Hold onto your sailor hats, ladies: the Dior Transat summer 2014 collection is docking at a beauty counter near you in May. Inspired by the intrepid spirit of the first Dior resort and spring lines in 1948, this latest collection created by veteran creative director Tyen is a glamorous, sun-kissed riff on all things nautical.
Ready for a closer look?
I recently purged my closet. Two huge trash bags earmarked for donation and some hard thinking later, I've arrived at some uncomfortable conclusions:
What are you up to this weekend? If you're as lucky as I am, your plans will involve seeing Ballet BC present the world premiere of their new show, UN/A. The boy and I love ballet and how it combines the physicality and artistry of dance with the theatricality of a live performance. So far, our exposure to the art form has been relatively traditional productions with lavish sets and costumes. But I'm looking forward to broadening our dance horizons and seeing the work of three innovative choreographers at UN/A: Gioconda Barbuto, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, and Cayetano Soto.
As I've grown older, I've learned to appreciate the benefits of a Holy Grail Eye Cream that can do it all: de-puff, diminish dark circles, and hydrate the delicate skin around the eye area. So you can imagine how excited I was to try Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate ($100), especially after meeting Fresh co-founder Lev Glazman and hearing him rave about how he and his daughters are addicted to the stuff.
Remember the 90s when Gap was the place to shop for basics and the world was mesmerized by their singing commercials? Gap's lustre may have faded since then, but their cool factor has returned this spring thanks to the vision of newly appointed creative director, Rebekka Bay. Bay, who comes from COS, has infused Gap's staples with refreshing twists and finishes. Highlights include pastels, grid eyelet frocks, metallic and powder blue leathers, florals, and lots of light-wash denims and cottons. For girls who covet interesting basics at affordable prices, it will be very easy to fall into the Gap indeed.
The boy jokingly calls this look my "Main Street uniform." Almost every other girl among the skinny-jean-wearing, ankle-boot-clad denizens of Mount Pleasant seems to own a military jacket. And hey, I can certainly see what the fuss is about after purchasing this number from Madewell a couple months ago. It's a great topper for sunny spring days that can turn chilly on a dime, especially when combined with other tried-and-true basics like a navy loose-knit sweater and nude ballet flats. Perfectly effortless for a leisurely day of brunch, picking up flowers, and enjoying our favourite cappuccinos.
At February's Estee Lauder spring media preview, there were pretty palettes, new lipsticks, and lovely nail lacquers galore. But the launch I was most excited about was the Clear Difference skincare line, which comprises three products designed for adult acne sufferers and sounds like the answer to my recent skin troubles' prayers. In the last two months of testing, all three Clear Difference products have certainly lived up to their name and noticeably improved my complexion.
Flowers aren't just cropping up in pop-up shop concepts and footwear, they also inspire the heady scents and indulgent textures found in this mix of old and new beauty products.
Hello, glorious spring weather! With sunshine and temperatures in the mid-teens last weekend, it was time for my first bare-legs outfit of the season. This eyelet skirt is from Bootlegger's all-white Temperance summer 2014 collection, which I had the pleasure of previewing last Friday. The tops and dresses boast luxe finishes and details like crochet, lace, raw-edged silk, and embroidery. Definitely worth checking out.
If you have time during this sun-drenched weekend to do a little exploring in Gastown, make a point of stopping by the Gud Pop Up Shop, located in the Greenstems florist's shop (315 Abbott St. at West Cordova). Not only is the setup a feast for the eyes (hello, floral arrangements and succulents colour-coordinated to Gud's body and hair care products), it's a great chance to get better acquainted with the new line from Burt's Bees.
Lush petals and a good mix of darker colours give these shoes year-round appeal. Play up their ladylike allure with a full midi skirt or wear them with faded boyfriend jeans for a casual-luxe vibe.
Dior Vernis Haute Couleur Brilliance et Tenue Effet Gel is a mouthful of a nail lacquer name, and so's Dior Couture Colour Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer. But no matter: All you need to know is that you need to get your hands on the Dior Vernis gel-effect nail lacquer, which is available now at Dior counters nationwide.
File this one under "warm weather beauty inspiration." Makeup director Yasmin Morshedian created heaps of avant garde runway looks for the latest season of Vancouver Fashion Week. But this look—for Brazilian designer Martins Paulo's VFW debut—wins for subtle allure and sheer wearability.
Because I share a one bedroom condo with the boy, I try my best to curb my shopping impulses and ensure purchases don't turn into useless clutter and regretful decisions. That's why new additions to my closet have to be as versatile as possible. The sweater-belt-pants combo you see here is something I'd wear on weekdays to the office, albeit paired with a black blazer, flats, and a carryall tote. On weekends, swapping these accoutrements for decidedly more casual ones—a denim jacket, orchid sneakers, little gray purse—gives the ensemble a different tone.
Spring is the season to give our homes a nice, deep clean, so why not do the same for our faces by swapping cleansers? These new and old favourites are gentle on complexions and tough on dirt, oil, congested pores, and makeup. Plus, they're free of irritating manual exfoliants like beads and granules, which means they're ideal for using with a Clarisonic or other battery-powered cleansing brush.
Fresh has been a makeup bag staple since their Sugar Cherry Lip Treatment entered my life last summer, and re-ignited my love of their indulgent lip colour/balm hybrids. So you can imagine what a treat it was to meet co-founder Lev Glazman back in January on his first ever trip to Vancouver, and find out more about Fresh's roots and its expanding array of skincare products.
