Week-End Round-Up (Or: The Swap Must Go On!)

On Saturday, I decided to ignore the ridiculous virus that had started it's attack on my body a few days prior. It was on this day that I had planned a clothing exchange and, come hell or high water, the swap must go on. I didn't score what I call a "wow piece" this time around but most of the girls did and so I was thrilled!

Claire, from South Side Soaps, was able to make it out, this time.

When only three of us remained I pulled out the bin of "clothes that will one day fit" and had the girls give it to me straight-up. I managed to get rid of a few pieces, both by giving them to my guests and by donating them to charity. It's amazing what some more wine and a few honest girls can help you work out. Here's my new chum Nova, in her new, cropped Forever 21 tuxedo jacket I only ever wore for a photo shoot, four years ago:

My daughter on the pile of leftovers, at the end of the night:

Some buttons I took from a vest I will be upcycling:

And this is how my sick self spent Sunday and yesterday:

Today I'm back in the office. I'm hoping I get a lot of my strength back soon as I have an article to submit and a clothing collection deadline that is fast approaching!

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Hello, Ipsy. Goodbye, Ipsy.

In December, I subscribed to Ipsy. I've received two of their glam bags since and I do not want a third. I'm not sure why they ask people to fill out a survey, if they're going to send you whatever the hell they need to get rid of anyway. A coworker also signed up. She has olive skin, dark, curly hair and uses completely different products than I do and this month we got the exact same bag.

In January's bag, I received five products. I love one, am indifferent about two and I hate the other two.

(I normally use natural light when taking photos but I live in Canada and I work five days a week and so most of the time, that's impossible in the winter).

This Healthy Sexy Hair nourishing soy spray would probably be better if I wasn't allergic to soy. The eye shadow pencil is super shimmery, which I can't stand. The pencil tip is also really tiny and rounded, two traits I'm not looking for in an eye shadow applicator. I'll stick to powder and my Lancome brushes, thank you.

This facial scrub is terribly greasy. If I want a super exfoliator such as this one, I'll stick to raw sugar and lemon with a drop or two of olive oil.

This lip gloss is one of the products I feel indifferent toward. The colour is quite nice but it's super thin and the amount I need to apply in order for it to show makes my lips feel disgusting.

The one product I do love is this argan and rosewater face lotion by Nourish Organics. I'm actually going to be buying more of this.

I figured I'd wait and see what February's bag looked like before calling it quits. On Monday, this arrived.

The lashes are great and I'll try out the facial mask but the rest is not anything I would buy or even try out. Light purple, shimmery eye shadow (with a fuzzy, lip gloss style applicator), hot pink lip gloss and the palest pink nail polish. I feel like this was put together for my fifteen-year-old sister and that's exactly who will score all of the pieces I do not want.

The concept isn't a bad one, though, and I might hook my sister up with a subscription for her sixteenth birthday. ...I hope she doesn't read this.

I think what it comes down to is that I am a product snob and I do appreciate finer make-up than what I have been receiving from these guys. I'm just not the right market.

I'll try to find time to review my January Wantable box, this week. Now that was a hit!

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Week-End Roundup (Or: A Fashion Show, A Listing That Almost Made it to Etsy and Some Country Air)

February is turning out to be an incredibly busy and unusually social month for me and I'm thrilled about this. It's during this month that I start to get rather antsy, with regards to winter and if I don't keep busy, I tend to get blue. Hopefully, if I keep my head down and push through all of the activities I have planned, I'll blink and it will be March. I used to dislike March too, until a few years ago when I started planning trips during that time or for the first week of April. Two years ago I went o Jamaica, last year I was in New York City and this year I'll be in Las Vegas. But, before I take this tangent and run any further with it, this is what last week-end looked like:

Friday night I covered an event on behalf of Naiade for The Models' Coach. It started late, ran later and was kind of a mess but the photographer was good company and I was happy to be in my element. While waiting (and waiting) for the show to start, I cupped my balls in one hand and, with the other, wrote to a beautiful boy I've known online for a while and asked him out for a beer. He quickly and happily said yes and I must admit the exchange helped me ignore my mounting impatience.

Saturday morning, before listing some dia de los muertos cushion covers I made on Etsy, I decided to post them on facebook. Two people expressed a desire to purchase them and so they have yet to go up on the shop.

Midday, my stepdad came around with a rented SUV and we all piled in and headed up North for some quality time with my mom's three brothers and their families.

After a loud and enjoyably emotional dinner and much wine, I got geared up for the great outdoors and began my tipsy march down the hill behind my uncle's house, to the skating rink he and his boys work so hard to upkeep every year. On my way down, I thought about all of the times I had loudly proclaimed that my next boyfriend would not be a closed-minded Quebecer who can't wrap his head around the world beyond our borders and I knew something had changed within me. While I do want someone in my life that is worldly and accepting of other cultures, a part of me realizes that he'll either have to be able to relate to this side of my family or be incredibly open-minded as, for the first time in my life, I realize that that is important to me. There are two completely legitimate sides to me, when it comes to culture and, while I would greatly appreciate finally dating someone I can take out to a seven-course meal, who can hold his own throughout intelligent and stimulating conversation, who is well-read, who gets my Monty Python references and my dry humour, it dawned on me that he's also going to need to go with the flow when my French-Canadian family lets loose. I'm not saying he has to be from here but, for a moment, I thought of how nice it would be bring someone to my uncle's house for the first time and not have to spend hours explaining and possibly consoling. Whatever happens happens but this is what I was thinking as I made my way down to get my ass kicked by my daughter, sister and cousins on the rink.

The next morning, I took some time to head back down and snap a few photos with my phone.

On the way back, I thought about the family I'd be estranged from for a large chunk of my life and about how freeing it was to open my heart to them again. Looking around the table at all these kids who look like mine and like me and reminiscing about the great times I had with these guys when I was a child made a huge difference in my life and I've been feeling it since. This may be the understatement of the year but having kin is important and I'd spent so many years defiantly preaching about my friends being the family I've chosen that I'd overlooked the fact that I could one day work shit out with these guys and have this big, beautiful, loud, funny, loving clan of my own, after all.

I came home to a gorgeous snow-covered trees. My daughter and I spent the afternoon sorting through some more of our things and relaxing.

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Looking Out...

...Through the closest window to my desk, today. I miss being able to look outside and see something other than this granite wall.

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Thrifting, Exchanging and Sewing.

I recently came across a great little thrift shop on Monk Street, in Ville-Émard. They're unfortunately going to close in two months if they don't start making sales. They'll be one more hidden gem that just can't keep up. I offered to help them put up a more attractive window display but they can't afford the mannequins, shelves, etc. They don't have enough furniture in the place to allow for that to be used, either.

Here's a little look at what $20.00 got me:

Some time before that, I scored this coat for $15, too.

And lastly, my friends and I get together every year in January, for a post-holiday pot luck dinner. At some point in the evening, we play a gift exchange game and this is my haul from that event:

The Yves Rocher lavender shower gel is actually quite nice and I do believe I may be addicted to these Sriracha peas.

For the next little while, I'm focusing on creating as opposed to purchasing, as my new flat costs quite a bit more than my old one did and I am saving up for my birthday trip. So, you can finally expect a sewing post in the very near future.  

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Pucker Up! (Or: There Is No Excuse For Chapped Lips. None.)

A few weeks ago, as I paced around my cold, half-empty apartment, waiting the movers to return for the second load, I grew increasingly annoyed with the state of my face. My eyes were watery, thanks to the dust I'd disturbed when packing last minute items, such as floor mats, tools and whatever had been under the kitchen sink. My nose was runny and the back of my throat tingled, thanks to a super well-timed cold. What made me start and then roll my eyes, however, was the realization that my lips were burning. They were frigging chapped for the first time in many years and, as my title declares, there is no excuse for this.

In addition to the fact that I think having cracked, sore lips really sucks, I've always prided myself on having incredibly soft lips. Whether you're trying to avoid the former or achieve the latter, this is for you.

1. DO NOT LICK YOUR LIPS. If this is a habit of yours, nervous or otherwise, apply petroleum jelly to your lips until you learn to stop.

2. Exfoliate

You can use a product designed to do this, such as philosophy's kiss me exfoliating lip scrub.

You can run warm water on the bristles of a soft toothbrush and then rub the side of the head on your lips. I've also read that you can use petroleum jelly and a toothbrush but I have not tried this.

Sugar is fantastic for exfoliating. You can add a bit of olive oil to some sugar and apply it to your lips with your fingers or a wash cloth, doing so in circular motions. This also works really well on your skin and I use this method in the shower at least twice a month although I tend to add fresh lemon juice to the mix. You can also add a bit of sugar to some honey and apply in the same fashion.

3. DO NOT LICK YOUR LIPS

4. Condition

Not everyone bothers with conditioning but, as Simon at The Bay's MAC counter in downtown Montreal will tell you, protecting your lips is a good thing but in order to keep your lips moisturized, you need to condition them I recommend MAC lip conditioner or the one Claudalie makes.

5. Protect

You need to protect your lips from the elements. There are a billion types of lip balms out there. Look for ones that contain sunblock and/or, a few times a week, put a thin coat of petroleum jelly on your lips. I actually really like the effect of red lipstick applied on top of a petroleum jelly base for really cold days or to top of a nice, sun-kissed beach look.

6. DO NOT LICK YOUR LIPS

***
1st image courtesy of beautyficient.com
3rd image courtesy of beautybanter.com

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My First Wantable Box (Or: A Make-Up Surprise Box for Grown-Ups!)

A little over a week ago, I received my first Wantable subscription in the mail and I must say I'm rather pleased! It was worth a little over $70 USD and subscriptions come out to $46.00 a month when you live in Canada (I believe it's $36.00 plus tax with free shipping in the States). Due to the move and holiday events, it was a little while before I could test these products out but, finally, here is my official December Wantable box review!

...I dislike the Color Club nail lacquer ($8.00 USD) I received. It took three coats to become completely matte and it still wasn't consistent, despite me applying it evenly. I'll keep paying $2.00 more for OPI and Sally Hansen.

I'm really loving  Bésame's Classic Colour Lipstick in Cherry Red (usually about $22 USD). It's creamy and wonderful and I love the dramatic, vintage look I get when I pair it with MAC's Vino lip pencil. I've been forgoing the darker reds for a few years now, choosing to wear brighter, more classic reds, but I feel like I'm coming back home with this colour. I'm also a sucker for pretty packaging and I really like what they've done with theirs.I am defintiely a new Bésame customer.

Eveline's  Professional Art Make-Up Eyeliner Pen (£5.99) goes on smoothly (minus the slight stinging sensation that thankfully ebbs as it dries) and lasts a long time. I prefer gels and will not be buying another one of these but I do like it enough to use it daily until it tuns out. I was a little surprised when, in the shower, I caught peripheral glimpses of black flakes on my skin. I realized it was the eyeliner and all was well but heads-up!

The Sormé Brow Lift brow highlighting pencil is great. It's smooth and, when blended, works its magic without being seen. This is something I would buy again. 

Starlooks' lengthening mascara ($16 USD) was a definite score. This really dense brush somehow lifts, separates and lengthens without clumping. It stays on rather well but comes off easily enough, when needed. I love the matte, metal tube it comes in, too. Great weight and texture. I don'T know if I would use this on false lashes but it's perfect for daytime and casual wear.

I have yet to try the instant skin tightener and line filler by skiin. I've never been one to cross over into the realm but I'm willing to, at my age. I'll give it a shot on the week-end, when I don't have to go into work, just in case my sensitive skin reacts to it.

Here's a messy-haired shot of me on Christmas Day, wearing some of the goodies I received.

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New Occasional Writing Gig

So I recently got scooped up by Naiad, an International company based here in Montreal, that offers services to and for models. They have a blog where you can check out my first piece. Please keep in mind who it is geared toward; I had to forgo the usual personal anecdotes and smart-ass cracks to keep it on point but I have this and you for that! I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing where I end up for them next!

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Ball-Dropping (But Nice Smelling!)

As it turns out, juggling a full-time job, two business start-ups, two kids, packing for a move, wisdom teeth extraction and the 25 Days of Etsy Christmas is more than I can hack at the moment. And so, here I am, writing about something else.

It was time to buy myself a present. I first got a whiff of Narciso Rodriguez For Her in Vogue's September issue and it haunted me until I braved the cold, yesterday after work, and finally bought myself some. I got the large body lotion and the large eau de toilette in a kit that ended up saving me 60% before the 10% rebate the store applied. Angel is my signature scent and I've sometimes taken breaks to wear Lolita Lempicka or Hot Couture but I've never really strayed. For variety's sake, I'm going to give this solid go.

Bonus? The Bay threw in a sparkly, gold-toned evening bag.

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25 Days of Etsy Christmas (2013) Will Soon Return...

... Keeping up with the almost daily lists while preparing for a move was one thing but I somehow tricked myself into believing that I could my last two wisdom teeth extracted and just gone on as usual, with a bit if pain. I'm writing this from my couch, where I have pretty much lived since midday Friday and I will get back on this as soon as I possibly can but, for now, painkillers, pureed food and sleep are the only things I have energy for.

Have a great evening, readers!

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