OSiS+ Thrill

Have you been following along with my OSiS+ reviews and tutorials? If not, be sure to check out my other posts here! Today, I'm sharing my thoughts on OSiS+ Thrill ($23.50 CAD), a strong control fibre gum that can be used to add style and texture on short to medium hair.

Way back in the day when I had super short hair that I spiked up in the back (this was when I was "punk rawk" obviously!), Thrill would have been the perfect product for me. The fibres are fun to work between your fingers and you can easily define sections of hair for a piece-y look, adding shine without looking greasy. Plus it smells so good.

Unfortunately my hair is much too long for products like this now so I've only been able to use it for taming flyaways. However, if you have shorter hair or a more edgy haircut, I highly recommend it. It's also great for guys - I've passed my tin along to my boyfriend who is just loving it.

Be BFFs with Ann Taylor and LOFT!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ANN INC. CAREERS. All opinions are 100% mine.

ANN INC. is represented by two of the leading specialty retail fashion brands in North America: Ann Taylor and LOFT, both of which carry tons of stylish work wear that I am constantly coveting. In fact, when I was in Toronto a few weeks ago, I made a point to stop by Ann Taylor since we don't have any stores in Vancouver (yet). We did just get a LOFT though, so fingers crossed that one opens up here soon!

Now, thanks to the ANN INC. BFF mobile app, you can also gain some insight into the fashion company and have 24/7 access to help you put your "BEST FOOT FORWARD"!

I recently downloaded the BFF app onto my iPhone and have been having lots of fun playing with its many different features. From daily inspirational mantras and quotes from fashion icons to up-to-the-minute fashion news, this app has tons to offer. Plus, for those of you interested in pursuing a fashion career, there is plenty of career advice from fashion leaders in ANN INC. as well as job opportunities at the company.

My favourite feature, however, is the Trends Gallery, which allows you to snap pictures of your outfits to share with the community. If you're on Instagram, use the the tag #bfftrends to be featured on the app!

The BFF app can be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play.

GIVEAWAY: IT by Alexa Chung {CLOSED}

Media-proclaimed "it" girl Alexa Chung released her aptly named first book, IT, last month giving fashion fans some long-awaited insight into her private life.

Equal parts style guide, memoir, and scrapbook, IT chronicles Alexa's sources of inspiration and outlines her route to self-discovery through both fashion and music. Told through a series of short written excerpts, this pretty pink hardcover book combines her personal anecdotes, drawings, and photographs in an incredibly accessible, effortless voice. Basically, the book is every bit as cool as Alexa herself.

IT has been a fantastic addition to my coffee table book collection and thanks to Penguin, I have one to give away to a reader!

HOW TO ENTER (mandatory entry):
♥ Follow my blog on Bloglovin and leave a comment below saying you've done so with your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRY:
♥ Follow me on Twitter and tweet "I just entered to win a copy of IT by Alexa Chung from @alison_elle - http://bit.ly/17SMyzH" and leave a comment below saying you've done so.

Giveaway ends November 30. Open to US and Canada only - sorry!

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Congratulations to the winner - Erika of Pink and Green Mom!

Heart You

I had an early start to the holiday party season this year, with my first occurring this past weekend. Although it felt a bit strange to be celebrating in November, I can't say I have any complaints. Delicious food and free-flowing drinks? I'm so there. Plus, the event also provided an excellent opportunity to wear my new Heart You Dress by Three Floor. I have been coveting this UK brand's dresses for a while now and am super happy with my purchase. The nude mesh, lace, and cut-outs make for such unique details... maybe it's time to start collecting dresses!

Dress: Three Floor (here and here) / Tights: H&M / Booties: Report (similar)
Bag: Chanel / Bracelet: Kate Spade New York (similar)

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" Nail Art Tutorial

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is coming out next Friday and I could not be more excited (I love Jennifer Lawrence). I hear there are going to be some really cool outfits in the movie, and because beauty and aesthetics are such a huge part of life in The Capitol, I also thought it would be fun to put together this flaming nail art tutorial inspired by The Hunger Games.

To recreate this look, there are just 4 simple steps:

1. First, paint on a shimmery coal nail polish as your base colour. I used MAC Cosmetics Military from their Holiday 2013 Divine Night Collection.

2. Next, paint on a gold polish (I used mark. Trend Mini Nail Lacquer in Gleam Scene) partway down the nail, creating flicks to look like flames.

3. Add a red polish (I used mark. Trend Mini Nail Lacquer in Snowberry) on top of the gold flames, being careful to leave some peeking through.

4. Last, I decided to top my nails with Essie As Gold As It Gets, which is a gold top coat. This step is optional but adds a bit of dimension and sparkle.

In honour of the movie's upcoming release, I also have a super exciting giveaway for any Hunger Games fans in the Vancouver-area. One lucky reader will win:

• Two advanced screening tickets to "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" on November 20, 2013 playing at 7 p.m. in the Scotiabank Theatre 
• A Hunger Games Prize Pack (including the book trilogy, DVD, and lots of other swag)

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER, KATHERINE!

Cold Weather Intolerance

Despite these misleading pictures (which were taken in Yaletown), I am actually in my hometown of Toronto right now. I flew in for my friends' wedding and have been having a blast catching up with my friends and family. I've also come to realize, however, that while I am an east coast girl at heart, my west coast side has definitely taken over... especially when it comes to cold weather tolerance! See this outfit? Totally wouldn't be able to pull this off here without a coat. My new sweater from SheLikes would have to be hidden under layers of clothing and you wouldn't be able to see my favorite feature - the faux leather sleeves. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love leather.

Sweater: SheLikes (c/o) / Pants: Paige (similar) / Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs (here)

Shoes: Sam Edelman (here) / Hat: Club Monaco (here) / Scarf: Wilfred (Aritzia)

Shopaholic Tag (& October Must-Reads)

Question of the month: Lots of questions because it's the SHOPAHOLIC TAG!!!

1. Would you consider yourself a shopaholic?
Yes, definitely!

2. How would you classify your style? 
"Downtown chic." I've actually blogged about this before and I'd say it's still the same.

3. What store can you not leave without buying at least one thing? 
Aritzia.

4. Where do you find the best deals? 
Joe Fresh and Old Navy are really inexpensive and often have cute pieces.

5. What designer are you willing to splurge for? 
I'll splurge for most designers if there's a piece I really love (and can afford!). However, you can't go wrong with Chanel.

6. Do you have a "go to" shopping outfit? 
Leggings and a tanktop (with  layers on top). If there's a long line for the fitting room I usually just try clothes on over them.

7. What is your guilty pleasure (aside from make up)? 
Does that mean nail polish doesn't count? If so, then tea. I am constantly buying new teas to try.

8. What is one staple clothing piece you cannot live without?
A nice wool coat.

9. What is a trend you hope never goes out of style? 
Leather.

10. What trend did you love that passed way too quickly?
I don't follow a lot of trends though I was obsessed with bell-bottoms when they were popular in the late 90s. I would raid my grandmother's basement for pairs that my mom and aunts used to wear when they were young.

11. Who is your fashion icon? 
I always say Rachel Bilson or Olivia Palermo but lately I have been loving a lot of Jessica Alba's looks as well.

• Alison*Elle - Alison has busted out all of her Fall staples in honour of her favourite season... plaid, faux fur, ankle booties, and more!
• Beautygirl24 - Noelle shared photos of her honeymoon in paradise!
• Ella Pretty - Check out Ella's fall clothing haul: Camo Jeans, Sparkly Sweaters & Wrap Dresses
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen is slowly transitioning into fall with some sparkly sweaters.
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle took the leap.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette went for a fall stroll in her new Tory Burch Boots!
• The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen shared her lipstick collection with us this month !

Crème de la Crème

Weekends are when I can fully embrace my love of casual wear so I was excited when I happened upon this recent addition to my wardrobe at local boutique Rebecca Bree. Yes, the much blogged about Zoe Karssen "Crème de la Crème" sweatshirt. I just couldn't resist its comfy fleece, shoulder details, and mint colour... just perfect for chilly days, am I right?

P.S. You might recognize these Sam Edelman Petty Booties if you've seen this post or this post. I wear my black ones so much that I got them in taupe too!

Sweatshirt: Zoe Karssen (in black) / Jeans: Citizens of Humanity (similar)

Booties: Sam Edelman (here) / Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs (here)
Sunglasses: Michael Kors (c/o) (similar)

Wishlist: Diamond Earrings

With holiday parties on the horizon (I have my first one coming up in just a few weeks if you can believe it), I've recently begun gathering outfit inspiration and planning what to wear to each event. For me, the dress I'm wearing typically tends to be the focal piece but I believe it is actually the accessories that can make or break the look.

I've gotten a lot of wear out of my Anjolee eternity band (seen here) so I popped over to their website to see what they might have in the way of occasion-worthy jewelry. Let's just say I was not disappointed!

I was particularly drawn to Anjolee's selection of diamond earrings which come in all sorts of styles and, in many cases, can be customized by metal and gemstone. This means you can even match your jewelry to your dress if you are so inclined.

The various drop earrings and pavé studs available are absolutely stunning, as well as their gorgeous diamond hoop earrings which also caught my eye. I have never been much of a hoop earring girl, tending to favour super dangly baubles when getting dressed up, but these are just so elegant I think I might have to convert. Besides, who can say "no" to a little sparkle?

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but all opinions, as always, are my own.