Beat the Blues by Me Me Me Highlighter: Photo of the Day

I was lucky enough to do two swaps with some gorgeous gals from the UK, Amy-Louise, aka as lipgloss86 and Elizabeth, aka as lizzclare. They both sent me a product that is called Beat the Blues by Me Me Me Iridescent Complexion Illuminator and Enhancer. Thankfully, Amy-Louise sent me the shade No.1 Sun Beam which is a light golden colour and Elizabeth sent me shade No.2 Moon Beam which is a light pinky colour. I am very happy with these products because you can apply it on your eyebrow bone, the inner corner of your eyes, lightly over the bridge of your nose, or in the shape of the letter 'C' from outer corner of temples down to the top of your cheekbone and on your cupid's bow above your top lip. This product is very versatile and buildable and you can even add a drop or two of this into your own foundation for a subtle all over glow which is great for an evening out and you want a light and luminous glow. Mix some into your body moisturizer and apply it on top of your shoulders and on your collar bones for an added touch.

Beat the Blues is suppose to be comparable to Benefits High Beam and you know what, it is and its half the price!! I wish this product was sold where I live. In the above picture I mixed the two Beat the Blues shades and added some on my cheekbones, bridge of nose and the top of my lip. The pictures below includes the swatch for both shades. The bottle on the left is Shade 1, Sun Beam and the swatch is on the top of my hand and shade 2, Moon Beam is the bottle to the right and the swatch is the lower stripe on my hand. Thanks for stopping by.

Its Friday and Its Spring!!: Photo of the Day

Hello All,
I was feeling particularly skipper this morning, considering I survived my first week returning to work and it wasn't so bad. Isn't that always the case, we think that some event is always worse than it really is? Anyways, I've let my Flight Attendant bun down and let my wild hair (literally) down and shook it out. I saw this top that I am wearing at Winners and I had to have it, I love all the colours in it and its feminine and flowy. There is a sash at the bottom of the top that ties at the side.

Winners is another gold mine in Canada and although its hit or miss, each location has its strong points. For example, one Winners might be known for its shoes selection, another its jewelry, another its purses or housewares...you get the idea. Winners is similar to TJ Maxx in the US because its actually owned by TJ Maxx. Basically, if you look hard enough and have the time and a bit of luck on your side you can dress like a million bucks head-to-toe, decked out in designer duds all for between $100-200. That's not bad at all. I've scored Furla leather boots which I saw in Rome or downtown Toronto for mucho bucks. I've seen Coach purches, Roberto Cavalli and Gucci sunglasses, and even Seven jeans for $19.99!! And of course, one of my favourites that cost over $200, Fly London and Betsey Jonhson shoes. I even picked up a houndstooth A-line fall coat for my daughter by Citizens of Humanity for under $20. Everyone shops at Winners because there are treasures hidden deep inside.

I you live in the Toronto or GTA area or anywhere in Canada for that matter and you found a treasure in Winners please let me know, I love to hear of the great buys that others find in Winners.

My makeup is the more or less the usual:

Foundation: Laura Mercier colour Nude

Blush: Jane in Soft Mink

Contour: Chanel Bronze Universal

Eyes: Art Jam Paint Mac, Annabelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown, Mascara Clinique High Gloss in Black, Eyeshadow Stila in Kitten, Contour colour in Dark Edge (ltd edition) and Blackberry both Mac

Lips: Lipstick Mac in Faux and Gloss is Mac in Mimmy (HK collection)

Thanks for stopping by!

How I Style My Curly, Wavy, Frizzy Hair with Moroccan Oil: Repost

**Note** This is a repost of an article I originally posted on March 31, 2009. I accidentally deleted this post from my blog and decided to repost it.


My hairdresser introduced me to this product and I'm hooked. I can't live without Moroccan Oil which is an oil treatment for all hair types. It is such a versatile product that it can be applied to wet, damp or dry hair and then style hair as usual. Moroccan Oil is even great on your skin during the summer when you want your arms, shoulders and legs to have that beautiful sheen and it smells heavenly. The company doesn't advertise or promote use on the skin but I've been using it in that way. I add a drop or two of this stuff to my body moisturizer and its like magic! I even use to soften my cuticles and maintain my manicures. A tiny amount go a long way.
Moroccan Oil has a somewhat nutty scent with a touch of suntan lotion scent but not quite. The scent is very unique. This product absorbs instantly into the hair and creates a shine and keeps on conditioning well after its been absorbed into the hair. You just need a tiny, tiny amount of this product and rub between your palms and apply lightly all over your hair. Instantly your hair becomes so soft its incredible and its a great heat barrier for those straightening and using hot rollers. I use this product as a mixing medium together with mousse and section my hair and then twist (see pics). After my hair has dried I apply Moroccan Oil again the next day to the ends and where I feel my hair needs it. This product is not oily at all. I've tried BioSilk and I do not like that product at all, way to slippery and if you use too much of it that's it, your hair looks oily.

This is my method of keeping my curly, wavy, frizzy hair somewhat tame. I call it beach hair. I don't like using flat irons because it always make my hair smell like its burning and that smell stays until I shampoo my hair even with those heat protecting products. Because frequent washes dry out my hair which is colored regularly and highlighted and the pain in the butt event that it is to straighten my hair which takes about an hour, I wash my hair every third day and keep it fresh in between with dry shampoo if needed. I'll go into more depth about my dry shampoo on another post. Basically, since using Moroccan Oil I've learned to embrace my hair texture and have learned to live with the hair that I have. I leave my hair to dry naturally and then I separate the twists when its completely dry. Leaving it to dry completely is the trick, u can't touch it until then. Moroccan Oil has saved me so much frustration from trying to tame frizz and it keeps my hair healthy, not to mention the money I save from not having to go for frequent blowouts at the salon. I've even gotten my mom and sister hooked on it.

I paid $37.00 for a 3.4oz/100ml container. As I mentioned before, a tiny bit goes a long way. The only disappointment with this product is its container. The container is made of a dark glass and the opening does not have a stopper so that when you pour product onto your hand you need to be very careful because it has the consistency of olive oil and will come gushing out. I poured my product into a jar with a pump and one pump does my whole head. If you try this product you won't be disappointed especially if you have frizzy, wavy or dull looking hair and if your hair is affected by humidity or flyaways. Just remember a little product goes a long way.

Shoppers Drug Mart Haul, Swatch and FOTD

Here is my recent Shoppers Drug Mart haul. The usual always happens when I go in there. I stop in for diapers, cotton buds, or a prescription and I come out with that plus makeup. Somehow I always end up 'just having a quick peak'. I can count on one hand how many times I've walked into Shoppers and left without taking a peak.

I bought two lipsticks from Rimmel, one is called Celeb and the other in Just So. Its spring and I was in the mood for Pink, the shade Just So is the darker of the two and its beautiful. I have actually mixed this lipstick with a highlighter and a drop off bronzer and applied to the cheeks of bridesmaids for a wedding gig that I did recently. It looked gorgeous. I'm wearing the Rimmel Shade in Just So in the first picture at the top. The picture does not show the lipstick's true colour which is a little more pigmented. You can see it better on my hand in the other pic (on my hand its the above swatch, Celeb swatch is below)

The other items are a Gel Bronze Sheer Translucent Color Oil Free from Bonne Bell, in Golden Tan. I use this in the summer as a mixing medium, works every time. To top it off if I really want to look fabulosa then I add a hint of Bonne Bell's Glimmer Bronze in Gold'n'Glitz on the top of my cheek bone with a fan brush. When I say a hint, I mean a hint or else you'll look like a shiny disco ball. Next to Bonne Bells Dr. Pepper LipSmacker which is a staple in my makeup bag these items are a must for me. I use them on myself and for makeup gigs depending on the look. Both products are very versatile and are under $10, making them very affordable.

The next item is from Annabelle which is a cosmetic line exclusive to Canada. The gloss I purchased from Annabelle is Le Gloss Lip Shine in Breathless Souffle. There glosses are pretty good and inexpensive. I'm wearing the gloss in the second picture from the top.

The last item I've swatched on the top of my cheek is the Revlon Beyond Natural Concealer and Highlighter in shade 310 light-medium. I don't really care much for the concealer but the highlighter is a transparent gloss that is sheer and very Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex in the City.

Hope you enjoyed this haul and swatch. I've been ill for the last three days and its taken its toll on me, excuse my sleepy expressions, I'm still on the mend. Also, if you haven't noticed already the background in these pics is weird because I'm in the middle of a large renovation and we're trying to keep the dust contained to one area so everything is sectioned off with plastic. So, if you were wondering why my background looks like a scene from HBO's Dexter, this is why.

Thanks for stopping by. xx

UK Swap with the lovely Elizabeth

I did another swap with a new found friend from the UK, whom I think is the bomb. She is witty, beautiful and real with a twist of sarcasm. I heart her.....her name is Elizabeth, aka lizzclare on You Tube and she is a fellow blogger with a great site, please check her out at That One Girl. I first started chatting with Elizabeth when I saw her first vid on YT and I saw that she like motor bikes like I do and enjoys getting her hands dirty taking them apart. That was it for me, I love lipgloss but I'm also a tomboy at heart. So, we decided to swap and as usual her package arrived first and my is still enroute somewhere making bloody detours who knows where. Poor lipgloss86 who is beautiful and the sweetest thing and was the first person that I did a swap with is still waiting for her package to arrive and that was 2 weeks ago. I am seriously losing sleep over this but, have not given up hope yet. Please check out her blog, its great.

Here are some pics of Elizabeth's swap items that she sent and she also included some goodies for my children, how sweet is that!! Only a mommy would have thought to do that. The swap items were individually wrapped and tied with ribbon. In the swap she included the infamous Gosh lipstick in Darling, perfume, as well the Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme and some beautiful accessories and a gorgeous makeup bag. The JK Dewy Glow was my request and she made sure to wrap this one differently. Too many other things to list but will show and swatch in other blogs posts. I feel like a very lucky girl to be meeting such wonderful people in the blogging community and I am blown away by there generosity. Thank you Elizabeth.

Gift in the Mail

I've recently befriended someone that I think is pretty special. Her name is Sonya, if you haven't already you need to check out her blog, its really good and she is the sweetest girl ever, not to mentions she is beautiful. Sonya is about to give birth any minute as she is officially past her due date and is still studying at school. If she wasn't busy enough with school and being nine months pregnant she found the time to send me a gift in the mail. Sonya sent me there pairs of Red Cherries false lashes held together with a beautiful peach flowered hairband, a Sonia Kashuk Beauty Blending Sponge, a Jane Mineral Blush, and a lovely note.

I was touched by this gesture and I am glad to have gotten to know her. My positive thoughts and prayers are with her and her baby girl that will be arriving any time now. Good luck Sonya and we can't wait to see your special delivery!

Vintage Pinup Shoe With A Modern Twist

Some people buy loads of magazine every month and I am not one of those people. I have two magazines that I buy on a regular basis and they are Allure and LOU LOU. I buy Allure for the makeup trends and new products reviews and LOU LOU is for the fashion which is Canadian friendly. In the latest issue of LOU LOU magazine I was flipping through and I saw a pair of shoes that stopped me dead in my tracks. When that happens......game over! I am rarely wowed by shoes, they need to speak to me before I pull out my wallet. I tracked them down by calling up 4 stores and put them on hold and picked them up the next day. Marciano Guess is the designer I am so happy that I have them in my possession. I can't wait to wear them with dark jean or walking shorts.

These shoes are vintage looking with a pinup peeptoe look to them. I am a big fan of vintage pieces and I love the snakeskin design and the wooden heel. Actually, its the heel that cinched the deal. This type of pinup shoe with the modern twist is very versatile because you can wear it with so many colours and patterns and it doesn't really have to match because they are a stronger piece in your wardrobe arsenal and can stand alone. I'm walking around the house with these on today, influenza or not and I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Clickety-click!!

Thanks for stopping by!

At Home Glycolic Peels and Intense Exfoliation

It seems that the weather is finally finding its groove and spring has sprung for this week at least. For most of us this means that not only does our mood and wardrobe change, but also our skin texture changes as well. Long, dry winter conditions reek havoc on your face which can lead to dry, tight, rough and drab looking skin. Its time for serious but gentle exfoliation. There are two types of exfoliants, chemical and mechanical. I use both. Chemical exfoliation with glycolic or hydroxy acid tingles and can sting a bit until you build a tolerance to it and it does not aggravate the mild rosacea on my cheeks. Also, the glycolic acid penetrates deeper into my skin, whereas, the mechanical exfoliants slough off dead skin by essentially scratching at it with fine microbeads. Sometimes you just need to get in there and slough off that dead buildup by hand. Always keep in mind that makeup can cover almost any discolouration, however, it cannot mask bumps, depressed pockets and rough looking skin. We tend to put more makeup on top of this problem but it only makes it worse.

A consistent routine of gentle exfoliation is the key to healthy, glowing, smooth and younger looking skin. In using this approach we don't shock our skin, therefore, we decrease our chances of having acne breakouts. The benefits of keeping our skin exfoliated is that we need less products, such as face creams, serums and body creams because our skin absorbs it quicker and its more effective. Less is more rings true when dealing with face products and the key is to have smooth, fresh skin without any buildup so that the product is absorbed quickly and efficiently. In addition, our fine lines, blackheads, and blemishes are diminished and our overall appearance looks fresh and healthy because when we exfoliate we are promoting new skin growth and repair. I used the following items in conjunction with each other and not all at the same time. There is a bad side effect to over exfoliation such as breakouts, dry patches, and redness, please be aware of this. My top weapons are as follows:


Chemical Exfoliation/Peels (Glycolic Acid): Avon Anew Retexturizing Peel **Won Allure Magazine 2008 Best of Beauty Award**

I have been using this product for about five years now and I won't switch. For an at-home chemical peel this is a serious contender. Avon claims that the results from this peel are superior to a professional 35% glycolic acid peel. One saturated pad does your entire face, neck and chest. I use this every other week for 3-4 days in a row and then I let my skin rest and regenerate. This product makes your skin glow and it has actually lightened acne scars on my face. At $25.00 I think this is a steal, not including the fact that Avon often has special deals on their products. I'm not surprised that this product won an award.

Alyria Exfoliating Cream: Levels One and Two

I've blogged about this product before. Its available at medspas and its excellent. I apply it every night as a face, neck and chest cream and the next morning I can't stop touching my skin because its so smooth and soft. Its $40-$45.00 a jar but a tiny bit spread all over and it lasts quite a long time. I'm lost without this cream. I never have a rough nose or chin anymore since using this product. All the exfoliating is done at night while you are sleeping. Love it!!!

Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer (Hydroxy Acid): Both a mechanical and chemical exfoliant

This product is pricey, I paid $97.00 for the container which has 35 packets of abrasive finger mitts saturated in a chemical peel. This stays with me in my travel makeup bag or my gym back. Its very effective because you scrub away and chemically exfoliate at the same time. I don't use this product daily.

Manual Exfoliants: MAC Microfine Refinisher

This products is more well known to the masses and it retails for $26.00. Its superfine micro beads that do an amazing job at sloughing off dead skin. I keep this product handy in the shower because I use it on my whole body. No more butt zits for me ladies! lol Its also great for elbows, knees and any other rough spots you can find.

Bottom line is we need to exfoliate and the younger you start the better you skin will look its best. By exfoliating and doing chemical peels consistently and by wearing at least an spf 30 on a daily basis, especially if you are using glycolic acid or hydroxy acid peels, you won't have to take drastic measure later and dish out the big bucks that it will cost you. Your makeup will look amazing and your skin will thank you for it. Thanks for stopping by.

IPL 6 Weeks Post Laser Photos: Final Assessment

For those of you that are new to my blog you may or may not have noticed that I had IPL (Intense Pulse Light) or Photorejuvination Laser performed on my skin. I have had five IPL sessions with three microdermabrasion treatments in between laser appointments. I've documented the way my face looked right after treatments and I'm giving you my own honest and uncut version of the pros and cons of my journey. My initial reason for dishing out enough coin for these treatments was to remove the brown spots on my face which I got during both my pregnancies with my kids and to help reduce the redness and texture of the rosacea which afflicts my cheek area. So, here goes the final checkup six weeks after my fifth and final session of IPL.

This morning I had a detox facial done which I enjoyed very much until the very end when a disinfecting mask was applied onto my face and then it became a different story. I felt like my face was being held two inches away from a blazing fire and someone was spritzing alcohol on my skin at the same time! OMG!! In fact, its nine hours later and I'm still a little red from it. Nonetheless, I liked the results very much because my skin is smoooooth. That mask threw me for a loop. For a split second I had a vision of whipping the warm cozy blanket off of me, getting up off the bed smashing the speaker which chimed waterfalls and flutes and scream in the women's face, 'why the f-- didn't you warn me it would burn and sting this much?!'. Mind you, any warning still would not have prepared me for the stinging, burning sensation. I'm glad it was left on for only 3 minutes. I have a very high threshold for pain, but a little warning would have been nice.

In the same medical spa I went to see my dermatologist and we talked about the improvements to my skin and what needs to be done to the areas of my face where melasma or hyperpigmentation was still very apparent. I knew going into this that there was a possibility that some areas of my face would be resistant to IPL and other areas could get darker as a result of the laser treatments bringing them forth to the surface. Unfortunately, I've had both things happen. My first question to the Dr. was should I book for another laser session? and he responded, absolutely not. Apparently, an IPL session every 3-4 weeks over 5 months can be very rigorous on your skin and he wanted me to take a break. Truthfully, I was a little surprised and disappointed that he said to stop the laser. I'm a keener when it comes to doing what it takes to get the job done, especially when it comes to the skin on my face.

Instead, my dermatologist prescribed Hydroquinone which is a compound mixture of a bleaching agent and RetinA (prescription) which is why I cannot wear the cream during the day and you have to build a tolerance to it over 1-2 weeks or you become red like a pepper in those areas where applied. I'm hoping the cream will help lighten these spots until September rolls around and I can start IPL treatments again.

The two pics are of me today without any face makeup on except for eye makeup. Yes, if you are wondering I am aware of how spooky I look like without makeup and truthfully I am so proud of myself because six months ago you would not have caught me dead taking a picture of myself without makeup on. The benefits of maturing must be kicking in. The other picture is of me wearing makeup but, this time its not liquid foundation. Instead, its a mineral makeup from AfterGlow Cosmetics which is an organic mineral makeup and I am loving it very much. I am very new to wearing mineral makeup and I have always been hesitant to jump on the bandwagon because I have worn liquid foundation for as long as I an remember. When I did try mineral makeup I discovered that I have an immediate reaction to Bismuth which is a common ingredient and a common irritant in mineral makeup. Most mineral makeup brands include Bismuth. AfterGlow makeup is Bismuth free and stays put for a long time.

I will continue to keep you all posted on this journey of mine. Thanks for stopping by.

Soia & Kyo: Feeling Like Agent 99!

I've had a Soia and Kyo trench coat on my wish list for a while now. I am in love with this company because they take the classic english trench coats and give them a modern edge. Soia and Kyo make such unique outerwear that I cannot rave enough about this company. Also, the company is Canadian from British Columbia and in a short while have taken off and become global. The cut, the collar, the buttons, the fitted, capped and gathered shoulders the material they use are all different and fit you like nobody's business. On all of Soya and Kyo's sleeves they use a dotted symbol which represents their company. I love, love finishing touches like that.

I just got this yesterday, it was a gift from my beautiful sister and I haven't stop admiring it. My sister owns four Soia and Kyo works of perfection and I always gushed over them. Have you ever bought something that you've wanted for a while and when you finally get it you love it to death? I mean, if I could have slept with it on last night I would have.

I remember seeing re-runs when I was a child of an old TV series called, 'Get Smart' about two undercover spies.
Barbara Feldon's character who played a female spy was the brains behind the operation instead of her male counterpart, the clumsy Maxwell Smart. This 60's bombshell was a sharply dress mod beauty and her character was called 'Agent 99'. Barbara Feldon was my first influence that planted the seed of fashion curiousity. I loved everything she wore, her makeup, her hair styles....I have always wanted to be Agent 99. When all the little girls wanted to be a princess or Cat Woman or a witch for Halloween I wanted to be Agent 99. When I put on this jacket I feel very spy-ish (lol) and I immediately imagine myself as Agent 99.

If ever any of you get a chance to score a trench coat or winter or leather jacket from Soia and Kyo.......DO IT! They are stylish, unique, edgy and classic all at the same time. I'm so happy that I'm floating. My only challenge is not to get makeup on the collar. xx

Feeling Like Spring Again: FOTD

The weather these last few days has been down right weird. Last week you could go outside wearing just a sweater and scarf and 24hrs later we were hit with a 48hr snow/ice storm?!! I don't get. Today we are back to spring weather and warmer temperatures so I decided to take advantage and leave my heavy coat behind. I'm wearing my 7 jeans, patent leather wedges, a tailored black blazer which is one of my favourites cinched with a wide red faux reptile patterned belt. My husband snapped this quick photo of me while we were running errands. Actually, its right after we dropped off our children at preschool and were about to get a nice cup of java. Look at the happiness on my face, that's because I was free!!!!! My little ones were driving me nuts today and didn't want to get dressed, brush their teeth or go to preschool, forgive me people but I couldn't wait to drop them off. I'm hoping that spring weather has sprung where you live.

Have a good day.xx Nadia

St. Tropez Bronzer Haul

I've been noticing many reviews on YouTube for the St. Tropez Bronzer. Myself, I'm not a self-tanner kind of girl because I always felt like I looked blotchy and dirty with a hint of an orangy glow. When I see myself tanned I feel like my face looks older and I'm not very good at applying it. If you saw my ankles after I self tan you would think I lived in the woods and never bathed, not pretty. However I have been noticing on others that the St. Tropez Bronzer has a more natural brown shade to it, almost like Benefits Hoola Bronzer when its applied to the cheeks. In Canada I couldn't locate a tanning salon or beauty supplier to purchase this product in person so I turned to my trusty old friend www.essentialdayspa.com I love this site. Not only because they are a Canadian company from Vancouver but because they are damn good at dealing with customers and they have a long list of beauty products available for purchase. I only order a few times a year but when I do I order my share of products.....enough said.

My St Tropez haul Includes the body self tanners in different sizes which does about 4 full body applications, the bronzing mousse which dries in 60 seconds and the body polisher which is recommended before applying the bronzer. I also bought the body moisturizer and the stain remover specifically formulated to remove any stains on the palms of your hands or under your feet or wherever else you goofed. I ended up getting the stain remover in travel size towelettes and the travel size bronzing set in case I'm on vacation and need to fake it a little longer. I wear spf 60 and a big hat when I'm out in the sun so I'm going to need to fake it for sure. I'm fighting aging skin with all I've got!!! I've heard from others that wearing gloves is a good application tip. The products is a mud color so there is no guessing if you missed a spot during the application process.

Essential Day Spa ships worldwide and I know for a fact from their online beauty forums which has every review of every product you can think of that this site is popular with the ladies from the UK and Australia. Shipping is fast and they always include generous samples and they are in constant communication with you via email so, even if a product is on backorder you know about it right away. I am very please with this company and I would recommend Essential Day Spa to anyone.

For YouTube reviews on the St. Tropez Bronzer check out sweet Sarah's channel @ sardun1 and the talented Kandee and Lisasz09

I will be posting pictures on my blog and writing a personal review very soon of my adventures in self-tanning with the St. Tropez Bronzer.......stay tuned!

Feels Like Mellow Yellow Today: FOTD

Its bright and sunny today and the weather has inspired me to put on a cheery colored top. I kept my makeup light and didn't do anything to my hair other than curl the two front pieces and then shook it out. I'm wearing one of my vintage black necklaces. Did I ever mention I adore vintage jewellery, accessories, and clothing? Well, I do, I do, I do! I'm the type of person that treasures jewellery or handbags and clutches with a story behind it. I always think what good times this thing must of had and I'm sure a few tears were shed as well. Its one of those things that rocks my boat and makes me feel special.

I decided to paint my nails in pink and I used China Glaze Nail Polish in Soft Mink. While I was at it I also included a picture of my new bracelet that arrived in the mail a few days ago. Its another Links of London Bracelet with the red heart, its so delicate and pretty.

My face:
Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Nude

Cheeks:
No 17 Bronzer from Boots in color Medium(thanks Amy-Louise) and Jane Mineral blush in Soft Mink (thanks Sarah).

Eyes:
Bourjois Eyeshadow in Beige Rose and Annabelle Kohl Liner in Brown, a touch of bronzer in my crease, and few coats of L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

Lips:
No 17 Lipliner from Boots in Buff, Cremesheen Glass from MAC in Creme Anglaise


By the way, if you notice that my backgrounds are a little run down its because our home is under major renos and wherever I photograph its being either sanded, demolished or we haven't gotten to it yet. I'm running out of places to take a picture with decent lighting. Bear with me and pray for me to keep my sanity throughout this process.

Your Nose Knows

When I spritz perfume on my body I have an instant reaction to its scent and for a split second it transports me back to a particular time and place in my life.  My favorite scents all evoke memories that are my happiest and most meaningful, whether it be the first date with my husband or having the most amazing roll on the floor and pee your pants laugh with my sister or when my young son hugs me tight and says that he likes the way my skin smells.

Come to think of it, I don't own any perfumes that give me even a subtle feeling of sadness or give me headaches or that I used to wear when I was with an ex-boyfriend who happen to break my heart.  Even if the bottle is full of product and looks so pretty on a vanity, I have no problems giving it away or throwing it out. If it doesn't make me feel like a million bucks its gone. This is not to say that I don't hold on to things that I shouldn't because trust me I do but, I'm definitely not a perfume hoarder.  I don't have many perfumes only about six or seven bottles but I keep going back to the same ones.  For me, its all about the scent and the memory that come with the initial spritz of nectar.

My favorite perfumes that I never get tired of are Agent Provocateur which stir feelings of sexual curiosity just like its lingerie ads do and give me the confidence of a rich older lady. Prada Milano reminds me of romatic moped rides with my husband and drinking Campari and soda in the piazzas of Italy, specifically near the Spanish Steps in beautiful and haunting city of Roma. Stella perfume and Stella in Two, both by Stella McCartney (the second one might be discontinued) remind me of playing in the park with my children and then having a picnic as we watched the swans float by on the pond. Lastly, is the perfume Island Living by India Hicks which reminds be of being in Barbados which is a place I most want to be and eat fly fish and have a beer or a rum punch with a pinch of cinnamon, sitting with the locals and feeling that caribbean heat on your shoulders.

For me its all about the scent which opens the treasure chest of all things beautiful in my past and my present.

What are your favorite perfumes and why? I've never tried a tag but this sounds like it would be fun so, tag you're it!

Dry Shampoo: Ojon Hair Rub-out Dry Cleanser & Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray

I don't wash my hair everyday because it would even further aggravate my hair texture which if you've been following my blog, you know is wavy, curly, frizzy and crazy. I wash my hair every third day. By doing this, I also help maintain my hair color between salon appointments. As a Flight Attendant, I've been on flight assignments that have lasted five days with 4am wake up calls or working night flights one after another with only 10 hours in between flights or I've traveled overseas where the water is way too harsh for my hair to wash and I need a hair lift between washings. Sometimes ladies sleep is more important than styling my hair especially if you've been peddling your ass on the road for almost a week and you have to stop and think about what city or time zone you are in.

To help me out I use dry shampoo. I cannot live without this. In the U.S there was a brand I used called Pssst! Dry Shampoo, it was excellent and cost under $5.00. Unfortunately, we don't get it in Canada. I have found an alternative which is Klorane Dry Shampoo and it is amazing. However, it too is hard to find and I am out...ugh!... story of my life. I did find the Ojon Hair Rub-Out Dry Cleanser and Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray which are both available at Sephora. These products aren't amazing like the Klorane or Pssst! brand but, they do the trick.

I'm not crazy about the scent of either the Ojon or the Oscar Blandi. In my opinion, out of the two brands the Ojon smells better. My 'do' has lasted 4-5 days with these shampoos but I've gone that long only a few times. To use I simply spray at my roots and don't point the nozzle to close or else you get too much product on your hair and end up with white blobs. Wait a few minutes for product to dry and absorb then brush out or flip you hair over and with your fingers fluff out your roots. Voila! you are ready to style again and go. I have 2 bottles in my work carry-on luggage and a couple in my bathroom. Can't do without it.

If by chance you know of any dry shampoos that you've tried and really liked please let me know

My First UK Swap Experience: Package Arrived Today!

Its always exciting to receive a box delivered to your home even when you know the package is going to arrive.  No matter how many times I receive a package in the mail I always do the same goofy little hand clapping and jumping dance when the postal service truck pulls up in front of my house and the mail carrier hands me the package.  I know that man is thinking to himself.....okay lady....cuckoo!.

I was asked to swap for the first time a few weeks ago by the sweet and lovely Amy-Louise, aka lipgloss86 who is also a fellow blogger.  We decided on a budget and revealed our general likes and dislikes and then we were off shopping for each other.  She included brands such ad Ruby and Millie, BarryM, No17, beauty uk, just to name a few.  This lovely box contained nail polish, liquid highlighters and bronzers, there was even a gift with purchase pouch filled with even more skin care surprises. We mostly stuck to drugstore purchases.  I'm really glad I did this because you get to discover other beauty brands that are not available in your area and you realize how much time someone spent in choosing makeup products that would make you happy.  In the process you also get to discover just a little more about that person through emails.  Does anyone remember pen pals?  Is sort of like that, don't you think?I'm always appreciative when someone takes the time to do something for me.  This is especially true for me since becoming a mother four years ago.

Apart from receiving the makeup and knowing that someone shopped specifically with you in mind, the personal note attached is just as touching and important.  I love getting personal notes in fact, I have a little collection of personal note cards that I'm growing because I use them often. There is nothing better that tops a gift off than a personal note. 

Overall my experience with swapping was positive and I'm very happy with the items that I received.  I'm doing this again with lizzclare who is another blogger.  I hope that Amy-Louise will be just as satisfied with her goodies as I am with mine.

I'm very aware of my lack of control for all things beauty. 

Thanks lipgloss86, it was fun!