Stuff You'll Love!

You'll Love: Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo


Whenever I pick up and magazine I {like every other girl on this planet} find myself drooling over the expensive products they recommend you buy. Sometimes I cave and buy them. But most of the time I opt for the less expensive but equally satisfying alternative. So I thought I would post the products I love and that I buy on a regular basis. These are all things I think are worth spending your time and hard earned money on, and I think you will love as well!


I literally have to wash my hair every night in order for it to look clean and manageable the next day. My hair dresser keeps telling me to stop washing everyday because it’s bad for my hair…. “You need to train your hair” she says…well…I don’t have the patience to do that! Thank god for dry shampoo! I’ve tried a few different brands. Tresemme and Aveeno, but I found they just added to the oil and dirt of my day old hair, and tried to mask any smell with a gross baby powder scent. A few girls at my office recommended I try Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo, and it made a world of difference. You really get what you pay for ($17.95/bottle).

Following the directions on the can is key! Shake the can well, and then hold about 6-8 inches away from your head. Spray the product lightly focusing mainly on roots, wait 2 minutes before brushing out excess product, and VOILA refreshed, volumized day old hair! Instead of adding to the daily dirt and oil in your hair, Big Sexy Hair absorbs excess oils, dirt and product build up, adding volume to limp hair, UV- protection, and helps extend colour life by lengthening time between washes! PLUS… PLUS…PLUS!

Which dry shampoo do you love?!*

our new PUPPY!

We have wanted to get a new puppy for awhile!  And on Tuesday, I bought one!
She's an adorable Maltipoo and is only 2 weeks old!!!  We are heading to San Fran the first week of September so we won't be picking her up until after we get home.....{she's also still too young to leave her mom}...the wait is killing me! See our new little addition below!

I'm still trying to come with a name.....any ideas!?*

July in Photos!*

Finally! My July in photos post! July was so busy! I had 2 friends and my sister visit from Ontario for the 100th year of the Calgary Stampede which was crazy! Then literally the day everyone left I headed off to P.E.I for a wedding...!  The wedding it's self was.... not the best experience but being in P.E.I with friends and family was amazing and so relaxing! The lobster was delish and the weather and the beaches were amazing! I posted photos below of the past month!*

100 YEARS!

Margs and Tacos*!

the girls!

The Rodeo!

A 10 Gallon!

Bull Ridin'

Cottage in P.E.I

tanning, tanning & tanning!

beautiful!

i love foot prints in the sand!

besties!

beach bon-fires for Jon's Birthday!

how to eat a lobster.....

the best lobster linguini EVER!

the Bride and Groom

<3 p="p">

Dalvay by the Sea with the Royals!

Drinks at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Self-Tanner {how to!}

So if you know me AT ALL…..I am pretty much obsessed with tanning during the summer months! Heck, give me 1 hot day in March and I’ll be out there! I think it’s actually sac-religious to sit inside on any sort of sunny day in the summer… I almost feel guilty doing it because I’m not utilizing those UV Rays!  I know, I know it’s actually horrible for your skin and your  overall well-being, I totally understand that one day I will probably have skin of leather…but I can’t help it! I have Ukrainian skin which tans instantly…and I love it! So I take advantage!  I am guilty of hitting Fabutan every now and then…but I mainly rely on natural sunlight and sunless tanners! I find using sunless tanners without any sort of base increases the risk of having streaky/orange skin {but that may be caused by my lazy application process!} Below I have listed my favorite go to sunless tanners and the process in which you should follow to achieve a wonderful summer glow in the dead of winter or during the summer if you’re too busy to get outside!

Exfoliation is Key!

You must exfoliate! You can use self-tanning specific exfoliators such as Balea Self Tanner Exfoliator, or you can use any exfoliating body wash you may have in your tub currently! I use Malibu Mango Body Scrub from Bath & Body Works {it’s has the most delicious smell!}. Pay special attention to the rougher areas of your body, such as your elbows, knees and heels. Also, shave before you tan! If you shave post tan, you are going to shave off whatever tan you just applied to yourself!

Application!

Apply tanner limb by limb, starting with your legs/ feet and working your way up your body. Make sure you are applying the tanner as evenly as possible to avoid streaking and uneven tones! Wait about 10 minutes {or the suggested wait time that’s listed on the bottle} before dressing. Also avoid any excessive activity that may make you sweat for at least a few hours, if your tan hasn’t had enough time to set, this may also cause streaking! A useful tip is to apply Vaseline to your cuticle and nails. This protects your nails and finger tips from staining {or ruining your manicure!}

Many self-tanners suggest you wash your hand immediately after application, so the palms of your hands and your fingertips don’t turn orange. A good tip to avoid washing the colour off the back of your hands is to rub the palms of your hands with a wet cloth, making sure to get in-between your fingers and checking for any product that may have gotten on your nails!

Tanners!

Now for the tanners! Spray or cream? High end or drug store brand? The choice is really up to you and what works well with your skin and your budget. Of course you can go to Holt Renfrew or the Bay and pick up a higher end self-tanner for $30-60 a bottle and it’s glorious, or you can head over to Shoppers Drug Mart and pick up a $10 bottle and receive similar results. It’s all about preference, the amount you’re willing to spend, and the overall colour you desire! Below I have listed my top picks for a high end and low end spray and cream!


Spray:
High – End Brand
Lancome Flash Bronzer Dream Legs Spray: $42.00/bottle

Drug Store Brand
L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Clear Self -Tanning Gel: $12.00/bottle

Cream:

High-End Brand {it’s a tie for the best!}

Lancome Flash Bronzer: $37.00/bottle

Kiehl’s Sun-Free Self-Tanning Formula: $32.00/bottle

Drug Store Brand

Jergens Natural Glow: $10.00/bottle {this is the brand I use. I use the dark skin level}

Happy Tanning!*

London 2012!

So I just looked at the calendar and was shocked to see that I literally haven't posted in a month! Time flies! Summer is always such a busy time for everyone, but I'm planning a HUGE July in review post with tons of photos from Stampede and my PEI trip! But for now..... I'm super excited about the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies tonight! I love watching everything to do with the Olympics, the games are so exciting and you feel such a sense of pride and connection with your country during these 10 days! Have an awesome weekend and I promise to post a huge review this weekend!!!!*

Friday Favorites!

HAPPY FRIDAY! And to all my fellow Canadians...Happy Canada Day Weekend!!  This will be our 2nd Canada Day in Calgary, and I must say....it's so different from the Canada Day's we're use to in Port Dover or 'up north' cottaging in Ontario.  Holidays like this really make me home sick....BUT...my friends arrive on Tuesday next week for Stampede...so hopefully I don't get too homesick!  For now...here are a few of my favorite things from the past week!  I hope you all have an amazing Canada Day....!*

I recently got a shellac mani and pedi...{and by recently I mean 3 weeks ago} and I LOVE it! I will NEVER get regular nail polish again! I have painted and cleaned my whole apartment, moved apartments, and have gone about my day to day chores and they have NOT chipped...there is just natural nail growth...! Amazing!  I highly recommend, especially for your fingers that not allow nail polish to stay on for more than 3 days MAX!

my new favorite summer body cream! 

Forever Sunshine available at Bath & Body Works

I LOVE these two Kate Spade IPhone cases! $40 each

Canada Day Shooters!

{via Pinterest}

the weekend in photos...!

I know it's Friday, but I really want to post some iphone pictures I took last weekend when my friends were visiting from Ontario! We went to some awesome restaurants we haven't been to yet, went to Banff and Canmore on some hikes and saw some amazing wildlife...including BEARS!*

Craft Beer Market. Over 100 beers on tap!

$2.50 fish tacos

Grassi Lake - Canmore

WURST* Delish German food!

Bratwurst for 2...for 1!

get the boot!

The BOOT!

....commencing next Friday!