March 11th, 2012

Travel Outfit!

Posted by Pam

So, you’re flying to a warm destination…what to wear??  Trust me, I’ve made many mistakes in the past.  Like the time I was flying alone with all three kids, the flight was delayed about 3 hours and all I was wearing was a cardi.  I didn’t have any blankets with me and the airline had none to offer.  We all four froze all the way home!  It’s a bit tricky when you’re flying from a colder climate to a warmer climate, but there are a few tricks…

1.  Wear a scarf that can double as a blanket.  Some with snaps like the one from Lululemon below can even be worn as a vest!

2.  Uggs are THE BEST for travelling.  They keep your feel warm and cosy, you don’t need to wear socks, and knit Uggs are easy to pack and lightweight.  Don’t forget to throw some socks in your carry on for walking through security, though.  And remember, NEVER buy Uggs at retail price in Canada.   They are a rip off….unless you find them at somewhere like MTF or Costco, then fill your boots…pardon the pun!

3.  I prefer a short sleeved tee under a wrap or jacket.  Often the plane can get very warm before take off, and it’s better to have a short sleeved shirt than just a tank if you feel your temp rising and you need to take off your jacket.

4.  Keep jewelry to a minimum!  Otherwise, you’ll be beeping though security!

5.  Don’t forget a great travel bag to hold everything you’ll need for the flight, including some flip flops for when you land!  Make sure it has enough room to accommodate your jacket when you get to your tropical locale!

Travel Outfit

 

Part of a well thought out travel outfit is a smartly packed carry on. Here’s what I pack in mine:

what's in your carry on??

 

Beyond the scarf, socks and flipflops that Pam talked about, I never step foot on a plane without:
~A bottle of water…the air on planes leaves you dehydrated so water is paramount (it also helps keep you cool, pre take-off)
~snack packs of nuts…these protein rich snacks will keep you away from spending lots of money on sub-par airplane snacks.
~mags…I’m a reader, so ’nuff said!
~my IPad…download your favorite book or movie and the time will literally “fly” by
~my Bose sound cancelling headphones…I wasn’t a believer until I tried them. They truly cancel all noise, making for easier sleeping or reading.
~lip balm…well, i’m never without it, so why would flying be any different?
~hand lotion…to combat the dry air…and to add a pleasant scent to my personal space!
~sunglasses…because i’m hopin wherever i get off this plane will be a whole lot sunnier than home!
~anti-bacterial wipes…for wiping down the tray table, hands or my Starbucks that spills EVERY time I bring it on a plane
~a woman’s survival kit…with 24 different tools to help the woman on the go. Items, such as a folding hair brush with mirror, hair spray, clear elastics, earring backs, emery board, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, mending kit, double-sided tape, lint remover, shoe shine wipes, stain remover, breath freshener, dental floss, pain reliever, deodorant wipes, tampon, adhesive bandages, facial tissues.
~passport holder…which also holds my accomodation & rental car info and foreign currency.

Once I’ve got all that packed into my Lululemon carry-on, I’m pretty sure I can handle most any flight, long or short!

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January 25th, 2012

Beauty Products I Use Everyday

Posted by Pam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week I realized that most of the products I use on a daily basis come in “Tiffany” blue packaging.  Am I drawn to them because I love that colour?  Or because they work well?  BOTH!

1.  EOS Lip Sphere in Sweet Mint $3.99 at London Drugs.  Available at most drugstores.

2. Moroccan Oil $41 at salons and Chatters

3. Bliss Lemon+Sage Supershine Shampoo $18 at http://www.blissworld.com, Sephora ($9.99 at Winners when available)

4.  Bliss Lemon+Sage Conditioning Rinse $18 at http://www.blissworld.com, Sephora ($9.99 at Winners when available)

5.  Degree Ultra Clear at drugstores

6.  Bliss Super Minty Soap ‘N Scrub $30 at http://www.blissworld.com, Sephora

7. Benefit Foamingly Clean Facial Wash $21 at http://www.benefitcosmetics.com, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique

 

Please note that prices may vary in Canada and the US.

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January 23rd, 2012

Favorite Chapstick

Posted by Laurel

Chapstick

Sometimes i ask myself just how much personal info i want to put out there…lest i be judged forever for sharing some of my quirks, which there are all too many of.  But seeing as i find myself in good company, i’m puttin it out there. i am addicted to chapstick. In fact, i am known to get a little freaky if i can’t find some in arms distance…which is hard to believe, as i have these little tubes of “gold” hidden in most purses, pockets, glove compartments, drawers, jackets… i actually have a cosmetic bag, that is dedicated strictly to “lip care” and oh, if i forget this bag? Well, let’s just say it’s a “situation”!!

Here are some of my favorites:

Aveda Lip Saver– ever since my friend, Andrea, introduced me to Aveda Products, i’ve been a convert! And their lip balm does not disappoint. You’ll spend around $8.50 for a tube, which is up there, but, this balm really is the bomb! It lasts for hours and has a fragrance that will delight!

 

Eos- the new Smooth Sphere can be seen advertised all over. My sister-in-law, Jana, told me about it and it sounded appealing: 95% organic, 100% nautral…we’re all looking to keep the bad stuff out of our bodies, so it was definitely on my list. I found it at Safeway (for around $4) and now i’m fighting to keep it in my possession. My girls love it and lather it on at every opportunity..the summertime flavors are fresh and well…addicting! Thumbs up for Eos!

 

Burts Bees Wax Lip Balm–loaded with coconut and sunflower oils, this balm provides instant relief for dry, chapped lips. Love the peppermint tingle you get when you apply! $4.49 is a reasonable price, in both the tube and tin format. Word on the street is that this is a guy’s chapstick?!? Apparently, ”Burt” has given the male species the ok on this product!

 

Aveeno Lip Conditioner, Essential Moisture SPF 15–  one of the main ingredients in this balm is oatmeal, which we all know is is a natural soothing agent for the skin. The added SPF helps prevent your lips from chapping…this is one that i always pack on tropical holidays! $3.79 at drugstores.

 

Bliss Fabulips Softening Lip Balm– The packaging insists: it’s the simplest way to get a super-soft smooch! And i am a bit of a sucker for packaging! It does cost a bit more than I’d regularly spend, $16, but i do like the feel it gave as well as the aroma. Jojoba, shea and grapeseed oils give this lip balm a non-waxy coverage.

 

Chapstick- the classic lip balm that doesn’t have any gimmicks or pretenses, can still be great in a pinch. The offerings are many- the nighttime formula, sand or snow lip shield with SPF50, the classic, the moisturizer..and the list goes on. For $1.80, you can afford to stock all those purses and pockets!

And not to be left off the list…the tried and true, old stand by, never-fail Vaseline. Gotta be honest, one of my chapstick quirks is that i wear lip balms during the day, but i only wear Vaseline at night. I wish i could tell you why, but it’s just a “thing” with me. I cannot go to sleep unless i have the right consistency of Vaseline applied! And, when i wake up in the morning, i still feel like Angelina Jolie..ok, that’s going too far, but it works! A note to the wise: don’t wear Vaseline out into the sun. It doesn’t have SPF in it, and actually, works for the opposite effect. And blistered lips are not what we’re going for!

So…during these cold, winter months…have fun and pucker up!

 

 

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