I’m not sure when, but at some point I became incredibly disinterested in jewelry. I used to always pick up fun pieces while shopping, but much like my interest in purses began to wane, so did my interest in jewelry. What was once an affinity to big, colourful rings and necklaces with eye catching pendants, I slowly opted for no necklaces (bow ties instead) and very simple, plain rings. I used to let jewelry be the statement piece of my outfit (i mean, bondage necklaces…pretty hard to not let it be the star of the show), but now I much prefer understated pieces, only noticeable when you take a closer look. So I guess it would seem odd that I would own a novelty ring by Good After Nine in the shape of a unicorn. But, it’s fun, and it feels inline with my current aesthetic; eye-catching, cute, but not overpoweringly so. As for my necklace from Happiness Boutique, it’s dainty and subdued, just the way I like it. I’ve also always loved skeleton keys, so having one adorned around my neck with a simple heart pendant hovering above is just the type of necklace I’d be happy to wear everyday. Life has felt so new and refreshing lately, but also grounded in finding my old self, and I think my style has been reflecting my current state of mind; a knowing comfort in what I love, but a little more carefree and a desire to be truly rid of self-imposed style expectations.
Initially I was hesitant to pick something from Happiness Boutique – knowing my fickle attitude towards jewelry – but I quickly realized there is something for everyone (even me!), and to boot, they offer free shipping (also super fast), a customer reward program and you can enter their bi-monthly giveaway; who doesn’t like perks like that?!
Blouse, skirt & belt: thrifted
Coat: vintage via Gisela & Zoe
Hat: H&M (similar)
Boots: Topshop (similar, similar)
Ring c/o Good After Nine
Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Tag: Larkspur Vintage
Beauty: My (updated) Skincare Routine
Quite awhile ago I shared with you my daily skincare routine, but since that time I have really done a lot of searching and product testing and have now found what I really think is my go-to routine. I thought it only made sense to give you an update, show you all the products I’m loving of late and hopefully be able to show you some products that maybe you’ve never heard of, or have been wondering about.
I guess I should give you a lil update on what my skin has been like to start with. It seems my chin has been having a breakout for what feels like months now. I’ve never had the most blemish-free skin, but lately it feels like a lot more than usual. I have not been able to pinpoint why, but I added some products into my routine that help with blemishes (or acne rather). The zits I seem to get are almost cystic (in my opinion) and last for weeks on end, so some of these products have been a real help with reducing redness, pain and size of those little demons.
MORNING
1. In the morning I like to give my skin a good wash and hydrate as much as possible. I have fairly dry skin and even more so in the winter, so Mario Badescu’s Cleansing Milk with Carnation and Rice Oil is a true god-send when my skin is being a flakey monster.
2. After cleansing, I use Wildcraft Care Bergamost and Rose Toner to tighten up my skin while leaving it with a cool, refreshing feeling. I like that this toner is in a spray bottle – the application is much easier and I don’t have to worry about having cotton balls on hand (although I always do so what am I saying).
3. The moisturizer I have been using is by an Australian natural skincare brand called Sukin. I had never even heard of this brand before, but I quickly became a fan after using the Facial Moisturizer only a few times. The moisturizer is lightweight, but deeply penetrating and boasts an infusion of aloe vera, rose hip oil, avocado and sesame seed oil. Needless to say, it smells great, but it is also an awesome product for us dry skinned folk who do not want a thick moisturizer coating our face every morning (not good for the zitties, you know that I mean)
2. I have shared Kiehl’s Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment before, but it has remained a staple in my skincare routine for a long while now. To be honest, I don’t actually have dry under-eyes, but I do have some puffyness in the morning and I find the cooling sensation of the cream helps to wake my eyes up, which I feel both mentally and physically. It’s on the pricier side considering how small the tub is, but to be honest, a little goes a long way with this guy.
EVENING
1. Here is where I start talking about combating those god-awful blemishes. I have been using Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash with grapefruit for a ridiculous amount of years. It feels like the only product that has ever kept those blemish demons at bay. I wash my face with this every evening and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed, totally makeup free and I know it’s working it’s zit fighting magic at the same time. I know not every product works for everyone, but if you have blemish prone skin, I suggest trying this gal.
2. Simple’s Micellar Water is a newer product for me, but an instant favourite. I poor a bit of it onto some cotton balls and wipe all over my face, which removes any remaining makeup and leaves the skin hydrated. I much prefer this product to remove eye makeup than a designated eye-makeup remover – I find it doesn’t leave that odd oily feeling or make my eyes feel cloudy for a few minutes after.
3. Clearasil Deep Pore Cleasing Pads is my true savior when my skin is at it’s worst. This product is not for those who really dislike a burning/tingly sensation on the skin. For me, I kind of like it because I feel as though it’s doing it’s job, but it is definitely not for everyone. However, in it’s defense, it noticeably reduces the redness and size of my zits over night, quite literally.
4. To finish off my night-time routine and give my skin an extra bit of love after all that acne treatment business, I use a combination of Notre Dame Apothecary Balancing Facial Serum and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Originally I had just been using the NDA serum, but I got a tester of the Kiehl’s oil and thought why not put them together. Both these products leave my skin feeling nourished and hydrated for ultimate smooth skin dreaminess in the morning. The Kiehl’s recovery replenishes the skin, while I find the NDA oil helps reduce any redness and combats my zitty friends.
I hope some of you found this helpful. Let me know if you use any of these products and tell me about your favs!
*find more beauty posts here
Outfit: She May Be Weary
I’ve been wearing some form of this outfit quite frequently of late; collared shirt under a pullover, skirt, boots, and always, always this coat. For a long time now I’ve had an affinity to patterned, collared shirts underneath a solid pullover – it’s simple but smart and adds a bit of interest to an otherwise plain outfit, so I always seem to come back to it in the colder months. Aside from loving the combination, I’ve actually just felt quite lazy with dressing lately. It could be that I have grown a bit tired of my wardrobe – it’s been awhile since I have purchased something new – but it could also be due in part to spending about a month and half rotating between only a few outfits, forgetting what clothes I actually own and not exercising my creative mind in that department. Whatever the reason, I’m looking to remedy it. Putting outfits together has always been a passion of mine, since I was a wee one, before I even really understood one could love something like that, so I cannot imagine a life uneffected by clothing. I’ve been feeling a bit of a disconnect between myself and some of my clothes, so I’ve been toying with the idea of starting an insta shop and selling some things I would not be able to sell over etsy (also probably vintage that is long overdue to be listed), and giving the clothes I no longer feel a connection to a new lease on life.
What do you guys think? Do you ever purchase clothes from insta? Do you sell on insta?
Pullover: gift
Blouse: second hand Joe Fresh via Common Sort
Skirt, coat, belt: thrifted
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine
Outfit: You & I Will Not Be Shaken
Well this last month and half has been a whirlwind! But here I am, sane, and on the other side. I have officially moved into my new apartment, Gus is back and I am beginning to feel like myself again. As lovely as it has been spending so much time with friends and being surrounded by some really amazing humans who have opened their homes and hearts to me, my introverted mind had been yearning for this moment. I am sat here, in my own bed, with Gus sleeping peacefully nearby, burning incense from a sweet soul and I couldn’t feel more right in this space. I remember thinking this moment would come one day – I could always see light at the end of the tunnel, but I never knew how to reach it. Getting here felt like a sequence of painful self-reflection and second guesses and tears and dark spaces coated with my never-ending hopeful nature. I will say, letting go is one of the hardest things to do in life, even when you know deep down it’s right. But you have to allow yourself the time to accept what all the signs and thoughts are whispering (or screaming) your way, and eventually all becomes clear, of that I am certain.
My mother gave me this vintage dress that she made for herself back when she was a teenager. For obvious reasons, it is my favourite dress I own. My mother is an incredibly talented woman, as you can tell, and it warms my heart to have something that she made for herself and so perfectly suits my aesthetic.
This space has been pretty neglected for the last month, but now that my life has some form of normalcy, I’m hoping to get back to my regular posting schedule and be better at responding to all your comments and questions. Please let me know if there is anything you’d love for me to post about. I hope you are all well and happy in life. I feel absolutely positive about all things in my life right now, and I can’t wait to see how life unfolds from here on out. ❤
Dress: vintage handmade by my beautiful mother
Outfit: Up Tha Punx
I’ve owned this faux leather jacket for about 7 years now. I used to wear it religiously, but when my style took a more soft turn, it ended up in the back of my closet (or packed in a box, rather). I’ve never been able to get rid of it though, just the same as I have never been able to get rid of my jean vest that I had cut the sleeves off of and then had my boyfriend at the time draw on the back of. They are both sentimental pieces and the only remaining items from my punk/goth days. I knew that even if I wasn’t really wearing this jacket, I would want to hold onto it. I’m telling you, finding a moto jacket like this was not easy, and it still feels just as relevant as it did back then, so I’m glad it has stayed with me all these years. I can’t say I’ll be pulling it out of my closet a ton this Fall, because it does feel very much like my former self, that of which I don’t really identify with anymore, but it was nice to bring one of my more sentimental pieces out of the darkness and share it with you guys.
Jacket: H&M (old)
Blouse: vintage via Penny Arcade
Skirt: vintage via Odd Finds
Shoes: Sylvie and Shimmy
Bow tie: handmade
okay andie 