Weekend Getaway!

I always love going on "mini vacations" for the weekend. Especially when they involve going to the states. 

Marc and I are taking off tomorrow for Buffalo for Friday and Saturday and I cannot wait! I always get so excited to shop in stores like Target and love to check out all of the different products carried at Walmart that we can't get here.

I'm usually one of those people that likes to pack a few days in advance, just to make sure I have everything needed, even if it is just for one night. My biggest weakness is packing my overnight makeup bag. What can I say, I like variety.

                                   

A few of these products have been numbered, because they always seem to end up being staples in my makeup bag.

1 - MAC Superdupernatural Blush - this always seems to make it into the final selection of products due to its versatility. This came out with Holiday 2009 along with Conjure Up from my last post. It is a colour that goes with everything, and it doesn't matter what I do on the eyes, it always works.

2 - MAC Trax Eyeshadow - I'm so not a purple eye shadow girl, except for this colour. It is a midtone purple with gold shimmer, and it is fabulous for green eyes. It is also the only purple I've used that doesn't make me look like I have a black eye. It's definitely a must have fall colour.

3 - I have FINALLY hit pan on this HG highlight eye shadow. NARS Abyssinia is the PERFECT inner corner/brow highlight that I've ever seen. It's a light porcelain colour with subtle shimmer. I find that it perfects any look without any chalkiness. I have finally hit pan after using this product almost every day for the past 2 years, and will repurchase in a heartbeat.

4 - Speaking of hitting pan, I am slowly getting through my MAC Studio Fix Powder in N4. It was too light for me over the summer, but now that I've lost what little tan I had, I can finally start using it. I usually will use it on its own, but have brought it as a setting powder this time for a flawless look. I would recommend this to anyone that is combo/oily skin, and wants a matte, smooth finish with little effort.

I always seem to over pack when it comes to my makeup bag, but I just love all of these products and get so excited to get back into using my staples. Maybe I'll find some great stuff to try while we're in the state as well!

My Engagement!

Sometimes I’m still in awe that I am someone’s fiancé. It’s amazing that even after a little over 2 months of being engaged I always get asked how Marc proposed. I can’t help but smile and think “I can barely remember.” It was such an unexpected surprise, but after a little bit of time I can put the pieces together, and finally get the words out.

Marc proposed on June 29^th, after a great day of spending time with my dad and sister. I was incredibly lucky to have her home for a few weeks. She flew in from BC to spend some quality time with us, which I was so excited for. For the entire week leading up to the proposal, Carrie kept asking me questions about weddings and marriage, such as if I would take Marc’s last name, or if we would do a destination wedding. She had known about the proposal since Christmas, and knew it would happen while she was here for a visit.

That Friday night, we decided to have a bon fire, and Marc and Carrie had gone shopping for fireworks, and sparklers. Since we were staying in, I changed into my jogging pants, washed my face, and headed outside. Carrie had made a comment about me taking off my makeup, and I, not realizing what was going on, told her that I was going to get comfy so it might as well come off.

We sat outside together having some laughs, roasting some marshmallows, watched Carrie climb a tree, and waited for it to get dark out. Marc came into the house to get the sparklers, and fireworks and met Carrie outside. Dad and Carrie set up an area where we could shoot them off, and Marc and I sat together for a moment of silence. Marc then proceeded to tell me he had a present for me from Montreal. I was surprised by this since he had already been back for a week and didn’t say anything before. He handed me a paper bag with Smurf figurines.

I pulled the first one out to find a Smurf dressed in a white tuxedo and didn’t think anything of it. Marc and I didn’t have any inside jokes or memories so I thought it was a little strange. I also pulled out Smurfette in a wedding dress and set them down. I completely didn’t clue in, and due to it being dark outside, I said thank you and didn’t think anything else. Then Marc said he had another gift, and presented me with the ring. I sat there, in complete shock, not realizing what was happening. I looked at it and asked: “What’s that for?”

Who asks that question???? Oh right, ME!

Marc told me that it was a ring, and that he was asking me to marry him. I sat there in silence looking puzzled, and finally said yes! I then started to cry, which is classic Ashley. The fireworks went off, and it made the moment even more special.  I told Carrie and Dad the news and went inside to call my Mom. She couldn’t stop crying and was super ecstatic. Carrie was taking a lot of pictures, and captured Marc and I after I said yes. I was such a hot mess, but didn’t even care. It was worth it.

I also made sure to get a picture of the ring the next morning, in all it’s sparkling glory.

I woke up feeling like it was all a dream until I looked down. Marc did such an amazing job with the ring. It screams Ashley. It was custom made by Marc’s cousin, Denis Bizier, who is a jeweler in Montreal. Marc had been conversing back and forth with Denis about style and look, and that he wanted to be as unique as they come. I have had so many compliments on it, and know that I will never get sick of looking down at it.

We haven’t set a date yet, or done a lot of planning, which is okay, because I'm really enjoying being engaged. We definitely want to wait until we are fully settled and then we can start to make some definite plans. I am so incredibly lucky just to have Marc in my life, and feel that he has been worth the wait. I never thought I would ever find anyone like him, and can't wait to be his wife!

On a kick - My Fall Blushers

Since I enjoyed writing about my fave Fall scents, I couldn't help but want to post a little something about my favourite blushes (or blushers, as some call it), for this time of year as well. I like to consider myself a "blushoholic". If there was only one makeup product that I go gaga for, it would be blushes.

I have a variety of colours that I always seem to gravitate towards for autumn. The first two are from NARS.

Top: NARS Madly Blush - This is a more recent blush to come to my collection. It is probably one of NARS' more understated blushes. It looks quite brown in the pan, but on my skin, it comes off as more of a pinky/tawny contour colour. I first heard about this colour from my favourite youtube guru: Michele1218, and even though she has more of a medium/olive complexion, she constantly raved about this blush. When I was at work (Sephora), any clients with a similar complexion to hers that were looking for a new blush were shown this one. It always looked amazing on them, and one day I decided to give it a go. After wearing it for a few hours, a client had asked me what blush I had on, and commented on how great my cheeks looked. I was instantly sold.

Bottom: NARS Exhibit A - Scary, right? Let me just say that this blush is incredibly pigmented, as almost all NARS blushes are. Most of their blushes only need a light hand to make them work. This is no exception. I was mostly drawn to this colour due to how bright it was, and with a fluffy brush, I gave it a go. This blush gives the skin a very natural look, believe it or not. When applied, it looks like I had been outside in the cold for a while, which is a look that I personally love. I find that if I work this mostly on the cheekbone, towards the hairline, it gives a defined cheek, that has more of a red base than orange. I highly recommend this blush, as I believe it looks great on all skin tones.

Last, but certainly not least is my favourite blush for fall/winter - MAC's Conjure Up.

Unfortunately, this blush is limited edition from Holiday 2009 (that long ago?), however I'm sure it can be duplicated with another brand. I have read that MAC's Warm Soul is close, just not as berry coloured, as well as Milani Rose D'Oro. I know that Milani is harder to find in Canada, however I wouldn't be surprised if it is lurking somewhere that I don't know about. I mostly fell in love with this blush due to how gorgeous it was in the pan, but now that I've started to reach for it more, it's a blush I definitely get the most compliments on. It is such a great tone of wine/berry, and because it is a mineralized blush, it has a gorgeous sheen that gives a glow to the cheeks without looks shiny on my oily skin. It wears amazingly during the day, and gives the cheeks such a nice pop with a more smokey eye. 

I have really enjoyed taking a little spin on this blog, and throwing in a little bit of beauty as well as what has been going on in my life. Updates to come! :)

Fall Fragrances

Fall is most definitely my favourite time of the year. The leaves changing colours. Getting to pull out some of my most cozy sweaters. Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en. Who wouldn't love this time of year? 

One thing that I get very excited about is not only changing up my makeup, but also my fragrances. There have been 2 contenders that I know will be my signature Fall Fragrances for 2012.

The first is my most beloved Twilight Woods from Bath and Body Works. This is a scent that I rocked all of Fall and Winter of 2011, and have brought it back out for this time of year. With notes of Sparkling Mandarin, Juicy Berry, Coconut, Musk, Honeysuckle, and Vanilla, this is my "cozy sweater" fragrance. 

I have a full size body splash that I keep with my other fragrances, and a travel size in my purse to touch up during the day. I usually gravitate towards sweet, fruity scents in the summer, so this scent is definitely autumn worthy.

My next newest love for fragrances has become Prada Candy.

Now, this is a scent that I loved from the moment I smelled it. Prada Candy is described as a "gourmand" fragrance, with notes such as caramel and musk. It starts off quite sweet, and ends with a warm, slightly oriental base. I have been told from a few of my friends it reminds them of an "old lady" scent, which for me, I think about perfumes with patchouli, or heavily scented florals. I feel like this is something I can wear that would be more complimentary than overwhelming on the skin. I am really excited to try some scent layering with this, and see what concoctions I can come up with. :)

What are some of your favourite scents for this time of year?