Another year older

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FlavorforLess http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

On May 7 I turned another year older, so I decided to decorate our kitchen table and have a little party.Birthday-SpreadI wasn’t sure what colour to decorate with, but clearly I ended up pulling it together with greys and yellows. Having never drank out of paper straws, I thought I’d pick them up when I saw them at the store as they came in  yellow polka dots — perfect to go with the birthday décor. Those sodas you see front and centre are delicious. When I was at Safeway doing our regular grocery shop, I picked up some new ten calorie sodas in all four flavours available, seeing as they were on sale. My husband and I have a vice, and that is soda. For the most part, we eat/drink healthy and we’ve decided to incorporate these new drinks into our healthier lifestyle, because we still know how to indulge once in a while. I mean, it’s my birthday after all.

They certainly don’t compromise on taste. I’ll be buying them again. Note me and my awkward smile as the husband takes forever to take a photo.  ;)Nancys-Birthday

Backtracking to earlier, I was home alone most of the day, answering birthday phone calls from loved ones. Then the doorbell rang a couple of times — the first being a surprise gift basket from Jessica, filled with so many goodies, from a bottle of wine, to fresh flowers, a birthday banner and a few other things. birthday-banner

So sweet!Flowers

After lounging by the pool and Skyping my parents in the afternoon, I came back home and the doorbell rang again. I had no idea what to expect, but when I answered it — there was a delivery guy handing me a big pizza. The guys at my local pizza place sent me one in the shape of a heart. I thought it was such a genuine gesture for a regular customer like me. You know you frequent a place too often when, hey?my-2014-birthday

I didn’t want to head out to a restaurant on my birthday as I wanted to reserve it for the weekend where we had more time. When my husband got off work, I requested he make us some sliders, and sweet potato fries with a salad. We poured ourselves some of the ten calorie sodas that we bought previously and enjoyed our time together.sliders-and-ten-calorie-drinksAnything food related that comes in miniature form, automatically tastes better in my opinion.

birthday-decorThe birthday spread!

7up-ten-calorie-drink I couldn’t help but buy these peach and hazelnut macaron’s from a french bakery located in Santana Row. I don’t even like them (my husband does) but they were a nice little addition to the decorations, ha! I’m drinking the 7UP ten calorie drink garnished with a slice of fresh lemon and an adorable paper straw that eventually got mushy.

Sunkist-Ten-CalorieAnother close-up of the decorations. Have you tried those sodas? They were on sale for $0.79. Score.

We managed to eat quite a bit of food. I was so full by the end, but definitely made room for dessert. I cannot go a birthday without having a DQ ice cream cake.Nancy-and-Birthday-Cake

We had to go to the other town over to pick one up. That thing was huge, and it’s definitely going to last us a long time. Nancy-with-cake

I had one of the best birthdays yet. I loved all the surprises, and my husband made me dinner (so rare)! So thank you all to those who left sweet birthday comments on facebook, instagram, twitter and here on my site. I read, and appreciated every one of them. Thank you for making me feel so special.

If you want to try out one the four flavors of the ten calorie drinks at any Safeway brand store, there’s a printable coupon for a free 2 litre. The offer is valid from May 12 − May 19, while supplies last. Lastly, you can check out Dr Pepper Snapple Group on their twitter and faceboook.

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Dior Transat Summer 2014 Collection

Christian-Dior-Summer-2014Dior Transat Summer 2014 Collection has a nautical feel to it which brings me back to my childhood days when my parents sailed on my Uncle’s yacht. From what I recall, I’m not a water-girl by any means, I get seasick. I’d rather hang out at the dock with my fancy deck shoes and wait until everyone comes in, on a day out at sea.

I can’t help but have a soft spot for anything nautical. If there’s anything with stripes on it, I’ve already bought it. Navy and white? Always a classic combo. Today I’m discussing the make up to go along with said collection. I’ll have swatches posted up on my blog later next week, but for now, simply enjoy the packaging and great colours.

Neutrals are always in trend, they’re so easy to wear.Dior-Transat-Eyeshadow-5-co

DiorSkin Nude Shimmer in two great shades of Rose and Amber.DiorSkin-Nude-Shimmers

Fantastic neutral palette called Sundeck.Dior-Transat-eyeshadow

Dior Addict Lipsticks in Mayday and Cruise.Dior-Addict-Lipsticks-

Dior Addict Glosses in Seafarer and Offshore. Love the glistening shimmer in Offshore.Dior-Addict-Lipglosses--

Come back next week as I show you how to re-create a refreshed summer skin make-up look using primarily Dior products.Dior-2014-summer

Does anything pique your interest? Thinking of picking up any of the items I showed today?

I know not everyone can afford luxury beauty products, such as Dior. Perhaps you can splurge on one or two products from their collection if you enjoy the photos and swatches of what I have to say. I am lucky enough to work with Dior’s PR. As you know, I only work with companies who I 100% believe in. My opinion is never biased towards a brand, and always my own.

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Hand Creams I’m Currently Using

I love hand creams. Wait, I should rephrase that. I need to love hand creams because throughout my entire life, I’ve had cold, scaly dry man-hands. I’ve been called lizard hands by someone in the past. I can see why they said that. Painted a pretty picture for you, didn’t I?

I always have hand creams in various places of our home, my car, and my purse. Needless to say, I don’t always apply it. I really should.

Here are a few not necessarily top picks that I’ve been using since moving to California, where my hands are still going to continue being dry. That’s okay. I’ve learned to live with it, no matter how far away, or close I am, to an ocean.

4 hand creams I’m currently using

Must-have-hand-creams

Caudalíe

This hand cream is pretty great when and is the most reached-for cream on this list. I’ve purchased more than a handful of tubes of these creams. It’s the most lightweight feeling of the four shown above. I’ll definitely keep buying this. $19CDN // $15USD at Sephora.

Bobbi Brown Extra

A little luxury to my collection, I’ve recently added this one to my assortment of hand creams. The Bobbi Brown counter at Macy’s lured me in. Had no idea Bobbi made hand cream. I tried it out, loved the way it made my hands feel. Then left without purchasing. Thinking about it constantly the next few days, I popped into Sephora to see if they sold any, which they didn’t. A few days later I headed back to Macy’s and asked for it. Luckily they had some in stock. It flies off the shelves, apparently. I don’t really know why. It’s $31. It’s expensive. It just seems like a regular hand cream, just in some fancy name brand packaging. It’s nice though. I’d repurchase it. However, I’m going to use this sparingly because it was so costly. I want to enjoy it. Would I recommend it? Only if you’re a hand-cream addict like myself. $31USD at Macys.

 World Market Hand Cream

Ok. I have no idea who makes this since there’s a bunch of names spewed all over the packaging. I bought it at World Market, thus the title. It feels, not greasy but quite silky once applied. After a few minutes, it evaporates and keeps my hands from feeling dehydrated and gives it a healthy look. Comes in a variety of scents, but I love anything citrus so the Grapefruit & Tangerine went in my shopping basket immediately after I smelled it. $4.99USD at World Market.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

I’m not the biggest fan of the scent with this product. But it’s bearable. I’ve heard a lot of great things with this brand healing eczema prone skin, and I received a sample of this a long time ago. I only just found it in my hand-cream stash so I thought I’d keep it around to try it out. Not sure I’ll purchase it in full-size when I like other hand creams better. $15CDN // $12USD at Sephora.

Honourable mentions

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula

As much as I still dislike to admit it, Mothers are always right. The top pick I recommend to anyone who wants a non-greasy formula, that is incredibly powerful and keeps your hands moisturized after many hand-washes, is still Neutrogena Norwegian Formula. It’s like a thick ointment-like consistency and is scent-free. It’s just so hard to rub in, especially when your hands are really dry or chapped. A lot of my climbing friends back in Newfoundland still use this product. I haven’t looked for it here in the USA yet, but I presume it’s readily available at any drug store. Read more about my rave reviews on it from 2012. $7.99CDN on Well.ca // $5.29USD at ULTA.

Ahava hand cream

I never thought I’d be able to find it again. It was whisked off the shelves in Ontario, Canada. I went through 3 or 4 tubes of this. Hands down, my #1 splurge for a hand cream. It has the most spa-like smelling hand cream I’ve ever tried. When I had an office and I applied it, my old co-workers walked down the hallway, asking who sprayed on perfume, or who smelled so good. It was always my hand cream. Not one person who tried it, didn’t like it. I bought it for my boss before I left work to head down to the states here. I was surprised to find it at ULTA. For the Canadians who’d like to try it, you can get it for  $22CDN on Well.ca // $21USD at ULTA.

Everything was purchased by me.

What are your favourite hand creams?

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