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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* 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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Sephora Holiday Beauty and Skincare Haul

The annual Sephora Holiday Savings Event, which wrapped last week, gave beauty lovers a chance to score up to 20% off their favourite makeup and skincare lines and get ahead on the gift-giving season. Some incredible holiday gift sets are excluded from the header image above (patience, friends & family!), but I had to take advantage of the savings to stock up on my fave products and try some highly buzzed-about brands, including Summer Fridays and The Inkey List.

My skin tends to get super needy (read: very dry) during the winter months, so I focused most of my budget on products that would give me a mega moisture boost, as well as new hair and lip care products — basically all the Zoom meeting essentials!

Scroll through my virtual Sephora beauty and skincare haul to see what I picked up!

Skincare and Face Masks

Origins Frothy Face Wash from Sephora

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash *

Sephora, $17-$32 (received free sample)

Key benefit: Easily rinses away makeup, impurities, and surface oils for skin that feels comfortably clean

Wishful Yo Glow exfoliating scrub from Sephora

Wishful Yo Glow Facial Enzyme Scrub *

Sephora, $27-$51 (received free sample)

Key benefit: Gentle yet powerful exfoliator that is infused with pineapple and papaya enzymes, BHAs, and AHAs to leave skin with a healthy glow

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Moisturizer from Sephora

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer *

Sephora, $34

Key benefit: This has saved me more times than I count! It’s quite thick, so I recommend using it only overnight or sparingly on especially troubling skin areas

Tatcha The Water Cream moisturizer from Sephora

Tatcha The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Moisturizer *

Sephora, $26-$89 (received free sample)

Key benefit: Oil-free, anti-aging water cream that releases a burst of skin-improving Japanese nutrients, powerful botanicals, and optimal hydration for poreless-looking skin

The Inkey List Q10 Antioxidant Serum from Sephora

The Inkey List Q10 Antioxidant Serum *

Sephora, $8.99

Key benefit: Works to both protect and prevent accelerated signs of aging and environmental stress while hydrating the skin

Murad Vitamin C Eye Serum from Sephora

Murad Vitamin C Dark Circle Correcting Eye Serum *

Sephora, $79 (received free sample)

Key benefit: Fights the look of dark circles while light-reflecting micro-minerals visibly brighten and de-puff

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Face Mask from Sephora

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask Mini *

Sephora, $34

Key benefit: Rich hydration and a radiant complexion after just one application — and it’s the closest thing you’ll get to embracing the jetsetter life in the middle of a pandemic

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40 Beauty Products You Need from Sephora’s Holiday Savings Event

Sephora's Holiday Savings Event 2020 Picks angelamclean.ca

If you’re overdue for a stock-up on your favourite beauty and skincare products, or in the mood to treat yourself (as you should!), Sephora’s latest shopping event is here to spread some early holiday cheer. The can’t-miss beauty sale of the year, Sephora’s Holiday Savings Event, is on now (ending Nov. 9) and it’s a great time to get ahead on your Christmas shopping. While you’re at it, why not pick up a few new items to add to your routine?

The biggest cosmetics brands, including Tarte, Yves Saint Laurent, Benefit and celeb-fronted lines Rare Beauty and Fenty Beauty, are taking part and giving Beauty Insiders up to 20% off their products! Rouge members currently have first access, with VIB members having a chance to shop 15% off sitewide* starting Nov. 3. Insider members will still have five full days to score 10% off as of Nov. 5.

I shout out my latest beauty and skincare finds almost every month in my Favourites lists, but this is definitely the time to splurge — especially with these great savings. Not sure where to start? Snag beauty shelf inspiration from my Sephora wish list, organized to the max for all of your skincare and makeup needs!

Skincare and Face Masks

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - Sephora

* Fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash *

Sephora, $20-$88

Saturday Skin Face Exfoliator - Sephora

* Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel *

Sephora, $37

As featured on my April Favourites list

First Aid Beauty Wild Oat Hydrating Toner - Sephora

* First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner *

Sephora, $29

As featured on my May Favourites list

Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator - Sephora

* Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator *

Sephora, $16-$100

Perfect for daily use!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer - Sephora

* First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer *

Sephora, $34

This has saved me more times than I count! It’s quite thick, so I recommend using it only overnight or sparingly on especially troubling skin areas.

FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid - Sephora

* FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid *

Sephora, $34

As featured on my September Favourites list, this is the perfect product to combat stubborn maskne!

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October Favourites

October Favourites Angela McLean

There’s something spooky in the air! With cooler temperatures and fall vibes in full swing, October is easily one of my favourite months of the year — and best of all, we cap off the month with Halloween!

It was a unique challenge to plan a costume for this year’s pandemic-friendly Halloween… stay tuned to my Instagram to see the reveal. In the meantime, check out my newest fall fashion picks, haircare must-haves, and playlist additions. Plus, new this month, browse through my top picks for fun fall home decor!

Fashion

 

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Saturdays in October 🍁🎃🍂

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* Corduroy Jacket *

EXACT: Corduroy Shirt, Ardene, $34.90 (currently unavailable in pink) // SIMILAR: Western Cord Jacket Blush, Princess Polly, $95; Corduroy Faux Sherpa Jacket, Ardene, $48.93 (sale)

When I was a kid, corduroy pants were my fall wardrobe staple. Paired with sneakers and a plain tee, I somehow felt like the coolest kid in elementary school ㋡ In one of my impulse online shopping sprees earlier in the pandemic, I found this adorable pink corduroy shirt and just had to have it! Not only is it the perfect piece of nostalgia, it’s also the perfect light jacket for fall.

 

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Fall weekends are the best weekends, and brown suede jackets are the best jackets 🧥

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* Suede for Days! *

EXACT: no longer available, Princess Polly, ~$100 // SIMILAR: BLANKNYC Suede Moto Jacket in Sand Stoner, REVOLVE, $316.07

I’ve underestimated the style potential of a brown suede jacket for far too long! My new suede jacket goes with almost every outfit, but I especially love it overtop a graphic tee (bonus points if it’s fall-themed!), blue jeans and black booties. You may need to splurge for the perfect fit, but I promise it’s worth the amount of wear you will get out of one.

Haircare

Light waves are my go-to fall hairstyle. Here are some of my favourite products that help me prep and hydrate my hair for a natural, air-dried look without the frizz!
Le Labo Rose 31 Products
The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac found the way to my heart with these personalized Le Labo products! Stay tuned for a full blog post on this trip.

* Le Labo Shampoo and Conditioner *

Full-size Rose 31 shampoo, Fairmont Store Canada, $65 // Full-size Rose 31 conditioner, Fairmont Store Canada, $65

I quickly got on the Le Labo hype train when I tried their body lotions while on a recent staycation. That said, there is nothing like walking into your hotel room in a new city and seeing fresh bottles of gorgeous rose-scented Le Labo products, including a shampoo and conditioner, WITH YOUR NAME ON IT! Moment of excitement aside, these Fairmont-exclusive products are the real deal and do exactly what Le Labo promises.

This … will wash your hair. And moisturize it. And make it smell wonderful. And make you look beautiful.

What more could you ask for?!

Pantene Heat Protectant

* Pantene Pro-V Thermal Heat Protection Pre-Styling Spray *

Shoppers Drug Mart, $6.99

Any hairdresser will stress the importance of a heat primer, and this Pantene product was the perfect drugstore find! I wanted a simple, affordable heat-protecting spray for daily use and this has been so effective in keeping my hair looking smooth and shiny through it all. Bring on the healthy hair!

OUAI Leave In Conditioner

* OUAI Leave In Conditioner *

Sephora & Urban Outfitters, $34

As a weekend haircare treat, I always make sure to spritz in this rejuvenating and hydrating leave in conditioner from celeb hairdresser Jen Atkin’s “effortlessly cool” line.

Highlighted Ingredients:
– Tamarind Seed Extract: Provides weightless hydration to your hair.
– Panthenol and Vitamin E: Condition and detangle hair.
– Hydrolyzed Proteins: Protect against damage.

REMINDER! The can’t-miss beauty sale of the year, Sephora’s Holiday Savings Event, kicks off Oct. 30. This is a great chance to get ahead on your holiday shopping… and why not pick up a few beauty treats for yourself? Check back later in the week to snag inspiration from my shopping list!

Home Decor

Here’s some style inspo to make your space a little more spoooOoOo0ky!

glitter pumpkins pottery barn

* Glitter Pumpkins *

Available from Pottery Barn for $16 (medium) or $39 (large) [sale]

Pumpkins are a classic decor item for the fall, keeping you and your space on trend from the start of the season through Halloween and Thanksgiving. This year, why not go big or go home with a fabulous set of glittery pumpkins? You know you have to have them!

Olive Lynn Skeleton Photo Print

* Skeleton Photo Prints *

Available from Olive Lynn starting at $10 USD

Coffee has become a sort of personality trait for me (the Tired Girl Life™️ is unfortunately very real), so adding this print of a skeleton holding an iced coffee from Olive Lynn Designs to my room was a no brainer. In fact, it’s a skele-ton of fun 😉

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September Favourites

September Favourites Angela McLean blog post

Farewell summer and hello fall! To kick off this new season, browse through my latest fashion faves, beauty must-haves and playlist additions, plus preview what’s next in my reading pile. There are so many options here for pandemic-approved entertainment!

Fashion

Jilly Jacket 2.0 try on

* Leopard Print (and the Jilly Jacket 2.0) *

Jilly Jacket 2.0, Joe Fresh, $89 (currently unavailable online; in stock in select Canadian stores) // SIMILAR: Go-H20 Water-Resistant Narrow-Channel Puffer Jacket in Olive Leopard Print, Old Navy, $60 (sale); VERO MODA Cana Puffer Jacket in Leopard, The Bay, $49.99 (sale)

Leopard print has returned as one of the hottest looks of the season and I’m seeing it pop up in all sorts of styles — jeans, sweaters, cardigans… but nothing is cozier than an oversized, fit-for-fall puffer jacket! Canadian retailer Joe Fresh, with the help of West Coast influencer Jillian Harris, launched the “it” jacket of the season with this trendy, longline leopard print puffer (pictured above), dubbed the Jilly Jacket 2.0. Needless to say, I was in love at first sight — and it was so worth the fight to snag one online! In fact, demand for the jacket broke Joe Fresh’s website, with many customers trying for 7+ hours to get one of the limited quantities available. I’m still hearing reports of restocks at physical stores, so keep an eye out (or check out one of the similar jackets linked above!).

Old Navy Face Masks

* Masks *

Assorted Styles, Old Navy, 5/$15 (great value!)

In case you’ve missed the headlines, the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is officially underway in many regions, including my home province of Ontario, Canada. To keep everyone safe, face masks will remain the must-have accessory for the fall/winter fashion season. Fortunately, there are now so many cute and comfortable styles that it’s tempting to buy one to match every look in my closet. I’m still a huge fan of Old Navy’s masks, which come in packs of 5 or 10 and are fit for the whole family with designs like tie dye, camo and plaid.

Beauty/Skincare

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

* Rare Beauty *

Fave products: With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm in Blessed, Rare Beauty at Sephora, $21; Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer, Rare Beauty at Sephora, $18 (mini) or $34 (full)

Singer, actress and business powerhouse Selena Gomez did not disappoint with her highly-anticipated Rare Beauty line, which received great praise from fans and beauty influencers alike upon its launch earlier this month. I’m looking forward to trying more products from the collection but already love the lip balm, which is highly pigmented and moisturizing (so hard to find!), and the illuminating primer, which masks your pores while giving you a beautiful, lit-from-within glow.

FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid review

* FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid | First Aid Beauty *

Sephora, $34

Maskne be gone! This product from First Aid Beauty (a FAB brand, if I do say so myself!) has been a holy grail to stopping breakouts in their tracks, especially around my chin. My skin has always responded well to salicylic acid, so I was super happy to find this. When applying, remember a little goes a long way!

Books

While I catch up on my growing book pile, here are the next two reads on my list!

My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

* My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams *

Available from Indigo for $24.62 (sale)

Earlier this month, we lost an iconic voice for women’s rights, social justice and a better world following the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a beloved Supreme Court Justice (the second female to hold the title) and co-founder of the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU. I remember wanting to read this book when it came out in 2018 and have since picked it up to learn more about Ruth’s inspiring upbringing and journey. Rest in power, RBG!

Meaning of Mariah Carey book

* The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey with Michaela Angela Davis *

Available from Indigo for $25 (sale)

Fresh out on bookshelves, Mariah Carey’s long-awaited memoir is Mariah unfiltered. Mariah goes deep into her childhood and shares behind the scenes secrets about her songs, struggles and survival, giving readers an incredible inside look at one of the industry’s biggest stars. Bonus: the 11-hour Audible audiobook is narrated by Mimi herself, with musical moments weaved in throughout the memoir. This may finally get me on the audiobook train!

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