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A Look Back at 2013

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Elaine

Seriously where has the year gone? I can’t believe that 2013 is over – the years just seem to go by faster and faster!

Social media does not make sense to those who don’t use it. Blogging for that matter is incredibly foreign for most too. I remember when I first heard the term “blog” many years ago I just didn’t “get” it. Who would have thought I’d be entering my FOURTH year with Toronto Beauty Reviews! I didn’t look too far into the future when I started TBR and I’m still in awe and how much it’s grown. Just recently I was so excited to gain 1000 likes on Facebook!

Toronto-Beauty-Reviews-Facebook-1000-likes

What a journey it’s been!


Like everything there are good and bad aspects but one of the many pluses of social media and blogging is that I can look at some highlights of the past year as it’s all documented!

I thought on this last day of 2013 I would take a look back at some of my favourite blogging moments of 2013.

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Elaine-bio-for-Fashion
Being asked to be part of the original group for the Fashion Magazine Beauty Panel was a HUGE honour! I love participating in these challenges but as the year kept progressing I seemed to get busier and busier and didn’t have time to participate! I promise I will try to do my best be more active! Be sure to check it all the other amazing panelist out from all across the country.
Blush-Pretty-Beauty-Board-7
You’ve heard all about the Blush Pretty Beauty Boards from me throughout the years! This year I helped to plan and organize this one from the start. It was so much fun bringing brands and beauty / skin care lovers together all in one space. 
Anthony Cheung 2
photo credit: Anthony Cheung

I conquered the runway too this year at the MIN handbag launch. Little known fact – I used to pretend to walk the runway as a kid and I actually tried out ONCE for my high school fashion show but nerves got the better of me and I essential froze in front of the judges! So glad I was able to overcome my anxieties by working with Charming Media and the lovely Minling Pan to help launch her new line! 

Aveeno-Ambassador-badge- FINAL
I was asked to be an AVEENO Active Naturals Ambassador! I was very excited and privileged to work with the great group representing AVEENO this year. They have been nothing but generous and I have been blessed with amazing opportunities as an #AveenoAmbassador. 
The Chief Vancouver BC
Canada is just such a gorgeous country and I’m so happy I was finally able to take a trip out west to Vancouver to hang with family. The husband and I fell in love with the place and we’re already planning our next trip back in 2014!
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I am also blessed that part of my “job” as a blogger is to test out different services in the city but my visit to The Rogue Stylist will stick with me because of the cute little kitty that I wanted to take home with me! Of course, the hair cut was awesome too! 
Chatelaine Ambassador Button
I was also asked to be a Chatelaine Ambassador this year! I’ve only written one post for them so far but hopefully they will ask me to contribute more in 2014.
Elaine-Atkins-This-Beautiful-Day-Collage
A blogger friend Lisa Ng asked to feature me on her blog This Beautiful Life. She’s someone I really admire and look up to in the blogging world so of course I said yes!
Aveeno Ambassadors + PR Team
Remember how I told you about amazing opportunities with Aveeno? Well I was able to visit New York City for the FIRST time in my life! I visited the Patrick Melville Salon, dined at ABC Kitchen and stayed at 70 Park Avenue Hotel!! 
Kiss Nails Party - Kindle Photos
photo credit: Kindle Photos
I hosted a Kiss Nails Party at the DesignHerCo studio for my personal and blogging friends and some readers too! Everyone had a blast trying out the Kiss Gel Nails system and the kids had fun with all the kid friendly nail stickers.
Designher Kit
Dara of DesignherCo also launched the Designher Kit and I helped plan the media event for this exciting product. She even got a spot featured on Cityline (start at the 4th segment)! 
Spark-Sessions-Toronto
By far the biggest undertaking and highlight of 2013 was being part of the SPARK Sessions executive committee. Working with this group of ladies to bring together Canada’s first Fashion + Beauty Blogger conference was an experience I truly cherish. We’ve already got great things planned for the next one so I hope you’ll stay tuned!
Spark-Sessions-Jeanne-Beker-Elaine-Lui
Also during that weekend I was able to work with Jeanne Beker and Elaine Lui (aka Lainey Gossip). Both ladies were amazing to work with and I’m so honoured that they helped kick off the first SPARK Sessions with a bang!

It was INCREDIBLY hard narrowing down my 2013 highlights. I’m truly so blessed that this little blog has opened up doors for me and allowed me to figure out my skills and work with so many amazing people and brands. I hope I can keep the momentum going in 2014 and I wanted to thank all of you for reading, supporting and encouraging me to keep going! I couldn’t do it with you!

I wish that 2014 brings happiness, health, love and success you and all your loved ones. 
Happy New Year!

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Editor of #TorontoBeautyReviews.
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Just some casual, everyday makeup 🙃🔷 Wearin Just some casual, everyday makeup 🙃🔷

Wearing @colourpopcosmetics Ultra Matte lip in Jellies and @annabellecosmetics Free Spirit eyeliner in Black*

*gifted 

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #bluelipstick #boldmakeup #tbrcontributors #beautyforeveryone #colourpopme
Looking for long-wear eyeshadow with colours that Looking for long-wear eyeshadow with colours that show off every hue of you? Check out @annabellecosmetics new Big Show Multi-Use Eyeshadow Pen! 🎨

✨ Canadian 🇨🇦
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✨ 12+ hr wear
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#ad #Annabellecosmetics, #AnnabelleUGCTeam #torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave #natapr #canadianmakeup #crueltyfreebeauty #easymakeup
Looking to pamper yourself with something unique? Looking to pamper yourself with something unique? ✨ Swing by @touchmassagebar for a seated massage!

Here’s a quick peek into my experience with the « I Want it All » foot, hand, neck, and shoulders massage with the « Free Your Mind » scalp massage add-on. Heaven! 😍

#torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave #massagetoronto #footmassage #scalpmassage #touchmassagebar #treatyoself
Putting these on the grid so I can look at them lo Putting these on the grid so I can look at them long after they’ve gone 🥰💐 

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💙🩵🩶 Wearing: @hauslabs Triclone skin te 💙🩵🩶 

Wearing:
@hauslabs Triclone skin tech concealer in 03
@milkmakeup sculpt stick in Toasted 
@annabellecosmetics kohl eyeliner in black* + Sky Limit mascara*
@tower28beauty GetSet powder + OneLiner in Paint My Number (as blush)
@rarebeauty lifting brow gel 
@lysbeautyofficial bronzer in motivate 
#QuoBeauty Love Is Love palette
@patmcgrathreal Celestial Nirvana palette 

*gifted products 

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #boldmakeup #blueeyeshadow #makeupinspo #drugstoremakeup #beautyforeveryone #canadianbrand
Little pop of color to brighten the grey day 💚🖤

Wearing:
@annabellecosmetics Kohl eyeliner in Balsam Green*+ Sky Limit mascara* + Perfect Fit setting spray*
@colourpopcosmetics Just My Luck palette
@hauslabs Triclone Skin Tech concealer in 03
@milkmakeup sculpt stick in Toasted + cooling water jelly tint in Splash 
@rarebeauty lifting brow gel
@tower28beauty GetSet powder in translucent + Oneliner in Paint My Number 
@kjh.brand Hyper Shine Highlight kit in Lite Pink 

*gifted products 
#mytbrfave #torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #beautyforeveryone #greeneyeshadow #easymakeup #makeupinspo
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Check out our last-minute holiday gift guide highlighting local stores where you can get amazing presents for everyone on your list! ✅🎁

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*some products were gifted for editorial consideration 

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Halloween as a librarian who used to be an MUA 🙃

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🔗 in bio! 🙌🏼

*products kindly gifted

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2 - St Vitus Cathedral (took 600 yrs to build; I cried because it was so stunning in person)
3 - Cute lil gargoyle 
4 - Palace gardens
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6 - Truffle gnocchi in champagne foam @cafeimperial_praha 🤤
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10 - Wunderkammer at Strahov Monastery 
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12 - c. 1800 Dendrological Library at Strahov (books carved from trees, covered in their bark and lichen & filled with their leaves and seeds!)
13 - 800 yr old natural sandstone water spring underneath Strahov Monastery, now housed in what they call “Hell” restaurant. 😂 @napekle 
14 - Travel friends! @kendranh 
15 - *Immediately* losing at pinball at @joystick_bar_prague 👾
16 - Getting *very* into the all-you-can-drink wine bar (!) @nasklenicku 🍷
17 - obligatory trashy snacks after the wine bar 
18 - peacock chilling on the hotel grounds @hotelupava 
19 - Fun restaurant where you pay by the skewer (sooo tasty) @bistrospejle 
20 - the views were ok, I guess 🙃

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1 - gelato
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6 - 🍝
7 - the staircase of books at the Libreria Acqua Alta 
8 & 9 - canals 
10 - Torcello
11 - Burano 
12 - 1300 yr old church 
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18 - 🍕

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Come with me to pick up the art piece created from Come with me to pick up the art piece created from the flowers in my bridal bouquet! 🥹❤️

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Amanda and her team are extraordinary artists (and wonderful humans!) who give your flowers a new life and preserve memories. Every time I walk past this piece on my wall, my heart glows with flashbacks of my wedding day. 

If you have an important event that includes flowers, do yourself a favor and book with Parched to get them preserved. They accept flowers from across Canada, and have worked on blooms marking all occasions of life, from graduations, baby showers, weddings, and memorials. They can even create pendants using flower remnants! 

Bouquet: @coolgreenandshady 
Wedding photographer: @alexa.studios 
Wedding planner: @karinalemkeweddings 
Preservation artists: @parchedfloral 

#torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave #smallbusinesssupport #floralpreservation #torontowedding #weddinginspo #parchedfloral #weddingflorals
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Would you try this?
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Hero products include: 
@annabellecosmetiques skinny mascara* & kohl eyeliners in Balsam Green* + Wood Charcoal*
@tower28beauty swipe concealer in BU
@milkmakeup cooling water jelly tint in splash 
@lysbeautyofficial bronzer in motivate
@kjh.brand hyper shine highlight in lite pink

*gifted products 

#torontobeautyreviews #easymakeup #beautyforeveryone #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave
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This brand is phenomenal. I love every piece of theirs that I own and wear a Lezé item almost every day. 

@lezethelabel is:

✅ WOC founded 
✅ Canadian
✅ Ethically produced 
✅ Sustainably made using innovative fabrics (like 🌽 or material made from recycled fishing nets!) 
✅ THE COMFIEST 
✅ Designed for real bodies! (Big pockets, lots of stretch, extended sizing)

The humans in charge are also incredibly kind and generous. ❤️

➡️ Since it can be hard to figure out sizing when purchasing online, I put together this little lookbook for you. Basically, I wear a L in their items made from their recycled fishing net fabric, but an XL in the corn, since they’re a little closer to the body and I like a baggier fit in that fabric. I typically wear a size 14. 

If you’re interested, check them out! And feel free to use my discount code (TORONTOBEAUTYREVIEWS15) for 15% off! 🔗 in bio. 😊

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #sustainablefashion #canadian #canadianfashion #comfycrew #lezethelabel
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In addition to ghee, it also includes rose oil and eyebright - these high-performance ingredients work together to reduce puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles. 

This Canadian brand is WOC-founded, and products are cruelty-free as well as eco-friendly. 🇨🇦🐇🌍

Have you tried @sahajanskincare yet? 

 *Gifted @1milk2sugarspr 

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #ghee #canadianbrand #cleanskincare
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This bob is going to take some getting used to after my messy mane of long hair, but I already feel sooooo much lighter ✨

What do you think of the new look? 🙃👩🏻‍🦰

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #torontohair #bobhaircut #hairtransformation #thecellarsalonto
If you know me IRL, you know I’m a cleaning frea If you know me IRL, you know I’m a cleaning freak. 🙈🧼But, since I’m allergic to everything (fragrance, harsh chemicals, etc 😖) and also care about the environment, I try to find options that are natural as well as effective. 🌍🫧 That way, they’re gentle on my skin and the world, but tough on germs and dirt!

We’ve been using @nelliesclean dish sticks, stain stick, laundry soda for the past few months and LOVING them. ❤️ I even purchased Nellie’s Oxygen brightener recently, which is a bleach alternative that boosts color and keeps whites white. They WORK. (And look very retro chic!)

If you’re looking for effective, naturally-derived cleaning products from a Canadian company, I highly recommend that you check out @nelliesclean! 🇨🇦

*gifted products 

#torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #cleaninghacks #naturalcleaning #cleaningproducts #nelliesclean #lucidpr
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