Thursday, October 31, 2013

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Monthly Favourites


Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo - Love this! It is like a lipstick but it is so creamy and smooth. It is a nude lipstick and it comes in many different shades so you know you will find one for your skin tone. I always had a problem finding a good nude shade because my lips are so pigmented that the true color would always just show through. This stuff is so great and it moisturizes your lips too. 

Lush Retread Conditioner - Last month I had mentioned this other conditioner from Lush that I didn't love but it did smell amazing. I found that the one I was previously using wasn't thick enough for my hair so once it was finished, I went back into Lush and asked them what was good for thick hair. She gave me this one to try. It definitely has a thicker consistency and is great for detangling.The jury is still out on if I will stick with this one long term though. 

Bath & Body Works My Favourite Lip Balm - I know this lip gloss is super popular. I used to use it but then stopped for some reason and I just started using it again and I actually love it more than the eos now. Granted, my hair does stick to my lips when its windy but it keeps my lips nice and moist as well so I am game for that!

Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation - I picked this one and loved it right away. You have to be careful when applying it because it tends to shoot out and you don't need a lot because it is really moussy so it spreads really nice. I apply it with my kabuki brush but you can also with a beauty blender. At first I was a little put off because when it first comes on it looks really caked on but after a little bit it makes your face look flawless and gets better and better throughout the day. That is the opposite of most foundation. I love it.



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Wedding Transportation

So I have booked the wedding transportation which I think was one of the top things I was avoiding.  Mainly because my budget for it was not anywhere near what the going rate for a limo package is. 

Like $1000 for a day services.... our budget is more around $400.

So I did what needed to be done, I asked around. We also decided that we would probably not be able to get a limo and would probably get an old fashioned car to just drive Brandyn and myself around. My cousin told me about this company that she got her Rolls Royce with and so I called them.

Well it actually ended up working out because the 6 passenger limo was cheaper than the classic car.

Here is the services I booked:
  • They will pick up Brandyn and his groomsmen and bring them to the church.
  • Then they will pick up the bridesmaids and me of course and bring us to the church.
  • Afterwards, they will take Brandyn and myself plus 2 other of our wedding party to the site of the pictures. It will be my brother and my bridesmaid Shaylynn who comes in because Carter can't drive and Shay is coming from out of town and won't be able to drive herself either. 
  • Then they will drive us to the reception.
  • Also champagne and red carpet with a just married sign will also be included

As far as I'm concerned a taxi taking Brandyn and I to the hotel will be just fine :) 

So it is about 4 and a half hours of services which we got for around $500. It is probably around the going rate of everyone else for that time period but my cousin has used them and recommended them so I went with them. 

This is the limo we will have looks very similar to this and also has a 6th door to get the bride (me!) in and out and not have everyone else trampling over my dress :)


So yea! All that is left to do by my next checkpoint is book the cake baker. I still have like a month to do this which is good because I have no idea where to start with this one. There are too many options!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Weekly Recap

So this past week I didn't do much at all. I kind of fell into a routine. I have also been trying to unpack the last of the boxes and bins that we have. I am happy to report I only have 2 boxes left to unpack and then a bunch of stuff that is still left at my Dad's that I am slowly bringing over.

Let me explain that one: When we moved into the apartment I got really sick so a lot of stuff that I had unpacked while staying at my Dad's did not get packed up. Brandyn packed the essential stuff that we needed.... well.. he needed apparently. See he brought all of his clothes but my clothes got left behind so for a week I had like 1 outfit. Mhm.. I see how it works over here. So anyway, when I go over there on the weekends I just pack up things here and here. So it is slowly coming over. 

Anyway.... after I rambled way longer then I expected to.... here is what things are looking like now:


It is driving me crazy. It gets worse before it gets better right??

So while I try to finish this stuff up this week, here is what you can look forward to in blog posts:

A wedding update
The monthly favourites post
and a special project I can now unveil

Friday, October 25, 2013

Halloween Love List

Halloween is literally just around the corner (less than a week!!). I didn't get a chance to decorate for it this year (we have to save for the wedding of course) but I did come across some really neat stuff that I just needed to share! 

So here it is, The Love List: Halloween Edition

 

This bowl would be great to hold candy in! I love it and wish it was available in Canada to buy! Wishing World Market would just ship to Canada already! You can find the bowl here.


This is actually a DIY. You basically just collect condiment bottles and spray paint them black. I plan to collect through the year and create this for next year! See the DIY plan here.


This is a really neat way to use a Pumpkin. Another fab idea by Martha Stewart. 


An excerpt from one of my favourite story lines! I will definitely be doing this when I have a doorstep to put it on haha. All you have to do is go to the thrift store and pick up the stockings and shoes and then stuff them with whatever!

I have so many more things pinned to my Halloween board. You can check it out here.


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Dining Room Art

I have this big empty wall in my dining room. 


I was originally going to put some temporary wallpaper on it and make it a feature wall but after doing some research, that stuff is really expensive! I have opted to put some art there but not just any art.... city map art! (Psst. I also wanted to put a sweet pendant lamp there but Brandyn is in love with the fact that we have ceiling fans)

"You're going to put maps on your wall?" .... not quite!

I would explain but I can show you instead :)





Isn't it neat?! I am so excited. Toronto, San Francisco and New York are my three favourite cities so that is how those ones got picked but you can find these all over Etsy for tons of different cities. This shop is where these are from.

I haven't ordered them yet but I hope to very soon so I can get them up and looking prettyful :)

Monday, October 21, 2013

Weekly Recap

This week we have just been trying to get settled in and into a new routine. Here are a few pictures to represent it!


We got a frame for the bed so this is a little preview with Brandyn building it!


.... and my view that night (isn't Gizmo charming?) lol 


I also put up these. Yes, the picture frames are lacking pictures lol. I still have to find what I am going to put in there but I wanted it up :)


I got this little drawer thing to put all my beauty stuff in (the start of my vanity). When I was building it we were missing one screw so I couldn't put a drawer in.... well Gizmo thought I purposely did that so he could have a little bed there. Yea...no lol

 And this is a little funny picture I had to post. I finished putting all (well almost all) of my clothes in the closet and yea... I take up more than a third of that closet hehe but... isn't that how it usually is...;) 

So as you can see I have given you a few previews of what the apartment is looking like. I plan to post a "1 month in" kind of check in to see what we have done with the place but you will have to wait until we have been here for a month for that :)

Friday, October 18, 2013

Bridal Shower Checklist

One thing I didn't have that I wish I did when we were planning my bridal shower is a checklist. I...and I know I'm not the only one.... am a woman of lists. I make lists for everything and I tend to stick to them like they are the bible. I was not able to find one that I liked or that was detailed enough for our needs planning the shower. 

So I created one just for you!





Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Your Wedding Registry


 Creating our registry was one of the top things I looked forward to. It is like shopping without having to spend any money!

I read a bunch of stuff online to do with them and now I have come here to tell you what to listen to, and what not to listen to... according to my own experience.

1. When creating your registry, use a checklist...but only as a guideline. I had a checklist to help so I didn't forget to add things I might need but I didn't necessarily pick everything off of it. If you don't need it, don't register for it. I nixed all bedroom and bathroom linens off my list. I also didn't register for any fine china (because I would never use it). Here is a good checklist to go by.

2. Only register for things you actually need. I did not register for a bread maker. I also did not register for a deep fryer. Think about it this way: the more things you register for, the less things you will get. Don't take away from the things you need by putting things that are just nice to have. You can get them later.

3. Don't feel bad by putting expensive things on your registry. Your registry is basically a wish list. Just because it is there, doesn't mean people have to get it. A lot of times, family members will go in on a more expensive gift anyway.

4. Never mind the whole "make sure you have this many items in this price range and this many items in this price range." Keep that in mind but like I said above: if people can't find or afford what they want to give you, they will go in on an item or just give you money. Don't register for items you don't need.

5. Try to register at stores your guests actually go to. I registered at the Bay and Bed Bath and Beyond. I chose BB&B over Home Outfitters because I preferred to just do my registry online. I find being in a store overwhelming and I didn't think I would get a full selection of everything I could register for. I got 3 things off my BB&B list. Why? Because my guests never went there. They went to Home Outfitters.

There is a short little tidbit of my knowledge from my experience. I hope it helps you out in your venture with a registry :) 


Monday, October 14, 2013

Thanksgiving


Over in this household, we are hosting a small dinner consisting of Me, B, my Dad, brother and a giant pumpkin pie! Regular blogging will resume tomorrow :)

Have a splendid holiday :)

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Throwback Thursday

October 2007
 My Dad, brother and I at my cousin's wedding - check out how young Carter is!

Look! My pet rat: Charlie! 

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Shower Activity Book

For the bridal shower, I wanted to create a little book for all the kids there. Just something small to keep them occupied. One thing I did not have though, was the time and patience to create one so I went to Google. 

After searching through many links that I was not happy with, I finally found this
She gives you all the instructions on how to print it so you can put it together. 
Here is how it turned out:



And here they are placed on the table:



Monday, October 07, 2013

Apartment #3 Before

 Because I basically only did one major thing this week: move into our apartment, I am turning this post into the before pictures for the apartment. It was originally supposed to go up Friday but I have been really sick since Thursday night (and yes right through the move), so I am only getting the chance to put this up today (as I'm laying in bed). 

These pictures were taken on Thursday when there was only random stuff in the apartment and the TV and computer so we could get Cable and Internet all ready and set up.

Bedroom:

The hallway from the living room:

The Bathroom (The shower is behind the door. It is uninteresting):

The Kitchen:

Dining Room:

Living Room:
  
Living Room 2:

View of the lake from our balcony (it is right across the street!):

Balcony:

I love that the beach is literally right across the road. Too bad its not summer! But, I can still go for runs along there so it is all good. Now we just have to make this our home and I will make sure to blog about it as we go!

Thursday, October 03, 2013

Throwback Thursday

September 2007
This month, I started grade 10.





pssst: today is 4 months until my birthday = D

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Shower Games + FREE Customizable Templates


 When I was trying to figure out games, I wanted to do stuff that isn't that popular. You know, so people aren't bored. Mind you, I've only ever been to three bridal showers so my perception probably isn't as accurate but everybody at my shower seemed pretty into the games so I think I succeeded with that.

We had 4 games. We let everyone eat first and then started the first game. It was called Wonder Words. I bought some labels and put words or word combinations to do with weddings on each label (the amount of people who were coming). Ex: bride, wedding party, something blue, stag...etc. At the shower, a label was put on each guest's forehead. They then had to try and guess what their label said by asking guests up to 3 yes or no answer questions each. I chose to do this one first because it would get everybody up and out of their seats and mingling. 

Make sure to tell everyone to wait until all the labels are distributed before they start. This game a lot of people seemed to get into and I was really surprised at how fast the winner guessed their answer. Her first question was, "Is this what happens after the wedding?" .... smart lady! 

The second game was a version of the "He said, She said" game that I have seen around. I titled it Guess Who. I made the template on Microsoft Word and just printed a bunch. In terms of the winner, we allowed for 2 winners to eliminate any tie breakers.


After the second game, we opened up the dessert table. Once that was finished we started a game called What Is She Wearing. This one isn't so original but I thought it would be a fun one to pick their brain. Everybody had fun with it. I got a lot of "Oh you are wearing open toed! I knew that!" type responses to the game. I also made a template for this game to get more specific answers out of them. This one we also allowed for two winners. I still ended up having to do a tie breaker question so I just asked the two when Brandyn and I started dating.


The last game didn't involve any guests getting a prize. It was more of a show. There was a questionnaire and Brandyn answered the questions and put them in an envelope which was given to my bridesmaids. I would say half the guests enjoyed this one. Apparently my reactions were pretty entertaining. We played this one last because it would place me already sitting down which eased the transition into gift opening.


For the prizes we took advantage of the deals at Bath and Body Works. They also give free cellophane wrap and ties. We got a lotion, lip gloss and small candle. For our favors, we bought candy and some cute little bags from Michael's. You can see them on the table here.


Pssst.... If you would like any of these games for a shower you are planning, give me a shout in the comments below and I will customize it specifically for you (colors, wording, etc) and send you the PDF for free!

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Monthly Favourites

For this month's edition of the favourites, I am actually going to turn it into more of a review. A certain product may not have been my favourite thing to use this month but I still want to make mention of it so I've decided to do it this way :)


Philosophy Purity Made Simple One - Step Facial Cleansing Cloths - Wow that is a mouthful! Basically its a cleansing wipe lol! They come in little packages like shown in the picture and ok.. when I heard this product was out I made a beeline to the store to get it. I wash my face twice a day and it can still get oily on those extra moist days. This is perfect because halfway through the day, I just take one out and wipe my face down and it feels fresh! I love it. Warning though: this is a cleanser and it will wipe your make up off if you are wearing any.

Lush American Cream Conditioner - I picked up this conditioner as I am sampling through all of the Lush products to see which works best for me. First I will say the positive: the smell is amaze-balls! I just wrap my hair around my face and smell it all day. Love it. Now they say on the website it is for all hair types and ... it does work but.. it doesn't detangle. I think if you have thinner hair, it is perfect for you but if you have thick, curly and tangly hair like me, not so good. I mean, I don't hate it so much that I discontinue using it but after I finish the bottle I will look for another one. Love the conditioner, just not for this hair type!

BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask - The name describes exactly what it is: fresh. They are fresh when you get them, you need to keep them in the fridge and they expire shortly after it is made. I do not mind that they expire at all because I got I think 6 uses out of it and used it before it even expired. I LOVE this mask. I want to keep it as a regular part of my routine. It is a good scrub that is also sensitive for the skin and I can't really describe it but it literally did wonders for my skin. I can't say enough good things about it. You literally have to see for yourself to really see what I am talking about!

Orly Nail Lacquer - Jealous Much? - I bought this in a duo package and I wasn't quite sold on this color but when I put it on I loved it. It actually comes out more of a blue then a green and it is just so pretty. I also love the Orly formula. The nail polish doesn't slip and slide all over the place like others that I have used and it goes on really opaque which is nice as well.