Butterfly Effect

From a distance butterflies look so beautiful and gorgeous, but I won’t lie, they kind of scare me. Yes their metamorphosis is a great symbol of change and growth but let’s break it down, they’re just bugs with prettier wings.

That, and the last time I wore anything with butterflies on it was when those mini butterfly clips were all the rage. All the “cool” people wore them in their hair (I feel like I’ve just dated myself) and other than Mariah Carey’s Butterfly CD (which was flop in my opinion) I retired butterflies to little girls.

Perhaps I have been converted by the butterfly effect as this dress has made its way into my closet…Then again probably not.

 

 

 

 

 

What I am Wearing:
Dress: Bought in Little Italy (Toronto) during their street Festival June 16, 2012
Shoes: BCBG
Belt: Banana Republic
Cardi: Old Navy
 Jewellery: Necklace - COACH
                 Rose Shaped Ring - Foxy Jewellery

All Good Things...

Must come to an end...or so "they" say. I'm sure this has happened to you in some capacity or another. You find a product, you fall in love, you use it until you're scraping the bottom of the jar or lipstick tube, making sure you use every last drop - as if you're trying to squeeze the remnants out of a toothpaste tube to get in one last pea-size use.

Finally you realise that you just need to suck it up and go purchase said product to go through the wonderful ritual - over and over again....or so you hope.

For the past year I have been addicted to a lipstick by Estee Lauder called Pink Champagne. It was a Christmas gift. You know, the ones that come with the bonus with purchase? I fell people...head over heels in love with Pink Champagne...and now...AFTER I've grown an attachment so fierce that I can't be parted with the gold tube, I'm told that it's been DISCONTINUED! Oh the horror! This lipstick was perfect on its own, mixed with a b'gillion colours and looked wonderful with any gloss I used.

Google Images

Google Images

Most people would have given up my now but not me. I went online and bought a few pieces that have been left over by makeup hoarders. But once the stock is depleted, its over and unfortunately its not like a great wine where you can keep aging it for years.

Google Images

Do any of you have any great light pink sheer lipstick's you would recommend for this damsel in distress? 

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Carrying On Carry On

Recently I have been doing a lot of traveling. Whether its been my trip to Boston, Vegas, Boston Again, or a weekend Home in Toronto I always try and travel with just a carry on. Last week one of my suggestions for a Carry On was mentioned on Bright Smile.

The COACH Weekender Legacy Bleecker bag has become my ultimate luggage piece. This bag is luxurious. The leather is soft, supple and perfect for my needs. It has pockets built in on the inside, as well as a great outside pocket for the cellphone. You can even get it monogrammed! 

Let me just say I was able to pack 4 pairs of shoes (one pair was sneakers for the gym), 5 or 6 dresses, sweaters, tops, makeup, hair products and hair brushes,  nightwear, gym wear, going-out clothes, jewellery...need I say more? 

Coach.com

The only MINOR drawback is that because the bag is leather, it is a little heavy in its own right, and doesn't come with a long strap. I wouldn't want it to! I love the way it fits on my arm and so what if its a bit heavy? I work out :)!

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Viva Las Vegas

What happens in Vegas…obviously stays in Vegas. For the most part ; )

When one of my oldest friends asked me to go to Vegas with her I jumped at the chance. I mean who wouldn’t want to go to an adult playground for 4 days? I was a bit skeptical. I mean I thought it was going to be extremely cheesy and I don’t gamble so what was a girl going to do? Let me tell you if you get a chance to go, and you love clothes, beautiful things, beautiful people, beautiful food, Vegas is the place for you. With great pool-side parties during the day, night-life that’s out of this world in the evening, architecture that’s frankly mind-boggling and shopping and great eats in between it was the perfect little getaway.

But don’t be fooled though by the glitz and glamour. Though the strip was crazy busy, and oozing with money, much else I saw of Nevada was dilapidated, closed or being torn down. It was an awful feeling to see the bright lights and humming of a chaotic shock and feast to the senses on one side, while driving by boarded up shops and homes….I didn’t have the heart to take pictures because it truly made me feel guilty and sad at the same time.

By the end of all the walk and dancing I couldn’t fit my feet into a single pair of shoes I owned in 4 days. And by the end of the 4 days I was a ready to get back to reality (somewhat).

Dress: American Apparel

I love this building the looked like it was melting!

Any Travel Plans for my Fellow readers this summer? Have you been shocked or brought back to reality while on Vaycay?

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Nini Sketched

A little less than 2 months ago I saw a lovely post on one of my Favourite Blogger’s Baby Budget Blog. The post was a sketch/recreation of herself created by Dear Girl Wallflower. I was blown away! Through the blogging world I have come to meet people with so many styles, interests and talents. Having seen what Dear Girl could do , I just had to contact her to see if wouldn’t mind doing up a drawing of me. DG was absolutely wonderful and was more than happy to do a recreation of me with a photo I supplied her with. I loved what Dear Girl was able to capture and I have included some of the sketches below. You can check out the original post here. 

Thank you DG!

Photos I supplied DG to do the drawing

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Decoding Snack Attacks - Savory Roasted Chickpea

I recently had the pleasure of reading Decoded - a book written by one of my favourite hip-hop/rap artists Shawn Carter a.k.a. Jay-Z. This memoir literally “decodes” the lyrics to many of his popular and not so popular tracks. Jay-Z paints a picture of how and why he wrote what he wrote, but more importantly how he started rapping and writing.  The book is humble yet arrogant, thought provoking and concise.

On one occasion while reading Decoded I had a serious case of the munchies. I tore through my cupboards which only contained rice cakes, cans of tuna and chickpeas (I know it sounds mundane but if it’s not in the house I won’t eat it a.k.a junk food). I knew I wanted something savory (I didn’t want my Egg White Chips) so I did what anyone who’s too lazy to do any groceries would do – find any recipe I could online and try to make something out of chickpeas! It may be hard to believe but I think Roasted Chickpeas are my now all-time favourite Savory snack.

Oh yes they actually turn into this golden brown colour!

 Oven-Roasted Chickpeas

• 1 can (14 oz.) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon or your spice(s) of choice (I used ¼ tsp. Garlic Salt and Pepper to taste)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar ( I omitted the sugar)

1. Place chickpeas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (I used Foil).
2. Bake at 450 F for 30 minutes (I baked for 40 minutes but you have to be careful to watch in the last 10 minutes so they don’t burn.
3. DO NOT SEASON OR ADD OIL until after they’ve baked. – in fact I started munching on them before adding any seasoning and they were still tasty!
4. Transfer chickpeas to a bowl and mix thoroughly with the rest of the ingredients.
5. Enjoy hot, or bring to room temperature and store in an air-tight container.  Like popped corn, the chickpeas are never as good the next day.  However, they are still quite enjoyable 3-4 days after making them.  (They lasted for two days in my house not sure about the 3-4 day rule but I am sure they would still be just as tasty).

Sometimes you have to “decode” your cravings. At times when we want something savory we reach for the chips and unhealthy options. After I had these, any craving for “chips” was non-existent. Give these babies a try - I know you won’t be disappointed.

Do you have any unconventional snack ideas? 

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Makeup Forever ~ Pretty Pastels

I recently had the opportunity to try on some Fab MakeUp Forever goodies at Sephora in the Rideau Centre. I may have mentioned my new love, the Lab Shine Lip Gloss and Foundation and Primer that now have become staples in my makeup routine. Sorry MAC you’ve been outshone in this department. 

I was also given the opportunity to sample some beautiful Eye Shadow colours in Lemon Shimmer, Lilac Matte

 

While these colours are wonderful, I found that they weren't as pigmented as I hoped they would be. Don't get me wrong, if your fair skinned, I think your peepers will look fabulous but found these two colours for my skin tone to look a bit chalky. The Lemon Shimmer did go on better and I found if I mixed the Lilac Matte with other purples I own I could create a great smoky look - but it required a lot of playing around on a weekend when I had time.

They have some other fabulous Spring colours that I am dying to dry particularly:

 

Especially the Apricot Orange Sheen Eyeshadow which is so in this season. 

Have you tried any Pretty Pastels from Makeup Forever?

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