Procrastinating Pretty: Edit

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WINTER SKIN CARE ROUTINE

I love the yearly skin care round up. Hell, I love skin care in general. I truly believe that happy, beautiful skin is worth investing in -- you only get one skin! Fair warning, it's a rambly video as opposed to the short, stylistic vids I've been releasing as of late, but when it comes to skin care, I have a lot to talk about.

Also, for the first time EVER in my entire blogging history, I'm doing a guest post! I share my relationship with my skin over on my friend Gummy's blog, so amble on over there to say hi and show her some love! She has the most incredible taste in makeup that I've ever seen, so go drool over her beautiful photography and ultra-high def swatches.

Between the video above and the article on Gummy's blog, this is the most intimate take on my skin ever.

Skin care posts are some of the most popular on my blog, so here are the most useful! I apologize in advance for the hideous quality of the photos.

- Clarisonic vs Neutrogena Wave
- Clarisonic vs Neutrogena Wave Update
- Acne Skin Saviours

I also mentioned this on Gummy's blog, but you'll notice that I haven't included an eye cream. Beauty blogger confession time -- I haven't used one in over year *hangs head in shame*. Recommendations, please!

10 Beauty Buys under $20

Let me preface this by saying that $20 does not mean the same thing in Canada as it does in the US. Don't go checking the exchange rate now -- it's just different, even on days where our dollar is actually higher. Realistically, I'd say $25 dollars is more applicable, but I did manage to fit everything on this list under $20 without resorting to minis, DIYs, drug store or value packs -- not that I don't adore all of those things! But in terms of full-sized, regularly available, ready-to-go products, here are ten that fit the price range that I've repurchased.

Indian Aztec Healing Clay $9 -- this is your one-stop solution for all skin problems -- add apple cider vinegar for an extra kick.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm $13 -- Pricey for a lip balm, but the best I've tried.

Murad Acne Clearing Treatment $18 -- I use this as an all-over treatment when my skin starts sassing me.

Clinique High Impact Mascara $19.50 -- I don't even know why I bother with anything else. This is hands-down the best mascara I've ever used, and I regret straying from it every single time.

MAC Lipstick $19 -- there's a reason this product is so cult; you get an incredible range of colours, so you're sure to find something you like, and the formulas all come in different finishes with varying levels of hydration.

Inglot Blush $19 -- these are even cheaper if you get just the pan from the Freedom System, but a full-size blush still fits within $20!

OPI Nail Polish $9 -- one of the most famous nail brands in the world for a reason; the formula is unbelievable, the brush is so incredibly easy to maneuver, and you're guaranteed to find a colour that works for you.

Hakuhodo J5523 brush $19 -- it's cheaper, softer and washes up better than the MAC 217. If not for the fact that I had already purchased three when I discovered this, I would have switched over completely.

Pai Muslin Cloth $5 -- screw the Clarisonic, just get 10 of these. Seriously.

Klorane Dry Shampoo $16.99 -- this smells so clean and does such an incredible job that I could go a week without washing my hair (if I were so inclined).

New York Haul

I didn't end up making it to any sort of outlet (except a Nordstrom Rack, where I didn't buy anything -- are you proud?!), so this haul is much smaller than I anticipated. That said, I'm excited to not have completely depleted my budget in the first few days of the new year -- snaps for that please!

I mentioned BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone several times over, but have I mentioned exactly how much of a pain in the ass it is to find in Toronto? There's only one Sephora that I know of that sells BECCA, and they are constantly and consistently out of stock. I swear, the first time I bought it, I checked back every week for six weeks, and called at least twice a week. Obsessive compulsive? Only a little.

When I checked out at the line, I found that I had enough points to score the Peter Thomas Roth Best Face Forward 500 point perk. It includes a gel cleanser (I'm not usually a fan, but I'm excited to try this out), a peel, and a mask. I have the mask on right now, and I think it could be a new sleeping mask favourite! More to come on that after I've tested more thoroughly.

I also received the 2015 Sephora birthday gift even though my birthday was last month so I technically shouldn't be getting it until December...oh well. It's two minis of NARS Lip Pencils, which I've never tried before. I'm liking the look of the red though (NARS Cruella).

Also, a product I've been dying to get my hands on but has also been out of stock when I nosey down to the States is Milani Liquif'eye Eye Liner, now rebranded as Milani Liquid Eye Liquid-Like Eye Liner Pencil -- first impression? I used the entire tip in my first application, so I feel like it'll run out really quickly.

I randomly stumbled across a parfumerie on 4th street where a lovely lady helped me create a custom fragrance. It was a pretty cool experience -- she asked me to choose four fragrances I liked, and gradually the scent family grew to about 11 different smells. I am the absolute worst at describing fragrance, but it's a combination of the lily of the valley, something fruity, and butter. Not actually, but that's what it reminds me of.

Finally, my prized possession and sole goal for this trip: the ONA Roma camera insert. I don't even want to confess exactly how I'd been storing my camera before this, but it was little more than an American Apparel circle scarf and a fabric tote if I wasn't being lazy. With this new camera bff, I can turn any of my handbags into a camera bag and not worry about it. Took it for a test run this week and it worked beautifully.

That's all folks!

NEW YEAR'S EVE CLUTCH ESSENTIALS

New Year's is different every year -- in the past five years I've done the following:

- gone to a stranger's house party
- held my own party
- clubbed (the worst)
- gone to a friend's house party
- one I can't remember (but not because I went out and got smashed, I'm pretty sure I slept through it)

I'm leaving for New York tomorrow to spend new year's there, but I can't lie -- I'm most excited for the FOOD. I'll fo sho be vlogging it, so look out next week for a new travel vlog.

Be warned: It will be 99.99999999% food shots (apologies in advance to all those who plan to dine with me).

The video above is a little snippet of how I think most people's nights will go (at least for those who are cooler than me and have awesome parties to go to), and everything you'll need to bring with you. I've got you covered from getting ready to combatting that NYE hangover.

I'm supposed to go to a party, but knowing me I'll get tired around 9:30 and have to sit down.

Friends, I leave you and 2014 with a little Zooey + Joseph Gordon Levitt goodness.

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Just a few essentials while I'm hanging with the family for a few days.

SKIN

MAKEUP

BASE | Cle de Peau Concealer in Ochre

May your non-denominational midwinter solstice festival be happy and bright.

Cold/Flu Skincare Routine

The day before my birthday last week, I was struck down by the worst combination of sore throat, runny nose and all-over body ache. It came on so quickly, I didn't even clue in to the fact that napping twice a day (or ever) was abnormal for me. For five days straight I've been battling the worst of throat and sinus issues -- I won't get into more detail than that!

The worst side effect of blowing your nose in a dry apartment is the wreckage your skin becomes. Literally the entire centre of my face has started flaking off, and it only gets more irritated every time I sneeze. With that, I've temporarily adopted a new skin care routine, at least until my face gets back to normal. Dry-skinned ladies: heads up!

Instead of a foaming cleanser, I start and end my day with Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel -- the most gentle yet thorough cleanse you can find in a non-foaming formula. It pumps as an orange gel and melts into an oil as you work it into your face. Once it comes into contact with water, the product gets milky and rinses off clean. Genius. I use it alone in the mornings and with a muslin cloth at night to make sure all of the dead skin comes off.

To manage the skin around my nose, I've been religiously applying Neostrata Moisture Infusion Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion at least four times a day. I don't normally bother with moisturizers because oil do the trick, but this has been a godsend -- I reapply pretty much every other time I blow my nose, because my skin is so raw around there.

At night, instead of a serum, I've been piling on Josie Maran Argan Oil overtop of the NeoStrata lotion, covering my entire face from lips to eyeballs. I've paraded on about this oil several times before on the blog, but it really is the easiest fix for most skin care issues.

To help keep you from getting sick, check out this post. If it's too late for you (like me), keep downing water, eat as much garlic and ginger as you can (you'll smell so conflicted), and sleeeeeeeeeeep.

25 Things as I approach 25

1. I never thought this would happen, but I suppose it's appropriate as I approach my 25th birthday tomorrow: I think I like wine. Is this the age that happens?

2. I did this tag in my first year of university eight years ago, and I thought it'd be interesting to see how many things I would change.

3. I am such a grammar nazi. Every time I end a sentence with a preposition, I wince inwardly. I once tried to create a Facebook account with the first name Grammar and the last name Nazi and they rejected my profile.

4. I am unsure as to whether or not I have 25 things to talk about. Fingers crossed.

5. I undergo random, serious bouts of journal writing. As in, I will write everyday/relatively frequently for some time, and then go for months without even opening my journal. I've found the same with blogging, but hopefully this streak continues for someone.

6. I am a carb whore. I have been known to eat around the chips of chocolate chip cookies. And around the ice cream of cookie dough ice cream.

7. I so didn't choose the right university or program. But so far, aside from this realization, it hasn't completely ruined my life.

8. If there is such a thing as a clinical addiction to MSN, I was once an addict (#90skid). I've since switched to YouTube.

9. I love love love languages. The best compliment I've ever received was my first year Spanish prof telling me my accent was "casi nativa", and I hate being complimented.

10. I am the least comforting person I know in any language.

11. I was hoping to go through this without mentioning my height.

12. Because this is the 12th question, and the number 12 means something special to me, I will take this opportunity to address my height issues. If I only knew 10 years ago that I'd be the height I am now, I would never have missed out on five precious years of wearing pretty heels. And also, despite how much I bitch and moan about being the tallest girl in almost any group, whenever I see a girl taller than me, my head immediately goes: "What are you doing up here?"

13. Sometimes I'm not sure if I like things because I actually like them, or just because I should/have for a long time.

14. I ADORE Christmas carols - I will listen to them outside of the appropriate season (in the privacy of my own house when no one's home). I hate them during the holidays though, especially when sung by creepy child choirs.

15. My brother once told me (in my 18th birthday card, I might add) that babies who are breastfed have two ridges on the end of their noses. I still find this insanely fascinating. I was not breastfed.

16. I hate drama. It's occasionally fun when it's far enough away (i.e. on a Hills rerun), but I ain't got time for that.

17. I am very cynical. And highly consumeristic. I like to think that as a child of two immigrant businesspeople, it comes with the territory.

18. I'm running out of things to say.

19. Ironically, when I first saw these random note things come up, I was desperately hoping for someone to tag me =P

20. I am not vegetarian, but I could easily live without meat. Despite this, I really like most meats.

21. I undergo phases of my life where I overuse certain words. I think currently (although it's not reflected in this note) my word is 'actually'. And I will never stop interspersing my words with 'like', even though it makes me hate myself.

22. I find the question "Where are you from?" to be very confusing. Does it mean "Where were you born?" or "Where is your family from?" or "Where did you grow up?" or "Where do you live?" Does anyone else overthink it to this degree?

23. I don't believe that anything is ever clear-cut. I don't think anything is always or completely wrong/right/perfect/simple.

24. I'm currently drinking wine. Also, all of these have started with I except #12 and 13.

25. And #25. Leave it in the comments!

5 THINGS YOU NEED FOR TRAVEL

Last travel post, I promise.

(For now).

I know you're all here for the beauty bits, but I just had to give a shout-out to a few things I actually wouldn't have survived without on my Eurotrip. You mean you haven't seen the vlog? Check it out here, and be prepared for that song to be stuck in your head for six to eight hours.

I try not to pack "just in case" items, but the items I talk about are definitely not just in case -- they're tried, true and essential. There wasn't a single moment on my trip that I was worried about draining my battery, getting lost or over my luggage limit.

Have I missed any other travel essentials? Leave it in the comments.

Not Getting Sick Essentials

At the height of cold/flu season, here are a few of my best tips to prevent and treat a stuffy nose and sore throat. Please bear in mind I am not a medical professional of any kind -- in fact, take all of this advice with a massive grain of salt.

WATER | I try to drink as much water as I can to stay hydrated, it'll soothe any dry nose or throat

ORGANIC 911 | this caffeine-free peppermint blend from David's Tea clears up your sinuses with the first inhale.

HONEY | Raw tastes infinitely better than anything that comes from a bear-shaped bottle. Trust me.

VITAMIN C HALLS | I don't like the way Emergen-C tastes, and I forget to take supplements, but these taste like citrus Jolly Ranchers. Sold.

HUMIDIFIER | This Japanese cypress humidifier is the perfect size for my bedroom, and it keeps morning sore throats away.

BONUS TIP: If your throat is sore, gargle salt water as shown in this video.

Capsule Wardrobe: 8 Must-Have Handbags

I can feel the beginning of a shift in my wardrobe -- it's been a while since I've created an outfit of all statement pieces. Instead of a maxi skirt recycled from 80 pairs of jean shorts (it sounds like a joke but it's actually hanging in my closet), I'm more likely to reach for a pair of black skinny jeans. Here, I enter into the capsule wardrobe. I have two muses to guide me: Anuschka and Sophie.

While I'm not ready to give up all of my clothes just yet, I figure I'll tackle my wardrobe in sections, starting with the easiest -- handbags. It takes me an extraordinary amount of time to debate a handbag purchase. For someone who owns 8 different white v-neck t-shirts, it's strange to find a section of my wardrobe that's not legally insane.

To pare down your handbag collection and determine what you really need and use, start by answering the following questions to evaluate your lifestyle.

1) When do you carry a bag?

2) How much do you carry per occasion?

I have three major areas in my life: work, weekends and occasional special occasions.

Work

- a neutral leather work bag – for an everyday bag, go for a pebble or a saffiano instead of a calfskin. Make sure it's large enough for everything you need on the daily!

TIP: Get two. If you’re using something every day, it’ll wear out more quickly. Switching between two bags will ease up on general wear and tear. I like having one in black and one in a neutral. If you can, try and have one fit your work computer.

WHAT I USE: Furla Papermoon Satchel, Zara Bucket Bag – this is so worn, it desperately needs replacing.

Weekend

- a messenger bag for errands – large enough for the essentials, and leaves your hands free to do stuff

- a tote for shopping weekends – I prefer these to be fabric, large enough for groceries and my laptop

- a clutch – for those weekends that are meal-based, and less haul-based

TIP: If you wear 99% black or neutral, get your weekend clutch in a bright pop of colour. It'll make an entire outfit.

WHAT I USE: Proenza Schouler PS1, Penguin Tote Bag, Proenza Schouler PS13 Clutch

Special Occasion

- A minaudiere – This isn’t an everyday piece, so go crazy with metallic colour or an exotic skin.

WHAT I USE: Nothing. This is one part of my wardrobe I have yet to conquer. Suggestions welcome!

Extras

- Pouches – in canvas or leather, these help me stay organized and switch easily from bag to bag.

- A cross body wallet – the best travel wallet, especially if it's large enough for a passport

- Weekender – a zippered carry-all is literally a travel lifesaver, in case you over-shop

- Wheeled carry-on – this + weekender = all the luggage you need.

Anything I’m missing?

For anyone who's making a bag purchase for the first time, check out this incredibly helpful resource Rue La La has put together; a beginner's guide to handbags! I've been a bag lady some time, but this was still a great read to brush up on my bag knowledge.

PS: In a perfect world, my secondary everyday work bag would be a reversible cognac and gray tote. Anyone?

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