ABM Happy Mail | June 2015

Happy Mail, Happy Mail. This month featured blue foil and some funny sayings.

My favourite this month is the 'Get It Girl' card with the pool print background. I am so ready for Florida and the pool image is just getting me that much more excited for lazy pool days. Though it's a card, I have it hung up as a print in my office for some motivation. I love the simplicity of the 'positive vibes only' print, and I have already used several sheets out of the rainbow 'Please Note' pad.

Which cards were your favourites from June's Happy Mail?

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Beauty Favourites | June 2015

I can't believe July is almost here. Crazy. I feel like soon I'll be saying it's Christmas. Anyway, here are a few of the beauty products I have been loving all through June.

June Favourites

Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Hair Mask

tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation

Real Techniques Bold Metals Triangle Foundation Brush 101

tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes True Love & Fearless

The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Scrub

Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum

 Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel

My hair has been getting super long but also feeling a bit damaged. To try to combat that, I have been using the Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Hair Mask. It's so hydrating and smells amazing. It makes my hair seem clean, shiny, and smooth for a long time. After I use this, I can wait a couple of days before needing to wash it again. I rediscovered my love for the Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation this month. I have the wrong shade, so it has to be summery out before I can make it work. It's super thick, so I love applying it with the Real Techniques Bold Metals Triangle Brush. At first I was a bit skeptical, but I think, for me, it works better with a thicker formula or a BB cream. Then, it's fast to apply and gives a nice finish. I love Tarte's blushes and these two have been on heavy rotation for many months now. Fearless is a pinky coral with shimmer and True Love is a light, bright red. Love these shades for spring and summer. I haven't started self-tanning yet, but I have been exfoliating. The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Scrub smells so delicious, and it's super gritty, but hydrating. I have been wearing skirts and shorts constantly, making this product a necessity. The last two favourites are a couple of skincare bits. I tend to forget the serum step in my routine, but lately have been including it with the Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum. I don't know about the firming, but it's very illuminating and makes the other products in my routine apply smoothly. I received this little Marcelle Energizing Hydrating Gel sample in May Birchbox and used the whole thing up. The gel formula is perfect for the summer-it sinks in quickly and doesn't feel heavy. 

What were your beauty favourites this month?

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Birchbox | June 2015

Another pretty, pretty Birchbox. This month featured a couple of different gradient designs. I received the 'Say Yes' box. With all the adventures of summer approaching, it's a appropriate mantra.

Box Breakdown

Coola SPF 50 Sport-Mango

Kerastase Masque Chroma Captive

Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner Blue Lagoon

Pura Vida Lace Headband

Tocca Eau de Parfum Bianca

Dr. Jart Dermaclear Micro Water

I love how cute and colourful the products I received this month are. This to me is the quinessential Birchbox and reminds me of some of the first ones I ever received. A mix of everything, and no foil packets. I have sampled Coola sunscreen before and loved both I had tried, so I am looking forward to using Coola SPF 50 Sport- Mango. Gotta love mango scents! Another summery product, is the Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Blue Lagoon. The colour is perfect for a summertime pop and if the formula is waterproof like it claims it will be super handy too. I love Tocca scents. Bianca smells like tea. A sophisticated tea. This might become my new favourite scent. The Kerastase Masque and the Dr. Jart Mirco Water come in the most adorable sample containers. Perfect for summer vacays. Finally, as a bonus sample, came this lacey peach headband. I love these for keeping the bangs out of my face during a workout or face mask. 

What did you get in this month's BB?

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Leisurely mornings...

Hello! After some crazy, hectic days, I had been looking forward to some relaxing hours. I thought I would just share some simple things that I have been loving lately.

Morning reading sessions. It was so nice to have an easy morning without having to run off or do anything. I particularly like to use the time to drink a cup of tea and read a good book. Currently, I am reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. I have heard it described as a hybrid of Jane Eyre & Harry Potter. Magic and 1800s England. Every page I turn, I am curious as to what will happen next. Plus, it's just been released as a BBC TV show. It's a long one. I am about half way at 400 pages in.

Peony love. It's going strong. I am not one to always have fresh flowers, but it's a nice treat. I love the pillowy petals on this bunch I picked up at the Farmers' Market.

Fluffy cats. The cats have been super cuddly lately. It has been even harder to get out of the bed in the morning when they are being so cute. I love that we can let them have little adventures outside with the warmer weather. Do you spy Rococo in the back?

Share your little moments!

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A Summer Wishlist

I haven't been feeling the urge to shop all that much lately. Maybe it's due to the fact that the items on my wish list come with a little higher of a price tag. I must admit though, I did recently order a few of these things... Summer isn't my favourite season, so sometimes a little material items are needed to get me excited for it.

After having given up on the whole being tan thang, I discovered last summer the Tarte Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanner. I need to get another tube for this year! It's easy to apply and is a natural colour-even for my pale skin. It has been raining like crazy recently. I need to finally get some rain boots. I love the look of these glossy graphite Hunter ones. I have been wearing the same pair of RayBan Wayfarers forever now. It's time for an update. I have been lusting after the Clubmasters for awhile now (thanks, Gh0stparties), and it's about time it's happened.

Moving from Florida to New York has greatly reduced my need for bathing suits. Though, it would be nice to have that one great suit for any vacation, and I think I found the one in the Triangl Poppy in Blush Crush. The neoprene material really does seem to be super flattering, and I love their bold, yet simple, designs. Zoya is my favourite nail polish brand. I am wanting quite a few from the summer Island Fun & Paradise Sun collections, especially this bright purple and teal.

I love my straw cups. And I love my cats. This band.o cup feels like it was made for me... so I had to throw it in. I have been looking for a leather tote bag. I am all for the big bags that you just throw a ton of stuff into. The Cuyana Classic Leather Tote in Fog might just be the one. I love that you can get gold monogramming.

The theme of this wishlist seems to be my need to upgrade. And it seems that time has also come for my dear, dear iPhone. 4. Yup. I am still using the iPhone 4. I am suspecting its long life is coming to an end- there have been some subtle signs. Anyway, I could go on and on about my phone. When the time does finally come, I am excited to get the iPhone 6 and this sweet Peach Blossom case from Rifle Paper Co. It will be a very exciting day indeed.

What's on your wishlist? Are you a seasonal shopper?

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Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Duo in Lignonberry & Tangerine

I love Bite Beauty lip products. I have shared a few favourites on the blog. I am particularly fond of the mini versions, as I am unlikely to finish a full tube any time soon. I have a neutral duo from the brand, the Luminous Creme Duo in Musk & Lychee and a fall-coloured holiday set, so I figured I needed to try some bold brights for spring and summer. The Luminous Creme Duo in Lignonberry & Tangerine has a bold fushia-leaning purple on one end and a bright red-orange on the other. These are both colours I gravitate towards in the warmer months, and I am excited to have them in this convenient package-perfect for throwing in my purse. I think I now have all shades covered in my little Bite Beauty collection!

What are your favourite bold lipstick shades in the summer?

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Fresh-faced Beauty

There have been a few beauty items that have been heavily used this week. Despite being a Birchbox Man item, I have been loving the Baxter Facial Scrub. It smells of marzipan and has a nicely scrubby texture.  I have been back to coral blushes lately and love Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Fearless. I am usually all for bold lips in the spring/summer, but recently, I have been loving the Nars Rikugien Satin Lip Pencil. It's a rosey neutral pink shade with a touch of metallic. It came in the Sephora birthday gift, and now I'm considering a full-size upgrade.

Any recent beauty loves?

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Braid Play

I felt like testing out some braids this weekend and wanted to share the results of this trial & error. I have been loving doing a super big dutch side braid and wanted to expand my repertoire, especially for the summer.

I have been wanting to master the halo/milkmaid braid look, but it seems it's not the style for me. I think my hair is just a little to thick. It's probably a look better for finer hair. Also, I have a very round face, so I kind of just look like a ball. But anyway, if you do want to try this out, I just split my hair in half, like pigtails. On one side, I did a normal braid and on the other side, I did a fishtail. Trying to channel Barefoot Blonde. Then, I just bobby pinned each strand on the top of my head. The sides got a little full for me, so I look more like Princess Leia than was intended.

After I gave up on the whole milkmaid braids, I decided to do a couple of dutch waterfall braids along the side of my head and lead them into one regular braid on the side. Super simple. Dutch braiding just means you go under the middle strand, instead of over. I recently learned this and it's a lot of fun to vary the braids. It gives the look of a braid on top of the hair rather than inside of the hair, like a french braid. It also makes the weaving look like it's going backwards. Waterfall is like french braiding, but you only add new hair from one side.

I am excited to try some more braids out. I'm going to blame Game of Thrones for this...

What's your favourite braided hairstyle? I need more ideas to try!

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The Weekend | Summertime

After a week of cold rain, we knew we wanted to get outside and enjoy the summer air. We decided to have a little picnic in Prospect Park, and the day continued from there. I think we about covered everything.

We kept the 'picnic' simple by just picking up our favourite sandwiches on the way. Hanco's is the go-to for Vietnamese sandwiches and bubble tea in the Slope.

Park Soup. A little doggy named Otis stopped by to try and steal some of Preston's pho.

Fall may be my favourite season, but summer is definitely the best for the farmers' market. There was so much colour!

I got a little obsessed with getting some peonies. I was stuck carrying them around with us everywhere before we got home, but it was worth it.

Successful shopping trip.

The last location on our to-do list was to stop by the Way Station. We are big Doctor Who fans, and Vanessa hadn't been yet, so we strolled through Prospect Heights past cute community gardens and interesting murals. Fun cocktails and bathroom trips to the Tardis...

The Doctor & his companion.

Then, we made our way back home to order in some Fatty Daddy tacos & play board games. Vanessa owned us in an intense game of Game of Thrones and in Settlers of Catan. I demand a rematch!  Today, for me, is much more low-key. I love have a balance between the active & relaxing, so this is shaping up to be a perfect weekend.

What did you get up to this weekend?

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Beauty Favourites | May 2015

Happy June! And man, has it been a week so far. I am looking forward to a vacation-which is in the near horizon! I have been loading up on some new summer purchases, but I have to say, May didn't result in much new spending. Big time spending anyway. Favourites this month were a few drugstore finds and old stand-bys.

Earlier this month, I shared a few new finds from Physician's Formula, and I am happy to report they have made favourite status. The Organic Wear BB Cream is just so easy for the weekend, and the Argan Bronzer is the perfect shade-not too orange or dark. I love to apply it with the Real Techniques Bold Metals Flat Contour Brush (301; post coming soon!) It's a great shape and the brush is super dense and soft-and it's pretty! Needs a wash though... In May, I did a bit of traveling (for work, but still fun!), and it made me rediscover an old favourite-Nars The Happening palette. It's awesome for traveling with its four shadows, Laguna Bronzer, and Orgasm Blush. I have been using Orgasm Blush a ton lately with the spring weather. I tested out quite a few lippies this month and the ones I couldn't stop reaching for were fun, bright corals. Wet n Wild The Coral of the Story is a lighter, glossier balm stain. ColorPop Lippie Stix in Brunch is a bold, bright orange-y coral with a satin lipstick feel. Surprisingly only one skincare favourite this month (I haven't really felt the need to change up too much lately), but it's a good one-perfect for summer.  Finally, for nail polish, I went for Butter London Fruit Machine. I even matched my mani & pedi. It's the quinessential Barbie pink and usually not a shade I go for, but sometimes you just feel like being super girly, right?

What were some of your favourites this past month?

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