Product:
Urban Decay All Nighter (Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray)
$36 CDN @ Sephora

Thoughts:
I think that this product is one of the better sprays I have used to set my makeup - however, they indicate that there is a 16 hour budge-free formula. I find that personally, no matter how much I prepped my skin, used the primer, etc, I couldn't make it past a 12 hour day - I usually finish my makeup at 7am - and I'm back at around 7pm, my makeup is already kinda melting/moving around...

I think that so long as you carry around some oil blotting sheets, or a powder compact to touch up the oily areas, you should be okay.

Overall, I'd repurchase this product again - but I'm still open to options, I'll let you know how the MAC Fix+ setting spray is!

- XO, M

Now that summer's here, hubs and I get to take Bentley out for long walks/hikes at Thomson Park (Brimley and Ellesmere) just a close drives away. The little guy loves it so much, typically we'll take him to the dog park there to play (which we did on Saturday morning), but today, we decided to take an hour long walk with him through the park, trails and woody areas.

Whether we go in the morning or around lunch time, we always pack some food and enjoy it in the park before heading out to the dog park area or our walks - love the family time outdoors (otherwise, I'd be glued to the couch watching Netflix.... oyyy).

Speaking of the dog park - this location has a pretty good layout. They divided it into 3 different areas which are all fenced in seperately: 1) for large dogs only 2) for big and small dogs 3) just for small dogs. The dog park at Mcnicoll and Birchmount (L'amoreaux Park) is pretty horrible - the owners don't pick up after their dogs, so you have poopie landmines everywhere. Then there are the owners with the large dobermans that don't train them properly, and their dogs end up mauling and jumping on other people and their dogs who are there trying to enjoy themselves. Granted that the doberman isn't always there, but still, too dirty.....I much prefer Thomson Park...

Until next weekend!! :)

- XO, M.

Ingredients:

- 1cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- pineapple (cut into bite sized pieces).

Directions:

1. In a glass bowl, combine the almond milk, vanilla extract and chia seeds together. Ensure that you are mixing the two ingredients well, so that they can soak evenly. Place a lid over the mixture and then place in fridge for a minimum of 1 hour (preferably 5-6 hours).
2. In a pan, toast the shredded coconut and cool. Place it in an air tight container so that you can use it later (for up to a week).
3. Prepare your pineapple.
4. When the chia seed pudding is ready, you will see that it will look like the picture above. It will resemble a tapioca texture (with a crunch from, obviously the chia seeds). Add the pineapple and toasted coconut and enjoy!!

* For those of you who will find this a bit bland, you can always drizzle some agave, honey or maple syrup on top. For me, I find the sweetness of the pineapple just perfect.

I hope you enjoy this healthy treat! You can enjoy this for breakfast or any other time as a snack - it is so nutritious and pretty filling :)

XO, M.

Ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 1/2 cups of shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 eggs
- 1tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sugar (if you want it sweeter, 2/3 cups)


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Melt butter in pan.
3. In a bowl, combine shredded coconut with melted butter and toss until evenly coated.
4. In another bowl, crack two eggs into it and with an electric mixer, mix until fluffy.
5. Add in the sugar to the egg mixture and continue whipping until it turns almost double in volume and becomes a light yellow and creamy consistency (will look kinda glossy too from the sugar).
6. Add the vanilla extra and mix again for 3-5 seconds until combined.
7. Add the coconut mixture to the egg mixture and lightly fold until fully mixed.
8. Take baking sheets, line them with parchment paper and with a tablespoon, drop the mixture onto the sheet. Taking a metal spoon, lightly spread the spooned mixture until it is thin (like in the picture). Remember to leave about 2 cm between the cookies as it will spread while baking.
9. Put in oven (when oven is ready) and bake for about 7 minutes - or until golden brown.
10. Remove when cooled, or if you need that baking sheet for a second batch, transfer to a cooling rack.

Result = will make about 2 dozen (depending how big your cookies are) - and will be chewy in the middle and crisp on the outside....

I hope you enjoy my rendition of some of the similar recipes I found online that I decided to combine together into this one.. My hubby already ate 5 of them.. I think these will be perfect for a light snack or even with icecream :)

- xo, Miranda.

Base Coat - OPI Natural Nail Base Coat

Polish - NYX Vintage Red

Top Coat - Nails Inc. Caviar Topcoat.


People often ask me how I can afford to spend so much time doing my nails and waiting for the polish to dry etc and then they proceed to call me crazy....but... truth be told, the only reason why I can afford to change my polish once a week, or sometimes twice (if I'm feeling bored with the color), is because it literally only takes me 10 minutes or less.

I'd like to introduce you to my holy grail of all products, which will allow you to also do a polish change in 10 minutes or less ... the Nails Inc. Caviar Top Coat ...this top coat dries your nails to a glossy finish in less than 2-3 minutes and you can go about your day. To the extra cautious, you can even wait 5 minutes if you want.. but I'm already out and about, doing dishes etc right after... I love this stuff, and this is what I recommend to everyone... I'm already on my 3rd bottle... LOVE! Give it a try!!

- XO, Miranda.

Yay!! Finally, my May Ipsy Glam Bag is here - not sure why, but I seem to receive my package a week later than everyone else... * sad face *

This month's goodies include:

1. Eva NYC - Therapy Session Hair Mask.
- Meh. Not a fan, I still love my Macadamia Oil Hair Mask :)

2. Hang Ten - Classic Sport SPF50
- who doesn't need some sunscreen, especially during the summer.

3. Pacifica - Mineral Eyeshadow Duo
- great shades for anyone to use, you can use the lighter one for hi-lighting your brow bone or cheekbones on top of using it as a regular eyeshadow. The darker shade can be used as a great transitional shade for your crease if you are planning to use a darker shadow later on, if not, this is neutral enough that you can create some definition in your eyes to not have it be to one dimensional.

4. Boo-Boo Cover-Up - Medium Shade
- I found this to be a very heavy/thick consistency. It is very reminiscent of Kat Von D's concealer, the one that's good enough to cover tattoos? Yea - it's THAT heavy in coverage. The purpose of this product is for any skin imperfections i.e. cuts etc. Apparently, there are even healing properties in this product to promote healing if you are trying to hide a cut/scar etc.

5. SWISSCO - Electroplated Eyelash Curler
- like any other Eyelash Curler, I'll be keeping this in my travel bag. I still prefer my Shu Umera lash curler.

Bonus:
6. Avene - Eau Thermale Mist.
- I love this stuff, cools you down with a spritz to the face without ruining your makeup. Just perfect in time for summer.

Ugh - what is going on??

I have never been knocked out with a cold for such an extended period of time. Usually, it's a tickle in the throat or a cough here and there but the past 3 days, I was stuck in bed, completely unable to move. I was sleeping in 5-6 hour blocks with a box of tissues next to me and a mountain of tissue wontons (dirty phlegmy tissues as I like to call em).

My hubs took great care of me, making sure I had my liquids stocked ... a cup of honey, warm water, tea and David's Tea Cold 911 - bleeeeech. still not feeling 100%, hope this doesn't drag out to the long weekend. Somehow, I always get sick before the long weekends and I never get to enjoy them.. BOO!

Ingredients:
- 10-15 capers
- 2-3 cloves of garlic (sliced) 
- half a lemon
- 1 can of tuna
- 1 box of cherry tomatoes (halved)
- parmesan cheese 
- spaghetti
- some butter (optional - i didnt' use it)

Directions:
- In a pan, saute the capers in butter/oil with garlic til the garlic is browned (by the way: you should have your pasta cooking)
- Add the cherry tomatoes and stew until a sauce-like consistency.
- Drain the can of tuna, and add into the pan and continue cooking
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon to the sauce (this will add more flavor to it, and the capers will have already added the saltiness - therefore, there's no need for salt - the parmesan later will also add more saltiness).
- When the pasta is ready, drain, and toss into the sauce and continue stewing for another 2-3 minutes (until all at the same temperature).
- When ready to serve, spoon into the plate and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and enjoy!!

I hope you like this recipe, I kinda threw it together as it was really easy to make - probably took only 15 minutes and I find it super healthy compared to all the other types of pasta I've been making.. Trying to tweak my meals to be healthier.

- M

Friday Night - May 9, 2014.

A friend of hubs decided to hold his birthday get-together at The ROM. Apparently, Friday Night Live is a night where the museum is open from 7pm-11pm. There is food, drinks and music. Last night, Fefe Dobson made an appearance and sang a few songs including "Ghost" and "Stuttering". It was pretty lively and fun, and so many people showed up, the line to get in to The ROM was around the block and another line inside just to buy tickets.

Interestingly, alot of people were dressed up like they were going clubbing (6 inch heels, mini skirts etc) and I found that kind of silly considering as much as there was music and bands going on in different areas, and the lights were dimmed etc - the museum was still open entirely for people to view the exhibits, which meant lots of walking. If you really wanted to be there for the lounge environment and not visit the exhibits, why wouldn't you go to an actual lounge/club? Anyways, all that aside, I actually really like this idea of opening up the museum and attracting people to come in who otherwise may not have, to experience the ROM.

There were alot of different food vendors that come in ranging from Jamaican,  Filipino, Chinese, Italian and a variety of desserts. Of course, stand up bars where you can buy a beer/cocktail from.

Overall, this was something I'm glad I experienced and I'd recommend you to give it a try :)

- M

Everyone...

I'd like to introduce you to my furbaby....

Bentley Fan:)

Birthdate: September 21, 2012.
Breed: Shih Tzu

Loves: Tummy Rubs, play time, peanut butter and CHICKEN
Cons: ... Bentley has no re-call feature! lol... unless you say "bye-bye" and he'll come running back...

My hubby decided to surprise me with our puppy back in November 2013 one day after work, when he told me to go meet him at his office. Confused as to why he would ask me to take a 20 minute street car over to meet him as opposed to just seeing each other at home that night, I proceeded with caution into his office. Most of his coworkers had left for the day and there stood my hubby at his desk motioning me to come over.

As I walked there, I heard him say - go meet your mommy! go!! ... and there, tucked between his feet was little Bentley, probably weighing only 6-7 pounds back then.

Lucky him, he gets to go to work everyday with his daddy due to the fact that he works in a pet-friendly building right in Liberty Village. Sometimes, his coworkers or boss will bring their dogs in and it'll be a big doggy play date..

I love this little guy :)

- M

approx $40 - 250ml
available at: select Trade Secrets, Shoppers Drug Mart and online retailers (probably for cheaper)

Personally, blow drying my hair on a daily basis and taking a hair straightener to curl my hair or straighten my bangs takes a toll on my hair. My ends get straw-like in texture after a few weeks and its not a pleasant site.

Fortunately, I found this holy grail of a product that I swear by and recommend to anyone who asks me about my hair - yes, its pricey, but you only need a quarter sized dollop on your hand, work it into your tips in replacement of your conditioner once a week, and you will have silky smooth hair.

- M

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who has encouraged me to start a blog as an outlet for my creativity, thoughts and addictions...

Welcome to my blog, my life and my loves :) - Cheers to a new chapter!

- M.