Hello Darlings, "It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and  winter in the shade." Nothing describes the joy of those first few days of March than that quote from Great Expectations. In true Canadian fashion after a few above zero and sunny days, we joyfully begin to pack away our winter layers. The wonders that spring cleaning does to a lady's self esteem when the "skirts an bare legs season" finally approaches. That very moment when you finally pack away the boots and pull out your favorite pair of pumps — pure bliss!

This week also marks Fall/Winter 2016 collection presentations at the Toronto Fashion and as every big event in our lives, looking and feeling great becomes a priority. Not to say that any other day it is not but it is during those certain occasions where attention to detail is given.Through the duration of one week, it is a none stop action from shows to dinners and cocktail parties. To feel great or attractive when running on few hours of sleep and fueled by few too many cups of americano is nearly impossible. Typically when preparing for fashion week I try to simplify as many things as possible. From a visit to a hair salon for a touch up, to getting freshly done mani and pedi, to eyelash extensions and finally a sunless tan. Essentially it is a  maintenance mode ritual!

Nothing ruins an outfit faster than pasty white skin with blueish undertones making your whites look even whiter. While I rely on professionals for every other one of my so-called "maintenance mode services", a tan is one that I enjoy maintaining throughout the year on my own. Throughout winter I especially love having a little color even if it is for the sake of not scaring myself when I hop out of shower. Just because we're in hibernation does not meat we need to let our skin reflect that. For me, it is the easiest way to feel comfortable about myself naked, especially since a touch of bronze takes attention away from imperfections.

While maintaining color might seem like a daunting task and trust me it can be, it doesn't need to be. I've gone through the rubber gloves and dark towels ordeal with self tanners that somehow still leave streaks many times. Then waking up the following morning not only to smelling like a bottle of self tanner and ruined sheets; but also finding patches that need so much scrubbing that you wish for that pasty skin back. It's too much effort which is why I prefer gradual self-tanning moisturizers. It kills two tasks with one formula. Aside from not having to apply tanner, you also avoid the extra step of slathering on a moisturizer. For me it's a time saving life hack that I truly enjoy primarily because I often do forget to moisturize my body.

With Love…

Marta