Lazy Gone Wild

Happy Sunday everyone!!

The thing I love the most about the fall are all the beautiful colours that appear on the trees and around my neighbourhood. It just gives me this jolt of excitement when I see all the leaves changing colours and falling from their branches, leaving a mess on the grass. This season makes me want to go out during the day and then snuggle up in a blanket with a nice cup of hot chocolate at night! 

When it get's chilly outside I have a habit of going straight to my sweat pants and long-johns to keep me warm and comfortable. I decided to throw together a very comfortable look that looks fun and sexy and that can be worn out for lunch or to go shopping with some pals! 

The trick to wearing comfortable clothes and not looking like a bum is actually pretty easy. Here are a few steps that can make a lazy outfit look amazing:

Step 1: The Top
I have this very weird obsession with long-john-like long-sleeve shirts. I get most of mine from American Apparel and they are the comfiest tops that I own (I sometimes even sleep in them!). I always wear neutral colours like grey or black so that they are easy to accessorize. Accessorizing is key to making a comfortable look come to life. Add a chunky necklace to your look that will stand out! This will help get rid of that bum-like look; it makes a huge difference and it's just one accessory! Also, add a vest or an interesting jacket over your top when you go out. Layering can work wonders for you if you do it right!

Step 2: The Bottom
If you know me well, you know that I own about 20 pairs of leggings. I live in leggings. I have blue leggings, black leggings, white leggings, charcoal leggings, leather leggings, cotton leggings; any kind of legging, I probably have it! The miraculous thing about leggings is that you can wear them around your house on a lazy day but once you get that phone call from a friend saying to meet you at the mall in 15, all you have to do is change your shirt! Literally. Leggings can be worn to lounge around in or to a party. They are my everything. On a cold day I enjoy wearing my (faux) leather leggings that I purchased from Zara. They are extremely comfortable and they make anything I wear with it look sexy!

Step 3: The Shoes
My famous Dr. Martens... I have never been so in love with a boot before! They are beyond comfortable; I can even run in them. This kind of boot being the final touch to my outfit really made me forget that I was actually wearing a sweat-top! 

You don't have to do much to look great! You can still go out in your sweats and look good at the same time! It's all about the little details that you incorporate into your outfit. A nice statement necklace, proper layering, and a sexy boot and you're good to go! Don't stop being comfortable - but do it in a more confident and presentable way! Here are some pics of the outfit that I put together for this post. Enjoy!

Photo creds go to my brother! 

Until next time,

Amanda

XXX

Foundation Frenzy!!

Good afternoon!

When I give makeup tips specifically, I like to give you two options; the affordable and the expensive. It is very important to me that every single one of my viewers can relate and have access to the products that I post and review on my blog. I personally have a more expensive taste in makeup (usually with good reasoning) but I also enjoy the cheaper products that are out there and love to experiment my looks with all kinds of different brand names. Also, all reviews that are made here are strictly mine and mine only. I will not shy away from giving a bad review either.

A topic/question that girls just find themselves talking or asking about way to often is… (Drumroll)… What foundation do you use?

This is such a highly talked about makeup product that women just can’t get enough of! I only recently started wearing foundation, which covers up blemishes and evens out your skin tone. To be honest, it took a lot of patience, testers, and money to finally get it right. What a process! Hopefully for you newbies, this will help you get past what I went through and get you straight to the good stuff!

I have two recommendations for foundations. One is a very affordable, easy to apply foundation that can be bought at any Pharmacy or drug store and the other is a high-end, expensive yet impressive foundation.

Rimmel: Wake Me Up Foundation

This is my first foundation that I have ever purchased! I have tried dozens of other foundations since then and yet I still carry this around in my makeup bag. It has a moisturizing texture and is very light on your skin. It doesn’t have that thickness that most foundations possess. It’s more of a light foundation meaning it doesn’t give you as much coverage as most other foundations. If you’re going for a more natural look then this is a product that you should try. I have very clear skin with blemishes sometimes appearing around my nose/cheek area. I don’t like to put makeup where there doesn’t need to be any so on those days when I’m having a good “skin day”, I will apply this foundation and go on with my day. Because it’s so light however, it doesn’t last all day. I would give it maybe four to five hours of coverage at most. But, I also don’t apply any kind of setting powder afterwards so that may make a huge difference for you! Unfortunately, the packaging is glass, which is no bueno for someone like me who travels a lot with their makeup. I have cracked a few of these bottles already and have had to go buy new ones. So if you’re as clumsy as I am, fill it into a plastic bottle once you get it!

 Lancôme: Teint Idole Ultra 24H

Welcome to my every day foundation (for now)! Like I mentioned before, I don’t use any setting powder for my foundation – I like to use as minimal of makeup as possible. Instead of powder, I put on bronzer to contour my cheekbones and I find that helps with making my foundation last a bit longer. I wouldn’t say this lasts a full 24 hours but it definitely lasts up to half a day (12 hours). This foundation is so smooth and has amazing coverage. What I mostly love about this foundation is knowing how much work it took for this company to perfect it. It took the Lancôme company up to eight years of research before unveiling this product. If there’s one thing I love, it’s hard work and dedication. I feel comfortable and natural in this foundation therefore it was worth every penny!

I apply all of my foundations with a Chanel Foundation Brush. This is the easiest technique for me and I know for many other women as well. The Rimmel foundation can also be easily applied with your fingers (make sure you wash them first!).

Until next time dolls,

Amanda

XXX

My Nighttime Routine

Good afternoon ladies!!! I hope you all had an amazing thanksgiving weekend! Here in Canada, the weather was beautiful and perfect for a weekend spent with family and friends. 

I get a lot of questions about how I keep my skin so fresh and smooth and to be honest, I really don't do much. Everyone's skin type is different and requires different treatments, products, and care. However, what I found in common for everyone and most important is washing your face before you go to sleep. I am not going to pretend that I do this extravagant nighttime routine every single night. Of course not! There are days where I come home from work or school and just pass out in full-makeup and then wake up the next morning with my eyelashes curled in all different directions. I had to find a nighttime routine that was fitting for me and that wouldn't take up too much time when I get home and just want to go to sleep. So, here is what I've been doing/using lately in four easy and fast steps: 

 Step 1: Clean & Clear: Pore Perfecting Cleanser (Oil-Free) 
This is a face wash that I use just to remove my makeup. I use a few pumps of this soap with water and it removes all of my makeup within seconds. Because it is oil-free, it can work for all skin types which is great for my household since everyone in my family has different skin types. I enjoy this soap because it's purpose isn't just to remove makeup. Instead of using a million different products, this soap already contains a formula that clears pores of dirt and oil.

Step 2: Biosource: Instant Hydration Toning Lotion 
You will see with time that I mostly use Biotherm products when it comes to lotions, creams, SPF protection, etc. This is my go-to product and has been for years. The reason for this is that Biotherm products are all water based (specifically containing thermal plankton). This toner is the most important product used within my day. It reaches the deep dirt that cleansers cannot and at the same time exfoliates my skin ridding it of any dead cells or impurities. I use any kind of cotton pads to apply the toner and it takes no time at all to apply. I dab lightly around my face and it seriously makes my skin feel lighter and deeply cleaned.

Step 3: Biotherm: Aquasource 
I apply this in the morning before putting on my makeup and at night right before I go to bed. This is a product that I've been using for years and it has never failed to impress me. It is made to hydrate the skin which is exactly what I need since I can sometimes get very dry skin. I just can't go on with my day without my moisturizer!!

Step 4: Crest: 3D White Luxe 
And last but not least, you have to brush your teeth! To be honest, I don't have one specific tooth paste that I prefer but I do have a list of ones that I will only use. Any of the Crest whitening toothpastes are amazing! I also really like Sensodyne and Pronamel. However, if you're looking for a teeth whitener, Crest really does the trick!

And that's it! Like I mentioned before, I don't do this every single night. There are many times when laziness takes over my healthy habits. But every time I do this routine I wake up the next morning with the softest and clearest skin.

I hope you found this post useful and if so feel free to comment or e-mail me! I would love to hear from you especially if you have a product to recommend to me! 

 Until next time, 

Amanda 

XXX

Fall/Winter Boot Collection!

First off, I want to express how excited I am to finally be embarking on this very new, exciting, and hopefully successful journey with all of you. It is my absolute pleasure to be sharing my lifestyle with you and I hope that you enjoy reading my blog posts just as much as I enjoy writing them!

 So, as you can probably tell from the title, this post will be about my boot collection for this fast approaching fall/winter. I have to admit immediately that I am a complete shoe addict (having worked with the Aldo group for approximately two years) and will go completely out of my way to snatch up a good deal on a sexy new pair of shoes.

When I think of winter, I automatically think of slush, wet, cold, snow, and completely damaging all of my shoes. Well, I decided that I am not going to look at this time of year as so depressing as the last because I am going to have just the right shoes to walk me through into the New Year both happy and shoe-tastic! In order to do this however, I had to shell out quite a bit of money and build on my fall/winter shoe/boot collection. If I’m going to treck through the slush, I’m going to make sure I do it in style!

 Now don’t get confused, this collection has been in the making for quite a few years. Collections of any kind take time, patience, and unfortunately; money. My first boot is one that I purchased while working for a small boutique within the Aldo Group Company called Little Burgundy. I call it a boutique because it is very small and more high-end housing designer names like Michael Kors, Uggs Australia, Hunter, Jeffrey Campbell, and more. Although it’s pricey, it has become one of my favorite stores to shop at, specifically for boots. I got my first (and only) pair of Hunter boots here about two or three years ago and guess what, they are still in amazing condition (and in style)! These are probably one of my most worn and practical boots in my closet and it definitely earned a spot in my boot collection for this fall/winter. What’s amazing about this particular boot is that it can be worn on a rainy fall day or on a snowy winter day (with a Welly sock added inside for extra warmth). I bought these Hunter boots in the colour matte black because with a pricey boot, you want to make sure they are compatible with many different types of outfits. It looks just like a rain boot and serves it’s purpose exceptionally and beyond. The only issue I had with the boot in terms of deterioration was that the side clips either fell or got ripped off. Although these are just for decoration and makes no difference in the fit of the boot, I was kind of upset at the time!

 The second boot that was added to my collection is my Ugg boots, also purchased at Little Burgundy just last winter. Again, pricey as they are, I made sure to get a neutral color that will not only match most of my outfits but also my beautiful Mackage winter jacket that my parents gifted me last Hanukkah. These boots are a-m-a-z-i-n-g for going out into a complete and messy winter wonderland. They are so soft and warm and cozy, it’s like they were fitted and contoured just for my feet! I got the ankle length ones in beige. At first I was concerned with the colour that I had chosen thinking that all the slush and dirt will stain the partly suede/partly leather boot however, to my pleasant surprise they have stayed looking brand new! Dirt rubs off with just water, it’s almost like magic really. Keep in mind, when buying anything designer or over your budget, to make sure that it’s a kind of style that won’t go out of fashion any time soon. You want your purchases to be able to last you a few years, especially if they’re solely for seasonal wear.

 My third boot is actually more of a “bootie”. This time from Aldo Shoes, are these amazing leather healed ankle boots, which are just perfect for this crisp fall weather. I bought these in black and they can literally be paired with almost any outfit I own. These are the kind of boots that can really make an outfit come together. You can wear simple black leggings and a t-shirt and these boots will literally give your whole look the pop you need. When I first saw them I had that whole “they are to die for” attitude and to be honest, I still do! They are also so practical because of the colour. I am so happy with this purchase that it definitely won a place in my collection!

And last but not least; my absolute favourite and biggest risk taker: My Sadie high-heel lace up boots by Dr. Martens in the colour burgundy. These pumps are definitely out of my comfort zone and not as practical as my Aldo “bootie” and that is mostly because of the colour…but it’s ok! They are just so fabulous and I can’t wait to show them off! I snatched these on an online sale and couldn’t be happier with my purchase. These aren’t your everyday boots. This is the kind of boot you wear if you’re feeling adventurous or extra sexy. I will be pairing this up this fall/winter with as much leather as I could. I feel like these boots paired with leather is just too sexy and out of the box! I will definitely have fun building outfits around this look and I added it to my collection to give it a bit of extra spice and adventure. It has a kind of rocker/punk edge to it but with the right accessories can be made to look feminine and sexy as well. It’s alright to takes risks when applying something to your wardrobe once in a while with things or styles that you’re not use to but if you’re going to spend a lot of money, be 100% satisfied with the idea of buying it first! The last thing you want is to regret buying something and then have that article sitting in your closet taking up room and collecting dust! No bueno.

That is my boot collection (so far) for this fall/winter! I don’t have any plans on adding (or buying) any more boots for this season however, you never know! I am completely and absolutely satisfied with these four pairs of boots and am excited to experiment on ways in which I can evolve my style with them. I have my comfort go-to boots and my risky, out-of-the-box boots which in the end, will balance out my fall/winter wardrobe!

 Thank you, thank you, thank you, for taking the time to read my first blog post and I really hope that you enjoyed it! If it helped you in any way by gaining ideas or advice, please don’t hesitate to let me know! Comment or send me an e-mail!

Until next time,

Amanda

Xo

amanda.rafael91@gmail.com