Soul to Sole: Shoe Collection Review

Last year I had the chance to review my favourite designer handbag purchases which was a huge hit. I had a few questions following about my favourite sunglasses and designer shoes so I’m so pumped to be covering my favourite designer finds and an honest take on whether I’d buy them again.

Salvatore Ferragamo Vera Pump {Designer Dupe}

See them styled here

Pros: These bow pumps are not only cute but they’re extremely comfortable for busy days at the office. I also love that the brand offers them in a regular size and for wider feet. I also found a pink pair at a Winners not too long ago and got them for 1/4 of the price!

Cons: The patent can take some time breaking in.

Verdict: They’re not the snazziest heel in your closet but if you want an investment shoe that can be worn in various scenarios, then I’d recommend. I would definitely buy again (hopefully not full price!).

Christian Louboutin Pigalle Follies 100mm {Designer Dupe}

See them styled here

After having purchased the Pigalle pair in the nude, I wanted to add a second pair of Louboutin’s to my closet which I felt would naturally work with most outfits. So a black pair seemed like the next natural move.

Pros: I do love the thinner heel on this pair and can’t deny the pop of red any pair of Louboutin’s add to an outfit.

Cons: I made a grave mistake in confusing the Pigalle and the Pigalle Follies. While both pairs are both 100mm in heel height, the Pigalle stiletto is much thicker and therefore, makes it super easy to walk in. The heel is so thin on this pair that even on my way to a dinner date I find my strut go from so-so to bad to disastrous!

Verdict: I probably wouldn’t buy this specific pair again. Maybe I spent too much of my 20s in high-heels but I can barely make it through date night in this pair without complaining about having to walk in these shoes. I definitely don’t wear them as often as I’d like and for that reason, I wouldn’t purchase them again.

Stuart Weitzman Nudistsong {Designer Dupe}

See them styled here

Pros: I LOVE the clean lines of this shoe and how it can act as a true accessory in a bold outfit. The ankle straps also ease in the comfortability of the shoe making them more comfortable than other pairs I’ve owned. I also love how the shape of the sole widens at the front. I wouldn’t consider myself to have wide feet, but they certainly aren’t narrow.

Cons: There isn’t much distinction about the shoe that screams ‘designer pair’. Other brands have ways of making their mark known but with so many designer dupes out there for these shoes, one does question the price tag.

Verdict: I doubt I’d replace these shoes if I wore them through.

Chanel Espadrille {Designer Dupe}

See them styled here

I must have eye-balled these shoes for years. I would try them on and then tell myself I didn’t need them or it was impractical for owning a pair of shoes like this living in Canada. Since we’ve started to travel more (and to warmer climates), I justified the spend and do find myself busting them out early spring and into late fall.

Pros: Shockingly comfortable. These are actually my go-to airport shoes when travelling somewhere to alleviate the weight in my luggage. They slip on and off quite easily and are extremely comfortable. I also love how the neutral tones make it easy to pair with most outfits.

Cons: I’ve worn them quite frequently for over a year now and while it’s not an issue yet, I do wonder how well the sole will hold up over time. And because it has to be said… the price tag lol (they are espadrilles after all).

Verdict: Despite the sticker shock, I would definitely buy them again!

Hermes Oran Sandal {Designer Dupe}

Pros: I love the neutral colour of the sandal and that this style of shoe works great with sundresses or ripped jeans and a tee.

Cons: Despite trying these on in store, I actually bought my first pair in the wrong size. Be sure to go half a size up if possible. I also found these a little tough to break in so count on a few blisters here and there.

Verdict: Despite being a pain to work in, I still love the classic look of these sandals and would definitely buy again.

Christian Louboutin Pigalle 100 {similar} {Designer Dupe}

See them styled here

Pros: I love, love, love these shoes! So much so I’ve actually had to replace the heel twice since I purchased them. The stiletto is comfortable, I can wear them to and from meetings and the shade is a great neutral for outfits.

Cons: The beige shade will scuff with time and start to show wear and tear. They also aren’t as sleek looking as say, the Follies, but it depends if you favour fashion or function.

Verdict: Will 100% be buying again.

Miu Miu Embellished Sneaker {Designer Dupe}

See them styled here

Pros: Comfortable sneakers with girly embellishments – need I say more?! I adore the blush shade of these shoes and that they pair great with a midi skirt and tee, skinny jeans or shorts.

Cons: They’re pink sneakers with rhinestones on them?!?! What’s the con? LOL! I am a tad nervous one of the gems may fall out but it’s been over a year and they’re all still in tact which is a good sign.

Verdict: Heck yes I would buy them again!

Valentino Rockstud Pointy Toe Pump {Designer Dupe here}

See them styled here

Pros: Firs off, I adore this shade of shoe. It’s adaptable and can err on the side of blush or mauve depending on how you accessorize it. They also work great with any outfit and oh-my-goodness are these suckers comfy. I can go from day to night in these and not even feel a pinch in my toes.

Cons: These are definitely not the shoe you want to be wearing when shopping or going to someone’s house to visit – getting all 6 straps done up or undone is a pain in the butt!

Verdict: Despite the fact that they’re extremely overrated, I’m ashamed to admit I love them and would definitely buy again.

Chanel Ballerina Flats {Designer Dupe here}

See them styled here

Pros: Second to my Sam Edelman Felicia’s, these might be the comfiest pair of flats I own (as they should be for that price!). Also quite versatile for outfits which helps justify the purchase. They also pack great and the leather is quite malleable if they get squished.

Cons: The leather is quite soft at the cap toe and scuffs VERY easily. The first scuff was like a punch to the gut but I have heard girls tell me to get over it and it shows the authenticity of the shoe.

Verdict: Would definitely buy again but maybe in patent?

Manolo Blahnik Hangisi {Designer Dupe here}

See it styled here

Pros: These are a stunner type shoe – they definitely make an outfit and a statement at that. They’re also extremely comfortable as far as heels go. They also dress up or down quite nicely with jeans or dresses.

Cons: I find I am cautious with the satin and have waited out a rainstorm for 30 minutes once for fear of ruining the fabric.

Verdict: I still question if blue was the right choice for me hue wise. I’ve been eyeballing the nude pair and have considered selling these to offset the cost.

What I’ve got my eye on next:

Day 30 with Dessange

Last month, I announced on Instagram that I would be partaking in a 30 day challenge with Dessange hair care. Equipped with the Dessange California Blonde hair care line, I am pleased to report on my personal findings during the past month.

While I anticipated the use of a Illuminating Shampoo and Conditioner, I was particularly interested in trying the Brass Colour Correcting Cream with blue pigments. The squeeze bottle made it easy to control how much pigment you needed (just a teensy bit for me!) for your hair’s colour. The rinse out treatment reverses unwanted brassy tones in hair while maintaining that perfect blonde halo you get with fresh hilites when leaving the salon. I used this product once a week during the trial to counteract the brassiness which tends to kick in for me around week 3-4 after I visit the salon. I offset these treatments with a dime size dollop of the Illuminating Elixir after every blow-dry to the tips of my hair in an effort to restore shine.

As you can see in the pictures, my hair was able to maintain the same consistency of blonde much like the day I walked out of the salon. I do feel like the Brass Colour Correcting Cream was a great new product to incorporate into my new routine and will definitely be continuing to use it in the future.

For all my blonde readers, I definitely think this drug-store brand is worth a try if you’re seeking a product to maintain and possibly stretch the blonde you love in between appointments! While I didn’t have the opportunity to sample any other products, there are additional ranges of products which are suited to various hair colour and types ;) You can purcahse Dessange products at your local Shoppers Drug Mart. To find out which location is closest to you, find their store locator here. Also! See the box below to find out how you can win a Dessange Hair Ritual pack (of your choice) valued at $55!

Giveaway powered by Hellowave

Thank you to Dessange for sponsoring this post. Opinions shared are my own :)

Two Cents on Fall Scents

With summer fleeting and wardrobes changing over, I can’t help but feel bittersweet about the season. I do love my tees, shorts, longer days and sun-kissed skin, but there’s something to be said for cozy sweaters, warm drinks, loads of layers and cuddling up on cool nights.

In anticipation of the upcoming change in season, it’s usually the the time of year when I begin to change up my beauty routine. This often involves changing up the fragrance I wear every morning.

The new fragrance, Dahlia Divin by Givenchy is such a quintessential scent to perfectly capture what you love about summer (florals like jasmine) and fall (sandal wood for a woodsy like effect). I found the scent to warm and radiant. And I love how it evolved throughout the day with what seemed to start off with a fresh and vibrant scent in the morning but felt more romantic and woodsy by the end of the day.

Available at Hudson’s Bay this fall, the Dahlia Divin fragrance is certainly a scent I’m looking forward to wearing this fall – along with those cozy knits and layers :)

Thank you to Hudson’s Bay for partnering on this post.

ExtraOrdinary Oil with L’Oreal Paris

With our last stretch of summer upon us, I decided I had been so diligent with my hair routine that I could withstand an appointment with my colourist for blonde highlights. I knew this meant I’d need to double time on the masks, oils and more but I couldn’t resist pinning any more blonde inspiration on Pinterest.

Luckily, the L’oreal Paris team let me in on a new line of shampoo, conditioner, oils and a mask dedicated to adding nourishment to your hair-care routine. A fan of the L’Oreal haircare line (Kerastase brought my hair back to life!), I was curious to try this drugstore brand to see if I could cheat the results of my regular routine with a much more reasonable lineup of products. The ExtraOrdinary Oil Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner were great alternatives to the hair care line I’m used to using. My hair felt smooth and well nourished given the recent highlights I had done.

This week was one of those super rushed weeks where blow-drying was an absolute must so I opted to use the ExtraOrdinary Oil-In-Cream leave in treatment. I used about a dime size on towel dried hair before blow-drying my hair to avoid super coarse looking hair. Last but not least, I used the Dry Oil Spray for extra added shine. The recommendation is to use this on second day hair but I always find applying this to my ends helps in faking some shine that can often be lost with blonde highlights.

Overall, I think this budget-friendly line is a great alternative to add some nourishment back to your hair-care routine without breaking the bank. I definitely recommend the Dry Oil and mask for noticeable results! If you happen to pick up some products from the collection, feel free to let me know what you thought! Would love to hear :)

Neutrals

Shirt | Jeans {old, similar} | Shoes | Bag {similar} | Sunglasses | Necklaces: c/o Julie Vos | Cuff: c/o Julie Vos | Watch

After years of coveting, calling, stalking and pining, I FINALLY got my hands on a Mansur Gavriel bag. I actually managed to score the regular bucket bag and mini style but after much deliberation (I think I must have asked everyone’s opinion for a week straight), I decided to stick with the mini. find this size tends to work better with my height and frame and wears well as a shoulder bag or cross body. Thankfully, there wasn’t a significant sacrifice on size to move from one size to the other.

Is there a bag you’ve been keen to add to your closet for a while?

Summer Serum Review with Nivea

I have to admit, I’ve read for ages that changing
up your beauty routine can often come and go with the seasons and it wasn’t
until last year that the advice had actually sunk in. By force of habit, I
always seemed to moisturize and yet it never seemed to dawn on me that in the
warmer months it felt like my makeup and face would literally melt right off
me. A friend suggested opting for serum instead of moisturizer and it made the
world of a difference.

I’ll be honest; I’m not married to one brand or
‘type’ of serum and am certainly willing to try new products depending on
availability, effectiveness and price point. I was recently approached by NIVEA
to try the Q10plus Anti-Wrinkle Serum Pearls and see if the product was a
contender with my newfound summer beauty routine.

I tried it twice daily (morning and night) to see
what effects I would find after 7 days. The serum itself is held within these
perfect pearls (that almost look too pretty to pop) but once you pump it out of
the bottle, its texture feels similar to that of moisturizer. It was nice to
find you didn’t need much of the serum to cover your face and it worked as the
perfect canvas before applying my foundation. Sometimes after a long day at
work I tend to find areas around my nose, eyebrows and chin can begin to feel
dry but it consistently felt moisturized into evening.

The packaging mentions that ingredients in the
product mimic those that are already found in your skin to reduce the signs of
aging. It’s packed with
highly these concentrated coenzyme Q10 (pearls), hyaluronic acid and creatine.
Personally, I didn’t notice a profound difference to my fine lines in the 7
days but I assume the consistent feeling of your face feeling moisturized could
help reduce possible signs of aging.

My final verdict? If you’re looking for an alternative means to a moisturizer in the warmer temperature and wanted to try a serum, NIVEA Q10plus Anti-Wrinkle Serum is certainly worth the buy. Without requiring much product, the serum certainly worked to ensure my skin felt moisturized from morning to night and complimented my foundation. A great drug store find (only $19.99), I definitely wouldn’t hesitate purchasing this item for myself or recommending it to a friend.

This post was created in collaboration with NIVEA; all opinions shared are my own, individual results may vary.

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Mornings with Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo

Shirt: Joe Fresh {stripe sold out, similar style here} | Jeans: J Brand | Watch: The Horse | Tray: Indigo | Mug: Anthropologie | Candle: Voluspa

I feel like I rarely chat about my hair regime on the blog but it’s one of the topics I get the most emails about. Since I find myself at the salon getting highlights touched up every 5-6 weeks, it’s SO vital that I do what I can in my day-to-day routine to ensure that I take care of my hair. A long-time fan of the Moroccanoil brand, I was thrilled when they asked me to test out their new Dry Shampoo for Lighter Toned hair. I am a major fan of dry shampoo – it’s a time saver, lets me get another day out of my blow-dry and adds some volume for that ‘extra’ oomph to your daily-do.

This product from Moroccanoil definitely didn’t disappoint. I tested it on Day 3 hair, which is typically longer than I’ll usually go (I’ll use it at the end of Day 2). While I find that some dry shampoo’s can often leave residue in my hair or are near impossible to work in, but this absorbed easily and didn’t flake. It also held its own throughout the day and kept my hair grease-free into that same evening. Even better? It has that Moroccanoil scent we all know and love (or at least I do!). The recommendation is to use a blow-dry to set the product but I found working it in with my hands did the trick just fine :)

If you have yet to try this product or are in the market for a new dry shampoo, definitely give this a try and let me know what you think!

Thank you to Moroccanoil for sponsoring this post.