New: Lifestyle Posts

Hello ladies and gents,

Miss me?  I was debating whether or not to create a new blog and revamp how I would be blogging.  After much inner debate, I realized that I neglect this blog enough.  However, this summer I promise that that will change.  I will now be adding a lifestyle aspect to my blog.
This will include things like "food reviews", "photography", "things to do or try", "travel", etc.  I am still figuring out how to integrate it into this blog but I will do my best.
For now, hold on tight.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer.

xo Chanel

Fashion: Toques, Beanies & Hats

I don't know what it is about hats, but I feel like they instantly pull an outfit together.  Hats are one of those practical and fashionable accessories that instantly completes a look!  Well hats and scarves but we'll get into my love affair with scarves later.  The nice thing with hats is that they can dress up or dress down a look.  With the incredibly cold and frosty weather I've been experiencing, hats seem like one of the only practical things to have with me.

As seen above, it's always nice to be able to tie the colour scheme all together. It makes it look like she put the effort in without trying too hard.  The colour of the hat matches the colour of her pants.  Now match does not mean that it is the exact same colour but rather it is in the same colour family as her pants.  This is one of those warm and comfortable outfits.  Perfect by my student fashion standards.

I honestly think Jennifer G. is amazingly pretty.  I cannot get enough of her style on Lookbook.nu.  She  has an air of effortlessly pulled together - which I am in awe of.  The photo above is how I wish I could dress on a daily basis: neutral, feminine, casual and yet pull together.  I love how she wears her slouchy beanie and matching infinity scarf.  Perfect for warmth and style.  What makes this outfit so easy is that it is neutral and monochromatic.  When it doubt, black and white always work.  Her legs are elongated by the black wedge boots and black tights and the look comes together nicely with the black messenger bag, scarf and toque.  Another case of effortless and chic.

Last but not least for this post, this is Virgit C. of PreppyFashionist - another inspiration on lookbook.nu.  This lovely lady has a way with clothes and is constantly pulled together.  To me, her main arsenal accessory?  Hats.  You must check her out if you're looking on how to pull a hat off.  In the look above, she dons a lovely wide brimmed velvet hat that compliments her 'oxblood velvet skirt' to a T. This is oh so sunny-day-winter appropriate that it makes me smile.  Oh to be able to wear this to class!  If it wasn't for those gosh darn backpacks, I would!  I am in love with wine-reds and reddish plums or the so called 'oxblood'.  Really though, it's crimson or burgundy or maroon.  I still love it.  Now this type of hat is almost contrary to a toque or beanie.  It provides little warmth and more fashion.  It;s about those bad hair days or those times when you want to feel a little bit more glamorous.  Think big sunglasses, floppy wide-brimmed hats and red/plum lips. Done. Pulls the outfit together and instantly gives her an air of class. chic. effortless.  Love it.

Thats all for now!  Be sure to check out the lovely bloggers mentioned above.  I do not own the rights to any of the photos above - all of them are linked.  Feel free to click each photo - you'll be directed to their lookbook.nu accounts.  But for now, lots of love.

me and my snow covered beanie =)

xoxo

Chanel

New Year, New Format!

Hello hello,

First off, I'd like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!  I can hardly believe that it's already 2013. The year felt like it slipped through my fingers and flew by before my eyes.  Life has gotten busy once again with work and school and my facade of a social life.

New years resolution (aside from being healthier): I will continue blogging on a regular basis - I have sorely missed sitting down and looking at all things beauty and fashion related.  My addiction to all things pretty has yet to be cured.  Maybe written about them will lessen the pull to buy as much as I do. You'll still be able to find me sauntering through the makeup section or down racks of clothes at the mall but I am going to try my best to stick to fashion and work with the beauty products I have before stalking up on 5 new mascaras that I have yet to open.  Yes, I have about 5 unused mascaras hidden neatly away in my makeup drawer waiting to be used.  I also 'misplaced' my current favourite mascara and am itching to buy a replacement despite having all these untouched items an arms length away.

This year, look out for plenty of fashion posts and things about blogging, marketing and beauty.  I may even throw in a few posts about campus fashion and friends of mine if I am so inclined and just so happen to have my camera on hand while at school.  Reader: you have been warned.
The aim: to post weekly.  And with that being said, I will see you all with a new post sometimes this week!

xoxo
Chanel

OOTD: Casual with a touch of Sparkle!

Hi ladies and gents,

It has definitely been a while!  I am so sorry for being so MIA over the past  who-knows-how-long.  I blame work and my lack of social life.  My only form of social media interaction has been instagram - where I seem to be able to remember to post ootd and miscellaneous other tidbits of my life.  So if you're interested in seeing more of me, my instagram is cocomechanel.

Today, I have a brief OOTD for you that I posted on instagram.  I figured every time I post one of these there, I'll post it here with a break down.

Essie: Lights

This spring, Essie released a line of polishes under the name of Poppy-razzi.  It consisted of 4 polishes: Lights, Camera, Action & Bazooka.  Two shades instantly caught my eye and I had to pick them up.  The first of the two shades is this one here: Lights.

partial sunlight

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses: Swatches & Review

Today's featured product has to be one of my favourites.  Revlon always has amazing products - it's one of my favourite drugstore brands.  They're products are affordable and good-quality.  What I'm talking about is... Super Lustrous Lipglosses with SPF 12.  I currently own 6 shades (4 of which are considered new, 2 which have been around a while).  Originally, 4 of these shades were limited edition, though they have now been integrated into the permanent line.

Butter London: Slapper

More Butter London!  It has been a while since I sat down and wrote a blog post.  I have missed this!!  Aside from always loving my usual pink / red / purple polishes, I have always held a spot in my heart for teal / turquoise polishes.  I love how bright and eye-catching the colour is.  Though I do own my share of turquoise polishes, I still decided to pick up Butter London's Slapper - part of their Spring 2012 collection (along with Knackered - see post here).  I have been wearing this colour either on my toes or fingers for about 2 weeks now... I will never tire of this polish!

partial sunlight

I'm back!

Hi all!


It has been so long!  How I've missed you all (an blogging!)
I hope you can excuse my lengthy absence.  I've had things to deal with and no time to blog.
But I am back and promise to get back on the blogging horse.

Look out for some exciting new posts on travel, food & cosmetics from asia!

Talk to you soon!

xo Chanel

P.S.:  What do you lovely, people think about giveaways when I hit milestones?

Trending: Neon Accessories (Spring 2012)

I LOVE neon.  I cannot express to you how much neons draw me in.  I am a sucker for bright and beautiful.  It's fantastic!  I am in love with all the neon accessories that are in all the shop fronts recently.  I'll admit I might have gone just a tad bit crazy.  Don't judge me - I adore brights!  With that being said, I thought I'd share a few things I've seen / bought / stumbled upon for those of you interested in adding a few trendy neon pieces to your spring / summer 2012 wardrobe.  Nothing says "bring on the sun" like a neon!

OOTD: Rumour Has It - Pink Leopard on Black

There is something very something very simple and sophisticated to me about wearing one solid colour and accentuating it with a "pop" - either print, a bold statement piece or colour.   That is essentially what this outfit was inspired by.  I was going for simple and yet fun - perfect for a girls night out.

Like it? Hype it on LOOKBOOK.nu

Find me on LOOKBOOK.nu

Hello all...

Guess what? I'm on Lookbook.nu!  I had an account long ago... that I used to love, but a new day calls for a new Lookbook.  Find me on look book here:

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Set in Electric: Review & Swatches

It's been a while since I picked up this travel set from Sephora - around Christmas was when it was released - but it's taken me this long to swatch it all.  First off, I have to say I have always liked Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliners.  They are pigmented, long wearing and don't shift around once they set.  These are the types of creamy pencil liner that you can smudge out or use to tight line.  I believe all of these colours are available through Urban Decay's permanent line.

February Favourites!

Where in the world did February go?  And to think this was a leap year too - giving me an extra day which did not feel like enough.  I have been a busy gal this past February and have not had the time to sit down and blog like a good, responsible blogger.  I hope to do better in March.  Being as busy as I was, I gravitated towards a select group of products and essentially did the same routine most mornings.  So without further ado, here are my {belated} monthly favourites!

China Glaze: Hunger Games Giveaways!!

In the process of re-reading this series - yes I haven't really thought of these since they first came out, were read and put away - I remembered that China Glaze was releasing a Hunger Games Collection in March 2012 (it's actually already in some stores) to coincide with the release of the Hunger Games Movie release on March 23, 2012.

OOTD: When in Vegas...

My first OOTD!  It always seems to me that it's hard to get someone to help taking ootd pictures, so for my first one, I decided to feature one of my favourite "girls night out" outfits - something I coincidentally brought with me to Vegas.

I love dresses.  I also love having one main piece and working my outfit around it.  This dress, I stumbled upon at Forever 21 a few years back.  Initially, I was worried that it would emphasize my bottom half, but with careful styling, it's actually quite flattering.

Shoe Confessions: MK Rock N' Roll Berkley T-Strap

I love shoes. I am a shoeaholic. Anything to spoil my little tootsie's I'll do it!  That being said, I have the oddest sized foot.  I am somewhere between a 5 and a 6.  There are times I fit a 5, other that I fit a 6.  Times when 5.5 is too big and 5 is too small.  It's just hard at times to find a shoe that fits!

Recently, I have been on the hunt for a mid-height, comfortable, heel that I could dress up or down.  I wanted something easy that I could spend hours in.  In my hunt, I came across these babies.  These are leather - unlike the majority of the MK Berkley T-Straps which are patent leather.

Butter London: Knackered

Hello there blogging world.  It's been a while since my last post.  You'll have to excuse my hectic schedule but I'm back!  And I'm so excited to share with you....My FIRST ever Butter London came in the mail the other day.  I ordered Knackered along with Slapper from the Spring 2012 collection as well as the Nail Foundation and P.D. Quick Topcoat.  The order itself took 5 days to ship to me after the purchase receipt was received.  All together 7 business days.

I am so thrilled to have this polish.  Knackered is a grayish-purple-green chrome with fine iridescent glitter.  These photographs do not do this polish justice.  It reminds me of the inside of an oyster shell - which is probably the most accurate description of this polish.  This is one of those colours that changes depending on your lighting.  In direct sunlight, it is pale and sheer, in the shade or indoors, it takes on a silver-gray shade to it.

Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Berry Noir: Review & Swatches

Today's feature product is a lip product by Lancome.  Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Berry Noir is my absolutely favourite dark lip colour.  This beautiful shade has SPF 12 and is smooth, creamy and very pigmented.  After lusting after this colour for a year, I finally picked up my first Lancome lipstick and have not looked back.

Sugarpill Loose Eyeshadows: Review & Swatches

from sugarpillshop.com

I heard so much about Sugarpill after IMATS LA 2011.  It was all I heard about on Youtube on blogs for days.  I must admit, there is seriously not that much hype about IMATS Vancouver every year.  I have never been nor do I plan on going just for the fact that I rarely hear anything about it.  However, I would love to go to IMATS LA one day...  Anyways, back to the point, after hearing all these raves about how amazing Sugarpill loose pigments were, I had to order some of my own.

Shop MAC Lipsticks: Review & Swatches

The Shop MAC collection - released on February 9, 2012 along with Cook MAC - brought 6 stunning lipstick shades (5 new, 1 repromote) to MAC counters/stores across North America.  This was one collection, that I was very excited for.  Having had to literally hunt for the Iris Apfel collection, I was happy to see that this collection had not sold out with the first few hours.  I ended up picking up 4 of the 6 available shades.