The Mighty J

Photo Friday: Paris Hotel Las Vegas

2011-11-18T12:18:00.001-05:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking. Architectural detail from the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, as photographed by yours truly.

Have a great weekend!

Estee Lauder The Color Stylist Offer for 2011

2011-11-17T14:03:00.001-05:00

Have you seen the gift Estee Lauder is offering with fragrance purchases?
Its a pretty massive haul for US$57.50/CAD$67.50!

PRODUCT DETAILS
US$57.50/CAD$67.50 with any fragrance purchase.*

The collection worth over $340.00

Quantities are limited, and offer is good only while supplies last. Order now for best availability.

Be your own Color Stylist with 30 colors, brushes and more. Discover what makes great Holiday Style, plus tips on creating a makeup look for day or night. All in a chic red cosmetic traveler with elegant clutch companion bag and travel mirror.

This extraordinary collection includes:

Deluxe Eyeshadow Compact with 18 coordinating shades (Summer Linen, Amazing Grey, Amethyst Spark, Flirty Lilac, Pink Flash, Purple Passion, Nude Fresco, Tranquil Moon, Peacock Blue, Smokey Ember, Berry Burst, Tempting Mocha, Ivy Envy, Chocolate Bliss, Ivory Slipper, Sandbar Beige, Hot Cinnamon and Riviera Rose)
Deluxe All-Over Face Compact (Estée Lauder Signature Silky Powder Blush in Nude Rose, Radiant Peach and Pink Kiss, plus Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer)
3 Pure Color Long Lasting Lipsticks (full-size, in Barely Nude, Candy and Exotic Orchid)
Pure Color Gloss (Orchid Passion and Electric Ginger)
2 Artist's Eye Pencils (great for smoky eyes, in SoftSmudge Black and SoftSmudge Brown)
Sumptuous Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara (deluxe travel size)
Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (full-size 3.4 oz.)
4 Deluxe Makeup Brushes (Powder, Blush, Lip and Eye)
Look Book with tips on creating a makeup look for day or night.
Travel Mirror
Chic Red Cosmetic Traveler
Elegant clutch companion bag

* Quantities are limited and offer is good only while supplies last. Offer is valid with in-stock merchandise only-some exclusions may apply. Required purchase amount excludes sales tax, shipping and handling fees and gift wrap charges. Offer is not applicable to pending purchases or purchases made prior to November 15, 2011. All purchases are subject to bank authorization prior to processing. Only authorized purchases will be processed and shipped. We reserve the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of offer and to modify or cancel this promotion due to system errors or unforeseen problems.

This is something Estee Lauder offers during the holidays although I have never indulged in purchasing one as I don't ever purchase their fragrances.

But I always think its a great offer if you happen to like their perfumes or are buying them as gift for the holidays for someone else.

What do you think? Would you purchase this?

Its available online in the US at Estee Lauder, in Canada Sears is offering it in-store and online as well.

Lest we forget...

2011-11-11T11:22:00.001-05:00

image source:here

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

Review: Benefit Its Potent! Eye Cream

2011-11-09T11:58:00.003-05:00

Its been awhile since I have done some reviews on the blog. So here we go!

A few months back Benefit launched their new line of skin care products with some massive marketing campaign. I felt like I couldn't turn the corner without some form of ad proclaiming the benefits (excuse the pun) of using their bright and shiny new products.

I guess I am easily manipulated by the bombardment of the ads. I ended up giving in to the pressure purchasing the It's Potent Eye Cream even though I knew in my heart of hearts I still haven't met an eye cream that delivers on everything it promises to do.

PRODUCT: Benefit Its Potent! Eye Cream

PRICE: CAD$36.00 for 0.5 oz

AVAILABILITY: CAD$36.00 for 0.5 oz S

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At select Shoppers Drug Mart, Holt Renfrew and Sephora (both stores and online)

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM MANUFACTURER:

"Your eyes can't keep a secret...they're the first to show signs of age & stress. It's potent! eye cream fades dark circles & helps smooth fine lines for brighter, younger-looking eyes. Contains a peptide complex known to help restore elasticity & firmness, a blend of hydrating botanical extracts including apple extract, known to help boost collagen, & loquat extract, known to help protect the skin from free radical damage."

REVIEW:

I have been using this cream pretty religiously since I bought it back in August? I think it was August, maybe I am wrong?

Anyway the jar is very cute with its faux cork lid - it looks like an old fashioned container which fits in with the usual retro packing Benefit is known for.

The cream has a nice texture and a slight scent. My nose isn't sophistimacated enough to describe the scent , but I can tell you its not unpleasant nor overly lingering.

So whats the out come of using this cream for so long?

Well its moisturizing that's for sure. And that's about it.

Surprise! Surprise! I didn't see that coming!

It hasn't done anything at all for my dark circles. They are still there, mocking me and my inability to steer clear of gimmicks and cute packing.

Has is helped with the lines? Maybe I dunno; all I kept hoping for was the disappearance of my Panda eyes to notice if it did anything else.

Meh-h! If you need to waste CAD$36.00 + taxes, send them my way so I can buy some concealer to cover up the dark circles this cream didn't get rid of.

VERDICT: 2/5 - Only because it moisturizes but so do a ton of other cheaper alternatives. Save your money!

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with any particular company or brand. Unless otherwise stated, everything I review on this blog is purchased by yours truly for my personal use and review purposes. All thoughts expressed are my unbiased, honest opinion regardless of how the product was obtained.

Photo Friday: MGM Grand Las Vegas

2011-11-04T11:50:00.002-04:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking. This was taken at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas by yours truly.

Have a great weekend and Happy Eid!

Lancome Holiday 2011 GWP

2011-11-02T11:25:00.002-04:00

Lancome Canada is offering Holiday Gift with your purchases online for a limited time.

Are you planning any Lancome purchases?

Get your free gift with the code HOLIDAY11 online here at Lancome Canada.

Happy Hauling!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T13:11:00.002-04:00

Have wonderful and safe Halloween everyone!

P.S. I can take picture credits, but I did not carve these - they were at FRANK at the AGO.

Photo Friday: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

2011-10-28T10:40:00.002-04:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking. From my recent trip to Las Vegas, a gorgeous Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area as photographed by yours truly. If you get a chance to visit, I highly recommend it!

Have a great weekend everyone! And Happy Halloween!

Shoe Love: Hunter Boot Lace-Up Wedges

2011-10-27T14:16:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,

Its been cold, grey and just miserable in Toronto the past few days. Making it the perfect weather for some sensible rubber boots.

I found this cute pair of Hunters on sale at Neiman Marcus online:

The description nails it "Hinter Boot breaks its classic mold with bright red lace-up detail, adding a brilliant pop of color to the tried-and-true rubber style."

Only problem its available in sizes I can't wear. Bummer!

If you fit into 35 or 40 shoe sizes - go and get them here online at Neiman Marcus for US$115.00

Happy Shopping!

Happy Diwali

2011-10-26T14:12:00.005-04:00

Wishing everyone the best for Diwali!

I iz in Vegas

2011-10-20T01:00:00.000-04:00

Seez you all next week when I iz back!

Photo Friday: Butterflies

2011-10-14T13:06:00.002-04:00

Fridays, I let the picture do the talking. Some butterflies as photographed by yours truly at the Toronto Zoo.

Have a great weekend!

Lancome GWP at the Bay

2011-10-13T14:09:00.001-04:00

I generally love GWP's - Lancome is having their GWP event right now exclusively at the Bay. You get a 7-piece gift set when you make a purchase of CAD$34 and up.

If your purchases are more than CAD$75, you also have the option of a selecting a bonus gift.

What does Lancome recommend you try? The new Vissionaire - Advanced Skin Corrector - which retails at CAD$100 for 30 ML:

Are you going to take advantage of the GWP?

Its on only at Lancome counters at the Bay from October 12 to November 6, 2011.

Happy hauling! :)

And now for something completely different: Quinoa with Roasted Butternut Squash Pilaf

2011-10-12T13:14:00.000-04:00

Some of you may know that I have been trying to loose weight for awhile. Which means not eating out a lot and actually cooking at home. One dish I enjoy making in fall makes use of the squashes that abound in the grocery stores this time of year.

The original recipe called for Farro but I couldn't find any so I substituted it with quinoa. Quinoa is a great source of dietary fibre, iron and essential amino acids, you can find it very easily in the grocery stores. This dish can be served hot or cold - I find it more flavourful when its served cold.

The cranberries in the recipe also make it a great addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner as well.

This is great as a side dish or salad as well so if you make a batch you can easily use it for packed lunches as well.

Quinoa with Roasted Butternut Squash Pilaf

1 Red Onion, chopped, medium sized
1 Butternut Squash, peeled and cut into small cubes, about 2-3 lbs weight
2 Cups Quinoa
1 Bunch Green Onions, chopped , about 7-8 sprigs
1 Cup Dried Cranberries
2 Tablespoon Thyme (fresh is better, but powdered will do as well)
1 Cup Raw Pumpkin Seeds
1 Lemon, juiced
1 TBS Black Pepper, ground
3 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVO)
1 tsp salt if you like - I never use any

Directions:

Boil some hot water and soak the dried cranberries for about 40 mins; drain.

Peel your squash and cut into 3/4 inch cubes - this takes the longest time for me to do LOL Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 425 F.

In a bowl add your cubed squash, lemon juice, pepper, salt (if you are using it) and 2 TBS EVO and mix everything. Line a baking sheet with max paper and roast the squash for about 35 mins. When done cool the squash.

Meanwhile, chop up your other vegetables.

In a small frying pan, toast the pumpkin seeds for about 5 mins.

Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Usually you boil 2 cups of water for one cup of quinoa. Once all the water is absorbed, your quinoa is ready.

In a large bowl mix the quinoa, roasted squash, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, green onions, red onions, thyme and the remaining 1 TBS of EVO.

This recipe makes about 10 servings, at around 195 calories per serving.

Enjoy! :)

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

2011-10-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

Gif courtesy of watch-us-emigrate

Happy Thanksgiving Canada 2011!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend surrounded by family & friends.

See you next Tuesday, cheers!

Shoe Love: ALDO EPPIHIMER

2011-10-06T12:00:00.001-04:00

Its been a long time since I have done a Shoe Love post. Loafer-inspired wedges and pumps have have been spotted frequently on the runway so I was thrilled when I saw these cuties from ALDO:

A different view:

That is the Mustard coloured version - if that isn't to your liking there's a brown version as well.

Best part is that they are marked down from CAD$120 to CAD$79.98 - gotta love a sale! Get your Fall wedges on at ALDO here.

New for Winter 2011 from Annabelle: Gypsyland

2011-10-03T13:59:00.001-04:00

I am excited to share a little preview of the Winter 2011 collection that's coming from Annabelle in October, called Gypsyland:

Annabelle is an amazing Canadian cosmetics co. I love a few of their things and have shared some reviews about their products on the blog before. I always look forward to their new releases.

About the new collection:

The promo look was created entirely from the new items:

Eyes: Woodshock E/S and Piece and Love E/S on the lids and In Mauve-Tion Smoothie on the lower lash line with Le Big Show Mascara

Face: Tie-Dye Face Powder in Guru Glow

Lips: Volumelip Plumping Gloss in Gypsy Queen (blotted)

Everything looks pretty intriguing right? I can't wait to see the Tie-Dye eye shadows and the Volumelip gloss in person.

They will be available at a drug mart near you in October - can't wait!

Photo Friday: Backyard Baby

2011-09-30T11:09:00.002-04:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking but a bit of an explanation is needed for this one. I are not sure if this is a baby mouse or rat, but we found him in our back yard. We put it back near what looked like was its home, little critter was feisty and scrambled right off :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Who buys this junk?

2011-09-29T08:52:00.000-04:00

Do you ever look at certain things and wonder who buys them? Like this:

What the heck is a Troubadour Metal Jumper? And Who the hell apart from Lady Caca would have bought this cr@p for the original retail price of US$278.00?

Here's a bigger pic:

And in case you were afraid that your backside might feel naked:

Seriously - who buys this junk?

Seems like no one, as you can now buy this fabulous piece of junk for a bargain basement price of US$83.40 - that's a massive 70% discount. Whip out your Amex Centurion Card and buy one for yourself and one for everyone on your Christmas shopping list at Shopbop here.

Predicting the future

2011-09-27T11:41:00.001-04:00

OK, OK so I didn't come back from the future. But if I did, wouldn't you like to know what the future will be like?

Full of old people according to this "By 2030, 55 countries are expected to see their 65 and older populations at least 20 percent of their total." and also "By 2050, the U.N. estimates that the proportion of the world's population age 65 and over will more than double, from 7.6% today to 16.2%."

Well it doesn't take a genius to predict that we will be older in the future. Unless we find a fountain of youth its inevitable that we will age and eventually croak.

Well aren't I a cheery soul today? Aren't you glad I am back? LOL

So I have been on a long hiatus - you probably thought I was having the time of my life or something. Well it wasn't too bad - I did manage to get away for a few days from work. Nothing super exciting though - had a family wedding to attend and whiled away some lazy days in Nova Scotia.

The rest is the same old, same old - you know driving to work, working in an windowless office that sucks the last iota of joy from my soul and then driving back home with the rest of the drones trying to make ends meet. Yes, life is grand. Another 30 years of this and then I *maybe*, just *maybe* I can think about retiring. Yes, I have a lot to look forward to in the future.

You know what else I see in the future?

Well, OK maybe not in yours, but its def. happening in mine! Never been and sooo looking forward to it! It will be for a very short time , but oh, I am VERY excited!!!

Anything exciting in your future? Do tell!

I will be back soon!

2011-08-18T14:17:00.000-04:00

Photo Friday: Downy Woodpecker

2011-08-12T14:53:00.000-04:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking. This Downy Woodpecker wasn't shy and came to eat right from my hands. Photographed by DH in Oshawa.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

New for Fall from Anna Sui - Sept 2011, part 2

2011-08-11T10:29:00.000-04:00

As promised - here's some more items coming from Anna Sui in Sept 2011 to select Sears and Shoppers Drug Mart:

I love the cute print on the pencils - they LE so might be worth checking out before they are gone.

Happy Hauling!

New for Fall from Anna Sui - Sept 2011, part 1

2011-08-10T11:25:00.000-04:00

Fall's almost around the corner (I know, I know, I don't want Summer to end either) and I wanted to share the exciting new releases from Anna Sui - these are coming to select Sears and Shoppers Drug Mart locations near you in Sept 2011:

I think the bow design is cute and whimsical - exactly the kind of thing you'd expect from Anna Sui.

What do you think?

More Anna Sui stuff tomorrow!

Review & Swatch: Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Electric Blue

2011-08-09T11:00:00.029-04:00

I was very lucky to receive some items from Marcelle to try out recently. They have some really great items for us Canadians to look forward to. On with the review!

PRODUCT: Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Electric Blue

PRICE: CAD$9.95 for 0.04 oz pencil

AVAILABILITY: August/Sept 2011, 8 shades to choose from.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall Pharma Plus, Loblaws, Walmart and other retailers across Canada.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM MANUFACTURER:

"For impeccably lined eyes anytime, anywhere!

Perfectly blendable, its creamy formula allows for a precise and intensely coloured line. The smooth texture of this waterproof eyeliner virtually glides on the skin and stays put all day long, resisting to water, humidity and heat. Long-lasting, it is nonetheless easily removed with any Marcelle eye make-up remover. Available in a matte or pearlized finish.

Hypo-allergenic and perfume free."

REVIEW:

When I received the new eyeliner to try out I def. lucked out because I love blue. Electric blue is a lovely shade of bright, bold blue which I adore.

A close-up, if you please of the tip and swatch - one is lined as thin as I could manage (on the right) and the other is a bolder swatch (one the left):

So how does this baby stack up? Well, I put this on at around 8 a.m. in the morning - no primer, nothing else save my morning eye cream. Please, please pardon my eyebrows on these pics:

This is around 8:30 p.m. or later in the evening - because of the lighting the colour may look a bit less bright but it wasn't. It hadn't budged or smudged or faded.

I didn't experience any itchiness or tightness on my lids all day. In fact , I actually forgot I had eye liner on. I didn't find any colour migration either.

These pretty babies come in 8 other shades:

I know you might be thinking about the MAKE UP FOREVER liners - those bad boys retail at CAD$20.00 for the same 0.04 oz.

These are a mere CAD$9.95.

Do I have to spell out which one I am spending money on?

Granted they don't have the bigger selection of colours MFE does , but they have a good range to appeal to most eye liner wearers I think. And its Canadian to boot! So win-win all around!

VERDICT: 5/5 - Stellar quality and wear. I love how this blue makes my brown eyes pop and I am curious to try some other colours. Def. something I would buy without hesitation - go haul yours!

Review: Marcelle HYDRA-C Moisturizing Cream 24h + SPF 15

2011-08-08T13:02:00.000-04:00

A few days ago, I shared with you the exciting items Marcelle is coming out with for summer 2011. Today I look at the cream I received kindly from Marcelle to try out - on with the review!

PRODUCT: Marcelle HYDRA-C Moisturizing Cream 24h + SPF 15

PRICE: CAD $23.95 for 50 ML

AVAILABILITY: Part of permanent skincare line, available Aug 2011

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At most Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall Pharma Plus, Walmart, Zellers and most other places were Marcelle skincare items are sold.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM MANUFACTURER:

"Rich and velvety, this cream is designed specifically for dry skin. The formula is enriched with shea butter, canola oil and aloe vera extract. We also supplemented the cream with a synergistic amino acid complex which rebuilds and compensates for impaired natural moisturizing ability.

The result: complete comfort and soft, supple skin.

The HYDRA-C Moisturizing Cream24h + SPF 15 Dry Skin is suitable for dry skin.

You should never have to feel uncomfortable in your (dry ) skin"

REVIEW:

I am always a bit scared to try new creams - my skin is as moody as a teenager - one day its fine, next day its freaking out. So far I have have pretty good run with my regular moisturizer so I was a bit reluctant to change it up. But of course I can't review something I haven't tried right? Oh the things I have to do for you guys! LOL

I have been using it for about 4 weeks now as part of my daily morning routine. As you may know, I have very dry skin - in summer it gets slight oily "looking" , but underneath its still as dry as the Sahara. So I need enough moisture to last me through the entire work day and then some.

The cream itself comes in a fairly presentable glass jar with a white domed cap.

The cream is not pure white - to me it looks like there is a hint of orange to it. It has no strong smell that I could detect. Its nice and creamy , but not overly heavy.

It adsorbs into my face and neck fairly well and keeps it fairly hydrated during the work day. My skin doesn't feel tight or itchy nor do I feel the need to reapply another moisturizer.

This is def. not a cream for anyone with oily skin. If used sparingly it might be OK for anyone with normal skin as well.

Overall, I am quite happy with the cream - a bit surprisingly I might add as I have a hard time finding anything that doesn't mess with the delicate balance of my facial skin LOL.

VERDICT: 5/5 - Does what it promises to do. So def. no complains from me and for the price compared to other high end brands, its not at all a bad buy. If you have dry skin and need something with SPF I'd def. recommend this for you to try out!

Photo Friday: Sunflower

2011-08-05T11:55:00.000-04:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking. Sunflower and bees as photographed by yours truly back in Bangladesh - I wish I was there now.

Have a great weekend!

I have the blues

2011-08-04T15:56:00.000-04:00

I have the blues today:

I realized taking the pics that apart from the necklace everything I have on was under CAD$9.99

The pale blue ankle pants are from Joe Fresh - I think they were CAD$9.49 on sale? I got them last week.

The denim sandals are from Costa Blanca X - they were marked down for $9.99 - I picked them up maybe a week or 10 days ago? They are very, very comfy and cute!

P.S. That's the office carpet hence the hideous print LOL

My T-shirt was from Urban Behaviour from a few years ago - they were 2 for $9.99.

The necklace is from The Loft kiosk at Yorkdale Mall - its also from a few years back. They carry Pilgrim and Polli items , too!

Hope your Thursday is going well!

Reveiw & Swatch: Joe Fresh Nail Polish in Rainforest

2011-08-03T12:24:00.003-04:00

People ask me if its difficult to fast from sunrise to sunset without food and water - its not that bad, really , but the lack of caffeine is what gets me, not the lack of food or even water.

I probably don't miss the water because I have a boring desk job pushing pencils and papers , but if your job involves physical activity then I feel for you! Sunrise is at 6 and Sunset at 8:40-ish - that's a LONG time without any hydration.

If you are fasting for Ramadan - please drink lots of fluid after Iftar, replenish those electrolytes!

Now on with the review!

PRODUCT: Joe Fresh Nail Polish in Navy

PRICE: CAD$4.00 ea. 6 ML bottle, $10 for 3 bottles.

AVAILABILITY: I can't find any information if this LE or permanent, sorry.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: Only at Loblaws & stand-alone Joe Fresh stores across Canada.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM MANUFACTURER:

"Coordinate your style with fabulous seasonal colours or achieve a timeless look with tasteful classics."

REVIEW:

I had been looking for a darker green polish when I chanced about this colour at my local Loblaws. I am not usually a huge fan of green but lately I have been wearing a lot of khakis and I thought this would be a great colour to wear.

When I applied it though, I was very disappointed with it - it goes on very unevenly. I had to apply 3 coats to get an non-streaky application. Not a good thing IMHO.

When the goopy mess dried though it had a nice glossy finish even without a top coat.

The colour is hard to capture (esp. in the cloudy weather we are currently having in Toronto) - in real life there is a definite green tint to it , but in the picture I think it comes across as just an ordinary dark nail polish. But trust me, its not black lol

VERDICT: 2/5 - I do like the colour and the finished product, but the application was so messy and streaky I am not sure I'd like to purchase this particular colour again.

Ramadan Kareem

2011-08-02T15:50:00.001-04:00

Ramadan Kareem!

I am sorry for the lack of post today - the lack of caffeine has completely knackered me out. Tea, tea, my kingdom for some tea...I hope I will be a little bit more er, energetic tomorrow.

Take it easy!

Photo Friday: Eastern Chipmunk

2011-07-29T15:17:00.000-04:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking. A cute little Eastern Chipmunk as taken by the Hubby at Lynde Shores Conservation area.

Have a safe and wonderful Civic Holiday!

See you all back on Tuesday! Cheers :)

Review: Marcelle HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths

2011-07-28T13:07:00.000-04:00

Earlier this month I posted about the new releases from Marcelle coming out for August.

Today its time to review one of them - the cleansing cloths - which was provided by Marcelle for me to try.

PRODUCT: Marcelle HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths

PRICE: CAD$12.50 for 25 units per sachet

AVAILABILITY: Part of regular line, launching in August 2011.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At most Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall Pharma Plus and other retailers across Canada.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM MARCELLE:

"The first step to any skin care routine should be proper cleansing. The HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths are suitable for all skin types.

One wet wipe with two fabric textures: a dual action with one flip of the cloth. Each side of the cloth has a purpose:

• Use the wipe on its smooth side to cleanse skin, take away impurities and remove make-up all in one.

• Flip the cloth to the textured side and gently exfoliate to reveal your complexion’s natural radiance.

These double-action towelettes are moistened with a lotion enriched with vitamins C, E and B5 and are designed to leave skin smooth, luminous and glowing with freshness, every day.

Who should be using HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths?

Knowing that HYDRA-C targets young adults (18-28 year olds), these cloths should be even more strongly suggested to:

• students in the course of mid-terms;

• responsible adults enjoying long nights out and very short nights in;

• those in favour of all-inclusive products and / or

• new mothers who simply just don’t seem to have enough time."

REVIEW:

I was thinking when I started writing this - how much can you write about cleansing cloths? Either it cleanses or it doesn't right? LOL

Well the HYDRA-C cloths mostly does what it says it will - takes off the daily grime in a jiffy. I used it to take off make-up - and it cleaned everything up pretty nicely.

Now here is my one problem - I can't figure out which side is the textured and which side is smoother? Honestly I can't say one side feels more smoother than another.

Maybe its my thick skin? Maybe I am too dumb to figure it out? Either way I can't tell.

While this cleanses and removes regular make-up fairly well, I would not recommend this for the eye area - it feels a bit too rough for my eyelids. I personally always use a separate cleanser and cotton pads to remove any eye makeup - it has nothing to do with which brand or type of facial cleanser I use, its just something I do. I do admit I tired very gently to remove a bit of mascara from my eyelashes , but I didn't find it very effective.

The cloths themselves stay moist for quite awhile after you take them out of the pack; I have had issues with some cleansing cloths that seem to dry out in a minute after you take them out so these are quite good in that regard.

The size is also nice - big enough to take off everything in one go. Unless you have a Kim Kuntdashian-type makeup going I think 1 to at most 2 cloths should serve most users well.

The other thing I noticed - it didn't dry out my already very dry skin. So I think this would work for most skin types. There is also a very slight scent when you take them out - I can't place it - but nothing overwhelming. Honestly it evaporates within a few seconds. Just wanted to mention it though.

VERDICT: 3.5/5 - Not at all a bad buy if you are looking for something quick and easy to take off the daily dirt. Also great for those nights when you don't want to spend 20 mins going through a long make-up removal session. Because it has exfoliating properties this actually would be a great way to pack light for a short trip somewhere as well.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with any particular company or brand. Unless otherwise stated, everything I review on this blog is purchased by yours truly for my personal use and review purposes. All thoughts expressed are my unbiased, honest opinion regardless of how the product was obtained.

You caught me - I did it!

2011-07-27T12:24:00.001-04:00

It took me about 6 months , but as of this morning I have lost 30 lbs!

I was a size 12-14 now I can buy a size 6 - heck sometimes I can fit into a size 4 and XS!

And my BMI is 23.8 - within the normal weight range :)

HURRAY FOR ME! LOL

Photo Friday: Mourning Dove

2011-07-22T13:18:00.000-04:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking. A Mourning Dove in my backyard as photographed by yours truly. Have a great weekend!

Shoe Love: Joe Fresh Slingbacks

2011-07-21T11:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went to the stand-alone Joe Fresh store at Vaughan Mills. They have a few things on sale - some clothing items, costume jewellry (50% off) and my fave - shoes!

Here are the Strappy Sandals - marked down from CAD$49 to $29.43:

They come in a nude/off-white colour as well.

These Slingbacks are also marked down from to CAD$29.43:

These come in a blue denim version as well.

Here's some better pics:

The material is a thick canvas and the piping is a glossy leather in the same hue.

They go perfectly with the Straw Clutch from the Runway Collection - the clutch was CAD$29.00

I suggest you check out your local Joe Fresh outlets - they have other items on sale and def. worth a look. Note, that not all the stores carry the Runway Collection, but they have a ton of other items you are sure to love.

Find your local Joe Fresh store here.

Happy Hauling!

Monday Musings: Weekend update and wedding outfit ideas

2011-07-18T14:54:00.001-04:00

Its been hot and humid in Toronto the last few days. I am not complaining, I am GLAD its not snowing LOL

I am just completely knackered from the weekend, not to mention broke. Had to take the car in for servicing on Saturday - went in at 9:20 and didn't get done till 2:15 - basically wasted the entire morning waiting around for it. Then of course it cost WAYYY more than I had anticipated.

Saturday evening I went to see John Fogerty - it was a great show. People were dancing in the aisles, people were swarming the stage - it was a great evening.

Sunday was a complete wash - all the household chores had to be done of course.

One thing I managed to do was pick up my evening dress for a wedding reception I am attending this coming weekend. I am not a rich person and this is probably the most expensive dress I have ever bought. Its a very unpractical dress too - I have no where else I can possibly wear this again to LOL

Here's what the back looks like:

I paid CAD$218 plus taxes for it from BCBG store at Pickering Town Centre. Its not a BCBG dress, though, its by Max & Cleo, and its called "Vivian". Bloomingdale's has it in stock here.

I am planning to wear my JPG for Melissa shoes with it - here's a pic - those are not my feel btw LOL

I think they will pick up on the green colour on the fabric of the dress.

What I am worried about is what the HECK do I wear to the Church?

I have this Joe Fresh dress in black with white polka-dots. I *think* it might be ok to wear to church?

I guess I will see. I have a ton on dresses I never get to wear so I will pick something not too inappropriate.

What do you think about my outfit choices? Yay or Nay?

Marcelle Skincare New Releases Week, Day 5 : HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths

2011-07-15T10:42:00.000-04:00

Here is the last Marcelle item from their skin care line up for August 2011.

Its the - HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths:

From Marcelle:

"There is nothing that says FRESH and YOUTHFUL like back to school season! Each year offers a fresh start and a new take on things. Ten years after introducing the first Hydra-C product on the market, Marcelle® takes a new spin on this refreshing lineup and launches four new products targeting the 18-28 year old market.

These new products are all paraben and alcohol free, also reflecting the latest trend in skincare.

The line will also include the NEW HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths, 25 units per sachet .

The first step to any skin care routine should be proper cleansing. The HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths are suitable for all skin types.

One wet wipe with two fabric textures: a dual action with one flip of the cloth. Each side of the cloth has a purpose:

• Use the wipe on its smooth side to cleanse skin, take away impurities and remove make-up all in one.

• Flip the cloth to the textured side and gently exfoliate to reveal your complexion’s natural radiance.

These double-action towelettes are moistened with a lotion enriched with vitamins C, E and B5 and are designed to leave skin smooth, luminous and glowing with freshness, every day.

Who should be using HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths?

Knowing that HYDRA-C targets young adults (18-28 year olds), these cloths should be even more strongly suggested to:

• students in the course of mid-terms;

• responsible adults enjoying long nights out and very short nights in;

• those in favour of all-inclusive products and / or

• new mothers who simply just don’t seem to have enough time."

The HYDRA-C Cleansing + Exfoliating Cloths, 25 units per sachet will retail at CAD $12.50 and is expected to be released in Aug 2011.

ABOUT MARCELLE®

Marcelle®, hypo-allergenic and perfume-free products, is a registered trademark of Groupe Marcelle Inc., a Canadian manufacturer headquartered in Lachine (Quebec). Close to 225 people are employed in the research, development, production and marketing of its products. Marcelle® offers a complete line of skin care and colour cosmetic products.

Marcelle Skincare New Releases Week, Day 4 : HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up

2011-07-14T08:48:00.000-04:00

I am very excited to share Marcelle some new items from their skin care line up - this whole week will be dedicated to upcoming releases for August 2011.

Here's the forth one -HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up, 30 mL:

From Marcelle:

These new products are all paraben and alcohol free, also reflecting the latest trend in skincare.

The line will also include the NEW HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up.

A natural result true to your skin’s youthfulness. No one will know you’re using your first foundation .

Oil free, alcohol free and non comedogenic, the lightweight HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up:

• Evens out the complexion

• Conceals minor skin imperfections

• Contributes to moisturize the skin

• Blends in like a second skin and leaves no demarcations

The oil-free HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up is suitable for all skin types and is ideal for those just getting acquainted with liquid foundation.

Benefiting from leading-edge colour matching technology, the HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up will blend right with your skin to perfectly match its natural tone.

Offered in four colours, the HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up shades are devised with adaptive pigments.

These special blends of treated micro-pigments adjust to match a wide variety of skin tones. Adapts from light to medium coverage for natural results true to your skin’s youthfulness.

Faithful to the basic Hydra-C appeal, the Perfect Fusion Make-Up is an ultra-lightweight formula with proven vitamin C & E antioxidants, as well as great

moisturizing properties and enriched with chamomile, aloe vera and green tea extract for unparalleled results."

The HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up, 30 mL will retail at CAD $16.95 and is expected to be released in Aug 2011.

ABOUT MARCELLE®

Marcelle Skincare New Releases Week, Day 3 : HYDRA-C Ultra –Light Matifying Fluid

2011-07-13T09:00:00.018-04:00

I am very excited to share Marcelle some new items from their skin care line up - this whole week will be dedicated to upcoming releases for August 2011.

Here's the third one -
HYDRA-C Ultra –Light Matifying Fluid, 50 ML:

From Marcelle:

These new products are all paraben and alcohol free, also reflecting the latest trend in skincare.

The line will also include the NEW HYDRA-C Ultra- Light Matifying Fluid.

Reducing sebum production and increasing the skin’s moisture levels are two entirely different tasks. The HYDRA-C Ultra- Light Matifying Fluid does both brilliantly and without shine!

Cool to the touch, it disappears into the skin.

This fluid:

• Matifies by absorbing excess sebum

• Contributes to reducing sebaceous secretions

• Leaves the skin velvety smooth, clean and healthy-looking

• Hydrates and helps to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier

• Protects skin against external stressors thanks to proven antioxidants

To offer the skin a breath of cooling freshness and hydration, this ultra-light fluid contains:

• Aloe vera and cucumber extracts

• V itamins C, E and B5

• Hyaluronic acid

Once the epidermis’ thirst is quenched with moisture, the silica microspheres absorb sebum without drying the skin. Their effect is based on short-term but lasting results to visibly reduce shine throughout the day. In addition, zinc gluconate, a known seboregulator, helps to provide long-term results to efficiently help matify the skin by reducing secretions. "

The HYDRA-C Ultra –Light Matifying Fluid, 50 mL will retail at CAD $23.95 and is expected to be released in Aug 2011.

ABOUT MARCELLE®

Marcelle Skincare New Releases Week, Day 2 : HYDRA-C Moisturizing Cream 24h + SPF 15 Dry Skin

2011-07-12T08:14:00.000-04:00

I am very excited to share Marcelle some new items from their skin care line up - this whole week will be dedicated to upcoming releases for August 2011.

Here's the second one - HYDRA-C Moisturizing Cream 24h + SPF 15 Dry Skin, 50 mL :

From Marcelle:

These new products are all paraben and alcohol free, also reflecting the latest trend in skincare.

The line will also include the NEW HYDRA-C Moisturizing Cream 24h + SPF 15 Dry Skin.

Rich and velvety, this cream is designed specifically for dry skin. The formula is enriched with shea butter, canola oil and aloe vera extract. We also supplemented the cream with a synergistic amino acid complex which rebuilds and compensates for impaired natural moisturizing ability.

The result: complete comfort and soft, supple skin.

The HYDRA-C Moisturizing Cream24h + SPF 15 Dry Skin is suitable for dry skin.

You should never have to feel uncomfortable in your (dry ) skin!"

The HYDRA-C Moisturizing Cream 24h + SPF 15 Dry Skin, 50 mL will retail at CAD $23.95 and is expected to be released in Aug 2011.

ABOUT MARCELLE®

Marcelle Skincare New Releases Week, Day 1 : HYDRA-C Energizing Hydrating Gel

2011-07-11T12:33:00.001-04:00

I am very excited to share Marcelle some new items from their skin care line up - this whole week will be dedicated to upcoming releases for August 2011.

Here's the first one - HYDRA-C Energizing Hydrating Gel:

From Marcelle:

These new products are all paraben and alcohol free, also reflecting the latest trend in skincare.

The line will also include the NEW HYDRA-C Energizing Hydrating Gel.

This ultra-light jelly-like formula is incredibly cool and invigorating. The texture of the new HYDRA-C Energizing Hydrating Gel will melt your heart like it melts into your skin.

This moisturizing gel takes a proactive approach, helping to:

• Leave skin feeling immediately refreshed with an alcohol-free cooling sensation

• Intensely moisturize skin during 24 hours

• Protect skin against external stressors thanks to proven antioxidants such

as vitamins C and E as well as green tea

• Restore protective barrier function for a bright, radiant complexion.

Formulated with ingredients from natural sources, our chemists designed it to restore skin balance and hydration, for a glowing, fresh complexion.

Its formula is enriched with:

• Provitamin B5 to hydrate and relieve itchiness caused by dryness

• Hyaluronic acid to hydrate efficiently and prevent moisture loss and aloe vera extract which helps maintain humidity in the epidermis

• Oligosaccharides that form a protective and moisturizing film on the epidermis.

This intensely cooling gel contributes to skin barrier regeneration and increases its capacity to retain water."

The HYDRA-C Energizing Hydrating Gel, 50 mL will retail at CAD $23.95 and is expected to be released in Aug 2011.

ABOUT MARCELLE®

Photo Friday: Luxury Rebel by Jean Michael Cazabat Shoes

2011-07-08T13:40:00.000-04:00

Fridays, I let the picture do the talking. This is a picture of my pair of Luxury Rebel by Michael Cazabat shoes.

Have a good weekend!

Quick Look: Whats available at Shoppers Drug Mart

2011-07-06T12:57:00.001-04:00

I went to Shoppers Drug Mart at Markville Mall last night - they have some new items on display. I am sorry about the quality of the pics - they are from my camera phone.

New GOSH display:

New Maybelline display:

They are re-promoting some permanent (I think) Essie colours as well:

I did a quick swatch - of the colours. They are Aruba Blue (on my thumb), Boat House (I think, I am not 10%% sure anymore), Jamaica Me Crazy, Miami Nice, Beach Bum Blu.

The last colour is Turquiose and Caicos.

The Essie polishes are not on sale for CAD$ 8.99, down from the regular price of CAD$ 11.99.

Also they have a huge table of items on sale as part of the sidewalk sale Markville Mall is having. I wanted to take a picture of that as well, but there were too many ppl around and I didn't want to take pics of strangers LOL Also the SA at Shoppers was giving me weird looks because I was lurking around to take pics hahaha. So I left before it got too weird LOL

I ended up picking up Jamaica Me Crazy and sun block ( a huge selection is also on sale). You can get a bonus 8,000 Optimum points on most purchases over $50 today at Shopper's so you might want to check it out!

Happy Hauling! :)

Imitation = Flattery?

2011-07-05T12:01:00.002-04:00

Do you see the similarities between Hailee Steinfeld's pretty Prada dress from the Golden Globes ...

and this Suzy Shier dress?

I, for one, am glad its not an out and out knock-off, but rather draws inspiration from the former. Which I don't think is as bad as copying something stitch for stitch.

Secretly, I had been wishing since I saw Hailee, that I had the dough (and youth) to rock the original , but the $30 Suzy Shier dress is really more in line with my budget. I am not sure I have figure to wear it though.

I am a bit conflicted myself - I abhor cheap knock-offs of bags and shoes. But I am very curious about this dress.

What do you think? Do you think its wrong for me to want the Suzy Shier dress knowing its an "inspired" version of the Prada?

Or do you think its OK as its not a complete rip-off?

UPDATE: I found and tried on the dress - the material is too clingy for my taste. Oh well :)

Feeling Nauti(cal) today!

2011-07-04T13:43:00.001-04:00

Oh man long weekends go too fast. Before you know it, its time to drag your self back to the rat race. *sigh*

To make my Monday morning a little bit less dreary I wore a new T and bracelet - my latest acquisition from Joe Fresh. My grocery bills are always high because I never shop for groceries apart from Loblaws simply to check out Joe Fresh offering LOL

Sorry for the bad pics - I really need to upgrade my 5+ P&S camera, its pretty bad indoors.

The stripes are def. nautical so I ran with it for my jewelry as well.

Here are the accessories close up:

The earrings are from Swarovski - called Holly Starfish, retail CAD$70.00

The pendent is also from Swarovski - it has a star motif, called Metropolis Star, retail CAD$ 105.00 with the chain.

The Holly earrings have a matching pendant, but I like to match it with this pendant anyway. I should purchase the matching pendants one of these days though.

The bracelet with the def. nautical theme is from Joe Fresh - I had wanted it months ago , but didn't want to pay $14 for it. Luckily for me, I found one marked 50% off last week - YAY!

The striped T is from Joe Fresh's Fresh off the Runway collection, priced at $16. There was a pink version , too , but I am partial to blues.

My lippie is Forever Fuschia from L'oreal's Infalliable Rouge line.

Hope your Monday is going well!

Happy Canada Day (in advance)! Getting an early start on the long weekend!

2011-06-30T13:49:00.000-04:00

I am getting an early start to the long weekend. A simple Canada Day picnic tomorrow, then Soundgarden on Saturday.

Other than that - I just plan to relax and enjoy the warm sunshine. I will be back on Monday so in the meantime:

Happy Canada Day!

I thought I'd post the eager beaver (appropriate for the subject, no?) photo early as I will not be posting tomorrow for Photo Friday. This little critter was at Rougemont, Pickering when dear hubby snapped the pic.

To my fellow Canadians - hope you celebrate in style and enjoy the long weekend.

To my 'Merican readers, Happy 4th of July - have a great weekend.

The urge to dress up - with Joe Fresh

2011-06-29T12:59:00.004-04:00

Having lost about weight I suddenly have the urge to dress up again. And by that I mean literally wearing a dress - which in my heavier state I did not enjoy trying on let alone actually wear. I feel like I can finally put on a dress and not look like a walking tent LOL

This dress caught my eye from Joe Fresh from their runway collection:

Much to my delight the new Joe Fresh stand alone store at Vaughan Mills actually had this dress! So I tried it on and I love it.

Of course I had to complete the "look" so I ended up picking up the following:

The Pleated Dress is CAD$69.00

The Straw Clutch is adorable and affordable at CAD$29.

The Spectator Sandals in a Dark Tan is a tad expensive IMHO at CAD$79.00 although I admit its on par with the shoe quality and price one finds at Zara.

Now the most important question is where do I wear it? LOL

Review & Swatch: Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in 02 Nudes

2011-06-28T09:49:00.001-04:00

Back in May, I gave you a little sneak peek of some really delish items coming out from Clarins for the Fall (see post here).

Today its time to take look at the gorgeous Eye Quartet Mineral Palette which I received at the press event.

PRODUCT: Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palettes in 02 Nudes

PRICE: CAD$42.00 for 5.8 g/0.2 oz

AVAILABILITY: Part of regular line, launching in August 2011.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At most Clarins counters at The Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart and other retailers across Canada.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM CLARINS:

"Eye Shadows that plat on colour for a variety of loos.

Highly concentrated in a mineral pigments, these eye shadows really light up the eyes. Create a multitude of effects with:

A harmony of satin and iridescent shades.
Two-high performance foam applicators to be used for a natural result, or damp, for an intense, sophisticated look."

REVIEW:

The Quartet is housed in a the signature Clarins red packing, inside a velvet pouch.

The outer packing has direction on how to utilize the palette.

Here is the suggested look on the back:

The palette is looks heavy but is actually quite light. Inside there are two foam applicators and a mirror.

Going by the numbered chart the colours are as follows:

1 - A shimmering champagne
2 - A shimmering taupe brown
3 - A slightly more matte dark brown
4 - A shimmering peachy-pink

Here are the dry swatches - from left to right 1, 4, 3, 2

Here are the same colours swatched wet:

The texture of the shadows are smooth and creamy. They have a sophisticated sheen to when used dry - perfect for a day look or when you want a subdued eye make up with bolder lips or cheeks.

There are no fall outs or creasing that I noticed. They blend out very well , too. With a primer they lasted 7 hours on me , but only because I took it off after that time elapsed. I think they would last a bit longer than that though if I hadn't removed my make up.

Now the nudes on my eye lids are very neutral (well, I mean really, they are supposed to be "nude" LOL) - I personally think when used dry this particular colour palette would work best with paler and cooler skin tones. They brighten up my eye , but in a very subtle way. I found that used dry, the lighter colours had a less pigmented finish.

What really makes them stand out though is when they are applied wet. They have a gorgeous depth and finish as you can see from the swatch - they really just pop and shimmer.

The quality of the product is what I expect from Clarins - beautiful finish, subtle, sophisticated shimmer that you can amp up if the mood strikes you. I tend to love brighter colours and I think the gorgeous 04 Indigo and 05 Violet would be right up my alley.

VERDICT: 4.5/5 - The quality of the shadows are gorgeous - they apply beautifully. Applied wet is how these babies really flourish though. With the 6 colour choices I think Clarins has covered good ground to suit and appeal to a nice range of skin tones and tastes. If you love sophisticated finishes and high-quality eye-shadows these are def. worth a try!

Review and Swatch: Wet 'n Wild Mega Last Lip Color in 908C Sugar Plum Fairy

2011-06-27T12:05:00.001-04:00

This was one of those reviews I took pictures for last week and then had blogger troubles. Its also a bit over due as I picked this up earlier this year.

Yes, put it down to one of those makeup blogger's problems - its easy to get distracted lol When I picked it up I think they were just being launched because I remember seeing the "NEW" sticker on them.

PRODUCT: Wet 'n Wild Mega Last Lip Color in 908C Sugar Plum Fairy

PRICE: CAD$3.77for 0.11 oz/3.3 g

AVAILABILITY: Part of regular line.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At Walmart, select Loblaws and other retailers across Canada.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM THE WET 'N WILD:

"Lips take center stage! This 4-hour, longwearing lip color leaves a semi-matte, crème finish in one stroke. Glides on easily with rich, velvety color that doesn't cake, feather, or bleed. Made with hydrating skin-care ingredients: Hyaluronic Microspheres provide extraordinary adhesion to lips, an exclusive polymer complex offers cushion-like feel and texture, and natural marine plant extracts Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamins A & E help smooth lips."

REVIEW:

As mentioned I picked this lipstick earlier this year around March/April, but never got around to using it till last week.

Wet 'N Wild has a good 20 shades to choose from in this particular range of Mega Last Lip Colors. I gravitate towards plummy colours as I find they flatter my skin tone the most so I naturally picked this one up.

The swatch on my hand was promising - it had a good colour pay-off. Here it it on my lips, please note, that the flash washed out the colour a bit, it is def. richer that in appears.

I was actually pleasantly surprised with the depth of colour. I also thought it may be a bit drying , but that wasn't so. Not that this packs a ton of moisture, but it doesn't turn out too waxy and drying on my dry lips either.

This has a matte finish, there are no shimmers of any kind. Which make it a good candidate for the work place. It didn't feather or flake on me either which darker matte finishes do sometimes.

The first time I tried this was in the evening - I actually went to sleep with it on. In the morning my lips weren't dry and there was still a very good hint of colour left.

The second time I wore it to work - it lasted the 4 hours as promised and then a bit more. It also survived my morning mug of tea quite well.

After that I had lunch and that's when it faded away to a tint , so I had to reapply. So the manufacturer's claim of 4-hour wear is def. true - you will probably get a lot longer wear if you aren't eating or drinking heavily. But you will def. need to re-apply through out a regular day.

VERDICT: 4/5 - For the price , coverage and colour range I def. think this is worth checking out and buying. I always think items priced this low is a great way to try out a different colour which you may not be too comfortable with as well. If you like matte finishes this is also worth looking at. Based on my experience with this formula, I am def. going to try other colours myself.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with any particular company or brand. Unless otherwise stated, everything I review on this blog is purchased by yours truly for my personal use and review purposes. All thoughts expressed are my unbiased, honest opinion regardless of how the product was obtained.

Photo Friday: Female Cardinal

2011-06-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Fridays I let the picture do the talking. A Female Cardinal at our feeder over winter as taken by yours truly. Have a great weekend!

Review & Swatch: The Body Shop Colourglide Lip Colour in No. 52 Scarlett

2011-06-23T09:00:00.001-04:00

Last night I took a few pictures of an item I wanted to review for awhile , but the internets were down at my house. So all the nice pics I took are on my home computer and now I have to take not so great ones with my Point and Shoot at work.

Oh well - The Body Shop is currently having a , Buy 1, get One 50% off or Buy 2 Get 1 Free, or Buy 3 Get 2 Free - so this review will be fine , too I think.

PRODUCT: The Body Shop Colourglide Lip Colour in No. 52 Scarlett

PRICE: CAD$12.50 for 4.2 ML

AVAILABILITY: Part of regular line.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At most Body Shop locations across Canada and online.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM THE BODY SHOP:

"A range of rich and luxurious, moisturizing lipsticks that offer long-lasting, intense color coverage while helping to condition the lips. Dermatologically tested."

REVIEW:

The Body Shop introduced their Colourglide Lip Colour in 2009 with an impressive 37 colours to choose from.

At the last Buy 1 Get 50% event I picked up one finally LOL I always have a hard time making up my mind so with 37 colour options I had a hard time. But I finally picked up No. 52 as it was a colour I do not have in my stash.

The colour in the tube looks like bold reddish orange. Here is a swatch:

It doesn't offer full, opaque coverage on my lips ; I'd call it semi-opaque. As I have stated many times, my lips are duo-tone and highly pigmented so anything less than full opacity tends to look more sheer on me than others. I think on less pigmented lips it will be better coverage.

On my lips the colour doesn't come off as bright as it does in the tube. There is a slight drag to the application contrary to its name of "...glide". I have fairly dry lips and I don't find it overly moisturizing, even though it doesn't further dry out my lips.
The lipstick lasts on me for about 4-5 hours when I am drinking. This wouldn't last through a meal, mind you, you will need to reapply. It does leave a slight stain behind I have found.

While I like the colour a lot (probably because I don't have anything else in this shade) , I am not blown away by the overall quality and performance of the product. This might be good for someone looking for a pop of colour that isn't overly bold on the lips. But if you need a stand-out orange-red, I don't think this will work.

VERDICT: 2.5/5 - Overall, its average quality in terms of application, moisture and longevity. I do use it as I don't have any similar colours, but I am not sure I'd repurchase this again. With the current Body Shop sale, you might want to pick up one for the bargain though if you don't have a bolder colour such as this, but I am not convinced this particular shade is worth the price.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with any particular company or brand. Unless otherwise stated, everything I review on this blog is purchased by yours truly for my personal use and review purposes. All thoughts expressed are my unbiased, honest opinion regardless of how the product was obtained.

Technical Difficulties - Please Stand By While I go see Peter Gabriel

2011-06-22T13:09:00.008-04:00

I am extremely angry right now - I had pics and reviews all ready to roll but my server was down all night at home.

So I took some quick pics at work and thought I could post something else , but nope, that's not going well either.

Now Blogger is driving me cray-cray with photo uploads at work. I just can't seem to get a break with blogging today *sigh*.

I hope that everything will be working tomorrow. Am going to a Peter Gabriel concert tonight so at least I have that to look forward to.

I was hoping he would do "Down to Earth" from Wall-E , but none of the set lists for the current tour are encouraging. Its one of my fave recent Peter Gabriel songs.

I will be ecstatic to hear him perform "In Your Eyes" live though. I think its one of the most romantic songs ever - just read the lyrics:

"In your eyes

The light, the heat

In your eyes

I am complete

In your eyes

I see the doorway to a thousand churches

In your eyes

The resolution of all the fruitless searches

In your eyes

I see the light and the heat

In your eyes

Oh, I want to be that complete

I want to touch the light

The heat I see in your eyes"

Gosh I love this song! Peter Gabriel is a genius! LOL

See you all tomorrow - fingers crossed that everything will work tomorrow on blogger!

Review: Clairol Nice 'N Easy Color Blend Foam Hair Colour in No. 2 Black

2011-06-21T09:00:00.008-04:00

Here's my beauty confession: in my 30 something years on the planet, I have never tried to colour my hair at home. Ever. Most girls I know have gone through green or orange hair colour disasters as a rite of passages , but not I. I actually liked my black hair and refused to do anything to it.

In fact I have never dyed my hair till Mother Nature decided to punish me with natural highlights ie grey hair last year. So I forked over money to get it professionally dyed. I loved that I could get that hint of red in my hair that I always admired on others , but I hated paying for it. I kept looking at the home colouring kits and then kept chickening out because I didn't want to deal with the a) mess and b) my (probably) irrational fear that my hair will come out green.

But for the very small amounts of grey hair that I had, the cost of getting my hair dyed every 4-5 weeks is a lot. I just couldn't justify it as much as I liked getting slightly different tints of reds in my hair. I tried using some of those temp. hair colours that you brush on with a mascara-wand but they didn't seem to do anything for me, So when I started seeing the ads of the Clairol Nice 'Easy Color Blend Foam Hair Colour I thought maybe it would be worth a try.

PRODUCT: Clairol Nice 'N Easy Color Blend Foam Hair Colour in No. 2 Black

PRICE: CAD$12.99

AVAILABILITY: Part of regular line.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At most Shopper's Drug Mart, PharmaPlus, Loblaws Superstores, Zellers, Walmart and other retailers across Canada and online.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM CLAIROL:

"Nice 'n Easy Color Blend Foam is permanent, providing the same trusted results as conventional colourants. So you can be confident youâ€™ll receive natural-looking tones and highlights for beautiful, dimensional colour and 100% gray coverage that lasts up to 8 weeks."

REVIEW:

As I said earlier, I have never tried to colour my hair at home before. So when I picked up the product, I read the box several times because I wanted to me sure I wasn't picking up something I can potentially muck up. I also didn't want to pick too un-natural a shade so I picked black.

The instructions were very simple - put product 1 & 2 together, shake it up and use. Wait 25 mins then rinse. Sounds pretty simple, right?

These are the items that are packed into the box - bottle no. 1 is the colourant, bottle no. 2 is the colour developer, the pump top, gloves, two sachets of conditioner and a very easy to follow instruction guide in a few different languages.

I mixed up the liquids, gave it a good shake and then pumped out the dye. the mixing bottle has lines indicating how much product you should use to cover your length of hair - more product for longer hair and less for shorter; naturally.

I have more than shoulder length hair so I mixed up all the product. I applied the dye to my whole head and waited for about 25 mins. Then as directed, I rinsed out my hair till the water ran clear.

So was it easy? Yah, it was easy as 1-2-3. I couldn't actually be happier as to how easy it was. I didn't have to mess around with anything other than just my gloved hands and because it the dye was in foam format, I didn't have to fuss with a dye brush and dripping product all over the place. The foam dye made it easy for me to apply the product where I wanted it most with my fingers.

I had the reddish tint from my previous salon dye job but after I used the Clairol Nice 'N Easy Color Blend Foam Hair Colour I noticed it covered the previous tint as well. And of course it took care of the pesky grey hairs which were my original reason for dying my hair.

I was afraid that the black might look too artificial and flat but it actually is very natural looking. I for one, couldn't be more pleased as after months of reddish tints, I was really missing my own natural black hair.

Now does the colour last up to 8 weeks? For my grey areas where I needed the coverage it has faded away after about 5 weeks. Which is about the same time line I got from the salon. I am not sure if it the colour will lasts a full 8 weeks, but that isn't too much of an inconvenience to re-dye it if you need.

For my next time, I am not going to mix the whole product up as I only need a very small amount to cover the areas I want. I think I can get at least two, three (if not more) usage from one box simply because I don't need to dye my whole head. But of course depending on your hair length and need for coverage you might need to repurchase sooner.

VERDICT: 5/5 - I am completely satisfied with this product ; the ease of use, the price and effectiveness of the product is great. I thought about deducting points for not lasting 8 weeks, but I think for the coverage will vary from person to person so its not too much of a sticking point. If you are looking for a very simple product to use at home, I highly recommend this. And remember they frequently go on sale so you can easily stock up when they do if you think the price is too high.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with any particular company or brand. Unless otherwise stated, everything I review on this blog is purchased by yours truly for my personal use and review purposes. All thoughts expressed are my unbiased, honest opinion regardless of how the product was obtained.

Avon Summer Sale

2011-06-20T11:46:00.000-04:00

Looks like Avon is having a Summer Sale - check them out online here. I am thinking of stocking up on some liners, their lip products are also worth checking out.

I also like to look at the gift section for stocking stuffers. And my aunts and cousins back in Bangladesh who can't get Avon always appreciate receiving some fun Avon Bath & Body products.

Are you thinking of hauling anything? Do you have any Avon favourites? Do share!

Photo Friday: Dark-eyed Junco

2011-06-17T09:02:00.000-04:00

Friday's I let the picture do the talking. A Dark-eyed Junco in our backyard as taken by yours truly. Have a great weekend!

Review & Swatch: L'Oreal Color Infallible 24 HR Eye shadows in All Night Blue and Permanent Khaki

2011-06-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

I have been wondering about the new L'Oreal Color Infallible 24 HR Eye shadows for a few days now. They just went on sale for CAD$9.99 so I finally picked two up.

PRODUCT: L'Oreal Color Infallible 24 HR Eye shadow

PRICE: CAD$12.49 for 3.5 g

AVAILABILITY: Part of regular line.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At most Shopper's Drug Mart, PharmaPlus, Loblaws Superstores and other retailers across Canada and online.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM L'Oréal:

"L’Oréal Paris unveils its latest eye shadow. Ultra-intense colour, up to 24 hour long-lasting hold and velvety soft feel.

At the heart of the revolution: a hybrid powder texture, a luxuriously creamy eye shadow. Intense colour in just a stroke. The formula is both water resistant and smudge resistant and does not run into fine lines around the eyes. "

REVIEW:

They had a few good colours but I narrowed it down to the two that caught my eye the most: All Night Blue and Permanent Khaki.

As you can see they come in little pots with a square top. You unscrew the round part to get to the shadows. There is an inner lid as well, most likely to keep the shadow in its moist, creamy condition.

The colours look pretty intense in the pots. Here's a swatch on my arm - because I am fairly brown Permanent Khaki comes off as more golden than khaki green.

On my eyes, sans any primer, All Night Blue shows up vividly and Permanent Khaki gives me more sheer wash of golden green.

The texture of the shadows are a curious mixture - its creamy, but not like your regular cream shadows and they go on more like powder shadow.

Now, when I was swatching them I thought of the Armani Eyes To Kill shadows - this looks like it could be a fairly decent substitute for them from what I have read of the reviews. I, however, do not own any Armani Eyes to Kill shadows, so its pure conjecture on my part. L'Oreal does own Armani though so maybe I am not too far off base.

But I digress. I am a bit disappointed with the colour pay off of Permanent Khaki, I wanted it to be more khaki than gold? LOL

All Night Blue is obviously the more pigmented of the two. This is a great colour to do smokey eyes with.

I used a regular all-over shadow brush and I didn't experience any fall out - the colours stayed put where I applied them. They go on fairly smoothly, and with an experience hand I think they would blend out well , too.

The colour selection is good enough to work with and appeal to a good variety of skin tones and tastes as well so that is a good thing.

So how long does it last? Without a primer they lasted without fading for about 6+ hours, after that they seem to loose a bit intensity. They didn't crease though. I suspect they would last longer with a primer. But 24 hrs is def. a stretch IMHO.

On a side note, WHO needs their shadow to last 24-hours anyway?

VERDICT: 3.5/5 - I am not sold on the longevity of the product, it doesn't last more than 6/7 hours without a primer so I can't see how it can last 24 hours. The texture is good though and they don't crease, but I think they are a bit pricey at almost CAD$13.00. I might consider another colour or two at the sale price of CAD$9.99.

Hopped up on Jumpy Monkey

2011-06-15T14:18:00.000-04:00

I really hate the greeting "Good Morning". There is never anything "good" about the mornings. On weekdays it means I actually have to drag my big, fat brown ass off the bed and actually get ready to go to work. Where I have to deal with a uber childish/drama queen of a boss in addition to the various problems that come with exporting food stuff overseas. Nothing ever good happens in the morning - I never know what to wear, and my commute is always on the Highway of Hell known as the 401 where there is always some construction or accident which make an typical 30-min ride into an hour and half of commuter hell.

On weekends - its even worse because the clock invariably is ticking down to that dreaded Monday morning all over again.

See what I mean? There's no need to sugar coat the awful, miserable day you are going to have anyway but saying "Good Morning". There is nothing "GOOD" about the morning. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero.

But yes, I do have to get up in the mornings. Which means I need something to give me a good kick in that a fore mentioned behind so I can get out the door. My poison of choice happens to be a cup of Jumpy Monkey.

Don't worry no actual monkeys are hurt or used LOL Its a maté tea from Davids Tea that I have been drinking in the mornings to wake me up.

According to the ingredients the tea contains freshly roasted peaberry coffee beans with Argentine maté, almonds, white chocolate and other roasted barks and roots.

Maté is brewed from the dried leaves & stemlets of the perennial tree called Yerba Mate.

In parts of South America Maté is used to increase immunity, cleanse and detoxify the blood, reduce stress, and eliminate insomnia among other things. But of course that is in its pure form.

The tea smells great - such a HUGE difference from bagged teas in terms of the flavour. I love aroma of the the coffee beans and almonds in it. I usually let it steep in my infuser cup for about 3/4 mins and then I take a deep breath and drink up.

Now I can't function without this tea in the mornings any more LOL Yes, I am addicted to it. There are worse things to be addicted to of course. Now if you are a tea drinker like me, I recommend checking this out. Mind you this does have nuts in it so if you have a nut allergy, maybe its not such a good idea.

So how much does this cost? Well its not cheap when you compared to the bagged tea you can buy at your grocery store. I buy the 100G every month and half which costs CAD$13.00.

Don't let it freak you out though - I used to buy Tim Horton's Iced Capps in the mornings. Which would set me back $60 a month/$2.00 day. With this tea it costs me less than (because it lasts about 40 days for me) CAD$13.00 so really it isn't that expensive at all when you break it down to per day costs.

And the taste is wayyyy better, not to mention how horrid most teas are virtually calorie-less provided you don't add milk or sugar to them. So I see it as a win-win for me LOL

So if you are looking for a tea with a good kick in it for the morning, I suggest Jumpy Monkey. If its not your cup of tea (see what I did there?) but you are a tea drinker, I suggest you check out Davids Tea's other offerings - they have QUITE a selection and the shops always have a few daily selections brewed for you to taste. They also have a website which you can peruse to your heart's content.

Cheers to tea!

Be a Donor in Ontario

2011-06-14T11:40:00.000-04:00

Today's post is non-beauty related, but I think its an important issue to address.

According to the Star "More than 1,500 Ontario residents are on the wait list for organ and tissue donations, and 399 transplants were done so far this year. In the Greater Toronto Area, 1,014 are on the list and 245 transplants have been done this year."(link to article here, picture also from the same article)

My writing isn't eloquent enough so I am posting verbatim from the Be A Donor website:

The organ and tissue donation process

"People are often surprised to learn how rare it is for someone to become an organ donor. For an individual to become an organ donor, they must die in hospital while on life support, which accounts for only a small percentage of deaths. (This is not the case for tissue donation, which can take place in most cases when someone has died, as long as the tissue is suitable for transplantation.)

Because the opportunities for organ donation are relatively rare and the impact is life-saving, it’s important that Ontarians give serious thought to organ and tissue donation and register their consent to donate. This way you can ensure that your donation decision, if and when needed, is made known to your family. Also, by registering your consent to donate, you relieve your family of the burden of making this decision on your behalf.

Families are approached to confirm consent at the hospital during end-of-life discussions. If their loved one has registered their consent to donate organs and/or tissue (meaning their organ and tissue donation decision is recorded in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care database), this information is shared with the family. (Trillium Gift of Life Network only has access to donation decisions in the database once lifesaving efforts have failed and the person has died, or if death is imminent.)

Testing is done to confirm the medical suitability of the organs and tissue, and to determine which patients waiting for organ transplantation are the best match for the donated organs. A Trillium Gift of Life Network coordinator speaks with the donor’s family to get a medical and social history of their loved one, similar to the questionnaire completed when donating blood.

Recovery of organs occurs in the operating room, usually within 24 hours. Donation typically does not impact funeral or burial plans, and it often occurs while families are making these arrangements and contacting others. Trillium Gift of Life Network stays in contact with families to inform them when organ and tissue recovery is complete.

Trillium Gift of Life Network staff work closely with healthcare professionals to support the grieving families through the decision to donate, and to ensure as many people as possible benefit from the generous gift of organs and/or tissue. Trillium Gift of Life Network will later send a letter to the family thanking them for their gift and to inform them of the outcome."

The new website to register is up and running and it only takes a few mins to go through the process. Please consider taking some time out of your busy day to register your donor information here - as I said it really doesn't take that long to do. But the results are spectacular!

Meet Andrea from Trillium Gift of Life Network on Vimeo.

Review: The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

2011-06-13T13:11:00.000-04:00

Hello readers - looks like Hospital Week isn't over yet for me. I wouldn't go into details - and now I am sick myself with a sore throat and earache - sheesh.

But the blog must go on - so on with the review!

PRODUCT:The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

PRICE: CAD$20.00 for 50 ml

AVAILABILITY: Part of regular skincare line.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: At most Body Shop locations across Canada and online.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT FROM THE BODY SHOP:

"Best if you want to:Hydrate and enhance your skin's natural radiance while protecting it from damaging UV rays with a lightweight, easily-absorbed lotion.

Best for: Dull skin

How it works: Contains Amazonian camu camu berry, which is known to have one of the highest contents of vitamin C in nature. Vitamin C encourages collagen production, improves elasticity and protects against damaging environmental aggressors. Sunscreens provide medium-level, broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection. Community Trade sesame seed oil softens skin and strengthens skin’s natural defense system."

REVIEW:

Some of you may know I went back home Bangladesh after a long time earlier this year. I wanted to take a moisturizer that gave me more SPF coverage than my usual Clarins Bright Plus SPF 20 Lotion (review here). I just happened to be at the Body Shop grabbing some gifts and talking to the really friendly SA at the store about my trip so she suggested the Vitamin C cream.

Now I have some crazy super sensitive skin sometimes but I know generally the Body Shop items are not overly harsh with chemicals so I thought why no give it a try? Plus the price was reasonable so I purchased a tube.

I ended up using it exclusively everyday of my trip .The white cream has slight scent to it - I can't place it ,but its not overwhelming and fades away after application. It absorbed just a tad slower that my regular cream but that for wasn't a big deal for me personally.

It kept my fairly dry skin well hydrated and I didn't notice any break-outs or any allergic reactions to it, which my skin is notorious for. My face didn't look dull or tired, which was a great bonus for me.

I think anyone with dry or normal skin can use this without any worries. I don't think its too heavy for oilier skins but if you have oilier skin, maybe try it first before purchasing the product outright.

I have it at work now as my office go-to cream if I have to head out in the sun during the day. I also use it when I leave work as the days are getting longer and its no longer dark when I leave in the evenings. In fact, I just purchased my second tube of the product.

VERDICT: 5/5 - Its a must try and a staple in my skincare routine! The cream works, I don't think it makes any outrageous claims that it didn't live up to. The packing is handy to carry in your purse without being too bulky. The price is also reasonable, and you know that you are buying from a company which promotes ethical and fair community trade worldwide so its all a win-win for me.

Photo Friday: Pouring Tea at The Windsor Arms

2011-06-10T10:17:00.000-04:00

Fridays, I let the picture do the talking. Tomorrow I am going for Afternoon Tea with my fave girlfriends - this picture is from the last time we went for High Tea at the Windsor Arms, as taken by yours truly. Have a wonderful weekend!

Bag Love: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hayley Tote

2011-06-09T16:10:00.001-04:00

Lookie, lookie whats on sale at Neiman Marcus:

I think its a great buy - MbMJ bags are very well made and the leather is usually very good quality. I love the Faded Khaki colour but there's a smashing bright option as well called Red Saffron:

The tote looks function, stylish but not too au currant that you can't use it again next year. The lines are clean and there are no in-your-face brand logo - perfect to go from work to grocery shopping IMHO.

Plus Neiman Marcus lets us Canadian take advantage of free shipping with their shipping codes so you can't go wrong!

The classy looking Marc by Marc Jacobs Hayley Tote is available here for US$333 (if you buy both it will total US$666 - just thought I'd mention it) on Neiman Marcus.

Happy Hauling!

P.S. An update on my dad - he is well and at home. We will know in the next two weeks if he needs anything else or not, but he is in good health. Thank you all for your good wishes :)

Tuning in for Tuesday: Hospital Week

2011-06-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

I feel like its Hospital week at our house. Last Friday my BIL had a cycling accident and broke his arm. He had to stay in the hospital for two nights and had a plate put in for his spiral fracture. Of course we were in Emerg with him Friday evening/night and then spent basically waiting all day Sat for his surgery to actually commence.

The OP was supposed to be in the a.m., but he didn't go into pre-OP till 6 p.m. and didn't come out till 10:30 p.m. at night. Sunday we were told he'd be out by noon , but of course we didn't get back home till 3 p.m.

So basically we spend the entire weekend in the hospital.

I am not complaining about him being hurt, but dear Lord, waiting in the hospital for days SUCKS!

I know, I know, we are lucky we have the health care system in place in Canada, but wait times are just insane. And of course no one gives you a straight answer. I am ok to wait , but I just wish they'd tell you whats going on instead of answering with "He is on the list" when you ask "What time do you think he's going to have the Op?/How long is the wait time?/Do you think he will have his surgery today?".

Tomorrow I have to take in my dad for his angiogram at some God forsaken hour of 6 am. Which means I have to get up even earlier, pick him up and drive down at least an hour before his appointment. I KNOW they will not even look at him till 10 and that we will be waiting around and probably not get home till 3/4 (if not MUCH later) in the afternoon.

Anyhoo, between hospitals and work I am not sure how much time I am going to have to do any blogging this week. I fee like a cross between Nurse Kitteh and Taxi Driver Kitteh because I invariably end up driving ppl around and waiting in the hospitals/dr. by default when ever there's any kind of family medical issue both on my parent's side (the perks of being an only child) and on my in-laws side (BIL doesn't own a car).

I hope I can go back to some reviews again soon and not bore you with medical woes of my extended family LOL Take it easy everyone - I will be back for sure when I am done with the various hospital duties!

Annabelle launches the Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil

2011-06-06T08:00:00.004-04:00

So excited to share with the Mighty J reader's the latest launch from Annabelle:

NEW! Launch of Annabelle® Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil

The only eyeshadow that will outlive you on the dance floor.

“A crease-free, cream formula that provides extra-long wear”. This is not exactly a common description you would read for eyeshadow. Nonetheless, Annabelle® Cosmetics introduces its colour-bursting Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil. For once, you’ll never get tired or bored by an extremely long-lasting performance.

Available in 8 gorgeous bright hues, this creamy formula glides on the lids like silk! Use it as an eye pencil to make your peepers pop; apply it all over the lid as an eyeshadow; blend it with other Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil shades or use it as a base for your favorite brightly coloured powder eyeshadows resulting in an outstanding pay-off. The makeup junkie in you will be impressed!

The Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil’s waterproof formula lasts more than 9 hours and yet still feels like the lids are bare. Soft and smooth, its vivid shades provide an extremely comfortable wear and never pull the skin. Seamless intense coverage without the weight. “Jumbo” has ever felt so light!

What can we say about it on the negative side of things? Not sticky. Not transferable. No creasing. Not oily. No animal testing. No preservatives. No paraffin. No animal-by products. No mineral oil. No parabens. No smudging. No joke! We thought you’d agree with us that those are really perks in the end :o)

Melonade MokaMirage Absinthe-Minded GrapeFull BluBomb( from left to right, last one is BluBomb)

Available at pharmacies and mass retail stores across Canada as of August 2011 in 8 shades including the above in addition to: Acaidasiac, Cocoaloco and Licoriche.

(from left to right) Acaidasiac Cocoaloco Licoriche

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $8.95 each pencil

Currently exclusive to Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada in 5 shades: Melonade, MokaMirage, Absinthe-Minded, GrapeFull and BluBomb.

Easy to apply, convenient and fast. The Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil won’t let you down.

It removes easily with the Annabelle® Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads.

What do you think? I think they sound great! I love the names , too - esp Absinthe-Minded LOL Can't wait till Aug!