The Saints have landed

So as some of my followers from Vancouver would know, the new section of Pacific Centre Mall has finally opened. It just so happens that one of my favourite brands has opened and that would be AllSaints! The London-based brand has now opened it’s 2nd store here in Canada and the first one being in Toronto. I love their classic Rock n’ Roll style, it has that bit of edginess in it without looking grungy. In my own words, I would call it “sophisticated streetwear”.

With this being said, for the first time in my blog, i’m doing a one-branded lookbook and I hope you guys would like it!

Just a tip for the guys, if you haven’t tried on a pair of skinny jeans from AllSaints, you’re missing out. You just have to try it for yourselves and see how awesome the cut and feel is. Every guy should have a go-to pair of denims and this one ranks pretty high up there. AllSaints know their stuff when it comes to a pair of skinny jeans. I’d also rock their leather jackets since its actually their main staple product but it’s still a bit hot right now but maybe in my future posts I would do one on it. For now though, I hope you guys like this look!

Foreo Review

Hey guys, so i’m doing my first ever skincare product review.

As we all know, fashion and skincare does go hand-in-hand so I figure I should be including this on my blog. No amount of clothes can make a person complete if they have bad skin or just crazy acne on their face. It’s the total package.

So please be patient as I slowly work my way with trying to create a comprehensive review of skincare products for you guys. I’m no guru but I hope my words will help you out in choosing the right products.

First impressions:

First thing I felt when I held the product on my hands was the super soft silicone bristles/brush this product has. It’s not like your regular brush that is abrasive or hard, its really really soft. The built of it is very solid and doesn’t feel like it will break with one drop. It has a very nice and compact design and very minimalistic. The box comes with a cable that plugs in to a usb port (very convenient since even your computer or laptop can charge it.

Using the product:

Using the product is very simple, there’s only one button to press and that’s it. First button press is to turn it on. It has a built in timer and it will stop vibrating every 15 seconds to notify you that you should switch the area that you are scrubbing. you basically scrub your face for 1 minute. The second press is for the low vibration mode for the more sensitive area of your face such as under your eyes and around your nose. The third press is to turn off the product. Operating and using this product can’t get any simpler!

Pros:

  • Waterproof
  • Compact (can easily fit on your travel kit)
  • Very easy to use (one button operation)
  • Gentle on the skin (silicon construction)
  • Sturdy built
  • You only buy once (no need to buy replaceable brush heads unlike other brands)
  • Easy to clean (just put under running water and clean with soap)

Cons:

  • The 15 second timer could be executed better, sometimes while i’m scrubbing my face I don’t notice that it had stopped and I would still continue on one area of my face, if the pause was a bit longer I would have noticed it more
  • There’s also a notification light and it’s at the bottom to notify you that it’s been 15 seconds, but when I use the scrub my eyes are usually closed since i’m at the shower (waste of space for the product)
  • The plug for the charger could’ve been universal like a micro usb connection so I could use other cables to charge it instead of a proprietary plug. (But I guess micro usb plug isn’t waterproof that’s why they had to do a different plug, but i’m just nitpicking here)

Personal Notes:

I really like this product, being as a guy, it’s a extra gadget for me to use and guys love gadgets (haha). It’s a good investment as in, I just have to buy it once and I don’t need to buy any other accessories for it to continuously use it, I just buy it once and I can use it until the battery stops recharging, but at the rate of 300 uses per charge, i’m guessing this will last me for many many many years. It’s very compact and durable and I can just chuck it at any pocket in my bag when I travel and not worry about it at all. Father’s day is coming up very soon and I truly thing this would make a great Father’s day gift for those people who don’t know what to get for their father!

Hope you guys like this review, please leave me any comments and/or suggestions about this post!

Oregon Trip

So my Auntie and cousin from Vegas came on a spontaneous trip as usual and we have decided to go to Portland to visit the Grotto and the International Rose Test Garden. This was our second attempt at the International Rose Test Garden, because during our last visit, it was during the winter time and the roses were already all gone. This time around though we got lucky with our timing! Knowing the trip would involve some nice flowers, I wanted to compliment what I was wearing along with it! Here are some of the photos!

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Shirt: Stockhomme | Pants: David Bitton | Shoes: Cole Haan | Bag: Flyye Industries | Watch: Citizen

Remember to follow me on Instagram @ramirphoto and on twitter @ramirphoto

Parker Sample Sale

How’s it going everyone! I just want to let you know of a event that’s happening right now!

Parker Sample Sale!

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While you’re there be sure to use the promo code “SIDEBUY” to get a additional 10% off your entire purchase. 

So I went to the second floor since the 1st floor was all for women and found Kent Bitz’ area and did my search! Kent was there who gave me a very warm welcome and actually showed me around and talked about some of the pieces that he has and what makes them so unique! (Very informative guy and he does know his stuff) after his spiel I went on by myself and found my one item which I promised myself I will just keep to one item only haha since I just came back from a vegas trip for a bachelors so i’m running low on funds. (by the way, he has one section at his store that is on a really good deal which is everything is $45 but if you buy two items its $80 and if you buy 3 it’s $100 PLUS if you use the SIDEBUY promo code you still get the 10% OFF!!! WHAT A CRAZY DEAL FOR SUCH QUALITY PRODUCTS! 

I can’t emphasize enough on how much of a great experience this was and how nice the products were! It is a definite must to check out!

So here are some photos!

photo with Kent and the David Bitton Pants I bought!
photo with Kent and the David Bitton Pants I bought!

Happy Air Max Day

Photo: Nike
Photo: Nike

Nike Air Max 1

“It’s a shoe that’s older than we are, but it remains handsome and relevant to this day. In 1987, Nike released the Air Max 1 – a piece of groundbreaking design, which, for the first time, gave consumers a view of the Air Sole unit that underpinned the comfort and performance of designer Tinker Hatfield’s celebrated Nike Airs. Yup, this was the birth of ‘visible air’, inspired by the architecture of Paris’ Pompidou Centre – a building that looks like it’s been sprung inside out, boasting inner workings that are visible through its exterior.” – from Asos.com

So here’s the inspiration

Paris Pompidou Centre
Paris Pompidou Centre

I just find it amazing how one architectural design influence another now iconic shoe design. The Air Max line of shoes by Nike has got to be one of the most reinvented sneaker line that I know of along with Chucks which is also owned by Nike.

With this being said, here’s a photo of my own Nike Air Max

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Ain’t it so cool? Haha!

Now here are some of the ones that I like from the world of Instagram

Bright red with geometric shapes!
Gotta have love for camo!
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Nice clean white with powder blue swoosh!
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Floral and Cork! Just an awesome and unexpected combination! I’d rock this anyday!
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Here’s a lady with quite a collection!
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MMMMM purple!!!
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Classic black and white!
Red and white paired with Marvel themed socks!
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Just an epic shot!
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Even the kids are on it!
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All white, super clean!
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Floral overload, but just WOW!
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Just the sheer contrast of colours. Nice!

As you can see, the influence alone of these shoes transcends gender and age! From the most muted designs to the brightest of colours even the use of different materials such as Cork! Nike Air Max has come a long way!

How about you, do you own a pair? Share your photo on the comments!

Quick Update

Hey guys! Just wanna give everyone a heads up. I know i haven’t been as active as I wanted to be, but that will all change now. I will be putting up more content on a much more regular basis now. I have just recently switched my camera equipment and it will be much easier for me to take photos and possibly videos of myself. I just want to give some much needed thanks to my former boss from Samsung, Loring “The Viking” for letting me get my hands on this very elusive and hard to get camera the Samsung NX1. I’ve been wanting to purchase this camera since it was released. It had to be shipped all the way from Ontario to Vancouver. I’m possibly the first person in B.C. to own this awesome camera. image With this being said, my workflow will be much more efficient and I can actually do videos now also. Believe it or not, the camera I replaced with this was a camera that I have owned for 7 years. It’s so old that it doesn’t even record video. Yes, no video. Lol! Now I can even record 4K video with this guy! So yes, be ready for more content coming soon and please leave any comments or suggestions on what you would like for me to put on this site! Here’s a little video I took while testing out my new camera. Getting ready for spring so time to bust out the bright and colorful shoes! (Time to clean them up also hahahaha).

He Said, She Said | Valentines Special Part 2

So here’s the part two which is the last instalment of a collaborative article with my fellow fashion writer Samantha from Obsessive Trend Invitation and if you haven’t seen the part one yet just click here. To see my answers to the same questions just go to her site here.

FAVOURITE PLACES FOR DATES

I am a hugeeeeee RomCom fanatic and because of that, my ideas of first dates sometime get inspired by what I see on the telly. I blame Disney for crushing all my unrealistic dreams of having dinner on a boat in the sea with floating lanterns, yes Tangled I blame you.

I love anything that doesn’t just involve two people staring at each other. I want to do activities, whether its drawing, or riding a bike (even though I don’t know how to) or going to the PNE, I feel like the best way to know somebody and to be comfortable is by having fun and not putting pressure on having to talk the entire time.

From a psychology perspective, I recommend going somewhere that gets your heart racing and blood pumping because that just makes you that more attractive! Capilano Suspension Bridge anybody?

WHAT IF IT’S SAD FOR YOU? (SINGLE AWARENESS DAY)

I think the term should be rephrased to Single APPRECIATION Day. So instead of being down in the dumps about not receiving flowers or chocolates, go buy yourself flowers and chocolates and celebrate the person you are. Make it a day to spend with your family and friends, or even a special day to pamper yourself.

YES FOR DATES

Open Mindedness for sure- You don’t have to believe the things I do, but have the willingness to understand it and be open to have a discussion about it

Laughter– I love making a fool of myself and it exudes confidence when someone is able to be silly and appreciate a good joke.

Joy– Waking up every morning, you want to be surrounded by people who make you feel positive about yourself, and the world around you, so definitely someone who can make you smile during the darkest days.

NO FOR DATES

OK I’m going to say constantly being on their cellphones BUT this is a grey area, and many will call me a hypocrite but there is a very fine line between not being in the moment, and APPRECIATING the moment. And as you read this, bear in mind that this is coming from someone who works in media *big laughs*

I am someone who is on her phone ALOT, and my reasoning for being on my cellphone during dates is this- IT’S SO GREAT I NEED TO MAKE MEMORIES. I mean, who else is going to take all the photos for you? And as I type this I already feel the virtual disapproving looks all around.

The thing is, when you date a busy individual, especially one who works in social media, the importance of online presence and being on top of things is important. For me to be present, I need to clear my head of all prior commitments that still go on 24/7; so for some of us ladies, it doesn’t mean we’re bored or aren’t present, it just means that we need mini breaks to clear our heads from all the beeping sounds erupting from our phones. You wouldn’t want me to be guessing who sent me an email while we’re watching the sunset right?

BUT, when and if you are ALWAYS on your phone, and totally unattached to conversations, or when you’re on the phone while having an important conversation, that can be a great turn off.

So the point of my lonnnnnggggg rant IS, — I should probably learn to turn off my phone during a date haha.