Despite already owning the spray version and basking myself in it daily, I feel the need to purchase it's newest form, a pure perfume oil, which further exudes the sensuality of the scent. When I wear this perfume the lyrics 'I know I'm a goddess but don't catch no feelings' always comes to mind – Chynna Rogers is a beast.

10. Michael Kors | Bradshaw Chronograph Watch ($295)

No clue whether this is a menswear watch or not, but no care either really. There is so much good about this watch that I could die. The black/gold mix, the roman numerals, the size. Wooo. You will be mine. 

AMY     XO

HOLIDA¥ SALES . THANKSGIVING WISHLIST

I never miss a beat on a good sale and Thanksgiving Monday is no different. It's come to the point where online shopping is essentially a ritual for any holiday – seriously the amount of clothing to cash spent ratio is on point. Last night I stayed up into the wee hours online shopping at a few of my favourite retailers and have created mini wishlists for each brand. Metallic, sporty and menswear inspire seem to be the key words for this retail therapy session. [Sales end at midnight]

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanskgiving!

MADEWELL

30% OFF w/ code: OHFALL

J.CREW

30% OFF w/ code: WEEKENDPLANS

CLUB MONACO

30% OFF Sale + 40% OFF Clearance w/ code: FALLSALE 

AMY     XO

ST¥LIN • COMFY KNITS, DETAILED PANTS & TURQUOISE

My style is constantly evolving, but lately I've been opting for a more basic approach – classic pieces in black, white or grey with intricate details. This week I purchased 4 new pieces from Zara that are perfect for the season and pair beautifully with one of my favourite colours, turquoise. I've been gravitating towards over sized knits paired with detailed skinny jeans and adding a hint of colour through my nail polish and accessories. These Essie polishes are 5 of my favourite blue/turquoise shades. And although they may not be considered fall/winter colours, grey and turquoise go together like Childish Gambino and Chance The Rapper, adding a pop of colour to an otherwise colour-less outfit.

THE PIECES

White Knit ($59.90) - Zara

Two-tone Jeans ($49.90) - Zara

Grey Knit ($49.90) - Zara

Black Motto Pleather Pants ($59.90) - Zara

Bracelets - Aldo, Stella & Dot

Necklace - Vintage

Polishes - Find Me An Oasis, Parka Perfect, In The Cab-Ana,  Turquoise & Caicos, Naughty Nautical

AMY   XO

FALL FOR THE GUESS LENA FUR VEST

When it comes to Fall fashion there is one trend that is simply not going anywhere – fur. After the frigid winter we experienced last year it seems designers have taken note and incorporated a number of fur pieces into their collections. From coats to vests to stoles, fur took over the runways in new & exciting colours and textures, which has trickled down to the masses thanks to Guess, Zara and others. My favourite commercial take on the trend is the Guess Lena Vest ($168), which combines a unique use of colours, textures and metallic accents to create a piece perfectly suited for the Mary-Kate Olsen wannabe – aka me. Once I locate a sugar daddy to purchase this beauty for me, you'll find me pairing it with high-waisted black skinny jeans, a black crop top, some form of Jeffery Campbell heels and a matte orange lip. Fur-fection.

AM¥     XO

THIRST¥ FOR... 01

1. Sephora Favourites | Skin Wonderland ($70)  

Number one on my current wishlist is this INCREDIBLE 11-piece skin care set curated by Sephora for the holiday season. With so many amazing products contained in one box it's hard to choose what I'm most looking forward to testing; and that's exactly what makes a curated product like this so much better than your typical monthly beauty box.

Set contains: Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask Sheets, Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, Nude Skincare ProGenius™ Treatment Oil,  Amorepacific Treatment Enzyme Peel, L'Occitane Cleansing And Softening Shower Oil With Almond Oil, Caudalie Hand And Nail Cream, Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil, Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist, Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil, Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant in Pure Vanilla, Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel.

2. Gorjana | Fancy Horn Earrings ($55) 

I have been on a search for a simple post that makes a statement but can still be worn on a near daily basis, and thanks to my Gorjana & ShopBop addiciton the search is over. These 18k gold plated earrings would look awesome worn as a set, but I envision wearing them broken up and paired with a classic diamond stud on the opposite ear. Style tip: Pair with #7 and a little black slip dress for a date/night out. 

3. bareMinerals | bareSkin Pure Brightening Foundation ($36) & Perfecting Face Brush ($35)

Regardless of the number of foundations currently found in my vanity I can always find room for one more, and this months must try is the new bareSkin Foundation from bareMinerals. A simple Google search provides enough before & after images to have anyone and everyone lusting for the flawless skin that is achieved with this foundation. And while the complimentary brush is probably not necessary for flawless application, I have completely bought into the 'unique fluid reservoir', said to make for a mess-free application.

4. Danielle Nicole | Sloane Back Pack ($100) 

Backpacks are everything to me at the moment, and this black and white version by Danielle Nicole is made super chic thanks to the croc print.

5. Opening Ceremony | Brenda Transparent Heeled Ankle Boot ($450)

The heels are transparent, just like stripper shoes.... Need I say more?

6. Anastasia Beverly Hills | DIPBROW Pomade ($23) 

After nearly an hour spent perusing the perfectly groomed brows seen on Anastasia Beverly Hills Instagram account it is clear that my current brow regime is not on point. My solution: must purchase her DIPBROW Pomade. The creamy formula is said to allow product to 'glide onto skin and hair smoothly to create clean, defined brows' that set in seconds and won't budge all day. If I can achieve brows that look even half as good as Amrezy's with this product I will feel like a Queen.

7. House Of Harlow 1960 | Tribal Tooth Pendant ($80)

A tribal print on a gold plated tooth that sits in the center of the rib cage? Did I enter some sort of internet shopping heaven. Considering I was perusing House Of Harlow that statement isn't even mildly incorrect. Nicole Richie knows exactly how to please me (said in deep voice, which has been re-instated in my vocal mannerisms thanks to my current obsession with The Simple Life).

8. Lancôme | CILS Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base ($29)

I received a sample of this mascara base in a beauty box a few months back and have since used every last drop and fallen in love. When applied before your favourite mascara you get an XL boost of thickness, volume and even a bit of length. There is a noticeable difference in my lashes on days when I use this base, and now that I've run out I've become quite saddened with my lack of luscious lashes. 

What products are you thirsty for?

AM¥   XO

THE THING | METALLIC JEWELR¥ TATTOOS

IMG SRC: http://luludklifestyle.com

Every month there seems to be a new fad, a new THING that you simply have to have. And while September's THING will undoubtedly be the Pumpkin Spice Latté, I prefer to lust over metallic jewelry tattoos. This trend first caught my eye while I was watching Bachelor In Paradise, feeling bored of it... until Lucy strolled in and stole my heart, wearing metallic temporary tattoos and shaking things up with a threesome. And just last night Beyoncé took to Instagram to show off her own black and gold jewelry tattoos, which inspired a quick Etsy shopping spree. If Bey has 'em, I have 'em, am I right? The highlights of my shopping spree: a gold ying yang, geometric triangles and the Asian symbol for 'Happiness', all from LetsGoGold. Will you be trying this trend?

BRAND TO KNOW | FLASH TATTOOS via MOOREA SEAL

 AM¥     XO

E¥ES ON ¥OU

Dress: Zara (no longer available), Open Track Sole Boot: Zara, Necklace: Zara (no longer available), Watch: Nixon, Ring: Dara Ettinger, Sunglasses: Vintage, Clutch: NARS x Guy Bourdin Promiscuous Set Lips: MAC VIVA GLAM x Rihanna, Scent: Nirvana Black 

September feels a lot like January this year; there is an imminent need for renewal and a naive hope for a better year. Today marks my first day as a true Torontonian, shown here in a ZARA Dress & Boots, gold jewels and my hands locked on this NARS x Guy Bourdin Promiscuous Lip Clutch  (LE). Topped with a red lip for a cause, thanks to Rihanna x MAC VIVA GLAM lipstick & lipgloss. 

The lyrics 'she belongs to the city' have never resonated so deeply within my being. 

 AM¥     XO