Review: Simone France - My Skin Says "Thanks!"

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

A big thank you to Simone France skin care products and routines!  My skin is soft, glowing and healthier looking after three weeks of daily applications.  I received a carefully and fully packed box of soap, six ounces bottles of Refreshing Toner and Rich Milk, disposable cleansing cloths, and two fluid ounce jars of Lovely Glow and Refining Scrub.  This is a lovely collection of white containers with soft grey and white labels.  Definitely not over packaged or hard to store conveniently.  Love the clean and efficient appearance as well as the perfume free products.  I have been using the "Normal to Slightly Dry Skin Sandwich" so every morning I apply the moisturizer, Lovely Glow, and then the Refining Scrub and give my skin a gentle massage.  After washing my hands first, I lather up my bar of soap and add that to my face.  Everything gets removed, then with a warm, wet Disposable Cleansing Cloth.  Repeat until skin is clean.  Rinse with 15 splashes of  warm and then 15 of cold water and pat dry.  I really feel that the cloths and washed hands ensure cleanliness.  The moisturizer, scrub and soap mix are also keys to a fresh start each morning.  The massage and careful observation of skin cleansing and prep help skin breathe and also be a great make-up base.  Every night, my skin gets a second massage with rich milk, which is then removed with a cleansing cloth.  Even the eye make up comes off easily and immediately.  The toner is then applied on a wet cleansing cloth.  Because I know I need a night moisturizer, I use the Lovely Glow again.  It is strongly recommended that once a week, you use Instant Radiance exfoliating mask too.  Each product has its own distinct feel, and its purpose is evident.  Nothing is harsh or greasy or too astringent.  From the first day, I noticed a difference.  Simone France: "It's all about the way you clean your skin."  It's all about attractive and effective skin care products.  You can find out much more at information@simonefrance.com and visit the website at www.simonefrance.com . I and my skin thank you!

Weekend Cottage Adventure - Thunder Beach - Georgian Bay

No matter where I travel I always seem to find myself traveling visiting the beach.  Doesn't matter if it is  lake, ocean or river, it has a calming effect on me.  Perhaps it is because I grew up sailing my summers away with my family.  No matter where I am in the world, if I find a beach or water, I feel like I am home.  I have visited beaches in California, Hawaii, Toronto, Vancouver, Japan and France and they are all unique and special in their own way.  

Thunder Beach on the Georgian Bay is one of the most secluded and serene beaches I have ever visited.  The water is crystal clear and the sand is smooth and free of rocks.  There were quite a few people out and about on Saturday, and all were friendly and as happy as me to be enjoying such a spectacular day in June!  

Sunday was cloudy, but it was still lovely sitting inside and enjoying freshly brewed coffee in the sunroom overlooking the water.  I hope one day to have a boat or cottage to get away to.  A place where I can escape from the every day monotony, clear my head and start the week afresh.   These times away are when I discover what is truly most important and where to focus my energy.  City life seems to race at a sometimes sickeningly fast pace and I find it crucial to take time to step back, and cheesy as it sounds, take time to smell the roses!  Don't ever forget to slow down and enjoy small successes and moments with friends and families.  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!  I am off to Chicago and New York this week!  Will have a ton of great posts and adventures to share with you very very soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Dress for Success: Bay Street Suit Challenge!

Dress for Success is an international non-for-profit organization that has been helping disadvantaged women by providing professional attire and career development tools since 1997.  For the last five weeks I have been working with a team of women at my office to collect donations for the Dress for Success Bay Street Suit Challenge!  

We raised over 400 donations and I created weekly collages to update the office and encourage donations!  It was great getting to put my fashion and styling skills to work for a great cause.  We even had a wrap up party that included a fashion show!  See a few photos of the Dress for Success boutique below and some of the donations we collected.  Dress for Success also holds a fall fashion show hosted by Jeanne Beker.  Check out their website here and their facebook page here. 

Dress for Success Boutique

  

   

The Beach Boys Live in Toronto!

Beach boys time!  Can't believe the Beach Boys are still playing and even have a song at the top of the music charts!  Their song "That's Why God Made the Radio" has been #2 on Amazon for the last month!  I had a chance to wear my new Zara dress and see their live show.  They did a fantastic job and I am so glad I had the chance to see them.  Love outdoor shows!  Have you been to any this summer?

Off to the Cottage for the Weekend + Video Pick of the Week

You know the feeling when you just need a change of scenery and a break from the monotony?  That's pretty much how I've been feeling lately, so when a family friend invited me up to her cottage for the weekend, I jumped on it!  I'm off for the weekend to enjoy a little break in the sun and to spend time with great friends.  Attempting to power down all electronics, so will see how that goes!

Posts are only going to get better from here on as I am traveling to Chicago and then New York for a week and a half. Posts full of pictures and exciting adventures will be coming your way and I can't wait to share them with you.  Stay tuned!  Until then, enjoy the sun this weekend and remember sunscreen, lots of water and rest!



I am an avid yoga practicer and whenever I need a little inspiration, I watch this!  I hope to one day be able to do some of these things!  I highly recommend giving yoga a try if you haven't already!

For the yogis out there looking for a little inspiration

this weekend!

Danier Fall 2012 Preview

I haven't been to a Danier store in a very long time.  To be honest, I didn't really know much about them until I saw their fall 2012 collection recently.  I knew that they created beautiful leather pieces, but I didn't think they necessarily appealed to younger crowds.  I was WRONG!  

Danier has been designing leather and suede for women and men since 1972.  They have a team of designers that work with tanneries from around the world and have 18 pattern-making operations and 87 distinct sewing operations.  They create stylish coats, jackets, blazers, skirts, handbags, gloves, wallets, scarves, belts, briefcases, laptop cases and sweaters that are sold in 90 locations across Canada.

Most recently, they have collaborated with established designers including Greta Constantine and Philip Sparks.  They have also included looks designed by Ryerson students in their upcoming Fall 2012 collections.  Danier decided to produce their looks after scouting them at the Ryerson fashion show!  The fashion industry is a tough one to break into and students often intern for years before becoming established.  It's great when companies provide mentorship and real life experience for students' careers.  They can provide such a fresh and inspiring perspective, so we should encourage them and involve them as much as we can!

I have been focusing mostly on summer collections as of late, but we're always thinking a season ahead in the fashion world, so here are a some winter wardrobe ideas to think about for fall.  Hard to think about though with the 40 degree celsius weather we are having right now!  

Danier is all about the details.  All of their jackets have interesting liners, detachable collars, multiple pockets and flattering designs.  It truly is worth investing in a statement jacket for the winter, one that will last for a long time and look better the more you wear it.  Another surprise to me, they have fantastic handbags and accessories! Thanks for sharing Danier!

Love the lining!

Awesome fall colors

The perfect statement winter jacket

Men's wear!

Ryerson student Yvonne Lin with her design

H and M Announces Collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela

This just in! H and M is launching a new collaboration for Autumn/Winter 2012 with Maison Martin Margiela.  The collection will launch in 230 stores worldwide and online on November 15, 2012.  Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H and M says of the collaboration, " Maison Martin Margiela is one of the most important and influential fashion houses of the past three decades.  I am so excited y this radical collaboration which will give fashion lovers around the world the chance to wear special pieces worn by Maison Martin Margiela.  This collaboration will be a great and memorable fashion moment."

Maison Martin Margiela is a French fashion house that has always worked outside the conventional fashion framework and believed in the collaborative nature of its own team, rather than the individual.   Many garments are presented through deconstruction and transformation and reinvent volumes, modify shapes and change and move the original use of movement of garments.  For more information visit maisonmartinmargiela.com 

What do you think of H and M collaborations?

Maison Martin Margiela Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear

Best Coffee at Matchstick Coffee Roasters

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

At Matchstick Coffee you'll find a bright, white, open concept dining space filled with detailed corners of photos and art work.  The inviting smells of roasted coffee beans and muffins extraordinaire will draw you right in to 639 E. 15th, a tiny leafy green stretch of shops, plus galleries and art workshops.  Friendly, efficient service, the invitation to stay awhile and the perfect expresso and huge muffin, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, fueled us for the rest of our shopping day. Thanks Matchstick, Annie and Spence and delectable baker, Helen!