Bath and Body Works Haul

Bath and Body works always has some good deals if you know when to find them. For e.g. if you have a coupon for 20% off, and there are buy 3 get 3 free deals, you end up saving quite a bit, or on those $3 a product days, I think they are having that right now in Canada, you can grab a few of your favorite scented products and layer on a coupon if you have it. I miss those days when you purchased something at Bath and Body works, and on the bottom of the receipt you could fill out a customer survey and get $10 off your purchase, those were good days....it was the one thing that helped me feel like an "extreme couponer". I always watched those shows on TLC and in the US, they get such amazing deals by coupon-ing. Unfortunately, most of them doesn't work in Canada :(

Anyways, enough rambling. It is very hard for me to find a scent that I love enough to stick to at Bath and Body, so when I do find that one scent, I load up on it! I realized after purchasing these items, that everything had an apple scent to it, this would be green apple, the orchard apple (red one) i find too sweet.  Have any of you bought anything fun recently at BBW? If yes, please share! Until next time, XO - M


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2015 Beauty Resolutions ft. Jenn!


This month, a few of the members in the Canadian Beauty Bloggers group decided to do a guest post rotation, and the topic is... Beauty Resolutions!! I have the amazing Jenn from A Beautiful Zen guest posting on my site, and my post will be featured on Niki's Site. Please show Jenn and Niki some love by visiting their pages :)

Talk Soon! XO - M.
________________________________________________

Hey! It’s Jenn from A Beautiful Zen!



It’s that annual time of the year for arbitrary goal making! I’ve already said that I don’t make resolutions but for the sake of this months guest post topic, I did reflect a little and thought of some improvements I could make to my life.

1) Unopened products.
What am I do?!  I have so many bought products that I’ve never opened and yet I still want more. Let’s all pause and acknowledge this almost universal beauty hoarder problem. This year I resolve to open and use all my unopened products. In fact, I will attempt to open one every week, which should means most things will be opened in one or two months. 

2) SPF
More and more I’m paying attention to the SPF content in my skincare and foundations. I resolve to always apply SPF in the morning if I’m going out. So far I’ve been following this quite diligently. This also helps my obsessive skin brightening quest.

3) Manage portion size
As far as eating habits go, I don’t eat too badly compared to most. The problem is portion control and the one off times that I binge on cookies, it ends up being on 7 or 8.. I almost have a ‘Well, screw it…I ate one already” mentality which sets me back so much further than if I just had one every now and again. No amount of deadlifts will compensate for weak will. So I will allow myself one cheat day and not feel too bad about it.

4) Drink more water
Yea yea…you’ve seen this one before. I will attempt to drink one entire Timolino mug of tea plus 10z of water from my water bottle while at work. That seems reasonable to me since sometimes I forget to drink at all.

Honestly that’s about all the resolution I care to have and with some manageable metrics, I’m pretty sure I can achieve them.

Do you make resolutions? What are they?

Let’s Connect:
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Lemon Honey Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe

Not too sure how my previous post got deleted, but I had to repost this again since I had some people who loved this recipe!

Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- zest of one lemon
- 2 cups sifted cake flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt




Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and grease it (I just sprayed cooking spray on it).

In an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar for approx 5 minutes until white and fluffy and it turns into a pale white/yellow color. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, honey, vanilla and lemon zest. Slowly add one egg at a time into the butter/sugar mixture - making sure each egg is fully combined before adding the next (and make sure you scrape the sides of your bowl each time).

Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder into the wet mixture in slow batches - in the end, if you have a little bit of powder left, just combine it with a spatula and fold it in yourself (making sure there are no clumps).

Pour the batter into the pan, bake for about 50 minutes (more or less depending on your oven) - remember to check at around 45 minutes using a toothpick, if it comes out clean, it's ready. Obviously, you're looking for a golden brown color.

Cool this for 15 minutes, transfer to baking rack and let continue to cool completely before cutting.

This recipe was modified from its original one I found on the Foodnetwork. I cut the sugar and adjusted other measurements of ingredients since I didn't want a cake that was too sweet. Honey already is a sweet component, so I thought I could take out the extra 1/4 cup of sugar. I hope you enjoyed this recipe, and happy baking!


Until next time, XO - M.

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January 2015 Ipsy Bag

January's Ipsy Bag is actually quite impressive! I am very pleased with all the products I have received, which includes:

- J.Cat Beauty - Fantabulous Gel Eye Liner in Blue/Black.
- Manna Kadar Cosmetics - Sheer Glow
- Nourish Organic - Renewing Eye Cream
- Pacifica - Natural Mineral Coconut Eyeshadow
- Real Techniques - Fine Liner Brush

I have included swatches of the Sheer Glow and eyeshadow below, I have always been interested in the Manna Kadar products as Chrisspy on YouTube always uses their products. The Sheer Glow is a subtle faint pink and the Pacifica Eyeshadow can be used both as a hilighter and shadow. Real Techniques products are always great, I own a few of their brushes :) To those that you who subscribe to Ipsy - what did you get? If you aren't a subscriber, have you considered doing it?
Until next time, XO - Miranda.


Pacifica Eyeshadow (left) Manna Kadar Sheer Glow (right)
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Last of the Christmas Gifts

So the last round of Christmas gifts have been delivered (since I have been out cold the past 3 weeks with viruses), my friends were kind enough to hand deliver these gifts to my door while I was still in my jammies.

My best friend from Calgary came, and gifted me some handmade peppermint soap from Calgary, Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt perfume, PJ's from VS, toy and treats for Bentley and a big warm scarf (which I have put to lots of good use the past few weeks being in -20/30 weather here in Toronto with windchill).


My other bestie gifted me some polar bear slippers, a candle, VS lounging tank and a big loose turtleneck from Forever 21. I haven't worn a turtleneck since I was probably 14, not sure why but I love this one - the big droop neck makes it so comfortable. I love the theme going this year, LOUNGEWEAR and comfy wear :) Everyone truly knows my style...



A friend of mine made a tin of sugar cookies for Harry and I (which were demolished within 3 days- they are so amazing) and gifted me some body products :) mm..vanilla.. and mmm handlotion!

Finally, below is one of the most generous gifts I got this season, an Aritzia Talula cardigan, face/eye masks and body stuff from The Face Shop, Clinique eyeshadow palette (perfect plum colors - can't wait to do a look), body spray from Fruits & Passions, and OCC Lip Tar set from Sephora... ahh!




I loved reading all of your hauls this Holiday Season, please don't think that I am bragging with this post, I just wanted to share some gifts I got this year like many of you out there...To view part 1 of my Christmas gifts click here

Until next time, XO - M
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SEPHORA 2015 VIB ROUGE Birthday Gift w. NARS

The one good thing about being a January baby, is that I am one of the first to get dibs on the new Sephora VIB/VIB Rouge Birthday Gifts for Insiders :) This year, the gift for VIB Rouge members is a 3 piece NARS set.  I was told that the regular VIB members get the two lip products, minus the eyeliner. I have included swatches of all 3 products below. 

The black liner is retractable, you simple turn the plastic part at the end to get more product. However, the two lip products aren't? I thought maybe you can sharpen it, but the barrel is plastic - anyone have any idea? There's no way there's only the amount of lipstick presented and the rest is purely packaging? right? ...bah..

The colors of the lip products are: Cruella and Rikugien. Cruella is a gorgeous red, a bit brick tone on my skintone and the Rikugien is a dusty rose color, it's a "my lips but better shade".

I have always wanted to try Cruella, but never had the guts to go for a red so I'm glad I got to try it here. For all you January babies, Happy Birthday! to the rest of you, Happy Early Birthday. Til next time - M.




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My Trip to Lush & Haul

Winter has finally approached in Toronto (by that I mean, it is now substantially colder and it actually has began snowing), and it's time for lots of bubble baths to relax and pamper my dry parched skin.

I know that alot of people get intimidated by Lush or even turned off by the strong smells that radiate from a block away. However, the reasoning to this is due to the fact that every ingredient in their products is made with essential oils. I promise you that once you buy these products, that you won't become overwhelmed with fragrance - whichever product you select, won't smell like the ENTIRE Lush store packed into one product. The Lush store has hundreds of products packed into a tiny store, so that explains why the smells are so strong… 

I use many products from them, and always recommend it to people. Their products are made with natural ingredients, and yes, they do have expiry dates for that reason. I love the Ocean Salt scrub, their NEW! and Dr. Peppermint Solid Shampoo and of course, the bath bombs/bubbles. I recently visited the Lush store at Eaton Center to stock up for the winter since I don't live close to one anymore (they closed the location at Scarborough Town), but work near one and I'm off for 2 weeks in Dec til Jan 5th so I won't be able to go then...

Anyways, here are a few of my favourite products below:


Hauled Products:
Buffy Bar
YESSSS!!! This is a moisturizer AND exfoliator combined into one. Ground rice, almonds and beans act as the exfoliator in this bar and the moisturizing portion comes from cocoa and shea butters. This is a 2-in-1 product and works wonders on your lumpy bumpy parts (ladies you know what I'm talking about). The way you use this, is to take your regular shower routine, then in the end, you simply wet the buffy bar, rub it once around your areas (and yes, once is enough to exfoliate, if you do 2-3 wipes, you will get super greasy/moisturized). You wash off the exfoliating bits, and pat dry. You will then find that you have a film of moisturizer on you and you just get dressed. The next morning, or throughout the day, the shea and cocoa butters get absorbed into your skin and you are left with the SOFTEST skin. It also smells really amazing, nothing too intrusive or offensive. I introduced this to a multitude of friends and coworkers, and they LOVE it - it's perfect to use in the winter time to keep your skin hydrated. 

Yuzu and Cocoa Bubble Bar
Don't let the name throw you off, you won't end up smelling like Terry's Chocolate Orange treats. The scent of chocolate is very faint, it just balances the citrus smell and adds a bit of sweetness and warmth. This and the butterball are my favourite bubble bars. 

Christmas Eve Bubble Bar x2
New to my collection this year, I loved the calming scent of this. This would be perfect to un-wind to at the end of a busy day at the office. It has notes of ylang ylang and jasmine. Weird thing is, I'm not a fan of Jasmine… its really faint.

Butterball Bath Bomb x2
Vanilla and Cocoa Butter - NEED I SAY MORE? the ultimate in hydration and indulgence for your skin.

Butterbear Bath Bomb x2Same as the Butterball, its just in a cuter shape exclusive for the Winter month. 

I also picked up 2 of each below - the crazy glittery one and the penguin as part of the boxing day buy 1 get 1 free sale - I forgot to take pictures of the actual product, so I relied on some google searching to get some images since they are now gone from the Lush site.


this is my Lush collection all ready for me to use!! 

Do you guys have any pampering bath products? let me know!!

XO - M
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My Makeup Favourites of 2014


Happy 2015 Everybody! I hope that you all had a safe, happy and festive New Years Eve (and hopefully kept warm as well). I unfortunately spent it on my couch under a blanket with some tea as I am still battling this week long flu. Horrible! The minute I'm better, I already have a list of things I want to eat!! mmm... 
Anyways, I thought that I would sum up my makeup favourites of 2015! I was going to do a beauty one, but I think that might be too long? However, if anyone is interested in any specific skincare items, makeup brushes or what not, I can also do another post about it!

Here are the list of products:
Dior - Airflash Spray Foundation
Dior - Iconic Overcurl Mascara
Clinique - Brush-On Cream Liner in 02 True Black
Laura Mercier - Secret Brightening Powder
Laura Mercier - Caviar Stick Eye Colour 
Too Faced - Chocolate Soleil Medium/Deep Matte Bronzer
Anastasia Beverly Hills - Clear Brow Gel
Illamasqua - Cream Blusher in Zygomatic
Hourglass - Luminous Flush Ambient Lighting Blush
MAC - Pro Longwear Concealer
MAC - Coquette Eye Shadow (I use this as brow powder)
MAC - Peach Blossom Cremesheen Lipstick 
Shu Uemera - Lash Curler
Urban Decay - Naked Palette (the original, I depotted all 3 of them in a Z palette so I indicated the original one with a heart)



Until Next Time - XO, M.
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Ringing in the New Year with Ardency Inn

Hey Everyone, I apologize in advance for the image quality of the pics but I wanted to post my New Years Eve look :) The products I used are featured below - I decided to do a soft wash of color but also a color that would POP! I saw a few makeup tutorials using Ardency Inn's Royal over black cream shadow, but I found that a bit heavy... Afterall, for those of you know that know me, I am all about the natural looks. Have a safe and Happy New Years Eve everyone and see you in 2015!! 




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December 2014 Empties

The Holidays are finally here and I must say, as I get older, it seems like time passes by even faster?? Wasn't it just summer? I don't know… I hope that you are all doing well this Holiday season and have some time to get some well deserved R&R and get some delicious food and be with friends and family. 


Here are my empties since October:
1. Minus 417 Spa - Micro Crystal Skin Exfoliator
I LOVE this product! Downside, you can only get it at the Minus 417 Spa and it is pricey. It does make your skin absolutely glowing from within, this one jar took me about 1 year to finish, I exfoliate about 2-3x a week, you only need about 1/2 a pump - the exfoliator consists of micro crystals, and horrible story, once I exfoliated too close to my eye.. some got in my eye.. and um, it didn't end pretty - I ended up going to an optometrist because the crystal actually lightly scratched my cornea… OY! SO YES, please..it IS crystals.. finely milled.. but use it with lots of caution!

I use this mask the most in the summer time. It really pulls the gunk out of your pores and controls the oil in the areas applied. In the fall/winter time, I have really dry skin, so I typically stay away from this and use it about once a week, and then the other day I will use more of a hydrating mask. 

3. Bath and Body Works - Paris in Bloom body wash

4. MAC fix plus
MAC fix+ does what it says, it sets your makeup. I like the packaging, you can lock the spritzer so you can actually pack and travel with it. I like this more than the Urban Decay chill setting spray, I am currently trying out the Ben Nye sealing spray and I'll report back on how I like it. 

5. Bath and Body Works - Cinnamon Sugar Donut Candle

6. Bioderma - Sebium face lotion
Meh. I didn't really find that this "controlled" the oil production on your face, and it didn't mattify you so i won't be purchasing this again.

7. Ah Naturel - Pink Sugar Deodorant 
MY HOLY GRAIL DEODORANT. It is made with natural products and I believe that it is titanium-free or free from some sort of special chemical that is in regular drugstore deodorants. The reason I found out about this product is because I was actually having alot of problems with any brand's deodorant. I ended up having clogged pores in my armpits (TMI I know, but for the sake of being a beauty blogger, I must give full disclosure). I also developed a rash, it was just not pretty and had to eliminate deodorant all together. I always go up to Muskoka, so in downtown Bracebridge, there's this natural product store called Ah Naturel and the girl who worked there told me about her similar issue but it got so bad, she actually had to go to the hospital to treat it. (I didn't ask for explicit details) but decided to give it a try, and have not regretted it since. I LOVE this product and I always have one extra stocked just in case :) You can call the store and the lovely owner can arrange to have this product shipped to you if you can't make it up there.

8. Bath and Body Works - Provence Garden Candle

9. Bare Minerals - Medium Beige Foundation
I used to love this product, however, I am now severely allergic to this product. Not sure why, but when I use it - I break out with pimples everywhere and I become itchy. I tried this out a few times to see if it was a fluke, but nope.. I'm allergic… too bad :( 

The closest exfoliator I could find that is basically a dupe of the Minus 417 one above (even in price, around the $90 range - this one is obviously a sample size). Also made with finely milled crystals and this one actually contains lactic acid which can act like a gentle "peel" on your skin. This one has a light lemony fragrance, while the Minus 417 one is more of a floral scent. This is not invasive, so do not be thrown off by "lactic acid" or exfoliator - use it like you are having a Spa session at home :) 

11. Various Lush Products
Magic Wand Reusable Bubble Bar
There isn't enough good things I could say about Lush Products. I love them especially in the winter, taking a long hot bath and unwinding after a long day.. I usually like to put on some Netflix on my laptop/tablet and sip on a cup of hot tea as well. 

Until next time - XO, M


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