If you know your dance music, you'll have probably guessed that this post's title is inspired by the RuPaul's Cover Girl. I've been obsessed with RuPaul's Drag Race for the last two months, I've binged on every season and have played every version of the game from classic to all stars.
Anyways, onto the review of the mascara sent to me to try out...
So I've used this mascara for about a month now and I have some thoughts on the look, feel and formula of the CoverGirl Super Sizer Mascara. I should preface this by saying I have not bought mascara (except for a tube of waterproof formula) in a very long time. I've been redeeming my Sephora VIB points and picking up samples for a few years now and I have no idea when the last time I bought drugstore mascara was. I was pretty excited to be sent this tube for review as a friend of mine once said:
"When it comes to the formula all mascaras are generally the same."
With that in consideration, it's really all about the wand right? GENERALLY!
It took me a while to get used to the twirling application that makes this mascara sing. It goes on dark and thick so mastering the twirl was vital to success. So a few attempts later I finally figured out a way to use it in a way that works for me. It's buildable, but you have to move quickly to get the separation you want before it dries and becomes a clumpy mess.
I'm not a huge fan of the wand; the bristles are a little bit too short for me. I prefer a longer bristle for my medium length lashes because my hands have a tendency to shake so when I bring the wand up to the ends of my lashes there's usually a shake and my lashes will group up and I look like a cartoon and not the big beautiful doe-eyed anime kind. Maybe this would suit someone with shorter lashes.
So yes, the formula is thicker, which means it's more of a gel-like consistency which I generally prefer for its more precise and quicker application. Throughout the day, the mascara stayed mostly where it should be but by the 10th hour, it was smudging into my eyes and it was so painful. This problem can be fixed with a top coat of waterproof mascara (don't worry the formula will still be easy to remove but will have a longer wear, just be careful that your lashes don't clump up, because that's not a cute look). Or you can remove and reapply if you're doing the whole day to night thing (in which case the packaging is a little annoying to carry around depending on what your purse real estate is looking like).
A few weeks in, the formula got clumpier and drier, a quick fix for this is a few drops of eye drops down the tube with a shake and stir, suddenly it's good as new! Just make sure your eye-drops aren't expired.
For my return to drug store mascaras, the Cover Girl Super Sizer was a solid offering. Probably will not buy again because the brush wasn't a great option for me, but I'll definitely explore what the CG brand has to offer in a wider brush.
Wednesday 11 November 2015
Herbal Essences Naked Moisture Collection
** For the bulk of 2014 and 2015 I had been participating in the "No-Poo" movement. I was not using shampoos containing sulfates to help maintain the moisture in my curly hair. My hair had been loving it.**
I was sent shampoo, conditioner, and dry shampoo to try out from the Herbal Essences Naked Moisture line. I'm sad to say my hair wasn't having it.
The shampoo contains sulfates that wreaked havoc on my moisture dependent curls. What makes curls snag and twist more than straight hair is that there are gaps in the shaft that shrink to hold onto as much moisture as possible, also partially why curls see more frizz. Right after lathering my hair and rinsing out the shampoo, my strands had felt like twine. That twine feeling was probably because Sodium Laurel Sulfate, which is the prime grease cutting ingredient in the shampoo, is also the same prime grease cutting ingredient found in your dish soaps.
The smell was lovely, and it could be unisex albeit a little strong coming out of the bottle, it stayed in my hair but didn't really interfere with my perfume the next day (I should also point out that I'm a person who washes at night and air dries while I sleep).
Although I wouldn't recommend this shampoo for people with thick wavy to curly hair like mine, I have been finding success using it about once a week to remove build-up while trying to maintain the natural oils in my hair. It would probably be good for people with medium to thick straight hair to keep their grease in check.
As for the conditioner, it makes a great shaving cream substitute. It's thick and kind of just sits on the hair. It contains silicone and silicones make the hair more difficult for water to permeate hair. That means while silicones can help the hair shaft maintain straight and sleek textures in humid temperatures, the silicone can leave build up that can be difficult to remove. So it makes application a little strategical, I would probably recommend using this before a summer event involving heat styling and balmy weather.
The surprise star of the three was the dry shampoo. Fair warning, you need to shake every time you use it because the formula isn't always consistent. The spray didn't leave a grey tinge, but it did eliminate most of the shine leaving it believably fresh. It was perfect for quickly hiding greasy roots from a late night and no time to wash or even taming my bangs that tend to get greasy twice as fast.
I will probably continue to use this shampoo maybe once a week to cut the grease and buildup from styling creams from the week. As for the conditioner, I'll stick to my usual brand. I will be restocking the dry shampoo when this bottle is empty.
I was sent shampoo, conditioner, and dry shampoo to try out from the Herbal Essences Naked Moisture line. I'm sad to say my hair wasn't having it.
The shampoo contains sulfates that wreaked havoc on my moisture dependent curls. What makes curls snag and twist more than straight hair is that there are gaps in the shaft that shrink to hold onto as much moisture as possible, also partially why curls see more frizz. Right after lathering my hair and rinsing out the shampoo, my strands had felt like twine. That twine feeling was probably because Sodium Laurel Sulfate, which is the prime grease cutting ingredient in the shampoo, is also the same prime grease cutting ingredient found in your dish soaps.
The smell was lovely, and it could be unisex albeit a little strong coming out of the bottle, it stayed in my hair but didn't really interfere with my perfume the next day (I should also point out that I'm a person who washes at night and air dries while I sleep).
Although I wouldn't recommend this shampoo for people with thick wavy to curly hair like mine, I have been finding success using it about once a week to remove build-up while trying to maintain the natural oils in my hair. It would probably be good for people with medium to thick straight hair to keep their grease in check.
As for the conditioner, it makes a great shaving cream substitute. It's thick and kind of just sits on the hair. It contains silicone and silicones make the hair more difficult for water to permeate hair. That means while silicones can help the hair shaft maintain straight and sleek textures in humid temperatures, the silicone can leave build up that can be difficult to remove. So it makes application a little strategical, I would probably recommend using this before a summer event involving heat styling and balmy weather.
The surprise star of the three was the dry shampoo. Fair warning, you need to shake every time you use it because the formula isn't always consistent. The spray didn't leave a grey tinge, but it did eliminate most of the shine leaving it believably fresh. It was perfect for quickly hiding greasy roots from a late night and no time to wash or even taming my bangs that tend to get greasy twice as fast.
I will probably continue to use this shampoo maybe once a week to cut the grease and buildup from styling creams from the week. As for the conditioner, I'll stick to my usual brand. I will be restocking the dry shampoo when this bottle is empty.
Tuesday 25 August 2015
I tried Secret Clear Gel
I received Secret Clear Gel (in Cocoa Butter Kiss) in the mail back in July for review (no, I did not pay for it) and I saw an opportunity to really put it to the test in New Orleans.
And that's exactly what I did.
The little sample package took up a bit of room in my liquids baggie but I was able to make the sacrifice. It travelled well and didn't leak all over my other liquids. I did find the scent a little strong for my tastes. I'm the kind of person who doesn't really want my toiletries competing with my perfume.
Each night, I would shower and apply a layer before bed. The next morning I would reapply and let it dry fully before I dressed.
While it wasn't really a match for walking around in the sun and humidity, club-hopping and swamp touring, it did keep me feeling much less gross because the scent (which upon application I found a little strong) was still there and I felt like it neutralized my natural body odour.
Obviously I still had some product when I got home and found it was really effective on days that weren't painfully humid, and days of cold sweating in an overly air-conditioned office.
The best part about this antiperspirant was the light weight clear gel. I usually used only one click and found it was enough to cover my entire armpit and it never felt like a wet mess. I also want to mention that it was really great for leaving my poor shirts alone, no white marks found on any of my clothes.
While I liked this product, I will probably use it at night, sometimes waiting for the gel to dry won't cut it on those days I'm frantically rushing out the door or on super cold mornings.
Bottom line: I like it enough to use it again but I'd probably go with a different scent.
And that's exactly what I did.
The little sample package took up a bit of room in my liquids baggie but I was able to make the sacrifice. It travelled well and didn't leak all over my other liquids. I did find the scent a little strong for my tastes. I'm the kind of person who doesn't really want my toiletries competing with my perfume.
Each night, I would shower and apply a layer before bed. The next morning I would reapply and let it dry fully before I dressed.
While it wasn't really a match for walking around in the sun and humidity, club-hopping and swamp touring, it did keep me feeling much less gross because the scent (which upon application I found a little strong) was still there and I felt like it neutralized my natural body odour.
Obviously I still had some product when I got home and found it was really effective on days that weren't painfully humid, and days of cold sweating in an overly air-conditioned office.
The best part about this antiperspirant was the light weight clear gel. I usually used only one click and found it was enough to cover my entire armpit and it never felt like a wet mess. I also want to mention that it was really great for leaving my poor shirts alone, no white marks found on any of my clothes.
While I liked this product, I will probably use it at night, sometimes waiting for the gel to dry won't cut it on those days I'm frantically rushing out the door or on super cold mornings.
Bottom line: I like it enough to use it again but I'd probably go with a different scent.
Friday 24 July 2015
Update
Hello!
I hope you're having a great summer so far. Mine has been full of chaos with irregular work hours, home renovations and some minor health issues in my family.
Along with all that, I'm planning to go to New Orleans for the August long weekend to celebrate my friend's birthday. I'm so excited, I love traveling, but I'm having trouble trying to figure out what to pack. This is going to be my first flight where I don't check luggage and I don't consider myself a light packer.
Wish me luck. Have a great weekend!
Friday 24 April 2015
Nearing the Finish Line
It's almost the end of the semester and the end of my blog assignment. So what does this mean? Not much, I'm still going to blog, but maybe less frequently, but I will be taking a week off to celebrate what I've done and what I've got left to do. I'll be planning my summer, playing some video games, and reading the enormous pile of books that have accumulated in the past months.
It will be a great holiday for sure. Yes, I am calling that a holiday, it has no title because I'm awful at coming up with titles.
Have a happy [insert holiday here]!
It will be a great holiday for sure. Yes, I am calling that a holiday, it has no title because I'm awful at coming up with titles.
Have a happy [insert holiday here]!
Friday 17 April 2015
Pre-Finals!
I've always had trouble with the Winter months it's like I spend nearly half the year in a personal funk. I don't do well in the cold, and the Spring is home to anniversaries of the worst days of my life. I try to keep things positive so I can power through. I'm lucky I have such great friends who remind me of all the good things around and within me.
This post is a pretty aimless one, consider it a confessional or a get-to-know-me post. Don't be like me, get a good solid night's sleep every night, and eat every delicious and healthy meal. You should probably get out of your cocoon every now and again too.
I just wanted to write something for the students; you'll do OK, you'll be OK. Here is a little gif I found on the internet as a parting gift. Watch it a couple times, take a walk then get back to your responsibilities.
See you next week!
Jessica
Tuesday 7 April 2015
I'm so fancy because I went to the spa over the weekend.
I was given an assignment to review something going on in town, after a hangry experience at Rumor's Comedy Club, I decided to review a facial I received during my first spa trip with friends. This was way too long for the scope of the assignment so here is the original with a little bit of editing.
The Ten Spa, located on the 10th floor of the Fort Garry Hotel, offers its patrons an array of spa treatments and amenities. Modernity clashes against the formal old décor of the Fort Gary Hotel as soon as you get off the elevator the floor is lit up in shifting colours. Turning the corner, you will find a sterile looking white wall, white floor and white counter. Pops of blue and colours are present in the products on display. A receptionist took our names and shoe sizes before disappearing and returning with robes, a fringed fabric known as a pestemal, and slightly wet, but comfortable, plastic sandals.
Once we were dressed in the robe and pestemal, we were directed down a dimly lit hallway with nude portraits that reminded me of Grecian frescos on the walls. At the end of the hallway is a lounge with many couches and coffee tables and a spread of snacks; including gluten-free muffins, pita bread, hummus and an array of dried fruits as well as tea and water. Alcohol and a menu are available for those who want to lunch between their treatments.
In the corner of the main lounge are two statues of a man and a woman. They're cramped in tubs with erect genitals and limbs coming up and out of the water in a style totally contrary to the neo-Grecian modernist décor.
Through the gendered bathrooms, you can find lockers, a steam-room and experiential showers that emit a light herbal scent.
The aesthetician was polite and made small talk before walking me through the ten’s Ultimate Head-to-Toe Facial. My limbs were massaged and covered in sweet-smelling violet clay to start, followed by the facial.
There were several steps to this facial, some of which I may have forgotten. It began with the basic stages of skin care: cleanser and an exfoliating scrub to remove surface dirt and dead skin cells but with the use of a Clarisonic brush. A refreshing toner followed to remove any leftover residue before the most intensive treatments happened.
At this point, there were warm face towels placed on my face. They were extremely warm and completely unexpected making them feel uncomfortable. Being that this was my first spa experience, I was a little surprised by the feeling, but it soon passed once the towels were removed.
The uncomfortable sensations didn’t stop there. The aesthetician began an extraction of all the impurities on my face, my eyes were covered, and my face was under a bright light while she squeezed, pinched and massaged my face. She asked me questions about my face and enlightened me on what type of skin I actually have and how to properly take care of it.
The most jarring feeling of them all was during the post-extraction cure when an electric current was smoothed over my face. My eyes were closed the entire time, so I didn’t actually see the instrument, but it felt like a glass wand that was slightly convex like a spoon. It was pressed against my face, and I felt pulses from it, occasionally it would be turned on its side to administer spot treatments that felt like little rubber bands snapping against my face.
The best parts of the facial were the oxygen masks. One administered by foam with a pumpkin spice scent, following another pleasant smell in the air, presumably to cover up the faint burning smell from the glass wand. The foam fizzed on the face, more of a tickling sensation. The other was a stream of mineralized air pointed at my face like the drying stage of a carwash. But we weren’t done then. The aesthetician brought another unseen tool to my face. A lymph-draining tool, it too had a pulse, but a far less hostile pulse. It whirred on my skin, lightly pinching in intervals as it moved along.
The final process involved one last thick mask that went straight over my eyes and dried into a plush layer of dough. While this mask sat on my face, the aesthetician wiped away the violet clay while giving my limbs a massage. After the procedure, I was guided into a quite room with deep couches where I was encouraged to nap before I was ready to leave.
Despite the poking, prodding, and tingling the experience was relaxing and recharging. The texture of my skin was refined, and I was relaxed for the rest of the day. The price tag was heavy at 200 dollars but if acne, puffiness, texture or are issues for your skin, this will benefit you.
Left to Right
Back Row: Me, Eniko, Meagan, Christine
Front Row: Megan, Jen, Kiran, Dana
Not pictured: Steph, Jocelyne
Friday 27 March 2015
Friday, I am cloudy.
So it's Friday, and usually I've got some idea of what to write, this week I don't, unfortunately. A family member went to the emergency room on Tuesday night, early Wednesday their time, and since they live in another continent the updates were very few and far between. I also had some other things to deal with, so I'm just going to make a short list of places where I waste my time on the internet. I do, however, have a grand plan for next week.
Have you heard about the fabulous website Go Fug Yourself? You should, it's so much fun for people who like celebrities, dresses, royalty and shows with great wardrobes. I go for the dresses and general style stuff, the Fugs and Fabs. They have this great annual tradition called March Madness (yes named after the sporting event). Celebrities have within a year to make absolutely insane fashion choices so they can have a shot at the Fug Madness Crown. Right now, the tournament is at the sweet sixteen stage so you should go vote, contribute. The best part is the two lovely, funny and smart women who run the site.
Flavorwire is the site I visit when I want to connect with modern art, interesting lit and film. They are a great place for book recommendations. I can honestly say I've bought a few books from the lists they've posted like this collection of short stories that I loved. I've read this book twice, and I'm usually not a repeater of books.
This should be an obvious one, The Cut.
Advanced Style holds a special place in my heart because I was always very close to my Grandmother. She passed away nearly four years ago, and I'm still missing her. The author Ari Seth Cohen takes photos of vibrant older women, who have essentially reached the epitome of dressing, thus giving them the sartorial respect they deserve. Not only are the women fun and brilliant people on their own merit but it really comes out in the photos. #RetirementGoals
Stuff Mom Never Told You if I'm listening to a podcast it's probably this one. They do a lot of research and cover fascinating topics. My favourite podcasts are always ones on Women in History. They probably have a podcast on something you're interested in.
Thanks for hanging out tonight. Have a great weekend and as always let me know what are some of your favourite sites to hang-out on.
Have you heard about the fabulous website Go Fug Yourself? You should, it's so much fun for people who like celebrities, dresses, royalty and shows with great wardrobes. I go for the dresses and general style stuff, the Fugs and Fabs. They have this great annual tradition called March Madness (yes named after the sporting event). Celebrities have within a year to make absolutely insane fashion choices so they can have a shot at the Fug Madness Crown. Right now, the tournament is at the sweet sixteen stage so you should go vote, contribute. The best part is the two lovely, funny and smart women who run the site.
Flavorwire is the site I visit when I want to connect with modern art, interesting lit and film. They are a great place for book recommendations. I can honestly say I've bought a few books from the lists they've posted like this collection of short stories that I loved. I've read this book twice, and I'm usually not a repeater of books.
This should be an obvious one, The Cut.
Advanced Style holds a special place in my heart because I was always very close to my Grandmother. She passed away nearly four years ago, and I'm still missing her. The author Ari Seth Cohen takes photos of vibrant older women, who have essentially reached the epitome of dressing, thus giving them the sartorial respect they deserve. Not only are the women fun and brilliant people on their own merit but it really comes out in the photos. #RetirementGoals
Stuff Mom Never Told You if I'm listening to a podcast it's probably this one. They do a lot of research and cover fascinating topics. My favourite podcasts are always ones on Women in History. They probably have a podcast on something you're interested in.
Thanks for hanging out tonight. Have a great weekend and as always let me know what are some of your favourite sites to hang-out on.
Friday 20 March 2015
I photographed my first fashion show!
Hi everyone,
To stop any possible confusion, please note that I was not hired to photograph a show. I was invited by the local aboriginal designer Edna Nabess to her showing at the Alternative Energy and Food Sovereignty conference and tradeshow.
The event was small and full of people in the Cree nation from (as far as I knew) all over Manitoba. I didn't know initially that I was showing up at a conference. I watched a few short films about geo-thermal heating, chicken harvesting (how they're raised to be specific) and gardening practices for northern communities. It was really insightful because I can say honestly that I wouldn't think about it otherwise.
Once the short films were over, we were treated to Juno nominated artists Rhonda Head, Don Amero and Leonard Sumner. Each of them was fantastic. Beautiful singer/songwriters in their styles, it was lovely to be a part of.
Rhonda Head singing a cover of "At Last."
She has a voice like honey-sweetened lemon tea. She dedicated a beautiful Latin funeral song for all the missing and murdered indigenous women. It was moving, to say the least.
Don Amero or the triple threat, dancer, singer and good-looking man. The room gave him so much love. He's really talented; he played a beautiful and simple cover of John Legend's All of Me as well as his own music.
His original music was powerful and uplifting. It's amazing what can come out of tragedy.
He's got an album due in May
Leonard Sumner who had my full attention. He opened with an incredible spoken word piece. It was so melodic; he just had to have my attention.
I loved this set. The ruffled plaid maxi skirt and crop top in these colours make the perfect transitional outfit. I would wear this for that in between spring weather.
I had to include this photo; this model was great, and I just loved the way the light illuminates her face here. This piece is deconstructed to look like it's from another time, but the shoes and the cut of the skirt make it contemporary.
This photo was a favourite of mine. The long fringe and those pumps were like an aboriginal take on the Jazz Age to me. The back is mostly exposed except for one strap that has a teal tulle train fitted with small brown bits of fabric. I wasn't close enough to see clearly. Perfect colour combinations.
It's just whimsical and beautiful.
This is an edgier look, but I'd wear it out in the fall or winter for sure. Mostly leather, with a little plaid panelling in the front, I would imagine this as something Vivienne Westwood would wear.
It was styled with short black booties and a traditional beaded necklace.
This was another photo I liked. Her face says she's not here for your shit.
She's got a traditional Metis suede jacket with leather leggings and deep brown mukluks.
Same model but different jacket. I unfortunately don't have any better photos of the jacket but it was really cute with a tulip motif down the sides and back.
In this picture, you can clearly see the bears on the mukluks. They are so cute and the boots look so warm and cosy.
Edna Nabess also designs for Manitobah Mukluks. She designed and made a pair that were gifted to the royal baby.
I want to thank Edna Nabess for inviting me to the Alternative Energy and Food Sovereignty Conference the other day. I wasn't able to get an interview with her for a school project but I was able to see some really incredible things. You can find her designs at CreeAtions.
To stop any possible confusion, please note that I was not hired to photograph a show. I was invited by the local aboriginal designer Edna Nabess to her showing at the Alternative Energy and Food Sovereignty conference and tradeshow.
The event was small and full of people in the Cree nation from (as far as I knew) all over Manitoba. I didn't know initially that I was showing up at a conference. I watched a few short films about geo-thermal heating, chicken harvesting (how they're raised to be specific) and gardening practices for northern communities. It was really insightful because I can say honestly that I wouldn't think about it otherwise.
Once the short films were over, we were treated to Juno nominated artists Rhonda Head, Don Amero and Leonard Sumner. Each of them was fantastic. Beautiful singer/songwriters in their styles, it was lovely to be a part of.
She has a voice like honey-sweetened lemon tea. She dedicated a beautiful Latin funeral song for all the missing and murdered indigenous women. It was moving, to say the least.
His original music was powerful and uplifting. It's amazing what can come out of tragedy.
He's got an album due in May
This photo was a favourite of mine. The long fringe and those pumps were like an aboriginal take on the Jazz Age to me. The back is mostly exposed except for one strap that has a teal tulle train fitted with small brown bits of fabric. I wasn't close enough to see clearly. Perfect colour combinations.
It's just whimsical and beautiful.
It was styled with short black booties and a traditional beaded necklace.
She's got a traditional Metis suede jacket with leather leggings and deep brown mukluks.
In this picture, you can clearly see the bears on the mukluks. They are so cute and the boots look so warm and cosy.
Edna Nabess also designs for Manitobah Mukluks. She designed and made a pair that were gifted to the royal baby.
I want to thank Edna Nabess for inviting me to the Alternative Energy and Food Sovereignty Conference the other day. I wasn't able to get an interview with her for a school project but I was able to see some really incredible things. You can find her designs at CreeAtions.
Friday 13 March 2015
Sprague Manitoba
Happy Friday everyone,
This week was kind of hectic for me so I wasn't thinking much about this blog, sorry haha.
I did come across a happy coincidence though, a story and a post.
For school we were assigned to travel anywhere near Winnipeg and two of my friends and I chose this hidden away town called Sprague. It was founded by a german family that handled logging and provided lumber to a few nearby cities, primarily Winnipeg. This town has a historical museum full of things donated by residents of the town.
Since this is a style blog, I'm going to tell you about some of the old garments we found looking through the museum. I should note that this museum is closed during the winter months so we walked through exhibits covered in tarps.
Anyways, here are a few photos from my trip.
Below you'll see my friend Laura Weins, Christina Hryniuk and our lovely guide Regina Emes. She's 86 and has lived in Sprague for the majority of her life, save the few years she spent in Winnipeg.
We're standing at the entrance where the original town sign hangs as you enter the museum.
This is a cute little game with wood samples, I guessed Pine correctly. So proud of myself.
These wayfairer lookalikes are actually the safety glasses that people were given at the lumber mill. You can't see by the marker but they were standard issue in the 1950's.
This was a hat worn by the original owner of the Sprague hotel. It was a simple trucker hat with glitter letters so we can now all discredit Ashton Kutcher for the prominence given to embellished trucker hats. Sprauge hit it first.
Regina, or Reg as her friends call her, showed us this beautiful dress. It was designed and made by the bride's sister. If I remember correctly she said it was satin with lace overlay.
I wasn't able to see the back of the gown, but Reg told me it had a line of looped buttons from the back to the dropped waist.
This dress reminded me so much of the dress Belle wore in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
It must be the precious little bodice detail.
Below is a copy of the Bride and Groom's wedding photo.
I was so scared to touch this dress because I feel like I have the kind of luck that would result in a ripped seam so what I saw through my lens was as close as I got.
In case you were wondering, Reg has donated her wedding dress to the museum too. Unfortunately, it was put away for storage. She reminisced about getting married during the tail end of the war, she was the only person in Sprague to get married in a short skirt.
Have a great weekend!
This week was kind of hectic for me so I wasn't thinking much about this blog, sorry haha.
I did come across a happy coincidence though, a story and a post.
For school we were assigned to travel anywhere near Winnipeg and two of my friends and I chose this hidden away town called Sprague. It was founded by a german family that handled logging and provided lumber to a few nearby cities, primarily Winnipeg. This town has a historical museum full of things donated by residents of the town.
Since this is a style blog, I'm going to tell you about some of the old garments we found looking through the museum. I should note that this museum is closed during the winter months so we walked through exhibits covered in tarps.
Anyways, here are a few photos from my trip.
Below you'll see my friend Laura Weins, Christina Hryniuk and our lovely guide Regina Emes. She's 86 and has lived in Sprague for the majority of her life, save the few years she spent in Winnipeg.
We're standing at the entrance where the original town sign hangs as you enter the museum.
This is a cute little game with wood samples, I guessed Pine correctly. So proud of myself.
I wasn't able to see the back of the gown, but Reg told me it had a line of looped buttons from the back to the dropped waist.
This dress reminded me so much of the dress Belle wore in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
Below is a copy of the Bride and Groom's wedding photo.
I was so scared to touch this dress because I feel like I have the kind of luck that would result in a ripped seam so what I saw through my lens was as close as I got.
In case you were wondering, Reg has donated her wedding dress to the museum too. Unfortunately, it was put away for storage. She reminisced about getting married during the tail end of the war, she was the only person in Sprague to get married in a short skirt.
Have a great weekend!
Friday 6 March 2015
Problematic Faves
Sometimes, designers can make it so hard to love them. I'm not talking about when everyone decided the colour is an awful powder blue that just looks old and dusty, or Flatforms (sorry, I am not into the clunky look)
Here are some of the designs from the show:
I'm talking about inappropriate references on the runways. It actually happens a lot. A few days ago as part of the F/W showings for the Canadian atelier Dsquared featured giant hooded coats with a tan base, accented by rich primary colours, reds, yellows and blues. The brothers wrote that the collection was inspired by the Aboriginal Tribes of North America.
Okay, you're probably thinking that there's nothing wrong with that. We can be inspired by the bright colours of a summer Sari, or the soft, shimmering material of a Chinese Hanfu, or the texture and warmth of a Mukluk. Yeah, we can be inspired but most of all, we need to be educated and know what the meanings behind those symbols mean.
Dsquared2, known for their tailored grungy aesthetic, put together a collection that was mostly tailored military pieces decorated with furs, tassels and Aboriginal motifs. Aesthetically it reminded me of a time in Canadian history where people were trying to make Aboriginal people assimilate while calling their oral culture savage.
I don't care if that one red coat was actually really cute; this label blatantly called the show Dsquaw. That is a slur summing up the last sentence of the previous paragraph. It carried an incredibly derogatory meaning and should never have been considered as a name for the collection. There is no way they didn't realise this was a problematic title. How was it that no one actually said anything about it? Apparently it never occurred to these Canadain designers that this would be offensive to their audiences. I think that's the worst part.
"In a captivating play on contrast: an ode to America's native tribes meets the noble spirit of Old Europe.." Those were the words that describe this collection and I can't help but wonder if they paid attention in Canadian History. Because I'm pretty sure it wasn't such a great impression when the Old English (and other European settlers) met Native Americans for the first time.
Here are some of the designs from the show:
As a Canadian label, I expected so much more from them. I held them to a higher standard that involved knowing their audience. They gave us this delightfully Canadian 2011 boot, after all.
Friday 27 February 2015
Can you feel it? It's Spring... almost.
Welcome back,
Over the past week, I have been trying to put together an unusual event for my course. I'm still finding a few issues I have to deal with despite having handed in my proposal. In fact, I was making changes right up until last night. It's ok because I know this is going to be one of those things that is ever changing and will probably need to be updated and reworked as time goes on. I do not mind, I feel like it's a real passion project and I'm excited to get started on it.
As a result, fashion and self-care have really been on the back burner. To rectify that, I'm going to treat myself to a night of gaming. I recently started to replay an N64 classic (that's Nintendo 64 for those of you who might not know) and I'm missing my consoles and lazy nights.
Since Spring is coming up really soon, I would recommend hitting up some winter stock clearance. There are an abundance of shoes on sale right now at townshoes.ca I actually bought myself two sneakers and a pair of strappy sandals for the warmer months. Now, I'm just waiting to wear them while trying to survive school. January and February have always been hard on me.
Here is a photo of my family's dog, he is like me, waiting for Spring.
Over the past week, I have been trying to put together an unusual event for my course. I'm still finding a few issues I have to deal with despite having handed in my proposal. In fact, I was making changes right up until last night. It's ok because I know this is going to be one of those things that is ever changing and will probably need to be updated and reworked as time goes on. I do not mind, I feel like it's a real passion project and I'm excited to get started on it.
As a result, fashion and self-care have really been on the back burner. To rectify that, I'm going to treat myself to a night of gaming. I recently started to replay an N64 classic (that's Nintendo 64 for those of you who might not know) and I'm missing my consoles and lazy nights.
Since Spring is coming up really soon, I would recommend hitting up some winter stock clearance. There are an abundance of shoes on sale right now at townshoes.ca I actually bought myself two sneakers and a pair of strappy sandals for the warmer months. Now, I'm just waiting to wear them while trying to survive school. January and February have always been hard on me.
Here is a photo of my family's dog, he is like me, waiting for Spring.
Friday 13 February 2015
In the dead of Winter
Hey kids,
Mid-February is the worst. It's cold, it's windy, it's dry outside, and your hair is permanently frizzy from all the layers of knitwear you've draped yourself in. Also, the sun is only out for so long. It is truly awful.
We come close to the breaking point at this time because everything seems just to suck. Taxes come due, students are inevitably assigned homework for the "break" and chances are a groundhog told you there's one more month of this to go. Whooo Hooo...
If you're anything like me, double up your homework with self-care. Below I'll share with you what me and some of my friends do. Please feel free to give me some tips because I've had dry lips for two weeks now.
Before we go forward, please note I personally have oily blemish prone skin so what works for me might not always work for someone with dryer skin.
Hair:
This one is easy, but requires patience and some trial and error. Last year, I stopped using shampoos with Sulfates, it really made a huge difference. The cons are that I had to wash my long hair more often, and it took me a while to figure out which brand would work best for me. I also had to deal with some temperamental hair while my scalp was adjusting to the change. Overall I think it was worth it, I find my hair shiny and soft and uniform.
A tip for using conditioner, leave it in for a few minutes and rinse it out with cold water, this seals the cuticle.
I also tend to use a tiny bit of oil on the ends of my hair, and I blow dry as little as possible. When you dry, try using a clean t-shirt, there are fewer fibers to pull on the cuticles. Another method I've recently heard about it is leaving the hair wrapped and undisturbed until dry.
You can also take the oil, heat it up a bit and apply it to the hair before you wash for a total root to tip treatment.
Skin:
Avoid hot showers, this actually strips your skin of moisture, but you probably already knew that.
Take baths with a bit of olive oil, oatmeal or baking soda into them to help the body retain moisture. (Thanks for the tip Kiran)
Use lotions, the unscented kinds, if you read the ingredients label you will probably see alcohol as an ingredient. Alcohol dries out the skin so avoid it. Go one step further put some generously on your hands and feet before sleeping. Put on knit socks and those thin dollar store gloves to help retain the moisture while opening up the pores with added heat.
Face:
I sometimes substitute make-up remover with olive oil. Yes, you read that right. I do it because it adds hydration, but the molecules in olive oil are too big to clog pores. It doesn't hurt that it's cheaper than most brands.
There's also an egg mask you can do that I like. To do that, you break an egg and separate the white from the yolk, put a layer of egg white on your face and let it dry completely. Wash it off and do the same with the yolk. My skin always feels softer and more balanced after I do this. Just note that you won't need to use the entire egg so you can separate enough to fill a tablespoon and prepare the rest. I make scrambled eggs.
Adding honey to your face masks can also help if you have breakouts.
Above all drink plenty of water. Can't stress that one enough and I'm guilty of not doing it, I'm paying for that with my chapped lips.
I hope you found something here useful. If you know any remedies, please feel free to share them here!
Take care!
Mid-February is the worst. It's cold, it's windy, it's dry outside, and your hair is permanently frizzy from all the layers of knitwear you've draped yourself in. Also, the sun is only out for so long. It is truly awful.
We come close to the breaking point at this time because everything seems just to suck. Taxes come due, students are inevitably assigned homework for the "break" and chances are a groundhog told you there's one more month of this to go. Whooo Hooo...
If you're anything like me, double up your homework with self-care. Below I'll share with you what me and some of my friends do. Please feel free to give me some tips because I've had dry lips for two weeks now.
Before we go forward, please note I personally have oily blemish prone skin so what works for me might not always work for someone with dryer skin.
Hair:
This one is easy, but requires patience and some trial and error. Last year, I stopped using shampoos with Sulfates, it really made a huge difference. The cons are that I had to wash my long hair more often, and it took me a while to figure out which brand would work best for me. I also had to deal with some temperamental hair while my scalp was adjusting to the change. Overall I think it was worth it, I find my hair shiny and soft and uniform.
A tip for using conditioner, leave it in for a few minutes and rinse it out with cold water, this seals the cuticle.
I also tend to use a tiny bit of oil on the ends of my hair, and I blow dry as little as possible. When you dry, try using a clean t-shirt, there are fewer fibers to pull on the cuticles. Another method I've recently heard about it is leaving the hair wrapped and undisturbed until dry.
You can also take the oil, heat it up a bit and apply it to the hair before you wash for a total root to tip treatment.
Skin:
Avoid hot showers, this actually strips your skin of moisture, but you probably already knew that.
Take baths with a bit of olive oil, oatmeal or baking soda into them to help the body retain moisture. (Thanks for the tip Kiran)
Use lotions, the unscented kinds, if you read the ingredients label you will probably see alcohol as an ingredient. Alcohol dries out the skin so avoid it. Go one step further put some generously on your hands and feet before sleeping. Put on knit socks and those thin dollar store gloves to help retain the moisture while opening up the pores with added heat.
Face:
I sometimes substitute make-up remover with olive oil. Yes, you read that right. I do it because it adds hydration, but the molecules in olive oil are too big to clog pores. It doesn't hurt that it's cheaper than most brands.
There's also an egg mask you can do that I like. To do that, you break an egg and separate the white from the yolk, put a layer of egg white on your face and let it dry completely. Wash it off and do the same with the yolk. My skin always feels softer and more balanced after I do this. Just note that you won't need to use the entire egg so you can separate enough to fill a tablespoon and prepare the rest. I make scrambled eggs.
Adding honey to your face masks can also help if you have breakouts.
Above all drink plenty of water. Can't stress that one enough and I'm guilty of not doing it, I'm paying for that with my chapped lips.
I hope you found something here useful. If you know any remedies, please feel free to share them here!
Take care!
Friday 6 February 2015
An Ode to LeChateau
Hello everyone,
This week I'm going to be writing a bit of a story about my relationship with Le Chateau.
When I was a little girl, I would spend the weekends with my aunt, uncle, and grandma. My aunt read magazines full of beautiful, graceful women who posed in gardens and beautiful rooms. I would sit along side her and flip through the glossy pages with perfectly decorated rooms and beautifully laid out images. They looked so put together; I idealized them. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to wear those clothes.
Their house always had the radio playing somewhere in the house. I sometimes remember sitting by myself upstairs listening to music while drawing. I'd hear club music (MC Mario's Mix Down, anyone?). I thought the music was so cool, and it was. The music was so different compared to the Celine Dion and folk music I heard at home. My parents were trying to figure out their life in Canada.
Enter puberty. I was listening to a mish-mash of music and looking at a lot of fashion magazines. One day, close to my 13th (I think) birthday, my aunt sat me down and told me.
"You're getting older and I can't buy you things without worrying if you'll like them or not."
My aunt would always dote on me and my brother because she didn't have any kids of her own, she took gifting occasions pretty seriously. The solution to her problem was to take me shopping and have me choose my own clothes.
We went to Polo Park Shopping Center and walking up to the Le Chateau I could hear that baseline.
*baseline noises that I can't figure out how to spell, so think of something like a person who is beatboxing, but very simply*
What was this magical place? I was intrigued by the blue lights and the rows and rows of clothes seen from just outside the glass doors, so we went inside.
Did anyone remember the girls' section Junior Girl? THAT WAS MY JAM. For a while, I was buying everything from there. It was just so different from the kid's clothes and my brothers hand-me-downs I was so used to wearing. It was also the closest I'd be able to get to the outfits in the magazines. Yes, Junior Girl was my jam. I remember my aunt bought me a maroon knit suit and I wore that everywhere, even with the zip up blazer, oh yes I did.
One year for Christmas I received a pair of heavy satin pants with a tie up closure, it was very Britney Spears. I wore those pants with a pale pink knit sweater for grade 7 picture-day. My grade 8 grad dress was from there too. I wasn't feeling the tooth fairy looking satin dresses that seemed to wrinkle as soon as they touched your body. I opted for a black large floral patterned halter dress with an asymmetrical hemline and slit, purchased at Le Chateau.
Practically every birthday I would get a party shirt and a pair of jeans. I would almost only wear jeans from Le Chateau. They fit me the best. My first suits came from Le Chateau, I still have my favourite, it was a boot cut pant with a beautifully structured jacket made of black fabric with a damask print embossed. Thankfully, I remained (for the most part) the same size and can still wear it every now and again.
I couldn't imagine what it would be like to no longer have this Canadian fashion powerhouse sitting in my local mall. This store shaped my style, and it remains a big part of my growth into adulthood. I hope that this store survives while the American brands continue to expand their businesses here. Le Chateau is essential to the Canadian fashion industry and I really don't want it to disappear.
Have a good weekend.
Their house always had the radio playing somewhere in the house. I sometimes remember sitting by myself upstairs listening to music while drawing. I'd hear club music (MC Mario's Mix Down, anyone?). I thought the music was so cool, and it was. The music was so different compared to the Celine Dion and folk music I heard at home. My parents were trying to figure out their life in Canada.
Enter puberty. I was listening to a mish-mash of music and looking at a lot of fashion magazines. One day, close to my 13th (I think) birthday, my aunt sat me down and told me.
"You're getting older and I can't buy you things without worrying if you'll like them or not."
My aunt would always dote on me and my brother because she didn't have any kids of her own, she took gifting occasions pretty seriously. The solution to her problem was to take me shopping and have me choose my own clothes.
We went to Polo Park Shopping Center and walking up to the Le Chateau I could hear that baseline.
*baseline noises that I can't figure out how to spell, so think of something like a person who is beatboxing, but very simply*
What was this magical place? I was intrigued by the blue lights and the rows and rows of clothes seen from just outside the glass doors, so we went inside.
Did anyone remember the girls' section Junior Girl? THAT WAS MY JAM. For a while, I was buying everything from there. It was just so different from the kid's clothes and my brothers hand-me-downs I was so used to wearing. It was also the closest I'd be able to get to the outfits in the magazines. Yes, Junior Girl was my jam. I remember my aunt bought me a maroon knit suit and I wore that everywhere, even with the zip up blazer, oh yes I did.
One year for Christmas I received a pair of heavy satin pants with a tie up closure, it was very Britney Spears. I wore those pants with a pale pink knit sweater for grade 7 picture-day. My grade 8 grad dress was from there too. I wasn't feeling the tooth fairy looking satin dresses that seemed to wrinkle as soon as they touched your body. I opted for a black large floral patterned halter dress with an asymmetrical hemline and slit, purchased at Le Chateau.
Practically every birthday I would get a party shirt and a pair of jeans. I would almost only wear jeans from Le Chateau. They fit me the best. My first suits came from Le Chateau, I still have my favourite, it was a boot cut pant with a beautifully structured jacket made of black fabric with a damask print embossed. Thankfully, I remained (for the most part) the same size and can still wear it every now and again.
I couldn't imagine what it would be like to no longer have this Canadian fashion powerhouse sitting in my local mall. This store shaped my style, and it remains a big part of my growth into adulthood. I hope that this store survives while the American brands continue to expand their businesses here. Le Chateau is essential to the Canadian fashion industry and I really don't want it to disappear.
Have a good weekend.
Friday 30 January 2015
Cancer Couture
Hi Everyone,
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and this year, it hits closer to home. In mid-December, my close friend received a cancer diagnosis and emergency tumor removal surgery all within a two-week timeline. Needless to say things have been shaken up, and unfortunately I haven't been able to be more available to her. But we can only do what we can.
While poking around on the net, I found a story about a Canadian woman who created a line of couture gowns based on the patterns the cells make under a microscope.
Jaqueline Firkins teaches costume design at the University of British Columbia. She created the gowns after seeing a few of her friends go through the process. I've compiled screenshots from the UBC website.
Click here for Firkins' works along with the description of each dress and the cell that inspired it
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and this year, it hits closer to home. In mid-December, my close friend received a cancer diagnosis and emergency tumor removal surgery all within a two-week timeline. Needless to say things have been shaken up, and unfortunately I haven't been able to be more available to her. But we can only do what we can.
While poking around on the net, I found a story about a Canadian woman who created a line of couture gowns based on the patterns the cells make under a microscope.
Jaqueline Firkins teaches costume design at the University of British Columbia. She created the gowns after seeing a few of her friends go through the process. I've compiled screenshots from the UBC website.
Click here for Firkins' works along with the description of each dress and the cell that inspired it
This is the complete collection. The gown that introduced me to the collection was the dark green gown third from the right. The second was the strapless red taffeta dress. I thought the entire collection was a beautiful throwback to the 50s with the tea length skirts and bodices.
There isn't a lot of artistic licence taken when it comes to how the cells translate to the fabric. They are pretty true to cell. On the site, you can see a side by side comparison of the slides and the details. It's also pretty amazing that they used students to model the dresses.
This is the Brain Invasion Dress.
This is a textile representation of what happens when healthy brain cells (model's right) meet cancer cells (model's left). This is my favourite one of the bunch.
This project did something small for something so big it affects more and more of us. I watched the video of the fundraising Gala where these dresses were auctioned, and Global BC's Sophie Lui had the perfect description for the whole thing.
"With fashion we're not curing anyone, we're not necessarily treating anyone, we're trying to take something and make it beautiful and make it ours."
All dresses were auctioned off and the money collected was donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. I urge you to donate if you find yourself with a few extra dollars this month.
Have a great weekend.
Friday 23 January 2015
Freshening up your precious footwear
Hope you're all enjoying this lovely Friday.
Before you start, this process is not for all shoes. Stick with wiping away dirt with a soft rag for shoes with a metallic or vinyl material. Always make sure your products are synthetic safe before using them on your synthetic materials.
It's beautiful here where I am, and the sun is out, it's warm, and that's a great thing because it means you can wear your fall booties!
Here's a tip when it comes to footwear and warm winter weather: CLEAN AND PROTECT YOUR SHOES.
Seriously, it keeps your shoes looking fresh and new. Just like people, when you take care, your shoes will last much longer and look ten times better. Besides, shoes are so wonderful because it's like having a pair of fine art sculptures adorning your feet. Why wouldn't you want to protect and maintain that?
We all have those small insignificant worries that nag at us. Mine is shoe maintenance, in fact, it's usually the thing I do when I want to procrastinate or have nothing else to do on a rainy day. So I'm going to outline what you'll need and how you should go about cleaning your shoes.
(I'm planning to do this on Sunday morning so I'll upload pictures to go along with everything in an updated post)
When I do this, I usually do this with multiple pairs at once just because I don't want to do this all that often. This is a great thing to do while listening to a podcast or audiobook.
Before you start, this process is not for all shoes. Stick with wiping away dirt with a soft rag for shoes with a metallic or vinyl material. Always make sure your products are synthetic safe before using them on your synthetic materials.
Step 1)
Get your materials ready!
I like to keep mine altogether in an old shopping bag or something, it's just easier. I pretty much just pick up a bottle of Tana all protector when I'm at a shoe store (usually Town Shoes).
Step 2)
Put down paper towels or a few scraps of newspaper, something to protect the surface you're working on. Make sure your space is well ventilated, there will be a gross chemical smell.
Step 3)
Prep your shoes! Wipe them off with a lightly damp rag or paper towel to get rid of any built up product. If the shoe is suede, use an old toothbrush to gently brush away dirt, or if you have a fancy-shmancy suede brush, use that. If you have a lovely pair of shoes made of Nubuck I would recommend getting an actual Nubuck/Suede cleaning brush to maintain the integrity of the material.
Optional step 1)
There's a cleaner that you can get for the inside sole of your shoes. I can't recommend it enough for your flats and sandals (or any other shoe worn without a sock).
I'm not sure what it's called at the moment, but I'll update this post with the name as soon as I find it.
Optional step 2)
Polish the shoes. Make those beauties shine again by either covering them in a polish that matches or using an unscented, dye-free body lotion (fun fact: you can use this lotion to freshen up your leather jackets too). Just make sure you leave them for a few hours to totally dry, so go do something else for a while.
Step 4)
Spray the protectant over the shoe, it should be enough to cover them entirely so that there's a bit of shine to them. Leave your babies to air-dry preferably overnight.
Step 5)
Wear them without fear or ruining them.
Hope you learned something helpful to you. Let me know if there's anything you would do differently or if you have your own tips to share.
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Looking for Leather?
If you are looking for a good quality leather bag, or any leather item, make sure you check out Danier Leather.
Right now the Canadian retailer is having a 50% off sale on all bags (ladies or gentlemen). They've got some very attractive briefcases. In particular, a beautiful leather duffle bag called the Avi Duffle caught my eye.
In addition to this they've also got sales throughout the stores ranging between 50-70%.
Happy Shopping!
Sunday 11 January 2015
Brrr Sale at the Le Chateau Outlet
I just wanted to take a minute to let you know there are tones of winter items on sale up to 80% off and free shipping on orders over $75 on the Le Chateau website.
There are a few great sweaters if you're into angora blends. A lot of dresses to be combed over from work to formal.
I actually loved the casual day dresses they have on sale. It was hard not to buy anything but I've made myself promise not to buy anything unless I had something to discard.
Click here to check out the sale, there's a lovely camel coat in the mix too.
Happy Sunday!
Wednesday 7 January 2015
Hello!
Happy New Year Dear Readers!
I'm going to start the year off with a quick post holiday update and some housekeeping (blogkeeping?).
I ended 2014 with some sad news. One of my brother's friends had passed away suddenly and it caught us all off guard in one of those but-we-just-saw-him kind of ways. A week before my finals my best friend had, in an incredibly short time, been diagnosed with cervical cancer and went for surgery to remove the tumour. On top of this my grandmother, (Mother's side) who doesn't live in Canada, fell and broke her hand while on the phone with us on Christmas Day.
On New Years Eve I was a little bit sick and decided to stay in and from 11P.M. to about 12:30A.M. the power went out. It was a really great experience. The house was dark, my dog was calm and I drank a German sparkling wine via candlelight (oooohh so romantic eh?). My phone was dead within minutes and my computer followed suit while I was writing a short story.
I did have a few evenings to rest and accomplish a few things. While I didn't finish the books I wanted to, I did finish some games on my To-Do list; Little Big Planet 3 (a gift from my brother) and a replay through my beloved Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Now about the blog, I intend to continue writing about fashion and try my best to keep the focus on Canadian fashion. However, I want to post designs I really like regardless of origins. I also want to post links and codes for sales as well, so expect that as well.
Welcome back and thank you for reading.
I'm going to start the year off with a quick post holiday update and some housekeeping (blogkeeping?).
I ended 2014 with some sad news. One of my brother's friends had passed away suddenly and it caught us all off guard in one of those but-we-just-saw-him kind of ways. A week before my finals my best friend had, in an incredibly short time, been diagnosed with cervical cancer and went for surgery to remove the tumour. On top of this my grandmother, (Mother's side) who doesn't live in Canada, fell and broke her hand while on the phone with us on Christmas Day.
On New Years Eve I was a little bit sick and decided to stay in and from 11P.M. to about 12:30A.M. the power went out. It was a really great experience. The house was dark, my dog was calm and I drank a German sparkling wine via candlelight (oooohh so romantic eh?). My phone was dead within minutes and my computer followed suit while I was writing a short story.
I did have a few evenings to rest and accomplish a few things. While I didn't finish the books I wanted to, I did finish some games on my To-Do list; Little Big Planet 3 (a gift from my brother) and a replay through my beloved Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Now about the blog, I intend to continue writing about fashion and try my best to keep the focus on Canadian fashion. However, I want to post designs I really like regardless of origins. I also want to post links and codes for sales as well, so expect that as well.
Welcome back and thank you for reading.
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