Spring Cleaning

Spring is in the air.. and along with that comes the highly anticipated spring cleaning!

Remember the old Mr. Clean commercials, that after you use the product, the house literally sparkles! False advertizing, although.. the scent left over from using these products is so fresh and great, so I guess that makes up for the "glimmering" counters, floors, walls...

Victoria Beckham - February 2010, Glamour Magazine

But really, there is nothing like having a freshly cleaned house. There is something so rejuvinating and uplifting about it..

Also, the combination of loud music, singing at the top of your lungs and newly created dance moves has a way of putting me in a fantastic mood!

I don't know about you but when I clean, I feel extreme urges to redecorate as well.. it doubles -if not triples- the ammount of time it takes me to normally clean, buuuuut its sooooo refreshing...

I hope you aren't finding my little rant on house cleaning too annoying..

Here are some inspring household redecoration idea's :)
Enjoy!

Hanging pictures or changing the location of pictures is a definite home refresher

I think this is a suuuper cute idea for redecoration,

escpecially for spring :)

this unfortunately, is not my fridge..

but it poses as a great example for organization

and is something I can definitely see myself doing while cleaning

 an easy DIY

I love this

credit to blog.designsquish.com for this

awesome idea!

I know this is classified more as a renovation

than a redecoration.. nonetheless I think it is a great idea..

and a great project for my boyfriend if ever we move somewhere with a staircase..

 

sticking marbles in holes in your backyard fence!

LOVElovelove this idea!

 

my boyfriends home decorating techniques

..he has good intentions :)

another DIY type site to consider checking out positivelysplendid.com

I hope you were inspired!

xo

A Blustery Day

Do you ever feel like there just isn't enough time?

My boyfriend and I live together, yet between us both being enrolled in college full time (in different towns) and working on different schedules, it seems like the only time we ever see each other is when we wake up in the morning.

Luckily this week we had a few days off together! It was great to have some much needed quality time. One afternoon, although rainy outside and terribly windy, we decided to explore our town... Here are a few pictures!

statue we found at a deserted boat launch

it was so cold! 

I love this shot :)

***

  getting ready to go our for the night

 <3

Cheers!

xo

Maybelline New York Baby Lips

I LOVE this lip balm so much! It was actually the first time I'd even seen BABY LIPS (besides adds in magazines, on TV...), and seeing as my lips have been fighting the evil wind against chapping I figured I might as well give it a try, seeing how it claims to have quite a few positive effects on your lips... just to name a few, after merely 4 weeks of use:

94% less rough lips

82% better moisturized look

77% smoother

77% more supple

Also, this product is SPF 20 (which is fantastic), it provides amazing color

and oddly enough, my boyfriend even loves how it looks on me.

*in the picture above I am wearing pink punch.*

**will be purchasing cherry me in the near future**

PS. Today I spoiled myself with a trip to the spa. The result? Gel nails <3

It was my first time getting gel nails and so far I love them so much! They are fairly short compared to the last time I got my nails done which makes it so much more convenient. I can't stand experiencing difficulty using my hands because my nails are long.. and I especially am happy with the fact that my nail didn't get completely destroyed in the process. (as far as I could tell anyway..)

My nails were done by an Asian man who actually lives in my apartment building! I had no idea haha.. I wonder if he has any idea of how much more often he will be seeing me..

The whole experience was enjoyable. From the aesthetician being friendly and humorous, to his tremendously skilled wife who hand painted the flower accent on my ring finger (yes, hand painted!). I can definitely foresee myself making regular trips to visit ;) 

Oh, did I mention how much I love them? 

Cheers! 

Nicole

xo

Spring?!

Happy St Patricks Day!

So I'm lame. 

It's 12:26am and instead of being out drinking green beer, I'm sitting at home waiting for my boyfriend to get off work creating wishlists on multiple clothing sites and blogging.. 

Atleast there'll be no hangover tomorrow ;)

Today my north island home experienced the beautiful sunshine in what seems like ages! 

Especially after the bizarre storm that happened last week (up to 140km winds!!).

Apparently I'm craving warm weather (specifically spring/summer weather!). 

All I can think about lately is shorts, tank tops, dresses sandals and swimsuits! 

These are a few items off my spring wishlist..

romper - www.garage.ca

crochet shorts - www.tobi.com

dress - www.esther.com

swimsuit - www.allwetbeachwear.com

shoulder bag - www.lagarconne.com 

crochet slip on - www.shop.nordstrom.com

Looking forward to warm weather and tanning!

Cheers, 

xo

What a Wonderful Afternoon !

Hello! I've been sooo busy the last few days! -which explains my absense- What with school, work and a recent hurricane (!!!) I have barely had time enough for myself, let alone my blog.. which I have missed terribly may I add..

SO last Friday, I made a trip down to Tofino, BC to interview the operations manager at the Wickanninish Inn for a project I was assigned in the Front Office Operations class I am taking. For those that do not know of Tofino.. you haven't lived!! It is probably the most b-e-a-u-tiful place I have ever been in my entire life!! Although during the 4 hour drive, and the first hour and a half of the interview the weather was rather gloomy and rainy.. the sun did not hesitate to show its wonderful face!

 Here are some pictures taken on the beautiful Long Beach, Tofino, British Columbia.

..peek-a-boo beautiful blue sky!

I definitely recommend Tofino be on your bucket list of places to visit, if it isn't already.

Cheers!

xo

DIY Beauty Inspiration ~Dip Dye

First off.. Happy International Womens Day!

**

I think this look is so pretty. It's fun, trendy and not overwhelming.. and I am seriously considering giving in and attempting to do this to my own hair! Let's cross our fingers and hope it doesn't turn out a hot mess. The last thing i need is another hair disaster.. lol.

What you will need:
- hair bleach
- developer
- gloves
- a plastic bowl
- plastic brush (debatable)
- foils (aka. strips of tin foil)
- hair color

**Remember, for better results choose a brighter color! :)

The How To:
1. Section out hair
     -what I do is pin up the majority of hair, except an under layer, and gradually release more hair until all the the tips have been applied with dye.

2. Mix the bleach with the developer
     -the consistency should be that of icing

3. Apply bleach mixture to the tips of hair that you want dyed -make sure to cover completely!
     -standard is 3" (personally, my hair is about shoulder length, so my tips will only be dyed about 1.5"-2" in order to not look too overwhelming)

**Continue until all tips are covered**


4. Heat ends with a blow dryer

**Before removing foil, check that the desired degree of bleaching is achieved, and compare the last  foil to the first**


5. Remove foil and rinse tips with water and blow dry

6. Squeeze/pour color into a plastic cup and apply generously

7. Wrap tips in a plastic bag, and if the dye instructions say to do so, apply heat

8. Let the dye sit for 5 mins, and remove excess dye with paper towel
     -to brighten the finished product, apply more dye
     -the longer the stain sits on your hair, the better it will hold

9. Rinse ends with conditioner only

Tadaa!!


Now, if you the dip dye wasn't enough to satisfy your appetite, here are a few colorful inspirations. Enjoy!

I'll be posting pictures of my attempt at dip dye, so stay tuned!

xo