Arbonne 30 Days To Healthy Living Review

Saturday, December 8, 2018

This post contains affiliate links.

As mentioned in my previous post, I decided to participate in Arbonne’s 30 Days To Healthy Living Challenge for the month of November. Initially I had planned to do a week-by-week update but unfortunately life got in the way. However, if you’re interested in reading about my first week, as well as some information about the program itself, click here.

My Weight Over The Years

I’m going to rewind this story back to August for a bit. When I first stepped on the scale on August 1st and seen 137.8lbs, I nearly passed out. When I graduated high school, I weighed 97lbs. Throughout my university life, I weighed anywhere from 106-112lbs. After a bad breakup in 2013, I dropped back to 95lbs again. In hindsight, that was definitely too small for me (despite my 5’2″ stature). However, my normal in the following years was anywhere from 110-118lbs.

Around the time of our cruise in 2016, I was hovering around 128lbs. It was at this point that I became really unhappy with my body. I’ve always been curvy but up until this point, I was satisfied with my weight and appearance. I started dieting and exercising off and on, but never really stuck with a plan.

The Breaking Point

Fast forward to this year and suddenly I was at 137.8lbs. I couldn’t understand how I let my weight spiral out of control but let’s be honest, it happens. I’m getting closer and closer to 30, my metabolism has slowed down, and aside from walking 10,000+ steps a day at work, I don’t do any form of exercise. Not to mention that we had gotten into the bad habit of eating out frequently and snacking on chips and candy on a regular basis.

At this point, I knew I had to do something. I had been thinking about the Arbonne 30 Days To Healthy Living Program for a while but to be honest, I wasn’t ready to bite the bullet just then as we were getting ready to go on a cruise. Instead, I made little changes, like swapping out my sugar to monk fruit, cutting back on bread and other carbs, and increasing my water intake. By making these little changes, I managed to get my weight down to ~132lbs.

However, after my cruise, my weight was back up to 134lbs and I was ready to hop on the Arbonne bandwagon. I personally know people who had great success with it and I also knew that if I spent the money, I wouldn’t quit on myself. Side note: I also read “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis while I was on vacation which is all about not quitting on yourself (highly recommend!).

Arbonne 30 Days To Healthy Living

Week one was tough as my body was adjusting to a) eating less, and b) eating less frequently. At first, the shakes only kept me satifisied for a couple of hours, but over time they satiated me from meal to meal. Cutting out gluten wasn’t difficult as much as it was simply inconvenient. I replaced my regular bread with gluten-free bread and honestly, that was fine. I bought gluten-free pasta or substituted zucchini noodles and replaced chips with gluten free snacks like these and these. No, the difficult part for me was cutting out cheese. I only drank cashew milk anyway and I gave up yogurt easily, but cheese and butter.. that was rough. I tried dairy-free cheese and it was okay, but not worth it.

The good thing is that you don’t have to cut out these foods forever. However, gluten and dairy cause issues for a lot of people, often unknowingly. I know that I can’t tolerated milk, ice cream or copious amounts of dairy, but I am fine with moderate amounts of cheese. Personally, I didn’t notice much difference by cutting out gluten, though I definitely experienced less bloating. For those with acne and skin problems, I’d highly recommend a trial of removing those products from your diet.

Week two and three were easier once my body started to adjust. As I mentioned in the last post, I decided to add my own probiotic back into my regimen as I was having an IBS flare up during the first week. It took about two weeks to completely settle but I didn’t have any issues after that. I was supposed to complete the 7-day body cleanse during week three but I think I only did 3-4 days. It is a gentle cleanse (as advertised), but in my field of work, you cannot go to the washroom whenever you like. Therefore, I didn’t want to do it on days when I was working. I definitely feel as though it cleared some of the sludge and waste from my body though.

Week four was a struggle as we were so close to the finish line. While I enjoyed my shakes, fizz sticks, and detox tea, I was ready to eat the Christmas cookies in my fridge. However, we made it through and we were so pleased with ourselves for sticking with it.

Results

Arbonne 30 Days To Health Living Results

Arbonne 30 Days To Health Living Results

Arbonne 30 Days To Health Living Results

Arbonne 30 Days To Health Living Results

From November 1st – December 1st, I lost exactly 6lbs (134 -> 128) and Jordan lost 12.6lbs. Jordan didn’t do measurements or photos but I did and I lost 7 inches. I lost everywhere that I had measured, ranging from 0.5″ on my arms to 2″ on my hips. My clothes fit more comfortably, I feel better about myself, and I no longer cringe at how I will look in a photo.

Between cookie parties and 30th birthday parties, we definitely didn’t follow the plan 100%. For the first half, I’d say we were 80/20 but by the second half, closer to 70/30. We also didn’t exercise once during the month. We are relaxing and enjoying the holidays this month with all intentions of jumping back on the bandwagon in January. After all, we have a wedding and a honeymoon that we need to look good for!

After a week of not eating properly since the program ended, I was afraid to step on the scale. Suprisingly, I had only gained back 0.6lbs! I also have less desire to eat fast food or junky food now because it honestly doesn’t taste as good. I’d much rather have a fizz stick than a glass of soda and I’d prefer a detox tea over a sickly sweet holiday drink.

It really is a lifestyle change and not a fad diet and you can see for yourselves that it works. While I did sign up as an Independent Consultant with Arbonne, this is an honest review of the program. If you are interested in completing the program, please get in touch via e-mail, Instagram or Facebook. I will be happy to work with your budget to help you acheive your goals. You can also view all of Arbonne’s products here!

Arbonne 30 Days To Healthy Living Challenge: Week One

Thursday, November 8, 2018

First of all, you may be wondering..

What is the Arbonne 30 Days To Healthy Living Challenge?

It is a nutrition program that focuses on alkalizing your body, correcting gut health and eliminating toxins, thereby jump starting a healthy living lifestyle. For 30 days, you eliminate gluten and dairy from your diet, replace 1-2 meals with Arbonne protein shakes, and essentially “eat clean”. The goal is that after 30 days, you will have increased energy levels, weight loss, improved digestion, less bloating, clearer skin, and better sleep.

I decided to try the Arbonne 30 Days To Health Living Challenge for one reason: accountability. I’ve been saying since January that I need to lose weight, exercise, make healthier choices, etc. And I can do it for a few days, but I inevitably fall back into my old habits. I figured that by committing to this program for 30 days, I would not only (hopefully) reap the benefits but I would also prove to myself that I could actually do it.

While I did sign up to be a consultant (yay discounted prices!), this will be a totally honest review. I plan to check in weekly with my results, thoughts, etc.

What Is Included in the 30 Day Program?

Arbonne 30 Days to Healthy Living Review

I decided to purchase the whole program so that both myself and Jordan could share it. For 30 days, it includes:

  • 2 bags of protein (we chose chocolate and vanilla)
  • 40 servings of Detox Tea
  • 2 boxes of Fizz Sticks (we chose pomegranate and citrus)
  • A bag of daily Fibre Boost
  • 1 month supply of Digestion Plus
  • 1 week Body Cleanse or 1 can of Greens powder (I chose the cleanse)

This is enough for one month if you are doing two shakes, two tea and two fizz sticks each day. We each do one shake, and I typically do one tea and one fizz stick, therefore this could potentially last two months, or you could choose to save money and split it with a friend.

Week One Thoughts

Not gonna lie, the first few days were a little rough.

I had sampled the vanilla shake prior to buying it and I knew it was really yummy. I’ve tried many, many protein shakes before and I’ve either a) hated the taste, or b) had stomach issues after. The Arbonne shakes actually taste delicious. As a rule, I’m a chocolate fan while Jordan is a vanilla person so I decided to order one of each. Surprisingly (in his case), he actually prefers the chocolate. To compromise we’ve been mixing the chocolate and vanilla half-and-half because we still get the chocolate taste which we both want.

I drink my shake for breakfast (with the added fibre boost and digesion plus), while Jordan typically has his for lunch. For a few days, we both found ourselves really hungry a couple hours later. However, that has now subsided and we both feel sustained until our next meal. I guess our bodies just needed to adjust!

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen me talking about the fizz sticks. They are my favouite thing. They are a great replacement for coffee (or soda, in my case) and not only do they taste great (not too sweet), but they give you energy and alertness as well. Pomegranate is my favourite while Jordan prefers the citrus.

The detox tea is a nice tea to drink after a meal. I feel like it really settles my stomach and because it’s caffeine-free, I can drink it in the evening. I’ve also replaced my regular morning tea with this. It has a peppermint-herbal kind of taste. It’s not the best taste ever but it’s tolerable.

I’ve been finding my IBS acting up this week, even though the digestion plus contains pre/probiotics which is what I take for my IBS. I added my own prebiotic pill back into my morning routine but things still haven’t gone back to normal yet. I’ve also swapped out my cashew milk with water in my shakes the last couple days to see if that makes any difference. It seems like it may be improving slightly.

After the first two days, we had to pick up some “healthy”(ish) snacks. I’ll share all of those in a later post but we’ve been much happier since adding a couple munchies to our diet. Our meals are basically just our regular meals except we’ve swapped white rice for brown and sweet potato for white potato (which we tended to do anyway).

We did cheat a little bit, so I would say we followed the program 80/20. I had a meal out at Moxies where I ordered a delicious tuna salad, which I never would have done before. We also had a celebratory supper for Jordan’s convocation and I ordered salmon and mashed potato. The potato technically wasn’t allowed but old me would have ordered steak and fries, so it was still a healthier choice. I also had a fresh baked bread roll that evening and it was so worth it.

I’ve hidden all the leftover Halloween candy and chocolate as well as our favourite chips. I haven’t really been tempted by alcohol thus far, but I might have a drink this weekend. I think that as long as we follow the program with the 80/20 mindset, we will be okay.

Week One Results

I don’t plan to measure myself or take photos again until the end of the program but we’ve been weighing ourselves regularly. Probably a little too often. I was actually lower on my 5th day (finally breaking my plateau!) but then I gained a little back, for a total loss of 3.6lbs this week. Jordan has lost exactly 6lbs! Overall, we are both pleased with the results thus far (though neither of us feel as if we look any different yet) and we are looking forward to what the next three weeks bring.

You can check out my Arbonne shop HERE and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the 30 day program or any other products that you see.

 

FabFitFun Subscription Box Fall 2018

Sunday, November 4, 2018

This post contains affiliate links.

What is FabFitFun?

FabFitFun is a quarterly subscription box that features a mix of lifestyle, beauty, fashion, fitness, and wellness products. Each box costs $49.99 US + $8 shipping to Canada (free shipping to the US) and contains over $200 worth of product. I love FabFitFun because it provides a variety of different products that are all full-size and includes many well-known brands.

I was previously subscribed to FabFitFun in the past and Jordan gifted me another subscription for my birthday this year. Click here and use code “WINTERFUN” to save $10 off your first box (you get $200 worth of products for only $39.99 US!).

FabFitFun Fall 2018 Box

Here’s what I received my Fall 2018 FabFitFun box:

FabFitFun Fall 2018 Review

Vince Camuto Luck Tote ($128)

Look at the price tag on this baby! While I personally wouldn’t pay $128 for it, it’s a great tote for throwing a few items in for an overnight trip. For an everyday bag, I prefer something with more structure and pockets.

Alfred French Press Coffee Brewer ($22)

I’m not a fan of coffee personally, but I know that coffee lovers swear by a french press. This one is cute, albeit not the highest quality. Hopefully Jordan will use it but if nothing else, it’ll look nice in our kitchen.

Catherine Malandrino Umbrella ($39.99)

An umbrella is such a practical item that I actually didn’t own until now. This is the kind of thing that I wouldn’t purchase for myself, but I do appreciate receiving it.

Simply Whimsical Tea Towels (14.99 – set of 2)

Who doesn’t love cute tea towels? I love that these are neutral and will match most decor. They fit in with our grey kitchen perfectly and seem to be good quality as well.

FabFitFun Fall 2018 Review

Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair Day Cream ($49.00)

I’m trying to clean up my skincare and focus on products that aren’t filled with chemicals. This day cream is free from parabans, synthetics, fragrances, silicones and animal derivatives, amongst others. While I’m not fussy on the scent, I do love the packaging and the product itself. It keeps my skin hydrated and my makeup applies beautifully on top of it.

Beauty Blender ($20)

While I’ve been using the Fenty version of the original Beauty Blender lately, I am so not mad about receiving one of these! Honestly this is something that I repurchase every few months and it’s always nice to have an extra one stashed away.

GlamGlow Bubble Sheet Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask ($18 – set of 2)

I haven’t used this mask yet but I can’t wait! GlamGlow always makes awesome masks and I’m sure this will be no exception.

FabFitFun Fall 2018 Review

Cuccio Somatology Yogahh! Detox Bath ($39.95)

I’ve used this epsom salt bath a few times now and I really like it! It has a fresh, spa-like scent and it does seem to help my sore, aching muscles.

SKIN&Co Roma Blue in Capri Shower Gel ($22)

This has a “wild sage and lemon” scent which smells clean and refreshing. It leaves my skin feeling soft and while it may not be the most hydrating, it doesn’t leave my skin dehydrated either.

Total Value: $353.93 US

There was also a snack bar included in the box but I ate that before I took photos, oops! It was super yummy and I’ve been keeping an eye out to see if I can find it locally.

I love FabFitFun and if you like what you see, I highly encourage you to sign up! Don’t forget to CLICK HERE and enter code “WINTERFUN” to save $10 on your first box!

Fab Fit Fun Fall 2018 Review

Pixi Beauty MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Swatches + Review

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick

To say I was shocked when a box of goodies from Pixi Beauty arrived on my doorstep is an understatement. In fact, I think I had to physically lift my jaw up off the floor. You’ve probably heard of Pixi Beauty from their cult-favourite toner, the Pixi Glow Tonic. I’ll be honest, it’s only recently that our local Shoppers Drug Mart has started carrying Pixi, so I hadn’t tried any of their products until now.

Pixi was kind enough to send me their full collection of MatteLast Liquid Lipsticks, featuring a total of 11 shades. Most of the shades are of the neutral-pink variety, which is totally my style. I haven’t been wearing matte lipsticks lately as I’ve been loving glossy lips but I was super excited to give these a try!

Pixi Beauty MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Review

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick

Packaging

The packaging is a simple square tube with the classic Pixi green top. The vibrant colors of the lipsticks are visible through the packaging and the names of each individual lipstick are displayed on the bottom. The packaging is sturdy and each lipstick contains 6.9g/0.24oz of product. The doefoot applicator tip is great for getting color in all the right places, but the wand portion isn’t as sturdy as I like.

Formula

The Pixi MatteLast Liquid lipsticks are formulated with rosehip oil, which is meant to keep the lips hydrated. I appreciate this addition as matte formulas tend to be quite drying. The color is incredibly opaque and pigmented with only one swipe.

The formula initially feels slippery and quite mousse-like on the lips. You have approx. 30-45 seconds to work with this texture before it dries down to a matte. While the matte formula is dry in the sense that you cannot rub your lips together, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. In fact, I hardly even noticed I was wearing a lipstick!

Application & Wear Test

The color faded after eating and drinking and clung to a few areas. I am not surprised, as there are few liquid lipsticks that last through meals, despite their many claims. Overall, the color wore off fairly evenly, though I’m not sure that would be the case with one of the darker/more pigmented shades. Without eating or drinking, I’d estimate the wear time to be about 4 hours without touch up.

The only color that I had difficulty working with was “Prettiest Pink”. While the hot pink shade is gorgeous, I found it a bit patchy as you may see in the swatch in the swatch below. Some of the other swatches appear patchy in the swatches, but it was difficult to notice from a distance.

 

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Swatches

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Au Naturelle

Au Naturelle

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Bare Beauty

Bare Beauty

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Matte Beige

Matte Beige

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Pastel Petal

Pastel Petal

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Really Rose

Really Rose

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Evening Rose

 Evening Rose

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Peony Pink

Peony Pink

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Prettiest Pink

Prettiest Pink

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Orange Red

Orange Red

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Pure Red

Pure Red

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick Berry Boost

Berry Boost

My favourite shades are Matte Beige, Really Rose, Peony Pink, Pure Red and Berry Boost. I was surprised that Berry Boost was so pink because it looked quite dark and vampish in the tube. However, it does appear slightly darker in person than in the swatch, despite the fact that the swatches were taken in natural light.

Overall, I’m a big fan of these Pixi liquid lipsticks! They are beautifully pigmented, easy to apply, and comfortable to wear.

Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipstick

Have you tried any Pixi products? Anything I need to add to my list?

PR samples provided.

5 Food Trucks to Try in Newfoundland

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

While food trucks have been all the rage for a few years now, it is only recently that they have exploded on to the food scene in Newfoundland. From vegetarian to traditional favourites and everything in between, I’ve compiled a list of five food trucks to check out on the east coast of Newfoundland.

Saucy Mouth (Bonavista, NL)

Nestled amongst old salt box houses and historic buildings, this bold teal food truck is surprisingly easy to miss in Bonavista! Luckily Google Maps helped us find it because this was one place we didn’t want to miss! With a menu focused on specialty fries and rice/noodle bowls, this vegetarian truck sold me on fake beef. The flavours are different but tasty and surprisingly healthy. The homemade sodas and lemonade are also not to be missed! With a regularly changing menu, I will definitely be back to try more.

Saucy Mouth Food Truck

Oh My Cheeses (Port Rexton and St. John’s, NL)

You can catch Oh My Cheeses at the Port Rexton Brewery on a regular basis but they can also be found at the St. John’s Farmers Market throughout the year. The fresh homemade sourdough bread combined with generous portions of cheese and fun toppings like partridgeberries, blueberry balsamic jam, siracha mayo, apple maple bacon and more, make it hard to resist a stop here. Not to mention, it pairs surprisingly well with a beer! While you’re here, be sure to pick up a meal of their OG street fries too!

Oh My Cheeses

Oh My Cheeses Food Truck

Hitchen The Kitchen (St. John’s, NL)

Owned by Blue on Water and the most popular food truck at the moment, you have to head to this one early before they sell out. Famously known for their salt beef poutine, they also serve tacos, chicken burgers, hamburgers and more. Don’t be fooled though – these aren’t your ordinary menu items! Just take one look at their Instagram and try not to drool. Unfortunately I missed out on the salt beef poutine but did try the mozza stick poutine as well as the spicy chicken tacos which are amazing.

Hitchen The Kitchen

Hitchen The Kitchen Food Truck

Big Boy Baos (St. John’s, NL)

Ownd by Seto Kitchen + Bar, this is the first food truck that I haven’t tried yet but it’s definitely on my to-do list! I’ve never even tried a bao before but according to Google, it is a “Chinese steamed bread roll with a filling of meat or vegetables”. Available in a variety of flavors with toppings like hoison aoili, pickled onions and chickpea falafel and served with fries.

The Fishing Stage (Port Rexton, NL)

I’m stretching the description of food trucks here to include The Fishing Stage, which is definitely more of a stationary trailer, however, I feel it deserves a place on the list. I haven’t actually eaten here yet but in my research I discovered that they sell lobster rolls so I am really regretting that. The Fishing Stage sells a more traditional Newfoundland menu, focused on cod and fries. However, they are so good that they keep running out of fresh fish! I’ve also been told that the portions are generous and the price is more than fair.

Have you tried any of these food trucks? Any recommendations for others? Leave a coment below & let me know!

Favourite Lipsticks of 2018

Sunday, July 29, 2018

This post contains affiliate links.

Today is National Lipstick Day so I thought I would share some of my favourites! I tried to pick a combination of current favourites (which let’s be honest – can change weekly) as well as staples that I’ve been reaching for all year. For anyone who has been a long-time reader of this blog, I actually wrote a similar post in 2016. In fact, the Fresh Sugar Lip balm is still an every day favourite of mine but I decided to show six new lipsticks.

Current Favourite Lipsticks of 2018

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink | If you want a lipstick that lasts, you need to try this one. I ate a 3-course meal on our last cruise and it didn’t budge! This particular one is in the shade “Loyalist” which is a bit too light for me, but I had to rave about this formula. I definitely plan to pick up a few other colors. Bonus: it’s from the drugstore!

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Lovesick” | I haven’t been wearing many matte lipsticks lately because I am all about the gloss, but this is a staple. When I’m looking for a long lasting but comfortable nude lipstick, this is my go-to.

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick in “20 – Coral in Passion” | I cannot find this exact shade on Sephora so I’ve linked to a similar one. These YSL lipsticks are definitely in my top 3 and I always try to spluge on a new shade during the sales. They are buttery, glossy and smell amazing plus the pigmentation is great for a balm! Any suggestions for which shade I should pick up next?

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in “Sugarcane” | I haven’t reached for this one in a while but I feel that it deserves a spot on the list. It’s a great everyday nude-pink that earned itself it’s own post on my blog. Plus, it’s on sale for $22.50CAD right now so grab it while you can!

Fenty Gloss Bomb | Hands down my favourite product of 2017 and quite possibly 2018 as well. This is my everyday, go-to lip gloss. It is universally flattering, non-sticky, and smells like tropical fruit. It makes my lips look bigger and better in every possible way.

Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in “Sugar Sugar” | This is an oldie but a goodie. I’ve actually been reaching for this one a lot in the past week. It’s the perfect champagne nude that packs a lot of gloss. It has a fine microshimmer that is barely noticable on the lips and a minty flavor. I’m dying to try the stick version as well!

Despite having a huge lipstick collection, I reach for these six (and the Fresh balm) more than the others. What are your current favourite lipsticks?

Mary Kay Timewise Miracle Set 3D Review

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

A while ago, Mary Kay sent me their new Timewise Miracle 3D line in “Normal/Dry” to review. I can honestly say that I have been using these products ever since! I’ll be honest, anti-aging products are not my main priority. Despite the fact that I am nearly 30, I look way younger. As in, I still get ID’d all the time! Therefore, I cannot comment on the actual anti-aging effects of this line. However, I think it is still an amazing everyday line of products and the fact that it is anti-aging is a bonus! And for those with oily skin, Mary Kay also carries this line in a “Combination/Oily” formula.

Mary Kay claims that each product contains a patent-pending, exclusive age-minimizing complex. Encapsulated resversatrol is an antioxidant which encourages even-looking skin tone while supporting the skin’s natural collagen. The products also contain Vitamin B3 which has brightening properties and an age-defying peptide to reinforce natural collagen and elastin, therefore providing a more youthful glow.

The Mary Kay Timewise Miracle 3D line consists of four products and a total of three steps, which makes it totally easy to use. Step one is the cleanser, followed by either the day or night cream as step two, with the eye cream as the last step.

Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D 4-1 Cleanser

This product contains a whopping 172g of product so despite using this nearly every day for the past couple months, I still have tons left! The cleanser is very pleasantly scented and contains micro exfoliants. It is very creamy while still providing an effective scrub. One of my coworkers tried this product and wasn’t a fan of the scrubbiness but personally, I love a cleanser that both cleanses and exfoliates. My skin is left feeling hydrated and smooth after I apply this. Mary Kay recommends using it twice a day in the morning and evening but I use it once a day in the shower.

Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D Day Cream SPF 30

Once again, I love a product that can do two jobs at once. In this case, the day cream provides ongoing hydration and also SPF 30. I’ve been using this day cream every day and the reason I love it so much is because of the extra sun coverage it provides. Thanks to broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, this cream helps delay the look of premature and aging skin. Like the cleanser, it does have a pleasant but noticable fragrance. I’ve worn this under my makeup with no issues whatsoever.

Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D Night Cream

I haven’t used this product quite as regularly as the previous two, however, I do use it most nights. Again, it has the same fragrance as the other products. I know that I can use this in the nighttime and wake up with hydrated skin that does not look or feel greasy, unlike some heavy creams.

Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D Eye Cream

Of all the product in the line, this is the one I use the least. For me, this one is okay – it does its job but isn’t anything special. However, I am very picky with my eye products! I have dark circles and I have yet to find a product that really impresses me. This product claims to improve dark circles as well as reduce puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. I didn’t notice any difference using this but it did provide hydration without any negative effects.

Overall, despite the fact that an anti-aging routine is not my priority, I am loving this line from Mary Kay! The products are simple and effective with a pleasant fragrance. The packaging simple with the classic Mary Kay pink and grey colors. I highly recommend checking out these products from Mary Kay, especially if you are looking for an anti-aging line.

PR samples provided for this post but all thoughts & opinions are my own!

Mary Kay Timewise Miracle Set 3D

5 Reasons to Choose the MSC Seaside as Your Next Cruise

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

As soon as we tell our friends & family that we are going on another cruise in September, their first question is always “Which ship?”. When we reply with “The MSC Seaside”, we typically see confused faces in response. “I’ve never heard of them”, they say. It’s true – North Americans tend to associate cruising with the more well-known lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Norwegian. However, while MSC is new to the North American market, they are not new to cruising. MSC is actually the 4th largest cruise line in the world, coming in after the aforementioned three lines.

MSC Seaside

MSC is a European cruise line that recently expanded its market to North America. While the MSC Divina has been sailing the Caribbean since 2013, the MSC Seaside is their first ship that was built specifically for the North American market. The MSC Seaside entered into service in December 2017 and currently sails from Miami, Florida to the caribbean.

One of my good friends was actually on the third sailing of the MSC Seaside in January. Initially (as with many new ships), there were a number of issues and many bad reviews. My friend didn’t recommend the ship to me but she wasn’t surprised when I told her about my plans to sail on the Seaside in September. I believe it is vital to give any cruise line a few months to work out the kinks and so I did my research & now I’m presenting to you the five reasons why we booked the MSC Seaside, despite the initial negative reviews.

Five Reasons To Book The MSC Seaside

1. The Architecture & Design

The look of a cruise ship is a major factor in whether or not I will book. In fact, the reason why I haven’t sailed Carnival yet is because I am generally not a fan of how their ships actually look. However, no one can deny the beauty of the MSC Seaside. The aft design was inspired by Miami condos and features an outside elevator with breathtaking views, as well as the stunning “Bridge of Sighs”, a glass-bottomed bridge on the 16th floor!

The inside features a stunning multi-story atrium with large interactive video screens, numerous bars, and the Insta-worthy Swarovski staircases. Known as the “Ship that follows the sun”, the MSC Seaside offers ample opportunities for guests to view the sun and sea, including a boardwalk promenade featuring restaurants and shops on deck 8.

2. The Price

Initially, we hadn’t planned to go on another cruise until our honeymoon. Cruising is quite expensive, especially when you consider airline tickets and hotels on top of the actual cruise fare. We planned to take a cheaper trip to an all-inclusive resort given our budget, however, we couldn’t turn down the price of this cruise! For what we would have paid for an all-inclusive resort, we are getting a 7-night cruise with unlimited drinks! Of all the cruises we have done and those we have booked for the future, this is by far the most affordable. I highly recommend checking out MSC if you want to cruise on a budget!

3. The Food

Food on cruise lines is a very subjective topic. And because I have yet to sail on the MSC Seaside, I cannot comment on the quality of the food itself yet, but I can tell you that I am very excited about it. I’ve heard that the pasta, bread, and pizza is to die for! Furthermore, the unlimited drink package also includes unlimited gelato. Oh, and don’t get me started on the coffee-based drinks! And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a chocolate bar. Consider me sold!

4. The Multicultural Experience

MSC is a European cruise line and therefore, many of the guests are located outside of North America. In fact, MSC doesn’t sailaway from Miami until late in the evening to allow European guests time to fly into Miami earlier in the day (which I don’t recommend doing). On the MSC Seaside, you will hear announcements in a variety of languages. You will also witness a magnitude of people from different countries and with different mannerisms. It’s a great opportunity to meet people outside of your culture & perhaps make new friends from a different part of the world.

5. The Music & Ambiance

This may sound like an odd reason to book a cruise but it’s an aspect that we are very excited about. From videos and Instastories that we’ve seen of the MSC Seaside, it seems that there is a lot of focus on EDM, or electronic dance music. Given that this is a European ship, I am not surprised, as EDM is quite prominent there. While there will be a number of bars with a variety of music onboard with something to suit everyone’s taste, I am looking forward to hearing more club music and less Jimmy Buffet on this ship.

I will definitely be writing a review after we actually sail on this ship but I am hoping it will exceed my expectations!

Have you been on the MSC Seaside? If not, what has been your favourite cruise ship?

MSC Seaside

All photos copywrighted to MSC Cruise Line and used from their Media Resources Image Bank.

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme Review & Swatches

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

This post contains affiiliate links.

Revlon was kind enough to send along a bunch of their new Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme lipsticks for me to test out. They are available in 10 shades, ranging from a pale nude to a deep burgandy, and can be purchased at Walmart, Amazon or any other store that sells Revlon products for approx. $10-$14 CAD.

Review

The Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Cremes are packaged in a thin, lightweight squeeze tube that contains 0.25oz of product. The tube has a twistable cap and a plastic doe-foot applicator. When squeezed from the tube, the product appears quite opaque, however, becomes less opaque when applied to the lips.

Personally, this is not a product that I could apply without a mirror. Once applied to the lips, the product has to be spread evenly (thankfully this is quite easy with the plastic applicator). However, the product has the tendency to gather in certain areas, particularly in the corners of my lips, as well as around the edge of my lips. Revlon does recommend outlining your lip with a lip pencil (which I didn’t do), so that may help prevent that problem!

Once blended, the colors are quite opaque with the exception of the lightest shade, “Cashmere Creme”. While that one doesn’t look great up-close, it provides a nice, natural-looking gloss from a distance. With the exception of “Cashmere Creme” and “Rich Bordeaux”, which was streaky, the colors looked gorgeous on the lips.

The product is described as a “creme” and initially, it does appear to have the texture of a cream. However, when blended, it gives a beautiful, glossy finish. The lip cream isn’t sticky whatsoever and is very comfortable and hydrating on the lips. As with any glossy lip product, it does wear off over time, and during meals.

The Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme claims to plump lips thanks to a trademarked ingredient called “Volulip”. The product did leave my lips with a tingling, minty feeling for approximately 5 minutes after application. I was also quite impressed as my lips do appear larger than usual in the swatches below.

Swatches

Here are six unedited swatches in natural light:

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in "500" Cashmere Creme

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in “500” – Cashmere Creme

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in "505" - Apricot Silk

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in “505” – Apricot Silk

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in "515" - Almond Suede

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in “515” – Almond Suede

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in "520" - Fresh Petal

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in “520” – Fresh Petal

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in "530" - Peony Buff

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in “530” – Peony Buff

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in "545" -Rich Bordeaux

Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme in “545” -Rich Bordeaux

Have you tried the Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme lipstick? I’d love to hear your thoughts in a comment below!

April 2018 Favourites

Thursday, May 3, 2018

This post contains affiliate links.

“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon | I’ve had a few people recommend this series to me, but it wasn’t until my mother received the first book for Christmas that I decided to pick it up. Despite the length of the book (nearly 900 pages!), I devoured it and immediately ordered the second book from Amazon. The books have also been made into a TV show which is available on Netflix. Each season corresponds to each book so Jordan and I just finished watching the first season. Can we just talk about how Sam Heughan is the perfect actor for the character of Jamie? I’m eagerly working my way through the second novel now so that we can watch season two.

Flamingo Coffee Mug | I walked away from this mug a couple of times because I kept telling myself that I didn’t need yet another mug until finally I bit the bullet and bought it. I’m a self-proclaimed mug collector and the flamingos as well as the pink and green colors of this one makes it perfect for spring.

Espresso Maker | We spent a long time debating an espresso machine and in fact, I nearly bought a Nespresso at Winners a couple weeks ago. After a lot of back and forth, we hopped on Amazon and purchased this one. We figured it would be a good starter machine and the reviews were excellent. Thus far, we have been really pleased with our decision! My waist line may regret it though, as we’ve been making lattes every day since this arrived.

Bonavista Coffee Company | After ordering the espresso machine, we had to pick up some espresso beans. Because I love supporting local and also because this packaging is to die for, I chose these from the Bonavista Coffee Company. To be honest, I can’t really compare the taste to anything else as I’ve never tried any other espresso beans but I would absolutely purchase these again.

Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Repairing Mask | Prior to receiving my new skincare order from the Sephora VIB Sale, I was using this mask nearly every night. While the instructions state to rinse this mask off after 5-10 minutes, I was using it as a sleeping mask. My skin was quite dry at the time and this left it feeling moisturized and plump in the morning, without any greasy residue. For the price, I highly recommend this one! It smells super yummy too.

Revlon Colorstay Brow Kit * | I was surprised by this product as I’ve never used a wax/powder brow product before. It seemed cumbersome and time-consuming but it has since become my go-to! It’s actually quite easy to use and doesn’t take any longer than any other brow product. I love how the brush creates a sharp edge while still creating a natural-looking brow. The color match is pretty decent for blonde hair too! A lot of brow products tend to be really warm but this is a nice, natural blonde.

Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Filter Foundation * | I added this one to the list because I love the formula but I have to be honest and say that I hate the packaging. Revlon kindly sent me a few different colors so this isn’t the exact one that I am using because mine has the sponge-tipped applicator ripped off. I’m not sure why but the twist-pump action didn’t work so the only way I can get the product out is to shake it out on to my beauty blender. However, the formula and color match is great! Honestly, it wears better than my high-end foundation. It provides medium-full coverage and lasts pretty well through a 12-hour shift. I just wish they would change it to a pump dispenser!

Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter in “Rose Gold”| As a huge fan of the Butter Bronzer, I was so excited to get my hands on the Butter Highlighter. Unfortunately, this shade is way too dark to be used as a highlighter on my pale skin. Instead, I’ve been using it for an easy eye look! It blends out seamlessly and provides a gorgeous gold wash of color on the lid.

What are your favourite products for April? Leave a comment or link below!

*PR sample provided

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Monday, April 30, 2018

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, now is the time to get shopping! If you haven’t started yet, or if you don’t know where to start, I’ve created a handy list of ideas for that special lady. All of these items are available on Amazon which means that you can order them now & have them in time for Mother’s Day! I tend to buy my mom gift certificates and flowers for Mother’s Day and while I’m sure they are appreciated, I decided to think outside the box this year. Of course, I didn’t include her gift in this list just in case she decides to read my blog!

This post contains affiliate links.

Beauty

The Perfect Pink Lipstick. Not only is this lipstick comfortable and long-lasting, it’s affordable enough that you can buy one for mom and one for yourself!

A Purse-Friendly Hand Cream. I’ve mentioned this hand cream many times on the blog because it is my all-time favourite and one that I’ve actually gifted my mom in the past. The packaging is classy and perfect for throwing in your purse without worrying about spills or leaks.

Luxurious Body Oil. With a name like “Mama Bee” , you know this is going to be great for mothers! While it is intended for mothers-to-be, I am certain that any momma out there would appreciate this moisturizing body oil.

Calming Vegan Bath Salts. My mom loves nothing more than a good bath! These vegan bath salts provide a soothing experience and the packaging will look gorgeous in any bathroom!

Technology

A Feminine Smartwatch. This peach & rose gold Fitbit Versa will look fantastic on your mom’s arm as she does her workouts! Maybe you can even try a new fitness class together as a mother & daughter outing.

An E-Reader for the Bookworm. If your mom is the type who loves to curl up with a good book, pick up a Kindle and fill it with her favourite books!

For The DIY-er. What can’t you do with a Cricut machine? Perfect for the mom who likes to scrapbook, make cards, or print t-shirts!

For All Those Family Photos. Buy mom a fancy new camera and you’re guaranteed lots of photo memories for the future!

Home

For the Coffee Lover. My mom loves her cup of coffee first thing in the morning! We recently bought an espresso machine ourselves and have been thoroughly enjoying a cappuccino or latte every morning. You can also pair it with a cute mug!

A Cozy Throw. Honestly, I love nothing more than covering up in a comfy blanket and relaxing in the evening. This one is gorgeous and has amazing reviews!

A No-Fail Recipe Book. If I’m being entirely honest here, this recipe book is on my wishlist. Not only do the recipes sound delicious but the photo and commentary look fantastic too!

What are you buying your mom for Mother’s Day? Or, if you’re a mom, what’s on your wishlist?

6 Beauty Products to Use This Spring

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Now that winter has finally ended, it’s time to prep your skin for spring and summer. Winter always wrecks havoc on my skin, leaving it dry and dull. Here are a few tips to prepare your skin for spring including six of my favourite beauty products.

Exfoliate | Exfoliating is a great way to get rid of dead, dry skin, leaving your skin’s surface smoother and more radiant looking. Mary Kay’s Satin Body Revitalizing Shea Scrub is perfect for the job. The creamy base provides moisture (thanks to shea butter and sunflower oil) and the exfoliants are gentle enough for daily use. It also has a wonderful, refreshing scent that is perfect for spring weather!

When exfoliating, don’t forget your lips! There’s nothing worse than trying to apply lipstick to dry, cracked lips. I personally love LUSH’s Lip Scrubs. They are affordable, effective, and safe to eat (not that I’d recommend eating them).

Moisturize | This is an obvious one! My dry skin loves nothing more than a quenching body lotion. My absolute favourite is the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream which not only works amazingly but smells like a tropical vacation. The lotion is thick and buttery but sinks into the skin and leaves a long-lasting scent. If you are stuck in temperamental spring weather, at least you can smell beachy!

Nothing beats L’Occitane Hand Cream for keeping my hands moisturized! Due to my work, I am constantly washing my hands and applying hand sanitizer, which is incredibly drying. The L’Occitane hand cream is luxurious and rich. Because you only need such a small amount, a tube lasts forever!

The Bite Agave Lip Mask has a permanent location on my bedside table. I apply it before bed and wake up with soft, nourished lips each morning. This is another product which lasts forever! I’ve had this tube for well over a year now.

Hydate | Now that you’ve hydrated your skin, you need to hydrate your body. Getting into the habit of drinking water is an easy change you can make in the spring. A general rule is to divide your body weight in half and drink that many oz of water (for example, if you weigh 140lbs, you should drink 70oz of water per day). Not only does increasing your water intake help with weight loss, it also leaves your skin plump and nourished.

Get Your Glow OnGlowing skin appears healthier than dull skin. I recommend using SPF while outdoors and instead obtaining a glow through the use of a self-tanner or bronzer. The Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is perfect for giving your face a natural, sun-kissed look.

Get Some Vitamin D | I don’t know about you but I tend to hibernate all winter long. Now that the days are longer, it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the nicer weather. I struggle with SAD which makes it even more important for me to take advantage of the springtime. If you are feeling healthy mentally, it will make a difference to your physical appearance as well!

6 Beauty Products For Spring

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