Wednesday Wish List

Hello everyone, here are a few things that are on my Wednesday Wish List this week! Got to start saving my money!

 

• This gorgeous 'Bandana Border' Short Robe from Nordstrom (We finally have a Nordstom in Ottawa!) I LOVE this pattern & I actually tried this robe on in stores, it's insanely soft & light, perfect for those warm summer mornings! ($87 CAN)

 

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/in-bloom-by-jonquil-bandana-border-short-robe/3953645?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=6025407&fashionColor=&resultback=8352

 
 

• The very expensive Mason Pearson 'Pocket" Brush for fine hair. I have very thin/fine, blonde hair and I feel like if I don't take good care of it I will be balding by the time I'm 40. I've heard great things about this brush, Miranda Kerr has one, must be good right?! ($127 CAN)

http://www.delineation.ca/product/mas_301_3805/

• Kayla Itsines - Foam Roller. I feel like if I'm going to take my new fitness routine seriously, I should invest in a good quality foam roller. Price wise this one seems reasonable and it seems to have decent reviews, it's also very cute looking. ($40 CAN + shipping)

 

http://www.kaylaitsines.com/collections/gear/products/foamroller
 

 

 

What's on your Wednesday Wish List?

xx

My Closet Essentials

Here are 7 items I believe are crucial to invest in:

 

 

1.      A black blazer is such an important piece; it can make a dress more casual or it can give a tee a more professional look. (I also have one hanging at my cubicle at all times)

2.      Dark wash jeans! A good pair of quality jeans can last years (if properly cared for) and they never go out of style; they go with practically anything and are very comfortable to wear on those casual Fridays at work.

3.      A white tee, such a basic item, but so important to have, great for those lazy weekend days.

4.      Little black dress, you never know when you’ll be invited to a fancy diner or be swept away for a romantic date night. A girl’s got to be prepared!

5.      Black heels, do I really need to explain this one?!

6.      Neutral flats, either go for an all over nude or go with a snake skin or leopard print to add a bit of fun to this neutral must have.

7.      Neutral or black purses, if your budget is tight, invest in one neutral bag that will go with any outfit!

 

 

Let me know what your essentials are!

 

xx

My Closet Essentials by josee-darquise featuring wall art

My Favorite Ways To Get Hydrated

Staying hydrated doesn't have to be a chore, I've always thought water was the most boring drink in the world, but I have really forced myself to make the efforts necessary to make drinking water more fun. Buy a fun water bottle if it helps, whatever motivates you to stay hydrated!

Consider this: Men's bodies are made of about 60% and women are made up of about 55% water. (source) Water is crucial for our body's to work properly, we cannot function properly without it. Always having water available to you is key, keep water on your desk at work, next to you when you play video games, in your school bag and especially when you workout.

Here are different ways I drink my H2O:


Water infused with Fruit

Water doesn't have to be boring, poor yourself a glass of water and try adding different kinds of fruit and veggies. I love adding lemon to my water in the morning, it kick starts your metabolism and adds an awesome flavor that I love (I'm kind of obsessed with lemons). Adding cucumber slices is another way to add a hint of flavor to your water & it always makes me feel like I’m at a spa, I usually do this when I’m taking a nice relaxing bath before bed. If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, try adding blueberries or slices of strawberries to your glass of water! Mix it up, find your favorite fruit infused water, have fun with it!


 

http://www.infusedwaters.com/

Sparkling Water

Using my SodaStream I can carbonate my water in about 3 seconds, it adds a little something different to my daily water intake & you can add fruit to the carbonated water to add more flavor. SodaStram machines go for about $130 CAN and can save you allot of money, instead of buying sparkling water at the store, why not make it yourself! (It also helps the environment!)



 

http://www.sodastream.ca/shop/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=217

Tea

Another great way to add some flavor to your water is by infusing it with tea leaves; you can get all sorts of different flavors and benefits! I recommend going to a specialty tea store and getting a tea infuser. Check our Teavana for fun and fancy ways to make tea. Add some coconut oil for extra flavor and additional nutritional value.

 

http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/tea-makers-infusers/p/teavana-perfectea-maker
 

*Remember - If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated!xx

Being Healthy & Working Out!

I am not someone who loves working out, I actually avoid it allot, mostly because I have good genes (thanks mom & dad!) that allow me to stay slim, so working out & eating healthy never seemed like something I had to do. Exercise & great nutrition are SO important & I’m terrible at incorporating both in my life! Coca-Cola & chocolate are my worst enemies (& my tastiest best friends). Being naturally thin& "looking healthy" is great & all... no, actually it’s not, you are tricked into thinking you are healthy & you don't need to change your awful workout & eating habits. That's why I want to start working out & eating healthy to see what my body can do & look like if I give this my all & to prove that I can do it.


I recently hired my cousin (who is a personal trainer) to kick my ass back into shape. Yes, personal trainers are very expensive, but they are also a great investment. It's a great way to get motivated to work out (I am not about to waste all of that hard earned money for nothing) & it's also a great way to learn how to properly complete all the exercises, this will avoid any injuries & will ensure optimal results. What I love about my personal training sessions is that they are only 45 minutes, they are very intense & having a personal trainer following you is a HUGE motivational tool (you don't want to disappoint them!!). Hiring a personal trainer doesn't have to be permanent either, do what your budget allows you to do & take in everything the trainer is teaching you, you can incorporate it for your at home workouts later when your budget doesn't allow this kind of luxury. I walk to work every day, 30 min each way & I am doing one personal training (PT) session a week (what I can afford at the moment) & this gives me access to all of their classes, which are the most intense I have ever done!

Wish me luck, I will be showing you my favorite at home workouts soon & also sharing some of my favorite healthy treats (once I find some that I like!)

 

Please check out my YouTube video to see the workout gear I recently bought from Forever21 & Victoria's Secret:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh3RcKOdPWs

xx

My Favourite Bath Bombs - Lush

I am a HUGE fan of Lush cosmetics & have been for years now! I have eczema on certain parts of my body and it's very important that I take care of my skin and watch what I put in my bath water. (I take a bath every night!) Lush's range of products have never irritated my skin & the fact that allot of the bath bombs contain natural & vegan ingredients is definitely a reason to give them a try!

Here is a list of my all time favorite bath bombs from Lush:

 

Butterball

 

 

This amazing bath bomb is only $4.95 CAD; it is one of the smaller bath bombs in their range. Butterball will turn your water silky and make you smell like heaven. If you don't like your bath tub to change color or have floating pieces in it, opt for this simple yet luxurious bath bomb instead.

 

Big Blue

 

 

This bath bomb makes you feel like you are swimming in the ocean, your bath water will turn dark blue with many pieces of seaweed floating all around you.

 

TIP: If you would rather not have to pick up all the seaweed at the end of your bath wrap the bomb in nylon and drop it in the bath for easy clean up. This bath bomb is pricier at $6.40 CAN but it's well worth the extra bucks.

 

Sakura

 

This pretty bath bomb is floral and has one of the best scents in the Lush bath bomb range. My dream is to go to Japan, now I've never been and I can only hope that Sakura blossoms truly smell this divine, but placing this bomb in my tub lets me daydream of Japan and its gorgeous Sakura trees. This bath bomb comes in at $6.45 CAN, well worth it if you ask me!

 

 

Tisty Tosty

 

This heart-shaped, rose scented beauty is perfect for your romantic night in with your partner. My boyfriend and I always use this bath bomb when we take a bath together, it smells nice, feels great on our skin and its allot of fun throwing the flower buds at each other once the glasses of wine have been emptied. This lustful bath bomb comes in at $6.35 CAD.

 

Visit the Lush website for more bath bombs!

 

http://www.lush.ca/Bath-Bombs/bath-bombs,en_CA,sc.html

 

xx 

 

Fresh for Spring

Here is a glimpse of what I will be incorporating into my wardrobe this Spring. Pink & coral hues in my makeup bag & pops of gorgeous color in my wardrobe. Its all about looking fresh and reinvigorated. 
 

Fresh Spring Look by josee-darquise featuring swarovski crystal jewelry

New YouTube Video - Get To Know Me | 35 Questions

Hello,

Please check out my new YouTube video:

Get To Know Me | 35 Questions

 

Just a few questions I answered in hopes to get people to know me a bit better. I need to fix my camera/lighting, my hair looks dull for some reason. I hope you enjoy! Please subscribe & let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Josée 

xx

My YouTube Channel

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to write a short post about my YouTube channel. I created it a few years back but have only just started uploading videos on it. I will be making stop motion videos, makeup tutorials, hauls and eventually vlogs (Once I am less awkward in front of the camera).

I started my YouTube channel as a creative outlet, I am a very artistic person but I have a full-time corporate job, so that artistic side of me was not being stimulated at all. Because of this I decided to get a college certificate in Makeup Artistry last year and to work as a freelance MUA, I am enjoying it quite allot so far.  I do realize that there are tons of You Tube channels like mine out there, all of them with allot more subs, but I think I can contribute something special and unique to YouTube and to my viewers. Besides you can't have enough beauty videos popping up in your subscription feed right!?

Just for fun here are my favorite YouTube channels:

• Chloe Morello
• Tanya Burr
• Michelle Phan
• Banger Beauty
• Gigi Gorgeous

If you have time I would appreciate you taking a look at my channel and subscribing to it if it is to your liking. Remember, its new and I will get better at this! 

My YouTube Channel

 

Thank you for your support!

2015 Coachella Essentials

A gorgeous set I created on Polyvore, perfect for Coachella! All about looking natural and free.
 

2015 Coachella Essentials by josee-darquise

Forever New white top (24 CAD - forevernew.com.au) | MANGO cape coat (93 CAD - mango.com)

Miss Selfridge blue shorts (85 CAD - missselfridge.com) | Pelle Moda high heel shoes (125 CAD - lastcall.com)

Calvin Klein crossbody handbag (98 CAD - macys.com) | Jeweliq mid finger ring (28 CAD - jeweliq.co)

Ray-Ban ray ban glasses (215 CAD - mytheresa.com) | Charlotte Russe rose headband (9.99 CAD - charlotterusse.com)