Ready for the Weekend : April 27 Edition

Whoops this was meant to be posted on Friday but was saved to drafts!

Happy Friday!

Can you believeit’s May on Tuesday?! Shortest winter ever I swear. It’s a really rough time of year for me. All our big events have to happen with in a 3 week span. I’m not sure why that is but I’ve been working until about 8-8:30 pm each night for the last couple of weeks I’m afraid next week will be worse! Not sure I’m going to make it but I say that every year. Meanwhile, my brother arrived in Amsterdam today which is one of my all time favourite cities. I’m not jealous at all.

Here’s what I’m up to this weekend (in addition to working :( ) :

1.  Listening to
Obsessed with this at the moment.

2.  Finishing the baby washcloths!
Still not done!!

3.  Watching Arctic Air
Now on Netflix! I should have watched it was on CBC. I’m a big fan of Adam Beach but for whatever reason, I didn’t. I’m really enjoying it and I love seeing the beauty of the North on tv.

4. Reading The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham

Wasn’t sure about this one to be honest. When I picked it up at the library I thought it looked really boring. Somehow that’s what comes across with the cover.  I started reading it because it’s a pick from my Goodreads’ European History Book Club. I’m really enjoying it so far. Plus, I know nothing of Henry VI or Margaret of Anjou so it’s all new to me!

5. Congratulating Priscilla!
She won the giveaway on Holly’s blog!

What are your plans for the weekend (or what’s left of it)?


Pretty Things: My first (and only) Eco-Emi box!

Happy Earth Day lovelies!

Since it’s Earth Day, it’s the perfect time to post what I received in my Eco Emi box. I only received one of these boxes because it is a bit expensive ($30 since shipping from US) but I was really curious to try new eco friendly products. I hope a similar Canadian brand (or eco friendly versions of current beauty boxes) get started up soon. It should be mentioned that this is actually the March box. I only received a week ago because of the extra distance for shipping.

Back to the box! This is what it looks like when I open the box. You can see they reduce the packaging by not putting the items in a box within another box. Also, all the wrapping is with recycled tissue paper.

It smelled so lovely.

Here’s what was inside:

 

1. Vita Care Toothbrush:
Full size! $3.39 US
I am so unbelievably excited about this. Biodegradable toothbrushes was something I never even considered until very recently. I just didn’t think they’d exist! For $3.39, it’d be no different than buying the usual plastic ones from the drug store. When you think about throwing out 2-3 toothbrushes a year, they can easily add up over a lifetime. This toothbrush is made of 100% biodegradeable and recycle materials. Awesome.

2. Raw Vegan Bars by Bella Bars
Sample size: 1 bar
Full size: 12 bars for $19.80 US
Yeesh that’s expensive! The bar I had (chocolate) was very good. It definitely had a chocolately taste to it even though it was dripping in chocolate. It reminded me of fig newtons (must have been the dates) .

3. Pomegranate Gum by Vita Care
Full size! $1.69 US
Another Vita Care product! I haven’t tried these yet but I’m intrigued. I really appreciate how affordable their products are and it makes me what to research where to buy them locally as I see they have toothpaste & mouthwash as well.

4. Lip Tints – Badger
Sample size: no weight given
Full size: $6.50 US
This product contains certified organic oils, butters and waxes with natural mineral tints. I am partial to the Lush Lip Service lip balm (as you know) but I like that this has a shimmer. The colour I received is a browny orangey colour (how specific!) but the shimmer makes it look coppery. It actually goes well with my skin tone but it’s a bit of a fall colour in my eyes. I will keep it around until then. Here is a blurry swatch. It looks darker on my lips and not quite as sheer but very pretty.

5. Vegan Gel Eyeliner in That Black by The Natural Face
Full size! $5.75 US
This was a very cool edition. I love MAC’s fluidlines and this is along the same lines. However, this product is a lot wetter than the MAC prodcuts. I’m trying to compare it to something. It has the consistancy of jello that hasn’t quite set yet. It came with a little brush as well which would be handy for those who don’t already have one. I haven’t tried it yet but I will. I have to confessI am nervous about the consistancy being difficult to work with.  Very inexpensive though. Here’s a pic:

 

6. Vegan Mineral Eye Shadows by The Natural Face
Sample size: no weight given
Full size: 5 g $3.50 US
Another The Natural Face product! I love how inexpensive the products are. You really can’t beat that. I received the eye shadow in Olive U. It’s a small sample but you could probably have two tries with it. It’s a loose shadow and heavily pigmented. It’s a very dark green (practically black) so another fall colour but it’s pretty.

7. Revitalize Shampoo  & Conditioner by Greenbody Greenplanet
Sample size: 1 fl oz each
Full size: 8 oz $24 US each
I just have to say that I can’t ever imagine spending $24 on an 8 oz bottle of shampoo but that said, they smell lovely and I’m eager to try them.

8. Incense by Auromere Ayurvedic in Lily
Sample size: (Full size sample pack!) : $6.95 US
I haven’t lit incense since high school and even then they all smelled the same to me while they were burning. I appreciated receiving the Lily scent as it’s one of my favourite flowers. Who knows? Maybe I’ll light some incense and put on Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy or Smashing Pumpkins Melon Collie & The Infinite Sadness and it can be like old times.

WAIT THERE’S MORE!

9. Pear Tree Specialty Liquid Soap by Old Post Road Oils
Sample size: 2.5 oz
Full size: 8 oz $7 US
I missed this when I originally took the haul photo. What a box! This soap is vegan and according to the product card, perfect for shaving as it’s very gentle. It was initially created for kids with acne. I’m intrigued. I love the pear scent. I don’t really like eating pears as much as I love smelling them. It’s a texture thing so I’ve very glad to have this.

That’s it! That is a huge variety of samples for one box. If I was in the US, I would cancel all other boxes and go with this as there’s a mix of everything and it’s all very interesting. I must say there is a few spelling mistakes on the product card which is a bit unprofessional but that kind of works with the handmade feel of the box.

Have you received an Eco Emi box or something similar? What did you think about it? What are your favourite eco tips?

p.s. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway on Holly’s blog!

Ready for the Weekend : Friday the 13th Edition!

Happy Friday!

I’m exhausted! It was just one of those weeks where I had something going every night. All I want to do is finish the baby blanket and go to sleep! I can’t though. I have our splurge dinner group tonight. Ok but I’m leaving early-ish!

Last night, I was at the Ronald McDonald House Fashion Show. It was the second year I attended and I enjoyed it more this year than last year. They do such great work that it’s always nice to go out and support them. As an event planner, every time I go to another event, I start changing things. I’m sure people do that to my events as well. It’s just a habit.  Check out what I got in my swag bag:

Not a bad little assortment of goodies. The Ronald McDonald House gift is a compact mirror which is really handy. I’m not sure about the scarf if I’m honest. I both love it and hate it if that’s possibly. I love the colours but the scarf is a bit 70s Air Hostess. However, I’m keeping it. I think it’s going to be one of those pieces that when you figure out what you’re going to do with it, it’s fabulous. Oooh maybe as a headband? Watch this space.

Here’s what I’m up to this weekend:

1.  Going to Take Off Your Clothes Winnipeg!
Check out my earlier post for more info. I was meant to volunteer this weekend but I haven’t heard back. Looks like I’m off the hook!

2.  Finishing the baby washcloths!
Baby Zoey was born on Wednesday. She’s very cute. The blanket will be done shortly, I’m just finishing the last row of trim. Then I’m making a couple of washcloths for baby and a couple of these flower hair bands for Zoey & her two big sisters.

3.  Breakfast with one of my bffs!
I’m so excited for this it’s ridiculous. I haven’t seen her for so long! Following breakfast, we’re heading to nearby Academy Rd. to hit up some boutiques. I don’t think I’ve hit up the Academy shops in at least a year. Unacceptable.

4. Listening to the new Scissor Sisters single
I’ve been obsessed with this since I first heard it. The last cd made me feel a bit meh so I’m really happy to be pumped for this one! I’ve been chair dancing to it all week at work!

5. Reading something
I barely cracked a book this week because I’ve just been all over the place. I’ve missed it!

What are your plans for the weekend? Don’t forget to enter my giveaway on Holly’s blog!


Out & About: Blind Date at MTC

Hi all,

Tonight I went with my mom to see Blind Date, a play that’s currently running at MTC’s Warehouse theatre. It is super cute and really very funny. The premise is this: Mimi, a single girl is waiting for her blind date to show up. When he doesn’t, she scours the audience looking for a replacement blind date. The intro of the audience member to the play and to the audience is really well done. I have to admit, I did feel really anxious for the guy. He played his part really well! I thought it could’ve have ended earlier. It’s about 90 minutes with no intermission.
Photo credit: MTC

I don’t think you could really have an intermission for this kind of thing but I thought that the guy needed a break! Cutting it by 15-30 minutes would’ve kept it on a high. It was tremendously funny and the concept worked incredibly well. It’s only playing for a few more days, so if you have a chance, go check it out! I’m sure it’s different every night because there’d me a new “date” and a new way to flow the conversation. We really have to hand it to the guys who go oup there. It gets pretty randy up there but they (and their girlfriends!) are such good sports.

In other news, I won a sponsorship on Holly Knitlightly’s blog for the month of April. Yay! Holly has been gracious enough to allow me to do a giveaway of beauty products on her blog. Holly’s a ferocious knitter and is constantly knitting up blankets to donate. Such an inspiration! To enter the giveaway, click here.