I Wish I Had..

"I wish I had more vacation days."-unknown

Well here we are. Almost the very beginning of September and it is just starting to finally feel like summer (with the odd theatrical intermission that includes some dramatic thunder, lightening and torrential down pours). With summer being late I have a feeling winter will be late and that we are going to have the most wonderfully warm fall. A fall that will hopefully include swimming in the ocean, back yard fires, apple picking and a healthy dose of sunshine. With wedding/beach season coming to a close and boot/scarf season falling quickly upon us, I thought I would share some favourtite beauty products that will help carry your summer look into the fall and some tips on how to use them including an at home manicure that is easy and gives professional results at home! Happy beautifying all!
-m

The best summer-to-fall nails..

Who doesn't love a good mani/pedi? Pampering yourself is important but if you want to save some money and keep your nails fresh, at home manis and pedis are where it is at. As far as at home manicures go, Essie provides some of my favourite colors and products. I always start with a quick trim and file. I follow up with some Sally Hansen cuticle removing gel- this stuff is seriously the best. Leave it on for a few seconds and overgrown cuticles easily push back and can be clipped off providing a perfect canvas for some bright polishes. For a base coat I use Essie's "Ridge filler", I read about this product a while ago and I have been using it every since. One quick coat and it fills ridges and evens out nails for a smooth surface that takes nail polish far better than a naked nail. Next apply two coats of your favoutite Essie color. My current color obsessions for the summer months include "Bikini so teeny" for my toes- it's the perfect bright powdery blue that covers well and looks fabulous with summer kissed skin. For my fingers I am loving "Peach side babe"- a fabulous peach/coral pastel. The Essie fall line up this year is a collection of deeply pigmented jewel tones with some beautiful greys. I am lusting after "The perfect cover up" which is a charcoal grey with blue undertones and "Fall in line" which is a mossy green with grey undertones. To finish of my nails I use one coat of  Essie "Good to go" topcoat. This helps them shine and makes your nails last up to a week (in my experience). Best part? All of the products above can be easily purchased at any local drug store.

The best skin...

The best skin is moisturized, protected and dewy whether it is summer or fall.  I am still in love with Josie Maran Light argan oil for keeping my skin smooth and moisturized. I use a couple of drops every night before bed focusing on dry spots (in my case my nose!).  I also love Aveeno suncreen made specifically for the face, I find it doesn't clog my pores like many other products do and it offers long lasting sun protection. In general I don't go out without SPF on my face whether it is just straight up sunscreen for the beach or if it is in a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. I don't want to look like a raisin when I am older and I am hoping sunscreen will help! I also make sure I wash my face thoroughly at the end of the day to take off makeup and sunscreen and let my face breathe a bit.

The best coverage...

As far as makeup with natural coverage, I am still a big fan if Garnier BB cream. It smooths, evens and it is light and airy on my face. If I need a little more coverage I am absolutely in love with Nars "All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation". This product goes a long way. It has no preservatives and it is like air on my face all the while evening out my skin and making it look airbrushed. Tips for this product- because it has no preservative make sure you mix/shake it well, it will separate if you don't. Also one pump should do your whole face and instead of using a brush the Nars representative at Sephora encouraged me to use my hands for an even application while using less product. Win-win.

 The best summer-to-fall blush...

Nars Orgasm blush is a cult classic for a reason. It it peachy-pink, it reflects light and looks great both on fair skin and dark skin tones. This is a color that will never go out of style and it's hyper-pigmentation means a little goes very far.

The best bronzer...

I have tried buckets of bronzers. Drug store, high end and anything in between and I always come back to MAC's bronzing powder in "bronze".  It gives a natural sun-kissed finish without the harmful rays and without looking like a bad contouring job. It is natural enough to help carry a summery glow easily into the fall without looking too done.

The best eyebrows...

Duh! Summer, winter, spring, fall Anastasia Dip Brow pomade is the best eyebrow product I have ever used. Throw out your gels, your fibers, your pencils and your powders and make way for the best eyebrows you have ever had. A pot lasts for a year or so and applies very easily in small brush strokes with an angled brush. It is waterproof but washes off easily with facial cleanser and it holds down longer stray hairs. Use as little or as much as you would like to help create as dramatic or natural of a look as you want!

The best waterproof mascara...

Water proof mascara is good for the beach, the pool, for sweatin' at the gym and for all of the emotional moments at your bestie's weddings. Make Up For Ever's Aqua Smokey Extravagant mascara lengthens, fills and doesn't flake. It stays in place until you wash it off and I promise it won't run when your bestie says I do.

The best inexpensive lip...

Matte lips seem to be a trend that is hanging around. Surprisingly, Rimmel has an amazing line of exceptional, inexpensive lipsticks and the matte ones are worth discussing. They are the Kate Moss line and although the are dry, as all matte lipsticks are, they don't flake around the lip and they will stay put all damn day. There is a crazy number of on point colors ranging from pin-up reds to classic nudes and priced between $5.99 and $7.99 these are serious bang for your buck. Check out color 104 for a pinky-taupe that will look good on any skin-tone and that can easily transition from sun-kissed beach babe to fall fashionista. For the best natural/neutral pink I have always loved MAC's Modesty lipstick but Rimmel has a color in their Kate Moss line that I may prefer even more and the color number is 08. This is an amazing find considering I have been wearing Modesty for at least five years.

Happy beautifying all!
-m

For What It Is Worth..

"For what it is worth: It's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you are proud of, and if you find that you are not, I hope you have the strength to start over."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald

Last weekend I turned thirty. For a couple of months I have been dwelling on the fact that thirty is a pretty big double digit and a significant milestone. Seriously, it isn't that long ago that it was a big deal to live to thirty (what with the plague and all). In my mind thirty meant I was officially an adult, not that I already wasn't one, but come thirty you kind of have to have your shit together. It is almost an unwritten expectation. For some reason thirty, to me, was coming with strings attached. These strings included retirement investments, future planning, being kinder to myself and a fool hardy nightmare that I would wake up on the morning of my thirtieth and my face would be cracked into a million wrinkles (thanks Lesley for planting that little seed in my brain to grow when you yourself turned 30). Not even a touch logical, but for some reason I secured some anti-wrinkle cream the week before, you know, just in-case. With the big day fast approaching people were very generous to relay to me how they felt when they turned thirty and what have been the best and worst ages in their lives. Not gonna lie, mixed reviews were handed down on the big 3-0. Some people told me their thirties have been the best years of their lives, others stated they spent the year and the months leading up to it in hibernation. I swear, I was not obsessed with thirty, I was just dwelling a little more than I probably should have.

Well, the day came and went.  I had the most marvelous time and thirty has been nothing short of wonderful so far.  I spent the day with family, friends and almost all of the people I love. I was spoiled silly. I felt loved and I felt grateful. I am going to make thirty count, it is going to be my very best year yet!

In thirty years, I really do have so much to be grateful for. ...

• I have an amazingly supportive family that loves me unconditionally (and trust me, sometimes I am hard to love). A family that values honesty, generosity and education.
• I have a wonderful network of kind and compassionate friends that help and encourage me to be a better person and my best self. My sister clearly falls into the first two categories, because really, what is better than a built in best friend that has to love you even when you are being an ass (..because she is also your sister! Ha!).
• I have been given many wonderful opportunities over the past thirty years (I am quite certain I have even taken a few for granted).
• I am self sufficient and I have a job that I love. A job that I feel grateful and honored to be able to do week in and week out. A job where I make a difference and am challenged every time I step through the door. How many people can say that?
• I grew up in a safe and beautiful place. A place that shaped who I am, a place that values community, kindness and generosity over material things. 
• I have been lucky enough to travel. I have seen a small portion of the world outside of where I live and that has lead me me to value diversity, become more cultured and to also appreciate even more where I come from.
• I am young, I am healthy and I still have my whole life ahead of me. As a nurse every week I bear witness to the sick and suffering. I also witness resilience, second chances, the wonder of modern medicine and healing. Nothing makes me value my health and well being more than this.

 I am sure the list can go on and on but I think my uncle said it the best when he said  to me..
"Honey, you are dead a long time. At least we are all on the right side of the grass."
- The always witty and honest John Ingram

 Now that I have been a thirty year old for all of eight days, I thought I would share some of my expertise in the field and few things I have learned over the years.. 

• Take opportunities when they present themselves. When a door opens it may not be there in a week, a month or a year. Maybe it is applying for a job, maybe it is going on a date and maybe it is a travel opportunity, just be sure to challenge yourself. What is the worst that is going to happen? Maybe you will be told you need more experience, maybe you will fail, or maybe it will just end up being a great story but at least you tried and put yourself out there. Now you can be a better you with those experiences, you can grow, learn what is important to you and be ready for the next door that opens. And maybe, just maybe it will be the best thing that ever happened to you. Put yourself out there, who knows what will happen.
•  Grow and nurture friendships. As I am learning very quickly, life gets in the way. Marriages happen, children happen, work happens, life happens and important things like friends can often get put on the back burner. If a friendship has a good foundation this won't matter. You could go a year without speaking to someone but when you finally do see them, it's almost as if no time has passed between you. Those are the kind of friendships I am thankful for.
• On the flip side, life is too short to spend time with people and doing things you don't enjoy. This is a hard one, especially if you are a people pleaser like me. It is OK to say "no" sometimes and it is OK to take time for yourself.
• Do the things you love. Love the ocean? Go to the beach! Love being creative? Take an art class. Whatever it is, do it and enjoy it (as long as it is legal, doesn't hurt anyone etc. For the record, if you love doing heroin, I am really not suggesting you do that or endorsing it. Please refer to bullet number six if this is the case). Spend time with the people you love.
• Care less about what people think about you. At the end of the day you only have to answer to yourself. Wear crazy lipstick, drink a little too much wine. Care a little less and enjoy yourself a little more.
• Take the time to take care of yourself. Go for a walk, eat the salad, wear sunscreen and live a healthier life.  Preventative diseases cut lives short and put a massive tax on our health care system. Diabetes, congestive heart disease and skin cancer may not be totally avoidable but if the opportunity is there to prevent it, take it. A little time spent on your well being now could add quality years to your life. Plus, if you are my friend I guarantee you have heard me say many times  "Basal cell carcinoma is not cute, especially when it comes back the second time". I may have even showed you a horrific picture while urging you to protect your skin. I may have even told you that you will "look like a raisin in ten years" and I may have actually gotten into an argument about sunscreen with you. This is because I love you, so love yourself too !

Happy being your best self all, sorry for the impromptu lecture, I was just on a bad-ass, thirty year old roll...
-m 

Flowers Can't..

"Flowers can't solve all problems, but they're a great start"-Justina Blakeney

A couple of weeks ago I was browsing through Chapters bookstore, which I do frequently. I had a coffee in hand and was admiring all of the beautiful housewares that I can't afford but that I continue to lust after. I had made it past all of the new released books, past the greeting cards and past the decadent rows of soy candles. I was turning the corner to inspect some tableware when something caught my eye and made me (almost) spit out a mouthful of coffee. It was a small box labelled "DIY Flower-Pot" and it said it contained everything you would need to paint your very own flower pot. On inspection it included a very small terracotta pot, some paint and a brush, all for the remarkably high price of $19.99.

I grew up painting flower pots, my mom sold them at craft fairs and both my sister and I had all of our pencils, markers and stationary on display in our own, hand-painted terracotta pots on our desks. I knew it was an inexpensive feat but didn't realise how ridiculous the price was for that DIY kit until my sister and I decided to get back to our "roots" and spend one of her first nights back in the city (she was away at university learning law and stuff) drinking wine and crafting some flower pots.

After securing some full-bodied red wine at the liquor store, our next stop was at the dollar store where we picked up sponge brushes (5 for $1), small terracotta pots (3 for $1.25), small saucers for said pots (3 for $1), a large bottle of white acrylic paint ($1) and a bag of sour candies ($1).  Unfortunately the dollar store didn't have the array of paint colours we were hoping for so we bombed across the street to an actual craft store where we bought neon pink and robin's egg blue acrylic paint ($1.25/ bottle) and a sealer/glaze for the pots to make sure they were both water-proof and that the paint stayed where we put it ($3.00).

We came home, covered the dining table in newspaper and got down to business. We each painted three pots, each pot got three coats of paint (FYI if using a light colour or a neon colour, paint a coat of white under where you intend to use it, this will make it more dramatic and will allow it to cover better). The sponge brushes worked surprisingly well and it took about an hour including a little drinking and devouring of sour candies to complete all three coats (they dried remarkably fast!). I let them cure for a couple of hours before I finished both the inside and the outside of each pot with one coat of the sealing glaze. The next day they were ready to be put to good use.

Shall we do a tally?
       $1.25 for three pots
       $1.25 for three pots
       $1.00 for three saucers
       $1.00 for three saucers
       $3.50 for paint
       $1.00 for brushes
    + $3.00 for glaze     
       $12.00+tax  (~$13.80)

So without including the wine and candies, it cost $13.80 to paint six pots...that is $2.30/pot which makes the DIY kit a real rip-off. Happy pot painting all, enjoy getting your hands a little dirty!
-m

Happy nurses week !

To the nurses and health care providers that I have had the privilege to work with,

You are a remarkable group. Your adaptability, passion and empathy are exceptional. Nursing has afforded me many opportunities and as my career and knowledge continue to grow so does my admiration and respect for the people I work with.

To many families and patients you are a tour guide through the abyss of medical terminology, procedures and tests. You share in the hope and promise that comes with good news and you share in the disappointment and fear that bad news and sometimes even devastating news brings. You tour them through this uncharted territory with dignity and respect.  This safari ride has stops they never thought they would see and has taken them places they never knew existed. And as their tour guide you help them cope, you teach them adaptability and you show them compassion. 

I have seen the delight you share as a new father sees his baby for the first time. I have also seen you celebrate with genuine pride when a premature baby finally meets the milestone their family has been wishing for. 

I have seen you shed tears of joy when a patient finally leaves the icu after you worked so hard to make sure they had a future. And I have seen you band together and rally when things fall apart. They do fall apart and they will fall apart but you know that and you face it every day.

I have seen you hold the hands of families when they learn there is nothing more that can be done and I have seen you hug a stranger like they were part of your own family.

I have seen you advocate, persist and demand for your patients especially when they could not do so for themselves. And I have seen you go above and beyond your job description even in the small confines of a helicopter. 

I know you lose sleep sometimes and I know you go home and wrack your brain looking for something you may have missed. 

I know you go home and cry sometimes for the lives lost and suffering you have seen endured. I know you sometimes have to step away and that is ok.

What is the most remarkable thing about all of this is that you go home to your families where you are a parent, a partner, a sister or a brother.  You care for them, love them and lead full lives and then you get up and do it all again because you love your job. You are passionate about your job and you are good at your job. Your job is important even when you are sometimes made to feel like it's not and even when you feel like no one sees how much you give to so many people.

You are selfless. You are strong and you are brave. You don't just save lives, you save the future.

So to the medical professionals that I work with, that I have worked with and the ones that I will work with, I am so proud to have seen you don all of the many hats required of you with such grace. My respect and admiration for you grows every day and I hope you know how important you each are to so many people. Happy nurses week. 

Spring Is...

"Spring is nature's way of saying 'Let's party!' "-Robin Williams

It is ever-so-slowly starting to feel like spring and the snow is finally starting to melt. Where there was once an eleven foot, gleaming-white glacier in my front yard, there now stands a three foot tall, dirt covered, pile of old snow. There are little patches of grass to be found and on every block or so you can spot crocuses starting to sprout up through the soft mud. It was eight degrees today. Last week there was frost and snow on my car in the early morning, I will take eight degrees with a smile.

Find pictures of my spring-inspired bouquets and flowers around the house ('cause we all know I LOVE fresh flowers) below. Also find a recipe for the tastiest, most decadent and inspired thumb-print cookies courtesy of Ms. Martha herself. Happy Spring!
-m

Don't these coconut thumb-print cookies with sea-salt and caramel look divine? Find the recipe and tricks of the trade from Martha Stewart here. Martha made me do it, I swear.

  

The best not-so-secret, secret ingredient courtesy of Presidents choice black label. 

Saturday Mornings are for....

"Saturday mornings are for mimosa's and brunch."-unknown

Brunch, everyone's favourite meal and the perfect way to wrap up a weekend (if you happen to have weekends off)! What is better than the luxury of getting out of bed late and enjoying company over a mimosa and a hot cup of joe. In Halifax you can find weekend brunch offered at pretty much every place that has evening dinner service. There is something for everyone and recently my favourite brunch spot was pushed, with a great big shove into second place (sorry Coastal Cafe, I still love you, just a little less on the weekends). My new go-to is EDNA, which also happens to be my favourite place to eat in the city. It never lets you down! The service and atmosphere are superb and with an ever-changing menu it's like a new dining experience every time you go. I don't know why I waited so long to try their brunch menu. Like the dinner menu it changes frequently, but a couple of signature dishes remain the same. Creative food, competitive prices, not to mention great coffee, and fresh grapefruit mimosas. I was sold from my first bite. You will not be disappointed with the chewy, coconut-y french toast made from local baguette or by the perfectly poached eggs and the duck fat smashed potatoes will leave you wishing brunch was available seven days a week. Find the menu, hours and everything else you may want to know about your new favourite haunt here.

However, if you would prefer to stay home, lounge in your PJ's and drink coffee out of your favourite mug. Or if you remain in hibernation because the snow banks are still as tall as I am, here is a recipe to enjoy brunch from the comfort of your own home made with ingredients I guarantee you already have on hand. I am calling them mile-high pancakes because they puff up to be almost an inch thick. They are tender and fluffy and will literally take five minutes to make. They are potentially the best I have ever had. Honestly, try em' and tell me what you think! Happy brunching all!

-m

Mile High Pancakes

You will need...

• 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3.5 tsp of baking powder
• 1tsp of salt
• 2 tbs of white sugar
• 1.5 cups of milk
• 1 egg
• 3tbs of melted butter

Sift dry ingredients together and make sure they are all mixed well. Form a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and place egg, butter and milk in the hole. Mix until all is just incorporated and smooth. Try not to over-mix (or they won't be fluffy!). Heat frying pan or griddle to medium and give a quick coat of oil or butter. When the pan is hot pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the pan for each pancake (this will make about 8 good sized pancakes!). Flip when the top starts to bubble or when bottom is golden brown and cook second side until golden and toasty.

Oh Me? I'm not 80% Water..

"Oh me? I'm not 80% water, I'm 80% coffee and a little bit of sass."-Zoey Deschanel

I will be entirely honest with all of you, if my life had a flavour, it would be coffee. Coffee gives me a false sense of productivity,  makes me feel more alert than I probably am and it is a deliciously aromatic alternative to full-on hating mornings. Let me be real with you, I am not a morning person, I am a coffee person.

If I had to pick a pass-time or hobby that I am most skilled and proficient at, it would  be drinking coffee. I am not talking about just drinking coffee; I am talking about cinnamon sprinkling, two-hands on the mug, devouring the perfect french press that's sometimes so strong it wakes up the neighbours, kind of coffee drinking.

Because I love coffee so much, I also shamelessly take pictures (and I mean lots of pictures) of the coffee I am enjoying at any given time. Embarrassing for those around me? Probably. A little excessive? Yes, for certain. Does it lump me into a weird crowd of people who take way too many pictures with their handheld devices? Yeah... Am I embarrassed? No. Should I be? Maybe.

See a small (yes...small) sample of some of the coffee shots on my phone below, as well as directions to make the perfect cup of french press coffee! Happy brewing all!
-m

How to make the perfect cup of French press coffee (ever).
You will need:

• A French press (I use a bodum, press coffee in general lets you enjoy the oils that are naturally found in the coffee bean that are often filtered out by coffee filters, this is why it tastes so good!).
• Four tablespoons of fresh, coarsely ground coffee 
• Sprinkle of cinnamon (optional but I strongly suggest trying!)
• Boiling water
• A wooden or rubber spoon
• Your favourite mug
• Whatever you dress your coffee with (milk, cream, sugar etc.)

Directions:
Boil water and remove the plunger from your press. Place coffee and cinnamon in bottom of the press. When water is boiled, pour directly on top of coffee grounds and fill to about an inch from the top of your press. Stir with wooden/rubber spoon (metal may risk smashing the glass!) and place plunger on top of the coffee, resting near the top of the carafe. Wait 3-4 minutes and when the time is up gently and slowly press the plunger down, this will push all of the grounds to the bottom of the carafe and trap them there. Pour into your favourite mug and enjoy naked or dressed the way you normally enjoy a cup of coffee!