I signed up to take part in Dove's Visibly Smooth Challenge.
To be honest, I wasn't familiar with the product because I rarely watch TV in real time, so I typically fast forward through all the commercials. But when I heard that it was supposed to gradually decrease the look and feel of hair over time, I wanted to see if it were true - especially since it boasted that 99% of women who had tried the product said that they would recommend it to a friend.
Challenge accepted.
I'm about 10 days into the challenge (results start showing after approximately 4 weeks) and here are my thoughts so far:
- the products weren't entirely clear - after looking on the Dove website, I discovered that the 2 different products I received (the Anti-Perspirant Deodorant and the Clinical Protection) both help reduce the appearance of hair. Being unfamiliar with the product, I didn't know this.
- the Clinical Protection instructions say that the product is most effective during the night. However, I've been finding it difficult to remember to apply it before bed consistently.
- I received the Wild Rose scent rather than the Nature Fresh. I hate floral scents. I especially hate the smell of rose products - I find them to be chemically, and this is no different. I typically use citrus or mild scented deodorant because I can be quite sensitive. Luckily, this scent hasn't given me any headaches, but after 10 days, I'm getting used to it and no longer feel paranoid that every can smell me when I walk by. I actually asked my boyfriend is he could smell me because it was so strong for me.
I hope that I begin to see results soon so that I can provide you all with a status update!
For more information on Dove's Visibly Smooth, check out their website.
Dove products are available at drugstores across Canada.
OpenRoad Scion
Monday, February 28, 2011
At the end of January, I had the opportunity to test drive a Scion for 2 weeks. Scion is new to the Canadian auto market (first coming to Canada in 2010), but I first fell in love with them in Hawai'i. The last couple times I was in Honolulu, I noticed all these cube-like cars zipping around. Turns out they were the Scion xB - similar in aesthetics to the Honda Element (IMO).
I didn't test drive the xB, and I REALLY wanted to test drive the tC, but I received the xD. The xD I selected had rims, was lowered, and had an upgraded sound system.
The staff at OpenRoad Scion in Richmond were super nice and able to answer all of my questions. While the process of renting me the car for 2 weeks was fairly new to them, they were quick to figure things out.
As for the xD itself, I really liked it. It was super easy to drive and made my Civic seem like a huge boat of a car (it was my first time driving a hatchback). My boyfriend said that the xD suited my personality because it was "zippy". Haha.
I've been so busy lately that I didn't have the chance to take better photos of the car, but here's a quick look at it:
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| 2007 Honda Element |
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| 2009 Scion xB |
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| 2005 Scion tC |
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| 2008 Scion xD |
As for the xD itself, I really liked it. It was super easy to drive and made my Civic seem like a huge boat of a car (it was my first time driving a hatchback). My boyfriend said that the xD suited my personality because it was "zippy". Haha.
I've been so busy lately that I didn't have the chance to take better photos of the car, but here's a quick look at it:
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| I became very adept at utilizing my mirrors with this on the back |
Some things I liked about the xD:
- I felt like I was sitting quite high, which helped me to see the road better
- the seats were comfortable
- the displays - the orange/white combo made it super easy to see
- trunk size - looks small, but it would work for my life - might be tight on a road trip or driving people to the airport
- cupholders!
- heated up quite quickly
- the touch screen deck - NOT stock, it's an upgrade
Some things I didn't like about the xD:
- the gas gauge was a bit weird because it's different from other cars
- the speedometer was in MPH, so I had to get used to looking at the smaller KM/H
- backseats had enough room for a trip to Seattle, but any longer (like Portland), and it would be rough
The xD starts at $17,200
Go check out OpenRoad Scion Richmond, located in the Richmond Automall.
Fashion's Night Out!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
I've teamed up with Raul from Hummingbird604, Niki from A Haute Mess, and Ashley from Close up Rewind to bring you Fashion's Night Out!
Fashion's Night Out! is a charity event and fashion show with 100% of the proceeds going to Out in Schools, who educate youth in British Columbia on bullying, tolerance, and acceptance.
Please support this great cause by buying a ticket or donating online.
Fashion's Night Out! is a charity event and fashion show with 100% of the proceeds going to Out in Schools, who educate youth in British Columbia on bullying, tolerance, and acceptance.
Please support this great cause by buying a ticket or donating online.
Winner of CSN Stores Gift Certificate
Monday, February 14, 2011
Congrats Liz! You're the winner of the gift certificate to CSN Stores!
Lady Orchids Day Spa
Monday, February 7, 2011
When Sandra from Middle Child Marketing emailed me to see if I wanted to visit her new client, Lady Orchids Rejuvenating Day Spa, for a facial, how could I say no?
I chose the Up5 Facial Lift - an hour and a half of bliss. Sounded like the perfect addition to a weekend. But what attracted me to this particular facial was how Sandra explained it, "[it uses] the state of the art Up5 machine from Korea." Uh, what? Koreans do have fabulous skin - is this why?? I had to satisfy my curiosity.
Lady Orchid's site describes the Up5 Facial:
Promote collagen, firming, and lifting of the epidermis with our state-of-the art Up5 machine as it restores a youthful glow and vitality, feeding your skin nutrients through our cellular repairing deluxe facial, complete with European massage techniques to revitalize tired-looking skin.
While I'm still young enough to not have wrinkles, we can all use some revitalizing, especially during these dreary winter months.
While I didn't notice any significant results from the Up5 machine, I'm not sure that I expected to, just because of my age. If you've used this technology and experienced results, let me know!
The Up5 was used 3 times during my facial, and it also included cleansing and massage. The products used were all natural and at the end, in the words of the GM, Danielle Reyes, my "skin was glowing". It actually was. My skin gets quite dry during the winter months, so I left Lady Orchid's dewy and glowing.
The facilities are very clean and the space is huge. Danielle also showed me the WAVE Body Vibration machine, which helps tone your muscles in 15 minutes, a couple times a week. Perfect for the week before your Spring Break vacation.
I did find that the spa was a bit clinical (in the back) looking for me, not very "serene" compared to other spas. But Lady Orchid's will also be home to a Beauty School, so I suppose it can't be too comfortable.
Also, I thought that my facial would be a bit more personalized. Maybe it was, but I'm used to the facialist discussing my skin problems with me and explaining to me what the action plan is prior to the facial. There was no discussion of my skin, just what seemed to be a generic facial. If it was personalize, I would recommend some discussion with the client.
Thanks Sandra!
(Photos courtesy of Middle Child Marketing)
Lady Orchid's Day Spa
117 W. Broadway (@ Manitoba)
Vancouver BC
604-569-0813
I chose the Up5 Facial Lift - an hour and a half of bliss. Sounded like the perfect addition to a weekend. But what attracted me to this particular facial was how Sandra explained it, "[it uses] the state of the art Up5 machine from Korea." Uh, what? Koreans do have fabulous skin - is this why?? I had to satisfy my curiosity.
Lady Orchid's site describes the Up5 Facial:
Promote collagen, firming, and lifting of the epidermis with our state-of-the art Up5 machine as it restores a youthful glow and vitality, feeding your skin nutrients through our cellular repairing deluxe facial, complete with European massage techniques to revitalize tired-looking skin.
While I'm still young enough to not have wrinkles, we can all use some revitalizing, especially during these dreary winter months.
While I didn't notice any significant results from the Up5 machine, I'm not sure that I expected to, just because of my age. If you've used this technology and experienced results, let me know!
The Up5 was used 3 times during my facial, and it also included cleansing and massage. The products used were all natural and at the end, in the words of the GM, Danielle Reyes, my "skin was glowing". It actually was. My skin gets quite dry during the winter months, so I left Lady Orchid's dewy and glowing.
The facilities are very clean and the space is huge. Danielle also showed me the WAVE Body Vibration machine, which helps tone your muscles in 15 minutes, a couple times a week. Perfect for the week before your Spring Break vacation.
I did find that the spa was a bit clinical (in the back) looking for me, not very "serene" compared to other spas. But Lady Orchid's will also be home to a Beauty School, so I suppose it can't be too comfortable.
Also, I thought that my facial would be a bit more personalized. Maybe it was, but I'm used to the facialist discussing my skin problems with me and explaining to me what the action plan is prior to the facial. There was no discussion of my skin, just what seemed to be a generic facial. If it was personalize, I would recommend some discussion with the client.
Thanks Sandra!
(Photos courtesy of Middle Child Marketing)
Lady Orchid's Day Spa
117 W. Broadway (@ Manitoba)
Vancouver BC
604-569-0813
Contest: Win $35 gift certificate from CSN Stores
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thanks to my friends at CSN Stores, I have another giveaway!
Enter to win a $35 give certificate to any of their 200+ online stores! You could buy swing sets, cookware, or linens!
To enter, just leave a comment on this post.
Contest open to North American residents only.
Contest ends Sunday February 13, 2011.
Enter to win a $35 give certificate to any of their 200+ online stores! You could buy swing sets, cookware, or linens!
To enter, just leave a comment on this post.
Contest open to North American residents only.
Contest ends Sunday February 13, 2011.
Not Just For the Boys
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver are looking to find 100 Women in 100 Days.
What? I know, I was confused too at first.
Big Brothers is Not Just For The Boys anymore. At the end of November 2010, they launched the 100 Women in 100 Days campaign, a search to find 100 women mentors and "big buddies" to school aged children. Their search ends March 8, 2011, the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day.
If you're able to give up an hour of your week between 8:30am-3:30pm Monday to Friday, then apply to become a Big Buddy to a kid in need.
What? I know, I was confused too at first.
Big Brothers is Not Just For The Boys anymore. At the end of November 2010, they launched the 100 Women in 100 Days campaign, a search to find 100 women mentors and "big buddies" to school aged children. Their search ends March 8, 2011, the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day.
If you're able to give up an hour of your week between 8:30am-3:30pm Monday to Friday, then apply to become a Big Buddy to a kid in need.
5 Things That Freak Me Out
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
1) Clowns. They're so creepy.
2) Needles. The kind for shots, not for tattoos.
3) Salt. I imagine having salt poured on our tongue in a pile and that image makes me want to vomit.
4) Some chenille blankets/scarves/socks. Heebee-geebees. *Shudder*
5) Cough Medicine. It's like I'm 5, I hate it that much. The taste makes me want to throw-up.
2) Needles. The kind for shots, not for tattoos.
3) Salt. I imagine having salt poured on our tongue in a pile and that image makes me want to vomit.
4) Some chenille blankets/scarves/socks. Heebee-geebees. *Shudder*
5) Cough Medicine. It's like I'm 5, I hate it that much. The taste makes me want to throw-up.
Macaron Mania
If you follow me on Twitter then you may already know that last Friday, my Mom and I took a macaron making class. It was so awesome. And if you've been reading my blog for awhile, you already know that I love macarons and have made them before (twice).
We took the course at the Pastry Training Center of Vancouver. The school is owned and run by Pastry Chef Marco Ropke. Ropke has over 20 years of industry experience and has worked all over the world. The macaron course is offered monthly, but there are so many other wonderful classes offered - I can't wait to take more - especially the bread and fondant classes.
We learned to make 3 different macarons in the class - French, Italian & American.
The French macaron recipe that we used used an Italian meringue, as opposed to a Swiss or French (who knew??), because it retains more air.
I definitely recommend taking a class. It was super fun and really easy to follow along. And don't forget to follow Chef Ropke on Twitter: @pastrytraining
We took the course at the Pastry Training Center of Vancouver. The school is owned and run by Pastry Chef Marco Ropke. Ropke has over 20 years of industry experience and has worked all over the world. The macaron course is offered monthly, but there are so many other wonderful classes offered - I can't wait to take more - especially the bread and fondant classes.
We learned to make 3 different macarons in the class - French, Italian & American.
The French macaron recipe that we used used an Italian meringue, as opposed to a Swiss or French (who knew??), because it retains more air.
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| Chef piping out his lemon macarons |
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| Before you bake the cookies, macarons have to 'rest' to form a skin |
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| Using a mortar & pestle to crush coffee beans for our macarons |
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| Infusing the coffee in cream to flavour the filling |
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| Chef piping the lavender chocolate filling onto his lemon cookies |
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| Our finished coffee macarons |
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| Chef's finish products |
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| Italian macarons |
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| American macarons |
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| The bread in the pic above prompted this tweet |
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| French macarons |
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| During class we snacked on salad, brie & fresh homemade sourdough multigrain bread |
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| I love the organization of the kitchen |
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| Love these guys! |
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| The front case showcasing goodies from the classes |
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| Sample from the fondant class!! |
I definitely recommend taking a class. It was super fun and really easy to follow along. And don't forget to follow Chef Ropke on Twitter: @pastrytraining
For Sale: Aldo 'Garlanda'
Monday, January 17, 2011"Showing off a standout dégradé effect, this high-heeled, peep-toe pump's a total must."
Size 38 (runs small, fits like a 7)
Bought in April 2009 ($100+tax)
Worn once in May 2009
Bought in April 2009 ($100+tax)
Worn once in May 2009
Approx heel height's 4.4" (11.2 cm)
Like new
$60
$60
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