Airplane Essentials: Packing a 3-1-1 Liquids Baggie

The only exception I will allow to my no checked baggage rule is a suitcase full of vacation purchases on the way back.  On the way there, however, I refuse to check anything if I can help it.  That's why, for two weeks, I will be living off the contents of this bag.

Below, a list of all the liquids that are coming with me on my trip -- since airlines are so finicky about travelling with any sort of liquid, I've had to downsize.  You're allowed to bring as many items up to 3 oz in size, in 1 single 1-quart bag.  This is an extensive list since I'm away for almost two weeks, but for a more condensed / overnight version, click here!

Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash | smells way better than Purell

Antipodes Aura  Mask | decanted into a tiny pot so I can turn my flight into a spa experience

Avene Thermal Water | for planes and other places with questionable tap water

Bioderma Sensibio | needs no introduction

Bumble & bumble Creme de Coco Conditioner | conditioner > shampoo

Dr Bronner's Liquid Soap | mix 1:1 for shampoo, use full strength for body wash

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Serum | I back this up like a Chevy

Caudalie Vinoperfect Beauty Fluid | this too

Josie Maran Argan Oil | face, body, hair and lip moisture

Murad Acne Clearing Treatment | skin saviour

Salt Water | DIY it here

Weleda Salt Toothpaste | first-time user, will report back

Yu-be Moisturizing Skin Cream | for non-greasy hydration

That's it folks -- all two weeks of skin care.  Wish me luck.

10 days in a Carry-On: Packing List

I hate checking luggage -- especially on the way to a destination!  I refuse to spend any time waiting for my luggage when I could be getting on my way to the see the place I've flown six hours to see. For that reason I'm also restricted to toiletries in a liquids baggie.  Check that magic out here!

I'm also trying not to look like a slob though, so check below for a handy-dandy packing list: 15 items of clothing to get you through 10 days. Let's be clear though, I'm not including socks/undergarments in that 15.  For two weeks That's just...no.  Shoes, accessories, outerwear though -- it all counts.

SIDEBAR: The crazy person inside me hates the fact that I have more items of clothing than there are days in my trip.  If this were a beach vacation and not a European city break, things would be very different.

- To see these outfits in action, check out the vlog here! -

I'm not planning to do laundry because I'm moving around so much that there won't be time for anything to dry.  The list down below contains literally everything I'm bringing with me. Note that folding it all into this Muji packing cube leaves approximately 2/3 of my suitcase empty.

The reason I prefer to travel with close to nothing is that I will inevitably shop. In fact, it's nice to build your wardrobe along the way with treasure you've picked up -- at least you know you'll use all the souvenirs you've purchased.  Caveat Emptor: It's not a guarantee you'll find something, so don't go naked.

PS: You'll notice that makeup and skin care are suspiciously absent.  Next week!
PPS: Yes, everything listed below (and more) fits into the cases seen above or onto my body.  That's it, folks!

DRESSES - sweater dress OUTERWEAR - wool overcoat TOPS - 2 tees - 2 tanks - silk oxford shirt - black jersey cardigan - cashmere sweater UNDERWEAR - bandeaus - black tights - socks - underwear - pyjamas PLANE - ginger chews - headphones - thick socks - amusement - eye mask - face mask

BOTTOMS - skinny jeans - black jeans SHOES - flats - biker boots ACCESSORIES - everyday bag - infinity scarf OTHER - flip flops - towel - scrubby towel - meds (charcoal / Gravol / Tylenol / melatonin) TECH - gopro + cable - phone + cable - sd cards - wall adapter + dual plug DOCS - passport - travel itinerary - insurance

*Format stolen from Sophie at The Private Life of a Girl. She is my guiding light towards minimalism

What's In My Bag | Proenza Schouler PS1 Review

I picked up this Proenza Schouler PS1 in Military about a year ago -- while I don't use it everyday, it's one of my favourite all-rounders: deceptively roomy, light to carry, and goes with everything.

This is the medium size, measuring 13" x 9" x 4", is just large enough for me to bring everything I need without giving me too much room to fit in the kitchen sink.  I used to be obsessed with the oversized bucket bags of the mid-to-late 00's, but I'm starting to embrace a more streamlined (ish) approach.

This bag can be carried in hand and worn cross-body, but fair warning: the strap is not quite long enough to be a traditionally slouchy messenger bag.  You'll see in the video that the 16" drop sits very high on me, especially with my freakishly long torso, but I almost prefer it because it reminds me of those one-strap backpacks in grade school.

I feel like I should have treated this bag with some sort of leather care, but I have no idea what products are safe to use on this leather.  Got advice? Leave it below!

The bag closure is a flip-lock closure, with two additional straps to keep the envelope flap down; for a more casual look (read: when I'm in a hurry and can't give a bleep), I'll keep the straps loose, but the straps do give the bag more detail.

5 Halloween Makeup Must-Haves

Whatever costume you plan, here are a few of the make up essentials that I've found extraordinarily handy in the past.  Also bear in mind that I've never once planned a Halloween costume in advance, so I believe most of these products are fairly accessible.

Black Eyeliner -- great for sketching out webs, animal noses, whiskers, pretty much anything.  It's basically a Sharpie for your face.  For pencil liners, I like _________, for liquid liner, I've recently been loving Kat Von D Ink! in Trooper

False Eyelashes -- these are a Halloween costume in themselves.  Pick up an outrageous pair from Make Up For Ever, or a subtle Ardell pair to enhance and add femininity to a costume.

White Base -- Failing that, a super pale concealer.  I usually go for a concealer in the lightest shade available at the drugstore and use it as a base for all zombie / vampire looks. NYX Jumbo Eye Shadow Pencil in Milk

Red lipstick -- I always end up using red lipstick.  I don't even know why.  In a pinch, it could be blood.

Lash glue -- DUO is technically a surgical glue, so it will hold most things together.  I've seen a ton of brilliant Zipper Face tutorials using this glue.  This comes in black and clear, so make sure you know which one you're using!

Depending on your costume, you'll likely need a few specialized items -- fun contacts, specific eye shadow colours, gel blood, scar wax, etc.  What are you for Halloween this year?

Best Black Polish Ever

One of my biggest nail polish inspirations is the opening scene from Suburban Girl starring Sarah Michelle Gellar -- an ultraglossy and ultrapigmented black on a short, squoval nail.  Check out the video here or below.  I just love how clean and neat this looks -- it looks even cleaner than some nude manicures I've seen.

For years (and I do mean years)I've searched tirelessly for a good black nail polish.  When I started painting my nails regularly six or seven years ago, I noticed immediately that all black nail polishes pulled brown on my skin.  Maybe it's because my hair is so dark?  I don't know.

Needless to say, I trawled through literally hundreds of reviews of the best black nail polishes on nail polish blogs, Makeupalley and nail polish-dedicated Flickr accounts (they exist), and still nothing.  I gave up and pretended Chanel Blue Satin was black.

I happened to pick Nails Inc Black Taxi off a clearance shelf in my local Shoppers Drug Mart, and my life was forever changed.  This is the only black polish that has ever looked properly black on me. I later found out that this was marketed as a one-coat black; that's almost true! There are very few polishes that I consider one-coaters, and this might be on someone else -- on my skin though, I need two coats to get that blackest black depth.

I've also heard fab things about Givenchy's new black -- check out this full review on Sunny's blog.

NOTE: I'm going away on vacation until November 9, so the comments section might be a little quiet.  I'll try to upload as much as I can to Instagram, so follow me there @procrastinatingpretty!

The Boot Round Up

- L - R -

Rag & Bone Newbury

Brooks Brothers Calfskin Vintage Style

Steve Madden (not sure of the model)

The other day I said something crazy.

"I think I have all the fall/winter shoes I want!"

And then I did a roundup of all my shoes, and I do believe that I've created the ultimate everyday boot wardrobe for fall.  Bootdrobe?

I live in the slushy winterland of Toronto, which means my shoes have to brave occasional ankle-deep questionable wet, gray matter that calls itself snow, escape the literal throes of black ice, and stand up to the ubiquitous sand and salt that exists everywhere to fight the aforemention ice and snow.

While most people opt for a commuter shoe (you know, comfortable, practical, treaded footwear designed to manage the winter elements), I know I'll forget to switch them out and be caught wearing quilted, lace-up Sorels to a client meeting.  Oops.

That said, I've rounded up a few shoes that should see me through this hopefully polar vortex-free winter.

One rule: No suede.  No imitation suede.  No soft fabrics in general.  You'll thank me later.

Fall Makeup | Oxblood Lip + Copper Eye

I (and every other makeup wearer on the planet) adore a smoky eye.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I love smoky eyes more than a lot of other people simply because it's the only type of eye look that'll show up on my flat, hooded eyelids.

For anyone who has eyes lids like mine, you know that you can keep putting on the eye shadow only to have it disappear immediately as soon as you open your eyes.  It can be frustrating, but it also means I get to wear more makeup. Win?

On Tod, I'll be showing you one of my favourite fall looks -- a coppery, red-toned smoky eye.  I never knew how much I could love this type of colour on me; there's definitely a risk that this could end up looking like a bruise.  That said, with the right products and good shadow placement, anyone can wear this look.

HOODED EYE TIP: Keep your eyes open as you apply the eye shadow, so you can judge how far up your lid to place the colour.