My Progressive Night Peel Experience with Lancôme

My relationship with my skin is very much that of a love hate. While I love my body and am extremely grateful to be in good health, I do struggle with acne that seems to be getting worse as I get older. Couple that with ageing skin and the beginning of wrinkles. Recently I've been finding great results from chemical peels and deep exfoliation at spas, however they are very expensive and I struggle to find the time to fit in appointments to my schedule. When I was turned on to Lancôme's new Visionnaire Crescendo progressive night peel, I was intrigued - I loved the idea of being able to preform a peel at night from the comfort of my own home.  I also liked how the Visionnaire Crescendo is a progressive peel, with Phase 1 being gentler to acclimatize the skin to the product and Phase 2 to really accelerate the results. Needless to say, I was excited to get started and see my results!

My favourite part of the Lancôme Visionnaire Crescendo is how the duel-stages help to get your skin used to the product - especially helpful with you have sensitive skin like me. For the first 14 days I stuck to Phase 1, incorporating the product into my night skin routine.  The product is nice and light and only has the faintest fragrance, which is helpful when you have sensitive skin. Once your skin has gotten used to the product in 14 days, it's time to switch to Phase 2 - this is where you really start to see results. It's important to note that this is the kind of product that you have to use faithfully every night in order to see results - but I promise you that they're worth it! Although I still experience hormonal breakouts,  I could really see a difference in my fine lines - particularly my smile lines and in between my eyebrows!

Another aspect that I really appreciated about the Lancôme Visionnaire Crescendo is that there is virtually no down-town for your skin to recover. Because this is such a gentle peel, you don't experience the redness and the heavy flaking of your skin that comes along from a traditional peel - take it from me, the aftermath of a chemical peel is not pretty. With this system, it's gentle and progressive so you can go about your everyday comfortably.

All in all, I'm happy with the results of my 28 day night peel, and am very relieved that the system didn't irritate my sensitives skin. I think that if you're getting self-conscious about the first signs of ageing (wrinkles and fine lines) then you will really benefit from the Lancôme Visionnaire Crescendo progressive night peel.

What do you guys think? Have you ever tried a peel for your skin?  Let me know!

xo Joëlle

This post was created in partnership with Lancôme. All opinions are 100% my own.

Updated - I'm Addicted to Video!

Hey you guys!  Just a quick update from me to let you know that while I missed my regular scheduled Monday post for La Petite Noob, I've been busy creating videos for my Youtube channel!

If you haven't already, I would love for you to check it out and give me some honest feedback - I'm like a sponge for feedback.  Also, if you have any video ideas, I would love to know those too!

I appreciate all of your support - thank you so much!

xo Joëlle

OOTD - Pink for Spring with Rachel Sin

I love Canadian designers, and am constantly blown away by the talent we have in our country. When one of my favourite Canadian designers, Rachel Sin, offered to dress me for Toronto Fashion Week, and have me at her show I was over the moon with happiness.  First of all, this dress is totally up my alley; blush pink, a great length and flutter sleeves - so much yes! I felt on top of the world as I watched Rachel Sin's amazing runway show in my beautiful pink dress, front row (my first time); it was truly a moment that I will never forget.

Dress - Rachel Sin, Coat - Reiss, Shoes - c/o Le Chateau

What do you guys think? Are you into the pink dresses? Who is your favourite local designer? Let me know!

xo Joëlle

OOTD - Pants for Petites

You guys know that shopping for pants is the bane of my existence. I can never seem to find anything that fits a shorter leg, and the fact that I have a smaller waist with larger hips does not help the situation at all. My petite ladies out there - or anyone really who doesn't have your typical model-type body - can relate!

Pants are however a necessary part of any wardrobe, and I was in search of a pair that I could wear to meetings or when I needed to look a bit more professional. I knew that Reitmans carries petite sizes from my search for jeans, so I decided to try my luck.  Once I walked into the store, I knew that I had come to the right place. After speaking with my sales associate about my pant-woes, she promptly pulled an armful of pants all in petite sizes - and here I was thinking that I would only have a few options to pick from! After having fun trying on pair after pair, I settled on these ultra-comfortable, but very smart looking pair of black chinos. I also couldn't resist adding a dusty rose blouse and blush pink blazer to the mix. Add a pair of classic black pumps and my favourite everyday handbag, and I'm already feeling more professional and prepared for meetings.

Chinos - c/o Reitmans, Blouse - c/o Reitmans, Blazer - c/o Reitmans
Shoes - Marshall's (old), Bag - Louis Vuitton (size 30)

To be honest, I didn't quite know what a chino pant was until I visited Reitmans, but now they may be my favourite comfortable style. The pants have a flattering straight leg, but also have a bit more room in the thighs. I like to roll up my pants for an exposed ankle with my heels, which is a more flattering style on me. I'm definitely looking to pick up these pants in a few more colours - I spotted a pink pair for spring that has my name written all over it!

All in all, I'm happy with my new chinos and I have a feeling that Reitmans may be changing the way that I look at pants. I've learned that pants are not the enemy - you just need to find a store that carries the right fit for your body.

What do you guys think?  Have you struggled with finding a pair of pants that fit?  What do you wear to meetings?  Let me know!

xo Joëlle

Photography by Bettina Bogar.

This post was created in partnership with Reitman's. All opinions and experiences are my own.
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UPDATE: I Started A Youtube Channel!

You guys!  I'm so excited to tell you that I finally started a Youtube channel!  After wanting to get into Youtube for years, I decided to bite the bullet and dive right in.  I feel like the longer you wait to do something that interest you, the more intimidated you become so it's best to just do it!

I would absolutely love if you visited, watched my first videos and subscribe if you like them!  Please know that I haven't gotten the sound quality quite right yet, or all of the logistics - I'm more of a learn-as-you-go kind of girl!

Thank you SO much for all of your support, it truly means the world to me!  Let me know what you think!

xoxo Joëlle

What I'm Loving Lately

These last few months have really flown by and I can hardly believe that it's already March! That being said, I was lucky enough to have so many great experiences and have fallen in love with new products that I would love to share with you. Without much further ado, here's what I've been loving lately.

Luxury Candles

Likely the most frivolous of my recent favourites, I've developed an unhealthy obsession with luxury candles. My two favourites brands of late are Dyptique Paris and Byredo - both owned by the same company, and both wildly expensive. It may be because I'm working from home, but I truly feel so calm when I'm burning a candle and slowly adding to my collection gives me a little pick-me-up when I'm feeling blue. Besides, I justify my candle purchases by thinking about how i can use them as decorative jars when they're all done. Anything to justify the behaviour, sounds like the making of a true addict!

Lemon Water Wellness Clinic

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Lemon Water Wellness Clinic in the Distillery District in Toronto to have my very first Reiki treatment. Reiki is a practice of balancing your chakras to reduce stress and promote healing, all with very little touch from the practitioner. I've always been curious about Reiki for reducing anxiety, so I was very excited be able to give it a try. After my one-hour session, I was definitely feeling relaxed - so much so that a fire alarm had gone off during my treatment and I barely even noticed it! The clinic itself is so beautiful; light-filled rooms, nice and bright and with great energy. Lemon Water is also a general store focusing on all things local and well-ness based. If you're in the Distillery District, or are just in need of some relaxation then definitely give Lemon Water Wellness Clinic a try.

AlumierMD’s Glow Peel at Laserlicious

This is the year that I finally pay attention to my problem skin. Because I've been struggling with acne for some time now, I thought it best to visit a professional to see if there was a treatment that would help clear up my skin. I recently had the Glow Peel done at Laserlicious in Etobicoke.  The Glow Peel combines clinically tested levels of Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Resorcinol creating a multipurpose resurfacing solution effective in minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation issues like age spots, discolouration and uneven skin tone. This formula exfoliates dead skin cells and stimulates skin renewal.

For me, I was really happy with the results! I had two large pimples when I went in for treatment and they dried up and fell off the next day - fell right off! I couldn't believe it! This is a pretty mild peel so there wasn't much down time, just a few days of my skin peeling.  I would definitely recommend this treatment if you have very sensitive, acne prone skin.

Kitten and the Bear Jam

Kitten and the Bear is the cutest little space in Toronto. Found in the west-end of the city, this place cooks up some of the most delicious jam that I've ever had. Everything is made on-site and you can truly tell how much thought goes into the quality of everything at Kitten and the Bear. When you visit, pick up a jar of Banana Bourbon & Vanilla Bean jam - it's my favourite!

A Facial at Ici Paris Skin Care Clinic & Spa

Keeping in line with skincare, I had the pleasure of visiting Ici Paris Skin Care Clinic & Spa for one of the most luxurious facials I've ever had. I sat with Tanya, who really took the time and asked all the right questions to better understand my skin type and personalize a facial just for me. I've already noticed a difference in the texture of my skin, and cannot wait to visit again in a month's time to further improve my skin's texture with microdermabrasion. If you have super sensitive, acne prone skin like me you'll want to check them out. I can totally see why Ici Paris is voted Toronto's best beauty spa for 2017 - the service was 100% from beginning to end! Amazing!

Those are some of what I've been loving lately!  What do you guys think?  Have you ever experimented with different skincare treatments? What have you been into lately? Let me know!

xo Joëlle
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OOTD - Weekend Casual in Pink

There was once a time where the weekend presented itself as an opportunity to dress up; cocktails with the girls, all getting dolled up for a night on the town. These days my weekends are at a much slower pace (#grandmalife) and casual dressing is the name of the game. Although I like to keep it low-key, I try put some effort into my outfits to avoid spending all of Saturday and Sunday in a sweatsuit. These fun basics from Le Chateau totally fit the bill - I especially love this long pink cardigan and pink shooties - so fun!

Cardigan - c/o Le Chateau, Shoes - c/o Le Chateau

These slingback shooties from Le Chateau are amazing. I love how the heel is so chunky, making them so comfortable and the light-pink colour is right up my alley.  If you're looking for the perfect spring shoes, definitely give these ones a try.

What do you guys think?  What's your weekend casual look?  Let me know!

xo Joëlle

OOTD + One Month Update as a Full-Time Blogger

Although it's a bit long overdue, I'm roughly around the one month mark of starting my journey as a full-time blogger. The response that I received on my post about why I ultimately decided to pursue blogging as my full time gig was so overwhelmingly positive and I want to thank all of you for your well-wishes and good vibes.  Myself, I love hearing honest updates from people when they make a major life change so I thought that I would touch base with you all and let you know how things have been going.

Honestly, I love blogging full-time; it's such a liberating feeling to know that you're working for yourself and have the freedom to create your own schedule. That being said, I feel like I'm just now starting to find my stride as a full-time blogger, and I still have a long way to go.  For the first few weeks, moving from an office job to a full-time freelancer was much more stressful than I anticipated.  I found that I wasted a lot of time just sitting at home and being anxious - so crazy considering that I had always dreamed about making my blog a full-time career!  I couldn't understand why something that had excited me so much in the past was generating so much anxiety, to the point where some days I felt as though I physically couldn't leave my condo. While the first few weeks were pretty bad, they taught me the importance of developing a routine and incorporating some structure into freelance life. I also had Brian help me get organized financially which took a huge weight off my shoulders and since I've been able to focus more on being creative and creating content.

I still have a long way to go until I totally find my stride as a full-time blogger, but just typing this post makes me realize how far I've come in a month's time so that is reassuring. I'll definitely be open and honest with you along the way, and am looking forward to updating you guys when I hit 6 months - hopefully I'll have the same feeling of progress as I do now.

Shirt - c/o Chicwish, Jeans - Topshop Petites, Shoes - c/o Stuart Weitzman, Bag - Chloe

On to the outfit!  I know that sleeve details are going to be a huge trend come Spring, and you really can't get any more dramatic than the cascading bell sleeves of this off-the-shoulder top. I love the amount of drama and personality these sleeves bring to an otherwise very basic outfit of white top and black jeans.  I can't wait until the weather warms up so I can wear this blouse with coloured culottes or a skirt.

What do you guys think?  Have you ever struggled when you achieved what you had been dreaming about for so long?  Do you like these update posts?  Let me know!

xo Joëlle

Blog Tip - How to Work With a Professional Photographer

You guys probably know that my husband Brian has been taking my photos for La Petite Noob for years now.  Although I am so grateful for his help, it's definitely not one of his favourite pastimes and the more seriously I get into blogging, the more crucial it is to have consistent,  beautiful photos. Rather than chasing Brian around the condo every weekend with my DSLR camera in tow, I recently decided to start working regularly with a professional photographer and it's made a world of a difference. Not only am I very happy with the quality of my photos since working with professionals, but my anxiety around the blog has gone down big-time; I no longer fly by the seat of my pants for content or rely on the help of others because I know that I have photos coming.

Working with a professional photographer for your blog has so many benefits:

• Photo taken on high-quality equipment that you don't need to invest in, or pay for maintenance on
• You can communicate easily with a photographer to make sure your photos are exactly what you want, and match your personal brand and aesthetic
• Photographers can capture your best angles and understand how to work with light, making sure you have the best, most flattering photos
• A professional photographer will deliver your photos on-time
• You can save hours of work re-touching and editing photos when working with a professional
• Your Instagram-husband/wife will thank you (unless of course, they enjoy taking your photos in which case you are lucky!)
• You can have fun in front of the camera knowing that there is a professional responsible for capturing the moment on the other end of the camera, and they want a beautiful photo just a much as you do.

Dress - c/o Morning Lavender, Clutch - Cult Gaia

Of course, just like bloggers no two photographers are the same.  You really need to do your research and find a photographer that fits your style and aesthetic, and who's photos you truly admire. I also think that the chemistry that two people have is so important with blog photos so you really need to get along well with your photographer.  Finding and navigating the world of photographers with looking for help with your blog can be intimidating, so here's some tips that I've found helpful when choosing, approaching and working with a photographer as a blogger.

Expect To Pay A Fee

I can't stress this enough.  Although it may seem tempting to rely on a collaboration to work with a photographer (where they take your photos in exchange for exposure) it's a much better idea to agree on a form of payment in exchange for photos. Having a monetary value attached to a photoshoot helps to keep your photos a priority, especially if you have a high turn-around time. I had tried working with photographers in a collaboration setting at first, however I found that there was little accountability to getting photos back - once it took almost 2 months to see anything from a photoshoot! Remember, you can always negotiate in your photographer's rates when accepting a paid project, and professional rates are less expensive than investing in pro equipment - something to keep in mind.

Do Not Judge Skill on Instagram Following

Just like bloggers, you can't judge the skill of a photographer based off of their following on social media. Professional photographers spend the majority of their time shooting, editing and creating rather than focusing on a following through social media. Take the extra step of visiting photographer's websites and portfolios for a more accurate representation of their work and to help decide if they are right for you.

Set Up A Meeting

I truly believe that great photos come from great chemistry, so it's important to try to set up a meeting with a potential photographer than you would like to work with  - even if it's just through Skype or Face Time.

How To Approach A Photographer

I reached out to one of my favourite photographers Bettina Bogar, who is flooded with offers on a daily basis, to see what she looks for when being approached by bloggers. Her first tip was for a blogger to approach professionals through email, not with a DM on social media. The email should include:

• An Introduction of who you are
• What type of photos you are looking for 
• Your timeframe and date you’d like to book (e.g. 4 hours on the March 22nd)
• The amount of final photos you’d like to have (edited and retouched)
• Any location ideas you may have
• What image style you're looking for - for example if you need closeups, beauty shots, outfit shots, etc.
• What is your ideal turnaround (e.g. the dates you would need the photos by) Be totally honest as to your expectations so your photographer can tell you if it's realistic or not.
• Your budget. If you don’t have anything in mind, it’s fine, just ask for their hourly rate and any packages that they may have. 

I hope that you found these tips helpful!  Have you ever worked with a professional photographer for your blog?  Have you thought about doing so?  Let me know!

xo Joëlle

All photos by the talented Bettina Bogar

OOTD - Finding Jeans as a Petite

Finding jeans as a petite women is no easy feat. I typically rotate between the same few pairs of denim because it's so hard to find anything that fits shorter legs. I can't tell you how many times I've gone into a store looking for a pair of jeans only to leave disappointed, and secretly wishing that I magically sprout a few inches in height overnight. Short people problems for sure.

Imagine my happiness when I was told that Reitmans carries jeans for petites. As soon as I found out, I headed to my nearest store at the Toronto Eaton Centre to investigate. Lo and behold, I was greeted by a wide variety of denim; every shape, cut and colour.  I asked the sales associate to show me which pair of denim came in petite - assuming that there would only be one or two styles. Before I knew it, I was in a change room with a wide variety of jeans all meant for petites. I had such a great time trying on everything from slim to boot cut, and all fitting my shorter legs without any tailoring! It was a tough choice, but I finally narrowed my choice down and found the perfect jeans for me.

Jeans - c/o Reitmans, Top - c/o Reitmans, Blazer - c/o Reitmans
Shoes - Stuart Weitzman, Bag - Hieleven

The denim that I eventually ended up picking are these medium washed skinny jeans from Reitmans that have the cutest little zipper detail in the legs. Not only is the zipper a nice surprise as a petite (typically any details on the legs for denim are lost during hemming), but it also makes the jeans so comfortable for getting in and out of.

I paired my new denim with my signature colour - pink! This top and blazer are both from Reitmans Pretty Cool collection and I love the versatility that both pieces give the outfit! When I throw on the blazer it instantly dresses up the outfit; I could totally have worn this for a casual friday when I was still working at an office. Take off the blazer to reveal the airy pink shirt and the outfit is instantly more casual and appropriate for errands or meeting a friend for coffee. Both instances I've paired the jeans with my favourite pair of nude pumps - because there is literally nothing more flattering for petites then a slim, well-fitting pair of jeans with nude pumps.

My takeaway from the whole experience is that when you're looking for jeans as a petite, go to a store that offers petite sizes. I'm thankful that Reitmans keeps women of all shapes and sizes in mind.  Now if you're looking for me, I'll be busy building up my denim collection for spring!

What do you guys think? Do you struggle finding a good fit with jeans as well?  What are your favourite cuts for denim?  Let me know!

xo Joëlle

Photography by Bettina Bogar.

This post was created in partnership with Reitman's. All opinions and experiences are my own.