Pursuing Pretty

THE BEST BOLD LIPSTICK COLOURS

February 3, 2016

THE BEST BOLD LIPSTICK COLOURS

“Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.” -Herbert Spencer

I used to be a little bit of a lipstick snob. I love bold colours but I would only buy the expensive department store brands because the colours were always so rich looking. But, I have to say that in the past year, “drug store” make-up lines like Maybelline, Revlon, Rimmel, Covergirl and L’Oreal have really stepped up and made some beautiful, affordable colours that look anything but cheap.

The number one question that I get asked on Instagram, is “What lip colour are you wearing?”. So I figured it was time to round up my favourites and share them with you.

(Nails: Jamberry gel in Flamingo with Love Letter and Pop of Hearts wraps / Watch: Wristology Rachel: 20% off with coupon code Kristin20)

First, some tips on wearing a bold lip colour:

1. You need lip liner to make that perfect, pouty lip. The great thing about lip liner is that you if you buy a couple different ones (one red, one pink, one berry) then you can match them to those colour spectrums. They don’t need to be exact!

2. Choose matte! If you want colour that pops and lasts, then choose one from a matte collection. It’s easy to layer on gloss overtop if you want that wet look.

3. Own it!!! So many people tell me that they purchased a lip colour that looked great in the store but then they got it home and thought it looked terrible on them. A little secret: it doesn’t!!! You have to have the confidence to wear it! Try this: Wear the new colour for ONE day. Choose a weekend when you are staying home or doing errands. If you aren’t used to wearing lipstick then it can be a big change. Get used to looking in the mirror with it on. By the end of the day, then decide whether it can stay or go.

To help you grab some great shades, I’ve made a handy list for you:

Maybelline ColorBlur

My new favourite!!! The ColorBlur allows you to add a lot or a little colour with the use of it’s blending tip. The colours are vibrant and bold. Shades to try: Partner in Crimson (red), Fast and Fuchsia (pink, worn in photo), Plum Please (berry, worn in photo above). Although they have so many fabulous colours, you can’t really go wrong here.

Revlon Color Burst

Love these matte colours from Revlon. They have a hint of vanilla/mint scent and they are so easy to apply. Shades to try: Elusive (pink), (poppy red, worn in photo), Fiery (new, plum).

Hard Candy All Matted Up

A new line from Hard Candy. This red and pink matte colour is beautiful! Unfortunately, this is the only good colour that they offer in the line but it’s a great price and worth buying.

There’s no better time of year than summer to try a new lip colour!

Kiss,

Kiki

Connect with me! Instagram / Jamberry / Etsy

Canadian Wonderland in Banff

December 28, 2015

CANADIAN WONDERLAND in BANFF

Cranberry Cooper toque / Canada Goose Kensington Coat / Canadian Mitts / Hunter Boots

Merry Christmas friends! I hope you all had some quality family time during these past few days. I’ve been so fortunate to spend it with my family here in Calgary this year. It’s always hard missing my husband and I’s extended families in Ontario but it’s just so hard to travel during the busiest time of year with two little kids.

A little tradition that we started last year was to spend two nights at the Fairmont Banff Springs right before Christmas. It is a magical wonderland during the winter in Banff, Alberta, Canada, but “Christmas at the Castle” is extra special. The hotel is filled with decorated Evergreens, giant gingerbread houses, a Santa’s workshop, and even nightly bedtime stories.

Our kids spend a couple of days swimming in their outdoor, heated pool and my husband and I spend a couple of days relaxing. Getting away from the city can be just what you need to unwind.; leaving the daily stresses of work, schedules and household chores!

If you want to enjoy the snow, there is an outdoor skating rink, tobogganing hill, and cross-country skiing trails, all surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains. Just don’t forget to bring your warmest gear as the temperature dips well below freezing during the day! Shop my picks for warm winter outerwear in the links above.

What are your favourite family traditions during the holidays?

Love, Kiki Davies

Family Photo Shoots – Tips and Tricks

November 13, 2015

Family Photos
Tips and Tricks for making the most of your family photos this season

I absolutely love family photos. Every fall, I round up the gang and despite complaining, arrange to have our family life captured in a moment. It’s always a bit of a race against time here in Calgary. The leaves change colour quickly with the cooler weather, giving you a small window of two to three weeks before they fall to the ground. This year I chose Kaley Hayward Photography: an awesome local Calgarian photographer that I will definitely use again next year! I love how bright and natural our photos turned out. She also caught some beautiful candid moments.

I love yearly photos for a few reasons:

1. If you do this in the same season, you will have a great snapshot of how everyone has grown in a year’s time.

2. It makes for beautiful photos to use to decorate your home.

3. Use these photos for your Holiday cards and photo gifts to family members. Check out Shutterfly for great options!

Tips

1. If you have young kids, do a mini-session! This was our first time doing an official mini-session this year and it was perfect! These sessions usually have a 20-30 minute time frame and it’s just enough time to get some great shots before your children run out of patience. It is also much cheaper than a full photography session.

2. Choose 3 colours for your colour scheme. For our photos this year, I chose navy blue, forest green and cream. Whatever you choose, try and get at least one neutral colour in there as it is easier to match. One bright colour is great too (think red!). I ALWAYS go to Joe Fresh for family photo coordination. This time of year, their stores are filled with cozy sweaters, plaid flannels and cute jeans… in my opinion the perfect combinations. It’s easy to coordinate and everyone will look casual without looking too dressed up. Jeans are always a great option for everyone!

3. Get your photos outside. The natural lighting and beautiful backgrounds are exactly what you want. A cloudy day is actually better than a sunny one for outdoor photos! No shadowed faces or squinty eyes to worry about.

4. Pick a prop! I wanted to have a few fun, matchy-matchy toque photos for our Christmas card. I went with Cooper Toques in cream, blue and sky blue for my boys and a Ryan Beanie in charcoal for my hubby. I love how cute it turned out! Check out my Etsy Shop to order some for your family or email me: kristinldavies@yahoo.ca

5. A couple little tricks for the mommas: wavy hair looks better than straight, make your smile stand-out with a darker shade of lipstick, and a little extra make-up will still look quite natural on camera.

If you’re looking for my outfit details, shop them on my previous post.

Now say cheese!

Love, Kiki www.harpers-hats.com

Italy in 10 Days

August 13, 2015

ITALY IN 10 DAYS

My short and sweet travel guide on how to see the best sights of Italy in 10 days.

I am a mother with 2 young kids so my husband and I rarely get to take a trip together. We love traveling but getting away for an extended length of time can be really tough. We’ve always wanted to see Italy so for our 5 year wedding anniversary, we decided to do it. I must admit, I am a crazy planner when it comes to traveling somewhere. I have a phobia of showing up to a new place and missing out on something because I failed to know about it. So for Italy, I spent hours in front of the computer researching Trip Advisor and flipping through my Fodors guide book trying to plan the best trip in a short amount of time. With so many places to go and things to see, Italy can be a bucket list trip.

Here is our 10 day Italian itinerary with overnight stops in Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Siena and Rome with a pit-stop in Pisa. Don’t forget about other cities like Milan, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. It’s just so hard to choose!

A few tips:

*On a short time frame, stay in the heart of the cities. Don’t waste time commuting in everyday to see the major attractions.

*Get good maps and ask for directions! Especially if you are driving.

*Fly to Venice and work your way down or to Rome and work your way up.

*On the first Sunday of every month, Italy offers free admission to all museums.

*If you can purchase your admissions tickets ahead of time it may save you a lot of waiting!

Day 1 & 2: VENICE (VENEZIA)

Venice is my absolute favourite city in Italy. We started our journey here and I don’t think you could pick a more unique and romantic place to stay. You will love getting lost in a maze of walkways and bridges as every time you turn a corner, you are greeted with a new sight.

Must-see:

*Basilica di San Marco

*a Gondola Ride

*Rialto Bridge

*Strolling through the neighbourhoods of San Marco and Dosoduro

Must-eat:

*Pizza lunch at Antico Forno

Day 3 & 4: FLORENCE (FIRENZE)

Florence is easily the cultural centre of art history in Italy. Get here in a couple hours by taking a high speed train from Venice to Florence. The city is easily accessible by walking or biking and it’s easy to cover a lot of ground in one day. The Duomo is the heart of the city and an absolutely magnificent sight. Climb the windy stone staircase to the top if you aren’t too claustrophobic!

Must-see:

*The Duomo

*Galleria dell’Accademia (home of Michelangelo’s David)

*Ponte Vecchio

*Piazza della Signoria

*Piazzale Michelangelo

Must-Eat:

*Gelato at Grom

Must-Stay:

*Hotel Calzaiuoli

Day 5 & 6: CINQUE TERRE

My husband and I decided to rent a car for 4 days to visit the Italian Riveria towns of Cinque Terre and then the Chianti Wine region town called Siena. Rental cars can easily be reserved ahead online. Although driving can be confusing, if you get a good map and directions ahead of time, this is a wonderful way to explore Italy.

You cannot beat the culture and beauty of Cinque Terre. I could have stayed much longer exploring these 5 coastal villages. Monterosso Al Mare is the larger town and offers more in the way of dining and lodging but all towns are worth thoroughly exploring.

For all the information you need on Cinque Terre, please visit my previous detailed blog post here.

Must-stay:

*Hotel La Colonnina

Day 7: PISA

Pisa can be a pit-stop. We stopped here while driving from Cinque Terre to Siena. We found free street parking and spent an hour touring around the grassy piazza of the Leaning Tour of Pisa. It is a beautiful plaza that is worth a stop.

Day 7 & 8: SIENA

The Tuscany wine region is most easily accessible by car. I would highly recommend seeing this region by this mode of transportation as it is wonderful to have a bit of open freedom after touring some of the larger cities. Siena is a beautiful walled medieval city with fantastic surrounding views. If you don’t want to stay in town, I would suggest booking a villa in the countryside. If you’re looking for a different option than Siena, try the town of San Gimignano.

After spending our first day walking and sight seeing in Siena, we spent our second day touring around the Tuscan Chianti region in our rental car. This was the perfect way to relax and go at our own pace. Take your time lunching and wine tasting along your drive between Castellina , Radda and Gaiole in Chianti.

Must-See:

*Piazza Del Campo

*Duomo and Cripta

*Castello di Brolio (castle tour and wine tasting)

Must-Eat:

*La Prosciuterria – the most delicious meat and cheese boards from local produce.

*Ice Cream in the town of Castellina in Chianti

Must-Stay:

*Hotel Athena (the above photo of the countryside is the view from our room and they include parking!)

Day 9 & 10: ROME (ROMA)

Rome may be a little overwhelming after 8 full days of traveling. There is enough to do and see to fill your days here. The long lines and flocks of tourists may seem daunting but everything you see will be worth it, especially St. Peter’s Basilica.

After returning our car to Florence we took another high-speed train to Rome. Rome is one of the only Italian cities that has a subway system so use it when your legs need a rest. It also can connect you to the airport which is super convenient. There are “hop-on hop-off” bus tours too that take you to all the main attractions. This is a good option when traveling in those hot summer months.

Must-see:

*St. Peter’s Basilica

*The Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel

*Trevi Fountain

*Colosseum

*Pantheon

Must-Eat:

*Trattoria il Tettarello (we ate here both nights we loved it so much, best pizza ever!)

Whether you are blessed with more time in Italy or less, choose an itinerary that suits your needs. We definitely tried to cram as much as we could into our ten days but I didn’t want to miss any of the spectacular sights in these six cities (see, it’s my phobia!). It’s true I felt pretty exhausted on our journey home but my soul felt full.

Amore,

Kiki

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Cinque Terre, Italy- The Italian Riviera

June 24, 2015

CINQUE TERRE – THE ITALIAN RIVIERA

I had never even heard of Cinque Terre until I polled my Facebook friends on places to go in Italy. My husband and I decided to do a trip of a lifetime to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary and we decided it needed to be Italy. Once I started googling photos of this Italian town, I knew immediately that I had to see it in person.

It turned out to be one of our favourite spots on our trip. The perfect majestic getaway after a few days of sightseeing in Italy’s most tourist packed cities. It was a chance for us to unwind, stroll the beautiful streets and appreciate the “Dolce Far Niente” or “the sweetness of doing nothing”. If this sounds like a place for you, read on for some helpful travel tips.

A little background: “Cinque Terre” literally means “Five Lands”. The five, small towns cling to the coastline and give you as much charm and character that you could ever want. Monterosso Al Mare – Vernazza – Corniglia – Manarola – Riomaggiore are all linked by hiking paths or a super convenient train that runs between villages every 30-60 minutes. Unfortunately, the commonly used trail that connects the cities, known as Trail #2, are closed indefinitely due to falling rocks and mudslides. BUT if you are adventurous then try one of the more steeper, challenging trails to get some great views of the cities (keep reading for more information). You can also enjoy travel and views from the sea by taking a ferry between towns.

Getting there: We wanted to try our hand at driving to the Eastern Coast so we rented a car from Florence and drove 2.5 hours to the Ligurian Sea. Rental cars are cheap and easy to reserve online ahead of time. Good tip: Get a good map! We printed out exact directions on Google Maps ahead of time and still managed to get lost heading out of Florence. The good part is that highways are great and easy to navigate but you will pay a toll fee. Once arriving in Cinque Terre, you cannot drive your car in any of the towns but there are car parks where you can park overnight and walk down with your luggage. You can also reach Cinque Terre by train from any major city but it does take longer as there may be a few stops along the way.

The Five Towns:

Monterosso Al Mare

Monterosso Al Mare is the larger of the towns and offers more hotel and beach options. We absolutely LOVED our stay at La Colonnina. A roof top terrace with lounge chairs, a shaded courtyard patio with huge lemons trees and a delicious breakfast every morning. Paradise! There are two sides to this town connected by tunnel: the Historical Centre and the pebbled beach area that you see above.

The coastal hiking train between Monterosso and Vernazza (Trail #2) is the only one that is still open but it is also the longest. It will take you about 2 hours (3km/2mi) to complete it. Do it early in the morning before it is too hot and take plenty of water!

If you decide not to stay here, plan for dinner in one of the many cute and quaint restaurants. Enjoy a Spritz and try the seafood pasta! Try a Limoncino for dessert. Limoncino is like Lemoncello but made exclusively in Cinque Terre: a little more sweetness and a little less alcohol. Take it from me, you’ll be buying one to bring home in your suitcase!

Vernazza

My favourite of the towns. A beautiful little harbour that makes for a great place to sit and enjoy a cappuccino while people watching. There is a medieval tower that is worth the climb for great views.

Corniglia

This town is perched high on the mountain-top. When disembarking the train or ferry, you must walk up hundreds of stairs to the top! On a clear day, you can see for miles, making the climb totally worth it!

Manarola

The picture perfect postcard photo is from Manarola. After our long hike (see below), we stopped here to take in this tiny town while toasting with beers and fresh calamari wrapped in a newspaper cone. Life doesn’t get much better than a view and a moment like that one. Head to the cemetery to the right of town to capture this colourful photo.

Riomaggiore

Trevor and I took the train from Monterosso to the last town of Riomaggiore. You can buy a day pass or your single train ticket is good for 100 minutes after validation. We decided to do the 1 hour hike to Manarola as it is the shortest one. Walk up to the top of town and head right. Look up. See that incredibly steep staircase? Yep that’s the route. You literally climb through vineyards to the top of the mountain and back down again. It is extremely tough but absolutely breathtaking.

Cinque Terre is a place to visit at least once in a lifetime. I would have enjoyed many more days here but our trip only allowed us for two. If you are planning a trip to Italy consider taking time out and visiting these 5 Lands.

Arrivederci,

Kiki

How to Make an Italian Spritz Drink

June 20, 2015

How to Make an ITALIAN “SPRITZ” Drink

If you are dreaming of Italy but won’t be getting there
anytime soon, try one of their signature beverages this summer. When my husband and I were vacationing there
last week, this bright orange drink seemed to be
enjoyed by locals and tourists at every cafe, bar and restaurant we passed. On our second day in Venice, we pointed it out to our waitress and she promptly called it a “Spritz”. And you know the
cliché “When in Rome…” (or Venice, right!?) so we ordered two and gave it a
whirl.

We were soon hooked on this delicious and refreshing
beverage. I’d never tasted anything like
it in Canada before, so while in Siena, we commissioned our bartender to show us
how to make it and what ingredients we would need. Needless to say we did fill one suitcase full
of wine, lemoncello and Aperol for the journey home. The good news for you is that all these
ingredients can be purchased in North America too!

Spritz Recipe:

Prosecco –A dry sparkling white wine from Italy, made from
Glera grapes.

Aperol – An Italian Aperitif that was a sweet tangerine
taste with hints of bitter spices.

Soda Water – good ol’ carbonated water.

Fill your white wine glass half-full with ice. Add 3 ounces of Prosecco, then 2 ounces of
Aperol. Top with 1 ounce of soda
water. Garnish with an orange slice and
green olive! The ratio is always 3:2:1 so you can use that to make a smaller or larger drink!

Salute!

Kiki

Watch for upcoming blog posts on “How to do 10 days in Italy” and “Cinque Terre: The Italian Riviera” !

Read to Your Kids

March 26, 2015

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents” – Emilie Buchwald

It’s been just over a month now since my mom passed away. As I adjust to living with the grief and trying to continue with my everyday life as a wife and a mother, I think of her constantly. What I miss the most about her is her voice. My mother, Nancy, was born in Arkansas and raised in Texas.
She had the most beautiful loud southern accent, and boy, did she love to talk. After she met and married my dad, she moved to
Canada and had my brothers and I. Growing up north of the border, everyone used
to comment on her “cool Texas accent” filled with unusual words like “ya’ll”
and “reckon”. I never really noticed it because
she was my mom, and that’s the voice I heard all the time… it was normal to
me.

My mom loved to read and she loved to read aloud to us. I know that I inherited my passionate love of
books from her. It’s something we shared throughout her life. After my mom moved back to Texas later in life, I would send her all of my favourite reads from the year, prompting phone calls and emails at all hours with messages like this:

“Well I hope you’re happy that I’ve been up since 2:30 this morning
reading this darn Twilight book – just like I did with The Da Vinci Code when we
were in Paris. Shame on you – old people like me need their sleep!
LOL Love, Mom”

Now that I am a mom, I
cherish the time I take to read to my kids everyday. I hope that I am fostering the same love of reading that I was given. My 3 year old will not even consider going to
sleep without a story. Even on the
nights when we’ve already let him stay up past his bedtime, I still lay down in
his little boat bed and read him a book.
There is just something so relaxing and comforting about a parent’s voice. I want my boys to remember this
quality time that we are spending together.

In honour of her memory, I am sharing my 5 favourite books to read with my boys. I am a sucker for rhyming books with a rythmic story line:

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey
Rinker

Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett (this one even comes with
tickle monster mitts!)

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss

My favourite part about all of these books is that they were all given to my children as gifts. They weren’t ones that I picked out but someone else did with my boys in mind. I’m sharing them with you today in hopes that you will pass your favourites on to your kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc. Our kids will outgrow their toys, but they won’t outgrow these stories. I still have my childhood copy of my Mom’s favourite “The Velveteen Rabbit” and my Dad’s favourite “The Polar Express”. Isn’t it wonderful how we love these books as much as our children do? Maybe it’s the memories we love and cherish the most. I miss you Mom.