July showers bring...

Wow, has it really been almost 2 months since I got my butt on here to do a post? How sad! I can’t believe I let it fall by the waist side as bad as this.

Anyways, to stay on topic, it’s been a horrible summer so far in terms of rain. I don’t know if I’ve seen this much rain in Alberta for a long, long time. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was say April or even May, but being that it’s almost August and we’ve barely had a summer, many Albertans are starting to get fed up. That doesn’t even begin to explain how bad the bugs are because of all the extra moisture too. It’s not that this is just to rant about something as silly as weather. But when you are hoping for a warm summer to go camping or to outdoor markets and festivals, weeks or even months of constant rain can sure feel depressing.

Which is why I wanted to share this picture. I woke up one morning after it had rained all night (and would continue to do so that day as well) and as if it was almost perfect timing, there was a break in the dark clouds and the rising sun was able to peek through a bit. It caused one of those beautiful bright pink skies that you don’t see very often. I grabbed my iPhone (my new multitasking love) and quickly snapped this picture to make sure I remembered how wonderful it all looked.

Oh how I love being a girl!...

So what's a girl to do when she finds a new favorite makeup item and wants to share it with the world. Well as Ron Burgundy would say 'I want to shout it from the roof tops - I love Veronica Corningstone'. Oh sorry, I got a little off subject. But anyways, that's not the point.

The only mountain top I have is my blog, and so this is where I'm going to share my new love with the world.

Is it possible to love a piece of makeup at first sight? I really hope it is, cause this little bad boy has sealed the deal for me.

I know, it's kinda sad that a little palette of makeup can be so amazing, but if you're a girl and makeup makes you happy then by golly so will this baby.

I mean, how cute is it?!!

Ok, so to calm down a bit - heres what makes it so great.

In this tiny little thing, it hold 4 VERY versatile nuetral shimmer eyeshadows, and 2 sweet pin and coral shimmer blushes. Unfortunately there's no description of what the eyeshadow and blush colors are, but you can see for yourself just how nice they are!

I mean, how nice are those colors? The thing is that the stuff is actually pretty good quality too! So far I've only used each color once, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's good and bad quality makeup.

If you're a makeup junkie like I've lately been, you definitely need to check this palette out foryourself!

Let the rain come down...

From the title, I gather it would be easy to figure out the type of weather that's happening right now where I live. It's wet, drab, cold, and just overall a very sad atmosphere for what should be a happy, camping-filled May long weekend. So why is it that even with the despairing weather, I feel a sense of renewal happening? Well to put it simply, it's because that's what rain symbolizes to me, especially at this point in my life. As you can tell, I've not been much of a blogger lately, and I will admit that it's directly because of the mood I've been in for the past couple of months. And sadly I have to say it was mostly because of something as simple as the starting of a new relationship. Now, most people would think a time like that is supposed to be surrounded by happiness and excitement, which for a little while, it was.

*Warning, this is where the post will get a little on the long side for some!*

What I didn't plan on was feeling as confused and unsure about it all, as I did. Because I don't have the luxury of being surrounded by tons and tons of suitors in everyday life (then again who does in these busy days?), I had started delving into the world of online dating about a year ago to see what else was out there. I was definitely surprised at the type of people who now seek refuge in online dating and matchmaking. It seems filled with normal guys and girls just looking for a connection from someone who they'd never meet in their everyday life otherwise. I'd heard of all the possibilities before starting, but it wasn't until I just listened to a dear friend and took the plunge that I really noticed just how misunderstood online dating sites can be.

After meeting a couple of people from one site in particular, I started dating a guy who I'll call 'John'. Now, of course the intial excitement of getting to know him was definitely fun, not long after we met did I start questioning just how much John was willing to do in terms of showing his excitement as well. We had the cute nervousness and coyness at first, but after almost two months of seeing each other on a regular basis and him still acting just as shy, I couldn't help but be worried that John might never warm up to me. He'd met my closest friends, we'd hung out or had gone to restaurants almost 3-4 times a week, had more intimate settings like dinner at his house, and yet still he felt ultimately too nervous to even hold my hand or really get somewhat physically close to me. Although it was still only a month into the actual relationship itself, we had been talking online for almost 7 months prior, AND had a few initial get togethers at the very beginning that were only to see if we did enjoy each others company, and wanted to date. In my mind, this would have meant that by the time we'd decided to actually call each other boyfriend and girlfriend, we could be comfortable enough with each other to feel a closeness and intimacy that would show we were more than just friends or casual acquaintances.

And this is why I was so confused. It didn't matter that I talked to him about my feelings towards this, it didn't matter that I tried making the 'first moves' that girls often have make these days; he still felt too nervous to even hold my hand. In public it was almost worse. Going to see movies and not even touching your boyfriend at all, is a very strange and awkward feeling. Although I am not experienced in dating, and have never had a serious relationship at 25 years old, I still knew that I wanted someone I could feel close with and not have to push to want to hold me. Is that so wrong to expect from a guy? I don't know...I know my expectations can run away with me sometimes (trust me I'm working on them), and not just in terms of dating, but I also know that in order for me to feel connected to someone I need them to be able to both share AND show the way they are feeling too. It's not enough to tell me these things only when I bring up the subject of feelings, or even to have a guy 'text' them to me thinking it's easier. I need him to prove I'm worth the effort of opening up, I guess.

So needless to say, I am using this rain as a form of renewal. To wash myself clean and let go of the anger I hold towards yet another failed relationship. To let go of feeling like it was because I did something wrong or because I'm not worth it. I know I'm not perfect, and I'm sure I confuse men more than the other, easier-to-read women out there, but I still have hope that there's someone out there who is willing to put the effort and time into figuring me out. A man who, with his warmth, will allow me to be myself and show him just how long I've been waiting to feel loved.

My new skin care routine...

I thought I would post this since the new products I have been using so far seem to be definitely helping my skin look clearer. I picked these up one day on my way home from work last week, mostly out of desperation, and to be honest I had not put much faith in them. I'm sure most people with acne and scarring issues can relate, but I'm beginning to feel fed up with constantly searching for something that works and doesn't irritate my skin or break me out worse. I haven't put much thought into these products, simply because I'm so used to getting excited about something and it not giving me any results (the Burt's Bees stuff being a prime example). With Avene products though, I must say, so far so good. Anyways, here they are:

AM:

Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser for blemish-prone skin

Avene Hydrance Optimal SPF 25 Moisturizer (I'm so pale I have to wear sunscreen on a daily basis)

Impruv Cream around my eyes (my driest area)

PM:

Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser

Avene Cleanance K Moisturizer (to help clear pores and smooth out my skin)

Impruv Cream around my eyes

So there you have it. A gentle routine that will hopefully, in time, help with the skin issues I have. :)

Another baking treat...

Well, I'm due for another post and I thought I'd add another favorite recipe of mine. This one involves 3 very very delicious things. Cheese, green onions, and herbs; lots of all three. The bonus of this recipe is that it's one of the easiest ones ever. It literally takes less than half an hour, including baking time as well! It's my



Cheese and Herb Scones

Ingredients:

2 cups of flour
2 tbsp baking powder
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 green onion sprigs, chopped
1 tsp each of your favorite dried herbs or
1 tsp each of your favorite fresh herbs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 medium eggs
1 and 1/4 cup milk (may need a little less depending on moistness of mixture)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix together the first 9 ingredients in a large bowl. Use whatever fresh or dried herbs you prefer (my favorite mixture is dill, marjoram, sage, and oregano). When well mixed, slowly add the eggs and milk. Fold into dry ingredients until again fully blended. Spoon mixture into greased muffins pans. Muffin cups can be used if you'd like to skip a messy step. I personally like when they are a little more rounded, which happens when you skip the paper cups. Bake for 13 minutes or until lighted golden.

Makes roughly 14-16 scones. Enjoy!~



My Birthday!

As you can tell from the title, this weekend was all about my birthday (March 5th). Yay! I got to celebrate it with my best bud and not only was it filled with yummy cake and awesome presents, but she also planned tons of surprises and basically a whole day of pampering for me. I couldn't have asked for a better time. We went shopping with another friend of ours, saw the movie Beastly, had a great lunch out and ended up going back to her house for a really cool Stella and Dot Jewellery party. If you haven't ever seen Stella and Dot jewelry, I really recommend you check out the website. They have such pretty and unique items! I ended up getting a free ring, since it was my birthday, and also a cute little bracelet with this white and gold flower that just happens to match a set of earrings that I bought weeks ago from Forever XX1! Then I also order two necklaces from out of the catalog that should come within the next week or so. One is a cute little gold bumble bee, and the other this little pink and gold owl...both are pendants on a simple gold chain. Since I have been slightly obsessed with the whole woodland and enchanting animal style lately, I had to get these piece as soon as I saw them! I'm so excited, so I'm sure they will be one of my next blog posts. :)

Anyways, unfortunately because I'm such a dork when it comes to remembering to bring my camera to special events, I didn't get any pictures of my birthday. Dang it! But I did make sure to take a picture of all my wonderful gifts so I could remember how amazing everyone was to me this birthday. And especially not with just with gifts, but with making me feel so special and spoiled. I had a great day, and it made me feel so loved. I'm very, very lucky to have the friends and family that I do. <3

Not only did I get all those cute presents, but I also got the rocking chair as a gift too! Can you tell why I get the nickname 'grandma' all the time from my friends? lol I saw this chair at a Antique mall with my mom and sister one of these last few weekends, and just totally fell in love with it. Sadly though, we didn't have a way of getting it home in our dinky little car at the time. So as a suprise, they called the place and had it delivered to my house as an early birthday present!

All in all, I have had a great birthday. I got to spend it with my friends, and even still have this coming weekend ahead to celebrate it with some of my family. Thank you everyone for giving me a great day and making me feel so loved. Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve such great friends and family like you. <3 <3<3

Cold Winter Remedy - Hand Cream...?

Ok, so it's a little bit of a strange wording for a title, but hear me out. When I woke up today I knew this weekend was going to be one that didn't involve alot of outdoors activities. Although the snow has let up now, and the sun is actually somewhat shining, it was the complete opposite this morning when I got out of bed. Here's my proof. Any typical Canadian would not be surprised by this picture...it's what most winter scenes look like for almost 6 months out of the year in Canada!

Scary eh!!!

When it looks this dry and cold outside, I sometimes inexplicably feel the need to surround myself in warming moisture. How many times has anyone felt the roughness of their hands after a long day in the cold? I admit I am one of those women that carries hand cream with them constantly. I just can't stand the feeling of dry skin! lol Because of this, I know my moisturizers. My face is a different matter completely (I am a bit of a skincare junkie) but when it comes to body and hand lotions, I have my absolute fav's with me all the time. In terms of hand creams, I without a doubt have my tried and true's. One of those is the wonderful and retro Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Hand Cream.

Now, it's been a long while for me since I bought this...sadly there are only a few select stores that carry it in my city. Thankfully though, I went to the mall and purposely made a point to go to the Crabtree & Evelyn store to pick more of it up. And it was just my luck when they were having a sale. Instead of almost $20 for one tube (I think it's something like $18.50 now) the sale was 2 tubes for $25...deal! :)

I picked up a Rosewater one as well since it too has a really nice floral warming smell that reminds me of a garden in the spring. And how cute are these tubes! I have to admit that their look is a big part of why I love this hand cream. Don't get me wrong though. Whatever's in this stuff really works. If you have dry and rough hands, you GOTTA try one of these creams! There's quite a few scents of it out now, but the base cream for each one is the exact same. The formula is never greasy. It just leaves me with smooth, soft and beautifully moisturized hands. Regardless of what the weather does to them!