Thursday, June 28, 2018

My Summertime Secret

Summer is now in full swing and if you're like me then your "summer bod" isn't quite ready yet... Well ladies, I've found an answer that doesn't take you away from enjoying a glass of rosé, ShapeOn Shaper. I have worn a lot of different styles and brands of shapewear over the years and none compare to ShapeOn.  With 16 Benefits, which you can see below, the true star of the show is the overall comfort, using ultra-thin, breathable, sweat-wicking, and smart-knit technology fabric it creates the perfect lift and support without compressing your tummy and thigh area.
I have been wearing my pairs for the better part of the month and I can't see myself stopping. Whether under light or dark colours or a cocktail or slip dress it is so invisible you can literally wear it under anything! And saving the best for last, *DRUM ROLL PLEASE*, it doesn't roll, the none-rolling waist and thigh bands will stay where you put them! Hallelujah!
Celebrities such as Chrissy Tiger, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, and Serena Williams are wearing them and so should you! Be sure to visit their website to get the "summer bod" you were hoping for!

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Northern Italy Wine Tasting #WeekendWinedown

Bollini Pinot Grigio Trentino 2016 (Trentino, Italy) - Med Minus Straw. Notes of under ripe peach, honey, lemon zest, golden apple, green pear, flint minerality, and subtle flowers. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol, body, and length, medium plus acidity, and medium minus complexity. Notes of apple, pear, lemon, under ripe peach, grapefruit pith (bitterness on the finish), honey, flint, and floral. Questioning whether or not there was a little lees ageing. 
Zenato Lugana San Benedetto 2016 (San Benedetto, Italy) - Med Minus Gold. Notes of pineapple, honeydew melon, apple, lemon, mango, peach, honey, steel minerality, and flowers. As well as a touch of confection. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol and length, medium plus acidity, and medium minus body and complexity. Notes of honeydew melon, pineapple, mango, white peach, green apple, steel minerality, apricot, lemon, and honey. 
Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Sauvignon Collio 2012 (Russiz, Italy) - Medium Minus Straw. Notes of subtle grass, tomato vine, and green pepper, ammonia, gooseberry, passion fruit, peach, apricot, mango, pineapple, lemon zest, pear, white pepper, guava, flint minerality, and fruit salad. On the palate this wine was dry with medium plus alcohol, acidity, length, and complexity, and a medium body. Notes of pineapple, peach, mango, pear, lemon, pomegranate, green pepper, white pepper, thyme, flint minerality, and grapefruit. Overall richness. 
Damilano Barbera d'Asti 2015 (Barbera d'Asti, Italy) - Medium Ruby. Notes of cherry, red current, black pepper, thyme, fresh berries, and forest floor. On the palate this wine was dry with medium plus alcohol, high acidity, low/soft tannin, and medium minus length and complexity. Notes of fresh/sour cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, black pepper, and forest floor. Definitely a wine that needs food!
Zonin Valpolicella Classico 2016 (Valpolicella, Italy) - Medium Ruby. Notes of forest floor, fresh cherry and strawberry, black pepper, tomato vine, black tea, and roasted red pepper. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol, body, and complexity, medium minus tannin and length, and medium plus acidity. Notes of tomato, roasted red pepper, black pepper, fresh cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, iron, and forest floor. 
Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella 2014 (Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy) - Medium Plus Ruby with Garnet Rim. Notes of dried/candied raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, vanilla, smoke, cedar, soy sauce, olive brine, green pepper, eucalyptus, savoury, dijon mustard, dried earth, spice, chocolate, and mocha. On the palate this wine was dry with high alcohol and acidity, medium plus tannin, body, and complexity, and medium length. Notes of chocolate, mocha, vanilla, strawberry, cherry, raspberry, cedar, smoke, cinnamon, violet, dried earth, espresso, and something savoury. 
Demilano Barolo Liste 2012 (Barolo, Italy) - Medium Garnet w/ Faded Orange/Brown Rim. Notes of licorice, dried roses, chemical/plastic, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, fig, tomato, green pepper, vanilla, cedar, baking spice, mocha, chocolate, dried earth, and black tea. On the palate this wine was dry w/ high alcohol, tannin, and acidity, full body, and medium length and complexity. Notes of dried earth, dried red fruits and apricot, tomato, baking spice, black tea, cedar, green pepper, roses, and fig. Although already 6 years, it is still very closed.

**Be Sure to Follow Me on Vivino for More Reviews**

Sunday, June 10, 2018

From NYC to LA, Here's My Best Dressed

Gigi Hadid - "Backstage Secrets" Book Launch
Dress: Vivienne Westwood | Jewellery: Lorraine Schwartz
Makeup Artist: Georgi Sandev | Nail Artist: Dawn Sterling
Stylist: Mimi Cuttrell

Kendall Jenner - 2018 CFDA Awards
Dress: Alexadre Vauthier | Jewellery: Ippolita
Hair Stylist: Jen Atkins | Makeup Artist: Mary Phillips
Stylist: Marni Senofonte

Lili Reinhart - 2018 CFDA Awards
Dress: Brock Collection | Jewellery: Jennifer Meyer | Sandals: Jimmy Choo
Hair Stylist: Jillian Halouska | Makeup Artist: Robert Sesnek
Stylist: Brit & Kara Elkin

Emily Ratajkowski - 2018 CFDA Awards
Dress: Brock Collection | Jewellery: Simon Teakle & FD Gallery | Sandals: Gianvitto Rossi | 
Clutch: Hunting Season 
Hair Stylist: Jennifer Yepez | Makeup Artist: Hung Vanngo
Stylist: Emma Morrisson

Busy Phillips - 2018 CFDA Awards
Pant Suit: Christian Siriano | Jewellery: Tiffany & Co. | Clutch: Jeffrey Levinson
Hair Stylist: Caile Nocle | Makeup Artist: Lena Koro
Stylist: Karla Welch

Lily Aldridge - 2018 CFDA Awards
Dress: Brock Collection | Sandals: Tabitha Simmons | Jewellery: Bulgari | Clutch: Edie Parker
Hair Stylist: DJ Quintero | Makeup Artist: Quinn Murphy
Stylist: Erin Walsh

Sarah Paulson - "Ocean's 8" NYC Premiere
Gown: Prada | Jewellery: Jennifer Meyer & Ana Khouri | Sandals: Brian Atwood
Hair Stylist: Chris McMillan | Makeup Artist: Adam Breuchaud 
Stylist: Karla Welch

Becca Kufrin - "The Bachelorette" 2nd Rose Ceremony
Gown: Sherri Hill | Sandals: Steve Madden | Jewellery: Suzanna Kalan & Royal Nomad
Glam: Gina Modica
Stylist: Krystine Couch

Spain Wine Tasting #WeekendWinedown

Veiga da Princesa Castelo do Mar Albariño 2016 (Rias Baixas, Spain) - On the nose steel minerality, pink grapefruit, green apple, peach, lemon, apricot, pear, melon, subtle tropical fruits (juicy fruit gum), oregano, peach blossom, white flower, and hints of olive brine. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol, body, and length, and medium plus acidity and complexity. Notes of steel minerality, under ripe green apple, apricot, pear, peach, lemon, and grapefruit pith. As well as floral and oregano/spice.
GranFeudo Rosado 2016 (Navarra, Spain) - Medium Plus Salmon. On the nose fresh strawberry, cherry, perfume, crushed rock minerality, and subtle grass (garrique). On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol, medium minus tannins, body, length, and complexity, and medium plus acidity. Notes of perfume, crushed rock minerality, strawberry, cherry, and a spicy/bitter finish (arugula and/or cranberry). 
Vinessens La Encina Centenaria 2014 (Alicante, Spain) - Medium Plus Ruby. Notes of forest floor, rosemary, roses, ripe black currents, black cherry, blackberry, strawberry, spice, cedar, smoke, vanilla, licorice, savoury/meaty, chocolate, black pepper, leather, and hints of green pepper. On the palate this wine was dry with medium plus alcohol, acidity, and body, and medium tannin, length, and complexity. Notes of forest floor, strawberry, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, spice, rosemary, vanilla, chocolate, black pepper, and subtle green pepper. 
Bodegad Ateca Atteca Garnacha 2015 (Catalunya, Spain) - Medium Plus Ruby. Notes of fresh-turned earth, basil, confected/ripe strawberry, cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, sun dried tomato, savoury/meaty, vanilla, licorice, and spice. On the palate this wine was dry with high alcohol, medium plus acidity and body, and medium tannin, length, and complexity. Notes of ripe strawberry, cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, vanilla, licorice, spice, cinnamon, and tomato. 
Legón Ribera del Duero Premium 2014 (Ribera del Duero, Spain) - Medium Plus Ruby. On the nose oregano, dill, graphite, dried earth, dried violets, ripe strawberry, cherry, raspberry, tomato, vanilla, smoke, meaty, licorice, cedar, spruce, cinnamon hearts, and baking spices. On the palate this wine was dry with medium plus structure including complexity and length. Notes from the nose showed on the palate with more tobacco, leather, and dried earth/tomato. 
Baron de Ley Rioja Gran Reserva 2010 (Rioja, Spain) - Medium Plus Garnet. On the nose forest floor, graphite, balsamic, dill, oregano, spice, black pepper, smoke, leather, tobacco, tomato, savoury, vanilla, coconut, strawberry, cherry, raspberry, and nutty. On the palate this wine was dry with medium plus structure and medium length and complexity. Notes from the nose continued on the palate with an emphases on cherry, plum, tomato, subtle coconut, and baking spices.

May Beauty Empties + Mini Reviews

May was a big month for empties and a big month for necessary repurchases. I felt like I went through all of my day-to-day products, which is great, however I then had to dig into my Beauty Stash for replacements when possible, luckily I have a huge collection of minis and samples I need to make my way through. Which you can see just the beginning of by checking out my Garbage!
1. Vaseline Lip Therapy - Cocoa Butter: A great lip treatment for overnight, as it is super thick and, because it is Vaseline, has a lasting power like no other. It helped heal my dried/cracked lips and left them feeling super soft and hydrated
2. Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex: This was a great Retinol treatment that I used daily with my nighttime routine. I noticed subtle results, helping with my fine lines and crows feet. I only had a sample size, which lasted for almost a month, so I can guess that with continual use this would be a great option for a result driven nighttime eye serum.
3. Lotus Spa Lotion: This is nothing special, as it is a freebie from a cruise ship bathroom, but great for my travel bag. 
4. Peter Thomas Roth Firm Peeling Gel: I didn't really notice any significant benefits from this peel. The exfoliation beads weren't harsh enough, and therefore my skin didn't feel like all the dead skin was removed. 
5. Dove Sensitive Skin: This was a great body wash. It really made my skin feel clean, not stripped, and extremely moisturized. This light body wash was sent to me by Influencer for review.
6. Orogold Moisturizer: Basic daytime moisturizer that left my skin hydrated, not greasy, and felt nice under makeup.
7. Secret - Boho Berry: Not one to mention deodorants, however this scent is awful. I started to smell stale within a hour when worn. The Vanilla and Coco Butter are so much better. 
8. The Ordinary Buffet: For such an inexpensive product, I mean it is under $7, this is amazing. My skin loved this day serum and felt amazing on my skin. I felt as though it really helped with determining your specific needs and targeted those areas. Dryness and blemishes were my two big areas and my skin was clear the entire time I used this product. I will definitely be repurchasing!
9. Mulberry Collagen Essence Mask: Another great sheet mask from FaceTory! It not only had a pleasant scent, it actually did what it was suppose to. Felt a slight tingle, tightness around wrinkles and lines, had a cooling effect, and left my skin feeling extremely hydrate. 
10. PÅ«r~lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Eye Adore Serum: I really enjoyed this, as it helped keep my under eye and eyelid hydrated. It was lightweight and felt great under my day/night eye creams. This was a little sample, however it was great to use this right after I finished the full size to continue testing.
11. Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream: This is my go to, holy grail, daytime eye cream. It is amazing under makeup and powders, however worn on its own is also so beautiful. It gives your under eye the perfect amount of brightening for those no makeup, makeup days. I've already repurchased and will continue to do so. 
12. Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Water Cream: This was an awesome day cream, leaving my skin feeling extremely hydrated and not greasy. It also felt great under makeup. I am really loving Water Creams for the day, as they are super lightweight and absorb into the skin quickly. 
13. Equportee Dual Balancing Brightening Mask: This mask was nothing special, however felt great after a long day outside. Hydrated my skin, as well as brightened, balanced, and soothed my element-affected skin.
14. Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser: Another one of my holy-grail skin care products. I love this cleanser. It is super lightweight and gentle, helps with blemishes, and soothes any irritated areas. I have been using this cleanser on and off for 4+ years and I will definitely be repurchasing sometime in the near future. 
15. IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream: For how much this product was hyped and well received I was a little disappointed. I was expecting something revolutionary and it just kind of fell flat. Don't get me wrong it was a lovely product (lightweight, hydrating, and felt great under makeup) and I used up the entire jar, however I didn't feel like I got the results I was expecting. 
16. Dr.Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask: Another great mask from Dr.Jart+. My skin felt very clean, with visibly smaller pores. This brand is definitely my go-to for sheet masks, I've never been disappointed. 
17. Batiste Dry Shampoo - Blush: I did not like the scent, however the product worked just like it should. You'll be seeing a lot of Batiste Dry Shampoo because it is the only brand I use, and I use A LOT of Dry Shampoo!
18. NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Lotion: The size of the sample was too small to see any results, however the handful of times I got to use it I could tell that if I had the full size I would see results. My skin started to look and feel better with only a few uses. I would definitely look into purchasing the full size. 
19. Marc Anthony Volume Hairspray: Get use to seeing this in my empties, as it is the only hairspray I use. It has a dry formula and is easily brush-able, yet offers great holding power. It smells delicious and if purchased on sale only $8.99!
20. Yes To Cleansing Facial Wipes: A great cheaper option for face wipes. Removed makeup easily and fully, very hydrating, left my skin feeling smooth and not greasy, and most importantly smell amazing. Ill be trying some other scents in the near future. 
21. Cotton Pads: These are literally from the Dollar Store, costing $1.25. They're no Shiseido Cotton Pads, however for the price you cannot go wrong and are worth checking out.
22. Bath and Body Works Foaming Hand Soap - Board Walk Vanilla Cone: Holy cow! This smelt amazing and was great for this time of year. If it is still available be sure to grab one, or two. You won't regret it.