Holiday Crochet

It feels like ages since I've done a style post, and I have to say I've missed it! Today's look pretty much encapsulates my personal style. I love classic and feminine fabrics and cuts, and pieces that could be taken through multiple seasons with a few alterations. Add a little sparkle and you've got me swooning.

Top: c/o Shein {exact} | Belt: Goodwill {similar} | Skirt: H&M {exact}
Braclet: J. Crew {exact} | Necklace: Jessica | Boots Aldo {similar}

I love the delicate pattern of this blouse, but it's actually quite a thick material which balances it out perfectly by adding a little bit of warmth to what could be considered a spring/summer top. Pairing it with some sparkly accessories and a bold lip makes it a perfect option for the holidays. It's lined at the top which I appreciate, but the arms and hemline are unlined which gives a really flattering cutout look that makes it great to layer over top of bottoms, not just tucked in. Just picture it untucked over a forest green pencil skirt for work holiday parties - how pretty would that be?

I took the advice of fellow reviewers and went up a size, and am glad I did since the shoulders and arms fit me perfectly.

What are you planning on wearing for your holiday occasions?

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How I Treat My Keratosis Pilaris

If you have ever noticed patches of rough skin and small red bumps on your skin, congratulations you may be one of the many people who deal with the condition known as keratosis pilarius/KP/"chicken skin" caused by a build up of keratin proteins on the skin. I dealt with KP for as long as I can remember without knowing what it was or what I could do to help soften and smooth out my rough skin, but after doing some research and changing up the way I treat my skin, I've noticed a definite improvement. I am in no way a medical professional, but since KP is common, non-serious condition I thought I would share today what I do to help treat my KP.

Avoid harsh body soaps

Since KP seems to be worsened by driness, it's important to be a little more selective when it comes to your body washes. Even though KP might sometimes look like acne, using harsh soaps that strip the skin of moisture only aggrevate the condition further. Instead, look for washes targeted at dry skin and moisturizing to keep in your shower. I love the L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil which begins as an oil but lathers up into a rich milk that cleanses the skin without leaving it feeling tight or dry. If you're looking for more of a budget option, Dove's body washes are great mild cleansers from the drugstore.

Exfoliate 

This one may seem obvious, but regularly exfoliating your skin can help slough off the rough, dry skin and extra keratin build up. While it's tempting to be super rough with your exfoliation, be gentle as it can make the skin extra sensitive. My favourite in-shower exfoliators are the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrubs as they get the job done without being too abrasive, and they're around $5 at the drugstore. I'll do this maybe once per week.

For the past few months, as often as I remember, I have also used a lotion that contains AHA (called Amlactin) on my legs. AHA is a chemical exfoliant which helps to resurface the skin. I will warn you, using this type of product has a pretty dramatic effect on the skin. After using for a few days in a row, after showering I noticed the skin on my legs was peeling/shedding. Not in a bad way, just like it was removing the the top layer. It has made a big difference in the smoothness of my skin, though I will say that it hasn't made it completely disappear. Make sure you're wearing SPF if the areas will be exposed to the sun as the "new" skin can be very sensitive to sun exposure. 

Hydrate

Like I've already mentioned, keeping your skin hydrated is a huge part of improving your skin's texture. As someone who normally hates the feeling of heavy body lotions, this was always a struggle for me until I discovered the Vaseline Spray & Go moisturizers. I use the Aloe variety as it is good for sensitive skin.  It absorbs quickly into the skin, but still leaves it feeling hydrated, so I am way more likely to use it consistently than most other body lotions. If I need something more heavy duty I do also love the St. Ives Renewing body lotion which smells amazing.

While I haven't tried it for myself yet, I've also heard that sleeping with a humidifier is a great way to keep the moisture in your skin in the winter. I have one going on my wish list this year!

Do you deal with KP? Do you have any other tips/products you swear by?

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Loving Lately | Recent Favourites

Well hello again friends! It feels like ages since I've been able to sit down and crack out a post, but my work life is starting to slow down slightly and I've been missing the blog community so much. What better way to come back than to show what has been in my regular rotation while I've been gone!

Mario Badescu Drying Cream | I'm not sure if it's the seasons changing or the extra stress that I've had going on since September, but my skin has definitely not been at it's best. For those large painful under the skin bumps, the MB Drying Cream is the only thing that seems to make any sort of difference. I'm so glad I picked up another one of these this summer!

Maybelline Master Conceal | Since there have been more spots needing covering and the air has become more dry lately my old faithful Coastal Scents concealers were becoming a bit too dry of a formula to cover up spots on the face without looking cakey or dry throughout the day. I love how thin in texture the Master Conceal is, while still doing an amazing job at covering. If you can find a shade that works for you I highly recommend you give it a shot!

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder | I went to a L'Oreal warehouse sale last month and stumbled back on my favourite old powder the Maybelline Dream Matte. Unfortunately I believe it's been discontinued in most stores, but if you can get your hands on it, it really is such a perfect powder for setting makeup without being heavy and keeping the majority of the shine away for the work day.

Benefit Coralista & NARS Orgasm | Since I've 100% lost all of my summer colour, I've been finding that brighter blushes have become much more necessary to bring back some life into my face. I love the soft look that Coralista gives with just a touch of Orgasm right on the apples for some extra colour.

NYX Brow Mascara | Since I've been coming home late and getting up early for work, my everyday routine has been pretty streamlined for the past month. This brow mascara is a life saver for shaping and giving enough colour to my brows for every day. Even though I obviously have blonde hair, I find the shade brunette looks much more natural!

Live Clean Apple Cider Shampoo | I've known for a while the fact that Apple Cider vinegar is apparently a great option to clarify and restore shine to flat, limp hair, but never wanted to try a straight vinegar rinse because I can't stand the smell. This shampoo is amazing is the best of both worlds -  it definitely removes build up and leaves my hair with it volume and bounce, but doesn't make it feel dry and stripped like most clarifying shampoos I've tried in the past.

What's been going on with you the past few weeks & have you been loving?

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