{Beauty} July Favourites

This month has been filled with beauty go-tos, with not too much that you guys haven't seen or heard about before... Maybe the heat has made me complacent in the beauty department, I don't know. Regardless, there are a few products that have been used on the regular this month that were too good not to share, even though they're not exactly the sexiest of things... Just hear me out, guys.

ALBA BOTANICA SPF 45: First up, the essentials; and when it's as hot outside as it currently is, there's nothing more essential than a good sunscreen. I've been using this one from Alba Botanica all month long (a fab recommendation from Sandy) and I'm obsessed — it's super emollient and nourishing, less chemical-ridden than your average sunscreen, and it smells of sweet, sweet lavender... nuff said.

TANGLE TEASER: A pretty basic favourite, but a favourite nonetheless. It detangles my hair like a dream, plus it's great for travel (so compact!). Even Mr. AiF is into it — I think he might just use this sucker more than I do (shhh, don't tell him I told you).

CHINA GLAZE NAIL POLISH: No lie — this colour (amply dubbed 'Pool Party') may just be the greatest summer shade of all time. It's bright, cheerful and gives your hands that healthy, tanned look that can be hard to come by from a nail polish... This one's a winner, friends.

NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION (IN CEYLAN): Remember last month when I said I repurchased this foundation to make my tube of Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation last longer? Well that sure backfired, because I've been going through this sucker like nobody's business. It's just so nice and lightweight, while still delivering the perfect amount of coverage... I guess I'll just have to pick up another foundation to keep from using this one all up too (insert evil laugh here).

SEPHORA DAILY MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER: Remember how I said this assortment's not the sexiest? Well I wasn't kidding. But this brush cleaner has seriously changed my life. I just spritz it on my brushes after a couple uses, swirl them around on paper towel, and voila! Clean, disinfected brushes that you can use straight away. I've even noticed that my skin is clearer since the regular brush cleanups started, but that could totally be coincidental... Whatever you do, just don't take the convenience of this product to mean that you'll never have to lather up those brushes of yours again — sorry bb's, it's good but it's not that good.

WELEDA WILD ROSE DEODORANT: Yup, I went there. But when you find a good-for-you deodorant that — hold the phone — actually works, you scream it from the rooftops (or, you know, type it emphatically into your keyboard). I was hesitant to test it out on account of it being summer and all (read: hot and sticky), but if it can stand up to this heat wave then you know it's legit... #obsessed

Photos by Adventures in Fashion

{WW} In The Bag

Suede duffel bag- Topshop (new version) | tank- ACNE | jeans- Gap | bangles- J.Crew + Hudson's Bay | lipstick- Stila's 'Beso'

I briefly showed you guys this gem of a bag during last week's mini haul, but I just couldn't resist introducing you to her once again, and in a little more detail... I mean seriously, isn't she a beaut?! Not to get all Helen Hunt up in here, but I'm mad about you, little Topshop bag (weird reference?). In fact, I've coveted it since spotting it on Anna a while back, but since my local TS didn't seem to carry it, I came to terms with the fact that we would never be together... Long story short, I happened upon it while in Vancouver, ON SALE and waiting for me — kismet.

Now sadly this bag is sold out (I know, I'm sorry!), but fret not my friends — she has a sister! Equally cute and something of a fall counterpart, this version ain't half bad... I'm officially tempted. xx

Photos by Mr. AiF

{Style} Eye Spy

Dress- Choies (get it here) | heels c/o Forever 21 | clutch- DIY | sunnies borrowed from The Pretty Secrets |
bangles- J.Crew + Hudson's Bay

Photos by The Pretty Secrets

{Style} Neutralized

Top- Malorie Urbanovitch | shorts- Alexander McQueen | wedges- Pour la Victoire | clutch- 3.1 Phillip Lim | necklace c/o Lia Sophia | ring- Hudson's Bay | bangles- J.Crew | watch- Michael Kors

Much like yesterday's ode to fall makeup hues, I'm majorly feeling earthy neutrals in the clothing department these days... Because let's be real, as great as summer is, there's just no beating fall. Is it too soon to be dreaming of cozy layers, falling leaves and pumpkin spice lattes? I hope not, because it's happening and in a big way... Summer, you're so two weeks ago. xx

Photos by Sandy Joe Karpetz

{Beauty} Pre—Fall Forest Green Favourites

As much as I'm loving bright lipsticks and neon nails at the moment (mine are currently electric pink), I'm slowly getting excited for those dark, moody hues that come with the changing season. Deep burgundy, rich navy and chocolate browns are always an autumn favourite, but this coming fall, I've set my sights on forest green. I'm a sucker for Marc Jacobs polishes (Lola is the bomb!), so this hi-shine lacquer in "Jungle" was a no brainer, while Sephora's waterproof jumbo liner in "Green Shimmer" is a mega dreamy shade that I can't get enough of lately. It just glides on and looks amazing blended out across the eyelid in a way I never expected... Is it September yet? xx

Photo by Adventures in Fashion

{WW} Sale Season

It's that time again — sale season! You know, that magical time of the year when the items you've coveted for the past few months are suddenly half price (or less!) and you can't come up with a logical reason not to buy them... If you're hearing Andy Williams ringing in your ears right about now, you're not alone my friend.

I stumbled into Topshop and J.Crew last week, with no other intention than to look around and kill some time (pfft, who am I kidding?!). Before I knew what was up, I was scooping up items left, right and centre, mad-dashing for the till. That Topshop bag was something I had been searching for for months, and not only did I find it there waiting for me on that faithful day, but it was on sale for $25! That J.Crew neckalce? $58 from $168! Oh, and that chartreuse dream of a dress? Yup, 20 big ones. Long story short, the time to shop is now!

And just to drive my point home (although slightly a different situation), I happened upon a location of Club Monaco that was closing down in Victoria yesterday and scored over $500 of merch for $60! Dreams really do come true. And hey, if that's not enough sale shopping for you, you could always check out the sweet scores to be had on ShopBop (extra 25% off select sale items today!), ASOS, River Island and Neiman Marcus... you know, just to name a few. xx

Photo by Adventures in Fashion

{DIY} Five Minute Pom Pom Clutch

Remember how I said last week's DIY was the easiest thing ever? Well I think a pattern may be developing here. I don't know if it's the summer heat or the fact that I've been pressed for time lately, but I'm all about any project that can be whipped up in five minutes flat. The best. So if you have an old clutch lying around that could benefit from a little pom pom-based upgrade, this DIY is for you!

SUPPLIES: CLUTCH | POM POMS (VIA MICHAELS) | E-6000 GLUE

TIME: 5 MINUTES (1 HOUR DRY TIME) | DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY 

I thought it would be fun to alternate black pom poms with slightly larger (and incredibly sparkly) gold ones, but pick whatever colors accentuate your clutch best. You could even play around with the spacing or color placements, so get creative! Add a generous amount of glue to the back of each pom pom and press firmly for several seconds to adhere.

Let the glue dry for about an hour, and you should be good to go! Depending on the material of your clutch, you may want to sew the back end of each pom pom to make sure they stay in place, but since I glued my pom poms to my clutch's plastic clasp, this step wasn't necessary for me... just do what works for you, and remember: If a pom pom falls off, you could always glue it back on! #lowmaintenance

Photos by Adventures in Fashion

{Style} Millie Meno Mania

Dress c/o Millie Meno | denim jacket- H&M | clutch- Michael Kors | heels- ShoeMint | bangles- Hudson's Bay | sunnies
borrowed from The Pretty Secrets

Happy Monday, love bugs! Hope you guys had an awesome weekend... Mine was spent transitioning into the second part of our holiday, going from bustling Vancouver to laid back Victoria, my hometown and the apple of my eye. Activities included eating spanakopita like it's a competitive sport, chilling with my parents and visiting with friends... #thegreatest

And speaking of the greatest, can we take a minute to talk about this dress? I mean seriously, that print! The asymmetrical cut! Those colours! I'm kind of obsessed, and have even started eying up some other Millie Meno offerings, including this dress... like whoa.

Photos by Sandy Joe Karpetz

{Style} Stacked Necklaces

Tank- ACNE | trousers c/o French Connection | heels- ShoeMint | bag- 3.1 Phillip Lim | necklaces- Zara + Lia Sophia (c/o) | bangles- Hudson's Bay | ting- Forever 21 | watch- Michael Kors

 Photos by Sandy Joe Karpetz

{WW} The Paper Bag Clutch

Clutch- Choies | Tshirt- H&M | boyfriend jeans c/o American Eagle | sunnies- Kimono (borrowed from The Pretty Secrets) |
ring + bangles- Hudson's Bay

I'm kind of in love with the whole paper bag clutch trend right now, and when it happens to come in the form of neon, all the better. This one in particular is great because it's spacious and very affordable (under $30!), making it the perfect way to ease into the look... And if you're feeling particularly industrious, check out this DIY project — mad respect for anyone who tries it!

Happy Wardrobe Wednesday love bugs, and thanks for reading! xx

Photos by Sandy Joe Karpetz

{DIY} Fruit-Embellished Sunnies

Sunnies and fruit go together like nobody's business during the summer, so I figured I may as well marry the two and call it a day. This project is beyond easy, and it's a great way to add some new life to your old sunglasses (I was just about to get rid of these ones!). And can we just talk about the snazzy Bel-Air I was lucky enough to snap a photo of these bad boys in last week? Amaze balls. This beauty of a car belongs to none other than The Pretty Secrets, and I somehow managed to get this shot while she was driving me home... magic.
But enough about that, on to the project!

SUPPLIES: SUNGLASSES | GLASS FRUIT BEADS | E-6000 GLUE

TIME: 5 MINUTES (+ 1 HOUR DRY TIME) | DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY 

This one is pretty much as easy as it gets — just glue your fruit beads onto your sunnies and give them some time to dry... After that, you're in business! Chiquita Banana's got nothing on you.

Sidenote: You might have to turn to Etsy to track down some interesting fruit beads, but I was lucky enough to source mine from a local bead store... You might get lucky and find something similar at a place like Michaels, but either way, it'll likely take some hunting! 

A vintage straw clutch on a '57 Chevy Bel-Air trunk, topped with these larger-than-life sunnies? Mmmm hmmmm.

Photos by Adventures in Fashion + Sandy Joe Karpetz

{Style} Patterns, Please

Top- striped Zara | floral skirt- Forever 21 | heels- ShoeMint | clutch- Chapters | necklace- J.Crew | ring- Hudnson's Bay | bangles-
J.Crew + Hudson's Bay | watch- Michael Kors

For the next two weeks, I'll be taking the blog on the road, sharing my regularly-scheduled content with you from beautiful British Columbia (or as I like to call it, home sweet home). I have lots of goodies planned, and although I'm going to try to relax and unplug as much as possible, I'll still be popping in to say hi everyday because, let's be real, I would miss you guys too much otherwise! And special thanks for my girl Sandy for helping me prepare for this holiday — if you can believe it, we shot eight posts on Friday alone! #impossibleisnothing.

Photos by Sandy Joe Karpetz