Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Dollar Store Jewelry Organizing Hack #DIY (Frugal Friday on Wednesday)


Like many of you I love to get organized. I found a great way to organize much of my jewelry collection and I thought many of you might be interested. I found this tackle box at the Dollar store and it has workout out so well! I was able to store everything from earrings to necklaces and bracelets and rings, it even holds statement pieces! Some of the compartments have little dividers that you can move around to adjust the size of the compartment. It also has a lid that is attached so you can close it up and keep everything safe and dust-free inside. When organized in this tackle box everything stays tangle free, which is such a bonus! It's not too pretty to look at so I have it stored in my top dresser drawer. All I have to do is open the drawer and pop open the lid and I can see all of my choices. Well, most of them, as I do have some more jewelry that I keep in a jewelry box and some other necklaces on a tower on my dresser. I do LOVE my jewelry!

It's come in so handy. I can imaging using this tackle box for many other organization DIY's. You could organize your sewing supplies, makeup (single eye shadows would be great), as well as other craft supplies.





With the lid closed:


I have things further organized by colour and style as you can see below. 


ps. I found this in the tool section of my dollar store as it was meant for fishing tackle or storing screws and nails etc. It also came in various sizes. So go check out your dollar store! I'd love to hear if you try this out or if you have any frugal DIY's for getting organized.

Amy
XX

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year- 2016!



Just a little note to wish all of my readers Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you and your families! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or something else, I hope you take this time to enjoy yourself and find the time for a lot of R & R as well. Whether you are surrounded by loved one's or not, I hope you all find a way to enjoy the season.

When it comes to  a Christmas wish list, I have the same one every year: Health and Happiness. That's all that really matters.

I know the Holidays can be a really difficult time for a lot of people, just know that if that is the case for you, you are not alone and I will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best. Just do whatever it is that you enjoy. I definitely blaze my own trail at this time of year and all year for that matter. I don't feel the need to "keep up with the Joneses" so to speak, I try to do what I enjoy. We can create new traditions and/or follow old one's, it's all up to you.  And, then comes the new year right around the corner. I think the new year always brings with it the feelings of the chance for a new start. Write down what you want to accomplish in the new year, even if it's just one thing. It's also a good time to reflect on the year past and learn from any mistakes, and then leave them behind us.

This is Health and Beauty Girl's first Christmas. I started this blog in the Spring of 2015 with the hopes of sharing and connecting with others on all the things I am passionate about; from health to beauty, and beyond. I don't know what the new year holds for me or Health and Beauty Girl, only time will tell. That's part of the fun sometimes, not knowing what's ahead. It can be scary at times but also exciting, wondering what the future holds.

One of my wishes for the new year is that people can be little kinder and less judgmental of one another, it's hard enough out there these days! I feel very lucky, I've met a lot of really great people through this blog and I'm very grateful for that.

I wish all of you a year full of health and happiness! 

See you next year!

Amy 
XX

Friday, December 18, 2015

Paula's Choice Lip & Body Treatment Balm #Review


I have a tiny haul to share with you. I wanted to get this out there while the Free shipping and sale are still going on. Right now, Paula's Choice is having 15% off best sellers (the product in this haul was included) + free shipping on everything, and if you spend $65 or more they will send you a free eye shadow palette (code: GLAM15).  Oh, and you always get to choose up to 3 free samples with your order (mine are pictured above). If you want to score this at a real bargain, right now you will get 15% off plus free shipping, and if you've never ordered from PC before just add something else to bring your total to $15 and you can use a referral code to get $10 off your order, making this cost about $5 which will also include whatever other item you chose to add!  # for great deals.

Note: If you miss this sale, never fear, Paula's Choice is always having new sales as you will see in my upcoming haul. You can also sign up for PC emails to find out about the deals as they happen. They will also send you a discount code for your first purchase which you can stack on top of your $10 off!

I've heard so much about Paula's Choice over the last couple of years. I had a $10 off code from a blogger, so I finally bit the bullet and placed an order (that order will be featured in an upcoming haul). But, for now, I wanted to share this little order I placed for their Lip & Body Treatment Balm.

I have horribly dehydrated lips and I pick and bite and peel away at them, it's such a horrible habit that I need to break. I am definitely addicted to lip balms and find myself applying them all day and night. I've used Carmex, Aquaphor (those were the heavy-hitters for me), as well as numerous other balms including organic one's. Despite trying what seemed like everything, I was still looking for my Holy Grail lip balm.

The Balm (pictured above with cap off) is a solid balm and quite hard in consistency. It's also a generous size at 0.5oz. Once you warm the product up with your finger it applies easily and is not too thick, but it's very emollient and hydrates nicely. I've had this product for a week and I definitely would say that this product is the best lip balm/ treatment I have used so far. It is definitely the longest lasting, so I am not applying it every 5 minutes, more like every few hours. Since my lips don't dry out since I've been using this, I've reduced my picking and peeling of my lips. I am hoping that this will help me break that horrible habit for good. Only time will tell though.

As it states, this treatment balm is also intended for use on the body. It could be used on dry cuticles, elbows, heels, you name it. Because it's contained in a pot where you have to stick your finger in it, I prefer to only use it for my lips. I wish Paula's Choice would put this formula in a stick form. But, I would definitely purchase this again. Even with what I think is a high price tag for a lip balm I think it's worth it and I can tell it's going to last for a really long time.

Here is some info from Paula's Choice website:

This long-lasting, emollient balm offers on-the-spot relief for dry, rough, chapped lips, or anywhere on the body.
  • Eczema
  • Dry/Very Dry Skin
  • Targeted relief for dry lips, cuticles, feet, hands
  • Creates a protective barrier allowing skin to heal
  • Balm is substantial, but not overly thick or waxy
Product Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Petrolatum (emollients), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax (thickener), Lanolin, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters (emollients), Beeswax (Cera Alba), Ozokerite, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, CoperniciaCerifera (Carnauba) Wax (thickeners), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Jojoba Esters, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil (plant emollients/oils), Bisabolol (soothing agent), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (stabilized vitamin C/antioxidant), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant), Trihydroxystearin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene (thickeners). 

Overall, I give this product 2 thumbs up! I can't wait to get my other order from Paula's Choice and see how those products fare. After this experience, I'm having high hopes for them. I will definitely share my haul with you when my order arrives, it's much bigger than this, so stay tuned. ;)

I now have a referral link that I can share with my readers that will give you $10 off your first order (minimum $15 purchase). Once you've placed an order, you will receive your own referral link that you can share as well.

Click here if you would like to use the $10 off referral link.   (note: this is an affiliate link and we will both benefit).  Of course if you'd rather find another referral link I understand, but if you use my link it is definitely most appreciated.

Paula's Choice is also Cruelty-Free which is hugely appreciated by me!!

Have you used Paula's Choice? If so, what are your favourite products?


Amy
XX

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Olay Total Effects 7 in One Anti-Aging Moisturizer #BzzAgent #Review


I recently received a sample of the new Olay Total Effects, 7 in One Anti-Aging Moisturizer in the new trial size that will be available in stores in February. This was sent to me free from Olay via BzzAgent. 


My sample thanks to BzzAgent and Olay!


I was really excited to try Olay again. I used to use Olay exclusively in my 20's and 30's, and everyone would ask what I used on my skin. And, back then, people always guessed that I was about 10 years younger than I was (miss those days).

After I hit my 40's, I guess I decided I needed to spend more on skincare to battle the signs of aging. Ever since I have been experimenting with different products on the regular. Trying to find "the one" and spending a fortune!

This is the first time I've gone back to Olay since my 30's. I've been using this sample for a couple of weeks now, and my skin couldn't be happier! Olay has always agreed with my skin; it's never caused any irritations or breakouts for me as some products can. I love the light scent of the product as well as the consistency. It leaves my skin super-hydrated without being greasy at all. It sinks right into the skin and keeps me hydrated all day.

My skin is looking great overall and I especially notice that my aging neck isn't looking so aged! I will definitely be purchasing the full size of this product to give it more time to work, and I'm excited to see what happens to my skin after using the product for more time.

I know this product has some great ingredients for anti-aging, like Niacinamide, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and more. The ingredients list is pictured below. Some of the ingredients are in Latin, for example, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is Green Tea Extract which is also fabulous for anti-aging!

My lesson here is two-fold: 1. Sometimes you don't have to spend a fortune on good products 2. Sometimes if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Claims:

Ingredients:


Do you use Olay? If so, what products do you use and what has been your experience?

Amy
XX

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

DIY- How to Revive Dried up Cream Eyeshadow/ Maybelline Color Tattoo



How many of us have cream eye shadows that we love, only for them to dry up and become unusable after a few months. This Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze is one of my favourite, everyday, go-to easy eye looks.  But, after a while it just dried up so I couldn't even use it.

I refused to throw it out with so much product left- what a waste that would be! Then, I came across a YouTube video by MrsTheDoll where she showed how to revive a dried up Color Tattoo. Full credit goes to her for this idea!

Never mind microwaving your Color Tattoos (as many have recommended), that just cooks your product and in the end leaves it even drier that what you started with.

Here is a simple method, that makes a lot of sense. I've tried it and I'm here to share it with Y'all because it works!




What you will need:
-Glycerin
-Stir stick (a stiff toothpick or something skinny but strong to stir with)
-Your dried up shadow

Glycerin is an inexpensive product. The 4oz bottle pictured above is under $5 on iHerb.com and you can find glycerin at most drugstores or health food stores. Glycerin is a moisturizer and a powerful hydrator, and if you look at the labels on your moisturizing products (skincare etc.) glycerin is probably in most of them.




Getting started: Just Add one small drop of glycerin (I happen to have vegetable glycerin) to your dried up eye shadow pot. Find something to stir it with, something small like pictured above. A stiff, wooden toothpick may do the job. Stir well. 

It wont look pretty at this point but you can smooth it all out after. I haven't yet, but it's probably better to press it down to prevent air getting in more and drying it out again. I'll be pressing mine tomorrow, I just couldn't wait to share this with you.



I let mine sit, lid on tight as always and stored face down until the next day. Here it is a few days later, revived and like new again. It actually feels even better than when it was new, in my opinion. It's a little more hydrating for my crinkly lids. 

I am so glad I found a solution for my dried up cream shadows. If it dries up again, I'll just add another drop of glycerin. Now I'm thinking this would probably work for other dried up cream products as well.

Let me know if you try this and how it worked for you.

ps. Come on over and check out a bunch of fabulous beauty blogs or even add your own at Fabulous and Fun Life!

Amy
XX

Saturday, November 21, 2015

One 'n Only Argan Oil - Moroccan Argan Oil Treatment for Hair #Review


I haven't used this One 'n Only Argan Oil in over a year. I have such difficult hair (curly, frizzy, and unmanageable) that I'm always trying new products in hopes of finding a miracle worker. Also, I feel like my hair gets used to products, although I've heard some stylist say this isn't possible. Anyhow, I should probably change it up more often, but I was trying to finally focus on what I was using so I could finish up some products. Beauty Junkies, you know what I'm talking about!

I had just had my hair cut and coloured and I was getting ready to go back and get another haircut because no matter what I did, I just couldn't make my hair look good. I could flat iron the heck out of it and it still looked horrible; it was dry, heavy, stiff and full of kinks, as if it didn't have a style, something was amiss. So, I thought the cut must be to blame and I needed it tweaked a bit (even though I have a very talented stylist). I was also having a lot of hair fall out every time I'd run my hands through my hair and so I placed the blame on having my hair coloured and/or my thyroid issues. Then suddenly, I had run out of the product that I was trying to finish for eons which was a higher end salon product, and I went back to using this Argan oil instead.

I began by applying a dime sized amount of the oil to wet hair and I did not use any other products. I styled my hair as usual and I couldn't believe it, it looked and felt like I had my hair done at the salon! I didn't even use a flat iron or any hot tools for that matter, just a blow dryer and round brush. My super frizzy hair came out so smooth and soft I couldn't believe it! So, my haircut wasn't the issue, it was the product I was using. Thankfully, I went back to this product before I went back and got another haircut!

I've been back to using this Argan oil for a week now and my hair feels super soft, light, and it has movement again! It looks like I DO have a style now. Also, since going back to this product, I don't have the constant hair fallout/breakage when I run my fingers through my hair, there is still some, but not as much.

Only time will tell if my hair will get used to this product and I will have to switch to something else (no lack of products to try in this house). But, for now me and my hair are happy and we're sticking with this.

Lesson learned: If my hair (especially freshly cut and coloured) looks horrible no matter what I do to it, and /or is falling out more than it should, try changing hair products!

ps. I purchased mine at Sally's Beauty Supply where the price was significantly less than the salon that initially tried to sell me on this product. I think I paid around $11

Come on over and join the blogger link up party at Fabulous and Fun Life!

Amy
XX


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Flavoured Liquid Coconut Oil by Nature's Way #review via Social Nature


I was fortunate enough to get to try this flavoured liquid coconut oil free from socialnature. Social Nature is a product sampling community focusing on natural products.

I love my coconut oil and use it daily; whether I'm putting it in a smoothie or cooking or baking with it. But, in the colder months it turns solid and being kind of lazy, I find it a pain to melt it before using it in my smoothies and recipes. So, I was quite happy to hear of a liquid coconut oil that will save me from this tedious step.

So far, I am really having fun with this coconut oil. I love that it's in liquid form so I don't have to melt it before adding it to smoothies or baking recipes. I have the Raspberry flavour and so far I have been adding it to chocolate smoothies, fruit smoothies and my weekly black bean brownie recipe. I plan on using it in a salad with some spinach and strawberries too. The possibilities are endless. I love the flavour and the convenience. Now I want to try all the flavours! It's non-Gmo too!


Product Deets:

  • Premium Liquid Coconut Oil
  • Choose from 5 delicious flavours
  • Alternative to butter, margerine or vegetable oil 
  • Ideal for salad dressings, sauces, dips & drizzling on popcorn
  • Made with expeller pressed, Non-GMO coconuts
  • Cold Pressed, Unbleached, Unrefined
  • Non hydrogenated, zero trans fats, hexane free, no solvents
  • Stays liquid - even when refrigerated
If you have any recipes that you think this flavoured coconut oil would work in, please comment below, I would love to experiment some more with other recipes.

I received this product free for trial purposes from socialnature, all opinion are my own.


Amy
xx

Thursday, October 15, 2015

$1 Eye Makeup Brushes: 224, 222 and 217. Mac Dupes!?


Recently, I heard about these "Mac dupe" brushes selling on eBay and I had to check them out. At $1 a piece with FREE shipping, I felt I really couldn't go wrong. Here are the four that I purchased.  

From the top: #224 #224 #222 #217

The close up pictures above and below are after washing them two times and using them for two weeks,




My order:


Pictured above is a screenshot of my eBay purchase. 

As I mentioned, I heard that these were dupes for Mac brushes and I was in need of some pointed crease brushes. Again, not much to lose since they are $1 per brush and FREE shipping! yay!

I can't tell you how they compare to Mac brushes since I don't own any Mac ones, but I can tell you that I am LOVING these brushes! I can honestly say that I have been using these 4 brushes on the daily since I got them, and I haven't touched any of my other eye brushes since! Yes, I'm loving them that much. 

How they arrived:

They are really soft and washed well with no shedding. They also work amazingly well and blend my makeup like a dream. The handles feel like high quality IMO and each are stamped with their corresponding number. I would never guess that these are low-end brushes, let alone $1!

Insta Pic:

I ordered:
 2 x #224
1 x #222
1 x 217

I am so happy with my purchase and if I need anymore brushes I would definitely order these again or some others from this seller. Of course, only time will tell how they will hold up in the long run, but so far, so good. *Fingers crossed

Note: I've had some people on Instagram ask for a link. I will provide a link to one of the brushes from my purchase (not affiliate), but keep in mind that it may eventually expire. In that case I would recommend searching on eBay for makeup brushes with the number you are looking for eg. ``eye makeup brush 224`

eBay link: eBay makeup brush #224

I love finding great buys and bargains, so please leave a comment if you have any to share! Or, have you found any great bargains or dupes for higher end products?

All products were purchased by me and all opinions are my own.

ps. Come join the fun at a Blogger link up party over at a fabulousandfunlife

Amy
xx

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid Antiperspirant in Completely Clean: Review


Today I'm going to share my experience with Secret's Clinical Strength Invisible Solid Antiperspirant/Deodorant.

Claims: 
  • 4X STRESS SWEAT PROTECTION*
  • LIGHTLY SCENTED
  • GOES ON DRY OR CLEAR
*80% sweat reduction versus the 20% sweat reduction
required by an ordinary antiperspirant 


Available in: 

  • INVISIBLE SOLID 
  •  CLEAR GEL
From the Box: 
  • Clinically proven to provide extra effective wetness protection
  • "Adapts & Responds" Technology to give you Customized Protection that adapts to you.
  • Goes on dry and stays dry
  • 48 HR odour protection

I received my package from BzzAgent and was excited to get started. If you haven't heard of BzzAgent, they are a great site where you can try out products for FREE, to test out and give your opinions on them, that's it! It's loads of fun too! You don't have to have a blog either.


Here is how my package arrived from BzzAgent:





Here I am before, stressing about an impending "situation" And, ready to put my the product to the test!


Here I am shortly after. Feeling relaxed and taking silly selfies for this review:



It didn't leave any marks on one of my favourite black tops, which I wore with my favourite new lipstick (Jordana Modern Matte in Blush).  And, my Malibu Lemon Blossom perfume by Pacifica is also pictured along with my new Secret Clinical Strength deodorant.



Here I made a little collection of tools I use to stay #stressfree (including the latest addition, My Secret Clinical):


The first thing I did when I got the product was put it to the sniff test. It passed with flying colours, I love the scent! I decided to put this product to the test during a stressful situation and it stood up really well. I normally only wear deodorants and if I'm stressed I sweat, but at least I don't stink! :P This definitely controlled the normal wetness factor as well as any potential stink factor. It also stood up to a light workout. I could tell because I was sweating on other parts of my body but not so much on my underarms. Maybe I should just slather this product all over my body.. OK, just kidding. I mean we do need to sweat a bit to release some toxins from our bodies. But, no one wants to walk around with wet under pits!

I think this product is fantastic to have on-hand if you have any situations where you don't want to be embarrassed by sweaty armpits. It's in a different league than my usual deodorant. I will probably continue to use my usual deodorant when I'm just chillaxin at home etc. But, for anything else, I will definitely continue to use Secret's Clinical Strength Antiperspirant. It will also save my good clothes too! I'm sick of white blouses turning yellow under the arms from perspiration! And, who needs #stresssweat anyways!?

Have you tried a product from this line?  And, please, share any tips to stay stress-free! We can all use that...

I received this product free for trial purposes from BuzzAgent
 #GotItFreeFromSecret . 

All opinions on this product are my own.

Amy
xx

Monday, September 28, 2015

Laneige Advanced Water Science, Water Bank Gel Cream #lovingLANEIGE Review


I'm a total skincare junkie! I have been for years. So, I was really curious when I heard, after much anticipation, the Korean skincare line Laneige had finally arrived in Canada!

I was even more excited when I found out that I was fortunate enough to be able to give one of their products a test drive through influenster! If you are not familiar with Influenster, I highly recommend them if you're interested in trying out products for free! All you have to do is test the products out and give your honest opinion about your experience with the product. Influenster has much more than beauty products too, they have food and drinks, pet supplies, games, you name it, they have it.

Anyways, back to Laneige. Over 20 years of research has gone into the making of these products. They have a really nice range of products on Sephora's website and I'm pretty much drooling over all of them!

The product that I got to test out and will be reviewing here is the Water Bank Gel Cream, it can be found on www.sephora.com. I didn't get to choose a product from their line, instead, I filled out a questionnaire about my skin and they matched me to the right product for my skin type based on my answers.

Here is some info from Sephora's website on the Water Bank Gel Cream:

What it is:
A cooling, non-oily gel-cream that immerses skin in moisture for 24 hours.

What it is formulated to do:
The six hydrating ionized minerals—zinc, potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and manganese—in hydro ionized mineral water replenish and lock in moisture while winter cypress polysaccharide extract soothes irritated skin. Cooling and ultra-light, its silky texture makes it the perfect choice for warm climates and oily skin, absorbing instantly and delivering 24-hour essential hydration, protection, and revitalization.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This product is dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic. LANEIGE does not test ingredients or products on animals.

The above are features I already look for when shopping for new skincare. Now, onto my experience with the Water Bank Gel Cream!


My Review



A peek inside

My first impression after unboxing the cream was great based on the sturdy, high-quality packaging. And, it came with a little spatula to keep the product sanitary. Talk about attention to detail, I really appreciate things like that. But, it's really what's inside that counts! I had never read any reviews on this product, so I went in with a completely open mind. Excited, I began using the product the day that I received it, of course.

A quick bit about my skin type: I have combo/oily skin that is very dehydrated, aging, reactive, and acne-prone. I know, quite the combo!

The product has a nice light fragrance that is very pleasant. It has a gel-lotion-like consistency. It layers well with my serums and other products, and I could immediately feel a cooling sensation but more importantly, a hydrating feeling on my skin. It plumped my skin nicely and gave it a more youthful look. I found it very soothing to my dehydrated and reactive skin. I did not have any irritation or acne breakouts. The hydration definitely lasted all day. This product also performs well as a base under my makeup as it is not greasy at all, yet it's super hydrating!

After using it for a few weeks I could definitely see that my skin's overall appearance was younger looking. But, the biggest testament to this product happened when I saw a friend that I hadn't seen in a few months. He accused me of "having something done." When I swore I hadn't he said I "at least had some Botox done." I told him I just started using some new skincare, I swore that was it! He didn't seem convinced but I didn't really care because I was just happy that I apparently looked that good! Or, at least that much better! I think it's often easier for other people to see changes in us than it is for us to see ourselves. I knew my skin had improved, but I didn't know to what extent until my friend accused me of "having something done." It is the first time in my life that I've been accused of that! Now, I want to try every product in the range. I mean, seriously! Like, have a Laneige bath or something. hehe

By the way, I did tell my friend that I'm not against Botox. I told him that I was just afraid to put toxins into my skin as it's obviously going to be absorbed by my body, and I don't know enough about what that might cause... but that's a whole other story.

Has anyone else tried any products from Laneige? If so, which ones have you tried, and what was your experience? I think I'd like to try the serum and sleeping mask next! :D

I received this product free for trial purposes. All opinions are my own.

Amy
xx




30 Days of Fitness Challenge: Update!



I wanted to update those who may had been following my 30 Days of Fitness Challenge, and also put some closure on this one. My last post in my 30 Days of Fitness Challenge was on April 30th, you can find that post HERE.  The original post to the challenge can be found HERE.

It was a pretty difficult summer for me, with sick family members among other issues. So working out was put on the back-burner for much of the summer. I still did go from doing nothing to doing a variety of workouts, from yoga to HIIT and cardio. Despite this and relatively healthy eating, I was not losing weight.

I ended up having blood work done and found out that I am hypo-thyroid. I had been hypo-thyroid years ago, but once I stopped having soy products my thyroid went back to normal. That`s a whole other story. But, I can tell you, I`m not the only one, this happened to a friend of mine also. Needless to say, I've stayed away from soy since then. But, now I find myself dealing with Hypo-thyroidism again.

I have started a thyroid med that was prescribed by an M.D. who practices bio-identical medicines. He does not prescribe synthetic medications. My understanding is that one that I have started is made from a pig. oink oink.  OK, it`s kind of gross.  I am only on a 15mg dose which I think is low, and I am now due to retest my blood and see where I am at.

This doesn't mean that I've given up on working out. I just have a lot of my focus elsewhere. But, when I can, I do short, at home workouts with weights, cardio and yoga. Although I like variety in my workouts, I am really interested in starting to do some weight lifting. I don't mean that I want to look like a body builder, I just want to feel strong and keep my muscle tone as I am aging. I have actually lost muscle tone, so even getting some back would be great at this point.

I have a few free weights at home, my highest being 8 lbs. There is a gym opening up near my house that is a no-frills gym, so it will have cardio and weight machines and that's about it. But, it's only $10 per month, so I am likely going to join and work on my cardio and weight training there. I will always keep up a yoga practice at home with my assorted DVD's.

I'm sorry if I left anyone who may have been following this challenge hanging, that wasn't my intention. So, while I close this "challenge," I will most likely start up a new one once I've joined the gym. For now, I will continue to work on my thyroid issue, trying to eat healthy, and some at home workouts.

Scored these new workout leggings at Winners for inspiration to keep going! :)



Amy
xx

Monday, September 21, 2015

Reviewsio : Brand New #FREE Product Testing Program Starting up with Amazon!



If you like trying out new products for free like I do, then read on!

There's a brand new free product trial program starting up with Amazon! It's called Reviewsio. It hasn't started yet but it's launching in only 9 days from now, and you can sign up now, and get a head start! If you like trying out products for free (who doesn't), you can sign up with this program and they will send you free products in exchange for your honest reviews.

I already belong to a few other programs that let you try out products for free in exchange for reviews. It's a lot of fun, and who doesn't love testing out new products! I've learned the hard way about which sites are legit and which one's are not. Because this is an Amazon program, I already know it's something I can believe in.

The program launches on October 1st, but you can sign up now as this program will probably fill up quickly.

From their website: "Are you interested in writing reviews for Reviewsio in exchange for FREE product? We are currently looking for talented and trusted reviewers to leave honest reviews for our partner’s product."

"Reviewsio.com members are receiving products in the mail FOR FREE in exchange for their honest review on Amazon.com. After receiving the product, leave a high-quality review and you get to keep the product… no strings attached!

Let me know if you join in on the fun!

Amy
xx






Saturday, September 19, 2015

Award Winning, Functional, Alkaline, Lithia Water by Happy Water - Review via Social Nature!



I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to try out a new water on the market called Happy Water. I was able to trial this product through a product sampling company called Social Nature. Social Nature specializes in natural products which is very unique in the sampling community! I wish I could try out everything they offer! Who doesn't want healthy products these days!?

What we put into our bodies is just as important as what we don't. And, with tap water containing so many chemical, toxins, and medications in it these days, I just can't feel good about putting that into my body. I always have a bottle of water by my side. If I'm not chugging down or sipping on some water, I'm usually drinking tea (hot or cold). I'm just not into filling my body with sugar-laden drinks either. I get enough sugar from the foods I eat, even fruit is high in sugar and fructose.  So, I was definitely excited to be chosen to sample this product as it's right up my alley! Happy Water is no regular water, when you read on here about it's features, you will see just how unique of a product this is.

Here is the back of their promotional material with deets on the product ( I will summarize below in case this is difficult to read):



Ingredients:
Spring and Mineral Water, Ozone.

Description, details, and benefits:

Sourced in Canada.
Alkaline
*Contains Functional Minerals: Natural minerals and electrolytes without any additives
Contains Lithia: Brings a sense of well-being
Neurogenesis: The creation of new brain cells

*Functional water contains the electrolytes/minerals that our bodies use while exercising (eg. sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium etc.) A functional water has the electrolytes that you would find in sports drinks without the sugar and other nasties.

Happy Water is a perfectly alkaline, unique blend of spring and mineral waters: providing a rare combination of minerals which have been linked to many health benefits and optimum hydration. You can drink easy knowing this water is free of additives and chemicals and full of lithia, magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium.

The WaterBox will help you to reduce your environmental footprint with 85% less packaging than water bottles (500 mL). Plus it's totally portable so you can enjoy it anywhere. Freeze your WaterBox overnight and bring it along wherever your weekend takes you! 

Highlights:
  • Canada's award winning lithia water
  • Proprietary blend of two BC springs
  • Naturally alkaline
    • Ideal pH for the body - 7.4 pH 
  • Naturally-occuring electrolytes and minerals
    • Lithia, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium and Calcium
  • Free from any additives or chemicals 
  • 100% recyclable and BPA free
  • 85% less plastic than bottles (500mL)
  • Portion control tap
  • Sourced and boxed in BC, Canada
  • Take it anywhere; pantry, fridge, car, cottage, soccer game, camping etc.

My experience:

After trying Happy Water I'm wondering how much filtering my fridges filter is actually doing as the Happy Water taste was so pure & clean! I also love the added benefits of Happy Water; including the electrolytes, mineral and Lithia. And, I feel so good knowing that I'm putting all that good stuff into my body and none of the bad stuff.  I just couldn't stop drinking it and I finished the 5 litre box in 3 days! My friends and family all wanted my Happy Water and I had to fight them off from drinking all of it! We all love the packaging too, and that it's BPA free and has the ideal PH for our bodies. I think Happy Water did a great job with this product!

This product is also made in Canada, recyclable, and eco-friendly. I don't think I could ask for more!

Have you tried Happy Water? I would love to hear about your experience.

I received this product free from Social Nature for trial purposes. All opinions are my own.

Cheers!

Amy
xx






Friday, September 18, 2015

Covergirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara Review! #bzzagent




I recently had the opportunity to try out one of Covergirl's LashBlast Mascaras through BzzAgent.  BzzAgent one of the Legit sites out there that connects consumers with new products to trial in exchange for honest reviews. They are an international network.

Each Buzz kit contains a choice of one of four COVERGIRL LashBlast Mascaras:
    • LashBlast Volume
    • LashBlast Fusion
    • Clump Crusher by LashBlast
    • Full Lash Bloom by LashBlast
  • $2-off coupons to share the blast with friends and their lashes
I selected the Fusion mascara which claims to provide both volume and length, I mean why should I have to choose between volume or length? I want both, so the choice for me was easy :D  The product came in the colour, Very Black. 

Of course, I broke into the package and had to try it out the day I received it. I just love a good mascara as it can really open up and brighten your eyes. I have hooded eyes so for me a good mascara is almost like an eye lift or a "lift" for the eyes.

The mascara came with a rubber-like wand that is quite large in size. It went on easily and layered really well, not all mascaras layer very well. Within two coats I had major volume AND length! I did not have any flaking or transferring onto my hooded eyes which is a big deal for me. I felt this compared to Benefit's They're Real mascara, with one exception: the Covergirl washed off easily so I didn't lose any lashes in the removal process, another big deal for me!

Here are some pictures of the product and results that I got with just 2 quick coats. Note, that I do not have any eyeliner on, I wanted to give the product the true test to stand alone and see what it could do. The results were impressive! Ha, sorry for the scary close-up, but I really wanted you to see what this mascara achieved. ;)


I think the picture really is worth a thousand words. Again, I do not have any liner on and I did not put mascara on my bottom lashes- just a habit of mine.  I am really impressed!  ps. I'm still working on my selfie skills.

Have you tried any of the Covergirl LashBlast mascaras? Let me know what ones you've tried and what you thought.

And, if you're interested in trying out BzzAgent, they have my highest recommendation. No gimmicks here.

I received this product free from BzzAgent for trial purposes. All opinions are my own.

#GotItFree  #ABlastForEveryLash

Amy
xx

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Decluttering Series: Weekly Beauty Product Testing With #Reviews- Week of Aug 3 + 10th


I'm still working on using up all of my samples, but I am making a lot of progress along the way. After this week, I mostly have some skin care samples to try out.. here's hoping that my skin wont freak out!

I tried out quite a few products so I'll try and make the reviews brief and to the point. ;)


John Frieda Colour Renew Tone-Correcting Shampoo for Colour Treated Blondes

This shampoo claims to neutralize brassiness for colour-treated blondes in 3 uses. It's your typical purple shampoo that you find in blonde shampoos that remove brassiness. Some of these types of shampoos can be VERY drying for your hair. I didn't find this one very drying and the results were subtle. I wouldn't say this one is very powerful at reducing brassiness. 



Korres Wild Rose 24HR Moisturizing and Brightening Cream

I found this to be more of a lotion consistency than a cream, despite this, it was fairly hydrating. I was surprised that I didn't have any breakouts as many rose based products tend to make my acne-prone skin breakout. I used it in conjunction with my usual serum and oil and although I would rate it as good, it didn't blow me away so I wont be purchasing it.



Dove Go Sleeveless Beauty Finish 48 Hr Antiperspirant

I really liked the scent, not sure how to describe it but I really liked it, and it wasn't a powdery smell (which is great for me). This is definitely a little more powerful than my aluminum free deodorants. I never wore it for 48 hours, so I cannot attest to that claim. I prefer to use products without aluminum, so I will stick with my aluminum free deodorants and save this for special occasions when I need a little more power.



Novex Queratina Brasileira Hair Food Keratin Treatment

After using this product my hair had a slightly different texture to it. It felt a little bit more coarse (maybe stronger?) but I found it a little too heavy for my fine hair when I left it on for 25 minutes with a shower cap on. However, when I used it as a regular conditioner in the shower and only left it on for a few minutes, my hair was not weighed down and I liked the results much more. I am curious to see if it would have any long term benefits though. And, I'd be willing to sacrifice weighed down hair for a day each week or month if it meant healthier, stronger hair. My hair wasn't particularly soft, so I doubt I'll ever find out if there are long term benefits unless I'm able to get my hands on a few more samples.



John Freida Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo

This product definitely brightened my blonde hair. I noticed it after just one use. It did leave my hair feeling more unmanageable when it was wet, but it was fine once styled. I would say this product lives up to it's claims. However, unless my hair needs some lightening, I will probably be sticking to my purple shampoo to tone down any brassiness.



Mario Badescu Skin Care

Special Cucumber lotion: Forget about it! This is full of alcohol. I will not be using this. I damaged and dehydrated my skin for enough years when I was trying to combat acne and didn't know any better. Luckily, now I know better and I don't dry out my skin!

Peptide Renewal Cream: I don't know if I got a bad one, but this smelled of some horrible gas or engine oil, it was very strange (and awful). It was really thick and very difficult (almost impossible) to blend into my skin. I would be willing to give it another chance if I could get my hands on another sample and see if I just got a bad one. I find it hard to believe they'd make something that smells so horrible and doesn't absorb into the skin.

Peptide Renewal Serum: This serum had a nice slip to it and seemed hydrating. Unfortunately, after using it for a week, I ended up with small, painful bumps under the skin on my forehead!  Nuff said. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! 

Let me know if you've come across any fab products lately..

ps. Come and join a bunch of fabulous bloggers at fabulousandfunlife

Amy 
xx

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Tag, You're it! The Blogger Interview






This is my very first tag blog post. I was tagged by the wonderful Nerida at Space of Beauty to do the Blogger Interview Tag.

How did you get into blogging?


It's ironic because I never knew what a blog was. I had heard the term before but had no idea what it was. I worked for one of the biggest airlines for over 17 years and believe it or not, we were not allowed Internet access! I know, barbaric!  So, I only had Internet when I was at home (which wasn't much) and I would basically check emails, use google and that's about it. 

After I took a package and left my job, I found myself on my computer a lot. I had always searched for product reviews, but now, I suddenly discovered the world of YouTube and blogs, plus Twitter and Instagram! It was a whole new world for me. I was amazed at this massive online community of people who also had a love for all things beauty, fashion and health. 

I never actually considered starting a blog. It was as spontaneous as you can get. I couldn't sleep one night and I was bored and restless, so I just decided right then and there to start a blog, and i did. I didn't know what I was doing, but I just went with it and had a lot of help from google.

What advice would you give to beginner bloggers?


Well, I am a beginning blogger. I've only been blogging since March of this year, so I still have a ton to learn. But, I have definitely learned a few things in the months I've been blogging. Here are a few suggestions.


Don't try to be like any other bloggers, just be you. Take inspiration from others but put your own spin on things and let your own personality shine through.  We are all unique and special in our own ways. 

Schedule time to blog. When you're starting out, blogging can be overwhelming, especially in the beginning when you are setting up your blog. If you're not careful you can end up working late into the night and wearing yourself out. As they say, your inbox will always be full. So, set aside a specific amount of time to work on your blog and then shut the computer down. Even if you have a lot more work to do, write it down and get back to it with a fresh mind the next day.

I had no idea how much time blogging takes, I definitely developed a respect for bloggers when I found out how much time and effort it takes. I suggest to either set a schedule for  when to blog and post, or just write when you are inspired. I do have somewhat of a schedule but I prefer to blog when I'm inspired. I don't enjoy the process if it's forced. Do what works for you!

Bring readers back. Create some series with some of your posts and link back to other posts in your series. For example, you could do some sort of challenge or favourites where you would post weekly or monthly on the topic. This is not only fun (IMO) but also gives your readers something to come back for. 

What would be your dream campaign?


At this time, I can't think of a dream campaign. I'm just happy to be doing what I enjoy and doing it on my own time. I love being my own boss for once and being able to create anything I want. I really appreciate that having a blog gives me a platform to be heard and to share information with others. 

In the future, I would love to work with socially responsible companies in the health, fashion, and beauty industries.

Do you have a plan for your blog?

My only plan for now is to continue blogging for as long as I'm enjoying it. Who knows where it may go, if anywhere. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the creative process, and along the way I've been getting to know some of the nicest people I've ever met, even if it is through the interwebs.

Thanks again for tagging me Nerida!

I would like to tag:

fabulousandfunlife 
katscolourings  and raincouverbeauty

Anyone who wants to do the tag is more than welcome, I tag you!!

Amy

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Plato's Closet- Where Have You Been All My Life!? (Oakville, Ontario) #Review



If you have an addiction to fashion like I do, you'll want to read this post!

 I have had a clothing addiction from an early age. I can remember coming home from school for lunch when I was about 6 years old and my Mom had gone shopping and bought me some new clothes. I recall it like it was yesterday. Inside I was jumping up and down and squealing, and probably doing so on the outside too! Ever since that day, I went home with a bit of excitement and wonder if my Mom had more new clothes waiting for me when I got home. So, I'm not sure what fueled this obsession with fashion, I can only assume I was just born this way. I love my fashion, but I've always gotten bored with my new items really fast and wanted some more new threads, like now! Before I go on, I'd like to say, the first step is admitting that I have a problem. The second step is going to Plato's closet!

I had heard of Plato's Closet before, but I didn't know that one had opened about 40 minutes away from me. I thought they were only in the USA and some other Provinces in Canada.  I was happy to find out that there was one I could go check out, as I had a pile of clothing left after cleaning out my closet (something I do seasonally, if not more.) I had sold many items at my garage sale before I found out that I had a Plato's Closet within driving distance. But, I also had many items that I didn't want to sell at my garage sale where I get very little for items, even if they are new with tags. In hindsight, there are some items I did sell at my garage sale that I'm pretty sure now I would have received more money if I had taken them to Plato's Closet. 

For years, I had been trying to sell my clothes online and using apps with very little success and a lot of work. It's tough to sell clothing online. You have to factor in that the potential buyer doesn't know if the item will fit, plus there's postage and handling.  If it's not a designer piece that you want to sell, it's most likely not worth selling online, at least here in Canada where shipping prices are sky-high!  I've also tried consignment shops, which are few and far between, plus you only get paid if and when the item(s) sell. At Plato's Closet, they pay you cash, right there on the spot! What can get better than that?  This is just the kind of place for someone like me who gets bored of my clothes quickly and is always itching for something new. Then there are the clothes that I was supposed to fit into someday, but that day hasn't come, again, this is where Plato's Closet comes in.

I didn't want to make a trip in vain, so I called Plato's Closet before I left to get the scoop. They told me that they only accept clothing that is either new or like new condition. Plus, they only want items that are between 1-1.5 years old and within the current fashion trends. This means that for fashion obsessed people like myself, it will not only be a great place to sell but also to shop! ;)  I asked if I needed an appointment and they said no appointment necessary, just come on in. So, I packed up all my clothes and shoes and headed out.


Front Entrance

Once I got there, I saw how well laid out and organized the store was. Overhead signs at the front desk (not shown) direct you where to go. I was greeted by the staff and they placed all my items in a bin and told me I was 3rd in line to have my items looked at. I took a look around the store while I waited and somehow the denim rack found me- stalker! So, I had to try on some jeans, duh! I happened to find a pair that fit like they were made just for me! They seemed like new and were only $14. Sold! *Excited



The store is brimming with the latest fashions and categorized by type and then sizes. Again, since they don't accept outdated items, you know that everything in the store is on-trend. They are really marketing to teens and young adults, but as long as you like fashion and have a youthful spirit, I think this would be a store for you. On the other hand, if you're looking to buy or sell business wear, this wouldn't be the right shop for those types of items. 

They have some great jewelry and accessories too!

Once it was my turn to have the staff go through my items, I went up to the desk and watched as they carefully inspected and selected the items they wanted. Luckily for me, that turned out to be most of my items! The really do have quite high standards regarding what they accept. This doesn't mean it has to be name brand or anything, just that the items are still trending now, and in great or like new condition.

Going into this, I had no idea what to expect as this was a new concept for me. I was really happy with how things went. I did quite well for my first time. I came home with some extra cash in my wallet and a great fitting pair of jeans! Not to mention how great it felt to get rid of some items that didn't work for me and were just taking up space, and turning that into cash.

If you're a clothing recycler like I am, and you have a casual or trendy style, you really need to check this place out. They've really got something that the market desperately needed. It's like having all the latest clothing and shops in one store. If you love cleaning out your closet and revamping your wardrobe over and over again like I do, you will love this shop!

I've been donating my clothes for years and enjoy doing so. But, sometimes I have items that are still new with the tags and I can't return them for various reasons and I also need some extra cash. Plato's Closet is my answer. All I could think after I left was "Where have you been all my life?!"

All the staff were super friendly and helpful, from the fitting room to the cash and selling process. I had such a great experience buying and selling at Plato's Closet, so I will definitely be back for more. The location I went to was in Oakville, Ontario Canada. Soon there will be 2 more locations opening up that are even closer to me; one in Mississauga and another in Brampton (both in Ontario, Canada.)

The staff were kind enough to allow me to take some photos of their store.











I wish I had taken more pictures but it all happened quite last minute. I was so happy with my experience at Plato's Closet that as I was leaving I thought, I just have to share this, it's too good to keep it to myself. So, I got permission and quickly took a few shots of the store.

If you have some new to like new clothes that you don't wear, what are you waiting for? Check out Plato's Closet and turn it into some cash!

For more info, here is a link to Plato's Closet in Oakville.

Disclaimer: Plato's closet has no idea who I am nor do they know that I am writing this article.

Amy




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