February 2021 Monthly Favourites Apple Pen and Lamy Fountain Pen

 Hello Friends! Welcome to another Monthly Favourites.  Let's jump right in.  I had been wanting an Apple Pen for a while so when I saw a sale on Amazon, it didn't take long for me to place it in my shopping basket.

My city is still in lockdown and we are still living under a Stay at Home order.  We spend so much time indoors now, online.  I figured having the Pen would increase the functionality of my tablet and possibly decrease the amount of sticky fingerprints accumulating on the screen. I was worried about the authenticity of the Pen as I was ordering it off Amazon and not through the Apple store but, as far as I can tell, it is the real thing. 

At the same time, I also ordered this amazing fountain pen.

I love the fact that it is transparent and you can see the ink level in the cartridge.  I grew up using a fountain pen in school.  However, using this Lamy fountain pen is light years away from the dodgy one that I was forced to use by my old school.  I remember fiddling with the school mandated fountain pen for hours trying to get the scratchy nib to work.  It was such a relief to use a ballpoint when I left that school.  It is funny how circular life is.  Being at home all day, every day, has brought to the forefront issues that I had never really had time to mull over.  I had just put up with using crappy disposable pens for a long time.  As so much is done digitally these days, I didn't see the need to buy pens.  After all, there are many freebie pens floating around.  Funnily enough, it was buying the futuristic Apple Pen that spurred me to get an "oldschool" fountain pen.  I liked the fact that it was refillable so it wasn't a disposable, one use only product.  The nib is so smooth. Writing in my daily planner has become an intentional, meditative act that fills me with great joy.  I pay a lot more attention to my penmanship which has tilted towards the illegible due to my increasing reliance on the digital.  The irony that I invested in a digital pen at the same time as a "manual" fountain pen didn't hit me until I received them. Ha! The more things change, the more they stay the same.

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January 2021 Monthly Favourites The Boy The Mole The Fox and The Horse and Erbario Toscano Reed Diffuser

 Welcome Friends!  Time for another monthly favourites.  It is the start of a new year and yet it seems like it is just a continuation of 2020.  Do you feel the same way?  Because I spent so much time at home,  I really dove deep into my heart and soul.  I worked on myself and came to a few fundamental truths about dealing with toxicity in my life.  I will deal with that in a separate post because the topic needs a post of its own.  I am sure that, like many people around the world, 2020 drove home to us what really matters in life.  And if you have toxic people in your life who, after 2020, still cannot find it within themselves to exercise a modicum of kindness and generosity to the people around them, then you are permitted to shield yourself from people like that.  2020 shone a spotlight on the few people who were true friends in my life.  Speaking of friends, a good friend of mine sent me this wonderful book after she heard me raving about it.

This book is, of course, Charles Mackesy's The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse.  It is a collection of drawings accompanied by conversational bon mots between, of course, a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse as they wander around the English countryside.  I think that the first time I read it, tears poured down my face.  It reminded me so much of my soul relationship with a dear departed fur pet.  That pet was my soulmate.  I was so damaged back then, and through my relationship with him, I discovered the unplumbed depths of love, compassion, understanding, friendship that were within me.  There isn't a straightforward plot or a conventional narrative in The Boy, the mole... but I would put it in the same stable as The Alchemist, Le Petit Prince and The Tao of Pooh.  The audiobook, whilst it doesn't have the magical drawings of the hard copy version, is equally magical in its own right as it is narrated by Charles Mackesy himself and is delightfully scored as well as accompanied with the sounds of nature.

Another Christmas gift from a different friend was this reed diffuser by Erbario Toscano.  

I popped it on a little shelf in the bathroom.  You can see it has already gone down by half in just a month which is the fastest of any reed diffuser I have tried and doesn't have a wide scent throw.  I wrote about making your own reed diffusers during Blogmas here.  I do love this one though.  It is the Spicy Vanilla which smells like an expensive men's cologne.   I have become obsessed with anything that creates a cozy, comforting home environment.  It is safe to say that my nesting instincts are in full throttle. 

How did your January go? 

November Monthly Favourites Black Friday Cyber Monday J Crew L'Occcitane and Deciem

Time for another Monthly Favourites!  Coincidentally, we've just come off Black Friday weekend and today is Cyber Monday.  Last weekend was even more manic as last Monday began a second full lockdown.  Noooo.....  Hands up if you are feeling extreme levels of mental and emotional fatigue.  Admittedly, I scuttled out to the local mall to pick up a few things.  One thing I did get was another tube of L'Occitane 20% Shea Butter hand lotion.

I am sure I have mentioned this classic many times but there is a reason why this hand and body creme is a holy grail product.  I wear gloves whenever I go out.  My hands get so sweaty and hot in those disposable gloves.  Far from being moisturized, the constant heat and humidity plus being slathered in sanitizer regularly, means that my hands are dry as the Sahara Desert.  L'Occitane runs a fabulous program where, if you bring a skincare container/packaging to be recycled, you get 10% off your purchase. They will take any brand! I figured that doing this would be impossible online so I made sure to bring in a container and get another tube before lockdown.  However, I needn't have worried as L'Occitane is doing a sitewide 20% off Cyber Monday sale.  

I also picked up another bottle of Hylamide's Pore Control from the Abnormal Beauty Company.  It helps to control sebum production.  Again, it is a must-have for me nowadays.  Let me know if you want me to write a blog post on dealing with maskne.  Truly, I thought I had left the bad old days of breakouts behind me but this business of wearing masks whenever I venture outside has my skin going crazy.

Most helpfully, The Abnormal Beauty Company or Deciem ran their Black Friday sale of 23% off for the entire month of November!  This is such a brilliant strategy and really takes the pressure off.

I also ordered a pair of leggings from J Crew at 40% off the already reduced sale price.  I didn't even bother looking at dressy clothes because what is the point?  I just want comfy, casual, at home, clothes nowadays.  Truth be told, somedays I spend all day in my pjs.  Let me know if this is you as well. I hope they arrive while we are still in 2020.  Delivery times have gone completely sideways with recurring lockdowns and everyone doing so much of their shopping online.

via jcrew.com

Can you believe that tomorrow is December 1st?  I am toying with doing an edited version of Blogmas.  Hmmm, we shall see.  I think we should give ourselves a pat on the back for having made it this far. 

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October 2020 Monthly Favourites Mask Accessories Jouer Cosmetics Apple TV Long Way Up

 Hello Friends!  Can you believe we are marching towards Christmas in the most unusual year ever?  When Toronto went into its first lockdown way back in March, I just couldn't envision what the year's end would look like.  With the time change, the shorter, cooler days and a second lockdown, I feel like we have travelled back in time to March again.  

Now that we are months into the pandemic, one "fashion" trend that has emerged are masks and mask accessories.   Pictured above is reusable fabric mask printed with a star pattern.  I always have spare masks on hand whenever I go out and I store them in a pouch to keep them clean and hygienic.  I love the navy pouch above as it coordinates with the mask.  It is actually a pencil/pen pouch that I picked up from Chapters.

With masks mandatory in enclosed public spaces, there really isn't much need for makeup such as foundation, blush or contouring.  All the emphasis is on the eyes now.  I do still like a bit of concealer around my eyes so I was more than a bit concerned when I ran out of concealer and discovered that H & M had discontinued their makeup range.  Trying to find a new makeup product has been challenging to say the least these days when all the testers have been packed away and we can only "browse" with our eyes.  A lot of stores haven't adjusted their return policies to reflect the current situation so it is frustrating to take a chance on a product and then come home and realize it isn't suitable at all.  With fingers crossed, I settled on Jouer's concealer.  This is my first time trying out this line.  What initially drew me to this range is that they are cruelty free.  Jouer's Essential Concealer is high coverage and is supposed to have a soft matte finish.

I chose Wheat which turned out to be a fairly good match to my skin tone.  I have to admit that the jury is still out on this one.  It is definitely high coverage and a little bit goes a very long way.  However, it dries down in a blink of an eye which means there is basically no blending time whatsoever.  I recommend putting on moisturizer or some type of base first because, even though it is described as having a soft matte finish, I would say that the finish is very matte which may accentuate any wrinkles that you have in the undereye area.  It comes with a doe foot applicator which I like.  I am not sure if it is the jump from using an H & M product, which let's face it, is pretty easy on the wallet, but I experienced a huge sticker shock when I was searching for a replacement.  The average was around $40 for a name brand concealer at Sephora.  Maybe this is all part of the jump in prices for everything these days?  The price of $29.50 for Jouer's concealer sat a lot better with me, especially as there really isn't a lot of need for makeup these days.

Finally, but definitely not least, I have been doing a lot of binge-watching of late.  Currently, I love nothing better than to watch a travel documentary series.  After all, if you can't travel, watching a travel show is the next best thing.

via appleinsider.com

I look forward to Fridays as a new episode of Long Way Up gets uploaded to Apple TV on that day.  Long Way Up is a travel series starring Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman and follows their adventures on electric motorbikes from the southernmost tip of South America all the way up to Los Angeles.  It is the third installment in the Long Way series.  The first two were Long Way Round and Long Way Down which are also on Apple TV.  I highly recommend giving all the Long Way series a watch.  It is such a welcome break from the constant barrage of bad news from the media these days.  Travelling by motor bike, you are shown sights that are just breathtaking and which you would never see from an airplane.

If you have any good shows that you would like to recommend, please share in the comments!

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Life Update and May Monthly Favourites Outlander Thinksport Sunblock and Morning Fruit Smoothie

Hello my lovelies, I hope you are well and not just surviving but managing to thrive as well.  As the title of this blog post suggests, a little life update is in order.  After a couple of months of agony, I joined the millions of jobless people around the world.  The timing was particularly bittersweet as it occurred after my school had an inspection and a recording of one of my classes was presented, unbeknownst to me, as the showcase of exemplary online teaching.  Now that I have had a few weeks to digest what happened, I realize how much stress I had been under for a very long time and still am to a certain extent.  It feels odd and discombobulating to have to reassess my life and identity at this stage of the game.  I am sure that many people everywhere are going through the same process.

Part of reassessing my life is trying to get my health back on track.  In the early days of lockdown, a lot of staple items disappeared on store shelves including fresh meat.  Have you noticed a sharp increase in prices in your area of the world?  I am really curious/concerned about the knock on effects from the rise in the cost of living juxtaposed against a recording setting unemployment rate.  I was under so much stress from juggling my then job and living under lockdown that I had no choice but to eat foods such as potatoes and white rice that I shouldn't be eating due to health reasons.  My health began to deteriorate and now I have to try and get it back on track.  Recently I started making fruit smoothies in the mornings.

For some reason, I have always been intimidated by the idea of getting on the smoothie bandwagon.  I don't have any fancy powdered supplements on hand to add to it although I am open to trying that in the future.  A simple fruit smoothie with any juice that you have on hand as the liquid base and a selection of frozen, roughly chopped fruits works for me.  The frozen chunks act like ice cubes which is yummy in hot weather.  I have been adding in store bought frozen chunks of avocado.  It doesn't change the flavour profile at all and adds in healthy fats.  I could never catch whole avocados at the right point of ripeness and ended up throwing away a lot of them.  Discovering frozen chunks of avocado was an absolute game changer for me.  I have also tried adding in peanut butter for a more savoury taste but prefer the ingredients to be all fruit.

With the onset of sunny days, I picked up a tube of Thinksport sunscreen.  I was searching for a sunscreen that was cruelty free first and foremost.  It contains no Paba, parabens, phthalates, PBA, ozybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, gluten, dairy or toxic chemicals. I don't surf and sadly, don't live near a coastline and with the current travel restrictions won't be going near one any time soon.  However, for those of you who do, Thinksport SPF 50 sunscreen is reef safe and is on Hawaii's approved sunscreen list. 

I was really pleased to find mine at Shoppers so no need to order it online and deal with a protracted delivery time.

I bingewatched the latest season of Outlander and indulged in my crush on the character of Jamie Fraser.

The books are lengthy and get more and more convoluted to the point of absurdity with each volume.  To be honest, my interest began to wane after Jamie and Claire moved to the New World.  However, the series, out of necessity, cuts out a lot of the chaff without losing the essence of the storyline.  A definite thumbs up from me!  Now I have to find something else to watch.  Any suggestions?

What sort of adjustments have you had to make during lockdown?  Have you seen the cost of groceries going up?  Have you noticed any shortages?

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April Monthly Favourites Lockdown Edition La Roche-Posay Facial Roller Facial Masks Office Organization

Hello lovelies, how are you all doing?  I hope you are not just surviving but have found a way to thrive as well, notwithstanding the current circumstances.  I thought I would do a Monthly Favourites, the Lockdown Edition, as I haven't done a monthly favourites in..well...months, really!  So let's do this.  First up is La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Levres (Lips).

I have always had a lot of issues with lip balms.  Despite claims of being hydrating and moisturizing, they tend to dry out my lips and cause massive peeling and flaking.  I hate anything that has mint, spearmint, chilli extract, lemon extract or any type of lemon derivative in a lip product.  These ingredients, while they cause an initial cooling effect, actually trigger an inflammatory response that just worsens the condition of your lips.  La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Levres is a holy grail product.  It is paraben and fragrance free and contains all the good things like lipids that your skin needs to repair itself.  I picked mine up at Shoppers for $10.95 CDN.  La Roche-Posay, which is a French masstige brand, is usually available at the pharmacy.  Right now, with department stores closed, the only place to go for skincare is the local pharmacy or the grocery store. I am sure that, like myself, many of you are keeping a sharp eye on your budget.  La Roche-Posay isn't astronomically priced like other luxury French brands and it isn't cheap as chips either but for a made in France quality product I would say it is good value for the money. I noticed that the cosmetics section at Shoppers was closed off but, thankfully, the masstige skincare section wasn't.

Next up is a new addition to my skincare routine which is this jade roller.

Can you believe that I picked this up at Dollarama (Canada's version of the Dollar Store) for a bargainous $4??  Who knows if it is made of real jade but the cooling effect is the same.  And yes, Dollarama is still open because it sells food albeit the canned and packaged, long shelf life sort which is what everyone is racing around to find anyway.  There is something so soothing and meditative about using this roller.  Believe me, I have been rolling away like mad.

If, like me, you are working from home, you have had to quickly figure out how to set up a home office.  My home office area has become a bit of a bomb site but this handy gadget has really helped to bring in a degree of organization.

The cable organizer was spotted at Dollarama for an inexpensive $1.25.

Lastly, I picked up a selection of facial masks (and no, not the surgical kind, I haven't seen those around in many weeks) at Shoppers.

They were on offer for well under $3.00 each so I picked up a few to put into care packages to mail away.

Stay safe! Stay healthy!

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August Monthly Favourites New Kitchen Faucet, Bareminerals Complexion Rescue, Ask For Task

August is done and dusted, school is back in session and Fall is here.  This Summer was emotionally and physically hard on me.  I thought 2018 was tough but 2019 has been a year of upheaval.    In order to shake off the glooms, I finally had the leaking kitchen faucet replaced.  After much searching, I ordered this beauty off Amazon:

Long time readers of this blog will know that I did a number of minor renos several years ago.  At the time, they were done under the advisement of a real estate agent.  Many of those renos have had to be replaced or redone as they did not stand the test of time.  The kitchen faucet was one of those renos.  I found that the curve of the faucet was too low and it sprouted multiple leaks.  I really wanted an industrial type faucet with a high arc.  After experiencing sticker shock at the big box hardware stores, I ordered the above faucet from good old Amazon.  The price was at least 50% lower than what I was seeing at the hardware store.  I love the fact that there are not one but 2 faucets which is handy if, like me, you have a double sink.  Each faucet has an on/off lever at the nozzle as well as one at the base.  Be warned, it is extremely powerful.  I think the brushed nickel finish and the industrial vibe works well with the industrial light fixture that I chose for the kitchen (which I wrote about here).  I booked a tasker off Ask for Task to install it for me.  I love Ask for Task.  No more stressing over trying to find a contractor to do repair work.  Booking a tasker is so easy and straightforward that I had to include it as a Monthly Favourite.  I can't even begin to describe the thrill of having a functional kitchen faucet again.  No more having to go to the bathroom to get water and no more emptying out a bucket under the sink!

Next up is Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Cream.

I usually get freckles and sunspots over the Summer but this CC cream with SPF 30 really helped to safeguard my face from UV damage.  I noticed that I didn't freckle up as much as I would have without any UV protection.  Of course, a CC cream will not offer as much protection as a stand alone dedicated sun protection cream but I love the fact that my makeup has a built in SPF which makes my morning makeup routine easy and efficient.  I know I have written about this product before but this really is a holy grail item for me that I have repurchased more than once.

With Fall sneaking its way in, I have been assessing my Fall/Winter capsule wardrobe.  There are some gaps that need filling.  I am looking forward to telling you about them!  I have had a capsule wardrobe for a while.  Do you have one?  Let me know if you have any suggestions for having a streamlined and edited wardrobe.

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July Monthly Favourites Kate Spade and Sodastream

Now that Summer is at its sweltering height, I am obsessed with cold drinks.  I received a Sodastream for Christmas.  At the time, I was slightly less than enchanted.  My first thought was "Oh no, another appliance!" I have done a complete 180 and I am obsessed with it.  There is nothing better than a cold fizzy drink in Summer.  What is even better is knowing that I don't have to keep running to the grocery stores because I have an endless supply at home.  As it was a gift, I don't know where it was purchased from but I know Bed Bath and Beyond has them.

We used to buy multiple bottles of fizzy water every week and switching to a Sodastream has saved us a significant amount.  As well, it helps the environment as well as we don't have to worry about recycling all those empty bottles.  You can buy all sorts of syrups to flavour the water but I prefer it plain.  I think I may have to buy a couple more spare bottles as I go through the single bottle that comes with the Sodastream quite quickly.

Next up is my gorgeous Kate Spade crossbody bag.  It was a gift from family.  I had requested a crossbody bag as my shoulders were not taking kindly to having a heavy weight constantly dangling off one side. I was beginning to list to one side like a drunken sailor. However, I wanted one that looked stylish as many crossbody bags tend to have a more casual vibe.  First of all, the packaging that it came in was so pretty.  It was ordered from the Kate Spade website and delivered to Canada.  Delivery time was approximately 2 weeks.

The tissue paper features the "spade" symbol in a repeating four leaf clover design.

I love my bag.  It isn't overly large which keeps me from overstuffing it.  I keep the essentials in it like my wallet and phone. There is one inner zipped side pocket.  The adjustable strap is excellent quality. Oftentimes, the crossbody strap that comes with a bag is just an afterthought but this one has pretty, matching goldtone hardware and the strap itself is made of sturdy woven nylon.

I was surprised that it didn't come with a dustbag as my Kate Spade satchel came with one.  Maybe nylon Kate Spade bags don't come with one?  Anyway, I love it.  It feels so comfortable to wear but still looks very stylish.

Do you have a Sodastream (or something equivalent)?  Have you tried any of the flavouring syrups?  If yes, which one is your favourite?

Make sure you are subscribed and keep your eyes on this space as there is an AMAZING GIVEAWAY coming up soon!

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February Favourites Too Faced Haul

Even though February is done and dusted, there was another heavy snowfall this past week and it looks like more is on the way.  I don't know about you but a new lippie or two always helps to chase away the winter doldrums.  I had been hoarding my last remaining Too Faced lipstick in Spice Spice Baby for what seemed like forever as they were no longer available for purchase on the Sephora Canada website.  When I saw they were on sale on the Too Faced website, I ordered two of them. 

The drought is finally over.  This lipstick is my all time favourite as it is such a lovely coral pink nude.  I ordered 2 of the Peach Frost Highlighters which are on clearance on the Sephora Canada website.  I think they won't be available in Canada for much longer.  So if you are interested, I would hurry and put in an order.  I read the reviews and many people complained that it just wasn't blingy enough.  I am of the age where disco glitter would look manic on me.  I prefer discretion over bling especially when it comes to work appropriate makeup so I decided to take a chance.

The highlighter is a cream to powder formula.  I love the Too Faced blush in the same range so I was curious about how a cream to powder formula would translate as a highlighter.  It is true that the sheen is very subtle and understated, possibly a touch too understated.  However, for the bargain price of $12 CAD (!!!), I can't really complain.
Now bring on Spring!

LBH September Monthly Favourites: Le Creuset, Flawless By Friday Honey and Gold Lip Serum, L'Occitane Shea Butter

Time for another Monthly Favourites!  Fall seems to have crept in over night.  Wasn't it just last week that we were having an unexpected heat wave?  Autumnal temperatures always elicit a craving for warming soups and stews.  This is when my Le Creuset cast iron Dutch (in this case French) oven really takes center stage in the kitchen.

I love my white Le Creuset round French oven so, so much.  It may sound odd to say this of cookware but the snow white enamel just looks so pretty.  It comes in a variety to suit your family's needs such as a 5 1/2 quart, 7 1/4 quart, 9 quart and a 6 3/4 quart oval one.

Fall weather means that I have to have a lip balm in my purse and my bedside table at all times as I do tend to suffer from dry, flaky lips.  I have been trying out Flawless by Friday's Honey and Gold lip serum.

Flawless by Friday is a relatively young Canadian brand and has only come to my attention recently.  The lip serum is supposed to have plumping and anti-aging benefits.  I have quite full lips and don't have lip lines (yet) but it is always good to start on an anti-aging regimen.  The formula is not overly tacky or oily and has a lovely, light honey scent.  There is some sort of spring loaded mechanism in the tube because when I twist the cap to open it, it pops upward of its own volition which is childishly amusing to me.  There is a doe foot applicator for easy application.  Tiny gold flecks in the serum reads as a subtle glisten on the lips.  Now if only it had an SPF!

Ages ago, I used to buy small tins of L'Occitane shea butter which I applied on my lips as an overnight treatment.  I would even rub it on my nails to strengthen my weak and brittle nails.  I stopped using it as I am not a big fan of sticking my fingers into product.  However, I decided to return to it again after so many years away from it.

I also picked up a purse sized tube of that perennial favourite, 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream and a couple of soaps as well.

Are you looking forward to Fall?  Any seasonal changes in your routine?

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LBH August Monthly Favourites: Aroma Aria Hand Soap, Kate Spade Tote

Time for August Monthly Favourites!  For what seems like forever, I have been lusting after the vintage apothecary vibe in the bathroom exemplified by dark glass jars and bottles.  I even went so far as to consider ordering dark glass pump dispensers online and contemplating Aesop's Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash.  Imagine my delight when I spied two bottles of hand soap at my local Winners in the requisite dark brown glass.

One was a lavender scent and the other, mango agave.  The lavender is incredibly heady and the mango, sweetly fruity.  I love the fact that they come in refillable glass bottles.  The price was a very easy on the wallet $6.99 for 473 ml.  Winners is like the Canadian version of Marshalls.  You never know what you'll find on the shelves.  I have never heard of Aroma Aria before and have never seen it anywhere else so I have no idea if I'll find it again at Winners.  They are made in the U.S. so, if you are in the States, perhaps you will have an easier time locating it.

Next up is my Kate Spade tote.  I received it as a gift a couple of years ago (you can find similar versions here and here) but have used it a mere handful of times since.

Then it struck me that Summer was waning and I really should bring it out from the depths of my closet and just enjoy it.  The thing about having a capsule wardrobe is that it teaches me to appreciate what I have. What is the point of having lovely things if they aren't being used and appreciated?  The tote is a cream colour so, theoretically, I could use it past Labour Day but I think that light coloured accessories just come into their own during the strong light of the Summer months.  

And that is it for August!  Short and sweet as my car began coughing and sputtering in the most doleful manner and, faced with an unexpectedly large hit to my wallet, I had to curtail any errant shopping impulses.  

Let me know how your Summer is going!

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LBH July Monthly Favourites: Blue Ice Snowball Microphone, Sony Headphones, Stila, Sephora

Time for another Monthly Favourites!  It's a bit of an eclectic mix this time but that's the fun of Monthly Favourites, wouldn't you agree?

I picked up a new microphone this month.  I had a headset that had an attached microphone which was falling apart.  There was a lot of looping back which was irritating and confusing.  I thought that a completely separate microphone would eliminate that issue and settled on the iCE Snowball by Blue.  It is Skype certified.  So far, I am really happy with it.  It is so easy to use.  Just plug it into your computer and away you go!  The headphones that you see are a pair by Sony that I gave to Monsieur a while ago so I am not sure if this particular model is still available but you can find similar ones here.  I am "borrowing" them back from him, much to his chagrin.  They are noise cancelling and come with an adaptor so that you can use them on an airline.  Because they are suitable for travel, they fold down compactly.  I am not sure if Monsieur is getting them back any time soon because I am in love with them.  They are so comfortable and the noise cancelling feature really does work.  When I put them on, it is like my ears are inside a vacuum.  It means I can concentrate on hearing the other person's voice (or whatever I am listening to).

On a different note, I had to pick up more blotting papers.  Sephora discontinued the blotting papers that came in a mirrored compact so I got their latest version which comes in a cardboard envelope.  Blotting papers are a must during the hot summer months.  I am not a fan of piling on the face powder as it just feels icky by the end of the day.  I find that blotting papers do a fantastic job of soaking up excess oil and sweat and taking down the shine without having to add on more face product.

A late addition to my Monthly Favourites is a little treat for myself from Stila.

When I heard that Stila was now cruelty free, I was so excited!  I rushed out right away and got the Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Lionfish which is a wonderful metallic bronze. There aren't that many quality high end brands that are both cruelty free and widely available (the line is carried by both Sephora and Shoppers) so this was fantastic news.  I am really looking forward to exploring Stila's other products and am already eyeing their convertible blush and eyeshadow palettes.  Have you tried anything by Stila?  Any suggestions?

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LBH June Monthly Favourites: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension, Natural Moisturizing Factors, Hyaluronic Acid 2%

Welcome to another Monthly Favourites!  The standout for me this month is The Ordinary.  I dare say it is fitting that this Canadian company, which has taken the skincare industry by storm, should be my sole favourite for this particular month which leads into a celebration of Canada's 150th birthday.  Woohoo!  150 years young!  Happy Birthday Canada!

Natural Moisturizing Factors Moisturizer appeared in May's Monthly Favourites which you can read about here. I have also written about the Vitamin C Suspension here.  I am still using the Vitamin C as it is good for combating hyperpigmentation caused by long sunny days.  I have cut back on the Moisturizer as I find I don't need as much moisturizer in the summer and added in something new, the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, instead.  Hyaluronic Acid is excellent for hydration as it can hold 1000% its weight in water.  There is a little glass pipette that administers drops of the acid.  I just sweep it over my face in the morning before applying makeup and it is enough hydration for me.  There is a slightly tacky feel to it which some may not like and it doesn't provide a lot of slip if you are one of those who like to throw in a bit of facial massage at the same time as you are moisturizing your face.  However, as a simple serum, it is perfectly adequate.

That is it for June!

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LBH Weekly Roundup: March Favourites Trainspotting T2, ELF Brushes, PNY Power Pack

Haha, see what I did?  I am folding a Monthly Favourite into a Weekly Roundup!  Yes, I am a badass that way which leads me neatly into my first fave, Trainspotting 2 or T2.

Image Source via imdb.com

All I can say is, "Thank God, it's not shite."  I have included it in the March Favourites because it opened in Canada the weekend of March 17.  I was celebrating a birthday that weekend and it seemed fateful  to see T2.  I remember watching the first "Trainspotting" and being completely and utterly gobsmacked by the giddy hedonism, the sheer ferocity of it all.  Living in my quiet, conservative lakeside town,  I wanted to be part of the wave of Cool Britannia that was cresting over the world so very, very desperately.  20 years on and I, like Renton, Sick Boy and Spud, and probably a lot of other Gen X'ers, am feeling left behind and squeezed out by the Millennials.  Weirdly, this movie affirmed my growing feelings of ennui and discontent.  Bring on the Gen X'ers!  We've still got something to say.

Next fave and on a completely different note are e.l.f brushes.  I had been struggling with crappy makeup brushes (the freebies that come in gwp sets) for what felt like an ice age.  They were prickly, shed like a Himalayan cat and made even the best blush look patchy.  Thank goodness for e.l.f brushes.  They are wonderfully soft, no shedding yet and best of all, the price point just can't be beat.  I paid around $3.99 CAD each at Rexall Pharmacy.

Last fave is the PNY Power Pack.  

via amazon.ca

This little gadget has already saved me numerous times.  It is surprisingly lightweight but most of all, what I like about it is that it has built in cables, one for an iphone and one for a smartphone.  No more dangling cables that inevitably get lost.  And that's it for this month!

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LBH February Favourites: Nordic Noir

When one spends most of one's time housebound as a semi-invalid, you would think that anything to do with unicorns, rainbows, birds tweeting in the sunshine and a lovely maiden (that would be me) flitting through a meadow wearing vintage linen and lace would be in heavy rotation at Chez L'Heure Bleue At Home.  Noooo, you would be wrong.  Currently, I am obsessed with hunting down Nordic Noir on Netflix Canada.  I need storylines with plenty of plot twists that grab my pain addled mind and won't let go.  I don't even mind the subtitles as they force me to pay attention.  And the scenery!  Who can deny the sullen beauty of the perpetually overcast skies and windswept landscapes? Here then are my top three Nordic Noir favourites.

Image Source via Wikipedia

"The Bridge" is a Swedish-Danish co-production and centers around the Øresund Bridge which links Malmö

and Copenhagen.  There is something imminently refreshing about watching actors who don't look like they just stepped out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue.  There is something even more refreshing about the main character, Saga Noren, who lacks any sort of social filter whatsoever yet, if I were trapped somewhere surrounded by raging psychopaths, I would want her watching my back.

Image Source via IMDb

"Nobel" is a Norwegian television series that depicts the political and economic machinations driving Norway's involvement in Afghanistan.  I found the portrayal of the military involvement of a Scandinavian country, a nation incredibly removed from Afghanistan and its plight, incredibly engrossing due in part to the fact that the story and characters are presented without the usual rabid chest thumping and xenophobia.

Image Source via IMDb

"Trapped" is an Icelandic production.  Yes, you read that right, Iceland!  And you know what, Iceland has got Nordic Noir down to a fine art.  And why not, all that snow and ice can't help but seep into the national psyche.  The storyline takes place over an approximate 10 day period yet I felt like the story unfolded over  six months as every twist and turn, every red herring is thoroughly investigated.

And there you have it, my top Nordic Noir picks.  If you have unearthed any others, please let me know!

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LBH January Favourites: Ole Henriksen, bareMinerals, First Aid Beauty, Tarte

Time for another monthly favourites!  I still can't believe that January is done and dusted and I am staring down the barrel towards Valentine's Day.  I visited Sephora on Boxing Day, a place I have never visited on Boxing Day as I didn't think it was a place for finding screaming deals.  However, this time I was pleasantly surprised.

These box sets were $15 each which I thought was a great deal.  The Tarte blush is a full size and the Ole Henricksen Sheer Transformation Creme is 1 fl.oz.  I am in love with the Sheer Transformation Creme.  It has hardly any scent and absorbs quickly and easily.  It doesn't break me out and my skin feels moisturized and hydrated for hours which is no mean feat as I am in the middle of a Canadian winter.  I know the fact that it comes in a pot is an issue in terms of hygiene and keeping the ingredients stable.  However, I figured it was a small enough size that I would probably use it up before these issues became relevant.  I have been applying it twice a day for a month and have about a week's worth left at the bottom.  The wipes have a lovely citrus scent and I have decided to set them aside for when I am travelling.

The only reason why I got the First AidBeauty set was because it came with a deluxe sample size of Ultra RepairHydrating Serum which I was really keen to try.  I have been using it on my eyes and it has been doing a good job at keeping the incipient crepey-ness (is that even a word?) at bay.

I picked up a travel sized bareMineralsComplexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream mainly because the Sephora nearest to my home is constantly, annoyingly sold out of Vanilla 02.  I didn't mind as I thought buying a travel sized tube would be a good way of trying the product without investing in the full size.  Happily, I am obsessed with it.  I used to use Clinique's CC Cream but I have always had issues with Clinique's colour range.  I really wanted something that had a high SPF and didn't require a lot of faffing around to apply, especially as these days, my arms are akin to penguin flippers in terms of usefulness.  Because it is a gel cream, the consistency is wonderfully light and fluffy, smooths on like a dream and absorbs into the skin instead of just sitting on top of it.  It is satisfyingly moisturizing but if you have dry patches, it will cling to them so you will need extra moisturizer or primer.  The coverage is sheer to medium.  Basically, I end up with skin that still looks like skin, just better.

When Sephora finally got a couple of tubes in of Vanilla, I snatched one up even though I hadn't finished the travel size tube yet.  That just goes to show you how obsessed I am with it.  

Did you visit Sephora on Boxing Day?  I am a convert and will definitely be checking out Sephora next Boxing Day!

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LBH November Favourites: Kate Spade Tasha Tote Bag

It is time for another Monthly Favourites!  I have only one favourite to highlight this month for reasons I will explain in a bit.  My father gave me my Christmas present early.  It is a Kate Spade tote bag.  I believe the style is called "Tasha Foster Court" in aubergine and rose.

It was a complete surprise.  I love the contrasting lighter interior as it means that I am not madly scrambling for my keys in the gloomy depths.  The deep plummy colour has got me thinking that this could be one of my favourite colours for a winter wardrobe as it is a dark colour that has warmth to it without the starkness of black or the boldness of red.  I must say I adore gifts that are gorgeous, practical and much needed.  Where I live, there are quite a few grocery stores that charge 5 cents per bag as a way to encourage customers to bring their own tote bags.  I have gotten into the habit of bringing a tote bag everywhere I go.  However, I found that my previous one was now too big and cumbersome as I injured the rotator cuff in my right shoulder recently.  And then, because my left shoulder was taking the brunt of the work that my right shoulder used to do (I am righthanded), the left rotator cuff conked out as well.  Shampooing and doing my hair became hard for me.  Putting away the dishes and getting dressed became agonizingly tough.  Most days are spent in a fog as I usually spend the nights tossing and turning in pain.  And yes, typing away on my laptop is arduous and painful.  My doctor says that it could take up to a year to heal.  A year!  If I think too much about it, I will just become overwhelmed.  I have been taking magnesium supplements because I heard it was good for the bones but if you have any suggestions on other vitamin or mineral supplements that would be good for the ligaments and bones, please let me know!

This week I am linking up with Share Your Cup.

LBH October Favourites: Portable Radiators and Vintage Flatware

Time for another Monthly Favourites!  I am not sure if it is the effect of spending my childhood in a much more temperate climate but I really don't like a chilly home.  Monsieur, on the other hand, would have all the windows wide open and the air conditioning blasting even in the depths of December.  Enter the portable radiator.

via canadiantire.ca

Personally, I think that radiators are a much more efficient and cost effective method of warming a home than forced central air.  Even if you do have central air heating, a portable radiator is a great way to warm up a drafty room or a chilly spot.  And if safety is a concern, you can get ones that are programmable so that the temperature can be set and it will automatically turn off after a period of time.  I have tried fan heaters but they are just too much of an assault on the ears especially when sleeping.  The radiant portable heater spreading its cheerful toastiness throughout a designated room is my friend and constant companion during the arctic Canadian winter.

It is doubtful that the contents of one's flatware drawer has ever been the subject of excited discussion on anyone's lips.  Flatware serves the purpose of carrying food to one's mouth and, in keeping with trying to have a simple, intentional home, it doesn't really need to do much else.  However, I have secretly, with much guilt, begun feeling a bit meh over my flatware.  I knew it was frivolous to want fireworks to explode from the flatware drawer every time I reach for a fork or spoon but still.  Imagine my delight in coming across a set of vintage flatware that had me oohing and aahing at first sight.

It is vintage so big check mark there.  The quality and workmanship are superb.  I never thought I would love 70's avocado green but the way the terracotta of the handles gleam through the green glaze is so pretty.  It is so thrilling to use something on a daily basis that is both imminently practical and beautiful.  I can feel William Morris patting me on the shoulder right now.

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