The annual Sephora Friends & Family Sale is here.  I was lucky to get a code from an awesome IGer.  Even if you missed out on the F&F sale, if history repeats itself, a VIB sale is going to happen soon (most likely early November).  The discount for the F&F sale was 20% (VIB sale was 20% off last year as well), so it's really the best time to stock up on some of your favourites, and also some holiday gift sets!

If you're wondering what to get, here's my haul + a few of my favourites I highly recommend!

Isabel Marant is known for her effortless Parisian, and this year, she has collaborated with H&M to offer the Isabel Marant for H&M collection that is much more accessible for the general public.  Emily and I got to attend the VIP pre-sale party at the Bloor Street store in Toronto.  We were 3rd/4th in line so we pretty much got everything we were looking for!

We were 3rd/4th in line and got quite a good view at the collection before the rush

I got the following pieces from the collection...


And here're some demos of how the clothes fit on my boyfriend and myself... Yes, we had a late night mini shoot... haha

Girls Sweater in size 10-12Y CA $69.95

One of my most frequent places is a CHANEL counter near where I used to live.  I still go to the area once every few weeks and I always stop by the counter.  It takes me a while to pull myself away from it, but this time, I couldn't; I was bad and I left with two things, which saddens my wallet.

RiRi Hearts MAC is definitely the most anticipated MAC collection in 2013.  Today (September 26, 2013) is the MAC store release date, and I had a whole biking adventure to my closest store just so I can get my wish list items.  But in fact, I have not been very interested in MAC limited edition items until this collection.  Sure, I always like MAC products, they are great quality but I am usually more drawn to the permanent items.  Having said that, this collection really features a lot of good quality products and I just couldn't say no to the pink and rose gold packaging.

"This is like the Hunger Games", one of the hundred shoppers at Target this morning remarked.

Image Courtesy of Target

Maybe it was not THAT crazy, but pretty darn close if there exists one in the shopping world.  I mean, 1 minute in, every bag is gone.  Did I mention I almost got hit with the metal rack because people were pushing?  I'm glad that I'm alive and writing this post!

The 3.1 Philip Lim for Target collection was named the most anticipated Target collaboration since Missoni, and it definitely lived up to his name.  Being the first major collection since Target's arrival in Canada (if you don't count the Kate Young one, which by the way, nobody lined up for that), it didn't disappoint.  I checked out a lot of the pieces, touching and feeling them.  The pieces are pretty well made and well worth their price tag.  So I'm not surprised everybody is so excited for it.

The line when I arrived... it doubled or tripled close to 8AM

As for me, I wanted the Mini Satchel with Gusset so bad, but I didn't line up early enough to get it.  I went to the East York store at 7:10AM, and there was already about 50 people in front of me.  Some people manage to grab more than one of all the bags.  Why?  To mass resell.  I can understand when people sell stuff because they bought it, thought about it and didn't want it after all.  But shame on those guys who went there just to resell.  All of us hopefuls lined up to try to snatch what we want but were left disappointed because of those greedy bastards, pardon my French.  Plus, people were literally fighting for the bags.  It was vicious!  Anyway, I could rant all day, but let me show you what I got.

All ready for Winter! L to R, T to B: Boom Sweater Dress, Navy Sparkle Sweater, Navy Sequin Dress

I manage to get one of my must-have, the Navy Sequin Dress, which is still available through the US online store.  My mom always says "if you find a dress you like, get it immediately because when you need a dress, you could never find one you like".  This happens to be true for me.  I knew I had to get the dress when I first lay eyes on it.  I also got the Boom Sweater Dress, which wasn't really on my list, but it looked cool in person.  I would probably remove the black fabric at the end though.  Lastly, another wishlist item, which is the Navy Sparkle Sweater.  It's perfect for Winter, I know I would get so much use out of it from work to out and about.

One of my blogger BFFs, Emily @ THISWASFOREVER was nice enough to help me get the Mini Satchel I wanted.  Unlike me, she has a very successful trip.  So make sure you check out her posts so that we can all live vicariously through her post hahaha.

Did you brace the cold and line up to shop for this collection?  Leave me a comment, tag me on Twitter or Instagram (both @eeenricaaa) to show me your haul!

Until next time,


x Rica

MAC All About Orange Haul

It has been a while since I last splurged at MAC, but all it took is one collection — MAC All About Orange.  I went to a MAC store when it was launched last thursday, and I was able to pick up a few things that I had my eyes on.

I am on a shopping kick lately.  Actually I think I would blame the good sales going on these days.  And a couple weeks back I went to the Ela Handbags sample sale to add some new bags to my wardrobe.


For those of you who don't know, Ela, co-founded by Ela Kowalewska and Martin Aldorsson, is a Swedish/Canadian handbags and accessories brand.  The T.O. duo wants to create a line of accessories that embody the basis of humble luxury.  All their handbags are crafted in Spain with high quality Italian materials.

When I first walked into the sale, I was already overwhelmed by the collection.  I did not expect there are so many choices available, and the prices are unbeatable.

So many choices... but they were gone so fast!

I had my eyes on their M.I.L.C.K. Clutch before I went into the sample sale.  If memory serves me correctly, there were over 20 different things for you to choose from.  So I went a little crazy, and here's a pic of some of the things I grabbed to decide:

In hindsight, so much red and pink lol

Attention all Sephora Beauty Insiders, Chic Week is happening right now!  This means all Beauty Insiders (BIs) and Very Important BIs (VIBs) will get 15% off their entire purchase from now till April 22, 2013.  I, of course, went on the first day and bought a few things that I have wanted to try!

TGIF!!! Over the Easter long weekend, I've done some shopping.  I know it's not sale season, but I managed to find some great deals here and there!

IMATS LA was not only a great experience (read about it here), but also a great place to shop for your beauty products and tools!  This year, I did not have a shopping list, or a budget.  I decided to wing it and just buy whatever that intrigues me.  Luckily, I did not bring enough cash, so I did not overspent lol.  And here are my goodies. =D



It actually wasn't that bad consider that I can fit them all into a small reusable bag that I got from Nigel Beauty Emporium =P.  Let me break it down for ya...

Base:

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in Warm Beige
I have always wanted to try foundations by Bobbi Brown. I was looking for the Natural Long Lasting Finish one, but they didn’t have it in my shade, so I got the Foundation Stick instead. But hey, 40% off Bobbi Brown doesn’t come by all that often... Okay, maybe twice a year at IMATS LA and IMATS NYC lol.

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil in ATF
Stacey and Jessica were raving about this concealer, which you can guess what happened next... Yep, I bought it too... They were also having 40% off, so yay!

Last weekend I went to the MAC/Estée Lauder Company Warehouse Sale.  I originally planned to just go on Saturday (thanks to Joyce), but I got some extra tickets for Friday and Sunday, thanks to Winnie, so I went for them and ended up going to all three days!  Funny how things worked out.

On Friday, I got to the sale at around 7pm with my friend.  We shopped around for a bit, didn't go too crazy, but here's what I got:

MAC pan eyeshadow ($4 ea.)

Top row, from L to R: Satin Taupe, Golden Rod, Prussian Bottom row, from L to R: Phloof, Naked Lunch, Yogurt

This was too good of a deal to pass up.  With the price of two eye shadows, I got 6 eye shadows.  And they're not bad shades either.  Satin Taupe and Prussian are some of the popular shades in the current MAC permanent range.  I have always wanted to try Phloof.  Naked Lunch and Yogurt are two favourites of mine, so it's nice to have a back up (almost hitting pan for Naked Lunch).  Golden Rod was a total impulse buy, I guess I'll see how to work it out lol.


Bumble and Bumble Bumble South Surf Spray ($12)

I was very close to get this surf spray last summer, but I didn't because the price is quite steep and I usually don't spend much on hair product.  So when I saw this at the sale, it was a no brainer for me.  I'm looking forward to use it this spring and summer!


Origins Clean Energy Gentle cleansing oil ($12)

This is one of the best cleansing oil I've tried.  I have been waiting for it to appear in the sale, and it has made its comeback this time lol.

I'm being very bad at my "shopping ban"... I was limiting myself only to one beauty and clothing purchase per month, but it didn't work out so well... It's all because of the newest MAC Collection - Shop MAC Cook MAC.  To be honest I have not hauled at MAC for about half a year.  I do go to the warehouse sale, but not really to the store, unless for essential stuff, like their Studio Finish Concealer and Blot Powder.  But this collection kind of wow-ed me in with their colourful display, as well as the lip and cheek products!  So I got these three things...

Shop MAC Cook MAC

Yesterday, I posted about my trip Buffalo last weekend with Joyce, Emily, and Michele.  I shared a little (fail) photo + travel log with you guys.  Now it’s time to show what beauty products I got for myself for my birthday (there are two extra things that I got before the trip that are included here =P).  I didn’t really get a lot of beauty products , but there’s two that are more on the hefty side of the price tag...

Haul galore

George Beauty Buffet Tray from Walmart