So much to say, so little time…

Oh, how times have changed...

I began this short little blog in 2014, shortly after being married, working full-time, in school part-time and with some free time on my hands. Little did I know that I was actually growing a tiny little human inside of me. And then before I knew it, I was a mom and now he's nearly two and I'm finally back to doing some of the things my former self, enjoyed, this blog being one of them.

This blog will likely take on a new direction, less make-up and self-indulgence and more baking, pottery and the daily struggles of being a working mom. Hope you're down for the ride!

Julep Maven - April Box

The same day I received my Spring pastel polishes I also received my April Maven box, which was a pleasant surprise because it wasn't slated to arrive until next week. I actually had to go back and look at what polish I choose for my April box because I couldn't remember. 

I do however remember not being so thrilled about all the vivd colours from this months collection, I was clearly more in the pastel/Spring mindset lol! hence my additional purchases (re: last post)

This month I chose to go with Boho Glam, I'm a sucker for purples and green typically isn't my colour but its quite spring like, so I thought I'd give it a go. 

April's box also included a Julep Glow blush. I opted for Peach Belini, which seems quite natural. I'm looking forward to trying this one out. It comes in a great little square compact that includes a mirror. There was also an additional coupon code for 30% off your next Julep purchase. It does however excluded monthly boxes, the secret store and a couple other things but worth it if you're buying random things, unfortunately after all the additional purchases I've made since this box, I think I've maxed out...for now. 

After un-boxing these items I realized they are a lot prettier than they looked on screen. i really love that they have a different colour reflection. I did test out Kayla on my toes and after a third coat it looks really good. I also noticed that the colour did dry fairly quickly, which is always a bonus. I do always apply a quick drying top coat as well as quick drying drops. Some colours have been known to smudge even after all that care, but not this one. 

From top to bottom: Tatum & Kayla

A complete shot of all the polishes I received yesterday

Spring is in the Air!

With the regular emails that I get from Julep, I am constantly tempted to buy additional things that I probably don't really need. So late one night I foolishly decided to take a gander and came across some lovely pastel colours that I just had to have. I added three to my shopping cart and clicked "place order"...NO!!! Wait! Crap. The second I clicked that button I realized that I already have a pastel lilac polish from Essie. I quickly emailed Julep to see if this could be rectified, but never got a response a couple of days later I got my shipment notification. Oh well, looks like I have a polish to gift.

After the horrific winter we have had, I really couldn't resist the pretty pastels in anticipation of Spring!

       

From left to right: Elisa - lilac coloured polish. This is the "duplicate" that I accidentally bought. Maven price $11.20; Bess - pastel sky blue. This colour really reminds me of Easter. This one I got on sale for $5.99; Cassie - soft peach pastel, can't wait to try this one and it was a steal at $2.99

Topbox March

My March Topbox has arrived! This is the second topbox as part of my subscription. This month I decided to opt-in, spend an extra $10 and get a full sized surprise. I did some research to see what other people have received in the past and what I saw looked good. I was hopeful. 

So my deluxe full sized sample was the Cover FX Anti-Aging Primer. I'm not sure what to think about this. I don't typically use primer and I'm not sure how I feel about the anti-aging thing? I guess maybe I should start? I will definitely give this a try when I actually do put on more makeup then my daily neutral look. 

This was the rest of my box was not bad, considering that it's only $12/month. The box included:

• Lise Watier - Solution Double Dual Phase Eye Makeup Remover. If this is anything like the Lancome one it'll be amazing;
• Cinaa - Nail Art Pen in Purple. I really do enjoy doing my nails so this will be fun to experiment with, and to top it off its in one of my favourite colours;
• Belvada Cosmetics - Blackhead Facial Mask. Although I don't have any blackheads on my skin this product still looks really neat, and I'm excited to try it. I will most likely wait until the weather gets a little warmer. After having tried Glamglow from the Flare box I purchased in December I'm super excited to try another charcoal mask that rejuvenates the skin. 
• Clinique - Superprimer Face Primer. So, I was a little disappointed when I saw this especially after receiving the full sized anti-aging primer. 

All in all it was still a pretty neat box and good value.

Spring Luxe Box

Today I received my first offical Luxe Box as part of my subscription. The notification came on Friday and I was thrilled. There is such a feeling of excitement to see what your going to get, I absolutely love it.

                               

Before this I actually purchased a Limited Edition Luxe Box around Christmas time. Although I knew what I was getting I was super excited because it had such great items in it.

After seeing some of the sneak peeks into what could potentially be in my spring luxe box I was even more excited. I was especially hoping to get a sample of Captain Blankenship's Mermaid Sea Salt Hair Spray, I love, love, love the way my hair looks after a day at the beach, regardless of how dirty it probably is haha! 

There were many cool products in my box, but I must say there were also a couple of things I was less than impressed with. First, Kiehl's face ultra moisturizer, I received this in the Lou Lou box I purchased in December. Secondly, mints? really? Ok, maybe they are sugar free or whatever, but really? mints? I guess I will now have to start eating mints! Who knows maybe I'll turn into a mint eater lol!

     

In the box:

Fekkai Shampoo & Conditioner, which will be great for traveling this summer;

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer, repeat item but again makes a good traveler;

Xyla Mints. Enough said.

Titika Headband, love the colours. This was also one of the products I really likes from one of the limited addition boxes;

Prada Luna Rossa, for the husband. This was an upgrade item at no extra charge;

Stila stay all day 10-in-1 HD beauty balm, I really love stila products so I look forward to using this;

Teeez Nail Lacquer in Cadmium Rush, for anyone who knows me, I love a good polish so again look forward to trying this, especially since its in a colour I wouldn't normally choose. 

All in all I feel the good outweigh the mediocre and I was still excited about my first Luxe Box.

Dominus Estate 2010

About 6 years ago I had an experience that changed a small part of my life. I tried a wine unlike anything I had ever tasted before. It made me fall in love with it, and from that moment I was hooked! I knew I had to have it in my life. 

What I didn't know was that with the first purchase of that bottle I became a part of something that I wasn't even aware of. Dominus has a bit of a "cult" following. Every year people seek out there wines and scoop them up. Within a couple of days or in this years case hours of being release they are gone. 

This year was exceptional. The 2010 vintage was the smallest producing vintage since 1984. That coupled with the fact that Robert Parker then went and scored the wine 100 point, sent people into a frenzie. I myself was stressed, wondering how I would get a bottle and not disrupt my vertical. With strict policy put in place, I braved the cold, got little sleep and lined up just before 7am to ensure my vertical was safe. I can now calmly say that order has been restored and all is well....until next year!

                                   

Nail Fun

I was clearly bored last night, and with so much to do, didn't feel like doing anything at all so I thought I'd do some "nail art"

I used two of my new Julep nail polishes from my March maven box (Monaco & Rae) and topped it off with some Essie On a Silver Platter