Coming February 2018

2016 brought with it a lot of grievance in my life, with my favourite person in the world passing — my Father. I was told it was so hard because our relationship was so good.

You could say things turned completely around as 2017 has been a great year thus far, with exciting adventures that lie shortly ahead for us. For the last 18 weeks I’ve been quietly working on our latest one. Our baby is set to arrive early February, and we are beyond stoked for this new adventure! In case you didn’t hear, this is why I’m smiling ear to ear. I can’t wrap my head around that there’s two brains let alone heartbeats going on in my body. 18 weeks of you and me baby.

Big news over here folks, a little baby is on its way. We know the sex but won’t be announcing on the blog for a little bit — how annoying am I? I feel like I’ve been hiding a little secret from you guys for what seemed like forever. I mean, it pretty much has been forever: 18½ weeks! It’s definitely going to be quite the change, and Alfie will no longer be the ‘only child’. This will be the first grandchild for my in-laws, and my Mom’s 5th grandchild.

I can’t wait to update you all on this pregnancy. Naturally, I’ll write about it, but because the Mister and I are pretty private people I’m not sure how often. Let’s hope it’s more often than not — I’ve been writing a few secretive posts about all the feels as each week has passed.

So, I suppose you could say that’s why I have been a little MIA from the blog. Seemed odd to be updating you on makeup, and beauty and “hiding” this from you for a while. This is what has been on my mind (and in my belly) this entire time.

Let the new chapter begin…

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Five Things Friday . 008

Jeeze — it really has been months since I did a Five Things Friday post. I gave up on that a bit quick, didn’t I? Considering I only posted 7 weeks worth, and now onto the ‘8th week’ of it. Let’s see if I can keep it up again ;)

This summer, although I haven’t been blogging a ton, has been quite busy! I’ll write about it all eventually but for now I kinda want to go old school with the blogging and not have it be too curated, too polished, too perfect. There’s definitely a time and place for that fancy-pants blogging but I’m not feeling it this summer nor am I reading a ton of blogs lately, and hey that’s okay right!

01. ALFIE|

Let’s start with this cutie. We’re still going on adventures and he definitely gets stuck in a routine. Now if I don’t feed him his breakfast or supper at a particular time, he starts grunting and whining at me! He’s knows what he wants too, because I ask him “What do you want?” and he guides me to wherever he desires. Whether it be me opening up a window for him, or getting his food ready for him, ha! We went on an adventure to chase totality for the solar eclipse, all the way up in Idaho. Are you guys interested in hearing about the trip? It was long…. omg. 26 hours round trip and many more hours in the car just adventuring in Nevada and Idaho. Me arse was killin’ me from sittin!

02. PASS THE DECAF|

I’ve been drinking decaf coffee for a little while now. I was addicted and ‘needed’ to go a few times a week back in the winter. But before, it was all for the taste until I got hooked. Now I roam through random coffee spots just to break up the day, people watch and/or write blog posts. Tom ‘n Toms coffee is a spot I went to this week, which was a nice change. I only spotted it as we drove past it last weekend!

03. MAC x SAMANTHA RAVNDAHL|

A few months ago MAC collaborated with a handful of YouTubers from various countries to create their own custom lipstick, and only have it available in the YouTubers home-country. Since I’m from Canada, I lucked out and got my hands on the Canadian MAC x Samantha Ravndahl’s nude lipstick shade. It’s gorgeous, and I’ll create a look with it soon! Has anyone gotten their paws on Fleur de Force’s lipstick? I would’ve loved to, simply to support her, but the colour wasn’t up my ally if I’m being completely honest.

04. DECLUTTER|

The past two years I’ve been obsessed with reading all about, and watching on YouTube, anything to do with decluttering. I’m not sure I’d ever become a minimalist by any means — but I definitely want to declutter my makeup an awful lot more than I recently did (watch that video here if you missed it!).

05. LATHER UP|

This combo reminds me of summer so bad now, and I don’t want to give up the scent going into Fall. Whenever I hop out of the shower I lather my legs and arms with the Aveda composition oil in the delicious Shampure scent, and on my torso/neck/back/etc I’ve been using Tree Hut Shea Body Butter in Coconut Lime (mmm!) it smells SO good, and believe it or not, they pair well together. At least, I’m pretty sure I smell awesome — ha!

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My first Artis Brush: the Elite Mirror Palm Brush

It’s hard to really gauge how a foundation applies in photos. At least I can’t seem to photograph it for the life of me. I wasn’t sponsored or asked to do this review on the Artis Brushes, because I already posted a review for Octoly on my Instagram feed about it (and that’s all they “require”). But because I was interested in using them before I asked to review them, I thought it’d be helpful for you guys to hear my thoughts about how they work — especially if you’re considering purchasing one. They’re none too inexpensive either, this Elite Mirror Palm brush will run you $65 USD.

The first day I used it (actually it was the day I posted the photo, so August 24), I ended up using my regular eye cream, the Aveda Tulasāra eye masque, and the BECCA Velvet Blurring Primer. I skipped moisturizer altogether (my fault) and went straight into foundation. My skin needs moisturizer; it’s dry as a friggen bone. I guess I was too excited to use the three new products (Artis Brush, and 2 Becca products).

Common sense had me thinking that the Artis Brush would suck up too much of the foundation if I squirted it on the brush, or the back of my hand and dipping in with said brush. So I pumped out a bit of foundation and dabbed it onto my face and blended it in with the big ol’ palm brush. Artis commented on my Instagram post saying something similar to my thoughts that I wrote to a friend:

that’s the best technique with liquids and creams! Powders can be picked up directly with the tips of the fibres. Each fibre comes to a microscopic tip that the product rests on, so the brushes will never soak up a ton of product.

The Artis Brush spreads out the foundation easily and streak-free, but gives full coverage, at least with the foundations I’m using it in conjunction with; and you only need 1 dab. I did 2 dabs not thinking, and it was too much foundation making me look cakey and dry (my fault). Literally it glides on making the foundation look flawless (lol how). But the first try, like I said I didn’t use moisturizer (just a primer) which was a mistake — I looked really dry. So I had to go back in with a beautyblender to make it less full coverage/dry.

So far I’ve used the Artis Brush with the following foundations: BECCA Ultimate Coverage Complexion Crème, Estee Lauder Double Wear + Burberry Cashmere foundation combo, then Estee Lauder DW + Dior Hydra Life BB Cream (can you tell I like to mix and match my foundation combos?). I haven’t tried it with something like a regular BB cream on its own, because when I wear foundation I want to wear foundation. Not wear something lightweight, at least not now in this past little while.

My face (duh who elses? lol..) after applying moisturizer + BECCA foundation, using the fancy-pants Artis Brush. Then a somewhat up-close shot. Eehhh….

I didn’t use the palm brush to just apply my foundation, I went back in with the other end of ‘er, and dipped the bristles into my bronzer. This is where I noticed that the brush applied the bronzer with more of a lighter hand. Usually with my Dior Kabuki Brush #17 it packs on colour quickly and easily. Not to say that the Artis brush doesn’t — it’s just like you’re using a lighter hand. I guess it’s a good thing it didn’t pile on the bronzer (but I do love a heavy hand with bronzer).

The brush itself is easy to hold, soft on the skin, and non-irritant. It doesn’t scratch my sensitive face at all. I’m surprised at how diverse it is between liquid and powder products. The only qualm I have with it, is the size. I often reach for tools that will easily fit into my mini makeup bag and leave tons of room for my other ‘travel sized’ items. I don’t know why I’m so obsessed with having everything zipped up in a tiny bag, but I am. Either way, I’ll still keep it into my rotation of brushes for daily use. It’s good!

There ya have it! My somewhat mini-review of the $65 Artis Elite Mirror Palm Brush. Hope this was somewhat helpful for you guys!

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