Review & Swatch: L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush

Today I have a review of one of the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows. I've seen this floating around the internet and I saw somewhere someone had compared one of the shades to Stila's Kitten (??), but I've tried swatching all the shades that were close but they didn't look dupe-worthy to me. Either way when I saw the shade Amber Rush on sale for $5.99 at London Drugs, well, it was made to be. I seriously love amber or reddish bronze eyeshadows because they just work with my green eyes so effing well! But yeah, on to the review! 

Nails of the Week | Nov 11, 2013

I hope everyone has had a great long weekend! I know I've really been enjoying the down time and just chilling out at home. Basically being a lazy-bum (seriously, I didn't leave the house for a whole day). I want to share with you guys the nails combo that I've been wearing for the past week! 

It's kind of messy, sorry but I'm not the best at cleaning up my nails after I paint them nor am I the best and actually painting my nails. However, I loved this combination! I used Marine Scene by Topshop and Follow Me on Glitter by Nicole by OPI. The glitter polish has a black base so when I swiped it down from the top of my nails, it created a really lovely gradient! 

Also, Marine Scene is the best damn name for this blue polish ever. Ever ever. 

This lasted on my nails for about 3 days until it started chipping. In my opinion, Topshop nail polishes aren't the best quality (I much prefer the Rimmel 60 Seconds polishes) but I think I picked this one up for ~$5 so I can't really complain. I definitely want to keep doing the gradient thing over brighter polishes! It's different AND can be done year round. 

What are you nail polish tricks that you've been doing lately? 

*The Topshop nail polish was purchased by me, the Nicole by OPI one was a gift.

Wish List #1

Hi! University has been getting a little cray on me lately but luckily there's only one more month to go. I can't believe how fast this first semester has gone by for me. I know everyone says my school has shorter semesters and everything is crammed together but it seriously feels like two weeks ago that I met my new friends. 

So I've been browsing Sephora and Asos quite a bit lately (maybe a little too much) and there are some things I've been seriously lusting after. I want to do one of these regularly just to give a sense of my style and things like that. 

ASOS Suspender Paris Skyline Tights - I can't stop my love for tights. It's ever-growing and never fading! I'm planning a big trip to London, France, and around there so these would be absolutely perfect. 

nails inc. Nail Polish in Baker Street - This was floating around the youtube/blogging world back in spring but that was a time when I could't really justify $12 on a polish. Buuut since I'll be spending two weeks in London, this has been the only thing on my mind. #yolo anyone?

Topshop Fur Trimmed Borg Lined Parka - I have yet to own a parka! Everyone is my area has those green thin parkas, so if I were to get one it would have to be something different. And this is that something. Doesn't it just look amazingly cozy?!

Urban Outfitters Carved Wood iPhone 5/5s Back-Skin - I recently upgraded my phone to an iPhone and have been needing a case. I've been looking at the other ones from UO (like the psychedelic cat ones... a lot) but this one looks perfect. Especially for travel. 

NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Cordura - It was either this or Portobello (London again!) but I like a little shimmer on the eye and Portobello is all matte. I own a sample of their velvet gloss pencil, it's really lovely, but I would love to own something by NARS. Plus, it's travel friendly! 

So yeah! I think theirs a Sephora sale coming around so I will definitely be picking up these babies. Merry early Christmas to me! 

If any of you have tried these, please give me your feedback! I'd love to know what you think on these products or if you have any recommendations that would be even more perfect!

Review and Swatch: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush

Happy October! I hope you all had a great September, hopefully it wasn't too stressful and sad to be leaving the sun. I bought this lip product a while back and fell in love instantly. I had always stared at the Revlon lip section with awe because there are just so many colours and choices... how can I choose?! After too many trips to Shoppers, I finally decided to buy the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (which I am going to notate as JBKBS because holy MOLY that is too long of a name). I picked mine up at Shoppers for around $8CAN. 

Review & Swatch: Nyx Cream Blush in Boho Chic

I haven't been that active blogging lately. University has started and I'm trying to keep up with mounting projects and readings. For some reason I'm taking five course for my first semester ever and it's going okay! They're art courses so it's a little more relaxed. 

But anyway I had been lusting over Nyx Cream Blushes for a while, but I could never find them in Canada. That was until I decided to step inside a Pharmasave. They had a few makeup stands from the major lines but what caught my eye was the Nyx stand! They have one in London Drugs but they don't seem to carry their cream blushes. There is a downside to all of this though, and that would be that the prices are double. Not even joking. I had a bit of extra cash saved and decided "what the heck!". This blush retails in Canada for $11.99. (crazy, I know.) 

Pay Full Price? What, Never!

Hi! I recently scored a couple things during Labour Day sales this weekend and I'm really excited to share them with you! Urban Outfitters was having a great sale with an extra 30% off and Aritzia was having a warehouse sale in Downtown Vancouver. I only found one thing at Urban Outfitters and most things at the warehouse sale didn't catch my eye ($20 Toms were all sold out along with most things in my size) but I did find some amazing deals for back to school. 

I had never been to a warehouse sale before and I was expecting it to be a little wild. It was the last day of the sale and it was raining earlier in the day so there wasn't a line to get in or anything crazy like that. No pushing and shoving over a single pair of jeans. The change rooms were a free-for-all change where you can deal though, which was a little shocking but a girl's gotta change! 

Anyway on to the actual items! I got this Truly Madly Deeply v-neck top from Urban Outfitters. It's a lovely purple grey with wolves and bears on it. It's super soft, too! This was on sale for $9.99 and with an extra %30 off. 

At the Aritzia warehouse sale I got a pair of Wilfred Free pants. They're a type of ochre corduroy pant with extra pockets on the sides, and they're sturdy too which I really appreciate. I bought them for $19.99 from $125.00. 

Next I got a pair of light olive tights. They're quite thin but I really like everything about them! They were being sold for $9.99 from $55. 

Yay dresses! I got this Wilfred brown patterned heavy bodycon dress for $19.99 from $65. I thought it might be too big for me but I was surprised to find it fits quite nicely. The only little problem I have with this dress is that it has shoulder pads which is nothing because I can easily cut them out without ruining the dress. 

Last but not least is this pair of Ace & Jig linen/cotton blue striped pants. I was so happy to find these because they are beautiful and hippie and... did I say beautiful? They are lightweight and comfy with a drawstring to hold them up. These were the best deal, $9.99 from $185! Holy Jesus! I have a soft spot for hippie pants, especially at this great of a deal. 

And that's it! I'm really happy with everything that I got over the last couple days and I hope you all find some great deals before heading back to school. I think the pants are rubbing off on me, all I want to do is lounge around and listen to some Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, or Cream. The 60's are coming! 

Plus a cat picture! This is Cali. She's almost 11 now... wow does time fly. 

Nails of the Week

I've been moving past glitter nail polishes and been searching out for something a bit more textured, a bit different. I went to Shoppers the other day and found these two babies, and so far it's been beautiful. I bought the Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear nail polish in Lacey Lilac (on sale for $2.50) and the Maybelline Color Show Nail Laquer in Clearly Spotted (for $5.50) from the Polka Dots range. 

There's just something about these two together that I can't quite put my finger on. It could be the fact that I have never owned a lilac or polka dotted polish before, or it could be that they compliment each other so much. The black and white dots both stand out against the purple. Ah, it's beautiful. 

I will say that this polish doesn't last particularly long and tends to chip all over the nail in little patches. I don't think it has anything to do with the Maybelline polish though. Lacey Lilac is super rich and looks creamy and opaque after two coats. Clearly Spotted needs a couple swipes to get the dots even and neatly clustered. 

I just love this combo! It's very different and I can't wait to try Clearly Spotted with an ocean blue or deeper purple nail polish. Also, use polka dotted polishes over formulas without glitter or shimmer! It looks way better. 

p.s. I found this cup at after playing soccer one night! I feel so cool drinking tea out of this thing. 

*These products were purchased by myself with my own money. 

Recent Captures

I've done some recent harvesting from my family's garden! Picking potatoes is by far my favourite. I go out to the bed with gloves and a two big buckets, one for the potatoes and one for the soon-to-be composted plant. We had quite the potato haul this year, I can't wait for upcoming dinners. Garlic, zucchini, and squash were also ripe for harvesting. 

I also got the amazing opportunity to feed a baby deer while I was babysitting. This little guy's name is Cutie! The owners found him when he was a day or two old and took him in. The feed him goats milk (from the goats above) and he loves it when you scratch his neck. I've never been this close to a deer before, but I'm overjoyed I was able to. 

Squamish Valley Music Festival!

Way back in April or something, my favourite radio station, 102.7 The Peak,  was giving away tickets to a music festival that's not too far from where I live. So on the way to school I decided to call in, just for the heck of it. And I basically freak out when I got through and WON! The whole deal, camping, parking, and weekend passes! So here are a couple photos and things from the festival...

Our tickets, us in of our ghetto tent, Macklemore with Irish Celebration!

Hello hello! 

I've joined bloglovin and it would be so great if you all could follow me there! 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I hope you are all having a great summer and there will be new reviews and summer posts soon! Maybe even a OOTD ooooooh

Review: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Another review here! 

This one is for famous Too Faced Shadow Insurance. When it comes to eyeprimers, it should be a must for me what with my oily eyelids and all, but it really isn't. I try to use them as much as possible to prevent my eyeshadow from creasing, and I don't think I'm going to be trying a new one any time soon...

The Miracle Worker: Organic Coconut Oil

Back when I was younger (haaaa) one of my friends would SWEAR by coconut oil. She had long thick gorgeous hair and would always use coconut oil on it as a leave in moisture boost. I didn't really think much of it until I got this huge tube for cooking and that stuff smelled amazing. Seriously, it was so good! Anyway on the side of the other tub it said it was great for skin and hair, so I decided to give this other fragrance free tub a try! And I can honestly say I'm in love. Pure love. 

Review and Swatch: Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil

Hi everyone! 

I've been looking for a black eyeliner for a while, and I know it's practically a staple but I just didn't want to spend around $10 on a single liner. Makeup in Canada is much more expensive than the US, and I really don't understand why. The brand Essence is a German company whose "thing" (I can't find the right word!) is that nothing is over $5. Yes please! 

Let's take a look.

Review: Alba Botanica Very Emollient Facial Sunscreen SPF30

 After watching chealeawear's vlogs on her melanoma experiences, I have been trying to wear sunscreen as much as possible. As a child I was always fearing when my mother would slather me with a super greasy sunscreen and wouldn't fully rub it in, leaving white blotches all over me. Thus starting my avoidance to sunscreens. Anyhoo, I just had to go out and get myself some new sunscreens and this was one of them! I bought this sunscreen at London drugs for around $9CAN. 

Review and Swatch: Topshop lipstick in Firecracker!

Happy summer everyone! I really hope you have been having a lovely and warm summer vacation, I know I sure am! To try and kick off a summer-themed string of posts I have a lipstick review for the shade "Firecracker" (oo, how fierce) by Topshop's makeup line. I purchased this lipstick at Topshop, it was %50 for $7CAN at the time. 

Let's have a look shall we?

Nail of the Week! | June 21, 2013

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great summer solstice! To celebrate the summer, I painted my nails Hot Chili Pepper from the Rimmel 60 Seconds range. It's such a great colour I can't get over it. The bright orange red really makes my hands look tan and goes with basically everything. It's just an awesome colour for summer! The best part about this polish is that I have had it on my nails for about 3 days and there is not a chip in sight! I purchased this polish at London Drugs for $4 CAN.

Have you tried the Rimmel 60 Seconds polish? Got a favorite colour? Or favorite summer colour?

*This product was purchased by me.

Birthday Haul! | 2013

Hey everyone! So it was my birthday last weekend and I had a lovely time filled with family and friends. Along with birthdays comes birthday money so I decided to do a bit of shopping while I'm still in Vancouver...

Review & Swatch: MAC Humid Eyeshadow

Hello everyone!

I received this eyeshadow as gift from a family member, and even though I hardly wear green I still appreciate the smooth texture and amazing colour. These fully packaged, 1.5g eyeshadows retail for $18CAN, which is pretty darn steep for one eyeshadow. I'm thinking about starting my own MAC palette soon, maybe when I get a bit more cash on hand.
Anyway, let's take a look! 

Nails of the Week | May 13, 2013

Hello! 

I recently tried the ombré nails from a video that Allison (amarixe) did. You can find that video here if you want to learn how to do it! 

It's pretty easy to be honest... For this nail design I used:
a cosmetic sponge like the video
Q-Tips for clean up

Missguided nail polish in Misslead (I think)

Chine Glaze nail polish in Pure Elegance

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polish in Rose Rum

Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant nail polish in 175

and a bad top coat from Island Girl that pulled the polish away. 

I used 4 different colours because the gradient looked better that way, and I didn't use tape because I was too lazy. The picture is pretty bad, but hopefully you can get the idea. Sorry! Overall I love the design endlessly. 

Review: Nyx Round Lipstick in Tea Rose

Hey all! 

I'm here with another quick review on the Nyx Round Lipstick in Tea Rose. I believe the brand has a bunch of their products with the name Tea Rose that all have about the same colour... and I have the lipstick! I added this to my collection last week from London drugs. I think it was about $6.99CAN but there was a 25% off deal going on.

April Favorites 2013!

WOO FIRST EVER FAVORITES!

I'm really excited for this post, plus happy May 1st everyone! Since I didn't wear much make up what with the firefighting thing and all, I decided to add in other non-beauty favorites! So here are my monthly faves..

Review: Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tatto in Bad to the Bronze

 Hello everyone! This is my first review for this blog and it's on the forever talked about Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze. I have honestly heard so many good things about it, and I have been lusting for a easy lid colour for a while. Plus I didn't have a cream eyeshadow yet! I got mine at London Drugs in Vancouver for $8.99CAN, a bit much for drugstore buuut it's Canada.

Company Description:

•  Dare to wear our longest-lasting shadow.
• Our ink technology creates super-saturated color.
• Cream gel smoothes on for vibrant color that does not fade. 

Firefighting! | Vancouver Youth Outreach Program

Hello everyone! Over the past week I did a Youth Academy program with the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services where I was able to experience life and training as a firefighter. I had such an amazing time, I learned CPR and the proper use of fire extinguishers, how to "take a hydrant", how to properly take out, carry, and put away hose, and how to use Self Contained Breathing Apparatus'. It was a 5 day program with 24 other students from around Vancouver, and I was lucky enough to be chosen. Here are some photos of my week! 

 This is my team! Team Delta! WOO TRIANGLES.

 Haulin' some hose.

I'm the second from the front, helpin' spray some water. 

I had an amazing time with the 10 hour days to the hundreds of pushups. I would love to pursue something along these lines in the future, like a volunteer firefighter for a small community or town. I just loved how it incorporates physical activity and science. How perfect is that?! 

Have any of you wanted to be in emergency services? Or are thinking of joining one? Give me your feedback!

Au revoir for now... 

-Anastasia

Introduction!

Hello everyone,
Thanks for dropping by! My name is Sophia, but for this blog and possibly the future I'm going by my middle name, Anastasia. I currently reside in Vancouver Canada, and I'm just completing high school. As of now my plans are to go to SFU for their Visual Arts program, but I'm not too sure. I don't really know what my plans are for this blog, I've fallen head over heels for the lifestyle/beauty/fashion blog world, so hopefully something along those lines..? Here are some random facts about myself:

• I am the only girl in my math class.
• My graduating class has 12 people altogether. 
• I have two cats, Cali and Mary. They are my babies.
• I am in love with marine biology and biological sciences. 
• My favorite movies are Finding Nemo, Fight Club, Moonrise Kingdom, and Superbad. I honestly can watch Superbad a million times and still laugh every time Jonah Hill gets hit by the car.
• My drama teacher taught Seth when he was in high school... and now he's teaching me!
• I have been to London 4 times, and it's amazing every time. 
• I was a groundling at the Globe and saw Henry V. 
• I want to start making videos or vlogs but I don't know what on. 
• And finally, I loooove playing soccer. It's my favorite sport by far. 

So yeah! I will try to get this blog functioning soon so stay tuned :)