this week

Hey everyone!

This week I've just been catching up on a few things now that I'm done with my class such as reading an actual book, drawing and relaxing :)

I decided to save the tattoo post until it was fully healed so expect that some time next week.  For now here are a few pictures from this week including a purchase from Urban Outfitters for fall.  Yes, I'll admit that I'm so excited for autumn that I'm already buying fall apparel with no shame.  Mostly because I loved the tights and you can never have too much plaid.  Ever.

This weekend I'll probably be taking it easy just going for casual drinks and hitting up the fireworks downtown!  Each time they're set up by a different country and tomorrow night, the UK is in charge of fireworks, should be awesome!

Hope your week was nice as well and have an awesome weekend!

I really want to start framing my drawings and putting them up to add some character to my apartment.
Candle dish: Ikea, Candle holders: Ikea and Pottery Barn.

My roses are so big!  

Quiet night in with a cuppa tea <3

What's in my bag from Urban Outfitters? This cat, it was really nice and it was on sale, couldn't say no.

Just kidding.  I got this super soft Boyfriend Plaid Shirt and these Cuffed Vegan Leather Leggings :)
Boyfriend Shirt found here;  Cuffed Faux Leather Leggings found here

Silly Pinecone...

Xo-

07-24-13

Took a picture on my way to get inked again last night, I LOVE the way it turned out and I'll dedicate a separate post for it probably tomorrow.

Going to spend some downtime reading and exercising today then a nice dinner and some late night yoga! 

Xo

an anniversary and an outfit

This weekend was mine and my boyfriend's 2 year anniversary!  To celebrate we went for brunch and later went out for drinks and dinner and I took a few pictures.

Also, last but not least... I'm getting inked again tonight!  This one will mark my fourth tattoo and I'll make a separate post for that so stay tuned!

Top: Zara, Shorts: Forever 21, Sunglasses: Raybans, Bag: Coccinelle Italy

Super simple makeup! :)

<3

Sunset sodas from last night!

Our first attempt at Skittles Vodka! Mmmm green apple :)

Quickie

A quick selfie before heading out to dinner! 

Xo 

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life lately

Hi guys!

This week has been super stressful because of this huge paper I've been writing :(
Usually I can de-stress with a cup of tea but my skin has been acting up lately and what better reason to give myself a full-blown facial than a brand new toner?!

I steam my pores open about once a week (usually the day I do a face mask/exfoliate).  I boil 5 cups of water and pour it into a Pyrex bowl.  I set the timer on my phone for 10 minutes and sit with my face hovering over the boil of boiling water with a towel over my head to keep the steam in.  It's similar to being in a steam room at a spa or pool so you really have to focus on your breathing and for some it takes a little getting used to.

Afterwards, I dab my face with a towel and while it's still dewy, I put on my face mask.  This week, my pores are a little clogged with the hot weather so I chose a clay mask that I picked up from the Kiko makeup store in Italy.  It's a remineralizing mask that unclogs pores leaving the skin "mattified".  It's not the GlamGlow mask, but it will do!

After 10-15 minutes with the mask, I wash it off in circular motions, doing a little more exfoliating while I'm at it.  Then I sweep my new Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner over my skin with a cotton pad and finish up with my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer.

It's a bit of a process, but it feels great and I've noticed much fewer breakouts since I started steaming my pores and drinking more water :)

Here are a few pics from this week, xo

My little steaming set up!

Facial Products

Exfoliator: Sense Rice Bran Polisher; Mask: Kiko Remineralizing Mask; Toner: Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner; Moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer

The daunting paper-writing is finally over for the summer, time to de-stress!

Fresh flowers from my boyfriend for our 2 year anniversary

Perfect for my coffee table :)

xo <3

Michael Todd True Organics

Guess what I got in the mail?!

I recently ordered Michael Todd's Blue Green Algae Toner because I heard so many great things about it from my favorite Youtube Beauty Gurus.

For those of you who don't know, Michael Todd True Organics creates skin products that are mostly organic without all the yucky harmful parabens, sulfates or nasty chemicals that other brands who claim to be "organic" can have.

Their products contain organic aloe vera juice as a base with numerous other skin-benefitting natural products.

Because I have never ordered anything from this brand before I started off by ordering just the Blue Green Algae Antibacterial Toner because I've never had a toner before and I've heard it can do wonders for your skin.  This particular one claims to "penetrate deeply into the skin to speed the elimination of toxins, promote cellular renewal, naturally nourish and remineralize the skin".  Sounds good to me!

It basically prepares your skin for moisturizer or serum after you've washed it without alcohol, which is extremely drying and it claims to be great for all skin types.

I can't wait to try it!
*BONUS: It's certified vegan and 97% organic :D*

yesterday

Hi all!

Just a quick picture of me yesterday before heading out to a family friend's!  I never take selfies but my makeup and hair actually turned out alright so I made an exception.

Expecting a package in the mail that I'll be making a blog post about shortly!! Stay tuned...

Mint top from Express

daily snaps

Pre-workout avocado toast with eggs!  I always try to get some of that protein in there before a workout.

Needed a new mascara and my youtube beauty gurus have been raving about Maybelline's The Rocket so I decided to try it, I'm not usually a fan of plastic mascara brush bristles but we'll see :)

This is honestly the best nail polish I've ever used!  It's a brand from Europe that I picked up while in Venice called Kiko Cosmetics and this nail polish was only €2.50!  I've had it on for several days without any chipping or peeling whatsoever!  It goes on in nice thin layers (unlike Essie, which I find goes on gloopy), so it's easy to make it look nice and it dries super fast.  I picked up 4 and I could kick myself for not buying every single color.  This one is the only summery one I got, it's a nice reddish-pink raspberry :)

xo

good morning!

Morning! 

Time for breakfast then a workout, I can't get over this little turd <3

Gotta love a good cat beard.

A new friend

Hi everyone! 

I'd like to formally introduce to you my new kitty, Pinecone! 

I adopted her from a cat shelter yesterday and she now lives with me in my apartment.  She is 9 years old and already all settled in.  

Adopting a cat is something I really wanted to do and I'm so glad I took the plunge.  It's such a lovely and rewarding feeling to have a new little friend and I'm absolutely in love with her! 

The shelter had named her chamomile but I found Pinecone to be a little more suiting ;)

More pictures to come! 

Go hug a cat today xo 

goodies from the weekend

Hey there,

so I've picked up a few new things to try (well not all of them are "new" per say).  

The first thing is the basic set of Real Techniques by Sam Chapman brushes that I've been seeing in everyone's youtube makeup tutorials.  They look amazing, the brush handles aren't total eyesores and I've been dying to try them!  As if I needed another reason, they're super affordable and you can purchase them in Canada!  

In the back I've got some great vitamins my mom found for me from the Usana brand which can be ordered.  I have the weakest immune system ever, even in the summer time so hopefully those get my system back into shape after my trip.

I'm always toying around with different Deodorants/antiperspirants and I can never find one that works for a long time.  Also, I much prefer the smell of guys' deodorant to women's deodorant, the super floral smells of lady speed stick are just not for me and I get sick of them really quickly.  I have tried this Secret Clinical Sport one before and I really liked it so I figured why not go back?

And last but not least, one of my favorite products in the world, I would recommend this to anybody hands down, OPI's Original Nail Envy.  These worked miracles for me coming off my fake nails a few years ago and now my nails are just as long as a set of solar or acrylics, not to mention crazy strong.  Can't live without this, it's a little pricy but if you're looking for a nail treatment, this one is my go-to!

What is Be The Chic?

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my new personal blog!  I'm so excited to have a nice new place to start fresh and write about all things fashion, beauty, fitness and student life.

I am 21 years old and living in the beautiful city of Vancouver.  I've always wanted to start blogging and I would love to do so in my spare time so ENOUGH time wasting!

I just got back from a 3 week stay in Venice, Italy and I figured now would be the perfect time to start, so stay tuned <3

xo