CMA's Beauty Recap

I'm a big country music fan. Sadly, I've been slacking on my TV watching as of lately and missed the CMA's.... but through the magic of the internet I didn't have to miss the beauty looks. Here's a look at some of my favourite hits and not-so-favourite misses.

HIT! As per usual Carrie Underwood gets it right. She looks flawless in this stunning gown and as always, I am loving the colour of her hair.

Big MISS for Leighton Meester who normally looks amazing.... but this dress isn't doing her any favours and really washes out her complexion. Also, she could have really used some more eye makeup.... black eyeliner... something! Her eyes look so tired.

HIT for Gweneth! Love the side swept hair, love the slit and side peek-a-boo of this dress, plus the colour scheme is amazing. Grey and pink together is my favourite.

Somewhat of a MISS for Taylor Swift.... She needs to stop doing the whole long red dress thing... She's done it too many times and it's boring and ages her in a not so good way.

MISS.... Do I even need to explain this one? I LOVE Kellie Pickler. I think she is hilarious and I'm a fan of her music.... I know she idolizes Dolly Parton but that doesn't mean she has to look this tacky.

HIT! Love this STUNNING pink dress worn by Miranda Lambert. The sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder straps are so flattering. This is my favourite dress of the night.

Loving today......

PLUM NAILS!!

Perfect for this chilly weather and looks great with any outfit.

I'm loving: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in "Plum Luck"

And SpaRitual in "Shoot For The Stars"

Diggin the grape nail look?

Whats your favourite shade?

Holiday Wish List

This marks entry #1 for my Holiday Wish List this year.

I haven't even smelt this fragrance yet, and frankly I don't care what it smells like. It was love at first site when I saw this Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb fragrance on the pages of LouLou Magazine's November issue. This limited edition for Christmas 2010 fragrance appears to be wearing a pretty pink tutu which I absolutely ADORE!

BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Through all the broken hearts, boring dates, blah connections, feeling unappreciated, settling for something less then you deserve, situations that turn out to be something they are not, people who change, people who let you down, people who don't follow through, or people who just don't see you for who you really are, hope can be lost. Maybe not all at once, maybe it's a gradual loss that you don't even realize... until one day that hope you were losing comes back to smack you in the face, to show you exactly what you were missing.

There are certain connections in life that only happen a handful of times. The kind of connection that happens so suddenly and instantly, that you can't picture how your life was before it existed. The kind of connection that is completely effortless and wonderful. It's hard to pinpoint how and why these connections can happen with one person and not with another. It's completely unexplainable. But some things in life are better left unquestioned. Sometimes it's better to just go with it, embrace it, and enjoy every moment of it...for however long it lasts, no matter how scary it can be.

Melt into the mushiness, kisses, butterflies, and laughter. The things that make life exciting, fun, and worth all the hard times. The things that make life BEAUTIFUL.

The Facebook

Went to see The Social Network this weekend. Really glad I did. Great movie. Really well done and interesting. Had my full attention the whole way through. Not sure how much is true and how much isn't but the story was fantastic!



Can we please talk about Armie Hammer for a second. The guy who played the twins, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss in the movie. Definitly a highlight for any girl who sees this movie. The athletic All-American eye candy was very enjoyable to watch. I had no idea the twins were actually played by one guy! Very impressive!

Simply Gorgeous

I'm pretty sure I've never stopped to stare at a magazine cover like I stopped to STARE at this one. I can't get over how beautiful the Marc Jacobs dress is that Kate Hudson is wearing on the cover of this months Elle. So unique. So feminine. Not to mention, Kate Hudson looks perfection wearing it. Dress envy.

Holiday Scent

My scent for this holiday season is Winter Candy Apple from Bath and Body Works. I'm obsessed! So far I have the hand sanitizer and the wallflower plug in air freshener which is making my condo smell absolutely divine!!!!

There's something about the smells of the holiday that really make me happy. I can't wait to start decorating my place for Christmas so the view matches the smell.

Head over and pick up a product in this scent if you are ready to get in the holiday spirit.

Mmmm DELISH!

IT GETS BETTER

I recently had the pleasure of helping out with the It Gets Better Canada Project, an initiative started in Canada by Arren Williams and Tommy Smythe and was inspired by Dan Savages project started in the US. A youtube channel was set up in response to a series of suicides by gay teens in the US. People from different walks of life can post videos on the channel telling their stories and encouraging teens to understand that they can survive the bullying and move on to lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Tommy and Arren worked with many talented Canadians to create an inspirational video. Check it out below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p-AT18d9lU

I was so happy to help out with this project in getting the word out to the media and helping at the fundraising event to premiere the video. It was a very emotional evening. I couldn't help but shed some tears during the video, hearing the emotional stories of the individuals in the video and their messages of hope for bullied teens. This project is so important for teens who may feel helpless and like life will never get better. They need to know that life gets easier after highschool when they start to surround themselves with loving people who aren't close minded. I hope these videos make their way to the kids who need to see them most and not only stop these suicides, but also stop the bullies and hate.

Film Fest Fabulousness

Is it just me? Or has life been passing by way too quickly these days? I can barely seem to keep up! There just doesn't ever seem to be enough hours in a day or days in a weekend.

Hence my absense from this blog.

I've moved YET AGAIN into another new place in Toronto. This time I hope to have a more permanant stay. So sick of packing up my life, unpacking and moving heavy stuff.

Before the big move I was busy at work with the Toronto Film Festival. It was a very crazy but fun week and I eventually got sick due to alot of late nights and early mornings.

I thought I would highlight some of my favourite moments from that week.

We kicked off TIFF with Fashion Televisions 25th Anniversary party.

Here I am with my co-workers enjoying some wine. This night was like the calm before the storm of TIFF took over. One highlight from the party for me was every judge/choreographer/contestant from So You Think You Can Dance Canada being there. Enjoyed seeing Mia Michaels! Love her!

All week I was running back and forth between our Lia Sophia Lounge at the Windsor Arms Hotel and our Murale/Sally Hershberger Lounge at the Intercontinental Hotel.

As I found out people liked to spend their days outside of the hotels trying to spot celebrities, taking pictures and waiting anxiously.

As I also found out, if you are walking in or out of a hotel during TIFF everyone automatically assumes that you are famous and frantically takes your picture while asking "Who is that?" I was always tempted to reply "I'm NOBODY!"

Here is our set up at the lia sophia Gift lounge. The lounge featured the new red carpet collection la belle rose which everyone was very excited about it. There are alot of beautiful pieces from this collection. I got to wear it all week and recieved tons of compliments.

At the lounge I saw Hugh Hefners ex girlfriend Bridget from the Girls next Door show. Kevin Spacey, who made me cringe a little because I still associate him with his character from American Beauty, and Rachel Weisz.

Over at the Intercontinental Hotel Sally Hershberger and her dream team were busy making everyones hair look incredibly sexy. For a beauty lover like me getting to watch Sally and her team was a little bit of a dream come true. Murale makeup artists were also on hand applying makeup with all of the great murale makeup products.

Walking through the hallway at the Windsor Arms Hotel I was stopped waiting for a bell boy to clear out luggage from the hallway when the hotel door opens and out walks non other than Clint Eastwood. Looking like a muffin at 9am in the morning. He joked around with us as we waited for the bellboy to gather his luggage. Definitly a TIFF highlight for me.

Another TIFF highlight was attending the after party for the movie The Conspirator. I saw Justin Long and Alexis Bledel in person.

I also had the pleasure of having an actual conversation with James Mcavoy at the party, who I also ran into earlier that day at the Windsor Arms hotel..... literally..... I actually ran into him as I came in through the front door.... after hearing him apologize in his dreamy accent I finally realized who I had just bumped into. Talking to him at the party was my probably my favourite TIFF memory. Instant crush.

Apologies!

I have been incredibly M.I.A. online lately due to 1. Moving into a new place, my own place 2. Work work work and 3. Trying desperately to squeeze every last drop out of what is left of this summer and this gorgeous weather.


How is it August already? How did we get here so quick? I can't help but feel gipped as every summer seems to go by faster then the last.


I feel like this has been one of the biggest summers of my life. Moving to Toronto, starting a new job that I LOVE, meeting tons of new people, rekindling old friendships, nights out with my girls drinking wine on patios, outside concerts shaking my booty with my arms in the air, learning valuable lessons, getting closure, people coming back into my life and people leaving it, receiving heartbreaking news, learning that I can live on my own and not be scared or lonely, loving life, loving friends, loving family.... I take a look at my life right at this moment and I find myself thinking "Is this really my life right now? How did I get here?" I sit in my little one bedroom apartment looking over all of Toronto, somewhere I never imagined I would be and never even thought I wanted to be, and I realize how unexpected life can be and how you never know whats in store for you or the people around you. Take advantage of good times in your life. Hold onto the good memories. Hold those you love close. Laugh too much and surround yourself with as much positivity as possible.

Pretty Eye Candy

I thought today could use some pretty eye candy.
Andy Samberg is always my top choice.
























Do you agree? Who is at the top of your eye candy list?

Pink Beauty Recommends......

Still in search of that perfect foundation at an affordable price? Enter: Revlon Colourstay Foundation.

I worked for Revlon for a while but it was actually my friend who is a makeup artist that introduced me to this foundation. "This stuff sticks to your face" she claimed. Well, I haven't stopped using it since. It really does "stick to your face" (in a good way). The coverage lasts and you wont need to reapply.

It comes in two combinations; Normal/Dry and Combination/Oily. I use the Normal/Dry because I have really dry skin.

Great foundation for these super hot summer days!!

Sleeping Beauty

Continuing with the theme of things that smell amazing, I want to tell you about one of my other all time favourite products which I have been using for 3 years now: Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sleep Body Lotion in "Lavender Chamomile". The mix of Lavender and Chamomile creates a calm, lulling effect that is great for getting a peaceful sleep. I don't only use this lotion at nighttime though.... Because, who doesn't' want to feel calm and soothed all day long?

There are so many products in this line, from candles to pillow sprays as well as other calming scents. I've only tried this lotion so far but I might need to try out some of the other products from this line.

Sleep Tight Sleeping Beauties!

Coo-Coo for Coconuts!

Hello, My name is Amanda.... And I'm a Coconut-aholic. I know alot of people share in my obsession and I thought it was time for a post regarding my addiction.




I've been wearing my new coconut body lotion to work this week and I have never received this many compliments before about how good I smell.

There's just something about the smell of coconut in the summer that really makes me happy.


When I hit up the big Bath And Body works sale a few weeks ago I couldn't resist the Exotic Coconut Body Lotion that was on sale for half price.
I now wish I would have picked up some other products from this same collection, I will have to go back and pick some up!


Exfoliating with a coconut body scrub in the shower is maybe my favourite beauty ritual. The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub takes the cake... and funny enough, it smells like a mix of coconut and cake. Mmmmm


Another Coconut product I am digging these days is Organix Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner. I almost always use coconut shampoo and conditioner before going on a date.... Because what guy can resist a girl with Coconut smelling hair? Am I right fellas?


SPAresource is another brand I've used and they have a fantastic coconut Shower Gel. For only $6.00 you get a very large container which features an easy to use large pump, which is great for the shower. The body lotion for this line is great too and comes in the same large container.




For body spray I like Calgon Coconut Sorbet Body Mist. I keep this in my gym bag for a refreshing mist after work outs. It smells delicious!







Philosophy has a line called Coconut Frosting which always tempts me but I haven't tried it yet. I really want to try this Coconut Frosting Lip Shine. Has anyone tried it yet?



Do you share in my addiction? What coconut products are you favs?

R U Bot Or Not?

Last night my work was putting on the event for the launching of SVEDKA Vodka in Canada. With its tagline "Voted #1 Vodka of 2033" the marketing campaign features Svedka Girl, quite the glamorous robot. I was working the guestlist so I didn't get to fully experience all the futuristic fun but, here are some pictures so we can all experience it together :)

The event was held at the new Parts & Labour bar on Queen west. It's a really neat spot!

Svedka Cocktails


How cute do these look!?

A fortune teller was on hand to tell everyone what the future holds

Me on the left with 2 of my co-workers :)

BUY 1 GET 2 FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This weekend Steps had it's sale on that always tempts me. Buy one pair get two free.... Yup, buy one pair of shoes... and get two FREE!!! What girl can resist that?

I gave in.

I got these 3 gorgeous pairs of shoes for $100.00.

No regrets :)

Needed a cute pair of flip flops

Love the smaller heel on these so I can still wear them to work

Last but certainly not least: My new favourite pair of shoes :)

How cute are these!??!?!

While I was trying on these pink shoes I had 2 random ladies from the mall in their 70's come sit down and watch me. They couldn't get over how cute these shoes looked and said that I must get them while I am still young and can still wear heels. The one lady said "I always told myself when I was younger that I didn't have the money for those types of things but now I wish I would have just went for it. So go for it, even if you don't have the money" she told me..... well I don't have the money but I took her advice and went for it!

The sale is still on. There is a Steps at Burlington Mall and also at Yonge and Bloor. Check online for other locations. Happy Shopping!

Mix And Match

Left the city last weekend because of all the G20 craziness and also because I was craving some rest and relaxation. I love the city life but there's something about going home to my small town, to my house, my family, my bed, my puppy, and my big backyard that really puts me at ease. I also indulged in a little day at the spa and ended up choosing two fantastic nail polish colours, both OPI.

OPI in "Do You Lilac?"

OPI in "Whats With The Catitude"

Think I will go out and purchase this blue colour. It's perfect for toes!

I normally do different colours on my toe nails then I do on my finger nails. I feel like certain colours (especially blues) look best on toes and wouldn't look as good on finger nails. This week I've had three guys comment on how my toe polish doesn't match my finger nail polish.... A. Who knew guys were that attentive? and B. Who knew that they even knew anything about nail polish?

Is mix and matching your nail polish a beauty no no for you?

Do Tell!

Cute-ness At It's Best

Quite possibly the cutest magazine cover I have ever seen!!!

Love Twilight or hate it, there is no denying the gorgeous-ness of these two.

Opening of Twilight Eclipse quickly approaching on June 30th. Quite excited. I think this movie will be alot better than New Moon.

Enjoy the eye candy and have a pretty day!
xoxo

Taylor Swift Marie Claire Cover

Barely recognized Taylor Swift looking all grown up on the cover of Marie Claire.

She looks amazing! This look is alot more glamorous then we are used to seeing from her.

I love her hair like this. I prefer the loose waves over the tight, natural, ringlet curls she normally wears.

Such a great Cover!