HAUL | Swanson, Zoya, Madison Street Beauty

Hello beauties! I know it's been a little while since my last post but that's only because I've been putting in orders online and you know how shipping takes... forever. But most of the items have finally arrived!!

The blue bottles are by a brand called Essencia and they are Floral Water sprays. My mom specially orders them from a private company for doctors so unfortunately I have no idea how you'd be able to get them. :c I got Pure Rose and Witch Hazel ($8/each, I believe). I've used Pure Rose before and I really liked it so I went for it again, but I also got Witch Hazel because I heard it's perfect for taming wild skin.

The first site I ordered off of is SwansonVitamins.com. It's a site my mom and I have been frequenting for years (mostly for her vitamins and such) but I've been known to purchase a face mask or shampoo here and there. I've been looking for a good shampoo/conditioner brand and I found Desert Essence: the price was good, the ingredients were good and so were the smells! I haven't given them a shot yet but they look amazing. I got the smell Apple & Ginger in both Shampoo and Conditioner ($5.06/bottle). I then picked out the Everyday Shea Moisturizing Body Wash in the smell Vanilla Mint ($10.59). I still have my The Body Shop Grapefruit body wash I'm using up but I figured I'd stock up for now so I don't have to order later. Plus, the smell looks amazingly unique.

Next I picked out a few cosmetic items. The Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Petunia ($6.99). I've only ever used the clear, minty Burt's Bees lip balm so I was definitely excited to try out this product. A product that is both coloured and a lip balm? Must be made for me! Next I chose the Beauty Without Cruelty Soft Natural Lip Gloss in Coral Mist ($11.39). Firstly, I must not have read the listing properly because I ended up getting a pack of 3 lip glosses rather than one (mom and cousin each got one). I'm not a huge fan of lipglosses, I like how coloured ones look but they're sticky and messy and your worst nightmare on a windy day, but I figured any makeup collection needs at least one lip gloss. Lastly I got a nail polish. I've been going bare-nails for the past few weeks and it's been killing me! I got the HoneyBee Gardens WaterColors Nail Enamel in the colour Camelot ($7.79). This polish is actually water based, which is super cool, never heard of that - can't wait to give it a shot. And this isn't even the end of the Swanson journey! I still have another package or two coming in the mail.

The little white bottle in the fourth picture is a natural Waterproof Macara by Ere Perez. Natural mascara is not hard to come by in the natural world, but waterproof mascara is an entirely different story. I have the most stubborn lashes ever and they refuse to stay curled unless I wear a waterproof mascara, and sometimes even then it's a hit or miss! I scoured the depths of the internet searching for the right mascara with the right ingredients. Finally, I found this one but the one problem? It's from Australia! I looked everywhere for an online retailer and finally succumbed and dished out the extra on shipping. $30 for the mascara + $15 shipping, yeah I was ready to cry. I'll be posting a full review on it soon.

As many of you may know, I love nail polish. I make it a priority to repaint them every week. There's something fun about having different coloured nails, and something relaxing about the application. As I looked for natural nail polish brands, I was disappointed to find many of them come to the $10+ mark which just makes me cringe. $16 for a nail polish? No thank you. Zoya is a well-known brand amongst beauty lovers and I was pleased to hear it's natural and 5-Free (no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phtalate and camphor) and comes at only $9 per bottle. Unfortunately zoya.com does not currently ship to Canada but I did find a seperate retailer that ships free! nailpolishcanada.ca For my "starter" polishes I opted for a nude/dark. I found these two and thought they were perfect! Taylor and Raven.

Next I decided to indulge in my obsession, MadisonStreetBeauty. These guys seriously have the best eyeshadows I've ever used, even better than MAC (and that's saying something). Since all my eyeshadows (save for my other MSB) had to go, that means all my nudes went too, I decided to get some new ones and who better but MSB? I went and bought a whopping 14 eyeshadows, 1 highlighter, 1 blush and 1 bronzer in the following colours:

• Highlighter: Sheer Glow
• Bronzer: Ibiza
• Blush: Nectar
• Cloud
• Bronze Shimmer
• Shell
• Starry Night
• Posie
• Copper
• Rose Gold
• Eclair
• Soft Heather
• Walnut
• Dulce de Leche
• Water Hyacinthe
• Rum Raisin
• Gold Leaf

I also got my cousin in on this criminal obsession and she went for a smaller load: Magic Carpet, Burgundy Glow, Ganache Champagne, Caramel Latter and mineral foundation in Cameo. Everything was 60% off so we had some serious savings right there. If you're looking for a new company to try, I 100% recommend these guys, not only do they have amazing products but they're actually super nice and have the best customer service. And right now is the best time to try them because they still have 60% off!

And lastly, my little helper came to see what I was up to and why I wasn't paying attention to him.

Ada xx

LIFESTYLE | Some Big Changes!

Hey lovely ladies. I really wanted to make a new blog post and make you all aware of some lifestyle changes I'm going to be coming into ASAP. I've always tried to keep a rather healthy lifestyle (eating my fruits and veggies when I can, buying Organic when I can financially, taking my vitamins and minerals when I remember, etc), especially since my mom is a Homeopath, but there has been one thing that has been holding me back, one thing I didn't actually realize until a few days ago: cosmetics. If you take your mascara, blush, foundation, whatever and flip it over to read the ingredients, you'll most likely get a headache and/or had to flip through a few pages whilst not being able to comprehend anything it says (Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, anyone?). Some websites don't even offer the ingredients because they know many people just don't care.

But I've made the conscious decision to get rid of all my makeup and start from scratch using only 100% natural cosmetics. It's obviously a pricey decision but it's something I'm 100% committed to. From face to hair to skin, I vow to only use the best possible ingredients.

A few weeks ago I read a fact that really helped open my eyes: women who regularly use lipstick or lipgloss are in greater risk of stomach cancer in the long run. Is that scary or what? I've never considered myself a risk taker, but my health is one thing I'm definitely not going to risk.

So stick around, I'll still be posting updates and hauls (how can I not?), but this time they'll be from cosmetic companies that many most likely haven't heard of. If you're also a health junkie, I'd love to hear your favourite websites!

Ada xx

NOTW Thursdays | Fool's Gold

It's been a while since I've done an NOTW and since I love my current nail polish so much I decided to get off my lazy butt and take some pictures. This nail was found simply by chance when I was at Target one day, literally speed walking through just looking for one thing. I zoomed through the makeup section and found nothing that caught my eye but then I passed this huge table just filled with discounted nail polishes from OPI to Essie to Sally Hansen, you name it. I didn't have a lot of time to look through the massive pile so I kinda shuffled the top layers a bit until I found ones that caught my eye. This guy was discount to around $3-$4.

The name is A Phil's Paradise and it's made by Nicole by OPI for the Modern Family collection. Gonna admit I've never watched a single episode of the show but I heard they're pretty funny and the nail polish collection is a hit so far. Also, notice my application has immensely improved? Ehhh ehhh. Skills.

Ada xx

HAUL | The Body Shop

As you all know, I'm super obsessed with The Body Shop and still grieving the day I had to leave them. NOOOO D: It was a great experience and I loved working with all the products and people. I can only hope the one near my house calls me if they have a spot available.

Anyways, just before Christmas and just when I was hired, I decided to do a little shopping. They have a new Colour Crush collection out and I really wanted to give them a shot. How can I say no to lipstick? I can't. I had never seen the collection in person so I had to choose out the colours based on what they looked like online. I decided on Berry Me (matte) and Coral Blush (matte). Originally the lipsticks go for $12.50 each but I got them for $6.50 each. I was attracted to the colours and Coral Blush is a perfect light summertime lipstick and Berry Me was perfect for the fall/winter. Plus they are 2 colours I don't have in my growing collection.

Next I picked out an eyeshadow because why not? This colour is called Mon Cherry and it runs for $10 but I got it for $5. Because my eyes are greenish/brown, purple is the ideal colour for them as it compliments both shades. I opted for this shade because it's very gentle and girly and I'm a sucker for a bit of sparkle/sheen in an eyeshadow. I've just now read on the Body Shop website that you can wear these eyeshadows wet for a more intense colour and I've never tried that before, but I'm so on it!

Also, please ignore the eyeliner in the first picture, I forgot I had already posted about it.

Ada xx

HAUL | Christmas Shopping! JustFab, Sephora

(Click to go to JustFab listing)

(Click to go to Sephora listing)

Normally Christmas time is usually a stressful and panic-induced time for me but luckily this year wasn't too bad. I was able to get these 2 gifts well in advance so I was pretty relieved with that.

The first is this gorgeous clutch/crossbody bag. This little gem went to my cousin (the same one that got the bh brush set). I've never got her a bag before and I know how handy then are! She has a lot of small crossbody bags and she goes out a lot, so I kinda wanted to find a nice medium for her and I think this bag is perfect. Black with gold hardware is universal and pretty much goes with any outfit. It's a larger fold-over clutch and the cut-out handle creates an ease to carry it, but I also made sure the bag had the long straps in case she did want to sling it over her shoulder for easier carrying. I'm happy to say she totally loved it!

The next item is an adorable, portable and super-handy little makeup set from Sephora by Sephora. It went to my brother's girlfriend. She's from South Korea and has a lot of Korean makeup but not a lot of North American makeup so I wanted to get her a little something that she could use. This set is Holiday and Limited Edition, so I thought it was perfect! It comes with 8 eyeshadows that are absolutely gorgeous and I thought would suit her eyes and complexion perfectly (Purple on brown eyes? Yeeessss please). It took me a while of fiddling, but I finally figured out that the bottom slides out and comes with 5 lipcolours and 1 blush. I just love this set and she loved it too! Because it's small, it easily fits in her handbag and the 2 brushes that come in it are super useful because she does a lot of her makeup on the go.

Out of all the gifts I bought this year, these 2 were the ones that fit most with my blog and that I wanted to share with you all!

What beauty/fashion-related items did you buy for your loved ones?

Ada xx

HAUL | bh Cosmetics

This purchase was originally going to be 1 item, but then everything was on sale and so cheap and just... there that I caved and got a few.... extra.... things. I've never purchased from bh Cosmetics before and can honestly say that their customer service sucks horribly, but I really needed the brush set so bit my tongue and went through with the order anyways. I probably won't order from them again unless it's to get a few more of the lipsticks.

The first thing that went in my cart is the item that I needed to buy: the brush set. It was a Christmas gift for my cousin. A while ago I was doing her makeup and she literally had 2 eyeshadow brushes and 2 face brushes; I was horrified to say the least. What I really liked about this set is that all the brushes were fluffy (not tools) and the handles are bamboo. For obvious reasons I won't be posting the price. Also, I'm pleased to say she was happy with the set!

The next item was definitely an indulgence and something I've been wanting for ages... literally, like 2+ years. Remember when the Youtube community was going craycray over the huge 88 eyeshadow palettes? I do because I wanted one ever since I laid my eyes on one! I did originally want the Coastal Scents but figured since I'm already buying from bh and spending too much on shipping, I might as well. I went for the 88 Neutral Palette because if I were to buy the original palette I'd never use the crazy, brighter colours and it'd be a huge waste. I paid a whopping $10.45 (originally $24.95) for the palette - definitely a steal. I will most certainly be posting a review about it.

While browsing through their site, I came upon the lips page and anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit wacko when it comes to lipsticks. I spotted the Creme Luxe Lipsticks and obviously needed to get one ASAP. I googled some swatches and found a video where a girl bought all of them and swatched them all (so sorry, completely forgot her username!!) which was extremely helpful. The girl showed a gorgeous cinnamon colour and I was hesitant at first but couldn't get it out of my mind so I went for it. I must not have chosen the right shade (Red Truffle), though, cause this lipstick doesn't have an ounce of cinnamon in it. Either way, I absolutely love it! If you'd like I'd be happy to do a review on it. I paid $3.95 (originally $7.95).

Lastly, I really wanted to get some gel eyeliners because they're my favourite type of liner and I really wanted some new colours to play with. I went for 3 different colours: Night, Forest and Gunmetal (I'm sure you can figure out which is which). Also, Night is actually a navy blue. I will not be posting a review on these eyeliners, but I will say that they're not worth bothering with. They are nice and creamy, but they're pretty sheer and a little more of a loose-gel (if that makes sense). I paid $3.33 for each (originally $7.95).

Have you ever ordered from bh Cosmetics and what did you think?

Stay tuned for the review!

Ada xx

HOME | The Body Shop

Happy New Year! I thought I'd start off the new year with a post - Holiday-related of course. I'm obviously very obsessed with candles but I find they're gone so quickly (maybe I should stop burning them 24/7), so I opted for an oil burner for a change. Just when I got hired at The Body Shop they had a sale online so I caved and got the Holiday oil burner with the 3 Holiday scents.

The oil burner is originally $16 and I paid $12 for it. I love how it looks, the shape, the little stars and the colours! I believe it's made of ceramic, so you don't have to worry about it exploding or cracking on you.

The 3 Holiday scents are Cranberry Joy, Vanilla Bliss and Ginger Sparkle. They're $5 each and I got them for $3.75. I absolutely love the scents! I'm currently loving Cranberry, it's so fresh and seasonal. The vanilla is beautiful and warm and the ginger is sharp and smells like Coca-Cola.

I've used this burner quite a bit and I can tell you that it really makes your room smell a lot (in a good way, of course). You need to fill the little groove at the top with water (about 2 cm from the top) and then put around 5 drops of oil then light a tealight inside the burner. If you're sensitive to smells I do not suggest this burner, or I would say use 1-2 drops. I love strong scents so I put a lot.

The thing I don't like about oil burners is that you need to supervise them. Using one is like cooking, in a way. The fire burns and evaporates the water and sometimes the burner will start smoking a little and maybe bubble very lightly. Once most the water evaporates the oil will start burning and smelling. It's not a huge problem but you just have to make sure to keep an eye on it.

The Body Shop also has other non-Holiday oils and burners, so if you're finished with Christmas but still want a burner, don't worry, they've got you covered. They also have candles and diffusers if that's something you're into as well. I'm definitely planning on picking up some more oils.

What's your experience with oil burners?

Ada xx

UPDATE | Instagram

Hello beauties! So sorry about my slight disappearance (once again), it's been a pretty hectic month for me but we're finally settled in and getting used to the area. I have a whole bunch of drafts lined up (most of them being hauls, of course), so hopefully I can get  them up ASAP!

Anyways, I just wanted to make a quick post to let you guys know that I finally have a good phone (Samsung Galaxy S2X), so I can now tweet on the go and I finally got Instagram! I'm gonna post a link below so you guys can check it out! And please post your links so that I can follow you back.

Also, please let me know if you'd be interested to see what I got for Christmas, I'd be happy to oblige.

Lastly, how was your Christmas!? How much food did you eat, what was your favourite gift you gave and received, and what are your plans for New Years Eve? I'm gonna meet up at my brother's apartment with his girlfriend and some friends and then we're gonna head down to Nathan Phillips Square. Super excited!

http://instagram.com/smokeandcabin

Ada xx

HAUL | Chapters, H&M

My brother needed to get some headshots done one day so I did his makeup and eyebrows then came along to watch and then we went downtown so he could get his passport done and his girlfriend met up with us. We then went down to the Eaton Center where I needed to find some casual everyday gloves (I didn't take a picture because I honestly forgot and they were just plain black boring) and a journal.

I found the journal at Chapter's and I absolutely adore it! Unfortunately I can't find it on their website and I took off the sticker from the back but it's called the Henry the... and there was a number here but I don't remember which, XVIII?? Something of the sort. It cost around $15.99, which was right on my price point. What I love about this journal is that it's hardcover (which is funny 'cause I prefer paperback books, but it's easier to write on hardcover) and that it has the magnetic closure on the side. I used to keep a diary when I was little and it's this awful pink and blue rose diary that has a lock on the side and I recently re-discovered it and read through it then wrote my own passage and realized how much better it made me feel! I decided to upgrade to a more grown up version, minus the lock. Although what I write in it is private, I trust my family and know they'll never get into it. If you're one of those people that holds in all their emotions, I definitely suggest starting up a journal. It's literally like a free therapist. Also, is anyone else notebook obsessed!? Literally it's heaven for me! I want to buy all of them, they're so pretty to look at, even if I know I'll never use them up.

Next we went to H&M and I just grabbed a 2-pair of plain black gloves. I had a pair of red Olympic mitts from way back when but they're falling apart now and I wanted something simple I could wear when I walk the dog. They cost $5.99 I believe. Of course I gravitated towards the makeup section right away and I've never tried H&M makeup before but I can't imagine it to be the best, sorry. But they were having 50% off select makeup, so I decided to try out their nail polish, I think I heard a good thing or two. It's funny 'cause before the trip I was thinking about how I don't have a spring green nail polish and I really want one. Well, I got it! I won't be wearing this colour until the spring EXCEPT for one Christmas look I'll be doing.

Have you ever tried H&M makeup before? What do you think?

Ada xx

HAUL | November Beauty Box 5

Yayayayay I love beauty boxes! Even if they're a disappointment, it's always fun to get a box in the mail. You get a surprise 'gift' every month.

So I've received another free Beauty Box Five this month, and as usual, I will be posting a full review later on. In this box I received:

• Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash sample ($6.99/16 fl oz)
• Montagne Jeunesse Glacial Face Mask full-size ($2.49/mask)
• Blum Oil Absorbing Facial Tissues full-size ($2.99/50 sheets)
• Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Eye Crayon full-size ($14.00/One)
• Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in Penny full-size ($14.99/0.08oz)

Have you received this box? What did you think?

Ada xx

NOTW Thursdays - Candy Canes.... Kinda

Hello everybody, long-time no-see! If you haven't noticed yet, I put A LOT of effort into my nails this week! I was trying so hard to focus and apply as carefully as possible so be proud lol.

Also, Happy American Thanksgiving! Canadians have it in October but I think I'm gonna start celebrating the American one too just so I can have double the turkey dinner, it is my favourite holiday after all. Although, it kinda is hard to compete with Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, that's the theme I went for this week! I was gonna just do them all red, but then I thought 'Hey, there's snow on the ground and Christmas everywhere, might as well!' I painted over my entire nails using Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Cherry Red. Believe it or not but this is my first 'true' red nail polish! I was in-store one day and saw it and realized that I don't have one of those! I love the Xtreme Wear collection, not only are they super reasonably priced but they have a great colour range and lastability.

I also wanted to do something candy cane-ish and I knew I was going to use OPI's Kyoto Pearl but I wasn't sure what exactly I was going to do. I thought about straightening a paper clip and dragging it through the wet white to make the stripes, but a) too much effort and b) too risky, especially since the red was dry but still fragile. Then I thought I was going to paint the white stripes with the brush but I wasn't sure how they'd turn out and if I screwed up it'd be a whole mess. I took the easy route and just went over the entire nail in white. But, I did try to put on the thinnest layer possible and then I went over the nail a few times so the bristles would cause these little lines in the polish. It's barely visible but you can see it if you try hard.

So that's it! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stuff yourselves full for me! ;D

Ada xx

REVIEW | ELF HD Blush

A few months ago I purchased the e.l.f. HD Blush in the colour Diva off of ftbbeauty.ca for $4. I've been planning to do a review for a while but just never came around to it, but here it is... finally!

The blush comes in a 10ml (0.34 fl.oz.) bottle and has an easy to use pump. The amount is huge and 100% worth the price! I really like the packing, I think it looks sleek and professional. I love the matte black accents and I love the fact that it's in a pump, you don't have to worry about bacteria and you can easily control the amount you pump out. I also really love that the entire bottle is translucent so you can see the colour of the blush and you can see exactly how much you have left.

According to the description, the blush has a "Vitamin E enriched formula" and it "conditions and hydrates." I'm not concerned about it having Vitamin E, but after doing a little bit of research, I learned that it's an antioxidant beneficiary to the skin and eyes. Obviously this blush is not meant for the eyes, so that doesn't matter, but it's great that it's good for the skin! I'm sure there isn't a particularly significant amount in the blush, but even the little bit must make some sort of difference.

The formula is very smooth and not too liquid and not too thick, it's just perfect. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this formula. This will probably sound ridiculous but the formula is literally too pigmented! It is so strong and bright that you really need to take the most care to not apply too much or you'll look like a clown. I kinda like using up my products and moving on to new ones, but I just know that this will last me forever and more. If you're one of those people that wear very little makeup and only own 1 or 2 blushes, this would be a great match for you.

I like to pump out a tiny bit onto my hand, tap a large duo fibre brush into the blush and then carefully apply it to my cheeks. It blends out wonderfully and dries to a matte finish. I've worn it all day long and it did not budge a bit (which is why it's really important you're careful when applying). It easily removes with some soap and water, which I think it very important for such a bright, pigmented product.

I've used this blush as a lipstick as well and it works wonders! I don't have to worry about using too much, I just pump out a bunch and apply it and it dries super nicely and leaves a gorgeous bright lip.

Performance: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Quality: 9/10

Hope you found my review helpful!

Ada xx

TAG | Reader Appreciation Award

Hey everyone! So the lovely Sarah from SoItsSarah has tagged me for The Reader Appreciation Award (about a month ago but shhh...) Thanks, Sarah!

Let's get to it, then.

Rules
- Include the award logo somewhere in your blog.
- Answer 10 questions (detailed below) about yourself, if you want to.
- Nominate 5-10 blogs that you love. Or you pick the number.
- Contact the nominated bloggers to let them know.
- Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you with a link in your blog.

I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to pick my own questions or what, so I'll just answer these.

Favourite colour?
Hunter green.

Stretch your left arm out and grab the closest thing to yo.
Oatmeal hand cream, yum.

When did you last go outside?
Around a half hour ago to walk Azor around the block in his cute 'firefighter' rain coat.

Favourite non-alcoholic drink?
Hmmm, coffee. Anything caffeinated.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?
Ohohoh, Europe - preferably Czech Republic, Poland, Scotland, Ireland, England, Sweden, Holland. Anywhere, really.

Favourite day of the week?
Eh, I've lost track of the days of the week.

Are you listening to music right now?
I waaaaaaas, but not right now. Last song I listened to is Grow Up by Paramore.

What was the last thing you bought?
Hmmm, a whole bunch of food stuff at Ikea (meatballs, chocolate, blueberry cake, etc)

Grab the nearest book to you, turn to page eight and find line four.
"Recycling Yarn: Do you have a hand-knitted sweater that is totally out of style or no longer fits, but you love the yarn?" That gem is from Pocket Posh Tips for Knitters by a whole load of knitters. (In case you're curious about the answer to the question: 'Recycle it!')

Is there anything happening this weekend?
I went to Ikea twice and bought way too many candles and chocolates.


So I'm going to nominate these great blogs:
Emmi from EmmiHearts
Jane from PopTartsBeauty
Lily from BeautywithLily
Daphne from PeanutButterandChocolateLife
Libby from Life-of-Libby
Vanessa from CitronandGuavaberry

HAUL | Rexall

A few weeks ago when we had the inspection at home, my mom, Azor and I went out to this all-day breakfast place (which was delicious), and then we stopped by Rexall 'cause we had nothing better to do while we waited. Mom waited in the car with Azor while I went in for a few minutes and browsed the aisles as I've never been to Rexall before.

I was hoping they'd be carrying Wet N' Wild as I've been dying to try their lipsticks for quite some time, but I was out of luck. But, I did spot a small rack hidden away with the Wet N' Wild 2013 Halloween Collection. Out of everything I decided to just grab the Fantasy Makers Glitter Eyeliner in the colour Fantastical. I don't remember the exact price but it was around $2.13. It's funny that I chose this product because a) I already have a black eyeliner, b) I hate liquid liners and c) I hate brush (vs. pen) liquid liners, but I chose it to wear over top my black gel liner. I've worn it a few times already and I just love it, it adds such a nice sparkle to the eye.

I somehow have this radar inside me that knows exactly where the sale section is, so obviously I went to investigate. I was surprised at how organised and good the sale section is compared to Shopper's; it was a lot neater and well-stocked with makeup. This brand is called Prestige (I actually thought it was Too Faced at first 'cause the packaging and font is so similar). The lipstick was on sale for around $2 and it's a beautiful metallic rosy pink called Berry Fantasy, a colour lacking in my collection.

Lastly I picked out this Sally Hansen nail polish in the colour Pumice. I've never seen such a colour before and I think it's so lovely! I think it'd be great for any season. I've actually already worn this colour and it is a bit more green than pale but it looks so lovely and unique! It was also $2.

Also, quick update: I got the job at The Body Shop! Major discounts: here I come!

Ada xx

HAUL | The Body Shop

This post has been a long time coming, I swear. About.... a month ago I visited The Body Shop after a Sunday morning shift (when I still worked, of course). I remember this day clearly because there was a Ukranian festival going on and the entire street was blocked off for like... 6 blocks or more. I wanted to go read in a cafe after work so I had to fight through the crowd. I ended up reading for only 45 minutes because there was a crying baby behind me in the cafe and a loud band right outside so I just chose the worst day possible. As I fought my way back through the crowd, I stopped into TBS and had to use an immense amount of willpower not to buy everything.

I was lucky that day because I managed to get a few items for really great prices. The little container is their BB Cream in the newest pale colour 00. I had tried 01 and it was way too dark for me, so I was definitely excited to try their new colour. I can honestly say I like the Vitamin E BB cream so much more. The one cool thing about this new one is that it changes colour when rubbed into your skin (I'm not that pale). This one is very oily and the colour is still a tiny touch too tan for me, so it'd be good for my someone with dry skin that just came from vacation.

The other 3 items were bought in a bundle. They were all in the sale section and they were having some deal that you need to buy 3 items and you'll get one price for them. They were $3 each of something along the lines, an amazing deal for products that range from $8-$18. I bought the little flower brush for my makeup bag. I use this Physician's Formula pressed powder and it comes with one of those half-moon brushes (you know... the ones that come in all the Benefit blushes) and it really packs on the powder when I really want a soft look, so I decided to buy a separate brush instead.

Also, some good news: I have an interview at The Body Shop Sunday morning for a part-time seasonal position! Because we're moving I just need something temporary for the next two months so I can still make some money.

Ada xx

Lifestyle | My Disappearance!!

Hello ladies, long time no-see!! I'm so sorry for my long absence, it's been quite a while since I last updated. My life has been turned upside down the past month, and if you know me, you know I'm not a huge fan of change.

At the end of September I was laid off from the restaurant (I worked as a Hostess for nearly 2 years) because the landlord has decided to redevelop the block and make an indoor shopping center for the new condos coming up. So basically the entire team had to scramble to find new work. I had gotten my brother a job there as a Server Assistant about 2 months before and he was working hard to become a Server so it was a bit of a hard blow for him, but he's found a job as a Server now. It's a funny situation with me because I was planning on quitting, so it made the transition easy for me. During the month of September I had 2 workplaces that were interested in hiring me as a Barista (I missed being one) and so I was doing interviews (I was just getting over my cold at the time), and they both went really well. So my first choice cafe took a while to call me back so I was going to call back as a follow up from the interview but then my second choice emailed me saying they wanted to offer me a position and they asked when I can come in to start, so I gave it some thought and accepted and asked them to start a few days later on a Friday so I could be healthier. A few days go by and nothing. I email them back the Thursday asking if Friday is ok to start and what's the uniform etcetc. Nothing. I call them Thursday night and this girl answers and tells me all the managers have gone home for the night but she'll pass my name and number on to one first thing in the morning. 12:00pm Friday and no response. I call back the place and the same girl answers telling me she gave my information to the manager 2 hours ago. I never got a call back or an email.

So basically I have no job and no income, which you'd think would give me plenty of time to blog, right? But then my parents put the house up on the market (which we were always planning on selling it but after 2 failed attempts and a signed contract from one agent that basically said we couldn't list the house for 6 months after being released from the contract). So those 6 months had already passed and we took the original agent we always had a good feeling about and for one week we had showings all day so basically we'd be up at 9:00am, out of the house by 10 and come back at 6:00pm. We would go to the dog park, have some lunch at a picnic table and then sit in the car for 3 hours waiting. It was horrible and I was exhausted. But, we got an offer and sold the house for 98% asking price! Our last day is December 20th (Boooooo I didn't want to move around Christmas!!) and now we're hunting for a farm about 2 hours outside of Toronto. I need to get my Driver's License because I'll need to drive around in the country, but I'm so scared of driving so it'll take some willpower.

So basically my life has been super different and it'll be hard to adjust from city to country, but I'm sure it'll happen. I need some peace and quiet for a bit and some nature to nurture the soul. Oh, also! I'm writing a book! I've always wanted to write a book but I was always went with novels and I started writing about 4-5 different novels that all failed. About a year ago I found that Joseph Gordon-Levitt and wirrow created The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories on hitRECord.org. I fell in love with the book and joined the site and was astonished to find so much inspiration coming to me and I wrote around 70 tiny stories to be submitted as part of the book. None of them got chosen and to be completely honest, I was pretty disappointed and if I didn't doubt my work then, I definitely did now. But then I realized that my writing is so much better when I get these little bursts of inspiration rather than forcing a huge novel. So I'm writing a book of short stories, ranging from 1-2 sentences to maybe 2 paragraphs. It's coming along well and I'm so excited!

I've also been spending a lot of time looking through websites such as Pier 1, Pottery Barn, Urban Barn etc for home inspirations! My parents are moving to this farm and that's it, they're not going to move again so they asked me to decorate it for them and of course I said yes! I absolutely love design and decor, so this is a treat for me (and a bit of a challenge). Of course, the stores I listed are supersuper expensive and can quickly clear a bank account, so I'm also going to be raiding some thrift shops. My mom and I have found some really great expensive pieces for so cheap. Our style is very rustic, warm and cozy (go on my Tumblr and you'll see what I mean), so I want this house to just be like a giant furnace, I want everyone to feel at home the second they walk through the door. Keep your eyes open for my home posts because they will come! I have a lot of furniture to buy.

I think I've babbled long enough so that's it for now. Keep your eyes open for some beauty posts because they will come.

Ada xx

TAG | The One and Only

So a while ago Maya, from Spider Leg Lashes, had posted a tag and then tagged anyone who wanted to do it. Of course, I took the opportunity to do the tag!

The Only Question: If you could only have one ____ what would it be? And, why?

 

 

Primer - It would be a sin not to say Urban Decay Primer Potion. This has been my beauty must-have and I'll forever continue buying it!

Base product - I went for The Body Shop Vitamin E Cool BB Cream just because it's the one I'm currently using and I really like it.

Blusher (cream or powder) - Definitely Sleek MakeUP blush in Pomegranate. This colour is gorgeous and looks amaaazing.

Highlighter - I'm going to opt for an eyeshadow that I like to use both as an eye and face highlight, which is Sephora Peach Beige. The colour is a perfect champagne and always looks amazing!
Eyebrow product - I love Quo brow gel! It does not leave my brows stiff and holds them in-place at all hours.
Mascara - My favourite tends to change a lot, but at the moment it's definitely Benefit BadGal Waterproof. This mascara has gotten a lot of hate but I just love it!
Concealer - I don't actually use a concealer as concealer, I use a foundation which is MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW20.
Powder - I've been opting for Marcelle Translucent Powder lately and I just love the finish it gives to my skin!
Bronzer - It seems that I use product that are meant for one thing as something else, and here's another one. I actually really love how The Body Shop eyeshadow in the colour 10 looks as a bronzer.
Make Up Brush (single) -This was definitely a tough one. I was going to choose ELF Eyeshadow brush, but I went for MAC 217 only because it's a multi-purpose brush.

Eyeshadow - I loooooooove eyeshadow, and I have a whole ton, but this was my easiest pick. Quo eyeshadow in Dusk. I've never seen such a beautiful, unique colour before and I cherish this eyeshadow!

Eyeliner - I went for Rimmel Soft Kohl in the colour Sable Brown because it looks great on the waterlines and smudged around the eye. It was either that or MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack.

Lip Liner (or lip colour) -This category kinda irks me cause there's no lip colour category, but a lip liner one? I'm changing it... My choice is Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, this colour is gooorgeous and perfect for the fall!

Lip Balm - Another easy choice. Hands down EOS in Summer Fruit. This is the only EOS balm I've tried and I absolutely love it! It's the perfect texture and wear.

Nail Polish  - This was definitely a difficult choice because I have so many nail polishes, but I opted for Gosh Limited Edition in Galaxy. The colour is so unique and gorgeous!

I Tag...

 

Anyone who wants to!

NOTW Thursdays | Mermaid's Cove

This week I decided to do another mix of colours! I think these are one of my favourite nails yet. They can definitely be summery if you change the blue to something lighter, but they remind me of the deep ocean in the winter time, which is why I think they're appropriate for the cooler days.

I decided to go for Revlon Top Speed nail polish in the colour Royal (it really is a true royal blue) all over the nails. Now, I haven't had the best of luck with this nail polish, it would chip off quickly and not last, but since I've changed my nail routine, I think they have a better chance now. Plus I just love the colour! I have a mascara like this that looks super funky.

I knew I wanted to do a glitter as well, but instead of doing the usual ring-finger, I switched things up and went for the pointer finger. I think it looks nice and a lot different to what I'm used to! I used Make Up Academy Nail Lacquer in the colour Jellyfish (you can't see it on the bottle but it's there!)

What do you think?

Ada xx