roundup

RAOP Picks // June Edition

June 30, 2016June 28, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

Just in the knick of time- our June edit is here! I know May was in the beginning of the month, but I figure end of month works too if it means I get more time to test and review products properly. Better for both of us, right?

This month’s roundup of RAOP Picks (aka my favourite finds of the month) is almost all within the exact same colour scheme, and primarily beauty-based. Perhaps it was the fun YSL events I attended over the past 30 days, or our #RAOPpowderroom project that spurred the beauty cabinet upgrade, but I’m definitely really feeling these beautiful products for the summer:

1. YSL Beauty

I don’t know what happened, but YSL really swept me off my feet over the past few weeks. I had the pleasure of attending a special breakfast to celebrate their Mon Paris fragrance launch, and the love affair really grew from there. My top picks? Touche Eclat Blur Primer and Vinyl Couture Mascara in gold.

2. Lovefresh

Locally made with Love, this brand is all natural, cruelty-free, and they have the best natural deodorants in the game! Also, How cute is this pink body scrub?

3. Sonix Sunglasses

Hello new fave sunglasses brand!The packaging from Sonix is unreal cute, and I love their fun use of colour in the frames.

4. Cherry Pick Statement Jewellery

Who doesn’t need a good statement necklace? Cherry Pick is my go-to place to shop for sparkles of all sorts.

5. Tocca

I’ve always been a huge fan of the TOCCA candles and the unique way they name them and give them little “stories” to tell, but their line has really hit it out of the park recently! I can’t even wrap my head around how much I love the idea of a hair fragrance (coming soon!)

6. Repetto Ballet Flats

I picked up these flats on my trip to Nice, and they immediately became a new must have. Their comfortable, classy, and go with everything- plus they’re made by a legit ballet shoe company in Paris!

7. Davines Your Hair Assistant

We already know how much I adore Davines (they’re generally the online haircare brand I use), and this new collection’s pretty blush and black packaging really won me over. If you get a chance to sniff this line, prepare to swoon!

8. Eternally in Amber Hair accessories

The perfect addition to my pristine haircare routine, these tortoiseshell combs are as useful as they are beautiful.

Dear Diary

Our Pastel Instagram Picks

April 11, 2016April 10, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

Though I don’t consider myself a digitally-inclined person in any respect, it’s pretty much impossible for me not to spend a big chunk of every day on Instagram.

I guess I have a slightly different relationship with Instagram than most people because it’s such a massive component of my career. Though you may already know my Instagram account, you probably aren’t aware that Johanna and I also run RAOP Creative on the side, a mini-agency that helps other businesses with their social media presence through content creation. Basically, we’re on the internet all day everyday either as our own brand, or as another brand entirely, which makes us hyper aware of all sorts of trends and themes going on out there.

There’s so much talent to fall in love with on instagram, but we can’t help but play favourites sometimes! This week we’ve rounded up some of the most colourful, fun, addictive feeds in all the land… or at least in our books!

// Sugar and Cloth

Ashley Rose is truly a genius when it comes to DIY projects and pretty event styling. This lovely lady creates the most beautiful pieces of furniture, perfect painted macarons, and recently had the most amazing colour wall for photos painted in Houston! Plus her kitchen is seriously what dreams are made of.

// Fluffegram

Do you have a sweet tooth? Fluffegram is basically a fairy floss wizard who lives in Australia making just about everything out of cotton candy- cake, burgers, milkshakes, spaghetti and pretty much anything else you can dream up!

// Aww.Sam

Sam originally caught our eye when she started making donuts that look like flamingos, swans, rainbows and sparkly heart emojis. These days we can’t get enough of her colourful outfits and amazing studio space- perhaps a visit to NYC for a photoshoot collaboration is in order?

// Alfred Tea

If you know anything about Team RAOP, you know how much we love tea. We were heartbroken when we realized our Cali trip dates narrowly missed the opening of Alfred Tea, a new blush pink tea shop on Melrose, but it will definitely be on our must see list when we head back to the West Coast.

// Jenna Rae Cakes

I don’t really believe in “too pretty to eat”- that is, until I found Jenna Rae Cakes. I haven’t yet had the chance to visit this Canadian bakery myself, but I know when I finally trek to Winnipeg I’ll likely be spending my entire savings account on cotton candy cakes and fuzzy peach macarons. Every single treat they create is out of this world pastel amazing.

All images via. Instagram

Dear Diary

Spring Cleaning Daydreaming

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

It’s already been awhile since Jo and I first moved into #ThePastelPalace, and though we’ve put a lot of work into it there are still quite a few small details we’d love to update and change. Que the Spring cleaning daydreaming! From installing swan faucets to creating the most enchanting tiny outdoor space, we’re full of ideas about how our home will evolve, and we thought it probably made sense to put some of our favourite pieces alongside photos that inspire us here on the blog.

Some of our key goals are to declutter as much as we can, to add a fresh coat of paint to some of our more worn down pieces of furniture, and to add as many plants as possible- seriously, plants everywhere!

What are your house goals for Spring 2016?

All images via. Pinterest

Dear Diary Dress Up Oh so Pretty

RAOP Picks 2015

December 30, 2015January 6, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

The new year is all about new traditions, so we thought it was about time to introduce some fun new ideas here at RAOP. We fall for countless products and pieces over the course of a year, but some really stand out above and beyond others. Whether it be a beautifully handcrafted, locally-made backpack, or crazy glittery rings that match every manicure, we can’t help but pick favourites, and to bring 2015 to an end we decided it would be fun to get all of them together in one “best of 2015” styled lookbook.

Ladies, gentleman, kittens, and everyone in between- we give you our 2015 RAOP picks!