So, what am I lusting after most as of late? .... 

1. "Breath of Plum" by Mac.  I think plum colours have a certain air of sophistication to them while, comparatively,  the peach/pinker tones are much more fun and flirty.  My usual - NARS Orgasm - also has a gold shimmer to it while this one does not.  Another sign of sophistication ;) 


2. Macadamia Natural Oil "Deep Repair Masque."  These deep repair masks - especially the Macadamia and Moroccan oil ones -  have been all the rave these past few months.  I'm really starting to get into hair products as of late, and I've actually seen this brand at my local Rexall and it smells wonderful!  Would be nice to try out the oil as well.....


3. Cake "It's a Slice" Body Wash.  On my last visit to Sephora, the bestie and I stumbled across the "Cake" section - all of these products smell simply DIVINE!  Oh my goodness, what a delightful smelling shower that would be.... 


4. "Cusp of Dawn" by Mac.  Last week I was all about my bright pink lipstick (which I did buy, have yet to test out and review) .... and this week I'm all about the nudes!  Cusp of Dawn appears to be very neutral, and I rather enjoy how a neutral colour comes off on my lips... 


5. Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara "Long and Tall."  If I am going to leave the house without any makeup whatsoever, the least I will put on is mascara.  Mascara is my number one, can't live without product.  I find - and this is just my opinion - as long as I lengthen my lashes and make my eyes pop, I look put together.  And I just feel more comfortable .... hate going without mascara... I feel so naked.  Lengthening mascaras are always under my radar - length above anything else such as volume etc ...


6. Mac 217, Blending Brush.  The dome shape allows one to blend easily into the crease as well as get/blend colour into the outer V.  The pointed top allows for precision ... I lust after any brush that makes blending eyeshadow look fabulous! 


7. Mac 224, Tapered Blending Brush.  This also works for blending in the crease, and helps to blend out harsh lines .... even though it's quite similar, a girl's allowed to have a variety, right??? 


8. Sideways Cross - Etsy.com.  I think the idea is neat and seeing some of the celebrities wear it, I think it looks very elegant and dainty...


So there you have it.... my wishlist as of this week.


I'm sorry all of these posts are delayed/posted on the wrong day.  Family things have kept me from blogging .... but I'm trying to keep up with it a bit just so I don't fall into a rut and wallow. 


Take care, 
Have a great weekend.  I doubt I'll be blogging much this weekend ...


Steph
xox 


P.S - this is a very light application of a neutral lip (it's actually a liner that I used fully on my lips, and then covered with a orange/pink lip gloss) ... It's very subtle, but I at least can tell that's not my natural lip colour ... I have a more pinkish tone to my bare lips .... :)

Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel 

Purchased at Sephora: $15.00

As of late, I've noticed that my face is rather dry - with no thanks to the acne treatment I've been using.  I have tried using thin facial moisturizers, like Neutrogena's and I've also given much thicker creams a go, like Aveeno's 24hr Moisturizer.  Both of which, were to no avail.  Having remembered the hype of this product, mentioned by one of the gurus I am subscribed to, I figured I would test it out - seeing as I have nothing to lose at this point! 

What They Say:  This moisturizing gel is actually Step 3 of Clinique's "3 Step Treatment."  According to their website, this gel was designed to maintain an optimal balance between moisture and oil on the face.  Essentially, it is designed to hydrate those areas that are most dry and help control other areas - such as the T-zone - that are more oily.  This product is also available as a lotion for those who have non-oily skin.  Apparently, and I quote, this product is "World Famous" and "World Favourite" - a bottle of this moisture genius is sold every 3.5 seconds (Source).  

What I Say:  This product has become liquid gold to me!  The fact that I could purchase it in a "gel" form is what first really drew my attention.  When I think about the consistency of gel, for whatever reason, a much more moisturizing and hydrating feel came to mind.  Oh and it is!  

As you can see in the second picture, this gel has a thicker consistency then most regular lotions.  I would actually say it's somewhere in the middle of my Neutrogena and Aveeno moisturizers (which is perfect, as I use to mix the two together)!  And yet, I wouldn't say that the consistency is a major issue.  Don't let how thick/sticky it may look in the photo scare you off.  The application of this product is so smooth, and it doesn't just sit on your face.  It is absorbed into the skin relatively quickly, leaving it feeling oh-so-smooth and fresh! :) 

So now that I've presented this product as a, seemingly, holy grail to those who suffer from dry/oily skin: Is there anything I dislike about the product? 

Well, unfortunately, yes.  Although it IS minor, and not the biggest deal considering it does a fantastic job as it is.  The smell isn't all that great.  Perhaps because the colouring and consistency reminded me so much of lemon meringue, I expected it to smell ever so delicately of lemons.  But, alas, it does not.  (And for reasons such as sensitive skin - much like my own - and the simple fact that people prefer fragrance free, I can understand why a lemon scent was omitted).  I guess, in the end, since the scent isn't all the powerful, I can let this one slide... 

And so, all of that being said, I would rate this product 10/10 - regardless of the scent factor. 

I will definitely be purchasing this product again!

:) 

Steph

xoxo 

On a Monday... opps! :) LOL 


Hi Loves, 


So I've decided to issue a few "set" blog days, each with a corresponding title such as the one above.  Today will most likely be a two-in-one, seeing as it IS Monday, and today has been deemed my product review day.  As for the other days, you will see them play out throughout the week ... Of course, aside from these set days, I'll still blog random things .... :) 


SO, with that being said, onto Sunday Funday!!!!! 


For those who may not know, Sunday Funday can be used to blog about various things.  In my case, I like the idea of logging what I've done throughout the week.  So my version of Sunday Funday will consist of a little montage (such as the one below) depicting fun things I've done throughout the week :)

  

As you can see, my week consisted mainly of: food/baking, Batman, boyfriend and the bestie ... 


It was so nice to spend the whole weekend with my love, can't wait until we live together permanently. I could go on forever about how I love that boy ... He just gets me. 


As for Batman, I am a HUGEEEEEE batman fan-girl.  Anything and everything Batman, I'm in.  So, this past week, Adam and I watched both Batman Begins and TDK to prep for the premiere!  We saw it in IMAX, which was super exciting because I had yet to sit in the IMAX theatre.  Anddddd, OMFG it was amazingggggg.  I want so badly to go back and see it again.  It was everything I could hope for in the end.  I cried, I laughed and cheered.  Well, to be honest, I was the only one who cheered when the end credits came on LOL.  Everyone clapped, but I was the obnoxious, verbal cheerer.  Gotta show my love ;)  As you can see in the 2 bottom right pictures, Adam and I wore out batman shirts to show appreciation :)  I also donned Batman nails, painting all the nails black except my ring finger which was painted yellow. 


HIMYM - Adam and I just finished watching Season 6.  One more to go until we're caught up :) GAH Such a good show.  Can't believe it took me 5+ years to like it.  I'm so silly. 


In terms of baking/foods:  The bestie and I made Healthy Banana Muffins, 75 cals each and 0.6 grams of fat.  They were super delish, I'm actually looking to make more as they made a great breakfast item :) 


I made homemade Pad Thai ... and 


I also took a go at these FAT FREE brownies, which were surprisingly yummy.  Perfect treat when you are craving chocolate, or that brownie flavour ... :) 

Hope you all had a WONDERFUL week/weekend.

I will *most likely* be back later today with more posts....  :)

Steph

xoxox


HAPPY SUNDAY FUNDAY :)

HI LOVES!

I have so much to tell you/show you!  I currently have a vlog video processing/converting and it will be up on YouTube soon! :) 

Adam and I just got back from vacay, and it was such an awesome trip!  The weather was just beautiful .... and I just love the boy so much, spending a week with him makes my heart melt and collapse in a heap of happiness .... 

On a beauty related note ... I picked up these goodies at a Flea Market while away: 

I am just in love with the watch!  It's by GENEVA.  The bracelets are also super cute! :)  I've seen quite a few girls on YouTube sporting them, and the person I bought them from was offering "One for $8 or Two for $10" ... don't really think we need to think twice about that one LOL.  I also needed a new wallet, and this Coach one was only $15.  Real or not, I'm not that concerned....

I feel like this is such a random post, sorry guys! haha

Last night, I made a super yummy dish for Adam and I.  It was called "Farmhouse Chicken Dinner."  (Recipe can be found here).  Instead of using whole chickens, I bought the frozen, pre-cooked chicken slices and kinda skipped some of the steps as a result.  The end result was pretty good!  Adam couldn't stop licking the leftover sauce! (Note: I also made a side of green beans ... gotta have them veggies!) 

And that will be all for now, friends.

Talk to you soon! :) 

Steph

xxoo

First NYX Product! (And Other Goodies) 

My regular drugstore does not carry NYX products, however, I just so happened to browse another store (just yesterday) that did!  I was in search of a single white eye shadow, as palettes tend to be quite awkward and illogical to travel with.  As soon as I saw the NYX emblem above the display, I became rather excited and enthralled as I have yet to see what the products look like in person.  Silly, I know!  Anyways, I decided to go with the following: 

 

There is very little sparkle to the eyeshadow, but I don't mind.  It's white.... it will pick up the light regardless.  It seems to be a very pigmented eyeshadow, something I noticed when I rubbed my finger in it before swatching :) I'm excited to test it out! 

Other Goodies worth mentioning... 

Urban Decay's "De-Slick" Setting Spray 

I picked this up at Sephora with my gift card :)

So far, I am IN LOVE with it.  I have only used it twice, but it really seems to do the trick! 

Hard Candy's Blotting Papers

I needed a quick fix the other night, as my face gets terribly oily as the day progresses.  I think it's cute that the package includes 3 sets of colours.

Revlon's Scented Nail Polish in "Gum Drop"

Yes, yes I am obsessed with this stuff.  It was on sale and I just couldn't pass up the offer ;) 

Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream and Revlon's Colorstay Foundation

This is my new foundation duo.  What with summer and the need to apply sunscreen, I felt the BB cream was appropriate.  That, and I had wanted to test out a BB cream to see what the hype is all about!  I also picked up the Colorstay as my old foundation, while great for acne prone skin, oxidizes WAY too fast for my liking.  My previous foundation had been a lot cheaper, and I figured (perhaps) a more expensive foundation would last a lot longer. 

Forever 21 Jewelry

One of my obsessions this summer has been jewelry!  I have not worn earrings for two years, and at first, thought that my holes had closed up.  Well, I thought wrong!  I'm so happy to have rediscovered the joys of earrings.  There are so many out there!  So much selection to chose from!  I have also fancied a lot of bracelets.  Provided that they are cute ;) 

Lush's "No Drought" Dry Shampoo

I reached my wits end with the dry shampoo dispensed from an aerosal can when my THIRD FULL bottle decided to stop spraying.  Three times in a row does NOT cut it for me.  This shampoo, comparatively, is in powdered form and does not require spraying.  It has a lemon fresh scent, and so far, seems to work just great! :) 

Pink's "Pretty Cool" Fresh Vanilla Body Mist

So, the best friend and I have become completely and totally enamored over this product.  Out of the three in the Fresh Vanilla line, I think this is the best one (by far!).  I am a lover of warm scents, and this is definitely a warmer scent (in comparison to something entirely sweet and fruity).  This is a definite, MUST-HAVE summer item :)  

  

Lush's "Trichomania" Shampoo Bar

You guys, this shampoo bar is a heavenly scent of creamy coconut!  What else says summer then coconut?!?! I was intrigued by the idea of a shampoo bar, and wondered how it worked.  Basically, you can lather the soap in your hands and then run it through your hair OR you can simply lather the bar throughout your hair.  I have only used the product once, so I am speaking as a VERY short time user, but it doesn't lather up THAT much.  I don't think I would use the shampoo bar after having used a lot of hairspray or product.  But for an, otherwise, simple cleaning routine, I think it's great :) 

So those are all my goodies, accumulated in the late weeks of June and early July.  NOTE: Some of the items were purchased for me by my loving boyfriend <3 

Steph

xox

Long Weekend :) 

Hi friends!  Just thought I'd update you on my weekend ... but first things first: 

I FINALLY MADE A YOUTUBE ACCOUNT :) I will finally be making/editing/posting videos.    And I have SO many ideas to spew out there ... I even made a list (...several) so as to contain all my thoughts and organize them nicely :)  I have bought so much for summer lately, so I want to hurry up & do a vid before I start to forget things lol! 

Moving on .... so this weekend was a Long Weekend because of CANADA DAY :)  (I think it's quite fitting that I made my YouTube account yesterday, as my username is both patriotic and related to Canada Day!).   

THURSDAY

Thursday night was spent with family ... my Aunt was with us for a few days ... Lils made us the following dinner (SO DELISH) :

Steak and a Sweet Potato Casserole dish (Twice Baked Sweet Potato with leeks, gruyere cheese and other goodies) - SO FREAKIN' GOOD! NOM NOM NOM. 

Please note: Auntie wanted me to be her food model LOL

FRIDAY

Adam came over for dinner and spent the evening with us :) ... 

LOL My rendition of "Sound of Music" when the children sing "Coo-Coo" ...

Saturday

Quite the eventful and long day ... Adam & I did a bit of shopping, picked up a few items we may need for the upcoming week among a few other things ;) 

We also went to my favourite restaurant, Earls, where I had my Naples Margarita pizza with the infamous parmesan dip ... YUM!

Dinner was then followed by a movie, we went to see Ted.  It was hilarious and all-around awesome! 

I had a really nice day-date :) xoxox

Sunday

Sunday was Canada Day!  I spent mine with family ... Had a shot of this delicious drink: (White Cake Flavoured Vodka)

 It was, honestly, just a fun and relaxing day!

Now it's finally Monday, and hopefully I can get around to those videos I had planned! :)

Steph

xxoo