What to Expect, Bring, and Avoid at a Bridal Consultation

As a follow-up to my last post about my David's Bridal dress shopping experience, this post is going to be all about what to bring, expect, and avoid at a bridal consultation. I've watched countless Say Yes to the Dress episodes over the years, and in some ways, it's not that far off...just less cameras, drama, and generally less staff helping you out! 

What to Expect

* Depending on when the consultation is, the store can be very busy, so you should expect to have to be patient at times. It's not really all that much to ask for since there are so many beautiful dresses to look at while you wait. Even when you're in the fitting rooms, they provide iPads so you can browse through their inventory at your leisure. I brought a list of dresses that I had picked out from the website, and I am so glad I did because it provided my consultant with a clear idea of the style of dress I was looking for.

* Expect to be stripping down in front of your consultant! Those dresses are not exactly easy to get into, so don't think for one second that you'll be shimmying into them all on your own! The consultants do this for a living, so don't worry...they see half naked bodies all the time and yours won't faze them in the least. 

What to Bring

* Since you'll be getting half naked for your appointment, I would really recommend that you don't wear the wrong kind of underwear. What I mean by that is, you're going to want to either wear or bring a pair of undies that are discreet enough to hide underneath your dress. If you're wearing bright pink undies and you're trying on a light, form-fitting dress, you are probably going to be able to see your underwear and it will inevitably distract from your perception of the dress. 

* Make sure someone in your group brings a camera to take pictures of every dress you try on! I only tried on 6 dresses, but I can imagine after 10+, things would start to get confusing, so it's always good to have pictures to look at later when you're making the final decision. 

* I brought my wedding shoes with me to my appointment, but I didn't end up wearing them. Instead, I used a pair that they had in the store, which worked out better because they were much easier to get on and off between dresses (mine have tiny little ankle straps). In any case, I would recommend bringing your bridal shoes with you anyway, just so you can get a better idea of how they will look with your dress. 

What to Avoid 

* Wedding dress shopping is a very significant moment in a woman's life, and certainly a special event worth sharing with friends and family. However, that being said, it's important to not lose sight of what you want from your dress! Having the love and support of family and friends is absolutely wonderful, don't get me wrong, but if you've brought 10+ people with you for the appointment, it might get a bit overwhelming with so many opinions swirling around. At the end of the day, it's all about what you are comfortable with, so don't feel too badly if you can't invite every woman in your address book!

* If you have a price point, stick to it as much as you can. Wedding dresses can be VERY expensive, so if your budget is $900, don't bother trying on that $1500 dress unless you are fully prepared to hang it right back up afterwards! 
* Be considerate! Your consultant is there to help you, and your group is there to support you...but you can't be a bridezilla! If your bridal consultation is scheduled for an hour and a half, don't be difficult and stretch it out over your allotted time. Not only are you making your consultant late for her next appointment, but you're also forcing the next bride to wait until you're finished. General rule of thumb: be considerate and avoid excessive demands. 

*Finally, avoid feeling guilty if you don't buy a dress. Finding the right wedding dress is a very big decision, so it really shouldn't be rushed. Even if you think you've found the right one, sometimes it's a good idea to step away from the situation and give yourself some time to think it over. Just because you don't make a purchase during your appointment, doesn't mean you won't ever buy a dress. It will all come in time, and you will find the perfect dress! 

From Summer to Autumn

With only one more week left in August, it looks like summer is finally coming to a close. Overall, I would definitely say it's been a lot of fun, with plenty of warm sunny days and lots of great memories! After all, I got married this summer, so obviously it was a very special one for me! 

But alas, every year summer can only last so long before the leaves start to turn, the weather cools down, and the kids go back to school in the fall. Even though I'm no longer a student, I still very much enjoy the idea of "back to school" shopping, although for me, it's more like "time for autumn" shopping instead.

When I was younger, I used to beg my mother tirelessly for an entirely new wardrobe full of the latest styles every time we went back to school shopping. Now that I'm comfortable with the knowledge that having good style doesn't necessarily mean being trendy, I am much happier continuing to build on my more classic wardrobe by working in versatile and timeless pieces here and there.

Now, in terms of making an effortless transition from summer to autumn, it's important to know what to store and what to buy. 


Store
*shorts (denim, twill, cotton..pack them all away until next summer)
*brightly colored tops (anything in aqua, lemon yellow, coral, or magenta) 
*linen (linen pants, tops, skirts, and shorts..appropriate for beach weather only)
*swimsuits and cover-ups (no longer acceptable as casual wear)
*sundresses (sadly, as pretty as they are, you'll have to put these away until next year)
*sandals and summer hats (no need for straw hats and flip flops anymore)

Buy
*denim (medium to dark wash, least one pair of skinny jeans, and one pair of boot cut jeans)
*fall colored tops (oxblood, plum, hunter green, navy, mocha, black, and charcoal grey)
*prints (herringbone, tweed, nautical stripe, fall florals) 
*knit sweaters (relaxed, chunky, fitted...you can't go wrong)
*scarves and boots (cozy knits in fall colors and stylish yet functional boots in sturdy leather)
*jackets and blazers (perfect way to top off your look and keep warm as the weather cools)

Making the style transition from summer to autumn isn't quite as daunting as it may seem. Many pieces already in rotation throughout the summer can be adapted to the cooler weather by adding layers and accessories. 

For example, a blue and white striped summer dress can make for a stunning fall look when paired with the right accessories!

Similarly, that perfect summer chambray dress can be worn with a classic tartan cape to create an effortless fall look.

*Featured outfit combinations available from ModCloth. 

I Need Your Help Choosing My Wedding Hairstyle

Lately I've been putting a fair bit of thought into hair. I guess it all started when I realized that I am completely torn between wearing my hair down and wearing my hair up for my wedding this Friday. Wearing my hair down is definitely more in my comfort zone, but the style of my bridal outfit would look really lovely with an updo. Since our ceremony is first thing in the morning, I'll be having to style my hair myself, which ultimately means I'll need to decide on a style that isn't too stressful or difficult to achieve. 

On a daily basis, I usually wear my hair down, which means that I don't have a lot of practice doing updos at all. That being said, I have been putting a bit of practice in lately, and experimenting with low buns and dutch braids. There are so many things to consider, like whether I should do an off-center or a middle part, loose or tight curls, incorporate flowers or no flowers. One thing I absolutely need to keep in mind, is that it is going to be HOT. I've checked the weather forecast and as of right now, it's going to be about 30 degrees, and as usual here in Ottawa, quite humid. 

I will be completely honest and admit that whenever I see women walking around with silky smooth straight hair in the summer, I can't help but feel envious! There are plenty of things I love about my hair, but the way it tends to look after an hour or so in the heat, is not one of them.

In any case, all this adds up to is a bridal hairstyle that has a very big job to do! 

• If I wear my hair down, it'll be easier and less stressful to achieve, but will it stand up in the heat and humidity?
• If I wear my hair up, will I be able to make it look just right within the limited amount of time I have to get ready before the ceremony? 

Luckily I still have a few days to experiment and figure out exactly how I would like to have it on the big day! 

I would love any suggestions so please feel free to post your suggestions in the comments section below!

Makeup Brushes Every Woman Should Own

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a nice week so far? 

In a follow-up post to How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes, I've decided to put together a basic list of Makeup Brushes Every Woman Should Own. The list is a meant to function as a guideline, and does not represent an entirely comprehensive list of every single kind of makeup brush available on the market. If you're interested in purchasing any of the brushes mentioned in this article, they are all available online from Coastal Scents.

Left - Right: Tapered Liquid Foundation
 - Classic Kabuki

1. Foundation Brushes

After cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, the first step in any makeup routine is foundation. If you use a liquid foundation, you have the option of applying it with either a brush, or your fingers (for a more natural look). The Tapered Liquid Foundation brush is perfect for evenly applying liquid foundation. One of the most versatile brushes is the Classic Kabuki brush, which can be used to apply an even dusting of powder to set your foundation.


2. Blush and Bronzer Brushes 

Left - Right: Large Tapered Powder -
Large Angled Blush

Personally, I would suggest using a separate brush for your blush and bronzer application. The Large Tapered Powder brush is ideal for sweeping bronzer across the high points of your face (cheekbones, forehead, nose), while the Large Angled Blush brush is designed to gently apply a dusting of blush on your cheeks.


3. Eye shadow Brushes 

Clockwise from top left: Medium Shader -
Large Shadow - Classic Pointed Blender
- Classic Crease Brush

Whether you like to wear a lot, or a little, there are a few eye shadow brushes that should definitely be included in your arsenal. The Medium Shader brush is a basic necessity for all-over shadow application. The Large Shadow brush is perfect for highlighting the brow-bone or blending multiple eye shadows. The Classic Pointed Blender brush is designed for contouring and shading, while the Classic Crease brush is ideal for blending shadow along the crease line to create depth.



4. Liner and Brow Brushes

Left - Right: Classic Angled Liner -
Classic Brow/Lash Comb

Finally, I would highly recommend investing in a Classic Angled Liner brush, and Classic Brow/Lash Comb. The angled liner brush is perfect for precision application, which is ideal for creating a masterful eye shadow look. The brow and lash comb is a useful tool for lifting and separating your lashes, as well as defining your brows.

Of course, if you're looking for the most fool-proof way of building a makeup brush collection, there are many wonderful kits out there. However, the main reason I tend to prefer the method of picking and choosing individual brushes is because I have found in the past that many kits tend to include either too many or too few of the brushes I personally like to use. Everyone is different, and for people who like to wear a lot of makeup or experiment with different looks, the large kits can be wonderful! 

What To Wear: Beach Wedding

For the final installment of my What To Wear (Wedding Edition) series, I've put together a number of outfits designed to suit a beach wedding. One of the distinct features of a beach wedding is that it is completely outdoors. Surrounded by incredible views of the water, soft sand, and salty air, beach weddings can be some of the most beautiful, relaxed, and effortlessly chic ways to tie the knot.

       

However, just because the venue is on the beach, doesn't mean it's necessarily appropriate to wear a swimsuit and cover-up to the wedding! Given that the venue is in a more natural setting, you'll want to keep things casual, while still retaining the proper tone of such a momentous occasion as a wedding. Dresses and accessories featured in this post are available online from ModCloth.

First up, I've selected a beautiful watercolor maxi dress, paired with gold sandals, and a gold clutch in a shell-like shape. The colors of the dress reflect the blue/green hues of the ocean, while the pink adds a bright pop of color that is reminiscent of a sunset. With such a beautiful and bold dress, accessories in neutral metallic shades (like gold) compliment the look best.  

Secondly, I've selected an empire-waist floral dress, paired with white wedge sandals, and a bright pink coral necklace. The floral pattern of the dress is reminiscent of a tropical garden, while the pink of the flowers is complimented by the pink of the coral necklace. The laser-cut white wedge sandals are fresh and modern, while adding a glamorous flare to the outfit. 

Third, I've gone with a simple indigo blue linen sheath dress, paired with a gold leaf necklace, and floral print espadrilles. The dress itself is a simple design in a beautiful rich color reminiscent of the sea. The floral print on the wedge espadrilles is an exotic, tropical print that compliments the dress, while the gold necklace adds an element of sophistication and class.

Next up, I've selected a bright pink chiffon sheath dress, paired with rose-gold wedge sandals, and a mint statement necklace. The light, airy design of the dress is perfect for a beach wedding, while the rose-gold wedges and the mint statement necklace work together to complete the look.

Next up, I've selected a beautiful jade halter dress, paired with floral print wedges, and gold shell earrings. The rich color of the dress is reminiscent of the sea, while the gold shell earrings and tropical floral print wedges provide stunning accents to the look.

Finally, I've gone for a slight twist on a classic nautical look, with a navy and white striped dress, black wedge heels, and a bright yellow statement necklace. The specific design of the stripes on the dress create a natural hourglass shape, while the black wedge sandals add glamour to the look. The bright yellow statement necklace provides a fun pop of color that perfectly compliments the effortless nature of a beach wedding. 

What To Wear: Mother-of-the-Bride

Weddings can be both incredibly joyful, as well as highly stressful. Aside from the bride and groom (and officiant), the mother-of-the-bride is arguably the person with the most important role to play. As mother-of-the-bride, the duties may seem endless, and emotions may be overwhelming at times, but the love and support you bestow on the newly-wed couple is a truly invaluable blessing. 

When it comes to what to wear on your daughter's big day, things can get tricky as you try to dress according to color-scheme, while striving to avoid looking too matronly. 

So, in the second installment of my What To Wear (Wedding Edition) series, I'm offering up suggestions for mother-of-the-bride (formal) dresses designed to compliment 5 different body types. In this post, all dresses are available online from Anthropologie BHLDN. 

From left to right: Column - Hourglass - Pear - Inverted Triangle - Oval

First up, I've selected a rose gold column dress with delicate beading, draped sleeves, and a blouson bodice. The dress is a classic, sophisticated design in a fresh color, with elegant beading that invokes grace and glamour. The blouson bodice creates shape and enhances curves on a column body type, without being too revealing or too bulky.

Body Type: Column

Secondly, I've selected a convertible dress with a sweetheart neckline and a gold-flecked lace bodice. The dress can be adjusted with a number styling options, although for an hourglass body type, I would suggest going with cap-sleeves. The sweetheart neckline embraces your curves instead of hiding them, while the tulle skirt and cap-sleeves create balance for an elegant look.

Body Type: Hourglass

Next up, I've selected a classic tulle dress with a lace cap-sleeve topper. The gold-flecked lace topper draws the eye upwards, while providing balance with the fullness of the tulle skirt. The dress and lace topper are elegant, yet modest, with perfect balance for a pear shaped body type. 

Body Type: Pear

Next up, I've selected a wrapped-bodice, tulle dress with lace straps for the inverted triangle body type. The dress embodies elegance and sophistication, without coming across as too much. The wrap-front bodice embraces and supports your curves without covering them up, while the full skirt balances out the look. The lace straps provide a delicate touch, which compliments the texture of the tulle. 

Body Type: Inverted Triangle

Finally, I've selected a beautiful taffeta dress with a full skirt and a lace sequined bodice. The dress is the perfect mix of modern sophistication and classic grace, perfect for an oval body type. The intricate detail of the bodice draws the eye upwards, while the full skirt provides balance to the look. *Bonus: The dress has pockets!

Body Type: Oval

What To Wear: Outdoor Wedding

We are officially in the heat of wedding season! If you happen to be one of the lucky individuals who has received an invitation (or many!) to a summer wedding, congratulations! Attending a wedding can be a lot of fun, and celebrating the love and union of two people is a joyous occasion! 

When it comes to figuring out what you're going to wear to the wedding, things can get a bit tricky. You don't want to look like a bridesmaid, and you don't want to upstage the bride. You don't want to be too formal, but you also don't want to look too casual. Then you have to consider things like venue and weather. Will the ceremony and reception be entirely outdoors? Is the forecast predicting rain? Even as a guest, weddings can be stressful! 

So, in the first installment of my What To Wear (Wedding Edition) series, I'm offering up suggestions for how to dress for an outdoor wedding. All dresses and shoes featured in this post are available at Le Chateau. 

First up, I've got a bright fuchsia pink dress, paired with pink floral pointed toe pumps, and gold dangle earrings. The bright dress in a classic shape is bold, without drawing too much attention, while the floral heels add a fun and feminine flare to the look that's perfect for a garden wedding.

Secondly, I've got a rich purple chiffon strapless dress, paired with white ankle strap heeled sandals, and a chunky pearl necklace. The look is very classic and elegant, with the richness of the purple dress being offset by the delicate nature of pearls and white sandals. 

Next up, I've got a metallic look, featuring a rose gold sparkle dress, gold wedge embellished sandals, and a gold evening clutch. The look is elegant without being too fancy, while the mix of the rose gold dress with the yellow gold accessories is modern and fun. 

Finally, I've got a bold play on a classic silhouette. A black dress, paired with bright pops of color like fuchsia pink plays to the excitement and fun of a wedding, while maintaining the sophisticated tone of the look. 

Considering the venue is outside, you're going to want to focus on simplicity with a twist, while always maintaining your own comfort. Low heels, preferably wedges are a good choice since you won't have to worry about them getting stuck in the grass. Classic shapes with fun accessories offer a fun twist on traditional styles. After all, you're at a wedding! So have fun!

Color Profile: Pink

Pink! Few colors are nearly as notorious or controversial! For some, pink invokes feelings of excitement and femininity, while for others, it only serves to repulse them. I won't get into a lengthy discussion of colors and gender association, but I think it's fairly well understood, that pink has been (and continues to be), for the most part, associated with girls and women. 

The color itself, is quite beautiful, blending the purity of white with the intensity of red. There are a number of incredible shades of pink to choose from, including everything from blush to magenta. The more bold the look, the brighter the pink! One of the things I personally enjoy about the color pink, is that (depending on the shade), it is highly versatile when it comes to accessories. For instance, if you're wearing a light pink shade like rose, I would recommend wearing silver or pearl jewelry. If you're wearing a brighter pink shade like fuscia, I would recommend going with yellow gold or turquoise jewelry.  

Much like purple, the color pink is versatile and can be worn dressed up or dressed down. I tend to opt for soft, light shades of pink if I'm looking for a more dressed down look, while going with brighter, more vibrant shades of pink for a more dressed up look. Generally speaking, the more the color is featured in the look, the more dressed up it will be. For example, wearing blue jeans, a neutral top, and bright pink heels, looks more casual than a bright pink dress with only a few accessories. In terms of coloring, pink can be flattering on warm and cool toned skin, as well as women with blonde, or brunette hair. There are underlying tones in every shade of pink, that determine whether it's warm or cool. Being able to identify between the two will help determine which shades will be the most flattering.



If you're looking to incorporate the color pink into your outfit, but you're not quite sure how to style it, I would suggest keeping things simple. Start out with a few pink pieces that you can pair with soft neutrals like white or ivory. For example, try pink shorts with a simple white t-shirt for a pretty take on a classic look. Alternatively, denim and chambray offer a cool textural contrast, while stripes provide a unique complimentary addition to your look. Considering pink is such a beautiful color to play with, the most important thing to keep in mind is to have fun with it! 

How To: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Something that most of us tend to neglect, is brush care. We use our makeup brushes (nearly) everyday, and yet they often don't get the proper TLC they need. 

After frequent use, makeup brushes become caked with makeup residue, oil, and dead skin cells, which create a breeding ground for bacteria, that you, in turn, end up putting right back on your face. Gross right? Well that's exactly why you're going to want to step up your brush cleaning game!


The general consensus suggests that on average, you should clean your brushes once a month. However, if you use your makeup brushes quite often, I would recommend increasing the frequency to bi-weekly. 

There are a number of brush-specific cleaning formulas out there, as well as many DIY or multi-use products that also do the trick. Here are my top three recommendations in each category: 

1. Brush-specific 

BlenderCleanser by BeautyBlender $9.95 

2. DIY 

In 1 warm cup of water, mix 1 tbsp of vinegar, and 1 tbsp of dish soap.

3. Multi-use products

Johnson's Baby Shampoo $3.95

No matter what kind of cleanser you decide to use, it's important to take into consideration the delicate nature of the bristles, which require special care when being washed as to avoid changing their shape. Once you've got your formula set, let your brushes soak for about 5-10 minutes. Gently run them under warm water to help wash out any residue, followed by cool water to settle the bristles. Avoid the barrel of your brushes, since if it gets wet, it can cause the bristles to loosen and fall out. If the brushes are extra cakey, a drop of olive or almond oil will loosen things up. Some people suggest gently blow drying your brushes to dry them, but I would strongly advise against this! Instead, place your makeup brushes flat on a sheet of paper towel, in a cool, dry place. They should be clean and ready for use in about 8-12 hours. 

Beauty Products + Expiration Dates

 I was on BuzzFeed the other day, and came across a really interesting article about beauty products! I've seen plenty of other articles covering the same subject, but for some reason, this one really stuck out for me. 

Essentially, the article explains that instead of trying to remember how long your lipstick or mascara is good for (is it four months or six?), you can actually check for yourself on the product packaging. This way, you'll be able to know once and for all whether your MAC eye shadows really will last longer than your Revlon ColorStay quads. The trick is, you have to find the icon that indicates how long the product is good for. On most products, it resembles a small, slightly open jar, with a number in front. That number represents the number of months the product is guaranteed to be good for. Unfortunately, not every single product on the shelves has a clearly visible expiration icon, but luckily, most do!

Dior BB cream (12 months), Tarte Amazonian
Clay blush (12 months), Nars lipstick in Roman Holiday (24 months)

I know a lot of people who will use their makeup and beauty products after the suggested expiry date, and in some cases, this is perfectly fine. What you need to be careful about, is using your makeup products long after they've expired! If your blush expired last month but you still have a fair bit of powder in the compact, and it's not causing any skin irritation, I don't see anything wrong with using it. However, if you're using mascara that expired a year ago and is clumpy and dry when you pull out the wand, you really need to toss it! Ultimately, the most important thing to take into consideration is how your products are reacting with your skin. The expiration dates on your makeup are there to guide you, but if you're having trouble with any products at any point, it's always best to let them go. 

If you're interested in checking it out the original article on BuzzFeed, I've posted the link here.