Pins I Heart This Week #2

Photos via Pinterest

The past few days have seen a lot of grey skies, so it's no surprise that this week's theme is all about grey! Grey is a staple colour in my closet and I wear it all year round. I simply can't get enough of it: grey blazers, sweaters, pants, scarves, and purses! 

What's your favourite grey item in your closet?

First IMATS Experience

This year my lovely friend (a fellow make-up lover) invited me to join her at this year's IMATS in Toronto. I've never been, but I've heard my American counterparts rave about this two-day event (and trust me, I've watched my fair share of beauty gurus showcasing their hauls on YouTube), so without any hesitation I immediately accepted her invitation and bought my ticket online!

For those who haven't heard of IMATS, let me break it down! IMATS stands for International Make-Up Artist Trade Show, and it's just that: a huge convention where make-up artists and die-hard beauty enthusiasts gather to check out the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. Retailers set up rows and rows of booths to promote their products. Anything that falls under the "beauty" spectrum can most certainly be found at one of these  booths: skincare products, hair tools, eyelashes, nail polish, body paint (?), make-up brushes, and of course, make-up (piles and piles of make-up!). 

One of the major perks of attending this two-day affair is the generously discounted pricing on all the products (I'm talking at least 40% off the MSRP). This is great for someone who's just starting to experiment with different make-up products and brands because you can do so without breaking the bank!

Asides from the obvious shopping experience, there's a whole educational aspect to the convention. Some of the world's best make-up artists come to speak about the industry and what the latest trends are, and most importantly, they conduct demos on how to apply the make-up! I mean, having a whole lot of make-up doesn't mean much unless you know how to apply it correctly, right? 

All in all, I had a wonderful time hanging out with my girlfriend for the day! I shopped (duh!), discovered new brands (mostly Canadian), met the beautiful Rae Morris, and sat in on some stellar seminars! Would I attend next year? In a heart beat! Is it worth the $50 admission ticket? Totally! If you budget and stick to your original shopping list, the amount of discount you receive pays for the cost!

Did you go to IMATS this year? If so, what was your favourite purchase?

P/S: A haul post to follow :)

Pins I Heart This Week #1

My ultimate favourite season is finally upon us! The smell of fall crisp air, the reintroduction of the "red cup" at Starbucks, and the switching out of summer pieces to warm and cozier ones are just some of the reasons why I absolutely love this time of year! 

This week's favourite pins are all about my fall staples: sweaters, coats, and chunky scarves!

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Currently Coveting: Balenciaga City Bag

{ image by WhatIBoughtToday }

The year was 2006 and I had just discovered the existence of celebrity gossip blogs (JustJared and Perezhilton) when I first laid eyes on a beautiful Balenciaga City bag on the arm of Nicole Richie. It was a love affair from that moment on. Back then I was a (starving) student in university and the idea of buying any purse with a price tag over $500 was simply out of the budget (little did I know that these purses cost way more than $500).

The simple yet classic structure of the bag is what I love most about it. It doesn't have large embellishments nor is it embossed with logos that scream "look at me!" like some of the other designer purses have. For this reason, the City is a very sensible choice for the office. The leather is buttery to the touch and only gets better with age. What else could I ask for in a bag!?!

Fast-forward to 2012. I was on my way home from a quick stop at Zara when I suddenly found myself reaching for the doors at Holt Renfrew. I couldn't fight the urge to step in and take a quick looksy at the Balenciaga section. Needless to say, I walked out with the Town and not the City. Don't get me wrong, I love my Town for my body frame (I'm 5"2), but after having it for more than a year, I can't help but regret not getting the City instead. So back to saving up my pennies!!

Here's the purse in action:

{image by www.matchesfashion.com }

{ image by www.etpourquoipascoline.fr }