beauty tip: mascara

{ Dior Diorshow Mascara }

When I realized I was getting close to the end of the tube of my favorite mascara - Diorshow, I remembered a tip that I had previously heard. If you heat up the bottle, it thins out what's left in the tube and makes the application must smoother. I've been running mine under hot water for about 45 seconds before applying and it's resulted in thick, long black lashes!

Once this bottle runs dry I have decided to give Maybelline Volum'Express a try! If it's good enough for the make-up artists of New York Fashion week, it's god enough for me!

Do you have a specific brand of mascara you swear by? Are you into trying different colors of mascara?
I've been wanting to try blue mascara! Oh, and not together but maybe even this glittery liquid liner?!

chocolate cake

As I've said before, birthdays are special and deserve to be celebrated. What better way to celebrate than with chocolate cake right!? And a five tiered chocolate cake at that! It's D's moms birthday and we figured what better occasion to get back into baking. I haven't baked anything in so long and it felt really great to be back in the kitchen with a familiar recipe and to get that feeling of satisfaction with such yummy results. I followed this cake recipe that I've shared previously  (seriously, if you haven't made this cake, just do it already - it really is so moist and amazing); and this frosting recipe - I added extra powdered cocoa and a little bit of milk to thin it out - I think it tastes like chocolate soft serve :)

ready for fall: polished tips

sole mate by essie

Yesterday, I found my go-to fall polish color. essie's "sole mate" has the perfect warm richness for the cool autumn days ahead! I'm loving all the deep, darker polish shades that seem to be on trend this fall!

Also take a look at the cute breast cancer awareness celebration essie has come up with - 31 Days of Pink!

beauty & grace

{ Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill }

I just finished reading Mrs. Kennedy and Me and am in love with the beauty and grace that Jackie Kennedy seemed to exude. I have a fascination with old school glamour, fashion and celebrity and this book satisfied all of the above. Clint Hill was assigned to protect Mrs. Kennedy specifically when JFK became president and his telling of their time together clearly shows his fondness for the first lady. In reading, you can't help but get wrapped up in the joy the Kennedy family shared in spending time together as a family and the devastation that swept the entire world on that sad day in Dallas. I could barely put it down - a read I highly recommend!

say cheese!

As some of you might know, I haven't spent much time residing at home over the past six months. I've been traveling, working and visiting people and places all over and I figured I should share a bit of what I've seen! The photo sharing in Europe was cut off, so I've updated some more photos from our trip; as well as some photos from my summer at camp, Halifax and our time spent in Alaska and B.C so far! Click HERE to take a looksie on my Flickr!

nautical

{ sweet onboard welcome mats }

{ easy, breezy boat attire }

{ colorful boating gear }

{ cold water, warm walks }

 { lonesome September beach afternoons }

change of interests

{ Layla Towel Shop }

With our plans to move out when we return to the city, my browsing interests have shifted into full time home decor mode. I'm typically a white/grey girl when it comes to color palettes (boring, I know) but I was rendered speechless when I saw the unbelievably vibrant colors and gorgeous graphic prints of the terry cloth towels of Layla in Brooklyn, NYC. Once we find a place and get paint colors sorted out I will definitely be placing an order! What a fun way to spruce up a small space!

snail mail

{ adorable kate spade "snail mail" stationary (already on my christmas wishlist :) }

I love snail mail. I love sending it, I love receiving it. The excitement that comes from opening the mail box and having something in there with your name on it that's not a bill- rather a little note from someone reminding you how they love you- it's the best! Luckily I have enough friends and family who live far away to keep me busy. I will post soon about my home made cards but in the meantime I want to share my all time favorite card line - Just Wink! They used to sell them at my local Shoppers and I'm happy to say I found them again at the Shoppers out here in Sechelt! The cards are witty with cute graphics, and most importantly reasonably priced when it comes to drug mart cards. Check out Just Wink here, and look out for their cards at your local card shop! From a snail mail sending professional - they come highly recommended - you can send both written love and a smile! :)

vintage sparkle

I was practically speechless when my Mom pulled these two gorgeous purses out of her closet. They were my Grandma's but I had never seen them before. I am so in love with the detail, beading and gold accents. I brought them with me for the formal nights on the cruise and am hoping to sneak them back into my closet when I get home. I'm continuously impressed by how stylish my little Grandma was :)

  

{ details: the silky lining and scalloped edge }

jacket weather

I've previously admitted my obsession for jackets (current closet count is at 14 I think) and the Emerson Fry Fall line really isn't helping with anything.... check out the GORGEOUS-NESS - HERE.
I'll take one of each :) (seriously though, every single jacket is amazing)