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?

Simple Healthy Breakfast Idea

Good Morning!

I started my day off early with this amazing breakfast.  It was refreshing and healthy.   Incorporating fresh fruit to any diet, especially in the morning, is a great way to eat clean.  It leaves you feeling energised through out.  I accompanied my breakfast with some homemade Strawberry Lemonade.  (Deeee-licious)

Layer the following ingredients.  You will need:
Greek Yogurt
Granola - I used Hazelnut Honey flavour.  I absolutely love the nutty taste that Hazelnut gives.
Berries - I used Raspberries.  You can use any: Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries
Other fruit - I used Mangoes.  It tasted unbelievable! I highly recommend.
Honey - You can even use Agave Necter.
Other toppings - In retrospect I wish I did this, but it would be yummy to top the whole thing off with cinnamon.  Yummy!

What is your go to breakfast? Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A Day Out in the Sun

The last time I spent my time doing nothing but aimlessly frolic in the sun was when I was a little girl.  Something about the clear sky and being in the company of my family took me back to that time.  A time when being in the 'now' was the most valuable.  A time when where we have been and where we are going was not being constantly calculated.  A time when we gave so much power and importance to being selfishly in the present.

Nobody is going to make you see that all you have got is the present.  Today, I was fortunate enough to  have remembered that importance.  For a few very well-lit and unclouded moments, I was able to be in complete peace with it.

What were you up to today?

What made you smile today?

Foodie Travels | Food Adventures of the Past

If you are like me, then good food is a very important part of your life.  I love going out for dinner because it makes such an event of an otherwise dull day.  It introduces a glamour into one's life.

Good restaurants are hard to come by so I hope this list helps you.  These are my 'foodie travels' of the past, restaurants I have been to over the past year and a half.  Please accept my apologies for the rubbish quality of the pictures.

REDS Wine Tavern - A restaurant that was recommended to me by a friend.  Pictured above is their 'Crispy Potato Flatbread.'  I would go there for the sole purpose of having that flatbread again.  It was so delicious.  They used a Chimichurri Aioli that was absolutely heavenly.

Playa Cabana Cantina
A wonderful little mexican restaurant in The Junction, Toronto.  They have a chain of restaurants under their 'Playa Cabana' name.  The ambience of this restaurant was ahh-mazing!  The food was also incredible, we had Chicken Tacos (Pollo Tinga), Oysters, and Tres Leches.  Someone once said to me that Oysters should not taste fishy, they should taste like the sea.  These Oysters were fresh and did very much taste like the sea.  We also had Haddock Tacos (Pescado) and they were so fresh, succulent and delightful.  Man, does this place know how to do seafood well.  They also made my favourite mexican drink: the Mojito.  This restaurant is definitely worth another visit!

Blowfish Restaurant and Sake Bar

This is a restaurant that I was dying to visit for a while.  Overall, it was a good experience. The ambiance was so beautiful and service was satisfactory.  Would I go there again? Probably eventually to indulge on their Sake variety but I'd like to try other gourmet asian restaurants before coming back to this one.  I had a (yummy) Pomegranate Mojito and shared a variety of their Sushi Rolls. There are two circumstances under which I would not recommend you to go there: do not go if you are going with people who are not willing to spend money on food, and do not go there if you expect it to be like an all-you-can eat restaurant.  This place is gourmet asian food.   The last comment is that they have two locations:  King & Bathurst and Bay & Adelaide.  I went to the King & Bathurst location.  I would be interested to get a better sense of their crowd and the general whole experience by going to the Bay St. location.  

JOEY Restaurant Eaton Centre

JOEY is a wonderful chain of restaurants.  They have locations all over Canada and America.  After visiting their Eaton Centre location, I can see why they have been so successful.  I went there with my friend for a Valentine's Day lunch.  Upon entering and while we were waiting to be seated, we were served a sample of their 'Pesto Shrimp Flatbread.'  It was absolutely delicious and a perfect way to get a customer's palette started even before they are seated.  Service was really friendly.  We ordered Yam Fries & Truffle Lemon Aioli (YUM), Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Soup, and Chicken Fettucini Alfredo.  I would definitely go back there for the location and for a pleasant dining experience.

Are there any restaurants that you think I should visit?  Let me know!

Personal Habits of Successful People

Success is different to everyone.  It also has many facets to it, not just monetary gain.  In this instance, I am specifically talking about success as a result of high productivity and hard work for pursuing a career, your dreams and the like.  I feel that successful people have a few distinct qualities that sets them apart from everyone else.  These qualities are not always intrinsic, they are exercised and learned skills.  It was important for me to write this because being young and ambitious, I have a few of these habits already but not all. People should always strive to be their best version of themselves right?  To me, the best version of myself is when I am productive with my time.  I wrote this list with some of my own knowledge, from books I have read, from observing and being around successful people, and from my father.  This is going to be a great reference for me to look back on and I hope it is to you as well!

• Constantly be doing things.
• Keep a clean and organised desk.
• Make a 'things to do' list for the day, week, month.
• Have an agenda or calendar of important dates and deadlines
• Write out a detailed list of short term and long term goals. Short term goals should always lead to long term goals.
• Schedule your day in blocks.  For instance, write out specifically what you intend to do in blocked time periods. 
• 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM -Breakfast 
• 8:30 AM - 11: 00 AM-Commute to work and respond to e-mails 
• ...and so on and so forth. 
• Have a people collection - contact information of your network and constantly follow up with them regardless of age, occupation or relation.
• Keep up with news and current events regardless of whether it is related to your industry of profession.  
• Have outstanding communication skills.
• Read books.  

Do you already possess a few of these habits?

Are there habits that you have observed and need to be on this list?  Let's share a few!

African Lion Safari

Hello All!

I recently went to the African Lion Safari in Hamilton.  It was such an amazing experience, got to see lots of wildlife creatures.  The lions were just lounging and turned away from us as we drove by but we got to see zebras and giraffes very closely.  The monkeys there climbed a few cars and sat on them, it was fun to watch!  As we were leaving, a large group of bison got up and ran straight toward all the cars, it was such an invigorating experience, I thought they were gonna ram into our car.

I took a lot more but here are a select few pictures where you can see the animals well.  I'm really proud of the deer ones :)

Enjoy!