Author: Lea

Home Decor, Review

My 3 Favourite Bath and Body Works Fall Candles

by Lea2 Comments on My 3 Favourite Bath and Body Works Fall Candles

Hey guys! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you will know I’m a HUGE candle person. Whenever I’m in my room I always have one burning. Bath and Body Works makes some of my favourites because they’re strong and smell really good. And fall scents are some of the best. So today I’m going to share with you three of my favourites that I think you need to get this fall.

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin

If you’re looking for a quintessential fall candle, then you need to get Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. It has pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, vanilla and brown sugar so it’s all the warm and yummy scents that you associate with fall. I find that the cinnamon and clove balance out the candle so it’s not too sweet. I know with a name like Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin that you might think that this candle is too sweet but trust me when I say it’s not too bad. This just gets me in the fall mood.

The Perfect Autumn

If pumpkin scents aren’t your thing but you still want something reminiscent of fall, then check out The Perfect Autumn. The notes are cranberry, apple and clove so it’s much fresher and crispier compared to pumpkin scented candles. Because it’s a much crispier scent this would be nice in a kitchen because it wouldn’t be too overwhelming. It’s a nice balance to the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin.

Spiced Cardamom

Spiced Cardamom is a White Barn candle so it’s not technically a part of their fall collection. But trust me when I say that this is perfect for fall. The notes are cardamom, cinnamon, cedarwood and nutmeg. This candle is quite spicy and quite powerful, but the spices still remind me of fall. If you don’t like sweet scents this is the fall candle for you.

And those are my three candles recommendations! Let me know in the comments what you’re favourite Bath and Body Works candles are this fall. Or if you have a fall scented candle that you absolutely love from another brand let me know and maybe I’ll try it out!

xoxo

Lea

Life

A Self-Care Day With MeʉϬ

by LeaLeave a Comment on A Self-Care Day With MeʉϬ

Hey guys! I realize it’s been a bit since my last blog post, something that doesn’t occur often. If you missed it on Instagram, sadly one of my cats passed away last week. I decided to take some time to grieve. As well, I have been super busy at work the last month and have just been feeling uninspired when it’s come to my blog and Instagram. I think the break was very much needed because I hadn’t taken a break since Christmas.

During my break, I thought about what I want this blog to be like. I concluded that I definitely still want to continue blogging, but that what I was doing in the past might not be sustainable for me currently. My consumption habits have changed so it’s not realistic for me to be constantly doing reviews of new makeup and books. I want to incorporate other aspects of my life more into my blog. I’m also not sure if I can continue posting twice a week, but I’m going to try for a bit before making that decision.

Anyway, that is a long-winded way to say I wanted to share a bit of my day this past Wednesday. I had the day off work and decided to do a little self-care day. I decided to get all dolled up and do my makeup. I’m testing a bunch of new makeup so stay tuned for that blog post. 😉 It was chilly and rainy (perfect first day of fall) so I decided to break out this new cardigan I got from Winners.

The first stop on my self-care day was afternoon tea with my mom. For my birthday my mom had given me an IOU coupon to go to afternoon tea wherever I wanted. I found this place called Tea At The White House in Waterdown. If you’re local I highly recommend this place. We decided to go all out and get the White Tea House, which comes with tea, sandwiches, scones and desserts. They have over 200 teas to choose from! The food was also delicious. It was a big meal, but they also offer smaller tea services. It was great and definitely go back.

Then the next stop was The Freelton Antique Mall. This place is a huge antique store and is only about 20 minutes away from Waterdown. My mom and I love antiquing so it was nice to walk around. We were there for only half an hour and only did a quarter of the store. I found this gorgeous rose quartz bowl. It’s the perfect size to hold jewelry or other little trinkets, and it was only $40!

To finish off my self-care day, I got a 60 minute registered massage at Zenbar. I received a gift card for my birthday but hadn’t had the chance (because of lockdowns and then work) to use it until now! I’ve had massages and facials at Zenbar before, they’re a great spa. I let the massage therapist know I had some tension in my neck and shoulders and she did a great job of working them out. I also know that many insurance plans will cover registered massages, so I also recommend people look into that because it’s a great way to relax but also save some money.

And that was my self-care day guys. I also hope you enjoyed this post, sharing some more local places that I enjoyed visiting. Let me know in the comments what are some of your favourite activities you like to do on self-care days!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Makeup, Review

Makeup Products That Missed The Mark (I Never Use These Products)

by LeaLeave a Comment on Makeup Products That Missed The Mark (I Never Use These Products)

Hey guys! Today’s post is inspired by a video that I saw by Samantha Ravndahl, where she talks about products that missed the mark for her. The products aren’t necessarily bad but just didn’t work or live up to the expectations and therefore don’t get any use out of them. I decided to share a few products that I felt personally missed the mark for me for one reason or another. All of these brands have products that I adore, just these specifics products weren’t it for me. Let’s get into it.

Makeup products that missed the mark: Dior Backstage Eyeshadow palette, Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel and Colourpop Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer.

The first product is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel. I remember when this product came out there was so much hype around it that I bought it right away. This wasn’t necessarily the smartest decision for me since I don’t often use brow gel, let alone tinted brow gel. I have pretty naturally thick eyebrows, so all I need is a little pencil to fill them in. This Dipbrow Gel is very pigmented so it makes my brows look very dramatic very quickly. I also find the brush holds a lot of product so I have to wipe so much off otherwise my brows will look super bushy. And finally, if I ever mess up then I have dark brown on my face that I have to try and wipe off. Honestly, I just don’t use brow gel a lot to begin with but when I do I just prefer using a clear one than having to deal with this one.

The next product that I never reach for is the Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Palette in Rosewood Neutrals. It’s a gorgeous palette, don’t get me wrong. But there are two reasons why I rarely reach for it. First, I like using a brown shade in the crease as a transition shade with the majority of my makeup looks. This palette doesn’t have one so I would have to use another palette along with this one. Second, most of the shades are shimmer finishes, which I don’t often use in the crease. So it’s another reason why I would use another palette along with this one. So because I have to use another palette to use this one, I just find myself reaching for another palette entirely and not using this one. This is a real shame because the palette is gorgeous and very expensive.

This product might be a surprise because I initially loved it, but I’ve used the Colourpop Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer in months. This was one of the first lighter coverage foundations I had tried so because I had nothing to compare it to I thought it was great. But as I’ve tried other tinted moisturizers I’ve just preferred them over the Colourpop one. My biggest gripe is that puts an even layer of a tint all over the face but does nothing for redness and dark spots. Maybe if you had perfect skin you would love this. But I prefer the Fenty Eaze Drops because while it’s light coverage it still does something for my redness and dark spots. There are just better products on the market.

And the final product is the Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick. I bought this because Allana Davison was raving about these last year and I got her favourite colour, Beaming Strawberry. I shouldn’t have got this shade because it’s a cool tone pink and I rarely wear cool-toned pinks to begin with. But the combination of this shade and how sheer the formula is just doesn’t work with me. It looks like the colour is sitting on top of my lips and you can see my natural lip colour peeking through, so it looks so weird. I also find that the formula bunches up in any lines on my lips or if I have any dry spots. So the combination of the colour and bunching product means that any time I put this lipstick on I just immediately wipe it off. I’ve loved the majority of the recommendations that Allana has given but this ain’t it.

And those are four products that missed the mark for me! Let me know if you have products in your collection that missed the mark. And should I do a part two?

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, empties, Makeup, Review, Skincare

Product Empties September 2021 (What Beauty & Makeup Would I Repurchase?)

by LeaLeave a Comment on Product Empties September 2021 (What Beauty & Makeup Would I Repurchase?)

Hey guys! It’s time to show you my beauty trash. ✨ I always love doing product empties posts because I have a good sense of the product since I’ve finished it. We have a few makeup products in today’s mix which is always fun so let’s get into it.

First I finished a mini version of the Olehenriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner. If you’ve read any of my other product empties posts, then you would know that the Balancing Force Oil Control Toner by the same brand is one of my all-time favourite toners. So I thought I would try this one out. This toner has AHAs to help brighten the look of dark spots, which I have a lot from acne scars. Now it would be too much for my skin to use two toners at the same time so I switched from the oil control to the dark spot toner. I found that my face just really missed the oil control toner. It became more textured and oilier. I decided to switch back from the dark spot toner to the oil control toner and only used this toner when I was doing pamper routines in the evening. Overall it’s not a bad toner but it just doesn’t match my current skin needs so I won’t be repurchasing right now.

The next product is the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. I don’t know if anyone else is like this, but I have a good makeup-removing routine and a lazy makeup-removing routine. When I’m being good and doing my full evening skincare routine I’ll use a cleansing balm and double cleanse. When I’m feeling lazy I’ll use this Neutrogena makeup remover and some micellar water to remove my makeup. This stuff is great at removing makeup, especially stubborn mascara and eyeliner. Even though it’s supposed to be oil-free, it does leave my face feeling oily so I’ll just use some micellar water after to get rid of the oily feeling and any leftover makeup. I think this is a great affordable makeup remover and I have already repurchased another one.

The first makeup empty I have is the Tarte SEA Quench Lip Rescue Balm. You know it’s a good product when I purchased it in November and finished it within a year. That’s unheard of when it comes to lip products. There are many reasons why I love this lip balm. First, it’s in a twist-up tube so it’s easy to apply. Second, it’s very hydrating but also leaves the lips looking nice and shiny. And third, it has a nice tint to it so I can just add a little something to the lips. The only downside for me is that it has a mint scent which isn’t my favourite. But it doesn’t linger after it’s applied at least. This was the second one that I repurchase. I haven’t repurchased another one yet but I think I will once the weather turns colder.

The next product is a mini of the Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb. I’ve heard a lot of good reviews of this product so I was excited to try it out. This moisturizer is a lightweight gel that is supposed to give a ‘burst’ of hydration and then quickly absorb into the skin and leave a smooth finish, ideal for oily and combination skin types. I didn’t find it hydrating enough surprisingly. I did find that it leave a smooth finish instead of leaving my skin looking hydrated. If you don’t like looking dewy then this is the moisturizer for you. I want a lightweight gel moisturizer that will still make my skin look dewy instead of oily and this just wasn’t it. So not a bad product but just not what I was looking for.

I finally finished The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum!! If you read my review on The Inkey List products, then you might remember that it wasn’t my favourite vitamin C serum that I’ve tried. I just found that it wasn’t as effective compared to other vitamin C serums that I own. I get that it’s more affordable compared to other vitamin C serums. But I rather use a more expensive serum and see results in two weeks than use a cheaper serum and see results in a month. I also didn’t that it made my face feeling sticky and tacky as well. I finished it but won’t be repurchasing it and honestly wouldn’t recommend it.

The next makeup empty is a mini of the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I honestly can’t remember much about this powder because it was almost empty when I found it in my collection so I only used it twice haha. It’s also a powder – if it sets my face and doesn’t look weird then it’s good haha. I mean this Laura Mercier powder is a cult classic – it has nine thousand reviews on Sephora and a 4.5/5 star rating. If you are ever looking for a good high end powder this is a good one to check out.

Another mini sample I finish of the Moroccan Oil Night Body Serum, which has unfortunately been discontinued. Which is a shame because I did enjoy the oil. I feel like their Dry Body Oil might be similar though. Using a body oil instead of a lotion is nice if you don’t like the greasy feeling of lotions. I haven’t tried the Dry Body Oil so I can’t recommend it but I would be interested in trying it in the future since I liked the Night Body Serum.

The next product I’ve had in my collection forever – the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. I think I’ve had it for over four years? I just didn’t know what to do with it for a while. The spray is just too aggressive to use with makeup so I never used it. Until I figured out that I like using a facial spray before applying hyaluronic acid. So I started using it for that and finally finished this spray. Honestly, I find that it didn’t do much for my skin except make it wet. Also, I know there was a lawsuit against Mario Badescu for some of their skincare products so it makes me hesitant to repurchase any of their products.

The final product is the MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix +. You guys know this is one of my favourite makeup products. I will always have some Fix+ in my makeup collection. This spray is just the best at setting the face. It helps melt the products into the skin and make the makeup look more skin-like. It’s also great for intensifying any eye products. I have already repurchased another Fix +. If you haven’t tried this setting spray yet, I highly recommend you try it out.

And that’s it for my product empties this month! Let me know in the comments if you tried any of these products, and if you did what you thought of them!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Favourites, Makeup, Review

Ranking my Foundation Collection – The Best & The Worst

by LeaLeave a Comment on Ranking my Foundation Collection – The Best & The Worst

Hey guys! Today’s post is inspired by a series of videos that I’ve seen Jamie Paige do where she ranks all the products in a certain category or a certain brand. So I decided that I wanted to rank every single one of my foundations! My foundation collection is larger than the average consumer but not extensive. I’ve also gotten rid of any duds in my collection so there are no horrible foundations. Okay let’s get into it!

The first category we have is holy grail status. These are some of my favourite foundations ever that I will always have in my collection. I have three foundations – except one I think might be discontinued. The Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation is one of the best matte foundations out there. Not only is the shade range impressive, but the undertones are really good. Sometimes I find shade ranges can lean a little warm or cool tone but the range is very accurate to the description. If I ever need something that will give me good coverage and last all day I know I can rely on the Fenty Soft Matte Foundation. A newer holy grail is the Fenty Eaze Drops Blurring Skin Tint. The shade range with this skin tint is the same as the matte foundation. Even though this is a skin tint, there is still decent coverage where it will cancel out any redness that I’m having. These two Fenty foundations match my two moods when it comes to foundation. My final holy grail is the Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation. It’s still in stock on the website but not sold in stores anymore so I feel like it’s being discontinued? This foundation makes my skin look so good but also looks so natural. It’s a lightweight, medium coverage foundation that just sinks into the skin. I feel like my skin always looks the best when I wear this foundation. The only downside is that I find it leans a little pink. But I see myself wearing these three foundations for as long as I can get my hands on them.

The next category is in the rotation. These are foundations that I have been loving lately but haven’t quite made it to holy grail status. The first is the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation. If you’ve watched my recent favourites video, you would know I have been loving this foundation lately. It has great coverage to help cover up any breakouts I’m having but the dewy finish keeps things from looking heavy or cakey. I can set it with powder and it stays put throughout the day pretty well. When I’m unsure of what type of foundation I want I reach for the Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-Free Hydra Foundation. It has medium coverage and a natural matte finish so it’s not too much of anything. It’s not too heavy nor too light, it’s not too matte nor too dewy. It’s a good everyday foundation. The final foundation in the rotation is the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation. This foundation has similar coverage to the Fenty Skin Tint but way dewier. It looks great on the skin but because it’s so dewy it doesn’t last very long. This is good for a couple of hours but not all day.

The next category is good but not great. These are foundations that I’ll use on occasion but for one reason or another, I don’t use them on the daily. The first being the L’Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation. This foundation has really good coverage but the undertone is just slightly off for me. I always have to bring this down my neck when I wear it, so I don’t reach for it as often. The next foundation is the Bite Beauty Changemaker Supercharged Micellar Foundation. I really like how this looks when I first apply it. But I find after four hours that it just breaks down and looks super oily. The shade also pulls pink on me. The final foundation in this category is the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation. This foundation is quite similar to the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy. I honestly haven’t worn this foundation in a while so I can’t remember what it’s like, but if two foundations are similar I rather recommend the cheaper option than the more expensive foundation.

The final category is take it or leave it. These are foundations that I currently own so I will continue to use them, but if there were to magically disappear tomorrow I wouldn’t go out a repurchase. The first is the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Matte (the original one). I just like the dewy one so much that I don’t reach for the matte version much. I also have the Fenty Beauty matte foundation that I like more if I want a matte look. It’s not bad I just have others I like more. The next foundation is the Colourpop Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer. I got this just a couple of weeks before the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drops and I’ve barely used it since. I find that the Colourpop Tinted Moisturizer just gives a sheer wash of colour but doesn’t actual conceal anything. I have a lot of acne scars and redness on my face and this just doesn’t do enough for it. This tinted moisturizer is only nice on really good skin days. The final foundation is the Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30. I got this in my Boxycharm, I would never purchase this myself. I’m always hesitant about SPF in products because it often breaks me out. This BB cream looks fine but it’s not anything special. Also, the shade range is atrocious. I have it but I rarely use it even though it looks fine on the face.

And those are all the foundations I currently own ranked! Let me know if you guys enjoy this post and if you would like to see me rank another product category!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

August Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on August Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! Can you believe that it’s the end of August and summer is almost over? I feel like the summer just flew by this year. I also got my box early this month so I was able to test out the products for longer. If you want to see my first impressions, check out my Youtube video. Let’s get into it.

The first product I got was the Clean Skin Club Pineapple Glow Mist. This mist has hyaluronic acids, enzymes, peptides and antioxidants to give the skin a healthy glow. This is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula to help penetrate and hydrate the skin. So instead of wetting my face and using a hyaluronic acid, I can just wet my face with this mist. It’s very easy to use and does absorb into the skin very quickly. While my face doesn’t necessarily feel as hydrated as using a serum it does add a nice glow to the skin. The instructions say only three to four sprays are necessary but I find I need way more to cover my face. For that reason, I’ve used a decent amount already. I like it but I can see myself going through it quickly. Price: $38 US

The second skincare product I got is two masks from Vitamasques. I thought this was a two-pack, but on the website I found them individually. So I guess I got six products this month? The first of the two masks is the Glow Juicy Berries Biodegradable Mask. This mask is meant to brighten the skin. It’s smelled good and did brighten my skin. The second mask is the Nourish Flower Nectar Biodegradable Mask. This mask is meant to help nourish and moisturize the skin. I haven’t used the second mask yet so I can’t tell you what it was like. I don’t know if I would spend the money to purchase them and ship them again. I think I could find masks that are just as good at my local drugstore. Price: $12 each

The next product is the Laura Geller The Casual Collection Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette. I think the colour stories matches the theme of a causal collection well. These are quite wearable shades and can be used for both every day and evening looks. I will say that the whole palette leans a little cool tone, including the brown shades. I wish the browns were a little bit more warm-toned since that’s what I prefer. The pigmentation isn’t the strongest so every look I do is quite soft. This means that if you’re a beginner it’s easy to use but if you’re looking for bold colours this isn’t it. Honestly, the palette isn’t bad but it’s not anything special. I have so many palettes similar so I would pass on this one. Price: $45 US, $58 CAD

The second eye product I got is the Lavaa Lashes Flirty Lash Set. This lash set comes with their Flirty lashes, a brush-on lash adhesive and a gold applicator. I love the look of the lashes, they’re long but wispy so I can see my eyeshadow through them. The brush-on lash adhesive is easy to use and does keep my lashes on. And the applicator was easy to use. I have another pair of Lavaa Lashes and have worn them many times, they hold up well. I like this set and would recommend the brand. Price: $21.50 US

The last product I got is the Jecca Blac Play Pot. This product was a dud for me. In the pot is this bright gold pigment but when I blend it out the pigment goes away and I’m just left with glitter. I don’t like glitter on my face so I tried it on the eyes. It smudged all over the place and didn’t last. It’s great that it’s vegan and cruelty-free but the product itself isn’t good and I don’t see myself using it again. Price: $21.50 US, $28.82 CAD

The overall total of my box is $150, which is on the lower end of box totals. I would say that this box was alright. I like the mist and lashes. The sheet masks are nice but they’re single-use. The Play Pot was a total miss. Let me know what you guys think in the comments and if you got similar products!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Hair, Review

Testing Curly Girl Approved Mask: Playa Healing Hair Masque

by LeaLeave a Comment on Testing Curly Girl Approved Mask: Playa Healing Hair Masque

Hey guys! So today I have a hair mask review for you guys. If you read my curly girl hair care routine, then you would know that I’ve been on the hunt for a good hair mask.

I like using hair masks about once a week because I found that they helped make my hair feel soft and smooth as well as help improve my hair health. The only thing is most hair masks are full of silicones that aren’t good for your hair. I find with most curly girl approved hair masks that they’re not as effective. So I’ve been on the hunt to find the best one that would give me the results of a hair mask with silicone just without the silicones.

I went on a search through all the ones available at Sephora and during that search I found the Playa Healing Hair Masque. Playa is a relatively new brand to Sephora and their unique selling proposition is that they are a clean hair brand. Perfect for me since their products are made without sulphates and silicones. This mask is supposed to moisturize the hair, soothe the scalp, softens strands and add shine. Sounds amazing so I purchased it! The mask is $48 so not the cheapest but not the most expensive.

I heard people say that the Playa shampoo and conditioner smells nice so I expected the same thing for the hair mask. I’m not very impressed by the smell, it reminds me a lot of salt dough – if you ever played with that as a kid. Luckily the scent isn’t too strong and doesn’t linger in the hair. The texture is nice and a little goes a long way. I let it sit in my hair for around 8 to 10 minutes before washing it out. I’ve also used the mask four times so I have a pretty good idea about how I feel.

The mask helps soften my hair but does make them feel smooth or shiny. This might be a very specific reference, but if you’ve ever gone swimming in a soft water lake then you know that your hair gets soft and frizzy after. This mask did the same thing to my hair. It was just soft. I deal with fizziness and it did nothing for that.

As well, hair masks are great for helping curls. My curls after using the mask were very small and very tight not necessarily the bouncy curls I’m looking for. If you’ve ever seen photos of curls with too much protein, my curls looked very similar.

So overall I’m not that impressed with the mask. It did make my hair feel soft but not smooth and I wasn’t a huge fan of how my curls looked after. I will continue to use the mask because I bought it and don’t feel like returning it, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I’m still on the hunt for a good curly girl approved hair mask so if you have any please let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Fashion, Tips and Tricks

8 Fall Fashion Trends To Try in 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on 8 Fall Fashion Trends To Try in 2021

Hey guys! I know fall doesn’t officially start for another month, but if you’re like me you’re already looking at fall fashion. It also only seemed fitting to be posting this today since Starbucks fall drinks are now available! So today I rounded up eight trends for fall this year that sparked my attention. Also all photos are from Pinterest, if you want to find their source you can check out the board. Let’s get into it.

Silky and Slinky

The silky slip dress still reigns this year. A great way to carry the slip dress into fall is layering a t-shirt or long sleeve underneath it and adding tights. Add some chunky boots and channel the 90s vibes. The silk trend also extends to blouses. Little silky tops are great for fancy occasions. Long-sleeve blouses are perfect for the office. When in doubt, go the silky route.

Jewel Tones

In the fall it’s usually darker shades that are in fashion. This year bright, jewel tones are in fashion. Colour blocking is also big, so mixing a bright blue skirt with a deep emerald is going to be a big thing. Some other bright shades include magenta and mustard yellow.

Loose Denim

Skinny jeans are now a staple. But if you want to be on-trend, get a looser style. Mom jeans, boot cut, flare and mom jeans are all in right now. They are the perfect base for any casual outfit.

Sweater Vests

This started last year, but sweater vests are going to be huge this year. Trust me, I was in Garage and Dynamite and they were everywhere. I got myself this brown sweater vest from Garage. They can be worn alone or with a shirt underneath when the weather gets colder.

Tailored Pieces

I’m putting two trends together here. Tailoring and suits have been big for a while and they’re still big this year. So if you were on the fence about getting a nice suit, do it. The other half of this trend is the ‘dark academic’ vibes are strong this year. Tailored pieces are a huge part of that trend, so nice blazers and tailored pants in browns, blacks and creams are worth looking into.

Textured Bags

Bags are really fun this year. The puffy and guilted look is very in right now, very much inspired by Botella Veneta. I have a couple of their bags in my inspiration above. If that look isn’t your thing, try getting a textured baguette bag. Crocodile leather is textured but not as dramatic.

Bold Prints

If you love print then this is your year. Prints are very much in, which can seem very intimidating. If you’re new to print, take one printed piece and pair it with a basic such as jeans or a t-shirt. Or try animal prints such as leopard or cow print instead – both are popular this fall.

Knitwear

It wouldn’t be fall without some knitwear. It was all over the runway so it will be all over the clothing racks as well. Instead of the usual knit, try going for a chunkier cable knit. Like with the bag trend, texture in a knit is very big.

And those are my eight fall fashion trends! Let me know in the comments which one caught your eye the most or which trend you will be trying out for yourself!

xoxo

Lea

Back to School, Life, Review

Back-to-School Supplies For College

by LeaLeave a Comment on Back-to-School Supplies For College

Hey guys! Today’s post is inspired by my brother. He was doing some back-to-school shopping and was asking for my opinion. He suggested I do a back-to-school post. Now while I’m not going back to school this year, I still love shopping and want to help you guys out! So today I’m going to compile a list of links for you guys for back-to-school supplies! I haven’t tried all of the products (such as the backpacks) so I’m just going off reviews. Also, let me know if you want me to do a post on some school tips and tricks, I can do that as well! Let’s get into it.

One of the most important items, second to a good laptop, is a good backpack. This is what you’ll use to carry every to and from class. And since you’ll be using it almost daily, you’ll want something to last through the school year. My first pick is the Ela Backpack. I like the wide, rounded shape of the bag. It’ll fit a laptop and many other things, and the black leather design is simple and timeless. My second pick is the Kanken Original Backpack by Fjallraven. This bag was designed as a school bag so it’ll meet all your needs. I also like that it comes in a range of colours so you’ll find one that matches your personality. One of the cheaper options is the Travelon Anti-Theft Signature Nylon Slim Backpack. It is on the smaller size so won’t fit the largest laptops. But if you want something that’s also great for travelling this is it! If you want something with lots of pockets, check out the Kenneth Cole Reaction Women’s Chelsea Backpack. It has four compartments as well as a place to put a water bottle on the side. I like the quilted design and it comes in four colours. If you’re looking for a bag that’s good for the classroom and the gym, check out the Lululemon City Adventurer Backpack 17L. As the name suggests, the bag can carry up to 17L so you can fit everything in this bag. There is a compartment for a laptop and one for sweaty workout clothes!

Now let’s get into pens and such. My favourite pen is hands down the BIC Velocity Bold Ballpoint Pens. I know not everyone is into large pens, but I find them so much easier to hold. And I find ballpoint pens the smoothest to write with. It’s helpful to have some coloured pens as well and BIC has Velocity Bold Fashion pens! They have blue, pink, green and purple in the pack. For bullet journaling, I prefer a fine point pen, since I like to draw as well as write in it. The Sharpie Fine Point Pen Stylo, Assorted Colors, 12-Pack is a great basic pack since it comes with two black pens and 10 different colours. And finally, if you’re looking for some nice markers, my favourite is the Tombow Dual Brush Pens. The pastel set is my favourite because you could also use them as highlighters. I use the pens when drawing in my bullet journal.

Now to hold all the pens and markets you need a pencil case! If you want something cute, then check out the NOTA brand at Indigo. They have a ton of designs and different sizes. If you are looking for something with a lot of room in it, then look into the Mokani Large Capacity Pencil Case. The pencil case can hold up to 50-80 pencils, erasures, calculators, etc. This is perfect for an art student who has tons of different pens. If you’re on the opposite end and don’t need a large pencil case, then check out the INECIY Grid Mesh Pencil Case. It’s also made of mesh so you can always see what’s in your pencil case. Finally, if you have a lot of pencils and pens to organize, then check out the Gamenote Assorted Colors Plastic Pencil Case Box. It comes in an eight pack so you can all your pens and stationery supplies. The plastic allows you to see through and know what’s in each box without having to open them.

And the final important part of back-to-school shopping is getting notebooks and planners. Indigo makes some of my favourite pretty notebooks. They have both hardcover and soft notebooks as well as a range of sizes. I have a bunch of the A5 Spiral Notebooks and they work well and look pretty. When I was in university, I used the Five Star Spiral 5 Subject Notebooks. I had five classes in university so I would use a section per subject. That way I could have all my notes in one notebook. If you’re looking for something simple, then check out the Amazon Basics College Ruled Composition Notebooks. They look nicer than the cheap Hilroy notebooks but they won’t break the bank. Next is a planner. Planners are very personal and need to meet your specific needs. I currently used a NOTA 17-Month Agenda. It has space for the days of the week and to write notes which I like. If you want to customize your planner, then maybe try bullet journaling. Most people start with the Leuchtturm1917 Dotted Hardcover Journal. But if you want to step things up, check out the Archer & Olive Bullet Journals. And finally, if agendas or planners aren’t your thing but you still want to stay organized, maybe try a desk calendar.

Those are my recommendations for some back-to-school shopping! Let me know if I forgot to include anything and maybe I could do a part two? I’m also very excited about doing some fall fashion shopping, so stay tuned for that as well. 😉

xoxo

Lea

Home Decor, Review

FORVR Mood Candle Review: Are They Better Than BBW?

by Lea1 Comment on FORVR Mood Candle Review: Are They Better Than BBW?

Hey guys! So if you didn’t know, I’m a HUGE candle fan. I almost always have one burning, they just help brighten my mood so much. Bath and Body Works makes some of my favourites but I’ve also tried quite a few small businesses as well.

When I saw that Jackie Aina created her own candle company, FORVR Mood, I was curious about her candles but didn’t purchase any right away. The brand recently launched a limited selection of their candles at Sephora so I decided to pick one up and try it for myself!

I decided to get the scent Caked Up, which was $49 at Sephora Canada. Usually, I’m not one for sweet scents because they can often smell artificial and give me a headache. But I’ve been on the hunt for an almond candle when I saw this candle has almond as one of its top notes and I picked it up. The candle notes are written similarly to a perfume with top, heart and base notes. The top notes are roasted pistachio, almond cream and pineapple. The heart notes are honey, jasmine and coconut. And the base notes are vanilla bean and musk.

The candle smells amazing. It’s not too sweet, with the nutty scents being the strongest. It’s also very strong. I can have the candle unlit and smell it in my room. And when it’s lit the scent is very strong, filling up my whole entire upstairs. If you don’t like strong scents stay away from this candle.

The candle burns pretty evenly, I haven’t had any tunnelling occur yet. I do have to cut the wick every time because the wick mushrooms quite easily. The flame also burns pretty high as well so I just make sure to put the candle in the middle of my desk when I burn it.

I want to compare the candle to Bath and Body Works (BBW) candles since those are the most accessible candle for most people. BBW candles have three wicks and are 14.5 oz. FORVR Mood candles have one wick and are 10 oz. There is also a price difference with FORVR Mood being $49. BBW is full price $32, but they frequently have sales so it’s easy to get the candles under $20.

I find the strength of BBW candles to be hit or miss depending on the scent. Some can be very strong and borderline overpowering but others can be subtler. I currently have Spiced Cardamom and while it’s strong, it’s not as strong as FORVR Mood. So while the candle is more expensive the quality is better.

So would I recommend the FORVR Mood candle? I think it depends. If you don’t like strong candles then definitely pass. If you’re looking for a special occasion candle or one to fill up a large room then I would recommend it. For me personally, I go through candles like water and can’t afford to be constantly buying FORVR Mood candles. But maybe if there is a scent that really speaks to me then I would consider buying it in the future.

I hope you guys find this review helpful! Let me know if you tried FORVR Mood candles! And also let me know what your favourite candle brands are because I would love to try them out!

xoxo

Lea