On-The-Go Style Hacks to Instantly Boost Your Outfit

Bonjour,
How are you? Hope all is well.  I've been great, took a break from blogging primarily because I've been busy moving house.  Interestingly, it's not just me.  We all have busy lives, we all obsess over busy schedules, we all walk on busy streets, and we cannot get enough of it.  I'm going to (stealthily) segue this into what to do fashion wise if you are on-the-go but still want to pull an outfit together.

Leave your coat untied - Not for all coats, but it can look 'effortlessly put together' and let's be honest, that's the best kind of look to go for.

Cuff your jeans -  Looks great with booties and/or boyfriend jeans.

Add a pop of colour - Whether its via lip colour, accessories or a sweater, a pop of colour can brighten up even the most dreary of weeks.

Throw on an oversized scarf - I am currently OBSESSED with oversized scarves.  They are everything to me right now and if you have one, I am sure they are everything to you too.

Front/Side tuck your top - I love this trick because it can make casual t-shirts look so formal.

I hope you find this useful!

What is your go-to outfit for a busy day?

Lush Goodies

Hey hey hey!

I went to Lush recently.  Big mistake there.  I know some people swear by it and others are very turned off by the copious amount of fragrances that hit you when you walk in.  Personally, I like it, it smells clean and fresh to me.  Probably because the whole store is filled with soap.

I'm not a regular Lush junkie but I popped in there because I wanted to give a few of their bath products a go.  Specifically, I wanted to try their relaxing, calming and sleep-inducing ones.  Whenever things get a little too much, a nice bath always does the trick to ease muscles and take life's problems away.  (Temporarily at least)

So, from the top left of the picture above …

Pop In The Bath Bubble Bar (White, Blue and Pink Flower) - I think this is the most heavenly smelling one.  It smells so fresh and has the perfect balance of floral and citrus scents to it.  It's also a colourful one in the bath.

Dorothy Bubble Bar (Blue Base, Yellow and Orange Rainbow) - This one smells a bit like an orange and a bit floral.  It's supposed to help you unwind and calm down after a long day.

Dreamtime Luxury Bath Melt (Cream block with the word 'Dream Time' on it, how apt) - This is one that I wanted to try really bad because it has lavender and chamomile in it, perfect for a night where you might find it hard to sleep.  Definitely saving it for down the line!

Green Bubbleroon Bubble Bar (Green round sandwich thingy) - This is a bit more berry and lime smelling.  I bought it primarily because when you touch it, its so moisturising.  It has Fair Trade (yay) shea butter and coconut oil in it.  Great for when your skin needs an extra kick of hydration.

All the ones listed above can be sliced or crumbled up into halves.  You don't have to use the whole product at once.  That's the great thing about those, you get a few uses out of each product.  On the other hand, the bath bombs are very fun to use but only a one time thing.  Damn those bath bombs, what a tease.  You just pop the whole thing into the tub and watch it fizz away and do it's magic in the bath.

Golden Slumbers Bath Bomb (Huge Orb with Golden Shimmers) - This is one that isn't available on its own, it comes as part of the 'Relax, Take a Bath' Set.  I like these sets because they make for great presents and they are also a good way to introduce yourself to the brand.  This one has lavender and shimmers in it so it's relaxing and glamorous at the same time.  At the same time!

Rose Queen Bath Bomb (Small Pink Orb at the far right) - Rose scented products are usually very pungent and strong, I really dislike that.  This one though smells like roses and essential oils.  The mixture of the fragrances is quite nice of an escape.  I think with this one, as the bath bomb fizzes into the water, it releases rose petals.  What a treat!

Are you a bath or shower person?

What do you think of Lush products?  Leave a comment below!

Foodie Travels | The Crooked Cue

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Something about summer time and the casual-ness it brings really made me crave good ole pub food.  If you know me, you'd know that I am an avid wine drinker.  It's quite embarrassing how much time I spend researching it and planning for it but thats a different matter.  On this one occasion, I was in the mood for beer and burgers and sandwiches.  Yummyyyy.  

I think a big part of being a 'foodie' is to not only appreciate fine dining, creative cuisine and the like.  It also includes not being averse to the classics - like sandwiches and beers.  

I went to a pub/resto/pool hall in Port Credit, Mississauga called 'The Crooked Cue.'  It's quite well known amongst this neighbourhood.  We sat outside in the patio area.  Might as well take advantage of the beautiful summer weather while it lasts!  

The service we had there was quite friendly and open.  They have a large and eclectic drinks menu - mostly beer.  What I loved about it was that they gave a good description of the beer, where it was from, and what it pairs well with.  It made choosing a drink very easy.  I went with a british one, Boddington's.  If you watch the TV Show 'Friends' you'll know that they make a big deal out of how amazing this beer was and that was the main reason why I wanted to try it.  The verdict - it was amazing.  The food that we ordered was also very delicious.  Special shout out goes out to their fries, they must put butter in it, they tasted so much better than normal fries.  The only downside to going to this restaurant is that they have an age restriction.  It's alright that they do, that they only want to attract a crowd over a certain age but it's not clearly stated on their website.  After 9 PM, they only allow people who are 21 and over.  

JD Smokehouse Prime Burger - Eight ounce ground prime beef, onion straws, smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, Jack Daniels Sauce, tomato, lettuce, dill pickle, sesame or multigrain bun

Veggie Jump Sandwich with Added Bacon Strips - Zucchini, fire roasted red pepper, red onion, tomato, guacamole, Ciabata bun

Overall, it was a great experience.  Would I come back? Yes for their drinks menu.  

Are there any good pubs in Toronto that serve great food?  Let me know! I'd be interested to visit.

Review | Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Everybody and their grandmother has reviewed or raved about this product, but you think that would stop me from talking about it, wouldn't you?  Nope.  BOUNCE.  (That was my jump on to the bandwagon)

I bought this spray a few months ago because I heard so many good things about it and I just have so much gosh darn hair.  I was in actual disbelief that I ended up finding it in store, at my hair salon would you believe!  What are the odds.  I thought I would have to order it online.   It doesn't seem to be readily available everywhere.  If you have lots of hair, hard to manage hair or if you find that hair styles don't stay put on your hair, then a texturising spray may be what you need.  I'm aware I sound like an advertisement, but it honestly is helpful.  I have lots of hair, it usually listens to me, but I definitely need more texture in it.  At first, I didn't know such a thing existed in the market but boy am I glad there is.   

Price - $22.00 (For the small/travel bottle)  About $40 for the 'normal' size.

What it claims it does
Bigger, better, full-on glamorous hair. This invisible dry hair spray builds in incredible volume and sexy texture. Patented polymers absorb oil at the roots, leaving you with just-styled hair for days (and nights).

What I think it does
This spray pretty much does everything it claims to do.  It is an invisible spray, thank the heavens that there isn't any white residue left on the hair.  I don't think it builds as much volume as teasing would, it doesn't take you from 0 to 100.  Would you really want a product with chemicals to do that anyway? That being said, if you use it in conjunction with styling, work it in with your hands and let it set, boy is the volume apparent.  What it definitely 100% does is that it gives a sexy tousled and undone look to one's hair.  An added bonus, there is heaps and heaps of texture.  Texture is good for hair that is hard to work with, or that is too smooth (doesn't help with styling) and if your hair is too long.  I have long hair and lots of it.  It weighs down and this spray just lifts the concentration to the tops and sides.  Another thing I love about it is that it leaves you hair smelling AMAZING.  The last thing it says it does, and does do, is absorb oil.  It's not just a texturising spray like any other salt spray or what not, it is also supposed to be an alternative to a dry shampoo.  It definitely absorbs oil and dries the roots.  Conversely, I don't think it dries the roots enough to get away with being a dry shampoo.  It's light and works great but I wouldn't use it as an alternative to a dry shampoo, i'd use it as an addition (a great welcomed addition) to styling your hair.  Is it worth the price tag? Yes, for my hair.  It does hurt nonetheless though.  Try the travel size, if it doesn't work with your hair's natural texture then you'll know.  In my experience, it's worth a repurchase.  If not this, i'm curious to try more from the brand.

Are there any texturising sprays that you think I should try? Let me know!

Trip to Casa Loma

Well hello there!

I recently went to Casa Loma here in Toronto.  It was such a wonderful, albeit touristy, experience.  It was really nice to see some Canadian culture, not to mention the actual castle is GORGEOUS.  I had a camera malfunction so I apologise that the pictures are not high quality.  (Praise the iPhone for coming to my rescue)  Enjoy!

Also, we saw a bunny in the gardens.  Thats all that matters from this blog post really.  

Current Sunscreen Favourites

Sunscreen is important year round, not just during the summer months.  I have personally suffered with pigmentation and more severe skin sensitivities, especially to the sun, so I am very particular with how much exposure I have to it.  The sensitivities that I have had to the sun (my skin gets dry and white patches, disgusting I know) is what caused my obsession with skincare.  I actually feel so blessed because I have learned a lot about it now and want to share some of the information that I know.

Not wearing sunscreen does not just affect your beauty but it affects your health as well.  The more traditional opinion is that its the exposure to UVB rays that causes damage, but now, it's known that exposure to UVA is also just as damaging if not more severe.  UVB rays makes your skin immediately red and you see an instant change, but its UVA that is the main culprit behind causing more long term skin defects. Some of the consequences of not wearing sunscreen include: making skin red, DNA damage, breakdown of collagen and elastin, skin cancer, lines and wrinkles, photo-aging etc. etc.  Because of the degree of harm it can do to you, its very important to wear sunscreen on a daily basis.  I can make another post in the future talking about skincare and sunscreen in more depth but for now, here are a few of my favourites.

Garnier Ombrelle Sport Clear Continuous Spray SPF 60 - I picked this up because I didn't have a Spray-and-Go sunscreen and needed it for a long weekend.  Apart from its convenience, it's high Sun Protection Factor, and the fact that is does go on clear, I picked it because it had an ingredient that I was specifically looking for: Mexoryl.  Mexoryl is a patented (by L'Oreal) formula that is considered amongst many dermatologists to be one of the best agents in preventing ageing caused by the sun as well as allowing for a large UV protection range.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Melt-In Cream SPF 60 - This is my holy grail sunscreen product, and in my Top 5 of all time favourites. The thing I adore about the company La Roche-Posay is that they view sun protection the same way they view skincare. They cater their sunscreen products to different skin types - acne/oily, dry, sensitive etc. etc. They are also a French company meaning that their products are reviewed under much more severe health restrictions than American companies. They are also affordable, if you are comparing them to some other brands on the market. This particular one is targeted for Sensitive Skin. I think it'll work well on all skin because in my opinion, everyones skin should be treated like sensitive skin. I will be repurchasing this until the day I die, or until they stop making it. The actual consistency is a bit thicker and white, but it blends beautifully into the skin. Perfect for skin around the face. Highly Recommended. I'll stop rambling about that now.

FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 - People often forget how important it is to protect their lips from sun damage. It's one of the most sensitive parts of the body and any discolouration around that area is probably due to exposure to the sun. I get being neglectful about this, seems like a chore, but maybe buying a lip balm that already has SPF in it might help?

Neutrogena Healthy Skin CC Cream SPF 30 - Neutrogena is a great company because they do skincare and sun care much like La Roche-Posay. I'm surprised I haven't tried anything from their range before this. I don't particularly buy into the hype of BB Creams and CC Creams but I was looking for a skin base lighter in consistency than a foundation but with SPF in it. It claims to even out and brighten skin tone and for once, it does exactly that! It does not give as much coverage as a tinted moisturiser and definitely not as much as a foundation. The only downside is that there isn't a big enough colour range and although the one I bought is light-medium, its still a bit too dark for me. Oh well, can't win every battle right? A great product nonetheless.

I know I may have made the sun out to be like the big bad wolf in this post but I wanted to emphasise the importance of protection from the sun. Do you know of any good products that I should try? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

5 Life Hacks for Positive & Productive Mornings

Happy Sunday!

I wanted to share with you some simple ways you can make your morning more efficient.  They are small tasks and also a few things to remind yourself of in the morning that will help set a good tone for the rest of your day.  Lets crack on with it!

1.  Drink a glass to a litre of water as soon as you wake up.  (Hydration, yummy! <3)

2.  Think of 4 things you are thankful for while brushing your teeth.  Look at yourself in the mirror, be affirmative of your intentions.  Gratitude will attract more and more positive outcomes into your life!

3.   Life is what you make it, so intend to make your day good.  Stick your intention even when small negative things happen to you, like missing your train, getting a bad test result, getting into a fight with family.  An intention could take the form of writing out a things-to-do list, having reminders, a calendar, or even being inspired by a motivational quote.

4.  Happiness and positivity is a skill, success is a lifestyle.  Neither is a result of the other.  If you have committed to a long-term goal, know that achieving it is not going to make you happy in the long run.  But being positive on the road to achieving it, will.  So be reminded of that every morning and commit to being positive throughout the day in order to bring success into your life.

5.  Count your blessings.  No one can guarantee that you're going to live another day, let alone live another day being healthy.

I hope this brightens up your mornings.  What are some simple tasks you do in the morning that helps bring positivity into your life?

Comment below! (Make sure to either log in with your gmail account or use the drop down menu to choose the option 'Name/URL' to place your comment.)

Review | Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Treatment

Hello, I have a review for you today.

Face treatments of any kind provide a great benefit to your skin. Behind classing, exfoliating, moisturising and protecting, good face masks often leave a lasting positive change in your skin.  This clay mask, Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Treatment Purifying Mask (now called, Mattifying Mask) does exactly what it says, it purifies the skin.  I chose a clay mask particularly because they have been used for centuries and are known to be anti-inflammatory, therapeutic and cooling.  It is known to be used by people who suffer with acne or oily skin more but I think that if you use it the right way, even people with dry skin can benefit from it.  The only recommendation I would have with using any clay mask is to not let it dry completely.  As the mask dries, it does a few things including: absorbing the minerals as well as stimulating blood flow.  This being said, if you let a clay mask thoroughly dry before rinsing, it will dehydrate your skin and cause future irritations.  So don't let it get too light in colour or flaky in texture before rinsing, it should be slightly tacky to the touch.

Price - $57.00

What it claims it does 
A multifunctional treatment that can be used as an instant detoxifying face mask, a daily purifying face cleanser, or a spot treatment for blemishes and irritations.

What I think it does 
If your skin is acting up, getting itchy, flaky, and acne has developed, then this is a great product to use.  It seems to be doing wonders to mine in the summer months more than in the winter.  Fresh is a good skincare company because they are known to only use natural ingredients in their products.  They also study and use beauty practices from around the globe.  You must have heard of their lip balm or their sugar scrubs.  If you have sensitive skin, (and my god I do) this is definitely worth a try.  The tube itself needs to be well shaken before use, otherwise it gets watery.  Is it worth the price mark? I think so because anything that your skin is going to absorb better be natural and of good quality.  I would not recommend any mask though unless you have a proper skincare regime in place already.  Should this be one of your first skincare products to buy? No, buy cleansers and moisturisers first.  I also don't think it is completely multifunctional.  It is a good mask and can work as a cleanser, naturally any mask will cleanse your skin.   It did reduce the blemishes on my skin but I don't think it's a spot treatment.  It can cleanse and reduce blemishes but it won't work as a daily cleanser would or how a spot treatment is meant to.  Overall, I love it, I would repurchase it but i'd like to also see what else is out there.  I am definitely intrigued enough to discover more from this brand.  

Summer Lovin' Tag

I have spent the past few months being bothered and flustered with the heat and humidity that summer brought.  Although it took me a little while to come around, I have turned the negativity into positive thoughts and decided to get excited for summer.

There is a tag going around - a tag is a list of questions concentrated on one topic - about all the things one is loving about summer.  In an effort to bring more summer spirit into my life, the following is me answering the questions.  Maybe this will get you thinking about what you love about summer and get excited for this season!

Summer nail polish you're loving?
OPI Cajun Shrimp.  The name is just laughable and odd for a nail polish! It's such a great bright colour for summer without being neon or dull.  Any colour that provides a contrast will look good on any skin tone, this is definitely one of those.  A universally flattering colour.

Summer Lipstick you're loving?
Sephora Rouge Volupte Cream Lip Stain in 03 Strawberry Kiss.  A pink toned colour.  It's very easy to apply and does not transfer on to anything!  Highly recommend!

Summer drink of choice? 

Starbucks Java Chip Frapp with no Whipped Cream. A nice treat!  Not something I have regularly though. 

Favourite Summer Accessory? 

I tend not to go too overboard with summer clothing because I would rather invest in fall fashion.  That being said, accessories are such a fun and affordable way to brighten up an outfit.  The necklace I have been wearing regularly through summer is this bright gold and coral one from Forever 21.

Favourite Summer Song? 

Sing by Ed Sheeran.  I think this is a staple in everyone's current playlist.  It would not be a surprise, this song is incredible.  Infact, his whole new album 'multiply' is absolutely amazing.  I have been listening to it on repeat! 

Summer Bronzer you're loving? 

Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzing Face Powder in 03 Naturel - Brunettes.  This colour looks so sun kissed on my skin tone without making me look muddy.  It also has very very very little shimmer in it, you would not even notice it unless you intently stared.  I like that because it does not make one's face too dewy.  

Favourite Summer Fragrance/Perfume?  

Flora by Gucci.  I got this perfume duty-free at an airport and have had this for a while.  As soon as spring started, I used it like it was my job.  It is such a pleasant smell, not overpowering, and definitely floral as the title suggests.  Fragrances with a Tuberose undertone to them are quickly becoming my favourite.  

What are you excited about doing this summer? 

I have actually already done the activity that I would consider I was most looking forward to.  It may sound cheesy but spending time with my grandmother at various parks and gardens was one of the most rewarding experiences.

What are you most looking forward to doing?  

What are you loving about summer?