Beauty

Stanford Beauty Week

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Well hello there everyone. It’s been quite a few months since I sat down here and typed up a blog entry, hasn’t it! Since April, man. You guys. The summer is almost gone and I’m not sad about it. I love the warmth and sunshine, but when it’s time to bust out the layers and not be overheated in just wearing jeans and a tee – that’s my vibe right there. Be comfortable in jeans and not be sweaty.

I want to tell you about a fun event I went to over the weekend. Stanford Shopping Center invited me to their first annual beauty week kick-off event (and I got the e-mail while we were away in Canada), so I’m happy the timing all worked out and I could attend just 2 days after I landed my feet on California soil. Beauty Week is happening right now (sept 16-22) at select Simon Malls.

If you’re coming here from my blog, from Instagram – I saved everything on my highlight reel and I’ll do my best to link everyone who attended (their IG’s, mainly because I can’t go huntin’ down their blogs too – though it’ll be easy to find since it’ll be in their bio’s pretty much). But we’re workin’ with a crunched timeline. Blog as fast as you can, get those pics up, and rearin’ to go, all while baby (omg no, toddler) is down for his nap.

Brunch and Bubbles was a private event for a select amount of Bay Area Bloggers which happened on Sunday September 15. It was executed gorgeously. Everything ran so incredibly smoothly, it was quite well done. The food from Terrain Cafe Palo Alto was exquisite and I ate multiples of most (lol). The brands/stores that were available got up and spoke about the brand. But best of all I met a ton of new San Francisco Bay Area local-to-me-ladies that share similar interests. That was a mouthful, wasn’t it.

Let’s get onto the few photos I took.

As I stated in my IG stories sometimes I’m a lil’ awkward (lol). I get nervous when people take my pic. But I also want to have a little pic of myself from the event. So, I do strange things like put my hands here as if I had to pee (I did not have to….lol).

So I take self-timed-selfies on a bench and hope for the best sometimes…

OOTD: Suzy Shier (Canadian store) cardigan (brand new – in stores now)
Old Navy waffle tank
American Eagle belt from 2003 (or so)
Articles of Society Jeans ( you can find them at Nordstrom)
Vince shoes
Banana Republic clutch. One of my first purchases when I moved to Ontario, Canada years ago.

Thank you again to Stanford for inviting me, for the generous gifts, the fantastic brunch, and future friends.

Say hi to the local IGers here!

Katie Melanie Lam
Rebecca Cafiero
Giulia: palm trees and pellegrino 
Christine at trend envy
Christine
Katrina at the hella young
Miranda at how art thou,
Gianna at lifestyle by gianna
Giana Siska

 

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Green your routine and reduce your carbon footprint

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There are many ways to celebrate the observance of Earth Day — which is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Today I’m bringing to you a few beauty and sustainable clothing options to support demonstrate support for environmental protection. Let’s keep our Mother Nature healthy.

Arvin Goods| Sustainable, basic apparel for men and women. Its mission to champion affordability with its $8-$25 price range, believing that sustainable fashion should be accessible to everyone. In the past year they’ve scaled from one material story – 100% reclaimed cotton that enables each pair of socks and underwear to save 50+ gallons of water – to three, also working with ECONYL® regenerated nylon in an active line of men’s boxer briefs, and Polylana® fiber (the only alternative to 100% acrylic and wool) in their newest collection of beanies. Fun fact: Their beanies are MADE IN CANADA!
My top picks? Sudio socks ($12), Bikini Bottoms ($18), Bralet ($18)

I’ve noticed and happy to see a rise in both natural skincare and beauty products using clean natural organic ingredients coming out to the market. Many good options out there right now for not irritating my already sensitive hive-prone skin.

100% Pure| Their mission is to make clean beauty/skincare accessible while being 100% cruelty-free, non-toxic chemicals, all while supporting animal-based charities. Starting on Earth Day, for every product purchased, the brand will donate one tree through the Trees For The Future organization (customers can choose between this or donating one bowl of dog food to shelter dogs in need). And on another note, the entire month of April, customers can bring 5 empty products to stores in exchange for 15% off their next product order as part of the in-store recycling program.
My top picks? The Cocoa pigmented bronzer ($38), and the Fruit Pigmented® pot rouge blush ($27)

Puristry| This is a brand I’m excited to try out more, and a new-to-me brand. They’re cruelty-free, vegan, gluten free and non-toxic. From now until April 30 11:59 PM PST,  purchase 2 products and save 10% on your entire order with code BUY2SAVE10; Purchase 3 products and save 20% on your entire order with code BUY3SAVE20; Purchase 4 products and save 40% on your entire order with code BUY4SAVE40 (Note: I’m just sharing the coupon codes, I do not have any affiliation with this brand other than receiving PR for this post)
My top picks? Vine Therapy Serum ($65), Yerba Mate Eye Cream ($48)

Boody Eco Wear| Clothing that is made using viscose derived from bamboo is always going to be incredibly soft and comfortable. It’s also moisture-wicking and thermo-regulating. The original bamboo used requires no pesticides, fertilizers or artificial irrigation to grow. The entire production process is closed loop so no water is wasted and is all recycled. Most of the garments are computer knitted so there is no fabric waste. The packaging is recyclable and printed with vegetable based inks.
My top picks? Full length leggings ($27), Padded Shaper Bra ($19.95), Racerback Active Tank ($36.95)

OSEA| Dare I say I’m saving my favourite for last? California made, family owned, 100% plant based and never tested on animals. Check out to see what’s not in their products. OSEA has been a leader in sustainable, clean beauty for over 23 years. OSEA is helping to balance our delicate marine ecosystem by hand-harvesting Undaria Pinnatifida Algae, which is classified as an invasive species. Over 94% of OSEA products are in glass. Those that aren’t, are in recycled plastic for safety reasons.
My top picks? Essential Hydrating Oil ($36) Anti-Aging Hand Cream ($38), White Algae Mask ($48), Anti-Aging Body Balm ($48)

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Part 2 of adding to cart and not purchasing

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Hi pals I’m back again with another installment of shopping for the most sweetest of clothing for your little one’s. I recently found this shop and I’m again, adding to cart but never hitting that purchase button. Because as much as I’d love to buy everything I love for my little bebs, I’d be broke in about 2 days flat if that were the case.

So instead, I’m sharing my shopping cart like I did a few weeks back with H&M goodies. This place is called Play Up, designed and made in Portugal. Their children’s clothes range from size 3months up to 14 years.

I didn’t include the prices here in USD because their website doesn’t convert it from whatever currency they use in Portugal (euros I think?).

It’s quite prevalent that I’m a huge fan of these rusty shades lately. Let’s get to it:

Fleece Trousers| I love this style pant for bebs. But he’s crawling and not walking (yet) so I’m cautious of what pants I’ve been putting him in lately for fear of the thin/lightweight pants will rip at the knees. Plus, I can’t buy these – it’s going to be summer soon. Too hot for these. (Talking myself out of them).

Fleece Shorts| Okay, pretty much the shorts version of the pants above. Love. They come in grey too.

Interlock Sweater| Kinda boho, kinda not. Love yellow on bebs, but I can’t put anything with buttons on him (yet) because he just likes to chew them and I’m afraid he’s going to eventually pop one off and swallow it. Not ideal.

Flamé Jersey Trousers| Perfect for this time of year. Or, fall. I have a few things in this shade for him to grow into.

Flame Tee| Cute cute cute. A simple tee with a simple print.

Fleece Sweater| How much is too much rusty orange? Because I feel like I could easily make his whole wardrobe this shade for Summer/Fall. Oof. I’m an earth-tones kinda gal. Guess that’s the taurus in me.

Alright, that’s it. I have to stop myself. All of this has been added to my cart and I need to get over it, just post it all here and not purchase. Oh and if you sign up for Play Up’s email list (and unsubscribe right after because who needs more emails?), you get 10% off. Thankfully though, these items are cheaper than my favourite store for him (Rylee and Cru). So that’s nice to see. I just don’t get why kids/toddler/baby clothing is SO much more expensive in ratio comparison to adult clothing. The amount of fabric in a 6mth olds top/pants is literally scraps. Anyway, that’s another topic for another day.

Have a great rest of your week! Thanks for checking in and reading. :)

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