Acadian Beauty missing in action?

So it's been months since I've written even a chatty blog post, let alone something interesting with pictures and reviews. I've been so incredibly busy!

Since buying our home, we've been working non-stop to renovate and decorate it the way we wish it to be.

Besides that, I got a full-time teaching job for the year, teaching a grade I've never taught before. This has been a time-sucking challenge beyond all others. Not only do planning, creating & teaching take time, but so do the extra deadlines of the professional side of things (reports, report cards, communication plans, etc.). So when I DO have time to myself, I spend a lot of it with my husband & the rest of it sleeping.

I'm working on getting back into the writing swing of things, because I truly miss posting things.  That being said, a couple posts a month will most likely be the extent of it until Christmas break. If you're still interested in what I have to say - thanks so much!!

Cheers,
Kait

5 At Home/ Last Minute Valentine's Ideas for Couples

Need a good idea for Valentine's Day that doesn't take a lot of effort (because it's 3 days away!)? Here are some at-home date nights that are sure to please your significant other, yourself and your budget!

Cook a Meal
I absolutely love cooking with my husband.  It's a great way to have some good conversation, be productive and enjoy each other's company in a familiar space.  This Buzzfeed article has some really delicious ideas for getting in the kitchen together and making some magic!


Video Game Marathon
Whether you're more into the classics like Mario Kart & Donkey Kong Country or you're into the Call of Duty games, this is a fun bonding activity! Compete against each other or work together, it's all fun.


Spa Night
For a more romantic night, nothing beats a massage & a bubble bath together. Throw in some chocolate truffles & a bottle of your favourite bubbly and you've got a down right sexy evening ahead of you!


Movie Night
Going to the theater is pricey! How about an at home movie night instead? Pop some corn, pour some yummy drinks (even and some alcohol if you're feeling it!), slide into your PJs & put in your favourite movie. Can't choose? Why not make it a marathon & watch two or three in a row! Just because it's Valentine's Day, doesn't mean it has to be a chick flick - anything goes.


Play a Game
Sure you could play Scrabble, Cards, etc., or you could play Would you Rather? / The Newlywed Game / any game that lets you get to know each other better!  You could even go online & find some personality quizzes, take them & compare the results. Anything fun & personal is always a hit.


Bonus : A Themed Night
Choose a theme - could be a decade (50s/20s), a country (France/India) or something random (Kids Night/Chocolate/Dracula). Plan your dinner accordingly, choose a movie or two, some snacks that fit the bill, maybe even a cute decoration or outfit to match & have a blast!

Would you choose any of these dates? We're going to be trying a combination of these ideas for our Valentine's this year!

Cheers,
Kait

Health, Fitness & Beauty - My Journey

I've been doing the Beachbody program P90X3 since January 5th & so far I AM IN LOVE.

For context, in the past I have completed the original P90X program as well as T25, which are also both Beachbody deals. P90X was awesome, but the workouts could be anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours every day & as a teacher with a fast-paced, busy life, I couldn't commit. I did it during the summer while I was off, but come September it just wasn't possible any longer.

P90X3 is only 30 minutes a day & it is a fun mix of cardio, weights, stretching/yoga & strength. It encourages an all-over body fitness. 

I also started drinking some Shakeology (also a Beachbody product) which has tons of protein and vitamins! I realize that someone reading this might say "oh that's bad for you" or "that's not regulated by the FDA", but I did my research, I talked with my doctor & I am confident that it is actually amazing for ME. That doesn't mean that it will be a good fit for everyone.

Along with these things, I have been cleaning up my eating habits. Yes, I still have moments of not-so-healthy choices - chips are my weakness. I enjoy veggies & lean meats, but I get bored. I've learned to make homemade dressings, homemade seasonings & lots of other fun add-ons for meals that when pre-packaged are full of yucky ingredients. I love cleaning up my food choices!

Here are some of my favourite healthy eats, all on a fun Pinterest board. Not everything on this board is healthy, some of the things are from before. My favourite things are Chia Pudding, Balsamic Chicken & Pita Pizza.

All of these things contribute to a healthy lifestyle, which to me is linked directly with beauty.  My hair is shiny, my nails are long and strong, my skin is clear & I have tons of energy. I also have a flatter tummy & some wicked looking upper arms.  I don't feel the need to work nearly as hard to maintain my skin or my hair these days, because everything is smooth and even and wonderful!

How do you feel about fitness & beauty? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait


*this is NOT a sponsored post - these are my personal products, thoughts & opinions

5 Most Worn Products | January 2015

Just thought I would share some of the things I have been wearing CONSTANTLY this month!  Some of these things I'm wearing because I'm actively trying to use up, some I just use because I love them and choose to include.

5. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
This is my absolute go-to lip balm for the winter. It's 100% affordable at around $4.99 CAD & it heals even my most chapped, rough lips. Some people find this lip balm to be too waxy, but for me it is the perfect consistency for healing. I mostly wear it at night, but on no makeup days I slather it on many, many times. I like the original peppermint one the best, but the pomegranate flavour is pretty magical as well.

4. Revlon Photoready setting powder in 010 fair/light
This stuff is NOT great. I am truthfully just trying to use it up, but it does the job. I just find it to be too heavy & it leaves my makeup looking a little too powdery, especially for the dead of winter. I much prefer a translucent powder that it a little more finely milled.

3. Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Plum
This is a love it or hate it type product. It's a cream-to-powder blush that came out a few years back & I just couldn't help myself. At first I disliked it, just like everyone else. Now, I pretty much love it! I don't know if it's the time of year or what, but this stuff is the bomb. I was finding my powder blushes were starting to be too powdery & if my eyes water (it's really cold in Canada), it leaves streaks clear through the powder. With the bouncy blush, little oopsy moments like that are easy to fix with a little finger blending at a red light.

2. Urban Decay 24/7 glide-on eye pencil in West
This is probably the only liner I've worn all month. It's a deep brown with a slight shimmer. It was in a limited edition set last Christmas (2013), but it is similar to Corrupt, which is a part of the permanent line. It's perfect!

1. Urban Decay shadows in Virgin & Sin
Both of these are found in the original Naked palette. Virgin is the perfect browbone + inner corner shade. Sin has been my go-to all over shade. It's light, pinky goodness is the perfect colour to wear to work without looking like a try-hard.


That's all folks! Everything else has changed, been on rotation or not stood out enough to mention. These are the staples of January.

What are your most-worn products of the month? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait 

Why I have yet to show my face & why I want that to change

Tonight as I sat down to plot out new blog content, I began thinking about the direction of this blog. I have only been writing for a few  months & I feel as though I have much distance still to cover so many aspects:

• My photography requires a face lift, but I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination. I'm working on it! 

• I haven't shown any type of "getting ready with me", "look of the day" posts, or anything that depends upon me exposing my face. This is a confidence problem. Not so much a beauty-confidence dilemma as much as a "what if someone I know finds my blog" embarrassment. I'm trying to do the impossible by building a blog from nothing, without the support of even the people who are close to me. 

• I've solely posted beauty-related posts and, while that is where my heart lies and part of the reason I began this journey, I also have so many other themes that I would love to share with the world. I would delight in writing about my journey as a beginning teacher, my fitness & recipes that make me smile and occasionally I would love to just write comparable posts to this - about what is in my heart or on my mind. 

I began this blog because of my love for composing and due to the fact that I have had few chances to write since graduating from university in the spring of 2013. Even at that it has been one year more since I took my last literature & creative writing courses. That is nearing the 3 year mark and is far too long to not practice a craft. I love teaching with every bit of my being, but I love the written word even more. Taking words, manipulating them, transporting readers on a journey and changing their mind. Making something out of nothing and inspiring others to do the same.

THAT is my goal with this blog - whether it be through beauty posts or something entirely different.

What do you like to see for blog content? Do you enjoy the expected or does the unexpected excite you just as thoroughly? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Beauty Box 5 | January 2015

So in light of the new year, I've decided to test out something new & subscribe to a box! I chose beauty box 5 because it's affordable ($12/month) & it usually has an interesting selection of products.

1. Ultraflesh Panthera Mascara ($20.00 for full-sized)
Claims dramatic, thicker lashes & at $20.00 I would consider this to be in the realm of high-end mascaras.

2. Hard Candy Take Me Out Liner in Sushi ($5.00 for full-sized)
Claims a creamy liner with powerful pigment. While this is an unusual, bluey-purple shade, it could be fun to play around with during the summer months.

3. Sally Hansen Salon Effects in French Mani ($9.99 for full-sized)
Claims a perfect manicure for up to 10 days. I'm looking forward to trying these because they seem like an interesting concept. I also lucked into a very wearable gold-tipped french manicure pack, so the style is very wearable.

4. Softsoap Nutri Serums Body Wash ($8.00 for full-sized)
Claims to contain vitamin E to hydrate & omegas 3 and 6 to retain moisture. Smells pretty good & is in the perfect size to travel with for a few days. Will be packed in my next overnight bag!

5. Hard Candy Baked Eye Shadow in 261 Make Believe ($6.00 for full-sized) 
Claims to be highly pigmented wet-dry eye colour. While I received colours that I don't wear on a regular basis, they do seem very creamy & easy to blend. My next smokey eye will certainly be attempted with these shadows.

My box included 3 full-sized products (Liner, Shadow & Nail strips) & two samples. All in all, my box is worth around $30.00 CAD, which is quite wonderful considering they are $12.00 boxes & $3.00 shipping. Of the products I received, I am most definitely going to be using the mascara, the nail strips & the body wash. I will also play around with the eye liner & shadow on occasion.

Verdict? Month One was a success!
Do you subscribe to any boxes? I'd love to hear about different ones!

Cheers,
Kait

Best of 2014 | What did I love this year?

Another year has come and gone! I've explored some fantastic products this year (& found a few duds along the way as well..). BUT because I would rather focus on the positive, here are my favourite discoveries of 2014 in every category:

Lips
Maybelline Color Whisper in Lust for Blush & Tarte Lip Gloss in Visionary

Eyes
Maybelline Butterfly Mascara in Waterproof [not pictured] & Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in West 

Face
Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Foundation in Creamy Natural & Tarte Cheek Stain in Muse 

Nails 
Sinful Colors in Queen of Beauty & Essie's Fishnet Stockings 

Skincare
L'Oreal Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover & Origins Charcoal Mask

Hair
Pureology Shamp'oil in Reviving Red 

Bathtime
Laura Mercier's Honey Bath in Creme Brulee


I have found some wonderful products this year, whether or not they are actually new releases, they are all new to me. There are some higher end/ more expensive picks, but also plenty of affordable drugstore-type brands as well!

What are your beauty favourites from this past year? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Christmas

Merry Christmas! 

Happy Holidays!

Thanks for the support so far in this beeb of an endeavour! 

Cheers,
Kait

Secret Outlast Clear Gel | Review

Have you ever wandered down the deodorant aisle at the drugstore only to have no idea what to pick up? Do you spend 20 minutes sniffing everything that sounds remotely appealing or do you grab something blindly and make a mad dash for the counter? Does any of this sound like you at all?

If so, I'm here to tell you something awesome. Next time you have to make the undesirable trip, think of Secret Outlast Clear Gel. It is a stress-proof way to handle even the toughest things life throws at you. Mine was sent to me for free through BzzAgent and it came in Ooh-la-la-lavender. Gimicky scent? Maybe, but I enjoy a little lavender in my life, so I gave it a whirl. 

Now let me tell you, this December has been high-stress for this little lady. I've battled Parent-Teacher Interviews, School Christmas Concerts, First impression holiday parties & still yet to arrive are the actual holidays themselves! I gave this deodorant a chance, because frankly, the deodorant I was using when this puppy arrived at my door was NOT cutting it. & I am in LOVE. 

The gel formula dries super-quickly - great for running out the door within seconds of applying because holy cow I forgot to make those 85 photocopies & I'm going to be super late for my class.  There is no white residue left anywhere - great for hauling sweaters on & off depending on how much you happen to be sweating at any given moment.  What's that smell? Definitely not your armpits! Unless you're talking about the fresh lavender scent that all this sweating & running has produced. 

If you mass-produce sweat like you're selling it in a high-demand market, you may still have some dampness. This product didn't quite stamp that out completely. But in my life, nothing ever really does, so I will take some invisibility & lack of smell over nothing at all. I also haven't given it the full 48-hour test, because frankly I'm too busy to tempt fate right now. 

So, did I convince you? Cause I certainly convinced myself!

Cheers,

Kait 

Quick Update | I failed at Blogmas

Hey! So I am officially a not very good beginning blogger. I can't even keep up with my own publicly announced commitments (e.i. Blogmas). In short this is because my real-live person commitments kind of overran their boundaries and infiltrated every aspect of my life mid-month.

 But I haven't abandoned my internet-child just yet! I am officially free for the Christmas season & will be posting some wicked new things in the coming days ... as well as tempting fate with a new "series" or two (let's watch my schedule overrun those as well).

Cheers,
Kait

My Beauty Wishlist | Blogmas Day 8

Here's a wordy post for the masses -

I don't know about y'all, but this time of year I always get sucked into all kinds of Christmas beauty goodies. They are always packaged so wonderfully & the bigger brands tend to come out with gift sets, which are great for an intro into a new brand, or for some good deals on old favourites.  I don't have too many wishes this year as far as beauty, but here are some great ideas if you are looking for some new beauty items for yourself or a loved one!


For a fragrance - Chloe Perfume.
This smells wonderful and girly, but not too young. Perfect for a woman who still likes to smell feminine.

For a gift set - Too Faced La Belle Carousel & Tarte Bon Voyage
Two multipurpose gift sets for a beauty lover! I own the Tarte set already & I have reviewed it here.
The Too Faced set is perfect for dividing and gifting to multiple people or sharing some of the brands best sellers with one special person!

For Skincare - First Aid Beauty & Burt's Bees 
These are both great brands for a lady with sensitive skin. None of the products have strong scents, they are all really gentle and will generally get on well with any type of user. First Aid is a little more high end than Burt's Bees, which can be found in drugstores. I love both!

For Hair Care - Live Clean
This is a drugstore brand that I adore. I always request some of these products for my stocking! Their hair care is 98% plant derived, SLS, Paraben and Silicone free. & it smells SO GOOD!

An Extra - MorrocanOil
Great brand for hair & skincare. These products smell like a dream, are super hydrating and work as well as they claim. Generally you can find them for purchase in professional salons.

What I really want this year is a new curling wand. Mine died in the summer and I have been sadly living without since. I don't care what brand, as long as it does the job. I am very much hoping to find one under my tree this season.

What are some beauty items that you would love to give or receive this year? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Sunday Funday Christmas Edition | Blogmas Day 7

What is better on a Sunday evening than a grand soak in the tub, a face mask & some general pampering? Using Christmas products or Holiday Gift Set products to do it with!

Burts Bees wipes & a mini Origins mask - both from holiday sets I picked up!

Simple Restoring Night Cream is great for these chilly winter nights!

Father Christmas bath bomb - smells like candy floss!

My Vanilla puff powder paired wonderfully with the scent of the Lush Father Christmas Bath Bomb that smells like candy floss & looks like a bright green Christmas dream!

For my face, I wiped off the sweat of the day (I didn't wear makeup or anything today because it's Sunday & that is what Sundays are for) using the Burt's Bees moist towelettes (review to come), enjoyed the clearing action of the Origins Clear Improvements Charcoal mask whilst soaking my weekly worries away & finished myself off with a glob of Simple Night Cream to sooth the chapped, wintery face.

What kinds of holiday sets do you like to try? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Decorating | Blogmas Day 6

Well it's the first weekend in December and that means it is time to haul out all the Christmas decorations & see what kind of glittery mess we can make on the floor! I absolutely love setting out my Christmas decorations (glitter and all) because it turns my living room into a cozy little haven for a month.

You'll notice that I really like snowmen! The skating snowman stays out all winter long, because I just can't bear to put him away after only a few short weeks. Otherwise, I try to stick to a red & gold theme, because my apartment is too small to have too many colours. My newest addition is the Willow Tree Nativity, which was a wedding gift this summer and I adore it. 

What will you be decorating with?  Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Treats and Goodies | Blogmas Day 5

What are some of your must-have holiday goodies? Ours include Terry's Chocolate Oranges, Advent Calendars, Bacon Wrapped Scallops & Rappie Pie (Traditional Acadian Dish).

While the only one of these I've had yet this season is the beginning of my Advent Calendar, I know the rest are coming! We are going to a holiday party next weekend that promises Rappie Pie! & I'm sure that the others are to follow shortly. 

Do you look forward to special food at the holidays? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Holiday Drinks | Blogmas Day 4

How about a warm cozy drink or three whilst decorating, humming a Christmas tune or working?  My favourite things to drink this time of year are tea and hot chocolate.  They are like a hug in your tummy, especially with the temperatures dropping!

My favourite tea of all time is Stormy Night by David's Tea. A close second is the Organic Pure Chai. They are warm and cozy teas, both black and both organic! Just steep me up a big mug of happiness with these two!

Right now I've been enjoying some Rich & Creamy Carnation hot chocolate, which is pretty delicious if I do say so. It doesn't have to be fancy for me to enjoy! Sometimes I even like to mix some into my morning cup of coffee for that cafe mocha chocolate goodness that just makes a dreary day manageable.

Lastly, I've listed an adult drink favourite - Mudshake Spiced Eggnog. If you are of legal age & want a Friday night holiday beverage, this is absolutely perfect! It's creamy, it's eggnog-y & it is delicious. This company also makes a chocolate candy cane version if eggnog is not your holiday flavour of choice.

What do you love to drink around the holidays? Let me know!

Cheers,

Kait

Stocking Stuffers for Men | Blogmas Day 3

Rather than buy each other big gifts, my husband and I usually just fill stockings for each other with some skincare essentials & a few fun treats. That way we know we're spending money on useful things for each other and it's fun to see what we can come up with!

This year I thought I would share some scrumptious body & skincare items for men that are totally affordable & perfect for stuffing a stocking for that special someone!

Old Spice (A.K.A. Axe of the grown up world). This is one of my husband's favorite drugstore brands! This year I picked up :

• body wash in the scent Hawkridge
• deodorant also in the scent Hawkridge
• aftershave in the scent Classic

Jack Black is one of my favorite brands from Sephora for men. Last year I picked up some extra strength hand cream. This year I went with a face wash!

Gillette Fusion Razor Blades (or whatever razor blades your guy likes) so that the scruff is under control. 

Burt's Bees trio gift set.  Three classically flavoured Burt's Bees lip balms in a cute little set. My husband loves these and is constantly swiping mine during the snowy winters when he's working out in the cold.

A Cologne is always a great little gift. This one is just a sample of the Yves Saint Laurent L'homme. 

Bacon Hot chocolate, for a fun - albeit weird - treat.

I've also ordered some ear-bud headphones for the hubby, since the kitty ate his pair (and a pair I let him use) and plan on picking up some of his favorite chocolates (Lindt) and some of his favorite coffee pods for the Kurig. 

What will you be putting in stockings this year? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait 

Christmas Songs I love | Blogmas Day 2

« The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! » 

- Elf (2003)

What a great reason to share some of my favorite Christmas tunes with the world!  Unfortunately, a lot of my favorite Christmas songs are in the language of looooove (ahem...French), but I chose a couple English ones as well. 

Une fleur m'a dit ... This song is my childhood Christmas concerts
A song about a sad flower saved by a child, how sappy

Mary Did You Know? ... This song reminds me of  Christmas Eve Mass

This Pentatonix version is pretty sweet! 

Petit Papa Noel... This is the song that is perpetually stuck in my head this time of year

A classic Santy-Claus song for all

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas ... who doesn't love this song about the season?!

Petit Garçon...A fun one to sing 

This is little toy trains in French, but I like it so much better this way!

I hope you enjoy these songs!  They make me smile & even though they might not be in a language you understand, they are someone's culturally accurate idea of Christmas. Think of this as your initiation into French. 

What are your favorite Christmas songs or carols? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

My favorite Christmas Movies | Blogmas Day 1

As a fun kick-off to « Blogmas » this year, I thought I would share six of my favorite Christmas time movies with all of you, so that you have plenty of time to watch them all in the coming days! 

In no particular order:

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

A Christmas Story (1983)

The Santa Clause (1994)

Home Alone (1990) & Home Alone 2 (1992)

Rudolph (TV special - 1964)

Elf  (2003)

We usually watch Christmas movies in the weeks leading up to Christmas. When we bake, when we decorate, when we put up the tree, when we hang out in our PJs on Sundays....well you get the picture! We definitely watch more than just 6, but these are my favorite ones time and time again. 

Cheers,

Kait

Urban Decay 24/7 glide-on pencil liners

Wanna hear about my favourite liners? 'Cause I wanna tell you about them! Last year I discovered the Urban Decay 24/7 liners and my liner game was forever changed for the better. They dry quickly and do not budge (trust me, I am the queen of the oily lids). There are 40 colours to check out on an everyday basis, plus, they come out with special edition sets & colours from time to time (ahem...holidays!).

I personally like to pick up little sets of minis in different colours. While I wear liner almost everyday, I find that the pigmentation of these pencils are so fantastic that it doesn't take very much. Thus I don't really need full-sized liners. If you are looking for one solid full-sized pencil, they are $24.00 CAD each and the absolute best black is Perversion.

Here are some of my favourites from a set that came out last year, as well as some from a set that just came out for the holidays this year (Black Magic, $47.00 CAD - includes 8 different colours that are available all year round).

  

Last year's colours included Riot (Purple) , Ink( Navy), Desperation (Gray), Apathy (Olive), West (Brown) & Black Market (Black).

This year's set's colours are Tornado & Black Market (Purple & Black), Smoke & Black Velvet (Gray & Black), LSD & Perversion (Navy w/ Turquoise glitter & Black) and Demolition & Zero (Brown & Black). 8 beautiful colours just in time for the holiday season! 

Are you interested in checking out these products? They are available on the Sephora website, as well as the Urban Decay website! What colours are your favourites? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait