Revlon Colorstay in "Up The Ante"

So it seems that I've been on a purple kick as of lately. I'd always considered purple to be one of my favourite colours until I had a DIY wedding and purple was one of my main colours... I hated purple for a good while after!!!

The thought of purple

But it is back on my favoured list and I've been using the colour as a statement on my nails. "Up the Ante" by Revlon is one of the Colorstay Gel Envy formulas. I've had this polish for a number of months now and every time I wear it, I'm reminded that I'm a big fan of this formula. The polish is meant to emulate gel nail polishes, however there is no need of  UV or LED lamps. I usually get 5-7 days wear out of this polish and as an added bonus it is easily removable as well.

The colour is a warm pink-purple-fuchsia blend that wears beautifully this time of year. I enjoy this formula only toes because of the staying power. The formula is thick and if precise you could get away with one coat. I never do more than two coats and at no time have I come across this polish streaking. My only gripe is that because of the thickness it takes a little longer to dry. But the end results are true to the claims of nails that mimic those of gel. Gel Envy polish come in a handful of colours and price range from $6.99 - $8.99 Cdn.

Have you picked up any of the Revlon Colorstay polishes? Thoughts?



Erin

ROOTS Hair Treatment by LUSH

I was told I didn't have hair until I was three years old, well that's my mom's version anyway. She reminisces about my youth and claims she was fearful I'd be heading off to school ... BALD! She can be known to be a bit of a story teller but sadly she is not far from the truth on this one. All my life I've had fine hair. I have a lot of hair but the pieces are fine! So I'm always on the look out for products that will provide me with a boost without adding gunk or weight to my locks.

When I first found Roots, I was sold on the scent alone (peppermint/spearmint/sweet orange) but also was intrigued because of it being a hair treatment and not just a conditioner. It claims to give fantastic volume to fine/thin hair and after first use I was extremely happy with my results. I've used this product for over a year now and every time I open the jar I'm anticipating the end results... volume, shine and defined natural waves that look healthy.

How I use it: I've used this product a few different ways but my favourite way is to shampoo my hair first, allowing any old products to be washed away. Then I scoop out a hair hand full of "Roots" and apply from roots to ends, massaging it into my scalp and really working it on to my hair. Then I relax. 30 mins later I wash it out and leave it at that. I bush my hair out afterwards and allow for it to dry naturally. I tend to shower in the evenings and go to bed with damp hair, so in the mornings after I've used Roots I get a lot of volume and shine, plus the smell lingers for a few days which I'm a fan of.

Selling features: I appreciate that this product is meant to be used all over your hair, none of this just use on the ends of your hair nonsense. It's so simple to use and says exactly what it does, revitalizes fine hair. Plus, LUSH is a brand that I'm a huge supporter of. Not just because of it's ethics but because of it's diversity, practices, products and unique staff. 

"Roots" is a 5 star product in my eyes and if you aren't in need of volume then be sure to check out the other hair treatments by LUSH. I've had great luck with a number of them and suggest you give your locks some nutritious TLC too.   


Have you tried LUSH before? What are some of your go to products? Were your parents concerned you would never grow hair either?


Erin 

5 Things to do/try/buy ~ Natalie Hennessey

My next guest and I met a few months back when we moved into the neighbourhood. Oliver (my dog) is an old soul. He loves to play, wrestle and swim but majority of the time he can be found leaning against you getting his paws rubbed while quietly taking everything in.

Oliver's new best bud Huey lives next door and he is anything but "old Man". He is a fun loving Goldendoodle that has the energy and heart of 7 puppies. Huey is the sweetest friend for Oliver as he swoons him into tug-a-wars, puppy wrestling and chase. 

Puppies are great and so is Natalie, Huey's owner.

I get caught repeatedly saying " I think we were related in a former life" when I hang out with Natalie. When we aren't chatting it up about the dogs we talk about beauty, Island life, beauty, beauty and food. When we first started talking Natalie said "you should start a blog" I replied, "I seriously just started one a few months ago". We laughed. She then said "you should start a Youtube channel". I laughed and said " I just made my first video". That's not normal conversation people... there really is something special about our friendship. And what is really great is that Natalie also blogs!!! You can find her wonderful posts at nataliehennessey.blogspot.ca where she blogs about makeup, skincare and shares some great recipes along the way. And if that doesn't get you excited, Natalie posts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday which I LOVE.

Here are Natalie's "5 Things to do/try/buy" recommendations:

Huey and Natalie (heart)

1. Raise a puppy, kitten or baby companion animal. I've owned two dogs in my (short) life. My first, Maggie, we got when I was 8 years old. It's safe to say, my dad did all the work with her. After Maggie passed, I made the decision to purchase my own puppy, Huey! I prepared for months. I watched videos, read books, talked to tons of people, but when I finally brought him home, all HELL broke loose! Huey was a total handful that I would not have been able to survive without friends and family. Looking back on his first few months with me (now that he is 1 year old) I can see that it was such an amazing experience. The idea that a single person can have such an effect on the temperament and overall personality of an animal still fascinates me!

2. Try something new - as often as you can! As a child I was very anxious! I still am, and it often shows in my everyday life. But I've really gotten into the habit of trying something new as often as I can. Whether it be a new food (who knew Haddock was so good?) new adventure (driving off Island) or simply venturing out of your comfort zone with a new piece of clothing, I've really come to find that I feel much more confident in myself and my abilities.

3. Everything "Origins". I don't think I've tried an item I haven't liked from this brand. It's honestly such a great brand. The products smell amazing, work wonders on the skin and provide a nice boost of natural ingredients to any skincare routine! If you're stuck on what to try first, the GinZing line is my all-time favourite! The moisturizer can be used by anyone and the cleaners are super refreshing in the morning!

4. Make a donation to your local animal shelter. I'm a fan of giving. I'm that crazy person that loves Christmas and birthdays because I can GIVE you a gift. I buy gifts for people all year around - just because I like to! My favourite gifts to give though, are to those who need it most. After Maggie (see above) passed away, I made a donation to the Humane Society in PEI and really felt at peace for the first time since bring her to the vet. I've since been back to make a couple extra donations because it's just so nice to see animals in need find loving, forever homes.

5. Try prepping food for the week ahead. I always thought the Pinterest posts about "prepping" were ridiculous. Why would I spend an entire day in the kitchen cutting up veggies, baking granola and measuring out my favourite snacks when I could just do it as I went along? BECAUSE IT WORKS PEOPLE! About 2 weeks ago I began prepping my veggies, granola and other healthy morsels on Sunday afternoon. I can't even tell you the amount of food that has not gone to waste and the amount of veggies I'm now eating. It definitely takes commitment to spend a whole afternoon in the kitchen, but makes lunches, snacks and dinner so much easier during the week!


~ Natalie, these are great, simple and easy suggestions anyone can do. I can attest to owning a puppy, it was the best decisions Adam and I ever made and I wish I could relive those days over and over.
The GinZing line from Origins is fantastic, I love the lightweight feel of the moisturizer and it's freshness, it is a must try!!!
Adam and I have discussed that this year instead of giving gifts to family we are going to give a donation to an animal shelter. If there are people and animals in need of loving companions and my money an help bring them together, I'm in!
Prepping is a commitment but it sets you up for such great success! I'm glad it is working for you and it is a great reminder to me that I need to get myself back into the kitchen!

Rimmel London Sweet Lavender

I'm a bit of a nail polish devotee and tend to change my nails up 2-4 times a week. It is rare for my bare nails to be showing and thought I'd start reviewing the colours and brands I enjoy using.

For the last two weeks I've been embracing pastel colours. Something about the softness and femininity of the shades makes me relate it to summer and fresh air. So while out paroozing the isles of Shoppers as Adam was looking for a bum pillow (honestly, it's not as bad as it sounds!) I caught glance of this Sweet Lavender colour. It has been awhile since using this formula and I was presently surprised after the first swipe.

Rimmel does an excellent job describing the name, and was exactly the shade that shows in the bottle. The brush was thick, which I appreciate and the wand had a medium length, allowing for the most precise application. The formula was smooth, running along my nails nicely. As the first coat went on I was quiet satisfied, it was sheer enough that mistakes couldn't be noticed and I could have left it at that. I'm a two coat kinda girl and in no time my nails were dry enough for me to add my favourite top coat, seche vite.

I'll be looking for other shades in this range because like I mentioned the packaging and application is exactly what I want in a polish.

What do you think of this shade? Do you have any favourite colours by Rimmel London and suggest I try?

Enjoy,
Erin

Summer 2015 Bucket List Ideas

Need some ideas on sprucing up the remaining weeks of summer? We are half way through July, have you knocked any to do's off of your 2015 Summer bucket list? Have you even made a summer bucket list yet??? Don't fret ... I have you covered.  Read - take notes - plan - take action !!! Oh, and enjoy every damn minute. 

1. Be a tourist in your own city. We all know the hot spots that are note worthy for tourists, so why not check them out for yourself. You will be amazed at the history your city holds and exploring might bring you closer to the place you call home.
Charlottetown is an unbelievable picturesque town with a ton of entertainment. With it's postcard coastline, lush farmlands, Confederation Trail, Peake's Wharf's Historic Waterfront, parks, racetrack, world renowned golf courses, cutting edge culinary, performing arts musicals, Founders Hall attractions, it has spectacles and history charm for all.
And if you are in the Saint John, NB area I highly recommend catching up with David Goss' Walk n Talk tours. They are free and cover phenomenal facts about the history of Saint John and the surrounding area. Go alone or grab some friends, pick up a coffee/tea, and exercise your legs while celebrating the past. 

2. Try your hand at a new hobby. Being married to a creative animator really allows me to explore my imaginative side. I've always shied away from exploring my "wonders" as I didn't know how to implement them or I was scared of not being good at it. Bouncing those ideas off of Adam has allowed me to take the plunge. I have a number of things I want to try... pottery, photography, knitting, sewing and have taken a slight interest in painting. The last time I painted I was in Junior High (shows how long ago that was because they call it Middle school now) and it was in a mandatory art class. Adam broke it down like this ... paint something for 30 days straight, you will see improvement and you will try your hand at a new interest. So I started and by no means are my paintings good, but I see improvement and I like the fact that my technique is different. My wise friend April told me,  "Everyone is an artist, artistry is an application that needs practice so use that muscle". I guess that can be a reflection of a lot of things in our lives!

3. Put down your phone and ENJOY!!!  Yes, I said it. Step away from your mobile and practise "living in the moment". You can't accomplishment being in the moment if you are taking a picture, texting or checking Twitter. Let your soul and memory capture the beauty of your surroundings and embrace being "checked in". Make conversation with those around you and encourage others to go mobil free as well, oh and don't get upset when they don't text you back right away because they may be taking your advise. 
Live for now, live for today and express your gratitude in todays joys so you can appreciate the life you have.  You will thank yourself later! 

4. Go on a Grub crawl.  Gather your friends, make a list of all the place you have been meaning to try and hit the town with an appetite. Start by swapping appetizers, next stop entrees and finish with dessert at a few restaurants revelling in the fresh local produce. Converse with friends, make a day or evening out of it and plan to do it again!

5. Try your hand at a physical activity. Summer is the best time to get outside to laugh and play. I've been eyeing a number of activities that I'd love to take part in including paddle boarding, bubble soccer (look this up and tell me you don't want to try it), and frisbee in Victoria Park. We love to go swimming with our dog Oliver, so finding pet friendly beaches is always a bonus. And many evenings are spent watching the sunset while playing a competitive game of bocce ball or washer toss in our yard. Get outside and make the most of your surroundings!
Sidenote: although not physical (some might disagree) I will be trying my hand at Charlottetown's Escape Room. It will be scary but so worth the thrill. Post will follow after my attempt!

6. Hit up those yard sales. There is a unique pleasure in searching for the perfect find and this feeling always appears when thrift shopping, discovering a jackpot sale and scoring the best treasure at a yard sale. If you see something you like, but think it needs some added love, buy it and get creative. Sometimes you come across the perfect piece of pottery, a wool blanket or a teapot just like your nanny use to have. Whatever the valuable, bring it home and display it, who knows what type of conversation piece you might be holding. 
My husband has a fondness for guitars, loves to play music and dabbles in a band (with my father!!!). So we are on a mission to find older guitars that he can display in his music room one day. What is old, is always new again so have fun hunting.

Let's just face it, we are more than half way through 2015. So setting goals, bucket lists etc is a great way to experience life as it seems to fly past. Encourage yourself to explore something everyday, write down those wishes and make them goals. Who knows when you will "kick the bucket", so treat each day as a special occasion. Don't wait for the right moment to experience life, create the moment and share life's adventures". 


Now I would love to hear what you have on your bucket list.
Have you be able to check some goals off?
Please share any recommendations or experience you might have. I want my list to grow !!!

Enjoy and have fun kicking the bucket!

Erin 

Weekend Recap ~ Oliver edition

We are back home and settled after a splendid weekend away camping with friends. We started the weekend off by strolling along Kinlock Beach which is dog friendly, and boy was it a beauty of an evening.

Saturday we headed for Green Park Provincial Park to spend the evening in a darling little cabin right on the water. This park was also dog friendly and Oliver had the best time ever. He spent every minute exploring and swimming. He chased sticks, swam, dug for crabs, rolled around in the sand, sniffed around, ate lots of mosquito and crashed come bedtime. 

Supper was delish and was followed by a big game of bocce ball and horseshoes. Later in the evening we all enjoyed a campfire while listening to the waves and admiring the beauty around us.

We woke early the next morning, had campfire breakfast, laid out and enjoyed the sun and water then headed home. It was mighty warm outside so we decided to stop in Summerside, grabbed some yummy grub from a food truck then ventured over to the Queen Elizabeth Ball field that was constructed for the Canada Games. It was a stunner of a facility, where three games were taking place. We were in no rush to get home so we took in the action. "Play ball".

Kinlock Beach, PEI  (Friday night stroll and dip)

Green Park Provincial Park  (entrance)

Red dog, red beach

"my happy place" 

View from our cabin

Admiring the beauty

"This place makes me Happy!"

Nature

Exploring before dinner

Our cabin "Breaker"

Bunk beds (bottom turns into a double)

Evening campfire

Early morning view

"Can I PLEASE go for another swim?"

At the ball game. 

Thanks for stopping by. We are trying to make the most of our summer and will be heading back to Green Park soon, I'm sure.

Erin

June 2015 Favourites

Sunshine is surely on it's way and with this hope I say farewell to June and Hello to July. This past month was a busy one and I found myself venturing into the Youtube world and debuted my very first video.

I enjoy watching "favourite" videos, so I figured I'd give it a try myself. It's a little mix of beauty, lifestyle and skincare. I haven't been wearing a lot of makeup lately so my favourites are surrounded by my basic necessities.

I hope you enjoy, and I want to wish my fellow Canadians a Happy Canada Day. 

Let me know what you favoured this past month and leave some suggestions for further videos.

Erin.