DOT & LIL SPRING 2014 REVIEW

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending the Dot & Lil Press Event for their Spring 2014 line of products.

Dot & Lil specializes in hand crafted bath & skin care products made locally in their Montreal Studio. The moment you enter their space the time, care and emphasis on quality that's involved in the creation of each line of products is immediately apparent. Items are not only beautifully crafted - rows of soap resembling that of a lovely sampling of macarons - but uses thoughtful ingredients to ensure that users put only the best on their skin.

The Spring 2014 line introduces a facial cleansing bar {a gentle formula of rosehip seed extract, ground oats, clay and coconut oil} and exfoliating grains {ground oats & oat flour, ground apricot kernels, milk powder and Saskatchewan red salt}. These two items join the long-loved facial serum rounding out the Dot & Lil facial care trio.

New soaps with seasonal scents in Sweet Pea, Lilac, Peach Blossom and Citrus also join the Spring 2014 line. I was able to get my hands on a sample and I couldn't help but replace my usual go-to with the lilac - it breathes spring into my daily routine!

One thing I've loved about having this little ol' blog is being able to share items I love. Even more than that, I've love each chance I get to share and support gorgeous local businesses I stumble upon. So much is going on in each of our own backyards. I always find it so incredible when I get the opportunity to discover and share something new. What was immediately evident, and what made me fall in love with Dot & Lil is Anne Dardick's, creator and founder of Dot & Lil, infectious passion for her business and the items she creates. I've gushed enough but before I end my review I wanted to share two items from the classic collection that I fell in love with - the line of lip glosses and vintage tea cups candles - both of which I immediately wanted to purchase as gifts for every lovely gal in my life.

So if you get the chance, check out Dot & Lil!
All new Spring 2014 items will be available on the website beginning this Wednesday 

with store fronts stocking soon after! 

CONVERSE SPRING 2014 PREVIEW

Last week I attended the Converse Spring 2014 Preview at Fresh Paint! Gallery. As chucks have long been my choice kicks, and go-to summer footwear (1, 2), I was in heaven. The 2014 Collection was split into four rooms at the gallery, each designed with a style in line with the personality of the sneakers on display.

LADIES TOP PICKS

The slim-soled fancy is my classic go-to but the Spring 2014 Collection has so many awesome styles that I couldn't choose just one favourite. From wedges to seasonal colours to edgy studs, my lusting quickly evolved into daydreaming spring outfit and suddenly I knew I was a goner. This season there is at least something for everyone, and more likely a couple for us all. I couldn't really bear to choose a favourite - so I didn't! Enjoy.

My number one, Converse Spring 2014 top pick for the ladies

My second favourite, Converse Spring 2014 sneaker for the ladies

Can't help but have three, Converse Spring 2014 top picks for the ladies

A few choice All Stars for the ladies

FELLAS TOP PICKS

One thing I love about Converse is that most styles can be worn by both girls and guys depending on how they're styled. Even still, I couldn't help but share top picks for each... more sneakers, more options, more fun, right!?

My number one, Converse Spring 2014 top pick for the fellas

A few choice sneakers for the fellas :: All Star, CON & Jack Purcell 

Swooning for Sanctuary

// 1. Laser Vegan Swet in white, Vegan Waistband Jogger in black // 2. Muscle T in white, Blogger Skirt in black 

// 3. Breeze Tee in white, Moto Queen in white // 4. Leather Motocross Jacket in17 pink, Lace Me Up Tank in white, Adventure Short in white

 // 5. Mesh Crew in black, Track Skirt in Kaleidoscope Print // 6. Mesh Swet in white, Linen Surf Short in white

I stumbled across some news that Sanctuary will be available across Canada as of Spring 2014! For my readers in Canada - join me in being very happy about this development. For my readers in the states, feel free to congratulate us on this great news - we're very happy. If you are not familiar, Sanctuary is a lifestyle brand from Los Angeles focusing on a modern approach to vintage styling. My favourite aspect of their pieces is how well each can be styled both casually and dressy. 

Since the above pieces are not yet available, and definitely not weather appropriate for the next couple months, here are a couple of my current, season appropriate swoons.

Boucle Dress | Tapestry Shirt Dress | Vegan Sleeve Sweater Dress

Easy Norma Tunic | Charmer Coated Metallic Denim | Vegan Sleeve Sweater

Spring Fling :: product review

dress c/o eShakti [similar] | nude pumps | Matt & Nat clutch 

A little while ago, longer than I'd care to admit, eShakti contacted me about reviewing their Spring Line. I was familiar with the brand having seen some of my favourite bloggers sporting their frocks and agreed to check them out. I took my time choosing a dress, so long that the ones I settled on quickly went out of stock [people must love them!] a number of times. When I finally spotted the above I just snatched it up without a second thought.

I was pleasantly surprised that I got to choose my neckline, skirt length and pockets or none. I checked out a couple other dresses and the options even extend to inclusion of embellishments and sleeves! I absolutely love this flexibility as we all have been the victim of falling in love with a piece of clothing only to realize that the sleeves hit you all wrong, the neckline just doesn't work or the hemline, though appropriate on your friends, makes you look like a lady of the night... and I don't mean catwoman. 

Well, this lovely came together just right. I not sure about you, but it has me dreaming of a bike ride and a picnic and that suits me perfectly. I'm so pleased I may just get myself a post-birthday gift - which one do you like best?

Strapless Poplin dress | Colorblock Stripe Jersey jacket | Contrast Printblock Georgette dress | Emmeline dress

Smitten

dress c/o Sugarlips | DolceVita booties | Longchamps bag | Vince cardigan 

Smitten with the weather. The gorgeous, no-cardigan-needed weather. 
Smitten with my new tresses. Cut by the talented Mischaela at Bowtique. 
Smitten with my weekend. Family, friends & back home to my husband for a lovely Sunday.
Smitten with this DRESS! Seriously - short, sweet, scalloped; what more do I need?! Sugarlips strikes again! They have become my go-to for darling little pieces I can wear on repeat. This dress fits like a dream and I've got my eye on a couple of it's friends 1, 2, 3. Who knows what will happen, my birthday is coming up next week after all...

Effortlessly Edgy

Teaberry bomber [similar] | Jacob blouse [similar] | Gentle Fawn lace shorts [similar] | dolce vita booties c/o Little Burgundy | Longchamps bag

For nearly a month I have been awaiting an Indian summer. Last weekend, with time dwindling and temperatures falling, I got impatient. I made my own Indian summer... sort of. I dressed in shorts and a sleeveless blouse, quickly adding a light spring bomber after testing the air from my balcony. There was a chill - an unwavering, definite chill. I learnt my lesson. Summer isn’t here anymore, fall is. And fall likes tights.

During the summer, Little Burgundy got in touch to let me know that they were opening a store in Halifax Shopping Centre. There are few things I like more than a new store opening in my city – especially when said store has been on my radar for a while – but their offer to scope it out with a mini shopping adventure trumped it! I am so IN LOVE with these dv booties I try to include them in every outfit! Hopefully my shopping ban is lifted soon so I can go back in and pick up my other favourites [1, 2, 3]… swoon

Halifax store Grand Opening

Since I had already moved by the time they had their big Grand Opening soiree, I got a couple snapshots from those lucky enough to attend! It looked like a ton of fun and I have to admit, I’m completely obsessed with their pop-up store.

MAKE UP FOR EVER review

A little while ago I was contacted by a representative for MAKE UP FOR EVER with an invitation to attend the launch of the HD Complexion Starter Kit at Sephora in Halifax. Being of sound mind I quickly RSVPd YES! A fun makeover just 'cause - how could I not? 

The makeup artist in attendance walked us through the products she was going to use and then sat us down for an application. I obviously forgot to take photos the day of, but below you can see me before, with no makeup and after*, once I applied the products from the HD complexion starter kit. The MAKE UP FOR EVER products really offer amazing coverage. I know this because after the event Jack and I were out for a walk, it was freezing and you couldn't even see that my nose was red [usually I look like rudolph]. Being able to cover up the blotchiness of my super reactive skin? That is all the convincing I need!

*note: my under-eye coverage, blush and eyeliner are not MAKE UP FOR EVER
**I was not paid for this review but I did receive the above products free for attending the event at Sephora. All the views expressed are my own.