Taking Time To Take Care

After reading this recent Into The Gloss post, I got to thinking about how I balance things out. It seems, as a Libra (haw haw), a constant theme in my life is trying to find a balance between everything. The weekends especially are a time of polarities for me, because one Friday night I'll be out until 4 A.M. overindulging, and the next, like last night, I'll find myself sorting laundry, cleaning, and finding ways to relax in between.

Last night I drew a bath as hot as I could stand, grabbed the book I'm currently reading (Margaret Atwood's collection of short stories, Dancing Girls [I highly recommend]), and got to taking care of myself.

One of my favourite ways to indulge, even when I don't necessarily have the time to really sit and luxuriate, has been using Davines hair products. I swear, these products have saved my hair, or at the very least the texture of it. When I started college, my health took a major hit and as a result a lot of my hair fell out, and the texture totally changed. My former mermaid-esque waves hung straight and couldn't hold a curl no matter how hard I tried, and it felt like straw to the touch. After a lot of changes -- moving out of my miserable apartment, changing my diet, and just reducing my stress in general -- my hair started to grow back to normal, but it still wasn't 100% perfect. Then I started using Davines, and I noticed a major change. I no longer needed to add curls to my hair with hot tools, if I just left my hair to air dry, it would dry into beautiful waves thanks to the gentle nudge the Davines products was giving it. So I'm a major Davines convert, and I will talk and talk about them to anyone who will listen. My favourites are their OI Shampoo and OI Conditioner. Both smell amazing, are sulfate-free, and leave your hair feeling so soft and nourished. I also love the Absolute Beautifying Potion for smoothing any frizziness once my hair is dry - bonus is that it has the same scent as the OI Shampoo and Conditioner thanks to the roucou oil which is a main ingredient in all three products. Last night I washed with the shampoo and then worked the conditioner into my hair, focusing on the ends, and let it sit for about 15 minutes while I also took care of my face.

Favourites. From left: Davines OI Shampoo and Conditioner, Davines Absolute Beautifying Potion, LUSH Mask Of Magnaminty, Kosmea Rosehip Oil.

For my skin, I applied LUSH's Mask of Magnaminty to my face and sunburned shoulders (the cooling mint feels amazing for this purpose). After this has been left to dry, it doubles as an exfoliating scrub before you rinse off. To make sure my skin stayed soft and moisturized afterwards, I applied a few drops of Kosmea's Rosehip Oil. It's so gentle and yet it really sinks into skin and gives you the most amazing, nourished glow.

It doesn't hurt that it's pretty to look at too.

Another integral part of my relaxation routine involves burning candles, particularly Diptyque's Patchouli scent. It smells incredible and I think it's quickly becoming my new favourite, next to their Feu de Bois.

Now that it's Saturday, I plan on spending the night eating tacos, painting my nails and getting caught up on The Knick. I hope that whatever you plan to do this long weekend, you figure out a way to relax at some point.

xoHannah

General Nonsense

What a complete and utter bum I've been. IT'S AUGUST, for crying out loud, and I haven't updated my blog since November of last year? This is embarrassing. However, I can't guilt myself completely because while I have been neglecting An Aesthetic Feast, I've been busying myself with an assortment of other projects, so hopefully those of you who still check this page can give me some understanding on that front.

So, what have I been up to, anyway?

It's been a colourful Summer.

Well, there's xoVain, of course. You can visit my author page here to get caught up on all the things I've been writing about.

Then there's my work on xoJane, who I've been writing for since launch day back in 2011. My newest project over there is heading up the Outfit of the Week column, and I encourage you to check that out. Every Friday afternoon the commenters post their favourite looks they culled together that week, and then I choose my favourites 7 days later, offer shoppable choices, and we just have a general chat about clothes and shopping. It's a lot of fun and a really positive space full of sorts of styles and personalities. I'm really happy to be the "mother hen" of that column, so to speak.

In addition to that, I've been writing here and there at Slice.ca, about beauty. Check out the stories if you'd like. I hope to be contributing there more in the future, I've just been so swamped.

I also headed to New York for a bit in May, and most recently I was in Los Angeles near the end of July. The weather was gorgeous, the food was delicious, and I felt wonderful walking along the shore, staring at the gulls and the palm trees. It was a nice little Summer getaway.

An outfit captured by the lovely Shriya. Vintage everything!

Some photos from the Los Angeles trip: flying over Nevada, Venice Beach, toes in the sand, a seagull on Venice Beach, posing in front of one of the beautiful gardens I passed in Santa Monica (H&M dress, vintage bag and necklace), Venice before sunset.

All right ... I think that's enough updating for now! We're headed into the long weekend and I'm really looking forward to September, my birthday month. Hope you've all been well, and thanks to everyone who still reads this thing!

xoHannah

Chilly

It feels like we're finally heading into Winter now, but it's not too terrible. Yeah, it's been snowy and cold and windy but at the same time there have been some beautiful sunny days with nice clear air this week, so I can't complain. I actually want to take up running in the mornings because this time of year, the air feels the best in my lungs. Plus, it's an excuse to wear all of my best sweaters.

One such occasion that afforded me that luxury was last week when I had dinner (truffle fries and lemon tarts, so good) at The Drake with Anne, my antiquing soul sister. Anne gave me a (very lovely) belated birthday gift of a vintage teacup and saucer, Birthday Cake and Chocolate Chili Chai teas from David's Tea and the Ma Bar Bubble Bar from LUSH. I have excellent friends. We also were privy to a conversation at the table next to us that had us trying desperately not to laugh. Have you ever heard a male model loudly rant about how his social media is "on point" and he wants to generate more "buzz"? If you ever catch me talking like that, please punch me in the gut. After eating/stifling our laughter, Anne and I snapped some photo booth pictures together. 

Friendship!

I was pretty happy with my outfit I wore that night, which I dubbed "1950s College Girl Majoring In Art History".

My hair was a combination of pin-curls and flat-iron curls, brushed out and misted with a bit of hairspray. My lipstick was Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Neoclassical Coral (it looks more red here due to the lighting but is much more orange-y in person). The necklace and my brooch (an ancient Egyptian queen in profile) are both vintage market finds.

My sweater is Cynthia Rowley merino wool from last year, and the skirt is Joe Fresh from last year as well. H&M kitten heels and vintage bracelets.

Following on my sweater-train-of-thought from above, I've been slowly digging all of my Winter clothes out of storage. I'm really happy with the vintage Irish Aran (or more popularly known as "fisherman-style") sweaters I've amassed. I've now got two cream ones, a big red one and a yellow one. They're so warm! But a bit itchy, so if you have sensitive skin like me I'd recommend wearing a t-shirt underneath.

So cozy.

As well, I thought I'd share some photos from Halloween. I celebrated on the 26th of October at Magic Pony with other ROOKIE staffers for the launch of Yearbook Two. I dressed as Edie Sedgwick in a vintage striped tunic and arctic fox cur coat, and my good friend Brandon went as Andy Warhol. I think we made a pretty grand pair!

That hairspray was a pain and a half to wash out but the night was super fun.

xoHannah

All About Sara Lynn Paige

As you may or may not know, this Summer I graduated from college with a degree in acting. Afterwards I was in need of some headshots and shopped around for a photographer whose work I admired. Trust me, there are some really bad headshot photographers out there -- yikes! Thankfully, I found local (to the GTA) photographer Sara Lynn Paige.

Sara and I have actually been online friends through the blogosphere for a few years now, but our photoshoot was our first time meeting. Off the bat, Sara was friendly and professional, and I couldn't have found someone more easygoing to work with. We joked around a lot but she was also able to capture my "serious" side (I assure you, it exists!) in a really natural way.

See, I can be serious! Photo credits to Sara Lynn Paige.

The resulting photos turned out wonderful and I definitely hope to work with Sara again. If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, and are looking for someone to shoot headshots, portraits, wedding photos -- Sara is your girl. She will make you feel comfortable and at ease and photograph you in your best light. Check out her blog here and see for yourself.

The Turning Of The Leaves

My latest story for FLARE is all about the wet hair look. Check it out in the November issue and watch the how-to video online.

The weather here is crazily beautiful right now. Sunny, warm without being stifling, the perfect breeze all the time. I don't want to jinx myself out of fear that the skies will turn gray and rain down on me but truly, I am grateful for this gorgeous beginning to Autumn. The only way you can really tell it's the time of year that it is, is the changing colours of the leaves. Always so beautiful, particularly in the fields and forest behind my parents' home, where I am currently visiting for Thanksgiving weekend (here in Canada).

Obviously it's put me in the mood for swapping out my sundresses for heavier knits and darker shades and I've gone and dug my caramel 1950s fur jacket out of the closet (though it's still not cool enough to wear). I've been updating my accessories (shoe clips!) and am slowly building a new season's collection of black tights (a necessity, and since they always pill and snag no matter how careful you are).

I'm slowly piecing together a Fall wardrobe but still have a few things in mind I'd like to add. A black leather motorcycle vest, a sharply tailored tuxedo jacket, more silk blouses, tapestry- and paisley-print vintage dresses, more hats, anything that hints at a 1940s femme fatale vibe ... it's a bit all over the place, I guess, but makes sense in my head. Of course I'm very visual and always collecting images, so below are a few of the things inspiring me for the next few weeks (hoping it stays at this temperature). 

All images (and more) + captions can be found here.

What are you wanting to wear this Fall? Do you give a damn about pumpkin spice lattes? I'm kind of indifferent to them, really. I don't think I've had one yet. Pumpkin pie though, I'm all about that. And mashed potatoes and stuffing? Yes, absolutely, give me a wheelbarrow full of that, please.

Anywho, you've seen my fashion inspiration. Keep an eye on xoVain in the very near future for info about my Fall beauty looks and ideas. 

Oh, and pick up ROOKIE Yearbook Two if you haven't yet! It's absolutely gorgeous and amazing. We had the launch events in New York last weekend and it was such a blast. I ate my weight in pizza (many photos on my instagram of said slices) and was surrounded by copious amounts of love from my co-contributors and all of the wonderful readers. If you made it out to our fun party, I hope you had a good time and thanks for supporting the magical coven that is ROOKIE.

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians, and to everyone else, have a sunny/spooky weekend.

xoHannah

Hello Old Friend

Yes, it's true. I'm updating this here blog! I have so much to write about and so many things to share, but it is LATE right now and I need to get to sleep, so instead you're getting a very quick hello. Just for now though! I am really going to try and share things from recent weeks, like my trips to Nova Scotia and New York in August, and loads of other goings-on. 

For now, here is a quick outfit post of what I've worn the last few days, and a little reminder to check me out over at xoVain and read what I've been up to there!

Left: Joe Fresh dress and suede heels, Baublebar necklace. Right: Joe Fresh silk blouse and gold ankle boots, vintage pleated skirt.

Some shots from a few of my recent stories over at xoVain.

And, if you're dying to know what I'm up to you can always check out my instagram right over there! ->

Thanks for reading & more to come, I promise!

xoHannah

Spring Is In The Air

I don't know how it is where you are, but the weather here definitely cannot make up its mind. However, there is distinctly a sense that Spring is on its way. It's definitely been raining enough for me to expect "May flowers" to arrive soon, and the sun is shining brighter and longer than it has in recent months.

With the change in the seasons I've been thinking about how the weather affects how I dress, what I'm inspired by. If you look back to my posts from the Winter you'll see images of flappers and witchy, pale women, but now that I can feel Spring and Summer on their way, I have Palm Beach, 1960s vibes and an itch to get a tan.

For starters, I had some incredible nails made up by the super-talented folks at Pinky's Nails. My inspiration was this vintage ad.

And the results. Aren't they incredible? They make me feel very glamorous all though they are making this post a bit difficult to type!

Anywho, here are some inspiration images to show you what's going on in my mind. In terms of what's going on in my life, I just finished college, I've been busy with writing for FLARE, xoVain, and Rookie, and I'm doing a play in July. Whew! Let me know what you've been up to. I know that now that I'm done school I'm going to have a lot more free time to not only devote to my professional writing, but this blog as well.

For all of these images and more, click here.

As always, thanks for reading. If you'd like to keep up with me even more, check out the sidebar to your right for links to my Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr. Cheers!

xoHannah