November Favourites

November Favourites blog post cover

Before this blog goes in full blown Christmas mode, indulge in my November favourites for trendy fall/winter fashion finds, cozy home decor for the holidays, new music you need to hear and two juicy shows that will have you hooked from the first episode!

Fashion

Let’s start this off with two fashion must-haves for your late fall/early winter wardrobe!

 

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A post shared by Angela McLean (@angelaaaxo)

* Shackets *

EXACT: Check Shacket, Boohoo, $52.80 // SIMILAR: Keelee Jacket Blue, Princess Polly, $114; Houston Shacket in Khaki Camo, Garage, $54.95

Shackets (“shirt jackets”) are the new it jacket and they’re the perfect solution for wanting to wear a flannel in the colder months while keeping yourself warm and cozy. To get multiple outfits out of one jacket, I recommend wearing it undone with a thermal long-sleeve underneath, or pairing it with your fave plain-coloured sweater as temperatures start to drop.

Girl wearing UGG Winter Boots
(Photo courtesy of tradesy.com)

* UGG Boots *

Adirondack III Boot, UGG, $295 // Yose Fluff, UGG, $195

You’ve likely seen UGG slippers taking over your Instagram feed since the start of stay-at-home orders. In addition to their classic styles, you may be surprised to know UGG also sells a wide selection of traditional winter boots — a wise pick for our unpredictable Canadian winters! The Adirondack boot pictured above is a top seller, temperature rated to -32˚C, while the Yose Fluff (my fave!) keeps your feet toasty — and gives you the on-trend look — for less. 💸

Home Decor

Why wait until December to make your space as festive as possible?!

Small flocked Christmas tree with jute base from Indigo

* Small Tree with Jute Base *

Available from Indigo for $34.50

Decked out with stunningly realistic flocked branches, this 24″ tree is perfect for a table centrepiece or small space in your room. Stay tuned to my Instagram to see how I decorate mine!

Hockey Moose ornament from Indigo, featuring a moose fitted with an oversized red and white jersey with a hockey stick and skates

* Hockey Moose Ornament *

Available from Indigo for $14.50

I already know this will be the best ornament on my tree. It doesn’t get much cuter, or more Canadian, than a stuffed moose with a hockey stick! He just needs a double double from Tim Hortons to cement his citizenship. 🇨🇦

Wool-sock stripe print throw blanket from Simons

* Wool-Sock Stripe Throw *

Available from Simons for $45

Once your tree is up, maximize the Christmas vibes with an oversized blanket for your bed or couch — perfect for nights in watching holiday movies. As you can imagine, it was love at first sight with this wool-sock printed throw from Simons. Grab a pair of equally-cozy striped wool socks to complete the best matching set you could possibly own!

Music

Ahead of having your Christmas playlist on repeat 24/7, press play on my picks for the best new music of the month!

* Plastic Hearts by Miley Cyrus (Album) *

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve heard a record with no skips, but Miss Miley brought all the heat for her new ’70s and ’80s pop-rock inspired album, Plastic Hearts. Announced in August alongside the release of lead single “Midnight Sky,” this long-awaited album is Miley’s first full-length release since 2017 and follows 2019’s She Is Coming, which ended up being a stand-alone EP from the scrapped She Is Miley Cyrus project. I’m holding out hope we can see some of these tracks performed live in 2021, especially the powerhouse collab with Dua Lipa, “Prisoner.” (P.S. If 2020 has brought us anything positive, it’s been the amount and quality of these catchy female collabs — from Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B, to Dua and Miley, to Bebe Rexha and Doja Cat. Give it to me, ladies! 🔥)

Must-listen tracks: “Plastic Hearts” (a solid title track!), “Night Crawling” featuring Billy Idol (this was made for being in the pit at a concert jamming out), and “Prisoner” with Dua Lipa (watch the music video above!)

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May Favourites

Angela McLean May Favourites

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for Redbubble, SHEIN and Pura Vida Bracelets and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking these links.

As the famous saying goes, the show quarantine must go on.

Let’s start this off with an important PSA: PLEASE keep socially distancing and wearing a mask and/or gloves. If not for yourself, do it for your immunocompromised friends, parents, grandparents and neighbours. The better we keep this up, the sooner we can enjoy our beautiful summer weather!

As you do your part, stay comfortable, entertained and feeling your best with my latest faves across fashion, skincare, music, spring reads and bingeable TV.

Fashion

Music Face Masks

* Face Masks *

The Weeknd Mask, $20 // DNCE Mask, $18.82

If you haven’t already, get acquainted with our newest must-have fashion accessory. As I said in my last blog post dedicated to finding functional and fashionable masks, there’s no reason your PPE can’t be cute and true to your style.

Since I won’t be front row at their concerts anytime soon, I’m looking forward to receiving the two masks pictured above to show my support for The Weeknd and Joe Jonas’ band DNCE. Bonus: Proceeds from The Weeknd’s masks will be donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund, directly helping those affected in the music industry.

Nice France top

* Travel-Inspired Clothing *

Anthropologie, $80 // SIMILAR STYLES: Anthropologie, $188 (Hawaii/Aloha print); SHEIN, $17 (New York print)

It may be a total tourist move, but I love travel-inspired fashion pieces that represent my favourite cities.

Pre-COVID, I was supposed to spend the majority of this month jetsetting around Europe. 😢 When I found this Nice, France top while online shopping, I took it as a sign that I’ll be able to postpone my travels to when it’s safe to do so — and snap a picture of this shirt where it’s meant to be (and not in my front yard!).

Also, if you know me, you know I have a small addiction to buying anything and everything related to Hawaii — pineapple home decor, palm tree rings, you name it. I’ll take any excuse to spark my wanderlust and bring back those memories and feelings associated with paradise!

Let me know in the comments below which travel destinations you would rep!

Skincare

Laneige Lip Balm and Face Mask

* Lip Sleeping Mask | Laneige *

Sephora, $13+ (or try Laneige’s Hydration-To-Go! Normal to Dry Skin set, also from Sephora, $38)

I always feared Laneige’s best-selling Lip Sleeping Mask was just an overhyped lip balm, but I was very pleasantly surprised when I first tried it. To test it out for yourself, I highly recommend picking up a mini Good Night Kit to also score a sample size of their popular Water Sleeping Mask. The lip mask wouldn’t be an immediate repurchase for me as you can get similar results at a lower price point, but it’s a great gift to a friend or yourself (#SelfLoveClub). Bring on the smooches 💋

I’ll report back here and on Instagram @angelaaaxo with my thoughts on the mask!

Origins Hydrating Sleeping Mask

* Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask | Origins *

Sephora, $17-$33

This Origins leave-on face mask is one of the best I’ve ever used. Formulated with avocado and swiss glacier water, it instantly moisturizes and smooths skin well into the morning, giving you a beautiful dewy glow without breakouts or buildup. I use it as a once-a-week treat, so the $17 mini bottle is a great deal.

First Aid Beauty Oat Toner

* Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner | First Aid Beauty *

Sephora, $29

I raved about First Aid Beauty’s Fab Faves line in my April Favourites post and it looks like I’ve found another personal holy grail. Toner is a recent re-addition to my nightly skincare routine and this FAB pick is gentle, moisturizing and perfect for sensitive skin. Also, can we take a minute to admire this visually appealing promo photo?

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March Favourites

To say the month of March has felt like a never-ending series of curveballs would be a significant understatement. I hope you’re staying healthy, enjoying everything our fave streaming services have to offer and perhaps discovering a new hobby or two! Mine is apparently baking cakes with my mom. 🍰

The extra at-home time is also giving us all more opportunities for closet cleaning, skincare and adding to our playlists and watch lists. Steal some inspo from this month’s Favourites list below.

Fashion

Cheetah Print Cropped Jacket

* Patterned Cropped Jackets *

SIMILAR: Free People, $495 // Princess Polly, $37 *sale* // Princess Polly, $31 *sale* (exact from American Eagle, sold out)

Now that I’ve finally found my new go-to basic white tees from Topshop and Zara, I’m loving cute cropped jackets, especially in a fun style like a cheetah or military print. They’re perfect for spring and you can easily dress them up or down with perfectly-paired accessories and solid colours.

sense of independence boutique
(Photo via Sense of Independence Boutique)

* Shopping Local *

Major props to all the retailers I shop with who made the difficult but necessary decision to help flatten the curve and closed their doors early on. Now more than ever, it’s important to support small, local businesses and ensure they can get back on their feet as quickly as possible once this is all over.

Stay tuned for my separate post to get started with six of my personal faves!

Read here: Quarantine and (Online) Shop With Your Fave Canadian Stores

Beauty/Skincare

Let’s talk WORK FROM HOME GLAM! My skin is majorly thanking me for the toned-down day-to-day makeup routine. My essentials have become a brow pencil, eyeshadow, light swipe of mascara and a tinted primer.

Goof Proof Brow Pencil Easy Shape & Fill

* Goof Proof Brow Pencil Easy Shape & Fill | Benefit Cosmetics *

Sephora, $32

I wear shade 3 (warm light brown).

Mono Pop Eyeshadow Palette

* Mono Pop Eyeshadow Palette *

Avon, $26

UD Troublemaker Mascara

* Troublemaker Mascara *

Urban Decay, $23.25

Clarins Green Primer

* SOS Primer *

Clarins, $39

I wear shade 4 (green).

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