Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Beauty Products I Can't Live Without

This post comes as a response to my friend Jessica's blog Beauty Products I Can't Live Without from flatsareforquitters.com.

Jessica is a self-proclaimed beauty product addict/connoisseur. And while I do not claim to be a beauty product professional or connoisseur, or addict by any means whatsoever, I know what I like and I know what works for me.

I'll be honest though, many of the things that I have come to love have come from Jessica's collections and experience with products.  Once they have the "Jess Denomme stamp of approval", I decide to take the plunge for myself!  (Thanks, Jess!!)

So I thought I'd create my own list of beauty products that I simply can't go a day (or two) without using. If I didn't have them, I seriously think I would be lost. Some of them are a bit of a splurge (but so worth it), while others are things you can simply pick up at your local Shoppers, Walmart or Zehrs.

My hope is that something that I have found to love will somehow end up in your collection (or maybe under your Christmas tree!)

Sephora Prestige Brush Set
$125 ($325 value)

Includes 12 full-size Sephora Professional Platinum Quality Brushes:
1. Fan  2. Powder  3. Blush  4.  Foundation  5.  Concealer  6. Eyeshadow
7. Crease  8. Smudge  9. Angled Liner  10. Brow  11. Lip  12. Brow/Lash Comb

Available at Sephora

Smashbox Photofinish Primer to Go
$16

Available at Sephora & Shoppers Drug Mart

Murad Live Clear Acne Starter Kit**
$33 ($56 value)

Includes: Clarifying Cleanser, Clarifying Toner, Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel
Acne Spot Treatment, Skin Perfecting Lotion

Available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, & Murad Canada

M.A.C Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch
$17


Available at M.A.C

Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express Mascara
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, PharmaPlus, Walmart, etc.

M.A.C Technakohl Liner in GraphBlack
$17

Available at M.A.C

True Blue Spa Super-Softening Hand Lotion
$12 or Buy 2, Get 1 free
Available at Bath & Body Works

Aveeno Intense Relief Therapy Lip Balm
$4-5

Available wherever lip balm is sold

Sephora Sun Disk**
$20


Available at Sephora

Sephora Makeup Studio Blockbuster**
$49.50 ($440 value)
Available at Sephora
You will never run out of a colour again!

Sephora by OPI
Glimmer Wonderland 18 Piece Mini Nail Colour Set
$48 ($81 value)
Available at Sephora

As I write this, I realize I kind of have a thing for Sephora... and combo packs. Who knew?!
Which ones are your favourite?


** Jessica Denomme Stamp of Approval






Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Welcome to the Family!

Well, a few months ago Matt and I welcomed a new member to our family. His name is Hank and at the time he was a 9 week old chocolate lab. Our little baby has grown up and we just celebrated his 8 month birthday last week. Where has the time gone?? Our little baby has grown into a man. If time flies this fast with a puppy, I can only imagine what life will be like as our family begins to expand.

Oh wait. Did I forget to tell you? It looks like time is going to start flying even faster, as Matt and I will be welcoming a new addition to our family this coming June 2012.

Yes. That's right. I'm about to become a mom ... and Matt's going to be a dad ... for real.

Probably one of the craziest feelings ever. Knowing that there's a new, little life growing inside of me right now. It wasn't until yesterday that it became even more real, when Matt and I went for our first ultrasound and had the opportunity to see our baby for the first time.

It doesn't matter how many ultrasounds you see, whether they're your friends, or people in your family. It completely changes when it's your own. Quite emotional, actually. More so than either of us expected.

And hearing the heartbeat for the first time .... unreal.

Anyway, we're so excited to become parents and to finally be able to share it with family and friends. I think if my family had to wait much longer to tell, they may just burst. So here is your permission to tell the world!

Life has been fully of changes lately, with the news of the little one, my placement in Toronto, and a bunch of random other things, but bring it on! I'm ready for a change :)

Oh, and it looks like my 25 before 25 is going to be due for a little change up ... but that's another post all together!

Let the mommy blogs begin!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Wanna Stay Warm This Winter?

The thought of snow sends shivers down my spine. For whatever reason, God decided to make me a Canadian, but sometimes I feel like I should've been born in the Caribbean.

All of that is to say, when the snow comes, I freeze. Like, literally. To the point that sometimes my lips turn purple. But when it comes to winter fashion, sometimes I feel like the Canadian market is lacking (although I must say, it is improving greatly!).

Last winter I made a discovery that completely changed my winter thinking. SOREL boots. Now I know what you're thinking: "Those super ugly, clunky boots my mom tried to make me wear when I was 8!?" Trust me, I thought the same thing, but man have the times changed!

In an effort to not have freezing cold, wet feet anymore, I took the plunge and bought myself a pair of SOREL Joan of Arctic winter boots. My feet have been thanking me ever since. Not only were my feet extremely dry, due to their waterproof shell, they were never once cold! Seriously the warmest, and most fashionable boots I have ever had. I honestly got compliments every where I went. I even had people stopping me, asking where I purchased them, so that they could go get a pair for themselves!

I was so excited when I was sent the product line for the new 2011 SOREL Winter Collection, that I just had to write about it, as I am a firm believer in SOREL boots.

I have to say, the thing that gets me most excited about their new Women's Collection are their Cool Canvas Wedge and the Crazy Cable Wedge.

Each one is made of premium leather with a molded rubber outsole, guaranteeing that you'll stay dry all winter long.



If $400 for boots isn't really in your budget this winter, or if you're looking for something that is a little more in the "realistic, every day people budget" (like me), I would say that the Milano Breve is the perfect boot. According to SOREL, it's basically a waterproof jacket for your feet. They come in black, tan, and oxford plaid. And at $160, your feet, and your wallet, will be thanking you.

If you're thinking about a Christmas gift for that special man in your life, why not think about getting him a pair of warm, fashionable winter boots? SOREL's Putnam High boots are seriously beautiful. With a waterproof full-grain leather upper, their feet will stay warm and dry all winter, and you don't have to be embarrassed about being seen with him! (Seeing that men's boots have the tendency to be, well, not all that attractive.) And $220 is a small price to pay.

If you're a fan of Mad Men, you'll love the Mad Boot Lace, inspired by the 1950's.  Made with a water-resistant full-grain leather upper, you'll have the most stylish man of all!

Last but not least, we cannot forget the children! SOREL has come A LONG WAY since I was a child, and here's just a brief overview of some of my favourites:


  • TOFINO Girl -  Perfect for the little girl who wants to be just like her mom, or big sister. - Waterproof seam sealed shell and water-resistant suede leather upper. Don't forget the super fun laces!

  • SNOW COMMANDER Unisex - Guaranteed to keep the littlest of feet cozy and warm. The velcro closure will help recess time come a lot faster, as they won't be struggling to tie up their winter boots, and the waterproof thermal rubber shell will keep they completely dry.




Well there you have it. My picks for this winter's cozy feet season! Check out the full Canadian collection at www.sorelfootwear.ca and let me know what you'll be putting on your Christmas/winter list this season!

Stay Warm!!