Tea & Topaz

I can't believe it's that time again! To be honest, this list was especially difficult to compile this month. I spent April finishing up a very intensive 8 month + internship postgrad program. Between the exams, reports, projects, presentations, late nights and early mornings, I had very little time to myself to discover new products, so this list mostly includes old favourites that I found myself reaching for this month. 1. Cadbury Mini Eggs :  Mini Eggs are my favourite Easter candy and I don't even want to think of how many I consumed this month (stress eating!). At least I was balancing all that chocolate out with vegan bowls . 2. Live Clean Fresh Face Foaming Daily Cleanser : I picked up this cleanser in my never ending quest to find the best skin care products. I'm glad I did as I really love it. It doesn't contain any harsh ingredients, so it is extremely gentle on the skin. It is for all skin types, and is reasonably priced. $15.49 at S

1. Emma Watson Emma wore a top and skirt from Narciso Rodriguez's Spring 2014 collection for her appearance at the Tribeca Film Festival. She finished her look with Stuart Weitzman Nudist Sandals, my current favourite shoes.  (Source) 2. Mindy Kaling Mindy looked great at the Tribeca Film Festival in head-to-toe black. She paired a black top and blazer with Helmut Lang leather pants and Saint Laurent pumps.  (Source) 3. Michelle Williams  Michelle wore this edgy suede, leather and silk Louis Vuitton dress to the opening night of Cabaret on Broadway. She paired her dress with a black suede pump.  (Source)

I've been eating out way too much recently. In an effort to get back on track, I created the recipe that I want to share with you today. It is quick, easy, cheap, healthy, and most importantly, delicious! Vegan Bowl Serves 1 1 serving quinoa 1/2 cup red kidney beans 1 small carrot 1/2 green onion 3 sundried tomatoes 1/2 avocado hummus or dressing *If you want to deveganize this recipe, you can add a hard boiled egg for some extra protein **Spinach or arugula would also be a great addition Prepare quinoa according to directions. While quinoa is cooking, grate carrot, dice green onions and sundried tomato, and slice the avocado. Once quinoa is ready, add to bowl along with all other ingredients. Top with hummus or dressing if desired. Enjoy!

Today I wanted to share with you a blush that I picked up over the weekend from Shoppers Drug Mart. If you're not familiar with Essence , it is a super affordable makeup brand that has excellent pigmentation and lasting power. This blush is part of the Kalinka Beauty Collection. It comes in one shade only, East Side Story, which is a gorgeous and highly pigmented coral colour. According to Essence's website , this collection was only available during March 2014. However, the Shoppers location that I visited (which is a very busy location in a busy Toronto neighbourhood) had a full display case. Hopefully you can find this product! It is worth buying just for the adorable packaging! Essence Kalinka Beauty Blush in 01 East Side Story, $3.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada, and Ulta, Walgreens and Fred Meyer in the USA

1. Emma Stone Emma has been killing it during the Spider-Man 2 tour. She attended a photo call in Rome in a Dolce and Gabbana white lace blouse and skirt. I also loved her hair and makeup, which I can't wait to recreate.  (Source) 2. Kate Bosworth Kate attended a Jimmy Choo launch party in an embellished Dior dress. She finished off her look with a bright bold lip, and Jimmy Choo pumps and clutch.  (Source) 3. Kiernan Shipka Although it seems weird to put a 14 year old on this list, I must admit that I'm a big fan of Kiernan's style. She always looks stylish, yet age appropriate. She attended the same Jimmy Choo launch party in a Preen dress and Jimmy Choos. I can't wait to see what Kiernan will be wearing 10 years from now!  (Source)

Today I wanted to share with you my latest and greatest drugstore find. Kit Detoxifying Mask is nothing short of amazing. I picked up a few packages of this mask last week at Rexall (sorry international friends, but it seems that this product is only available in Canada! I will update this post if I find a suitable substitute for you) having never tried it before. I was quite excited to try a skin care product that contains algae extract as  algae is known to fight free radicals, inflammation and blemishes . I am so happy that I gave this product a try! When you apply the mask, you will feel a tingling sensation, which is due to the algae extract detoxifying the skin. After you remove it, you will notice that your skin looks brighter and instantly refreshed. This mask is extremely affordable at $1.99 per package! I am finding that one package provides enough product for two applications.  Kit Detoxifying Mask, $1.99 at Rexall chain drugstores

Here are the looks I was loving this week: 1. Kate Hudson How good did Kate look at the launch party for her collection of LBDs for Ann Taylor?  The best part? The dress is from her Ann Taylor collection .  (Source) 2. Lupita Nyong'o Lupita looked lovely in a fit & flare floral print dress and metallic pumps at the party to celebrate her Marie Claire  cover.  (Source) 3. Emma Stone Emma stepped out in London in an unexpected look: a Saint Laurent pantsuit. She paired it with a white blouse and Louboutins.  (Source)

One of my favourite things to do in my spare time is watch makeup reviews on YouTube. I love hearing about which products the Beauty Gurus are loving, and which products they buy at the drugstore or Sephora. Today I thought it would be fun to do the same! Foundation: I find that high-end foundations have better coverage and lasting power, however there are some great drugstore foundations on the market. If I'm wearing a high-end foundation, I tend to wear drugstore concealer and vice versa. For this category I say both.  My picks: Revlon Colourstay Whipped Creme Makeup and Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation Concealer: The same rule I have for foundation applies to concealer. I most often wear a high-end concealer with a drugstore foundation and vice versa. For this category, I say both. My picks: Covergirl Fresh Complexion Concealer and Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer Powder: I've tried a lot of high-end as well as

Here are my top three celebrity looks from the past week: 1. Jennifer Connelly  Jennifer stepped out in Paris wearing a custom Louis Vuitton dress. She belted it and added a clutch and heels to complete her look. (Source) 2. Cameron Diaz  Cameron attended the London premiere of The Other Woman wearing a black leather dress by The Row and nude pumps. (Source) 3. January Jones January rocked an avant-garde Roksanda Ilincic dress at the Mad Men season seven premiere party. (Source)

This month really dragged on for me, especially with the terrible weather we've been having. However my (very random) March favourites helped brighten my days! 1. Polyvore : I was kind of obsessed with  Polyvore in March, creating outfit sets every spare minute I had.  If you can't currently afford designer outfits, creating them on Polyvore is the next best thing! 2. Fresh Tulips: I love decorating with fresh flowers, and hardly a day went by in March that I didn't have tulips in my apartment. I love how they brighten up my home! 3. Starbucks Maple Macchiato : Starbucks recently introduced this drink to their lineup. Although I don't typically drink sweet coffee beverages, I had to try it. So worth the calories. $3.95 at Starbucks 4. Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Plummy Rose : This lipstick is amazing. It is silky smooth and has great colour payoff. The packaging is super cute too!  $19 at Sephora 5. Mad Men : I've been a huge