Work Day Makeup Tutorial

A couple of weeks ago I promised you all something you have been asking for basically since I started LegalLee Blonde - a tutorial on my work day makeup! The reason I had not done a makeup tutorial until now is because I was not using YouTube and was (am?) basically terrified of the idea of making video content.

That said, I bit the bullet and started a YouTube Channel. My first video is video on the best products for creating work day makeup that lasts. I decided to film it in a "get ready with me" style, so that you can see each product and how I use it. All products are linked in the caption of the video, but you can also shop them in the widget below. If you have any questions on any of these products - let me know in the comments below! I would love to talk to you more about this makeup look and why I swear by these beauty products for my everyday makeup.

You can watch the video below... and PLEASE subscribe to my YouTube channel because I plan on making more videos in the future! ...Also because I will feel far less ridiculous posting videos once I have subscribers other than my best friend and mom; both of whom I just made subscribe haha.

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linking up with: oh hey girl // midweek inspirations // creative mondays 

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A Pink Suit in Paradise

A busy work day in beautiful Los Angeles seemed like the perfect opportunity to wear this bold pink pant suit. I am so in love with the dark pink color and the fit of the suit itself. A slim leg pant suit is my go to corporate style when I know I need to get stuff done. It's an instant confidence booster and is both functional and comfortable.

I opt for longer jackets with my suits whenever I can because I find them more flattering. This pink blazer is the perfect long length! It is definitely a piece I will be wearing not only with the matching pants, but with jeans for a casual weekend look and over a black dress for a fun work look. It sounds nit-picky, but I really love that the buttons on the blazer are also pink. The blazer is just so well made- right down to that button detail.

While of course a white button down would be an easy and chic choice to wear with a pink suit, I wanted to add a bit more flare (I was in LA after all!) so I went with this navy floral print top. I love that the pink suit pulls out the pink detailing in the floral pattern. I finished this look with a pair of classic nude pumps. Nude heels are always a safe bet with a colorful suit.

I recommend that every working woman add a colorful suit to their wardrobe. While it's not something you can wear every day, it is so worth having for when you want/need to make a statement. Would you wear a pink suit? If you own a bright colored suit; what color do you own? I'd love to hear about in the comments!!

Have a great start to your work week everyone! 

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linking up with: hello monday // #howifall // creative mondays // style swap // confident twosday

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Los Angeles Work Day Outfits

On Me: Shirt Dress (and a similar shirt dress) // Sleeveless Blazer // Lookalike Gucci Belt // Leggings // Heels

On Jess: Dress // Blazer // Similar Handbag // Heels // Earrings

As many of you know, I went to Los Angeles last weekend for a vacation/blog work trip. I got a lot of great blog work done and got to meet up with some of my favorite LA based fashion and lifestyle bloggers. Jess from Miss Moore Style, is one of my blogger besties (we had a blast together at New York Fashion Week) and I was lucky enough to spend time with her just hanging out and shooting outfit photos.

One afternoon we decided to head to the Beverly Hills Hotel  for lunch and, of course, couldn't resist the urge to wear fun outfits and snap some photos together. We decided to create looks based on the idea of "LA fashion editors"... basically what we would wear to work if we worked in fashion all day! Perfect, we thought, for our "working lunch" at the Beverly Hills Hotel!

For my outfit, I wanted to keep a corporate vibe but dress it up in a fashion forward way. When I think of fashion editor style, I think of two things. The first is layering, and the second is style classic pieces in unique ways. For that reason, I chose my sleeveless black blazer and styled it on top of a white shirt dress and then wore my Gucci dupe belt over both. 

Now, before I continue I need to stop and mention that again - Gucci Dupe Belt. *cue heart eyes*

That's right! Jess gets full credit for this fashion find! It is an incredible dupe (we compared ours to the real thing) and it is under $20. I got the belt in both black and tan (which is more cognac/reddish in real life) and I love them so, so much. 

Back to the rest of my outfit. The leggings from Forever 21 caught my eye as soon as I saw them and I ordered them immediately. I love the 90's throwback vibe and the message on them is a great one (they say; "Rules were made to be broken"). I topped the whole outfit off with some really fun embellished glasses.

I can't resist talking about Jess' outfit as well. I love it! It reminds me of vintage Chanel or even of Jackie O. The tweed material of the dress and blazer is so luxe, and the faux fur trim on the blazer definitely adds that "fashion editor" touch. Her shoes are ones I also own and love... because they are comfortable, under $150 Chanel slingback dupes!

Overall, these were such fun looks to shoot and I hope you love them! As always, feel free to ask any questions you may have about items in the comments below and I will answer them! 

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linking up with: trend spin // style swap

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3 Hot Drink Recipes You Need This Winter

With the holidays over, but winter still in full swing, delicious spiked hot drinks are definitely in order! Below are 3 spiked hot drink recipes that I hope you will all love. These are all perfect for sipping by the fire after a long day of outdoor activities... or just for a relaxing night in! Cheers!

Hot Spiced Pear Apple Cider

Ingredients
*makes 2 drinks

• 2 cups Apple Cider
• 2 cups Pear Juice (not from concentrate, no sugar added - just 100% pear juice!)
• 3 oz. (2 shots) of your favorite Rum
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• sprinkle of nutmeg

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Instructions

1. In a small pot on low heat bring the cider, pear juice, and nutmeg up to a simmer, whisking often. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and divide between 2 mugs. Add a shot of rum and a cinnamon stick to each. Enjoy!
   

Spiked Coconut Steamer

Ingredients
*makes 2 drinks

• 2 cups milk or milk alternative ( I use almond milk!)
• 1/2 cup of canned coconut milk
• 3 oz. (2 shots) of your favorite Rum
• 2 tsp. coconut extract
• 2 tbsp. toasted coconut

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Instructions

1. In a small pot on medium heat bring the milk, coconut milk and coconut extract to a simmer, whisking often. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Use a frother to froth the milk mixture. If you don't have a frother, you can add the liquid to a blender and pulse to achieve some frothiness. Just make sure the mixture has cooled slightly before blending or you could have an explosive mess on your hands!
3. Divide rum between 2 mugs.
4. Evenly pour the frothed milk mixture into the mugs, holding back the foam with a spoon and spooning it onto the top of the liquid at the end.
5. Garnish with the toasted coconut. Enjoy!!

How to Survive a Canadian Winter

Ingredients
*makes 2 drinks

• 3 cups of fresh brewed coffee
• 3 oz. (2 shots) of Grand Marnier
• 3 oz. (2 shots) of Kahlua
• 4 tsps. of maple syrup

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Instructions

1. Pour freshly brewed coffee into 2 mugs - filling each 3/4 of the way full. Add 1.5 oz of Grand Marnier and 1.5 oz of Kahlua to each. Stir in a 2 tsps. of maple syrup into each mug. Enjoy!
   
   Linking up with: creative mondays

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Instagram Lately - January 2018

It has been months since I did an instagram roundup, so today I am sharing with you my favorite instagram photos from this past month. There have a been a ton of outfits that I have shared that I think you all will like, and with the changes to instagram I know that even many of you who follow me on instagram haven't had a chance to see them. So, keep reading for this winter outfit inspiration and a bit more about what I have been up to this past month. 

Dress c/o // Neck Scarf // Heels

This Nora Gardner wear to work dress is a new favorite! It has pockets (which we all know is the mecca of dresses haha). I love the Parisian inspired flare of wearing it with a neck scarf. Perfect for a day at the office! 

Tee // Handbag (click image below) // Blazer // Skinny Dress Pants

I am *obsessed* with this outfit! I wore it to grab coffee with Jess from Miss Moore Style while in LA last weekend; and wear it basically every chance I get! Topshop created a tee that looked just like this over the summer and the internet flipped out over it. Bloggers were obsessed and it sold out in days. Luckily, I found this nearly identical one in-stock and under $20! This bag is also a MUST HAVE as it is an amazing Gucci dupe. I want it in all 4 colors!

My Workout Wear

Another shot from my LA trip last week! Ryde4 had us bloggers in for a spin class and it was an absolute blast... as you can see, I have a mimosa in my hand because they came around with mimosas after! My kind of workout haha. My workout gear is all from Old Navy - I love how affordable their workout clothes are; and while I have my staple Lululemon and Adidas pieces that I love, whenever I need to add some fun new workout gear to my closet, I head straight to Old Navy.

Sweater

One more shot from my LA trip that I couldn't resist sharing! This is out front of the gorgeous Beverly Hills Hotel, and this sweater was my cozy staple throughout my trip. I think every working women needs this awesome sweater for to wear on every vacation! 

Leopard Sweater // Velvet Cabby Hat

Back to more typical winter shots; this outfit is perfect for a cozy afternoon in a coffee shop! My velvet cabby hat is on trend, without being over the top. And this leopard print sweater is on sale right now for over 50% off!

Earrings // Toque // Cashmere Sweater

Surprise, surprise, another photo of me at a coffee shop haha. The coffee love is real y'all. So is my love for these gorgeous statement earrings! And the rest of this cozy look. Winter style is all about finding a way to look stylish but really just be super cozy and warm; am I right?! 

Leopard Coat // Skinny Dress Pants // Ankle Boots // Tech Gloves

 

I've shared this leopard coat before in this winter outfit post; but honestly I have worn it probably 20 times since then. I love it so very much. The rest of this outfit is all about functional (but stylish) commute-to-work gear! My gloves are tech gloves so you can text without freezing on your way to work, and my ankle boots keep my feet toasty warm!

 

The Future is Female Clutch

I fell in love with the clutch / pencil case / makeup bag the moment I saw it (I styled in in this outfit post as well)
 

Embellished Collar Sweater 

And last but not least this winter wonderland photo! I snapped this when I was in Ontario over the holidays. I forgot how pretty the snow can be; and how fun it is to be surrounded by it!

linking up with: mix it mondays // #howifall // hello monday // trend spin

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DIY Work Day Style

Some mornings you just cannot find a wear-to-work outfit that you like; right?! My solution when I am feeling uninspired by my corporate / wear-to-work clothes is to accessorize them in my own way to make a classic corporate outfit feel more fun and fashion forward. That is what I did with this look!

Don't get me wrong, I do love these teal/green pants as a trouser for the office all the time; but, when I put them on with my white button down one morning I just felt the outfit wasn't what I wanted - it didn't have enough flare. So, I got a little crafty and got my DYI on. The polka dot bow you see is actually just a polka dot neck scarf. I tied it around my shirt collar and into a bow and then pinned a gold brooch to the center of the bow. I cannot express enough how much I loved this look- it was an instant mood booster!

I have a couple of silk scarves in various colors and definitely have a habit now of DYI'ing them into temporary bows with brooches to be worn with classic button down shirts. I have a plain black button down that I love to wear with a white and black scarf and this same gold brooch.

If you've got a scarf and a brooch in your closet - try out this DIY and let me know if you like it! I would love to see the results. If you don't have a brooch, there are so many great options out there (I've linked up two similar to the one I am wearing here) but you can even find cute ones at places like Michael's craft store!

One last thing for today - I announced yesterday on instagram that I am finally getting my YouTube channel started! I can't wait to start sharing more content with you on that platform. If there are any videos you would like to see (style tips, hair or makeup tutorials, hauls, etc.) let me know in the comments below!

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linking up with: friday favorites // FFF // WW 

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Dill Pickle Soup - My Favorite Whole30 Recipe

If you follow me on Instagram, you likely know that I am doing a round of Whole30. I did Whole30 last year and loved the results - I felt healthier and had more energy. Now that I am doing my second Whole30, I feel like an old pro when it comes to organizing/meal prep and having go-to delicious recipes that are Whole30 compliant. My favorite dinner recipe (by far!) is this Dill Pickle Soup. It is so flavorful, filling, and different from the usual Whole30 recipes (...anyone else get SO sick of eggs?!) This recipe is great because "non-dieters" will love it as well and it can easily be made Vegan and Paleo- just note my substitutions below.

 

Ingredients
*makes four servings

• 3 cups chicken broth (*substitute vegetable broth to make it vegetarian/vegan)
• 3 small white potatoes, peeled and quartered (*substitute sweet potato to make it Paleo)
• 2 large carrots, chopped and cut into bite size chunks
• 3-4 dill pickles, chopped and cut into bite size chunks
• 1 cup of cauliflower, diced
• 2 tbsps coconut oil
• 3 tbsps tapioca flour 
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 cup of dill pickle juice
• 1/2 teaspoon each of salt, pepper and cayenne pepper

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Instructions

1. In a small pot bring the cauliflower pieces to a boil. Cook for 4-5 minutes once boiling. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pot, combine broth, potatoes, carrots and coconut oil. Bring to a boil and cook until 8-10 minutes - until the potatoes are tender. 
3. Add the chopped dill pickles and continue to boil. 
4. While the soup is cooking, combine in a food processor (or blender if need be) the cauliflower, coconut oil, tapioca flour and water. Blend until creamy
5. Slowly pour the creamy mixture into the soup; stirring constantly
6. Add the pickle juice, salt, pepper and cayenne. Cook 5 more minutes and remove from heat. Serve immediately. Optional garnish with fresh dill and paprika.

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Notes

1. Since you are now allowed potatoes on Whole30, i gladly used potatoes for this recipe. You can however substitute with sweet potatoes, but it definitely changes the flavor profile!
2. When making the "thickener" feel free to add more cauliflower or tapioca starch until you reach a consistency you are happy with. 
3. Note: This recipe is a Whole30 / healthy take on the amazing Dill Pickle soup recipe by Noble Pig.

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Day to Night Style

 

Work Day Look: Blazer // Royal Blue Top c/o // Belt // Skinny Pants // Similar Boots // Handbag

As any busy working woman knows, your clothes need to be versatile. The less time you need to spend changing for different events or activities in your day the better! For today’s post I wanted to show you 2 looks – a day and a night – that use the same staple pieces.

The royal blue top is the real showstopper of this day to night look. The bold blue color exudes confidence – making it a perfect piece for the office. Worn under a black blazer with a belt it makes a statement while being completely boardroom ready. Seeing as it is the middle of winter, I knew I wanted a work look that featured boots. My calf-height low-heeled boots are ones I love during the winter months. The mid-calf height is work appropriate, and your feet stay warm and dry.

To take the outfit into post-work dinner or drinks I swapped out the boots for sparkly high heels. This has the added bonus of showing off the fun detail on the pants that were hidden in the work look. To complete the nighttime look, I simply removed the blazer & belt, and added a statement necklace & clutch. The one shoulder cut to this shirt really makes an impression, as does the unique hem! 

Night Look: Royal Blue Top c/o // Skinny Pants // Clutch

The royal blue top is from Downtown Chic boutique. This is a female-owned boutique that specializes in carrying pieces that do exactly what this blue top does – takes you from your work day to a night out. While this is my personal favorite item from DTC, they have a number of great pieces, and I highly recommend checking them out! You can get 15% off your order from Downtown Chic with the code LLB15

 The other items I am wearing in this post are linked up in the widget below. As always, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about sizing, quality, etc. of any items I share here on LLB! Just leave me a comment below and I’ll get back to you!

In other news, I am now 24-hours post-my Los Angeles trip and I am already having LA withdrawals haha. I had the most amazing few days, and can’t wait to head back there again soon. The good news is, I have now discovered how cheap round trip flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles are (under $300!!) and I have a fair bit of blog related work on the horizon in LA; so I am planning on getting back there every 2-3 months!

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 *thank you to Downtown Chic Boutique for sponsoring this post

linking up with: #howifall // fizz and frosting

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