May 30, 2013

Zara Office City Bag Review

When shopping for a purse online, I rely heavily on reviews and pictures others posted. Sometimes I find purses I like but there are no reviews or detailed pictures and I don't like returning online merchandise.

Came across the Office City Bag from Zara and apparently it is one of their popular bags and there are lots of reviews which are so helpful.


This is a very spacious and classic bag which you can use for work, school or just out-and-about.

Zara just started their online store in Canada earlier this year making it much easier for me as we don't have a Zara store around here. I am very impressed with their customer service and shipping. I placed my order on the weekend and I received it 3 business days afterwards.


It is shipped by Purolator and once it is shipped, you would receive a tracking number. It is shipped from Dorval, QC and it only took a day after the order was processed that I received my shipping and tracking information.



What attracts me with this bag is it has lots of zipped up compartments. Has gold buckles which make it very classic.


Sideview


It has 3 zipped up compartments and 2 compartments with snap-buttons.


This bag is designed for carrying laptops or ipads as the middle zipped up compartment is padded, making it travel-friendly for your laptop. It can easily fit a 14 inch laptop.

One of the compartments with snap on button has side pockets for cell phone, card-slots and a zipped up pocket. Very handy. Even though I always have a purse organizer in my purse, I still have lots of things which need easy access. I keep my credit cards in my wallet so would use the card slots for store points cards or coupons. I can keep some lip glosses for much easier access in one of these pockets.


Here is a close up of the gold zippers and hardware.


This bag also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap making it much easier to carry if you have your laptop.




Showing various ways to wear this bag. Since the shoulder strap is adjustable, I can easily adjust it longer to wear it as a cross-body bag.

Overall, very happy with my first online order with Zara. I have got a few bags from Zara before and you really have to pick and choose your styles. They have great styles but sometimes the quality of their bags varies. 

This bag is CDN $99.90(yes, it is under $100). It is not made of leather so this bag is not heavy at all. It is a very nice bag in my opinion with this price point. It also comes in a tan brown color. I can see myself using this a lot. I love bags which are well-constructed and have lots of compartments. The fact that it is lightweight is a plus as I hate dragging heavy leather bags around when traveling. I am just hoping this bag will hold up its shape even if it is not full. I don't plan to haul my laptop or ipad in it at all times. 









May 29, 2013

Macadamia Natural Oil Repair Set Giveaway

Hop over to the beautiful Amy's theprettyvain for her amazing Macadamia Natural oil repair set giveaway.


(*picture taken from theprettyvain giveaway*)

I just love Macadamia products and have been using the deep repair mask for 6 months now and have noticed a significant difference in the texture and condition of my hair. Want to try out their other amazing products.

May 26, 2013

OOTD J Crew Maritime Blazer in Stripe

Wore this to a brunch with friend the other day. Got so many compliments. Really enjoying this lightweight, non-wrinkly blazer.

J. Crew Maritime blazer in stripe in size S
Target Merona V-neck tee in size M
J. Crew Matchstick jean

Scored on this blazer during their in-store clearance sale for only $48. What an awesome deal. If you're interested, they still have this online at a higher price. But with their promo of spend $150 and get $30 off, it is not a bad deal if you have a few items picked out also to make it to $150. (*this deal ends May 26 midnight)


I also have the same fabric No. 2 pencil skirt from last summer. The fabric is a bit stretchy so if you're between sizes, you can easily go for the smaller size as it will stretch out a little bit.


Love shopping at Target. I got a couple of this Merona v-neck tee for basic layering. Really soft and I like the fact that it is a bit longer, unlike most tees these days.



I have been looking for a pair of gold-capped ballet flats. Have tried on a few at Target but they are not super-comfy. Then went to the Bay and saw these. Original price was $90 and I was able to snag them on sale. Got them half price which was an awesome deal but now it is on further reduction for only $36. Awesome deal. Very comfortable and I like these as they are easily styled and go with pretty much everything. 





May 23, 2013

Lush Haul from Lush UK

Have been doing good with controlling my splurges on Lush goodies. Now the warmer weather is here, I don't take as many hot bubble baths as I used to in the cold winter months so that helps.

I need a few basics from Lush and was contemplating on whether to place an online order from Lush.ca or Lush.uk. After doing some calculations, decided to go with the UK website as it is much cheaper, even with the extra shipping fee.


Ocean Salt Facial Scrub
Tea Tree Water
The Olive Branch Shower Gel
Aqua Mirabilis Body Butter
and a small sample of Herbalism Cleanser

When I went home to Toronto earlier in the month, brought my beloved Tea Tree Water but left it there so I desperately needed to get another one. It has become my summer must have skincare product as my skin is oily combination and blemishes are prone to surface more in the hot weather.


This is my second tub of Ocean Salt facial scrub. It is a very good exfoliator. Some may find it to be a bit too coarse and harsh especially if they have sensitive skin. I don't have that problem and find it very effective in removing makeup residue an dead skin.


This is the smaller size(120g). My last tub lasted me a good 4 months. I used it probably 2 times a week. This is why I decided to go with the UK website rather than the Canadian website.

On the UK website, Ocean Salt comes in 2 sizes, 100g and 250g. I believe I picked the 100g £6.95. which equals to Canadian $10.83 approximately. On the Canadian website, Ocean Salt (120g) goes for $21.95, which is almost double the price.


Another must have is the Aqua Mirabilis. I am almost out of that. It is a very good body butter with excellent exfoliating properties. Perfect to rub those on underarms and legs for extra exfoliation before shaving.

The Olive Branch shower gel is a new product I am trying. I love their shower gel. It's Raining Men is my favorite and I love citrus scents. So it did not take me long to find this lemon, mandarine, orange scented shower gel in my shopping cart.  

Also got a small sample of the Herbalism Cleanser to try out. I have not tried it yet but it has a very earthy, herbal scent. It is a solid cleanser to gently exfoliate, remove grease and calm troubled skin. Excited to try this out as I need a stronger cleanser in the summer.







May 19, 2013

MAC Temperature Rising Collection

MAC has just released their newest collection for the summer. This is such a great collection and I have going back and forth with my wishlist.

It was released online on Thursday and will be available in stores next Thurs. A lot of items are sold out online already within a day so I am guessing they will sell out quickly in store also. So if you are thinking of getting your hands on this collection, better go to your stores early.


I only got 2 products from this collection. I got the pro longwear bronzing powder and one of the eye shadow quads.

First, I have to say their packaging for this collection is absolutely amazing. It is a bronzy gold brown packaging. Inside the boxes is a vibrant purple color.


It is just your regular MAC bronzer/blush packaging. It is a soft rubbery packaging. Very chic-looking.

Prolong wear Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board

This particular shade was released in previous collection. I have not tried MAC prolong wear bronzing powder before and I want to see how the staying power is. I picked this shade as I want a more natural shade, both as a bronzer and a contouring powder. 


A very soft color with a tiny bit of shimmer, only visible in the pan and not on the swatch or on my skin. 


Bare My Soul Quad


The packaging is again to die for. The same bronzy brown rim on the quad.


Top Left: Romantico (a light taupe bronze in veluxe pearl)
Top Right: Bare My Soul(frosted gold in lustre)
Bottom Left: Summer Indulgence( deep chocolate bronze in veluxe pearl)
Bottom Right: When in Rio(deep green with bronze pearl in frost finish)


I really love this quad. The colors are amazing and very pigmented. They are shimmery but very wearable. Especially love "When in Rio"(the one on the far right). It is a deep green bronze color, almost like a duo-chrome color. I love to apply that on the outer corner and line on my bottom lash line. Very excited and happy to try more ways with this quad.

Are you excited about this collection from MAC? What is on your wishlist?













May 17, 2013

Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder Review

I got the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation a couple of weeks ago (see post) and am so impressed and wowed by how nice it is. So smooth, so silky to apply and honestly I have never tried a lightweight foundation which gives such a beautiful effect before. 

So when Shoppers Drug Mart had their bonus redemption optimum points last weekend, I did not need any persuasion to go back to the one at Bayview Village and grab the Chanel loose powder.


Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre
Natural Finish Loose Powder in 30 Natural



With the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, it gives light to medium coverage. I want to try their loose powder to set the foundation.

I got the Vitalumiere Aqua in shade 40. But went with natural(shade 30) with the loose powder.


It comes in a rather big container which I won't complain as it is pricey enough. But I am thinking it would be so hard to travel with this. 


Comes with a puff which I think it is too pretty to use. Plus, I prefer to use my powder brush to apply.

I have paired using the Vitalumiere Aqua with this loose powder. Oh My, it is so nice. It gives you the most beautiful natural skin. It does not look like you are wearing any foundation at all. Just beautiful, natural, flawless skin. No wonder so many people rave about Chanel makeup. Now I totally get it. Only one tiny wee bit of flaw: I have oily combination skin. By the end of the day, my t-zone is a wee-bit shiny. Not oily as some other loose powder would make me. So I can totally live with it.

I am usually a drug-store makeup gal. I never believe in spending that kind of money on high end makeup products before. But now after my awesome experience with the Chanel products, I believe some products are well-worth the price tag. When I am wearing the Chanel foundation and loose powder, I find myself checking myself out on numerous times during the day and be amazed at how good my skin looks. Where have these been all my life? Yes, they are that good.








May 16, 2013

May Ipsy 2013

I tried not to read any spoilers from other bloggers before I open my bag each month. It is very tough but more fun that way.


Finally a bag that I know I will be keeping for future use. Love chevrons.


NuMe Finishing Serum (.33 oz/10ml)
There are a lot of youtubers raving about NuMe hair heating and care products. Even though my stash is full of hair finishing products, I will try this out eventually.


Zoya nail polish( 15 ml/0.5 fl oz)
In the shade Jacqueline


Love Zoya nail polish but not sure about this shade as it is a very creamy white shade. 

Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl luminizing body butter(2 fl oz/.58ml)
Love love love Pacifica products. I received the bloody orange body butter from Ipsy a few months ago and love it. Unfortunately I cannot find anywhere in Canada who sells them yet. So very excited and happy that I am receiving another Pacifica product.

Juicy Beauty Lip Gloss(4ml/0.14 fl oz)
Juicy Beauty is an organic beauty company. The shade I got is fig which is a bronzy copper color. Very pretty and I am excited to try this out.

Yaby concealer
I believe this one is a creamy concealer. Interesting that I got this brand of concealer in Ipsy bag and an eyeshadow in my Topbox. The shade I was sent is called Buff. It is a very light beige color. Much lighter than my skintone but I guess I will use it as a concealer under my eye to give it a brighter look.

I have read a few other bloggers' Ipsy bags this month and looks like we were sent a variety of products. I thought usually their bags are same with different shades or colors of products. Are you happy with this month's bag?






May 15, 2013

Topbox May 2013

Great to come home to my beauty boxes. Once again, my TopBox and Ipsy bag arrive on the same day. This is the fifth time. Makes me wonder do they send them out at the same time?!

I opted for the regular Topbox this month as the prive boxes are not appealing to me.


Cuccio Colour Nail Lacquer (full-size) $10(14ml)
I got it in the shade - I left My Heart in San Francisco. It is a very soft pale pink shade. I haven't tried this brand of nail polish before and I love soft colors. Excited to try this out.

Lise Watier Haute Couleur High Coverage Lip Lacquer
Mine is in the shade Stylista. It is a purple pink shade.


Swatch from the left is the shade of the lip gloss. It is a sample sized product. The color payoff is very nice. Pigmented and not too sticky.

Yaby Eyeshadow Refill
Sample sized product again. It is in the shade copper wire(swatch on the right in the above picture). I have not heard of this brand before. I like the shade I was sent as it is perfect for summer bronzy makeup.


Roberto Cavalli Perfumed Shower Gel(1 fl. oz)
This shower gel is very scented. A bit too strong to my taste. Will probably give this away for those who appreciate strong perfumed scent.

Overall, I am pretty happy with this month's box. 3 out of 4 products I know I will be using and the colors and shades of products I was sent are my usual shades. 

What did you get in your Topbox this month? Care to share?




May 14, 2013

J. Crew Merino Tippi in Graphic Floral & More

Popped into J. Crew to check out some new arrivals. Didn't see too many exciting items though.


Merino Tippi sweater in graphic floral in size S (here)

Love how this tippi fits. Such a pretty spring blue-ish purple color with floral patterns. There are a lot of floral patterns out but I like patterns like these which are not really jumping at you.


As much as I love this, I am not willing to dish out $118 for full-priced. Will wait for a promo.


Embroidered wildflower top in size S(here)

I am not typically a fan of embroidery tops but this one I love. 


This one is very interesting. Only the front is embroidered and the back is a very smooth tee. If the whole top is embroidered, I don't think it would appeal to me that much as this has a more casual touch to it.


This is how the side and the back looks like. Isn't this cute?


Maritime Blazer in stripe in size S(here)

Talking about great deal. I have been eyeing on this stripe blazer for a while. I love stripes and I have the navy stripe pencil skirt from last summer. Just love it and the fabric as it is a bit stretchy. When I see this blazer in the clearance section, had to try it on. It was originally priced at $160 and was on sale for $119. In store, it was additional 40% off making this an awesome awesome deal.

I tried it on without a cami to begin with and see how it looks buttoned up.


Tried it on with a black cami. Really love how this blazer fits. I am not usually a blazer person as I feel too dressed up. But with the stripes and texture of this fabric, it can be worn dressed up or down. Even perfect to pair it with jeans.


Like it when you find what fits you and even better when you spot a great deal :)