Scrub-a-dub-dub

Clarisonic Mia

I was quite amazed that I won the Clarisonic Mia on vacation in San Diego, but I am so glad that I did! I have been using the Mia extensively in my cleansing routine ever since I got home. 

I saw a dramatic improvement in my skin after just using the Mia for a week. I did break out a bit at the start, which I have read is pretty standard, but I have not had any breakouts since and my pre-existing blemishes disappeared, my skin feels softer, looks radiant and more uniform. I don't think I have seen my skin look this good since the summer. I will defiantly continue using this cleansing tool and will update you on my use as I go along. It is a pricy buy so perhaps it is a good idea to put it on your wishlist for your birthday or a special occasion but I defiantly recommend the Mia to anyone who wants a deeper clean and healthier skin.


xxx

My wild life in San Diego

Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, home to some of the most divine restaurants

As I may have mentioned in a previous post I spent a week in the beautiful Californian city of San Diego and what an amazing city it is! I loved the open and friendly atmosphere that immediately enveloped me once I stepped foot outside. The city is filled with delicious restaurants and a colourful history and not to mention absolutely fantastic shopping.

I enjoyed walking to Richard Walker's Pancake House downtown for my ritualistic blueberry crêpes, which were to die for! They were possibly the reason why I came back day after day haha. Also, making daily runs to Ralph's for snacks and just generally soaking up some sun after the dreary winter months back home was an experience in itself. 

I picked up a few new makeup items while I was away, Chanel's Soleil Tan de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Fluid and Bronzing Makeup Base. I am very eager to try out these products as I have had my eye on them for some time. I also won a Clarisonic Mia in a silent auction! I will be posting a quick review on my prize soon.

Perhaps the highlight of my trip was seeing Foreigner live on the deck of the USS Midway. It was such an amazing experience, one that I am not likely to forget, considering that it was freezing that it was on one of the longest serving air craft carriers. Overall it was a wonderful night that was concluded with brilliant fireworks and 'Jukebox Hero'.

Foreigner live on stage

The USS Midway

I, of course, had to make a trip to the San Diego Zoo. I have to say that it is one of the premier zoos in the world and well worth the visit. I had an absolute wild (no pun intended) time! One of my favorite animals are Polar Bears and I was in for a treat at the San Diego Zoo as one of the bears decided that it was time to go for a swim.

Getting tangled in a plant while trying to reach a carrot

I don't think I have ever realized how graceful Polar Bears are in the water. It was like watching a beautiful dance, I wanted to get in the water with her and trust me that would not be a wise idea. Below is a video I took of the her swimming I hope you enjoy the magical sight!

Living in Canada you think that I would have realized how huge and awe-inspiring they are as bears, after all they only live about 1490 kilometers or a 2 hour plane ride from where I live. Canada also has a population of 15,000 Polar Bears and there are only about 25,000 worldwide. There is just no comparison to seeing a Polar Bear swim up close and personal rather than on a television screen. You can also view these magnificent creatures on the San Diego Zoo's Polar Cam here anytime and anywhere, all in real time. It is defiantly worth a look.


If you ever get a chance to travel to San Diego the Zoo is a must. I had a wonderful time walking through the city especially in the Gas Lamp Quarter and walking down Market Street. I reccommend taking every possible chance to explore this beautiful city's unique sights, sounds, and cuisine.


xxx

Harmonie de printemps

Chanel Spring 2012 Collection

I have been a very busy girl lately, it seems like all I have done is scramble to pull my life together this past week. After I got back from a lovely week spent in San Diego (more on that trip soon) I found that it was a mad scramble to complete uni project after uni project. This week has left me emotionally and physically drained so I was more than thrilled when my Mum suggested an outing to my local Chanel counter and the mall of course :)

I promptly fell in love with the new collection from Chanel for Spring 2012. The collection is divine and is filled with peaches, corals and pinks, essentially the perfect pallet for the coming Spring. I ended up getting a bit of a pamper while I was perusing the wonderful Chanel products and ended up walking away with a slight dent in my bank account; as I discovered that I simply could not go another day without the Chanel Vitalumière Aqua foundation. I fell in love with the silky smooth texture and the fact that it gave such sheer coverage that it hardly felt like I was wearing any makeup and at the same time made my skin look natural and flawless. 

I also found myself lusting after the Chanel Blush Horizon de Chanel Powder Blush, Rouge Coco Chanel in Flirt #69, basically when I think about it I want to buy the whole collection and more! I think I will have to wait a little bit, at least until my bank account recovers, but I do after all have a birthday coming up (hint, hint, to family and friends :P). 

After my makeover:

Face:

 Chanel Vitalumière Aqua in the shade B30 Beige - Sable

Poudre Universelle Compacte Natural Finish Pressed Powder in the shade 30 Naturel

Cheeks:

Chanel Blush Horizon de Chanel Powder Blush

Eyes:

Lancôme Super-Enhancing Mascara Base

Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black

Lips:

Eos lip balm

xxx

Back in 2012

It seems like it has been an absolute age since I last posted anything and it's probably due to the fact that it has been an absolute age since I last posted anything! For this I am sorry, but what stories and goodies I have brought back with me from my travels will hopefully make up for the fact that I have been a bit slack on the posts.

First things first, I want to wish everyone a very very very belated happy new year as it is now 2012 and has been for the last 23 days but better late than never I suppose. I just wanted to say that I am very grateful to everyone who has read my blog and I hope that you continue to read well into the new year!

So until next time 

 xxx

Bikini of the week

ACACIA Swimwear - Kenya Top and Tanazania Bottoms

xxx

The quintessential messy beach bun

I thought I would share one of my favorite ways to create the quintessential messy beach bun, because there is just something about a lazy, messy updo that gets your hair out of your face, and is at the same time incredibly flattering and stylish that appeals to girlies all over the world.

Messy Beach Bun

1. Gather all your hair into a pony tail as high as you can on top of your head. If some pieces don’t make it in, it ups the mess factor. If your hair is still wet or slightly damp, even better as wet/damp hair equals a messy beach bun match made in heaven.

2. Secure pony tail with a rubber band, on your last time around with your rubber band only pull your pony tail half way through.

3. Take the hair that has formed a loop and spread it out. The messier the better don't over style this part.

4. Now take the tail end of your pony tail that you didn't pull through and wrap it around the base of your messy beach bun.

5. Secure the tail with pins.

6. Gently loosen up some of the strands in your messy beach bun to give it a better texture and some added messiness. You can pin these strands if you so desire or leave them loose. It is all up to your personal messy beach bun personality.

7. Spray with hairspray if so desired to add some hold that will last all day, or leave your messy beach bun to run wild - a dash of messiness and salt water will do your hair a world of good.

xxx

Minimal Animale: Purrfect

I stumbled across Minimal Animale a few weeks ago and got so excited about their saucy, and yes a little bit cheeky, line that I couldn't help but share.

You can take a look at the Minimal Animale lookbook here, but be warned you will fall in love with every single bikini - who wouldn't, with mesh and pretty detailing, it is a bikini match made in heaven! The mesh bottoms above (they will be mine one day) would make a lovely addition to anyone's bikini collection - mainly mine (haha!).

So get ready to make the beach purr in 2012!

xxx