Pamper Products

Something that every girl needs from time to time is a classic pamper night.

I honestly think that they're the best remedy after a stress filled week or two.

Some people go all out when they pamper themselves: nails, face masks, hair masks, etc. I choose more of a simple, laid back night that requires three things:

Candles, a luxurious bubble bath, and a refreshing face mask.

I either like a very fresh or very calming scent, so my favourites include a mixture of both. If you have different smell tastes (does that make sense?) I will say that Yankee Candle is one of my favourite brands (as you can probably tell from my choices) and has a huge variety of scents.

1) Yankee Candle in French Vanilla
2) The White Company Candle in White Lavender
3) Yankee Candle in Clean Cotton

My chosen bath 'accessory' is a bath bomb. They soften your skin, smell incredible, and prettify (technical term) your otherwise ordinary bath. There's only one place to buy bath bombs and that's Lush. They're a little pricey but are key to a girl's pamper night.

1) Sex Bomb: contains jasmine, clary sage and ylang ylang to relax you as soya milk softens your skin.
2) Golden Egg Bomb: not quite sure about whether I'm keen on coming out of the bath looking like a gold statue, but I do love the honey-toffee fragrance and cocoa butter
3) Bunny Bomb: yummy mixture of vanilla, coconut butter, and shea butter that releases tiny blue cornflower petals for the ultimate bathing experience

Finally we have face masks. These are quite hard to recommend because each persons skin requires a different product, but I've tried to cover all the bases with these three products.

1) C. Booth Deep Cleansing Volcanic Mud Mask: this sounds a little gross but as this mask dries you can  all the dirt it's pulled out of your skin-by far the best solution to skin that's been smothered in makeup lately

2) Karuna Hydrating Treatment Mask: this is a face mask sheet which means you look a bit like Hannibal Lector while it's on but it does wonders to rehydrate tired looking skin

3) Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask: for those whose skin looks impeccably dry during the winter (join the club), this rehydrating mask is the perfect remedy

Hope this helps you all in planning an upcoming pamper night!

Love, Milly

Winter Lip Tips

Most people's winters appear to be coming to an end, but if today is any indication, mine is far from over.

I find that winter takes an extreme toll on two parts of my face: skin and lips.

Moisturisers are quite difficult to recommend because everyone's skin is so different. Though if any of you suffer from sever winter dryness like me, I heavily recommend Clinique Moisture Surge or Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation (my sister swears by it!).

So instead I thought I would share my winter lips routine with all of you.

The first step to having soft lips is exfoliating--especially if you like to wear matte lip stains in the winter months, this step is a must.

My weapon of choice is e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator

You can tell how much I love this product by how worn down it is. It's infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils and has little beads that work to exfoliate your lips as you rub it on. Best part? It tastes like brown sugar!

After using it for about two weeks, I've definitely noticed a difference in how soft my lips are. Highly recommend this product, especially because it is such a steal at only $3.00! As of now I believe you can buy this line at Target in Canada, but I'm not sure if they specifically carry this product as I bought it online.

Next step is moisturizing.

I've recently stumbled upon the most magnificent lip balm in the world. Big statement, I know, but Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm rightfully deserves it.

I've tried tons of lip balms before, but always found that they had no long-lasting effects on my perpetually chapped lips. Rêve de Miel, with it's huge cult following, is exactly the opposite. It's an extremely lush lip balm which penetrates deep into your poor chapped lips to give long-lasting results.

Although I've only recently purchased it, I think the pot will last me for quite some time, which makes the $17 purchase price (Shoppers Drug Mart) well worth it.

Let me know your winter lip must-haves!

Love, Milly

Belle of the Ball

At least in Toronto, around this time of year schools have their "semis" and "formals." I'm not actually quite sure why only my schools is called a formal since we have an entirely separate prom but that's another topic all together.

Well, this past weekend I had my last ever formal.

So I thought I would pop up a couple of pictures and share some looks for those of you who have similar events coming up or are simply looking for a dress for an upcoming occasion...valentines day anyone?

I'm a bit more curvy so I really liked this lace Guess dress. It was extremely comfy, showed off what I got but still remained tasteful. The dress also has a beautiful low lace back which I fell in love with.

You can't see them on me in this picture but I paired it with these 5 inch suede blue pumps since I'm sadly a shrimp in the height department.

Add a little cateye with black stila eyeliner and voila.

This next look is more modern day Gatsby..

Absolutely in love with this tfnc dress paired with side swept soft waves. Finish it off with nude pumps to lengthen your legs and keep the eyes on your delightfully sparkly dress.

This is the 'daddy's litte girl' look with just a hint of edge

With it's back bow and baby blue tone, you can't get much sweeter than this Asos dress. Rough it up a bit with beach waves and a smokey eye with hints of blue.

This final look is by far my favourite of the bunch...sadly I didn't see it before my own formal

This Nasty Gal dress is edgey, playful, and sexy all at once. Big black platforms and a sleeked back, slightly tousled ponytail finish the look.

Finally, for some advice. Don't get caught up in having to bring someone. I ended up going stag with a couple of girlfriends and had the best night of my life.

Girls who were set up on the other hand ended up either babysitting their dates or not talking to them the entire night. Sure, if you have a close guy friend or you're the lucky gal with a boyfriend, take them.

If not, let loose, take pictures, dance your ass off, and enjoy.

Love, Milly

School Bag Lust

I seemed to have developed a minor (or very major...) obsession with all things tote related. According to my family I'm getting to the point where an intervention will soon be in order, but believe me, my hunt is justified!

I've been carrying around the classic L.L.Bean backpack since the tender age of three when I first started junior kindergarten (because by three us Canadians require an educational outlet to learn the art of finger painting).

My tastes nowadays seem to be veering away from the knapsack style....or at least the L.L.Bean one.

So, to make this obsession productive, I thought I'd share my current lust list of 'school' totes and knapsacks.

Prada 'Saffiano Lux Double-Zip Tote' ($2677)

I am praying for a miracle when it comes to this being my graduation present. It is the go-to, day, night, school, work, bring it to everything, everywhere tote.

                 

                                                     Rebecca Minkoff 'Medium MAB Tote' ($338)

I'm strangely in love with coral at the moment but it also comes in a number of other colors

Cambridge Satchel Company 'The Batchel' ($205)

This is in 'Navy' but the 'Oxblood' and 'Vintage' are also lovely

For a more of a traditional backpack feel....

Santa Cruz Leather Backpack ($272)

Alexander Wang Prisma Skeletal Backpack ($1207)

The backpacks of backpacks and sadly another bag which will always remain on my lust list and not my closet *sigh...

If anyone else has found a school bag on a budget, take pity...I seem to forever be stuck in this hopeless search!

Love, Milly

Winter Wear

Nothing says winter like a good oversized sweater. Not only are they super warm and comfy but they look great with a pair of skinny jeans or leggings.

Here are some of my favourites at the moment...

For the Plain Jane

On the left, Aritzia Lenox Sweater-cashmere and angora...can I just curl up into this right now?

On the right, Zara Sweater--it doesn't look as gritty (technical term?) in person and is so comfy

For the Fancy Nancy

I love both of these! Perfect to add a bit of pop to your layers

On the left, Miss Selfridge Bow Jacquard Fluffy Jumper
On the right, Topshop Drench Cable Knit--so lovely with some black booties and a dark red lip for a chilly night out with the girls

Enjoy!

Love, Milly