Keeping My Blonde in Check with the Dessange California Blonde Collection

Dessange California Blonde Colleftion
 

 

I’m a natural brunette, but somehow I always end up a blonde after an appointment with my stylist! I just can’t seem to help going for a brighter, bolder shade of blonde each time I sit down in that chair.

Keeping my hair healthy with all of my daily processing plus consistent colour appointments means I need a little more TLC on my strands then most people.

I’ve spent a couple weeks using the Dessange California Blonde Collection, and it turns out it was meant for a faux-blonde gal like myself!

The collection is for colour-treated blonde hair such as mine, and after using all of these products I learned that my hair was in need of some repair.

I started out with the California Blonde Illuminating Shampoo and Conditioner. It was a great start because my hair felt so smooth right after washing it, and after my initial rough blow dry my hair was squeaky clean and shiny.

All of these amazing products arrived at the perfect time as I was getting close to my next hair appointment because my regularly scheduled hair issue was coming to a head (literally) – my colour was looking mighty brassy!

In my opinion the coolest product in the Dessange California Blonde collection is the California Blond Colour Correcting Crème.

Anyone who colours their hair blonde knows exactly what I’m talking about – suddenly one day you wake up, look in the mirror and see dull, yellowish shade of blonde that you did not sign off on.

This correcting crème was incredible! I wish I had of known about it ages ago because the blue pigments in the crème neutralized all of the brassiness and made my hair colour look salon fresh again. This stuff is a must-have for any faux-blonde gals like myself.

 

 
Keeping my blonde in check with the Dessange California blonde range

 

 
Being on a the go for what seems like every moment of my life (really, doesn’t it sometimes feel like you don’t have a second to get anything done?) means that I have a special love for products that allow me to go on with my day while they work their magic.

Thankfully the Dessange California Blonde Illuminating Elixir was a spray-and-go application that I could use when I was done getting my hair ready in the morning.

It’s a leave-in gel treatment which added some much needed shine to my hair, and made my blonde look that much fresher. It also seals in the surface of the hair cuticle to work it’s magic and create the illusion of fabulous, glossy blonde hair.

I don’t mind spraying anything on my hair in the morning that takes so little time to make a big difference in my hair’s overall look.

 

 
Keeping My Blonde in Check with the Dessange California Blonde Collection

 

 

To say I was impressed with the Dessange California Blond Collection would be an understatement. Sometimes you don’t know how big your problem is until products come along to solve them. I’m loving how my colour is looking right now, and I think I could almost pass as a real-life actual blonde!

 

 
Keeping My Blonde in Check with the Dessange California Blonde Collection

 

 

For more details on this line, visit the Dessange website here.

 

 

These products were provided to me for review, but all opinions are fabulously my own!

 

 

Xoxo Mandy

 

 

Off-The-Shoulder Shirt Dress

Off The Shoulder Shirt Dress
 

 
Off The Shoulder Shirt Dress
 

 
Off The Shoulder Shirt Dress
 

 
Off The Shoulder Shirt Dress
 

 
Off The Shoulder Shirt Dress
 

 
Off The Shoulder Shirt Dress
 

 
Off The Shoulder Shirt Dress
 

 
Off The Shoulder Shirt Dress
 

 

Dress – Zara | Shoes – Call it Spring | Clutch – Chanel

 

 

One of my favourite trends that is still sticking around this spring and summer is the off-the-shoulder look. This dress is perfect to transition into spring with because it has long sleeves, and can be worn on a warmer day with sandals instead of these booties.

I have to admit, it was a pretty chilly day in April when I wore this look for the blog! I’m looking forward to wearing this look in much warmer temperatures with a pair of gladiator sandals.

I’ve linked to the exact dress I’m wearing above and here, and I have linked to some similar styles below as well.

This dress reminds me of men’s collared dress shirt with a twist, and I keep seeing this great shade of blue everywhere I shop lately. I love how fresh and spring-like this shade of blue is.

I have been wearing these nude booties so much over the last couple months because they literally go with everything. They were definitely a great buy.

Overall this easy look is exactly what I plan on wearing over the next few months as we move into warmer weather.

Have a great week!

 

 

Xoxo Mandy

 

Our Girls Night at the Trump Hotel + Enter to Win Your Own Stay!

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One of my favourite things to do is to have a girls night out!

During Toronto Fashion Week I teamed up with a group of lovely girlfriends for an amazing girls night out that was so much fun. Home base for our girls night out was the Trump International Hotel in Toronto, and it was incredible.

Before we even arrived at the hotel, the hotel was taking steps to make sure our stay was a memorable one.

The Trump Attaché™ team ensures that prior to a guests arrival they determine your personal preferences so you feel like you are walking into an experience aimed at making you the centre of attention.

They handle everything from arranging the use of house cars, to personal shopping, to even nanny services or pet walking! They even look up your social media handles to get an idea of your preferences.

Actually quite a few things were waiting for us upon arrival. We pulled into the hotel and the valet team unloaded our bags (you wouldn’t believe how many a girl needs for one night at a hotel!) and were met by the front desk staff for the quickest check-in the history of hotel check-in’s (I’m not sure what the actual record is on that, but I’m assuming they had it beat).
 

 
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We walked to our suite and found that the second room for our group was not only next door, but it had an adjoining hallway where we could close the door for privacy. We felt like we had our own private wing!

Walking into the room was almost overwhelming. The decor was stunning, and we couldn’t wait to unpack and enjoy our home away from home for the night.

 

 

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Trump-Toronto-Girls-Night-Out-sparkleshinylove
 

 

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What really surprised us were the amazing goodies waiting for us in our room. We were spoiled with champagne, strawberries, chocolate, Macarons, and boxes full of little treats. The Trump Attaché™ team really outdid themselves!

 

 

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TrumpHotelGirlsNight

 

 

Trump-Toronto-Girls-Night-Out-sparkleshinylove
 

 

Trump-Toronto-Girls-Night-Out-sparkleshinylove
 

 

Trump-Toronto-Girls-Night-Out-sparkleshinylove
 

 

Our hostess-with-the-mostess Renee also treated us with some fabulous Plum Pretty Sugar robes which I love and have been wearing over and over (you have probably already seen it pop up in a post or two on the blog!), and some goodies from Blossom Lounge. It included the BEST smelling candle ever from Coal and Canary called Crimped Hair and Truth or Dare, and the cutest nail polish from Trust Fund Beauty (my mauve colour is called “Why You Mad Tho?”), among other amazing goodies.
 

 

BlossomLoungeGoodies
 

 

After catching up over champagne and treats we got dressed for our night out, and headed downstairs to The Calvin Bar. We found a cozy seat in the corner and noshed on truffle parmesan fries, spring rolls, catfish tacos, and mini corndogs covered with lobster which were INCREDIBLE! The Calvin Bar was a really fun spot to have drinks, eat amazing food, and it was hard to leave because it had a really fun atmosphere.
 

 

TheCalvinBarTrumpTorontoReview
 

 

Next we were off to the Rudsak show at Toronto Fashion Week which wasn’t far away at all, so our decision to stay at the Trump Hotel was a good one because it was so convenient.
 

 
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Once we returned to the hotel the first thing we did was kick of our heels and put on our comfy hotel slippers and robes for more drinks, snacks, and a lot of chatting. Our suite was the perfect size for our group to hang out in.
 

 

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The next morning we were excited to wake up and have a yummy breakfast which we ordered through room service. Yes, it was as good as it looks!
 

 

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We lounged around a bit longer in our suite in our Plum Pretty Sugar robes (how adorable are these?) before we ended our stay.
 

 

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Checking out was the hardest thing to do during our stay. Unfortunately for us it was just as quick to check out as it was to check in. We truly didn’t want to leave.

The experience was so lovely. We felt so pampered from the moment we walked in the doors. Every aspect of our stay was perfect – I couldn’t complain about a thing. Our phone calls to the front desk were answered immediately, we didn’t carry our bags for a moment because the staff already had them in their hands, and we really felt special during our stay.

We had the BEST girls night at the Trump Toronto. They really know how to throw an amazing girls night out. I cannot wait to go back to this incredible hotel to have another amazing night like this one!

 

 

Finally, the big contest! This is your chance to have your own night at the Trump International Hotel in Toronto!

Our girls night group of bloggers have teamed up with the Trump Hotel to give away a One Night Stay in a Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite for Two!

You can enter below for your chance to win. Good luck to everyone who enters! For more details on the Trump International Hotel in Toronto, visit their website here!

 

 

 

 

Xoxo Mandy

 

A Bright Floral Backpack

currently loving floral backpacks
 

 
imageCurrently Loving Floral Backpacks
 

 
Currently Loving Floral Backpacks
 

 
Currently Loving Floral Backpacks
 

 
Currently Loving Floral Backpacks
 

 
Currently Loving Floral Backpacks
 

 
Currently Loving Floral Backpacks
 

 
Currently Loving Floral Backpacks
 

 

Jean Jacket – H&M | Peasant Top – Winners | Jeans – Paradise Mine Aritzia | Boots – Call it Spring | Back Pack – Winners

 

 

It’s my second time this week wearing white jeans on the blog, and that’s pretty much all you will see me in for the next couple months.

I love white jeans because they not only go with everything, but I am so sick of wearing winter colours. These one’s from Aritzia are extra stretchy which is great for when you ask for that extra order of guacamole and chips with dinner.

The main pop of colour to this look is this really fun floral backpack I picked up at Winners. I love the colours, and the backpack trend has been an easy one for me to catch onto since I carry about a gazillion things with a toddler running around.

Do you know what isn’t toddler friendly now that I mention it? White jeans! As much as I love them (I’m talking about the jeans, but obviously I love the toddler as well!) these jeans are difficult to wear around children and I normally finish off the day with a messy handprint or shoe print on them. I keep bleach in the laundry room on standby.

I’ve linked to some other fun floral backpacks below as well. Happy shopping!

 

 

Xoxo Mandy

 

Review of Cargo Cosmetics Eyebrow Pencil and Brow Kit

imageReview of Cargo Cosmetics Eyebrow Pencil and Brow Kit

 

 

I never really knew how important my eyebrows were until I actually grew them!

I had been over plucking my eyebrows my whole life and I really had no idea. Now that I have grown them out, I am slightly obsessed with grooming them.

I have added a few new brow essentials to my makeup bag from Cargo Cosmetics, and they have helped to keep my brow game strong.

First of all I’m kind of in love with the packaging Cargo Cosmetic’s uses. Each piece of makeup has a different black and white watercolour scene of different cities of the world.

 

 
Review of Cargo Cosmetics Eyebrow Pencil and Brow Kit
 

 
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I was a girl who didn’t even own an eyebrow pencil until last year, and now I can’t go a day without using one.

The Medium coloured Cargo Eye Brow Pencil was the perfect matching shade for my own brows, and it only needed a light stroke for it to fill in my brows. The pencil is longer than most so I expect it to last a very long time.
 

 
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The Brow How Brow Defining Kit comes in three different colour combinations, and it included a small compartment with an application brush.

The kit includes a power which fills in and helps define brows, and also a tinted wax which is perfect for setting your brows so they stay put. The wax was amazing and did a great job of setting my brows for the day.

I also got a chance to try out Cargo’s Essential Lip Gloss in Madrid, and the colour had a hint of sparkle, and the gloss had a really moisturizing finish to it.

Thanks to Fashion Weekly Magazine for sending me these lovely Cargo products!

 

 

Xoxo Mandy