Summer Wants

So after Monday I will have finished my last exam and will be able to finally enjoy summer , the best time of the year ! I plan to spend this summer at the beach EVERY day and maybe plan some travelling to California, how do you guys plan on spending it ? Anyways I have put together a short list of some items that I have been eyeing for summertime. 

These shoes are so casual and perfect for everyday wear. I really love pastels, and the light colour of this shoe could go with multiple outfits.

A cardigan is perfect for summer nights when it is a bit chilly, but not cold enough to wear a full jacket. Plus Brandy cardigans are the comfiest one's that I have yet to find ! 

I have never seen a bralette like this one and I am dying to have it ! Bralette's, or bandeau's, are perfect  especially in the summer where loose shirts are a must. 

This ring is so playful and cute it could add some style to any outfit for a minimal cost, Forever 21 always amazes me with the low prices for such cute jewelry. 

Now I don't know where to get one of these, but this would be the ultimate summer piece ! It just reminds me of sunny days relaxing in the park.

Another item from Brandy, and I fell in love with the cutout on the back ! Just watch out for any awkward tan lines haha. 

I do not know how to use a penny board , but it looks like a ton of fun and easy transportation during the sunny weather.  Plus, how pretty is this pastel colour ?

ITEMS MENTIONED:

Vans : Canvas Authentic in Placid Blue/True White , Vans

Cardigan : Brandy Melville Moselle Sweater 

Bralette: See You Monday Blue Celestial Bralette , found at Zumiez

Ring: Rhinestoned Cheetah Ring by Forever 21

Dress: Brandy Melville Bethan Dress

Penny Board : Pastel Penny 22" Mint by pennyskateboards.com

5 Things That Make Me Happy

So this blog post is about five different things that make me happy. The reason why I wanted to make this video was because for the past week I have been really sick and stuck in bed all day with a cough. Since I couldn't do anything I was becoming bored and a tad upset ! So I decided to make a list of a few things that make me smile ! 

These are in no particular order so I'll start off with travelling. I love travelling. Whether it's a week long vacation or even just a road trip I think that going somewhere new and seeing different cultures is really important. When I get away it relieves so much stress and also helps me to put my problems into perspective. 

Second thing that makes me happy are my pets ! I have a bunny, a cat and two dogs. When you come home and see you pets all excited to see you , that just warms my heart. They are also good companions to have when an unexpected scary movie trailer comes on when you are home alone.. 

The third thing that makes me happy is tumblr. I love tumblr.  A lot. When I first starting using tumblr I was thinking " What's the big deal about this?" But then when you start following blogs and reblogging photos, you are hooked. I love seeing all the pretty photos and it makes my day when I stumble across a really sarcastic post. Here's my tumblr if any of you are interested... :) sundaymorningelegance.tumblr.com 

The fourth thing that makes me happy are my friends and family. I have a few close friends that I trust my life with, one of them I've known for 11 years ! I feel like this helps with our friendship because we both know what each other have been through. I'm also really lucky to have a close relationship with my sister and my dad, as this is usually uncommon for teenagers. 

The last thing on my list that makes me happy is simplicity !! I do  not like when things get complicated or cluttered and it actually stresses me out. So keep things simple - at home and with your relationships!

I hope that these five things also make you guys as happy as they make me. I made a video of this post on my youtube channel if you guys want to check it out, I'll leave the link down below. Unfortunately exams are coming up soon so there most likely won't be a post or video until they are done, but you can always check me out on twitter or instagram ! 

youtube.com/alyshagillan

Ombré !

I ombré - ed my hair ! woot ! I absolutely love it. I feel that it is PERFECT for summertime to add a bit of lightness without the commitment of being all over blond. Because the bottom half of my hair is dyed, it needs to be taken care of differently then I would take care of my natural hair, so here is a video I made to talk about what products I use. I apologize in advance for the poor quality, I filmed this off my phone as I have lost my camera :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyGSxq-CN04

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

KMS California Colour Vitality Shampoo
KMS California Moist Repair Conditioner

Got2b Oil-licious golden shimmer Conditioner
Proclaim Professional Care Argan Oil Intense Hydrating Masque
Got2b rockin' it encore fresh Dry Shampoo
Got2b guardian angel gloss finish Flat Iron


Here are a few pictures of my hair :)

Girly Reads

Now for anyone that knows me, they would know that I am SUCH a girly- girl. I love anything girly, pink and yes, glittery. hehe. I have trouble finding books that are made for a girly girl ! As I find that they are either too cheesy, or just have been looking in the wrong section. I have four books I wanted to share with you guys because if you love style, princesses, cupcakes and perfume, they are for you!

The first one is Lauren Conrad's Style book. I love this book because not only does it cover fashion and beauty, but it teaches you what will be useful in your closet and includes some beauty tutorials. The part that I really liked about it was the Key Pieces section, as well the travel section. I am a huge pack rat and hate to leave things behind when I'm going on a vacation, so the "Strategic Packing" page was super helpful so I don't need to bring two suitcases for a weekend get-away. And also, who doesn't want to take any advice from Lauren Conrad? 

Ok so the next book I got when I was a bit younger, maybe 14 or so, but I think that it is one the funnest books! It's Meg Cabot's Perfect Princess book. It's from the Princess Diaries saga and I have read this front to back countless times. It's really fun because they talk about anyone from "Perfect Princesses" such as Anastasia, to "Should-Be Princesses" like the Powerpuff girls. Anyone who had ever wanted, (or perhaps still wants) to be a princess should pick this up for helpful tips to become an everyday princess. 

(Ariel has and always will be my favourite Princess! Who is yours?)

The third book is delicious. Looking at the pages could easily induce drool. It's called "Bake Me I'm Yours... Cupcake Love" by Zoe Clark. If you love baking you need this book. It shows amazing cupcake designs as well as the original recipe in the back. I actually haven't tried to make any of the decorations yet, but I have baked the "Chocolate Temptation" recipe. It was to die for. 

 

The last one is a very elegantly presented book. It is written by Jo Glanville-Blackburn , " A Passion For Perfume." It is such a pretty book containing pictures of perfume bottles, flowers from which the scents are based upon and classy displays. It talks about the different kinds of perfumes, such as oriental classics, floral, oriental and a few more. Something that I found helpful about this was that you could read this book to get a feel of what scents intrigue you, so the next time you go to the shop your trip could be much easier. 

I really suggest that you check out these books for a light, fun read. I want to know if YOU have read any of these and what your thoughts were, and also I am more than happy to receive and suggestions on YOUR favourite girly books. 

Xo.

Happiness

Happiness is simple, right ? For some, that may not be the case. We get so upset when someone says something mean to us, but is that really why we're upset? Now I'm not saying that it's normal to be happy if someone says something mean, as no one likes to hear those things. What I am saying is the reason that some things affect us so deeply is because we truly think them about ourselves. Just think about. Perhaps you have put on a few extra pounds than you would have liked. You already are upset about the fact that you are gaining weight and the last thing you needed was that rude comment from someone. This only saddens you even more. Or let's say that one day you wake up with terrible blemishes all over and someone comments on it. The reason that we get so offended by this, is because someone is simply taking the words out of our head, and using them against us. 

Now with that being said, we cannot change those around us. We can only try to change ourselves and the way we react to things. This can be a long, and difficult process, but with time happiness can yours.

What we need is to come to peace with ourselves. For some of you reading this, you might be thinking that this is impossible. Everyday girls and boys, including myself, point out something negative about ourselves. "Oh my knees are too knobby", and "my hair is too frizzy". Why is it that we always jump to the physical aspects in a negative approach? Learning to compliment yourself on your inner traits, such as kindness, courage, etc, are so much more important.  I bet you know those girls who are so beautiful, girls are always jealous and all the guys fancy them. But once you take a look on the inside, you can see that they are broken. Even though I blog about beauty, it isn't everything. When you are able to compliment who you ARE and not your appearance, so much beauty will shine through. 

I believe that we can only become at peace with ourselves if we are willing too. If you hold negative energy in from something someone will say, you always remain upset. So next time someone does or says something mean, forgive them. Do not forgive them because they deserve it, but forgive them so you can be at peace. So you can move on. With this being said, do not let others take advantage of you so always stand up for yourself. Even confronting the person who said a rude comment, is a way of forgiveness. It gives you that sense of closure, and then you can be happy within.

I am still on my way to become at peace within, but I can already feel the difference. I have started doing yoga which I try to do at least 3 times a week, and it can easily be done at home. Be in a room, or outside, with no TV or computer on to distract you, put the cellphone away, close your eyes and relax.

Of course you are going to get bad days, it's a part of life. But in general you should be happy. There are so many beautiful places and moments and opportunities in life to let ourselves get in the way of it. 

Calgon Luminous Bath Pearls

The other day I picked up some items for the bath, as you may know how much I love baths. I found these Luminous Bath Pearls by Calgon which I had never seen before so I decided to pick them up sheerly for the prettiness of them. Now I believe that the ideal purpose of this product is for the appearance of younger looking skin, but there is never any harm in having moisturized skin. The pearls contain three main ingredients , pearl powder, collagen and vitamin E. This is called "Vita-Pearl Technology."  As well as these benefits the pearls have such a delicate smell to them, and this lingers after the bath. Pour a handful into running water and the pearls will disintegrate and leave you with a fresh smell and soft glow. I picked these up at Shoppers Drug Mart, so I believe that they shouldn't be too hard to find! 

April Favourites - Beauty Edition

I cannot believe that it is already May ! Where has the time gone ? In less than two months I will be done school, and will be able to focus more on the things I love, such as this blog ! April was a very tough month for me as I had many exams and tests all planned within the same month, isn't it great when this happens? NO. But I did have help from these next five beauty items. So in case you have a lot of school, exams or stressful events coming up in the future, you might want to use one of these beauty products. They got me through it !

The first one is Purity Made Simple by Philosophy. I had been using this cleanser before this month, but I just want to emphasize how great is is. There is a slight scent too it, but nothing over powerful. It leaves your skin so smooth that afterwards you want to just touch your face.. but don't as this could cause more blemishes hehe. It has been a huge help in keeping my complexion clear and smooth.

The second beauty item is also a facial product, and is called Facial Clay Mask by Freeman. I picked up the Avocado & Oatmeal version and I absolutely love it. When rinsing the mask off I could feel it cleansing my pores and my face felt so fresh afterwards. Another bonus to this item is that it is very inexpensive, so it's perfect for any of you who already spend to much money on beauty items. (Guilty.)

Now moving onto makeup. This foundation I have had for quite some time and always re-purchase it. It is the Revlon ColorStay foundation for Combination/Oily skin. Having such fair skin can be a challenge when shopping for foundations as they tend to appear very orange, even in the lightest shade. But this one does not show up orange ! I got it in the lightest shade, 110 Ivory. The coverage of this is very full but feels quite light when applying.

The fourth item is an item that I picked up not too long ago, but you would not be able to tell by looking at it. It is the L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Serum in Freshly Rose, or S106. This colour is a medium shade of pink, so it makes it for a very natural wear which I though would be perfect for the summertime. It also is very moisturizing so it doesn't chalk up on my lips.

Last but not least is an eyeliner trio by Physicians Formula. The full name is Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio in Nude Eyes. These eyeliners apply very smoothly and have a pigmented finish. I also like how you can play it up with more black, or tone it down with the neutrals.

So there it is , my first Monthly Favourites post! I hope you enjoyed it and if you think that I should continue to make monthly favourites please leave a comment down below.

Xo.

Clear Your Mind

Lately I have been so stressed. With tons of exams and presentations my anxiety has been off the charts. Surely I cannot be the only one. When I feel stressed I feel like I will never be able to catch up with what it is that I'm doing and also that I won't be as prepared as I need to be. Whew ! As if stress wasn't bad enough to deal with, it can also take quite a toll on the body ! Being stressed can weaken the immune system, leaving you feeling ill. When I'm ill I often miss school, but this only makes me more stressed. What a vicious cycle ! Throughout high school I have found different methods to de-stress, making life a bit easier :) 

One thing to do when you're stressed is take a bubble bath. Get out your favourite bubbles, a few candles and soak. Imagine that all the stress is being washed off your body, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the task.

 ( Sex Bomb Bath Bomb from Lush, smells so heavenly )

If you find that the bath method didn't work , as all you could think about is how much you have to do or whatever it was that was stressing you, try going for a walk or for a run. I know that we're told not to run away from our obstacles, but I find myself literally doing that. When I get stressed I run so fast and just imagine myself running away from all the stress. This method really does help me and at the end of my run I feel like I have left all my stress behind me. 

( Gorgeous view of a nearby park )

However, if you feel a bit lazy or would just prefer not to go for a run, try listening to music. Go into the most relaxing room in your house (preferably your bedroom), dim the lights, lie down and listen to some music. I find that Skinny Love by Birdy , Boyce Avenue or anything that has a piano in the background is very calming. 

Life can be very stressful , and stress is inevitable. A bit of stress every now and then is quite normal, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. I hope that some of these methods will help you to relax so you can continue on happily with the day. 

 Xo

OOTD - Disco Leggings !

Happy Friday everyone ! Thought I'd share my outfit of the day with you !

T - Shirt - Forever 21
Necklace - Forever 21
Leggings - garage
Boots - Payless

Sweet Spun Sugar

So today while I was at target I wound up in the candle isle, who would've guessed. But I came across this cute little candle that smells as good as it looks ! It is the Sweet Spun Sugar scented soy candle by scent portfolio. It smells EXACTLY like cotton candy! The thing I like about this candle that I normally don't find in sweet scents , is that it isn't overpowering. It leaves a light, but noticeable aroma of sugar in the room. How sweet !

Mini Forever 21 Haul !

So I did a bit of online shopping at Forever 21 and I thought that I would share with you ! The shipping was un-believably fast. I placed the order on Thursday the 18th and it arrived Today ! ( Monday the 22nd.) So that was a super nice thing to come home to. Anyways, the shirts are all very loose and light which I think will be perfect when it starts heating up. Since these are baggier I feel that they will also be very versatile. I could pair them with high waisted bottoms, tuck them in, or simply let them hang loose. The shirt on the left is a light pink with black polka dots. The shirt in the middle is a bit thicker in material, but is so soft. This one has black sleeves and black around the neck, with contrasts well with the grey. The shirt on the left is very fun, and has navy sea shells all over. I also ordered a pair of Hello Kitty sock slippers... Yeah.. 

( Look how cute these are ! Who could possibly resist them? )

MINTILICIOUS

I don't know about you guys, but I hate the look of my nails without any polish. But I also get really impatient and don't really like waiting for my nails to dry. Dilemma ! Lately I have been loving light blue ish green colours on my fingernails because I think that they just look very lovely. 

The first nail polish is the Rimmel London 60 Seconds nail polish in Mintilicious. The colour of this one is really pretty and fun. This polish dries so quickly that by the time I am done painting both hands, the polish is dry and ready for another coat to be applied. 

The second nail polish isn't a mint color but I absolutely adore it. It is the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Blue-Away. Now normally I wouldn't wear blue nail polish , I don't really like dark colours on my fingernails, but this shade of blue is so light that I had to try it out. Turns out I love it ! This is one now of my favourite shades to wear , so do venture out and try different colours you normally might not. You could end up finding your go-to shade ! 

The last nail polish is the Revlon nail polish in number 85, Minted. Now this one isn't a fast dry polish but I do find that it dries a bit quicker than most nail polishes, so that was a bonus. I really like this colour because it looks very chic and is very mint in pigment. 

Bath & Body Works Candles

Hello ! In everyone's room they seem to have that one item of decor always present. My one friend likes to put posters all over her walls, while another friend likes to put her latest heel purchase on display. Mine ? Candles. I. Love. Candles. Every time I go into Bath & Body Works, or even walk by a store relatively similar, I cannot help but go in. Every thing in the store smells so delicious. The last time I went in I picked up three different candles. They all have three wicks to them, but the smells vary so I have a candle for every mood I am in. 

The first candle is by Slatkin & Co. and is called Raspberry Sun Tea. I was drawn to this one because it smells exactly like it's name and reminded me of when I was younger and my sister and I would have lemonade stands in the sunshine. This scent really brightens your mood and is perfect to light in in the morning because it has an energizing aroma to it.

  The second candle is the candle that is almost all used up. This one is called Oceanside from the Bath & Body Works collection. Now I bought this one near the end of summer right before school, so I believe that I may have been experiencing summertime withdrawal... This smell is very fresh and light, this being the reason why it is the most used. 

The last, but most certainly not least ! , is the Lavender Vanilla candle from the White Barn collection. The scent is so calming and relaxing so it would be perfect while reading before bed. Lavender is used for relaxation and my doctor had recommended using lavender essential oil before bed to help me sleep, and I am here to tell you it does help ! So any of you with sleeping problems should pick up some lavender and you will not be disappointed with the results. 

xo

Kendall Jenner & Eleanor Calder

Ever since I was little, I have always had a fashion icon that I would constantly try to base looks off of. Of course they have changed, since mine used to be Ariel from The Little Mermaid - I was 6 ok? But for the past few years my top fashion influences have been the same. Eleanor Calder and Kendall Jenner. These girls always look very put together and classy even just wearing a simple outfit , which I admire. If one , or both , of these fashionistas published a book about style I would definitely be the first in line!

Spring !

Hello ! So Spring is arriving ! Technically it has already started, but it is difficult to tell in this cold and rainy Vancouver weather. I love spring time because all the flowers start to bloom and everything is very pretty. I also love spring because that means cute dresses ! I am a huge fan of spring/summer dresses but only have the warm seasons to wear them, unless paired with tights or something cozy to keep warm. I have many dresses that I love but I narrowed it down to my top three spring dresses so here they are! 

http://www.zumiez.com/love-fire-yellow-floral-eyehook-bodice-dress.html

The first out of the three is very summery with the bright colours. It looks very boxy in the photo but when on it is fitted at the top, then flows down nicely at the bottom. I got it last spring from Zumiez so I could not find the exact link, but I did find one that is quite similar which I believe may be the 'updated' version of this dress. 

http://canada.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=F21&Category=dress_maxi&ProductID=2000044933&VariantID=

This next one is clearly very simple, which is the exact reason I made the purchase ! I love that it is very versatile and could be paired with different accessories for an infinite amount of looks. The fabric is very soft as well, which makes it comfortable for day time wear. I also chose this high-low Maxi dress because it could be worn more so then short dresses.

http://www.garage.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=18726066&colorId=1218321

The last one out of my favourites is my newest addition. I went into the store and fell in love with it ! I picked it up from Garage, and they had so many other patterns in the same style. The dress is a peplum style which I currently adore as I find it very flattering on all body types. Also the navy with white stripes just feels very cute and trendy at the same time, perfect for being in the sunshine !  

My Closet Essentials

I am obsessed with fashion and trends. I am constantly looking at weheartit at all the cute outfits, which can give me an idea for an outfit to try. I love putting together new outfits just as much as I love buying new ones (hehe). But there are a few items that I find myself wearing weekly. They are my closet essentials! Now they may not be everyones essentials, but I think that the essentials will vary from person to person, as everyone has a different type of style. Here are my essentials.



The first item that I currently adore in my closet is my jacket from H&M. I really love this jacket as I find it very versatile. It's a loose fit that is longer than most jackets, which I like as I don't like wearing tight clothing on the top half. It also makes it very comfortable to wear on long flights or car drives.
It is perfect for fall as it is lighter than a winter jacket, but could still be worn in spring. The colour is a military green with greyish brown camouflage heart shape on it. I don't have a huge difficulty finding other clothes to match with this item either, so wearing it to or from your destination is ideal.

http://www.hm.com/us/product/07205?article=07205-B

The next item is something that I think everyone should own a few pairs of, winter or spring. Leggings. Personally I like the look of leggings on myself better than jeans, and I also find leggings more comfortable than most jeans so why not? I have leggings in a few colours, black, grey, snakeskin and a few others. Most of my leggings are from Garage, as I like how the fabric and that they always have a huge selection of leggings. Having a pair of black leggings would be beneficial to mostly any of you because there are a whole variety of shirts and blouses you could wear them with.

http://www.garage.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=4233106&colorId=1117052

The third item in my essentials is my purse.I don't buy a new purse that often as I always fall in love with  my current one. I had been looking online at the topshop website and had my eye on a purse for a while. So I decided that enough was enough and I should just make the purchase. It is the Studded Lady Holdall purse. I really like how there are two little straps to hold or an across the body strap for whatever you prefer.The colour being beige is again very versatile and the size is medium which permits for any daytime or night-time use. Doesn't this bag sound perfect ?!

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=8990382&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208548&parent_categoryId=204484&pageSize=2000

The last item of my essentials are my combat boots. They are a nice brown colour with laces on the front and on the inside it is very cozy. These boots have lasted me long enough that I forget where I purchased them, but the brand is called Brash. These also match with most  of the items in my closet, which I find very useful. I couldn't find the link to this item but I purchased them at Payless.

So there you have it ! Those are my closet essentials. I think that it is very important to have key pieces that you can mix and match outfits with.  This way it will save you a bit of money, or will allow you to purchase more accessories to really change the outfit up to your delight. :)





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