Purity You Can Taste

I drink a lot of water.  Lately, I’ve been drinking my fair share of  smartwater.

Who would have ever thought that there could be a healthier drink than water? Vapor distilled and enhanced with the essential nutrients potassium, magnesium and calcium, smartwater also has added electrolytes. This means it feels like you’re drinking regular bottled water but you’re actually getting the added benefits of  those electrolytes, which help prevent dehydration, without the added load of sugar and calories that come along with sports drinks like Gatorade.

I really do love the taste and the extra benefits of smartwater, and I mean, I’m one of those picky water drinkers who doesn’t think all water is created equal. Sometimes it  just don’t taste good to me.  I’m a water snob, if you will. It’s not as if I stock my fridge with smartwater bottles.  I do keep a jug of tap water with lemons in it in my fridge at all times. When I’m on the run though,  smartwater does it for me.

If there is one thing that really sold me on the powers of smartwater, though? I have to be honest- it was Aniston. Let’s face it, anything that’s good enough for Jennifer Aniston to put in her ripped, well toned body is good enough for me. It must be the water and not the two hours of yoga that she does a day, right? Maybe drinking it will give me abs like hers? I mean, look at her. Doesn’t she make you want to reach for a smartwater? Oh, the power of advertising is an incredible thing. Well played, smartwater. Well played.

Chlöe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Spring 2011

Photos: Opening Ceremony

Chlöe Sevigny’s Spring 2011 collection returns to the girlish aesthetic of her first Opening Ceremony collaboration. Tons of adorable dresses in leopard, gingham, chambray, polka dot and floral prints, as well as super cute staple cardigans. There’s some casual sportswear pieces thrown into the mix as well,  such as varsity bombers, tight jersey sweatshirts, high waisted shorts, leather bottoms and baseball caps. Love the tights and sockettes available in matching prints too. And um, how fab are these photos from the lookbook with the NYC background, shot by photographer Robert Mapplethorpe? Love, love, love.

Chlöe is a real master when it comes to understanding the need for comfort and style,  minus the fussiness factor. Quite predictably, I’ve already created a wish list  in my head of which pieces I want- the gingham button down dress (complete with Big Love style pocket and collar edging)  is definitely at the top.

Bootylicious Beauty

Photo: krissybelle on Tumblr

Beyoncé Knowles. She’s an ultimate fashion diva and a glamorous woman who enchants you with her vulnerable down-to-earth attitude. She’s beautiful, dramatic and loves to flaunt that voluptuous figure of hers.

I hate how the word voluptuous has been given this kind of  negative connotation lately. It doesn’t mean big, or fat, or even a little bit chubby. In fact, Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “full of delight or pleasure to the senses, conducive to or arising from sensuous or sensual gratification.” It should be a compliment. It should be a positive thing. Maybe this is why I love women like Ms. Knowles who are proud of their curves and don’t try to hide them or cover them up.

“I feel best when I’m not really thin and not really heavy – when I’m still curvy. I really believe that everyone is supposed to be different, and whatever is a natural weight for you is usually what looks best.

I never want to get to that point where it’s not natural. I think it’s important to feel like a woman, as well as look like a woman.”

A true Texas girl at heart, Beyoncé loves big hair, loads of fabulous makeup and all the glitz and glamour of the red carpet. She credits the female-empowered era of the 1970s as a source of fashion inspiration. She loves how women like Tina Turner, Cher and Diana Ross always looked like superstars and never played it safe. She tries to emulate this with her own risk-taking looks.

Whether she’s dressed more casual and fresh faced  in her down time, glammed out superstar style for the red carpet or pumping up the drama on stage, Beyoncé always looks fierce.

Photo: Pop Style

Photo: Allure

Photo: Glamorous Lounge

Photo: Flashing Lights

Photo: DrJays

Photo: Zimbio

Photo: Zimbio

Photo: People

Photo: Zimbio

Photo: Daily Mail

Photo: Daily Mail

Maybe She’s Born With It, Maybe It’s Maybelline

A certifiable product and makeup junkie, I absolutely love experimenting with different brands, techniques, colours, and textures in an effort to find new and  fun ways to make eye-popping statements. Sometimes, I’m let down—like when my creative pursuits are undone by cake-y liner, flaking mascara, and not-so-long-lasting shadow. Other times, however, I fall head over heels—as was the case with Maybelline New York’s Eye Studio collection, which you can find in drugstores now.

I was sent an amazing train case full of Maybelline Eye Studio products to try out by the kind people at Matchstick. Unfortunately, the incredible package showed up at a time when I was travelling a ton and all but completely drowning in my work, so I didn’t get a chance to open it all up and play with it right away. Since my life settled down a little,  I have been having an absolute ball experimenting with these products over the last month or so.

Composed of vibrant stay-put shadows, smooth gel eyeliners, and pro-power mascaras, the stunning products are all under $10, but out-perform many pricier products I’ve tried. No joke—since opening my preview samples,  I’ve been using the Colour Plush Eyeshadow every day. I’ve been trying them all, and definitely being much more daring with colour than I have been in years. Love it!

Another product from this line that I can’t stop gushing about is the Eye Studio Colour Pearls eye shadow- particularly in Bronze Blowout. If you’re looking for an awesome every day, but not boring colour, this is it- epecially against the glow of your tanned summer skin. You can swirl it all together for a softer look, or apply the light on the bone and the dark on the lid or crease. You can even apply it wet for extra intensity or just brush it over your entire lid on days that you’re tight for time. I promise,  it looks hot even on its own- a really pretty, shimmering colour, with touches of gold…

7 different pure pigments are swirled together for gorgeous dimensional colour.

I’m obsessed.

If you’re looking for great products that fit into your beauty budget, Maybelline New York’s Eye Studio collection is the answer.

Wanna See Rihanna Live?

Photo: Serendipity. xo

The gorgeous and talented Rihanna is coming to Vancouver this weekend for a show on Sunday July 4th at GM Place.  It’s one of those awesome summer concerts that you don’t want to miss- with special guest, Ke$ha. (Two of my current fave artists for excellent booty shakin’ music.)

The good news is that it may not be too late for you to score tickets. My friends at WOMWorld/Nokia will be running a competition tomorrow where tickets will be up for grabs. As part of the lead up to the launch of their new N97 mini, they are driving a Nokia branded RV across Canada, starting in Vancouver. All of the details can be found on the Nokia Canada Facebook Page. Tomorrow, they will be sharing their location on the Facebook Page and inviting music fans to come and find them. Once you get there, a lyric from a Rihanna song will be read and you will be challenged to sing the next two lines. The first people to do so successfully will win a pair of tickets to the concert. Tickets will also be reserved for the best and funniest entries.

Keep your eye on the Nokia Canada Facebook Page for more details as they’re released. I’ll keep you in the loop via my Twitter stream too. Good luck! I can’t wait for the show on Sunday!