A Nice Treat

I love magazines! Ever since I was little I have loved them. They are the perfect bedtime read, articles aren't too long or too short and I don't get so absorbed in them that I can't sleep. There is also something great to be said about simply relaxing and flipping through glossy pages of beautifully constructed pictures.

However, even though I love them, I can be picky with the ones I choose to buy. The layout has to be nice, the writing fun and engaging and obviously the pictures need to be great.
Well, I recently discovered a magazine that ticks all those boxes and more: Town and Country UK edition.

I had never heard of the US edition, but the newly launched UK one really caught my eye. The summer issue was printed on the most luxurious paper ever, thick and glossy, which really showcases the pictures nicely (the fact that is is slightly oversized also adds to the feel of luxury).
The quality of the editorials is also fantastic, but you wouldn't expect anything less since the team behind this magazine also works on the British Harper's Bazaar.

The summer issue features Lily James (Downton Abbey) on the cover, editorials amazing British houses and summery English traditions like polo and cricket matches. Fashion and Beauty also have a place in the magazine alongside articles on great places to visit.

I honestly cannot explain how incredibly lavish this magazine feels, you can tell a lot of effort went into it. Reading it definitely feels like a treat and I urge you all to have a look at it.

The only downside to Town and Country is that they only publish 4 issues a year, but the quality and extent of the articles compensates for the waiting time.

I for one cannot wait for the next issue (set for November) and at 10$ it truly is a great buy.

Missha Safe Block Aqua Sun Gel

Like many, I am still on the hunt for the perfect sunscreen. One that is not oily, has a high SPF and that will not clog my pores. The last one is my main concern because my skin is particularly sensitive to sunscreen. Being a fan of Korean skincare products, I had high hopes for the Missha all around Safe Block Sun Gel, after all Koreans are all about fair skin and take sun protection very seriously.

This particular product has an SPF 30/PA++ which is great for daily protection. The brand also offers other formulas with higher protection levels (SPF 45 and 50).

First of all, a special mention has to go to the packaging, a gorgeous patterned blue tube with a large silver cap that keeps it stable on your countertop. The design is gorgeous and the size of the tube makes it easy to carry when traveling or on the go.

Onto the actual sunscreen now, this is not a gel, but rather a lightweight white gel cream that blends easily into the skin. It did not leave a white cast on my face, however I do have very fair skin so I don’t know if it would be an issue on darker skin. Once it sinks in, it leaves the skin looking dewy, which can boost radiance under your foundation, and your face will feel slightly tacky (It goes away after a while). Also, the product is fragranced, but I personally really enjoyed light fruity-floral scent.

My only problem with the Missha Safe Block Sun Gel is that it did clog my pores after continuous use. This is a problem I have with most sunscreens (even with other popular ones), so I don't think this product is particularly, it could just be me. If you are sensitive to sunscreen I would recommend getting a sample before purchasing it.

At around 12$ of 50ml I think this is decent sunscreen worth trying out. I purchased mine from Ebay but you might be able to find in a local Asian/Korean beauty store. Also you can apparently now find it on the Missha website for 14$.

The West Wing

I have been looking for a new show to watch this summer for quite some time. There is not much on the air right now and I was in need of something smart and witty that I haven’t seen before (I'm experiencing The Newsroom and Veep withdrawals).

This quest led me to The West Wing, which is a political show that follows the lives of the President of the United States and his staff. Visually some might think it looks a bit dated, it started airing in 1999, but the sharp and witty dialogues are very entertaining and the social issues presented are still relevant today. This isn't surprising since the creator of the show is Aaron Sorkin who is also the man behind The Newsroom.

Another great thing about this show is that it is currently on sale in many stores and Amazon for 14$. This is a great deal for 22 40 minutes long episodes and a nice summer treat.

With 7 seasons in total, I think I am set for the rest of summer.

Dior Porcelaine Nail Lacquer

When it comes to nail polish, I usually stick to neutrals or dark colors, but as soon as I saw the Dior Porcelaine (#204) nail polish, I knew I had to have it. Porcelaine was released along 3 other polishes as part of the Trianon collection for spring 2014.

This particular shade is a gorgeous baby blue with a cream finish, there’s not shimmer or glitter in it. Unlike some other blue polishes, it doesn’t have a green tinge and it has a brightness that is simply incredible, it’s very luminous. This screams spring to me, it’s such a beautiful pastel shade but it’s also completely unique at the same time (nothing boring there).

Dior polishes are great quality for the price, it lasted about 4 to 5 days without chipping and I was not wearing a base or top coat. The brush is wide and allows you to cover the entire nail in one swipe. As for the formula, I found it to be a bit streaky at first, but the 3^rd coat gave me a smooth and even finish with nice shine. The formula dries very quickly so doing 3 coats isn’t a problem since you don’t have to wait long between coats.

I think this would make a perfect spring treat, it is sure to make you smile every time you look at it.  

You can get it from any Dior counter or online from The Bay for 25$  

The Gap scarf

There are only a few days left until it’s officially spring. However, if you leave in Canada (especially on the East coast) you’ll know that the weather is far from spring-like. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a lot of sunny days, but the weather has been so cold (the wind is seriously not helping). Because of this I’m still sporting my parka and I bundle up with a nice warm scarf.

Whilst all the spring clothes have been calling my name I have been resisting their call and couldn't help but notice all the nice winter things on sale. One thing I treat myself to every winter is a scarf from Gap, they are super cozy and soft but thick enough to keep you warm.

So if you have a Gap store near you (I could not find them online) and are enduring cold weather, I suggest you go and have a look, most of their winter scarves are on sale, as well as some really nice sweaters and other things. They are great quality for the price so they’ll last you quite a long time.

However, if you’re lucky enough to already be enjoying spring you should have a look at their lighter scarves, I particularly like this blue one and these stripy ones link link.

What kind of weather have you been enjoying lately? 

The Newsroom

One thing you’ll probably discover as this blog grows is how passionate I am about television. I just love getting lost in these well-crafted universes as well as how they allow us to connect with the characters and get more involved in the stories because there are so many episodes to enjoy. With this in mind I would like to share with you some of my favorite TV shows in the hope you’ll find something fun and new to watch.

The first one I’ll introduce you to today is one I’ve been watching quite a lot over the last few months: The Newsroom. The title really gives it away, the show revolves around what goes on in a newsroom and follow different protagonists that all work together to create the news (and by news I mean the best version possible). The story is set a few years ago and covers real news events like the BP oil spill and the Fukushima nuclear accident as the story makes its way back to the present. Two seasons have aired (season 1 is available on DVD) and a third season is scheduled to premiere in the fall.

I have to admit that this is my first foray into a HBO show that is not a big production like Game of Thrones and True Blood since Sex and the City and I honestly did not know if I would find it entertaining. Well let me tell you it surpassed all my expectations, it’s witty, fun and you can definitely feel the sense of urgency that comes with creating the best news coverage possible when something happens and information is limited. The fact that The Newsroom is so anchored in reality actually makes me long a news program like it.  The chemistry between Will (Jeff Daniels) and MacKenzie (Emily Mortimer) is undeniable and it really makes the show in my opinion, they are just so fun to watch together because it really does feel like they have known each other for a long time. You can definitely see that there is a lot history there. The rest of the main cast is also great with actors like John Gallagher, Alison Pill, Thomas Sadoski, Dev Patel, Olivia Munn and Sam Waterston. The combination of an amazing ensemble cast, a set of which the sheer size is impressive as well as the great camera work actually makes you feel like you are in a real newsroom (there’s not unrealistic embellishments there).

Even though I had my reservations at first, the sharp and funny dialogues have won me over and I cannot wait for season 3! I highly recommend you give this a go as I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

You can find The Newsroom in stores and online on Amazon, iTunes and the HBO website (HBO store and HBO GO).

P.S. It seems to currently be on sale for 25$ at both Best Buy and Future Shop (online and in stores).

Luxurious Lip Care: Dior Crème de Rose Lip Balm

Since the weather has been incredibly cold for the past few days, I thought I would share with you my thoughts on my all-time favorite lip balm: Dior’s Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm. I discovered it over the summer after burning my lips pretty badly. None of my other lip balms could help ease the discomfort of severely cracked and peeling lips and I was starting to think I might need to see a doctor as they were not getting better.

After finding a small sample of the Crème de Rose balm in a Dior palette, I decided to give the full size a try even though the 29$ price tag did put me off.  However not only did it moisturize and plumped my lips (the smoothing Shea butter covers the lines on your lips making them look fuller), it actually healed them (I attribute that to the vitamin A and E it contains). I am currently on my third one and I do not think I could ever go without it.

Its light rose scent is very pleasant and it gives a very sheer pink tint to the lips that really enhances them. It has SPF 10 which is a good thing considering most of us forget to protect the delicate skin of our lips from the sun. It is very creamy and feels luxurious on the lips, not greasy and it has great staying power (great if you wear it on its own).

I cannot recommend this lip balm more, it is simply incredible.

You can find it the Dior Crème de Rose balm at Dior counters and Sephora for 29$.