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

Mon(DIY) ~Wall Picture

Crafts are the perfect way to spend a morning ,afternoon, evening or the whole day! All that's needed is a tiny bit of inspiration and a little streak of creativity. Last week, once again, I was spending some time on pinterest, and I came across this picture in the DIY & Crafts section:

I thought it was a really cool idea, and a simple and cheap way to decorate your home.

Directions:

1. Find a piece of cardboard or other light solid material that is a size suitable to your liking.

2. Use newspapaper (like the picture above), wrapping paper, scrapbooking paper, construction paper etc to create a background or design.

3. Use tape (or glue) to fasted the paper to the backboard

4. Tadaa! you have a wall picture

**I used a shoe box lid as my backboard. When it was finished, I stuck two tacks in the wall and hung my homemade wall picture on the wall in my living room 

Enjoy!

xo

Fri- Motivation

If you'r like me, there is a huge part of you that yearns to get shape. I don't know what my problem is but I'll make these great plans to workout, go for a jog, eat healthier -get in shape- and I always find some pathetic excuse to not! It drives me crazy. It really does! I know I can, I just don't. And that's stopping right now.

As I already stated in previous blogs, I'm a self diagnosed addict to Pinterest. Which is good, I find inspiration. Whether its from just looking at a picture, or reading a quote, I always seem to find exactly what I need.

This looks pretty basic, but you've got to start somewhere, right? And believe me, by the end of this circuit you definitely feel rejuvenated, full of energy and might I add proud! It's simple and only takes approximately 25 minutes so there is no excuse to not do it. 

Need some help building motivation? I've hung a picture of myself from 3 years ago on my bedroom mirror so I'll see it everyday. Back then I was on a volleyball team and exercised regularly, I'm proud of how I looked, and I'm going to work hard to look that way again. See? Motivation achieved.

Cheers! 

xo

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Shout Out to Dr. Seuss, who would have turned 108 years old today. 

Thurs. Alex Beadon Photography~

I discovered this Alex Beadon Photography on Pinterest. The model is absolutely stunning, and I love how her makeup is done in such a way that it appears to be glowing. Its beautiful. Also, seeing how it's been snowing here on the northern end of Vancouver Island, I found this particular photography to be completely appropriate.

xo

http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com/
Also on facebook, search Alex Beadon Photography

~a little organization

I'm new to this blogging thing, but totally am completely into it. I love the idea of having somewhere to express myself, my opinions, thoughts and idea's, and I could spend h-o-u-r-s blog surfing. About blog surfing.. that is exactly what i was doing when I came across this great idea. I admire structure, I believe it makes everything better, so I've decided to put a little bit of organization into my blogging to help it run smoother.

SUNDAY - fashion inspiration

MONDAY - DIY

TUESDAY - beauty inspiration

WEDNESDAY - misc.

THURSDAY - photography

FRIDAY -fitness/health inspiration

SATURDAY - highlights of the past week

Now that we'v got some structure, let's see how this goes.

Cheers xo

Pet Peeve: THIEVES

Yesterday I had the unfortunate experience of losing my wallet..In it was the $140 of tips that i've been saving for the past 2 weekends. Everything was gone. Even the pennies in the change pocket.

...

Pathetic right?

I was pretty upset, obviously, more so because I had been saving for an eye appointment to get contacts which I've been looking forward to for the past month =( The sad part is that it happened in my college down the hallway from the registration office, where it could have been untouched and returned... I just can't believe the indecency of some people. Personally, I feel guilty merely looking through a friends purse. I feel like its a violation of their space. How someone can go in a strangers wallet and loot everything is beyond me.

But on the bright side, I bought a lottery ticket

and won $15. My luck is turning around :)

Steeaaal !

Talk about love at first site! Normally, I don't wear heels. at all. I enjoy being comfortable, and heels just don't really cut it. But lately they have reaally started to catch my eye, and I don't think I can live the rest of my life avoiding them..

SO the other day when I saw these I couldn't say no. I instantly put them on and starting strutting around the store. It was one of those purchases where you don't even have to think about it. Painless. Just find your size (make sure the sizes on each shoe are the same..) and proceed to the cashier where the money exchange takes place and, voila! I am now the proud owner of these size 7.5, American Eagle heels. :)