Weekend Plans

Hey Chicas!

So how was your weekend.  Mine was very productive, and I'm not being sarcastic at all!  We spent Saturday on the hunt for some plants.  And by we I mean my mom and I.  There was a plant sale, and all the profits were going to a charity, so what better time to buy some plants.

 So lets back it up just a little bit....This is the before picture of the outside of the cottage.  Ummm I little eh....umm GREEN right. Yeah that's what  we all thought to.

It was a total DIY, fix-er-upper and it's been a work in progress for a few years now.  The inside has since been completed for a while and the outside has been painted and etc, but the landscaping needed a little alot of something-something.

First off was paint, and I can proudly say that my mom and I painted the whole cottage ourselves (a little help from my Dad for the tall parts) the front, sides and back!  

So we did the planning a little backwards.  We bought the plants, all of them for under $40, to that was awesome, but then we needed to decide what we were going to do with them.  Hello, Mr. Photoshop..

click on pic for a larger view

  I'm no expert at this but I think that it helped to at least visualize the look we were going for.  Not that the final result ended up this way, because it didn't, but it was a good guide.

I can prove all my hard work, but not by pics yet (they are on a dead phone at the moment, up tomorrow), but by the physical evidence......

yeah umm..ouch is a total understatement.  

Lets just keep in mind that this is a day after as well.  I have a lot of healing to do.  To see a post on how not to this click HERE.  To here how I am attempting to fix the above issue, stay tuned!  

Oh and if you want to see the flower beds finished......I suppose you should check back too. :-)

Caitlin xoxo

The Salon Shoppe - My Scent Refillable Atomizer Refill

Hey Chicas!   

I had totally planned on doing this review/tutorial before I left for the long weekend.  But alas, that didn't happen at all.  So I hope that you all in Canada had a wonderful Victoria Day Weekend, me, myself, I'm still trying to recover from my shopping trip down to South Portland!  And for all of those in the USA, I hope you enjoy the upcoming Memorial Day weekend!

Moving on to my super late post........I have found a super awesome little gadget!  Well gadget, probably not, but cool none-the-less..

I found it at Bed Bath and Beyond, regular $13.99 and on sale for....k are you ready for it!? $2.77!!  It's pretty cool.  This is about the cheapest version that I could find, Wal-Mart has some there for about $5, so $14 is a little steep.

It is a "close out" sale and can likely be found up a center isle, but I'm assuming that there are many people that don't know the value of this, as there a heap of them at the store!

********Disclaimer********

These video was filmed after a day of work, (and I recovering from a sore throat), and removal of contacts was a necessity, but I really think that a demo was necessary to show you the actual value of it.



Basically, this thing awesome!  I took it on my trip, and had no issues, and I really enjoyed not having to take a big a$$ bottle, and not having to worry about the bottle breaking or anything like that.

If you have a lot of perfumes, or just one favorite that you want to take everywhere!   This will allow you to carry the scent you want wherever you go, without having to buy 2 bottles of it - one for home, and then a travel size bottle.  So if you do my style of math, that means you could buy a new scent, as you don't have to have 2 of the same! (right?) haha.  See I knew you'd like my logic :-)

Caitlin xoxo

Pink Bronzer - Calling all Fair Skinned Beauties, you'll want this!

Hey Chicas!

(Just a little shout out to the lovely ladies I saw at Shoppers at lunch,

I hope you enjoy my blog!)

So spring is coming (supposedly), and then comes summer, and we all want to get that bronzed look, whether it be natural or with products.  The issues that lies with girls that have fair skin, is that sometimes bronzer looks a little off, it's too dark, and if its the right shade there's no pigment, just sparkles.  It's a major pain in the ass to find.

I think that I have found something that will work for most people that are on the fairer side.  Now I do get quite dark in the summer, even though I wear at least 30 spf!  But in the time span of fall - spring, I go back to being pretty fair.  And the bronzers that I loved when I was dark, just make my face look dirty. 

Enter the Pinkish Bronzer (totally not a good name to call it, but the creativity in me is lacking today). 

I picked up this Quo bronzer on clearance at Shoppers before Christmas for like $8.  It was way to expensive for what it was, I thought at full price.  As you can see it has a nice pink/golden bronzer effect.  

Image: Mine!

The pink is key to giving you a nice rosy glow, but still being a bronzer.  I love it!  As you can see there was some brown/bronzer around the leopard spots, but it's received some lovin'.  I was kinda hoping that the brown/bronzer was solid and not just topped off, but oh well! But was nervous to share it with you because, well I got it on clearance, and what's the point talking about something that you guys likely won't be able to find. 

           

Image: Google

 I had thought about it before as Too Faced has its own version (likely came before Quo, but who cares!) but that stuff is pricey, too pricey for me to recommend to you to buy - as I wouldn't pay for it myself.  I was really getting annoyed because this Pinkish Bronzer is awesome on fair skin, just enough warmth but not dirty, and I like to share!

Finally, another version came out, saw it at Shoppers on the weekend, by one of my fav companies.  Annabelle - Leopard Bronzer

Image courtesy of Annabelle Cosmetics

It is awesome! It doesn't have as much pink, which is likely a little less scary for some of you that are envisioning pink bronzer (which it is not, I promise).  I swatched it at the store, and it is really really similar to the effect that the Quo has (more peach, which when I think about it, is better as fair skin tends to be pink), and look at the pictures, its even closer to the Too Faced!  Plus it's a totally doable price. 

The nice golden brown and peach tones really help to give a sunkissed look without being.......well bronzed/dirty (as it can appear on fair skin) looking, no risk of really overapplying the color.

So whether you have been searching for a new bronzer, or missed out on the Quo, or just can't stand to pay out for the Too Faced, Annabelle has you covered. 

I can think of at least 4 friends right off the top of my head that this color of bronzer would be awesome on!

Caitlin xoxo

Protecting your Email

Hey Chicas!

So, this past weekend was crazy busy, I apologize for the lack of posts.  I really did have good intentions, but they just didn’t get realized. 

I was in St. John New Brunswick from Friday to Sunday, taking a course, and it was intense, but not at the same time, but what can you do.  I get this updated email message on my new phone, (which I will do a post about soon, let’s just say it’s awesome!), from my brother inlaw that I sent him a Viagra email from my email account.  Hmmm…well first off, my email account sent spam {crap}, second how the heck did it get my password {double crap}, and thirdly it was pretty funny (afterwards).  So then I sent myself on a witch-hunt.  Trying to determine where my information might have been obtained from.

First off, I’m not an expert on these things, but my family is pretty good at the tech stuff, so I thought that I’d share my experience at trying to regain my account, and protect others.  This just covers the steps that I took to change things; it may not work for everyone’s computer issues though.

 Rights: http://asknaren.com/wp-content/uploads/protect-email-300x171.jpg

1.       Changed my email password (duh) made it more complicated, this is a good link to help you beef up the password. http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/passwords-create.aspx

2.       Changed my FaceBook password. (note: email and FB, should have different passwords not the same…oppsies).

3.       I also managed my apps on there.  I had some that I added near the beginning of FaceBook, a few months years ago.  Because you know that the apps can access your information, and your friends right?  They basically store information about you, so I thought that a number of those weren’t worth the trouble at all!  Just think about it, do you really need the app that tells you what Twilight character you are?

4.       I unlinked a number of email accounts that I had, and removed, deactivated, deleted some other accounts that I really have no use for. 

5.       I unsubscribed to a number of email newsletters, like from Suzy Shier, WalMart etc.  You never know when they can sell your information!  Besides I get flyers and go to the mall, do I really need to receive the information twice, from different sources….likely not.

Obviously these are not all inclusive list of items, but they are easy, and fast to do, just take a quick look at your own accounts.  You don’t want to have to worry that someone has stolen more from you then just your password, change it iup before they get more. (gosh that last part sounded like a public service message J)

Caitlin xoxo



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How to get the most out of your products!

Hey Chicas!

So I thought that I'd try a new system out here.  I thought that I'd give a few little tips and tricks every Wednesday....but I need a name.  A cute play on words kinda name....a play on Wednesday, or Chic, or something...leave a comment and let me know your smartiness!

So first off, I hate when you have a squeeze bottle type, and even a pump bottle, and you know that there is product in there.  But for the love of god, you can't get anything to come out anymore, you know you hit it on your palm with so much force that it kinda hurts a lot...(come on you know it's happened).

I have a little solution that should help you all out..now don't think that it can only be done with face cream, body cream bottle will work (a little harder to cut), plastic foundation bottles, hair products, even toothpaste tubes, the possibilities are endless.  It will help you save money, as you're not throwing out product, and believe you me, some of those creams last for at least 1 month once opened.  Yes, that is how much cream/product is still in there.

So I hope that my instructions are easy to follow, click on the pic above to see a larger image.  

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments! :)

The seal of the product is pretty good, I mean when you get near the bottom, yes the edges will start to dry out, but remember, you would have thrown it out otherwise! 

Hope that this not only helps you save money, and get the most out of your products!

Caitlin xoxo

Hard Candy Review

Hey Chicas!

Over the past few weeks months I have been experimenting with the Hard Candy line that is available from Wal-Mart.  Thought that I would do a review of the products and share them with you....check it out!

Facial Powders:

Welcome Matte (mattifying powder)

Moon Glow (highlighter)

Lipgloss:

Glossaholic - Lush (orange sparkle)

Glossaholic - Tippy (pink sparkle)

Fox in a Box (boxed blush)

Skinny Dipping (orange/tan)

Hot Flash (deep pink)

Spicy and Sweet ( natural pink)

Caitlin xoxo

Clean and Clear Advantage Mark Treatment

Hey Chicas!

So, as I've mentioned before, my face hasn't been agreeing with me lately, but I think I now have it under control *knock on wood* (x2) :)

Having said that the scars are still left on my face (nothing super major, basically red spots), and I wanted to purchase something that would help in the healing/fading time.  As we all know if they aren't deep or pitted marks they will fade in time, some will stick around, but they look like freckles so not really a big deal.  The issue was the length of time it takes for them go, and I wanted something fast and I wanted it now! *inhale, exhale*

I was looking at the Clean and Clear line, because it was the only creams beside my trusty Impruv cream (which has since been put back on rotation) that doesn't bring all out hell on break out my face!

So I found this little spot thingy...

(me thinks that its really only available in the states, as the Canada Clean and Clean website doesn't list it, but the USA one does, I picked mine up at Winners (Love), but don't worry, keep on reading, and your realize what you're NOT missing)

(UPDATE...saw it at Shoppers for $12, but it still doesn't work)

Said that it did this...

"CLEAN & CLEAR® ADVANTAGE® Mark Treatment treats pimples fast while diminishing the appearance of post-acne marks. This breakthrough formula is infused with a special oil dissolving technology that allows for delivery of acne medication, Salicylic Acid, to fight breakouts. The unique formula with Glycolic Acid promotes gentle surface skin turnover, improves skin's clarity and diminishes the appearance of post-acne marks."

Well, it might very well do it, but how could I really tell?  Why, you are all asking.  It's because after you applied it to your face you let it dry (duh!) then apply your daily moisturizer right?  Well could luck with that happening!  Epic FAILURE.  You cannot (or I could not) obviously apply cream before OR after this product is applied, all it does is start to peel off, in like chunks of white, almost like you've applied too much cream it starts to roll off, or if you have been exfoliating you body (come on you know what I'm talking out, those rolls of dead skin, gross, I know but now you get the gist).  It doesn't matter, what type of cream (all creams I used were ones that I had been using for months), how much or how little you applied, how long you waited to apply it etc.  It just didn't work. 

Now I suppose you could just apply the Mark Treatment on its own, but then the rest of your face will suffer the dehydratedness, plus you have to put cream on in the morning, and at night your face needs cream so your skin absorbs it while you sleep!

So I don't know how this stuff is suppose to work, seeing as you can't wear it during the day, or at night.. oh and the creams were Clean and Clear as well, you'd think that across the same brand the products would work with one another.

So I have since put it away, never to touched again...what a waste of like 10 bucks. 

Don't bother with it, the marks will fade in their own time, I promise :)

Caitlin xoxo