Le Weekend

Hey everyone! It's Friday-yeah! It's also the last Friday of the summer-boooooo! While I'm out enjoying the last few moments of the season (and possibly taking some pictures of our updated exterior- I did say it wouldn't happen before the very end of summer and I'm right on time). Here are a few things from around the internet that I've enjoyed this week:

1. New to me blog Year of Serendipity chronicles interior designer and house flipper Karen as she wields her own power tools and renovates homes. She's just started on a new one and I can't wait to see what she does. 
2. Isn't getting ready to go out always the best part? An old standby Into the Gloss, just started a new series called 'After Dark' where they focus "on the going out routines of some of the coolest girls we know, along with whatever makeup and hair they're feeling that night." 
3. Trick and Tips- Abigail Ahern shares 6 Design Tricks Designers Want to Keep to Themselves- that you can now steal and use.
4. I love following Stephanie Sabbe on Instagram as she shares sneak peeks of the works she's doing- I mean check out that blue bathroom!
5. If you haven't been following along with Mandi on her kitchen renovation-you must! Her post on Planning A Budget Kitchen Renovation is one to bookmark.  
6. Fellow Montrealer, Lake Jane, shares a funny and honest post about being a creative freelancer.
7. Bijou & Boheme brought these amazing photos to my attention. Jane Long is an Australian photographer who took WWI photos and gave them a little magic in Photoshop.
8. Another blog I just found this week is The Private Life of a Girl. Sophie is a jewelry maker in the UK who shares all kinds of interesting tidbits like '18 Books for Creatives' which I've already added to my reading list. 
9. Last but not least, our kitchen was featured on The Kitchn.

Thanks for stopping by and see you in September!

Le Weekend

This Friday I thought I'd do something a little different. After a much needed trip to Sephora I came home with a few new products that had actually come recommended by some of my favourite bloggers. I thought I'd share the love and let you know some new beauty loot I'm thrilled with and a few things on my summer style and beauty wishlist.

1. I'm very tempted by the ombre trend and hair stylist Anh Cotran's instragram feed is pure inspiration. I'll definitely be bringing in a picture of his cuts & colour to my stylist if I decide to take the leap.
2. I'm trying to get away from constantly putting my hair up in a ponytail or a bun. The Beauty Department offers all kinds of different up-dos for all hair lengths.
3. While I'd love to let my hair air-dry, I'm not so into the wet dog stringy look. Joanna from A Cup of Joe posted about this secret hair tool that I'm hoping will cut down on my blow-drying time.
4. I got this mascara as a sample and I love it- not clumpy and makes me look like I have faux lashes on.
5. I picked up these cheap jeans at Target and didn't expect much but they've actually turned out to be my new favourite pair- time to stock up.
6. I love this simple and polished outfit posted by Cupcakes and Cashmere. I'm on the lookout for white jeans now. It's so hard to find a pair that are under $100 and aren't flimsy and see-through, any recommendations?
7. Erin of Elements of Style recommended this product for clean, simple nails. As someone who hates constantly touching up nail polish I can't wait to try this.
8. After an extensive conversation with a very well versed Sephora employee I've decided to try this self-tanner this summer. I've been assured that it will be subtle and natural (but this said employee was also wearing under-eye glitter, so I'll report back).
9. Another Elements of Style suggestions and let me tell you- this is the best under eye concealer I have ever used and as someone with year-round allergies and year-round dark circles, I've tried them all. 

Have a great weekend everyone, I'll be outside trying to spruce up the outside of the house. I can't wait to show you some of the (minor) progress we've made.

Shopping Trip

After having such a shitty week at least I knew I had something to look forward too with a trip we had planned to New York State so that Chad could go look at some car he was interested in buying. Details, details-What I was interested in was a little retail therapy. Outlet mall and Target look out! So the outlet malls were not very exciting. Maybe it's just that I'm cheap but I can never quite justify buying a $500 jacket even if it's on sale for 50% off. As many times as I tell myself quality over quantity it never sticks- I want both at once! Target on the other hand was a success. I'm excited that Target is coming to Canada this year but wonder if it will carry everything it does in United States? The last time we went I was lucky to find an almost untouched Nate Berkus collection.

This time I tried to restrain myself and only bought a few home goods. Yeah right-just look at that concentration and determination on my face.

A tray for the buffet bar table set-up, some pretty dish towels, lights for all the time outside on our back deck I'm imagining and Sonia Kashuk make-up. I also managed to get a lot of neon.