Ciao bella! OPI Fall/Winter 2015 Venice collection

OPI title

Ciao bellas!

About a month ago I received what may be the coolest press package I have ever received. I’m lucky in that I get to try out new OPI collections before they are released. I was especially excited for their fall collection because it was based around a country where I got to visit last year.

Although I didn’t get the chance to see Venice (I went to Florence and Rome), with my love of Italian cuisine, I’m sure I’ll be going back to Italy soon, and get to visit the canal city of Venice.

colours polishes

Anyways, about this collection. This 15-colour collection is a modern interpretation of Baroque style with romantic reds, decadent blues, striking corals, dreamy pastels, elegant nudes, dramatic darks, and luxurious metallics.  There’s certainly a shade for everyone in this collection.

In addition to every colour in the collection, I also received a baroque-style mask, swatches of the GelColors, and a cookbook inspired by the shades. In fact, a lot of the colours have Italian food in their names (I Cannoli Wear OPI, Be There in a Prosecco, Tiramisu For Two, Gelato on my Mind, It’s a Piazza Cake, Worth a Pretty Penne…), so not only do I get hungry reading the labels, but I always get a kick out of their shade names (whoever has this job is a genius).

swatched

Like I said, with so many colours to choose from, there’s definitely a shade for everyone.  My faves from the collection are My Gondola or Yours?, O Suzi Mio, Purple Palazzo Pants, and Be There In a Prosecco. Seven of the shades are also available in OPI GelColor: A Great Opera-Tunity, My Gondola or Yours?, It’s a Piazza Cake, O Suzi Mio, Worth a Pretty Penne, Purple Piazzo Pants, Tiramisu for Two, Gelato on my Mind, Amore at the Grand Canal, I Cannoli Wear OPI, Gimme a Lido Kiss, and Be There in a Prosecco.

Venice the Party?, Baroque… But Still Shopping!, and St. Mark’s the Spot are all limited edition.

O Suzi Mio Purple Palazzo Pants My Gondola or Yours It's a Piazza Cake A Great Operatunity I Cannoli Wear OPI Worth a Pretty Penne Gelato on my mind Amore at the Grande Canal Venice the Party Baroque but still shopping Gimme a Lido Kiss St. Marks the Spot Be there in a prosecco Tiramisu for two

OPI’s Venice collection was officially released on August 5, 2015, but you can still find it at OPI authorized retailers.

What’s your favourite shade from the collection?

Also, don’t forget to enter my Escents giveaway!

Please note, products sent by PR. All opinions are my own.

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Shooting hoops: Marriott teams up with the NBA for the 2015-2016 NBA Global Games

TITLE I get the chance to go to a lot of sports games throughout the year. Now, I’m not going to lie, it took me about two years to finally get what “first down” meant in football, no matter how many times people explained it to me.

It’s been a few years since then, and I’m happy to say that I understand more about sports. AKA I can now go to sports games and actually understand what is going on.

Here in Winnipeg, football and hockey (we’re kinda Jets crazy here) dominate the local sports market, but occasionally we’ll get some special events, like the NBA.  If you are a basketball fan, then good timing, since the NBA will be holding a game here at the MTS Centre with the Minnesota Timberwolves versus Chicago Bears. And, if you are a Marriott Rewards member, it can be a little more sweeter.

Marriott is teaming up with the NBA as the official hotel partner of the 2015-2016 NBA Global Games and will be rewarding its loyalty members with exclusive access to NBA games and events in Canada.  Marriott Rewards is a frequent traveler program that rewards exclusive membership privileges when members travel, as well as a choice of frequent flyer miles in preferred airline programs, or points towards free vacations. Delta Privilege joined Marriott Rewards earlier this year.

Anyways, what I’m getting at is, if you are a member of Marriott Rewards (and why wouldn’t you be? It’s free to join), you will enjoy private meet and greets with NBA legends and players (like at this Saturday’s game). Members can also look for the opportunity to enter in an upcoming elite #AroundTheWorld sweepstakes for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a trip and tickets to an upcoming NBA global event.

MAR101C_EVENT_BANNER_HASHTAG+NBAGG+MR
sitting down

Unfortunately, I’ll be out of town this weekend so I won’t be able to make the game, but I’m sending two friends who will be live-tweeting from my account (@shaynawiwierski) during the game, the meet & greet with NBA legend Robert Parrish, and the post-game reception.

Obviously being three girls who would have a penance for reality shows over sports, we were going totally gaga over what to wear to the game. Are we thinking more Khloe Kardashian or WAGS? Glam or jersey? Heels or Tims? And who do we cheer for? Wolves or Bulls?

I’ll be doing a post-game recap of the event next week.  An outfit I would totally rock to this event would be these heeled booties from Target, faux-leather leggings from Old Navy, a blue plaid shirt from Marshall’s and this faux-leather jacket from Zara.  And lots of imitation diamonds of course. And if I wanted to go all celebrity-inspired, then obviously aviators.

outfit

If you’ll be at the game this Saturday make sure you follow along on Twitter, we’ll be live-tweeting the event.  Also, if you aren’t a Marriott Rewards member yet, what are you waiting for?

Are you a Marriott Rewards member?

Also, don’t forget to enter my Escents giveaway!

Please note, this post is sponsored by Marriott Rewards.

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Technologically advanced: Make Up For Ever releases Ultra HD foundation

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Make Up For Ever is known for a lot of things.  One of them is definitely their foundation.

Their HD foundation has been around for a while, and although I’ve tried other foundations in their line, I’ve never owned that particular one.  Why? Because it broke me out.  I remember all the hype around it when it was first released years ago, so naturally I went to Sephora to get a sample.  And then I broke out the next day, so I decided it just wasn’t for me.

Well, this summer I got to revisit this popular foundation, this time in a new formula. Launched a few months back, Make Up For Ever launched their new Ultra HD Foundation, the first and only foundation designed for the demands of 4K technology.

Okay sorry, 4K what?

Well, the next generation of digital devices will display images with unbelievable detail, stunning clarity, and heightened colour than existing HD technology (think these Tvs). Although you won’t be able to notice it under the latest ultra-magnefied resolution, this revolutionary foundation features uniquely coated pigments that provide medium to buildable coverage with an even lighter-weight, second-skin effect. Totes cool!

Foundations foundation team stick

The foundation is supposed to appear natural and can be applied anywhere from sheer to medium coverage. Best of all, it’s available in two formulas, liquid and stick. The liquid version is available in 40 shades and provides medium coverage with a natural finish in a lightweight, oil-free formula.  If liquid ain’t your ‘thang, the stick formula offers a fuller coverage and is ideal for touchups and contouring; it’s offered in 15 shades.

Make Up For Ever was kind enough to send me three different shades of the liquid foundation and one of the stick.  Luckily, the shade I chose closest to my skin was Y225 (although Y235, which I also got suited my summer skin a bit better) and they also sent me that particular shade in the stick format as well (how did they know???). Although this product didn’t break me out, it’s not really a foundation I’ve been reaching for lately.  Let me explain…

At the moment Y225 is a touch light for my still-summer skin.  With that being said, I did find the stick version of it to match better, even though it’s technically the same colour.  I’ve always been a fan of full-coverage foundations, even though I have pretty nice, clear skin already. It’s just personal preference.  I find the liquid version of this to be quite sheer, although you can build it up a bit. I also find it doesn’t particularly last too long on my face.  My favourite foundations will last me all day, this one leaves me a bit patchy around the six- to eight-hour mark.

Swatched Stick swatch

With that being said, I am loving the stick formula.  It’s so easy and fast to apply, it’s handier, and it’s a fuller coverage. They both retail for C$50, and if you had to buy one, I would seriously recommend checking out the stick version of this foundation.

Overall, I have better foundations in my collection. I like the idea behind the formula and the whole 4K thing, but I’m not an actress or a model, so the need to see my face in 4K at the moment isn’t really a pressing concern. But maybe when the iPhone 7 launches I’ll change my tone….

Have you tried Make Up For Ever’s new Ultra HD foundation?

Also, don’t forget to enter my Escents giveaway!

Please note, this post contains product that were sent by PR. All opinions are my own.

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