Thursday, December 29, 2016

Support the Cruelty-Free Canada Act to Ban Cosmetic Testing on Animals #BeCrueltyFree


Hi, everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your time during the holidays and finding time to relax and do the things that you enjoy.

Today's post is an exciting one for me. I'm a huge animal lover and have never agreed with animal testing for the sake of beauty. Animal testing is totally unnecessary in this day and age- companies like Lush are proof of this. An estimated 200,000 animals suffer barbaric and cruel treatment as well as death as a result of cosmetic testing.

We are getting closer banning animal testing in Canada and that is exciting!

From Treehugger.com " In mid-December, Bill S-214, also known as the Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act, passed its second reading in the Senate with great support. It will now pass to the Senate committee for Social Affairs, Science, and Technology for further study."

Canada will join other countries that have already banned animal testing. Countries that have already banned animal testing include New Zealand, Brazil, the European Union, Israel, India, and Taiwan.

Please join me in signing the petition to ban animal testing in Canada. Here is the link if you'd like to sign the petition and send a message to your member of Parliament: Click HERE to take action to help ban animal testing in Canada.

Thank so much for supporting this cause and helping to save so many innocent animals from unnecessary suffering!

#BeCrueltyFree


Amy
XO

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year + The 9 Year Cycle


I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah etc. Whatever it is that you celebrate or even if you don't, I hope you enjoy the season.

I also acknowledge those of you who may find this season very difficult. I personally know how hard this season can be. And, I hope you can find something to enjoy during this time.

I also want to wish everyone a fabulous New Year. I really hope that 2017 is your best year ever! I wish you health, happiness, and prosperity, and whatever it is that makes you happy.

I read somewhere that 2016 is a year that will be ending a 9-year cycle and that 2017 will be the start of a whole new cycle. I like the sound of that! I don't know much about it but I believe this is a theory in numerology. If you google it, you can find a lot of info about it. I always heard that life went in cycles of 7 years, maybe that's from another theory or maybe I was wrong all along and it's really 9.

9 years is certainly a long time for a new cycle to begin. So, I'm excited about a new start and hoping the next 9-year cycle that we are about to begin is much better than the last 9. This is a good time to set your intentions for the next 9 years, make peace with the past and leave it there if it no longer serves you. And, also decide what you want to be/do differently.

Here is just one article that I found about this cycle if you'd like to read more about it and what you can do to set your intentions for the next 9 years http://in5d.com/november-2016-a-time-of-completion-the-end-of-the-9-year-cycle/

See you all next year!

XO

Amy

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Mellisa B. Naturally Premium Moisturizing Cream with Argireline & Progeline Review + #Giveaway *CLOSED


Let's shake up a Monotonous Monday with a giveaway and rave review, shall we?!

I recently discovered a new skincare line, and I've been so happy with my results that I want to share my experience, as well as the product being reviewed with one lucky reader!

Most of you know that I'm a total skincare junkie, especially the anti-aging kind. So, I was really excited when I got the opportunity to try a new line of anti-aging skincare by the brand Mellisa B. Naturally.

Who is Mellisa B. Naturally:
With a passion for health and skincare and decades of working and training in the skin care industry, Mellisa Baylis and her husband Ray, set out to create the best skincare on the market. Combining modern science with the most natural ingredients, their products are both safe and effective.

In this post, I'll be reviewing and giving away their Premium Moisturizing Cream.

A bit about my skin type: 
I have combo/oily, dehydrated, reactive, and acne prone skin. yay, me!




Their products only contain ingredients that are pure, healthy, safe, and effective. You can read more about their ingredients HERE.

"In 2016, Mellisa B Naturally introduced their line of anti-aging products that balance the potency of nature with modern cosmeceutical ingredients. Fruit and plant extracts work alongside peptides and antioxidants to create deep nurturing natural skin care."





According to Mellisa B. Naturally's website "Each formulation has been independently evaluated by a third-party lab to affirm its potency, purity, and efficacy."

They also work with skincare professionals on all of their formulas. Each ingredient is researched and deeply scrutinized before they decide to add it to a product's formulation.



The Premium Moisturizing Cream is very lightweight but very hydrating and a little goes a long way. I like that it's not too heavy so it doesn't "weigh down" my skin and add to the sagging that aging skin can have.

I didn't notice results immediately. but after about a week there was a noticeable difference in the clarity of my skin, it almost had a glass-like appearance. It's now been almost 3 weeks since I started the cream and my skin is much brighter and clearer. Fine lines and wrinkles are barely there. I looked in the mirror and thought, is this what a mild dose of Botox looks like!? I believe this botox-like effect is due to the ingredient "Argireline" that's in this product. My skin feels firmer and I haven't experienced any irritation or breakouts from this product.

I test out a lot of skincare and I take pretty good care of my skin but your skin likes what it likes. And, as you can see by my before and after picture, this skin cream really agrees with my skin!


Before & After (2 weeks):
Mellisa B. Naturally Premium Moisturizing Cream: Before (top) and After (bottom)

Above are my before and after pictures after using Mellisa B. Naturally Premium Moisturizing Cream for approximately 2 weeks. I am totally makeup free in both photos and there are no filters used in the photos. This shows just what I see in person, much clearer and brighter skin. If you look at the lines around my nose and mouth they look really plumped up in the after picture. The spots on my face have faded as well. I've found that I can wear less makeup since my skin is looking so much clearer!

I couldn't be more impressed. These results didn't come overnight but these results are pretty amazing for 2 weeks if you ask me! I can't wait to see what happens after continued use.

After showing my before picture to Mellisa, the owner of Mellisa B Naturally, she explained that my skin looks inflamed in the before picture and in the after it is much less inflamed. This reduction in inflammation is most likely due to the Peptide called Progeline that they use in this formula. Progeline slows down enzyme production which can cause inflammation in the skin.

Just one look at the ingredients in this product and I'm really impressed. I recognize most of them and I don't see any cheap fillers thrown in.


Ingredients:
Water, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Emulsifying Wax, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn-Coll), Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline), Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2 (Progeline), Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder-Organic, Vegetable Collagen, Allantoin, Malachite Extract, Dimethylaminoethanol, Dextran, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate.

Free from:
  • Parabens
  • Sulfates
  • Phthalates
  • Mineral Oil
  • Petrolatum
  • Gluten
  • Silicone

What else you should know:
  • Cruelty-free
  • Made in the USA
  • Eco-friendly

Size:
1.0oz / 30 grams

Price:
$42 USD

Would I Purchase:
Yes

After dealing with this company and using their products, I can tell that they pour their heart, soul, and years of experience into their formulas. Each ingredient is in there for a reason!

I'm so happy that my skin LOVES this product! I'm really excited about this new line of skincare after seeing the results that I got from just 2 weeks of using this cream. I can't wait to try more products from this brand and share my results with you.

Mellisa B. Naturally has a great range of products and caters to every skin type.

You can learn more about this product and other Mellisa B. Naturally products here: mellisabnaturally.com


Giveaway Time!!

One lucky winner will receive 48 grams of the Premium Moisturizing Cream (in the form of 2-gram sample packs x 24). This is more than the 30-gram full-size jar that I have been using. The sample packs will be great if you are doing any travelling. 

The only mandatory entry is to leave a comment on this post and enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway will run for one week. Good luck, everyone!

Open to the USA & Canada!

a Rafflecopter giveaway








*This product was provided for consideration. All opinions are mine alone. No affiliate links are used. 

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Indulge Your Senses | Live Clean Holiday Hand Soaps- Vanilla Peppermint & Holly Berry


Just in time for the holidays, Live Clean's Holiday hand soaps are back!

They've brought us 2 delicious scents; Vanilla Peppermint and Holly Berry.




Vanilla Peppermint is a soft and refreshing peppermint scent with a hint of vanilla. Holly Berry is light and sweet- my personal favourite! I just love how holiday scents can add to the feeling of the season, and these products do just that.

Both scents are enriched with vitamins E and B to hydrate and restore moisture levels. They gently cleanse without stripping our skin as they don't contain SLS which can be very drying.

Live Clean is a Canadian company that is affordable, natural, eco-friendly and cruelty-free! Like all Live Clean products, these are 98% plant derived and vegan.

They are also free of:
  • SLS/ Sulfates
  • Phthalates
  • Petrolatum 
  • Silicone
  • Dye
  • Parabens
  • DEA
  • Phosphates
  • Mineral Oil
Size:
500 ml

Price:
$4.99- $5.99

Availability:
Walmart, Walmart.ca, Well.ca, Rexall, Sobeys, and Lawtons Drugs.

Note: These would make great stocking stuffers, too!


Happy Holidays to you and yours!
xo


*This post is not sponsored. The products were provided for consideration. As always, my opinions are solely mine. No affiliate links are in this post.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

New | The Body Shop Shade Adjusting Foundation Lightening Drops Review


Product:
The Body Shop Shade Adjusting Drops in Lightening - $22CAD for 15 ml

I was in the market for a foundation lightening product. I came across a few brands and decided to go with the one from The Body Shop. Mainly because of the price and I had a 1/2 off coupon. Plus, they are cruelty-free (although their parent company is not). I have not read any reviews on this product yet, but I think this product is worth sharing with you, so here is my review!

The Body Shop's Shade Adjusting Drops in Lightening

The product is quite thick, so I think a squeeze tube would have been a better packaging choice for this product. It can be difficult to get the product into the pipette. But, it is what it is, so I make it work. It's not a deal-breaker.


I love my Tinted Hyaluron Cream by M. Asam, but as you can see it's very dark for my skin tone. Mixing in a drop or two of The Body Shop's Shade Adjusting Lightening Drops does the trick easily so I can wear this awesome tinted cream and not let it go to waste.



Drop of Lightening drops and M. Asam Tinted Cream

Here you can see the colours blended out on their own

According to The Body Shop, a concentration of white and pink pigments in The Body Shop's Lightening Drops helps neutralise yellowness while lightening.

1 drop = 1/2 a shade lighter. 


Here are the two mixed together

The lightening drops are very easy to use and adjust the shade until you get just the shade you want. The Lightening Drops do not change how my tinted cream works. It still lasts all day. It also doesn't break up my tinted face cream or my makeup at all- which was something I was concerned about, but an end of the day face check proved me wrong.

Overall, although I have nothing to compare this to, it does just what I wanted it to do and it does it well. If you need something to lighten up your summer products or just one that is too dark, I definitely recommend these Shade Adjusting Drops.

Oh, they also have this product in a darkening formula to darken products that are too light. Genius I say! Where were these products when I was in high school!?

No filter selfie wearing the above 2 products (and bronzer that had yet to be blended.. lol)


I hadn't shopped at The Body Shop in years! They have impressed me lately. Starting with their new face masks (review linked here). And, here we have another winning product.

What Body Shop products do you love!?

XO




*This product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own. 

Friday, November 18, 2016

Review | Arbonne It's A Long Story, Mascara


I had heard of Arbonne over the years, mainly in regards to skincare, but I had never tried them out. I heard that they made high-quality skincare and were cruelty-free, both high on my list of things that I look for. But, I had no idea that they also sell makeup, hair care, body care, health products, and more!

Turns out they are an eco-friendly and socially responsible company too.

From Arbonne: " It’s not just what we put in our products that makes them superior. It’s what we choose to formulate without. We integrate the most beneficial botanical ingredients from nature with the principles of green chemistry — we craft products with integrity, expertise and innovation. And we do it responsibly, taking care of our earth at the same time."

I was so excited to get the chance to try a few of their products out thanks to one of their fabulous representatives, Sarah. - Thank you again, Sarah!

Sarah sent me a few samples, one of which was this full-size "It's A Long Story, Mascara." This tube has 12 grams of product, which is a generous size. I find most mascaras have around 8 grams of product. This mascara is also ophthalmologist tested and made in the USA. It's also Clinically tested and formulated to be water-resistant and long-wearing. It retails for $48CAD.






My Verdict:

It's quite a wet formula but it's on the thicker side, so it applies easily and one coat is really enough. It wears well and I had no smudging or flaking by the end of the day. I like that it is removed easily so I don't lose any lashes when I take it off at the end of the day.

I have very hooded eyes and I had no issues with the mascara transferring to my upper lids during application nor later on during the day.

In the first picture, I am wearing one coat of the mascara (top lashes only). In the second picture, I have two coats on (top lashes only). I applied the second coat after the first coat was completely dry, which was fine, but I find that I get even better results when I apply the second coat before the first one dries down completely.

Note: I am not wearing any eyeliner on the top or bottom of my eyes. The only other eye product that I'm wearing in these photos is a matte taupe eyeshadow in the crease of my eyes.

As you can see, the mascara alone gives my eyes quite a lift and creates a lot of impact.


Arbonne Mascara- One Coat

Arbonne Mascara- Two Coats
Overall, I am really impressed with this mascara. I love the impact that I get and how it adds both length and volume. It really seems to lift my lashes, which gives my eyes a real lift, which I can certainly use!

I hope to share some more reviews of Arbonne's products. I have a lipstick by Arbonne that I'm currently testing out as well, and it's definitely worth sharing with you too!

Have you tried any products by Arbonne? What do you recommend?

XO


*Product was sent to me for consideration. All opinions are my own. No affiliate links are in this post.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Changes | My Health and Weight Loss Journey to Get Fit and Lose Weight

Welcome to week 31 of my health and weight loss journey! I've been off track for a few weeks now and due to the lack of activity to report, among other things, I've decided to make this series a monthly post for now.

If I come across any great workouts or health products or services that I feel are worth sharing, I will share those in either the monthly post or a separate post if warranted.

I hope no one is disappointed by this, but without too much to share it's kind of redundant.

The Only thing to report in this post is that I lost 1 pound this week. Nothing new, it goes up, it goes down. Oh, and I've been trying to re-establish 2 daily habits that I did years ago. I would do squats for the 2 minutes that I brush my teeth (about 40 squats) and do 20 push ups during the time that I'm getting ready. I used to do this every day without fail and then I stopped. It's definitely a challenge to make this become a habit again... but I'm trying!

I hope the new monthly format for this post will be more interesting as I will hopefully have more to share.

Until then, stay healthy!

XO


Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Veeda | 100% Natural, Chemical Free Feminine Care


Have you ever thought about what's in your feminine care products?!  I didn't until a few years ago when I began to delve into the world of natural products.

During my research for cleaner products, I learned a lot about what's in our products and what was unhealthy, and it went far beyond skincare and haircare. I learned that most of our feminine care products like pads and tampons are loaded with bleach and other harmful chemicals that we wouldn't want in our feminine care products if given the choice.

These days, we have become much more aware of what is in our products, whether it be our food, beauty products, supplements etc. We are much more educated consumers than in the past. We now know for example that things that we put on our skin are absorbed by our skin (think the nicotine patch). So, reading labels and learning about ingredients are key to our health.

Luckily, two men realized this and they set out to create eco-friendly, natural feminine care products WITHOUT all the harsh chemicals and also make them affordable and accessible, and Veeda was born. They also give back to communities, supporting organizations that protect the environment and advance family health and wellness. I love what this company stands for!



Veeda 100% Natural Cotton Regular Tampons


With much more emphasis on our health these days, we make better decisions about what we decide to spend our hard earned money on. As unhealthy chemicals that are in our products become commonplace terms that we recognize, we can choose to stay away from them. That is if we can find them and afford them!

Thankfully, Veeda has come along and made affordable, healthy feminine care options for us that are also accessible.

Veeda's Goal:

"is for every woman to be informed about, and have access to, affordable and safe feminine care. Our hypoallergenic, toxin-free, 100% natural cotton tampons, pads and liners are widely available at a fair price. For those who can’t afford to buy, we provide donations via Project Everywoman and the 360° Care Fund, funded by a percentage of Veeda sales and profits. When you buy Veeda tampons, pads and liners, you get comfort and effectiveness that rivals top selling brands; healthy, hypoallergenic cotton to prevent irritation and toxic reactions; and a company that cares."



Veeda 100% Natural, Ultra-thin Cotton Pads with wings

What you need to know:

  • Veeda uses No Synthetics. No Chemicals. No Dyes. 
  • Veeda products are made from hypoallergenic, 100% natural cotton
  • Conventional tampons and pads from well-known brands are made from blends of bleached cotton and/or synthetic products
  • Veeda tampons reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), irritation, and allergic reactions
  • Is FDA-approved to meet all absorbency standards
  • Veeda's tampon by itself is 100% biodegradable, even in landfill
  • Veeda products are free from dioxins, pesticides, herbicides, wood, synthetic fibers, additives, pesticides, fragrance, and other chemical additives 

It's shocking to find out what's in most of our conventional feminine products which are the things that Veeda leaves out! 

Veeda currently offers Regular, Super, and Super Plus 100% natural cotton tampons in both applicator and app-free styles. Pads and liners are also available with 100% natural cotton coversheets. Lite tampons are available with applicators.

Veeda products are available in supermarkets, drugstores, and online. You can use Veeda's store locator to find a store near you.

If you want to learn more about Veeda, you can visit their website at https://www.veedausa.com/

XO



*These products were provided for consideration. All opinions are my own.






Monday, November 7, 2016

Review | The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask #Vegan

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

I recently got the opportunity to try some of the Body Shop's new face masks thanks to a free sampling program that they ran to introduce these products to the market. I usually love to douse my skin with moisture, so I was surprised when my favourite of the 3 masks that I tried turned out to be the Himalayan Charcoal one. I loved the results so much that I had to buy the full size along with another product as shown in a recent haul (linked here).

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask


I realized after the first mask session that the name they chose for this mask describes it perfectly, my skin had an instant glow to it afterwards. My skin not only had a glow to it but it looked more clear, even, and radiant. My skin was also super soft after the mask. I have since used it a few more times and the results were even better. The results lasted into the next day; my skin was younger and clearer looking the next day. It was one of those things where I kept looking at my bare skin in the mirror and thought "geez, my skin looks good today." Then I realized, "oh, it's the mask!"

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION from The Body Shop: 
"Refine and revive your skin with our Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask. Inspired by Ayurvedic traditions, this 100% vegan tingling charcoal clay mask is infused with bamboo charcoal, green tea leaves, and organic tea tree oil. This invigorating charcoal face mask draws out impurities and refines the appearance of pores for healthy-looking skin with a glow that shows."

• 100% vegan
• Formulated without parabens, paraffins, silicone or mineral oils
• Absorbs excess oil
• Perfect for skin that needs extra purification to reveal a healthy, youthful glow
• Packed with bamboo charcoal from the Himalayan Foothills, green tea leaves from Japan and organic Community Trade tea tree oil from Kenya. 

Charcoal is great for pulling out impurities and detoxifying, and I can see that it's doing just that. It also provides a gentle exfoliation to the skin with the green tea leaves in the product. It has a cooling sensation on the skin thanks to the menthol in the product (which I could really do without) and it leaves your skin feeling refreshed. Besides the fact that I'm not a fan of cooling sensations in my skincare, it's not a deal-breaker as the results from this mask are fantastic.

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask


I  know a lot of people are into multi-masking and will place one type of mask on their T-zone and another type of mask on the drier parts like the cheeks etc. I like to multi-mask too and have done so for years, but I do it a little bit differently. I like to use a detoxifying mask such as the Himalayan Charcoal one all over my face for the allotted time and then after I remove it I apply a hydrating mask to my whole face as well. As always, I follow up with my usual skincare routine after masking.

This weekend I used this mask again but this time for my second / hydrating mask, I used The Body Shop's new British Rose Mask from the samples that I received. I loved the results so much that I may just have to go purchase the British Rose Mask as well. Although I didn't notice a difference when I used the British Rose Mask on its own, I definitely loved the results after using the Himalayan Charcoal Mask and following it up with the British Rose Mask.



Creepy Making Face!


I really love this product and it does what it says. I wasn't even in the market for a new face mask but after seeing the results, I just had to indulge. I also love that this product is cruelty-free and vegan!

Although the free sampling program for these masks is over, I'm sure The Body Shop will give you a free sample if you want to try it before you buy it. Just ask in store.

Tip: I signed up for The Body Shop's emails and received a 50% off code that was sent straight to my email. It was good for one product purchased either online or in store.

This product retails for $28 CAD for 75ml. 

Have you tried any of the Body Shop's new masks? Which one's are you loving?

XO

*This post is not sponsored. The product was purchased by Moi and all opinions are mine! 

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Week 30: My Health and Weight Loss Journey to Get Fit and Lose Weight!


I think this will be my shortest post ever. I don't have anything to report this week. All I can say is sometimes life gets in the way. If I can't get back on track soon and find the time to focus on fitness, I will have to consider coming back to this series or maybe making it a monthly post for now, just until I have the time to focus on fitness again.

I'm not abandoning this yet. I will try to do what I can, whether it be just walking, doing some yoga or the 7-minute fitness app. I will do my best to keep going. Let's see what happens over the next week and I'll go from there.

I hope you are all staying well and are finding the time and energy to focus on fitness and your health.

XO






Sunday, October 30, 2016

Week 29: My Health and Weight Loss Journey to Get Fit and Lose Weight!

7 Minute Workout App

Happy Sunday, Everyone and welcome to week 29 of my Health and Weight Loss Journey!

I have to admit, I've had a hard time either finding/making the time to workout or finding the energy to workout this last while. The injury I obtained back in April seems to have finally healed itself.. yay for that!

I decided to go back to an old discovery that I had used a few times and then abandoned. It's the 7 Minute Workout App. I decided since I'm having such a hard time with finding time and energy, how hard can 7 minutes be!? And, there is some science behind the workouts on the 7 Minute Workout App.

Initially, I started off with the 7 Minute Workout Classic workout, then I decided to try the 30-day challenge as the classic one seemed to be the same workout everyday which became boring to me. I know there is a science behind the workouts that they have developed but I just needed to change it up a bit. All the other workouts in the app are locked, so I assume that you have to pay for those. The Classic and 30-day Challenge are both free.

The 30-day challenge surprised me because it's actually a shorter workout than the 7-minute classic one. However, all of these workouts have the option for you to repeat the circuits. I read that it's recommended to do 3 sets of the classic circuit, but I've not had much time lately, so I've just been doing one circuit whether it was the Classic or the 30-day Challenge.

I figure that doing something is better than doing nothing, and I actually work up a bit of a sweat during the 7 Minute Workout and get a bit winded doing the 30 Day Challenge. When time and energy permits, I will do more reps of each circuit.


30 Day Challenge

The photo above is a screenshot from the 30 Day Challenge. Once you click on start from the 30 Day Challenge option the above screen pops up so you can choose your level. I opted for "Medium Plan 1."
7 Minute Workout App








Workouts For The Week:

Day 1- 0
Day 2- 0
Day 3- 0
Day 4- 7-minute workout app (I worked up a sweat!) #outofshape lol
Day 5- 7-minute workout app 30-day challenge- day 1 (1 circuit)
Day 6- 7-minute workout app 30 day challenge day 2 (1 circuit)
Day 7- 7-minute workout app 30 day challenge day 3 (1 circuit)

Weight: Down 1.5 lbs
Fat: Same

So maybe there's something to this! It's such a short workout that it's kind of hard to believe that I'd get any benefit, especially since I'm only doing 1 circuit so far, but I'm going to keep at it and see what transpires.

See you next week!
XO


Monday, October 24, 2016

Fall Haul! Shoes, Fashion, Beauty, Skincare & Health


I hope you guys are in the mood for a little haulage. I personally love to see what people buy and get ideas and inspiration. I already did a haul this month (found here), not sure if I should feel guilty.. #shopaholic !? I will provide links to products where possible.

This is a small haul of items that I purchased over this past weekend. I wanted to share it right away as many of the items are from Winners and you know how quickly their items can sell out. To my US readers, Winners is the same company as TjMaxx and Marshalls, so you can often find the same items at all 3 stores.

Winners
Catherine Malandrino shoes

I needed some nude flats and these are quite trendy but I decided to take a chance on them as they were on clearance. The brand is Catherine Malandrino. I've heard of this brand but never purchased from them. These felt really comfortable in the store and I'm hoping they will be just as comfortable once I start wearing them.

These shoes actually came completely covered in pom-poms of all colours and sizes. I was not a fan but I could picture the shoe without them, so I immediately pulled them all off and I'm so happy with what was hiding underneath. I should have taken a before picture but I didn't know I'd actually be showing these in a haul. Here are a few of the pom-poms and tassels that I kept for my cat to play with... at least they didn't go to waste!

Catherine Malandrino Shoes- Cost $15, regular $40, compare at price $60. 

Pom-poms and tassels from the shoes!


Able Top


I needed this lighting so you could see the detail at the neckline. It has a cutout that makes this top really stylish but still casual. I can see it with some skinny jeans and even some strategically placed jewellery. I really love this top but I do have to try and stop buying black all the time. The brand is Able and it's made in the USA.

Able top- Cost $13, regular $25, compare at $38



I spotted these in the food section at Winners. It's a powdered peanut butter where they press roasted nuts to remove the oils. Although, I'm not against eating healthy fats I just wanted to try this for my protein smoothies. I've tried other similar brands and didn't like them. This one tastes amazing in my smoothies and it adds some more protein and nutrition to my drinks. This brand is non-GMO and gluten-free.

Tru-Nut Powdered Peanut Butter- Cost $7 each, regular $13, compare at $17


The Body Shop
The Body Shop

I haven't shopped at The Body Shop in years! Recently, I tried some samples of The Body Shop's new face masks and decided to pick up the Himalayan Charcoal one. I also wanted to try their new Lightening Shade Adjusting Drops as I have some BB creams that are too dark and I don't want to waste them. I signed up for The Body Shop emails and was pleasantly surprised when I was sent a 50% off coupon. Reviews to come on these products.

Shade Adjusting Drops- Cost $11, regular $22
Himalayan Charcoal Mask- Cost $14, regular $28

-I finally ended up using Ebates which I never think to do. It saved me an additional $6 on the Body Shop order as I got 12% back based on the regular prices. I have to use Ebates more!

If you want to sign up for Ebates, you can get $5 just for signing up (click here to sign up).

That's it for this week. I think I got some great deals. I hope you enjoyed seeing what I purchased this week.

xo




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Sunday, October 23, 2016

Week 28: My Health and Weight Loss Journey to Get Fit and Lose Weight!


Well, Guys. I feel like the biggest slacker. I feel like I've completely fallen off the exercise bandwagon. I told myself that I'd keep doing some sort of exercise despite the pain I developed back in April of this year, and for the most part, I kept up some form of exercise until the last two weeks.

This week, I saw yet another Doctor. This Doctor thinks the pain that I've been having since April IS a strain injury from a workout way back in April. I didn't think it was possible to be sore for this long but she said it definitely is. The lesson for me here is not to force myself to workout when I'm too tired, or at least once I start to workout, if I'm not able to get into it in the first few minutes either give it up for that day or do something more gentle like yoga. I basically forced myself to workout when I was feeling really tired and I had very bad form. After the workout, I was sore all over. Once the soreness wore off, I was left with one spot that remained sore up until now. It's just been this last week that it's started to feel better.

I tend to be a seasonal exerciser- I usually start working out in the Spring and Summer. I am so cold in the colder months that I find it REALLY hard to get myself going. I need to find a way around this.

I am hoping to get inspired again this week and get off my butt. When I need inspiration I look to a fellow blogger Shana Emily from ColorBlindBlog.com. She is so motivating and inspiring! She is starting a 30-day fitness challenge on her Facebook page. You should really check it out if you want some inspiration and to join her 30-day challenge. It's starting now! #Teamletemhaveit


Here are my workouts for the week: 
Day 1- 
Day 2- 
Day 3- 
Day 4- 
Day 5-
Day 6
Day 7- 

Weigh in :
Weight: Up 1 lb
Fat: Same


See you next week!
xo


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