Cameras & Clutches

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[Captured on Camera] Toronto’s Beautiful Architecture (Well Some of It..)

Published by Élana Camille

Toronto really is a beautiful city. I think that I’ve always known that…but it’s all in how you look at things I suppose.

I’m pretty sure if we all stopped and looked up (from our electronic devices) every once in a while we could all see the beauty that’s literally right in front of our faces. I mean, come on. That news feed isn’t going anywhere. Let’s be honest. You know you’ll just end up creeping accounts later.

…Anyways…

The other day while I was strolling (yes strolling) downtown, I noticed a man sitting in front of the AGO (which I STILL have yet to visit) sketching.

At first I had no idea what he was doing, but I stopped because I was curious. Once I saw that he was illustrating buildings I turned to look behind me. And it turned out to be nothing more than a few houses across the street. Or so I thought. I think the lesson I learned that day was that there is beauty in simplicity. You just have to be able to see it. And luckily I was able to capture that beauty in a photograph.

Since that day I’ve been thinking…what’s stopping me from wandering around the city taking photos? I remember that there used to be a ton of Toronto Photo meetup groups. I wonder what ever happened to them? I would love to find one. But I may just spend time once a month getting reintroduced to my city and taking photos around the city on my own.

Oh! The other photos below were taken a few days later. All it takes is one thing to get my inspiration going!

Photos: For those who want to know – all photos were taken with my Samsung S5 Camera (which I am becoming more and more impressed with each and every time I use it). I also used VSCO Cam to edit my photos.

_{All photos taken by me unless otherwise stated.}

You Could Win with the SKECHERS #ShoecationSweepsCanada Contest!

Published by Élana Camille

Another pair of shoes for your closet? Yes please!

Whatever your plans are for the summer, SKECHERS wants to be right there with you! They have a great contest going on right now and it’s super easy to enter!

Here’s what you have to do:

Take a photo of your favourite SKECHERS travel shoes while on vacation (or staycation!) and post the picture on Instagram using the hashtag #ShoecationSweepsCanada! And don’t forget to like the @Skechers.Canada Instagram page too!

You could win:

One (1) pair of SKECHERS shoes of winner’s choice (sizes and styles based on availability)
One (1) Peter Thomas Roth Shampoo
One (1) Peter Thomas Roth Conditioner
One (1) DK Eyewitness Travelers Guide Travelers Book

There are eight prizes to be won and each is valued at approximately $150! Fantastic right! SKECHERS will announce a winner (winners will be drawn at random) every Monday until the contest end date (August 28th, 2015).

So what are you waiting for?! Get those pics of your SKECHERS posted!

[Captured On Camera] Australian Beauty-Brand Aesop Has Opened Their First Toronto Store!

Published by Élana Camille

It was a few years ago that I discovered the Australian beauty-brand Aesop and their fantastic products (thanks to Holt Renfrew!). I instantly became a fan of their Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque which I began to use on a weekly basis, almost as a mini spa-treatment for myself.

_{Image via Aesop.com}

I can’t get enough of the smell! So soothing! Just wait until you experience it for yourself. I leave it on for about 15 minutes, close my eyes and just relax. Aesop has a whole range of Parsley Seed products including toner, cleansing oils and other facial products.

The other day I happened to come across their new Toronto store purely by accident! The store is just about two weeks old and is located in the Queen Street West neighbourhood near Trinity Bellwoods Park.

It looked like all of their regular merchandise was in store and the shelves were stocked quite well. I even came across a few of their travel kits like the Boston and the London. Great gift ideas for birthdays & holidays!

While I didn’t buy anything this time around, I did walk away with a few samples of their Nuturing Shampoo & Conditioner. The sales associate who had hair very similar to my own, suggested this line of hair products to use. And I’m always up for trying new products on my hair! I love to see what works and what doesn’t. I’ll give it a go and let you know what I think!

In the meantime, if you are in Toronto and in the Queen St. West neighbourhood, make sure to check out the store! And definitely test out a few of their amazing products!

www.aesop.com

_{All photos taken by me unless otherwise stated.}

Summer Style Essential: The Espadrille Pt. 2

Published by Élana Camille

^{Click here to view the styles featured above!}

Last year when I went to Europe on my solo trip I had certain “goals” that I needed to complete before I headed home. Shopping goals, food goals, photography goals – you get the point!

Rome, Italy, Eurotrip, Europe, gelato, pasta, pizza, espadrilles, shoes, shopping, travel, europe travel, fashion illustration, illustration, shoe illustration

One goal in particular was buying a pair of shoes while I was in Italy (and it almost didn’t happen!). When I first packed my bags to head to Europe I wanted to pack as little as possible – I mean, my shopping goals were bound to have my suitcase filled up by the end of my trip. And they definitely did.

But after a few days in Rome and getting ready to head to Pisa & Florence, I realized that I hadn’t yet bought a pair of shoes! I tried to fit so much into the few days I was in Rome by myself, checking out the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and trying Italian food! The food was perfetto! But by this time my feet started to hurt, I was tired and I didn’t really want to shop. And because I am more of a bag girl than a shoe girl (I bought two bags while in Europe, one in Florence, one in Paris), buying a pair of shoes wasn’t a total must. But when I saw this pair of espadrilles I knew that I couldn’t leave the country without them!

They are the perfect summer style essential! I love them and they extremely comfortable too. I’m not crazy about peep-toe or open-toe shoes, so this is a nice way for me to still wear a summer-style shoe.