Fashion, Favourites, Playlists, Reviews

February Favourites

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Angela McLean February Favourites

With February being the unofficial-official month of love, there is no better time to share the many things I’ve been crushing on lately!

Check out what’s caught my eye in the worlds of fashion, beauty/skincare, music, movies and TV in this month’s Favourites list below.

Fashion

* Floppy Brim Hats *

SIMILAR: Nordstrom Rack, $299 // Free People, $77 (exact from Aldo, sold out)

This impulse purchase from an Aldo in Pittsburgh a few years ago completely changed my fall/winter fashion game. Floppy hats, especially in a bold colour or shade like plum wine, are so cute and versatile and take any outfit to another level.

Free People Canada
(Photo via Retail Insider)

* Free People *

If you’re into boho-chic, fashion-forward clothing, listen up. I found the hack to shopping Free People for less: their online sale section! They have so many good sales and I’ve been finding items still new in store for 30% off or more online — and shipping has been free to Canada every time I ordered. Pro tip: You can also sign up to their email list for free shipping on your first order. Added bonus: Their customer service is incredible!

I’ve already worn their flowy Claudia Blouse (roughly 75% off) and got tons of compliments, and I have another shirt and hat I’m saving for the perfect photo opps. 😉

Beauty/Skincare

G.M. Collin Derm Renewal Cream

* Derm Renewal Cream with 10% AHA | G.M. Collin *

BeautySense, $74

Last month I recommended G.M. Collin’s Derm Renewal Booster with 10% AHA. Meet its daytime sidekick: the Derm Renewal Cream. The Booster is best suited for overnight use since it’s quite drying, while this companion product gives you the same benefits with added moisture. I have no problem dabbing a light layer of this on under my makeup and I really see the results when I stick to my routine!

Anew Hydra Fusion 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

* Anew Hydra Fusion 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum *

Avon, $29.99 (promo price down from $46)

My skin is very dry in the morning, especially in the winter, making it difficult to apply foundation or concealer without immediate flaking. Luckily, this hyaluronic acid serum has saved the day more times than I can count. I spread it evenly on my face and neck shortly after getting out of the shower while my skin is damp, take one more pump after breakfast if I’m having an extra dry day, and I’m good to go!

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Fashion, Favourites, Playlists, Reviews

January Favourites

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January Favourites - Angela McLean

New year, new monthly series on the blog! In 2019, I shared my favourite tunes with you each month through groovy, curated playlists. There’s one for every mood and occasion, so I highly (and humbly) recommend you go back and listen to all 12 — your music library will thank me later.

This year, I’ll be highlighting a sampling of all my faves — fashion, beauty, books, music and movies & TV — with monthly Favourites lists. Let’s face it: If I’ve been hooked on a product/show/song for a month, I’m in for the long run. So, get out your Notes app and shopping list — the fun starts now!

Fashion

* Blanket Scarves *

SIMILAR: Aritzia, $88 // Aritzia, $29.99 (exact from Aldo, $20 sold out)

I have to be honest — I’m not much of a scarf person. I end up getting super hot super fast and they always give me a bump in the back of my hair. But my outlook on scarves quickly changed when I picked up my first blanket scarf. The one pictured above is from Aldo and it’s a BLESSING — no fuzzies shed, I get the right amount of warmth and it’s a super cute accessory. Even on a bitterly cold night, I can wear a short sleeve shirt under my winter jacket, put this scarf on top and I’m in a perfectly warm cocoon. It also becomes an office-appropriate blanket if I keep it draped around my shoulders. Winning all around.

* Statement Booties *

SIMILAR (Buckle Booties): Topshop (The Bay), $190 (exact discontinued)

EXACT (Stud Booties) [NOT PICTURED]: Steve Madden, $129.98 on sale

I’ve written extensively about the power of a good pair of booties. The sound! The added height! I could go on and on. These Topshop buckle boots have been my precious babies for more than a year, so I’ve been devastated seeing them fall apart before my very eyes. 😿 While I look for the perfect replacement, I’m currently breaking in an edgy studded Steve Madden look that is easy to dress up or dress down. I just have to remind myself, no pain, no gain!

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Events, Photography, Reviews

What You Missed at Lady Antebellum’s Secret Session in Toronto

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Lady Antebellum Secret Session Toronto

Hot off the heels of their new album ‘Ocean,’ country pop group Lady Antebellum showed “Crazy Love” to their Toronto fans at an exclusive, up close and personal iHeartRadio Secret Session on Nov. 21.

With over 100 of their biggest supporters filling the Lounge at Live Nation space in Liberty Village, the group participated in an on-stage Q&A, led by Pure Country personality Shannon Ella, and a six-song set featuring two recent singles and several fan fave throwbacks.

Q&A

The band has a long recorded history in the city, filming the video for their breakout single “Need You Now” at the Omni King Edward hotel and opening their last summer tour at Budweiser Stage — making Toronto the perfect spot for such an intimate gig.

“[This] is a way for us to kind of make it more about the song[s], and we consider ourselves songwriters first,” Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley explained. “We feel like when we perform … just on piano, there’s something about those lyrics [that] take[s] on a little bit more of a heartbreak and meaning to us… and we get to see everyone’s faces! Great people in Canada.”

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Events, Photography, Reviews

A Revival Tour Diary: Selena Gomez leaves her mark on Canada

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Revival Tour - Selena Gomez

If anyone knows how to have a revival, it’s 23-year-old pop singer/songwriter/performer Selena Gomez. Currently on her worldwide Revival Tour in support of the album of the same name, she’s proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Leaving the Biebs behind – seemingly for good this time – and adopting a much more confident swagger, Gomez rocked the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on May 22 and Toronto’s Air Canada Centre on May 25 – two of the tour’s Canadian stops – reminding everyone in the room why it’s cool to be a Selenator.

Ottawa fans were treated to opening sets from X Factor alum Bea Miller and Canadian singer/songwriter Tyler Shaw. Miller delivered a killer four-song set, smashing out fan favourites including “Young Blood” and her new single “Yes Girl.” Shaw, who you may recognize as the winner of the 2012 MuchMusic Coca-Cola Covers Contest, also performed a selection of songs from his album ‘Yesterday,’ like the hit single “Wicked,” and an awesome cover of Twenty One Pilots’ “Stressed Out.” The Ottawa show was Shaw’s last night on the Revival Tour and the Ottawa crowd definitely gave him a great farewell!

DNCE

A few days later, Toronto welcomed Bea Miller and the Jonas Brother-fronted DNCE for a triple-decker night of amazing music. Miller added a cover of MNEK and Zara Larsson’s collab “Never Forget You” and gave it a pop/rock edge that Larsson has already taken to Twitter to commend. Afterwards, DNCE played a 40-minute set that quickly turned into an epic party with over 13,500 people. The crowd sang and danced along to the kazoo-driven “Jinx,” the unreleased self-titled track “DNCE” and the new single “Toothbrush.” DNCE saved the best for last, coming out for their encore with a high-energy, jump-around-the-room performance of “Cake by the Ocean” that had Snapchat’s servers running a lap.

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Events, Photography, Reviews

Recap: WayHome Music & Arts Festival (July 24-26, 2015)

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WayHome Music & Arts Festival graphic from 2015

Outstanding music, incredible art, great company and much more – WayHome had it all. The inaugural WayHome Music & Arts Festival went down this past weekend (July 24-26) and the much-a-buzz festivities brought world-famous names like Neil Young, Modest Mouse, St. Vincent and Sam Smith to the small, intimate town of Oro-Medonte, ON, just over an hour north of Toronto.

There was plenty going on and much to do and see at any point during each of the 3 days of the festival – art displays, ball pits, food trucks and the WayMarket presented by online “DIY” retailer Etsy, among countless others. However, none drew more attention than the 4 main entertainment stages across the event grounds – WayHome, WayBright, WayBold and WayAway (presented by Sirius XM). Fans, better known as WayHomies, made their way between stages to catch all of their favourite performers which were evenly spread throughout the weekend.

Here are just some of the highlight performances from this year’s festival:

Hozier (July 24 @ 6:45PM, WayHome)

HozierHozier

Critically acclaimed and much-loved Irish singer Hozier drew one of the biggest crowds throughout the entire weekend. He truly entertained, singing fan favourites like “Work Song” and “Jackie and Wilson”, as well as a creative cover of Ariana Grande’s “Problem”. Hozier’s performance of his big hit “Take Me to Church” resulted in a mass sing-along with over 35,000 new friends.

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