Category: Life, or Something Like It

Knix

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Today I want to talk about something a little different from my usual content – periods. Yup.

I learned all about how toxic pads and tampons are many years ago. I’m not going to go into great detail about that because Google. Trust me when I say though that they are bad news. Bad news for your body and bad news for the environment. For those reasons I decided to make my periods waste free.

For about 15 years I’ve been using the same set of washable pads and I love them. I bought them on eBay for about $20. They are made of fleece and they have snaps on the wings to hold them in place. My wallet is happy, my body is happy and the planet is happy.

I’ve also used the Diva Cup for many years.

Enter Knix. I’ve now rounded out my collection with period underwear. Genius. I invested in five pairs (full disclaimer – I ordered from the Teen section because it was a bit cheaper) and I’m so glad that I did.

From the Knix website:

“Find yourself asking, “how do period panties work?” Well, a super-absorbent pad with leak resistant backing is built into our seamless underwear. But its so thin, you won’t even notice it’s there.”

I find that I can wear a pair all day with no problems. If you have a heavier flow I still think that the underwear (I just can’t with the word panties, ugh) are a good investment because they provide back up for leaks. You can wear them over night as well. I think we’ve all probably wrecked some pjs over the years which is just the worst. No more friends, no more.

The underwear are machine washable. I just throw mine in with the rest of my laundry, wash in cold water and hang to dry. Simple pimple. They come individually packaged in reusable pouches which are super slim and great for stashing in your purse. Best of all? They look like normal underwear. Knix is the next best thing to not having your period.

Would you try period underwear?

Glossy

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So often when I sit down to write the words just flow easily. It’s like stepping outside of  my life for a moment and abandoning myself to the loveliness of words.

Today is not one of those days. Writing is one of the very few things that comes easily to me and it’s frustrating when I feel blocked. I’ve been struggling to come up with a post all week so I’m going to keep it simple.

I love Clarins as a brand. I love their makeup and their skincare. They make some of my favourite glosses and that’s what I reach for most at this time of year when everything is so dry.

Clarins’ Instant Light Lip Perfectors and Lip Perfector Balms are the perfect mix of gloss, moisture and colour. They smell like vanilla cake. They’re not sticky but they do hang around for a few hours. I reach for them several times a week.

What’s your favourite lip product for this dry time of year?

Herbivore

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Herbivore is a brand I became aware of a year or so ago when Sephora started carrying their stuff. I was initially attracted to it because of the beautiful and simple packaging. I do judge books by their covers, kittens, and if Herbivore writes a book I’ll be their first customer! I made my first order once I learned a bit more about the brand, namely they don’t test on animals and they use high quality, natural ingredients and none of the nasties like parabens.

I’ve only tried a few of Herbivore’s products but I’ve loved them all.

The first thing I bought was the Coco Rose Body Polish. I loved it. In the colder months I suffer from dry, itchy legs. I used the body polish in the shower a few times a week to slough off the dead skin and it worked like a treat. After moisturizing my legs were all shiny and new and itch free! The jar it comes in is so pretty that I cleaned it out and use it as a tooth brush holder!

Last spring when Mr. P&P and I visited Calgary we spent a day at the zoo (seeing a hippo was amazing!) and both got too much sun. I picked up a bottle of the After Sun Soothing Mist and we doused our sunburned selves in it. It was soothing to the skin and smelled lovely and fresh. I continued to use it as a toner when we got home.

Lastly, I ordered the Jade Facial Roller. Total princess product, I know, but I love it. I store it in the fridge and use it in the evening after applying my serum. It’s relaxing and feels great on the skin. I can’t speak to any wrinkle reduction or anything like that but I can tell you that it is a treat to use. I’ve also been using it when I have a headache and it works wonderfully for that.

Have you tried anything from Herbivore?

Do you Deciem?

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Deciem. Do I dare?

If you ever look at the internet I imagine you’ve heard of Deciem and the recent controversy surrounding the erstwhile CEO. I went back and forth on whether or not to write this post but in the end obviously decided to write it. Lovers, this is not a blog about current events, this is a blog about products and so products is what I’m going to talk about.

Deciem exploded on to the market about two years ago. I first heard about it when one of my favourite Youtubers gave the brand a rave review. Deciem is a Toronto-based company composed of a number of brands including The Ordinary, Niod, Hylamide, The Chemistry Brand, etc. The concept is simple: skincare made with quality ingredients at a low price. The prices start at about $5.00, really. Genius. I’m no expert but I do know that there are only a few skincare ingredients that have actually been proven to do anything. Included in this list is hyaluronic acid which is a basically a magnet for moisture, and retinol which encourages cell turnover.

I’ve gone through two bottles of The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and I love it. I rarely notice any immediate change in my skin after using a product, with the exception of this stuff. It does exactly what it’s supposed to do – plumps and moisturizes the skin. Brilliant. Mind you give your face a quick spritz before applying it kittens – the skin has to be wet for the acid to do its good work.

I also gave the retinol a go. The first time I used it I did not do it properly. I slathered it all over my face, including under my eyes. I paid the burny price. Retinol is to be used sparingly, avoiding the eye area. After the initial mishap I used the rest of the product successfully. I cannot honestly tell you that I noticed a huge change in my skin but I think if you are concerned about the signs of aging this is a good one to try.

I also used two tubes of Hand Chemistry from The Chemistry Brand. Again, I can’t really speak to any anti-aging benefits but I can tell you that I love this stuff. The scent is fruity but not strong at all and it just works. My hands feel nice and hydrated after using it which, after-all, is the whole point right?

I’ve also been using The Ordinary Coverage Foundation for the past year. It’s good. It has great coverage but it’s not heavy on the skin. It lasts well too. Nothing lasts all day on my face but I get a good few hours out of this foundation.

Have you tried any of Deciem’s products?

On scent

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I love fragrance. I always have. I’m always burning scented candles at home, I love picking out a new body wash, and I have a small but well curated collection of perfumes that I love to wear.

My favourite of the moment is something rather special that I treated myself to when Mr. P&P and I spent a few days in Calgary last spring. I’m talking about Jo Malone London Blackberry & Bay.

Blackberry & Bay is fruity but tart. Juicy and green at the same time. The notes are blackberry, grapefruit, florals, vetiver, cedarwood, and bay leaves. The Jo Malone website describes it thusly:

This fragrance evokes childhood memories of blackberry picking—a burst of deep, tart blackberry juice blends with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods for a vibrant and verdant impression.

They’ve nailed it. It’s fresh and great for summer but I think it works for all seasons. It was a spendy little purchase but I cherish it and look forward to wearing it.

What’s your scent of the moment?

Tips and Tricks for Shopping eBay

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I like to shop. I live in the Yukon. These two things are not particularly compatible. Online shopping is the best thing to ever happen to me and I’ve been practicing for about 15 years. Lucky for you because I’m here to share some of the best tips of the trade!

Today I want to focus on eBay because it is an absolute goldmine. It’s a great way to create a more sustainable and responsible closet, find pieces that no one else will be wearing, and score pieces from spendy brands for a fraction of the original retail price. It’s also a great resource if you are into vintage.

So, without further blah, blah, blah, here are my top tips for scoring a great deal on eBay!

  1. Know your size. This means measurements! Shoulder to shoulder, armpit to armpit, chest, waist, hips, inseam, and rise! This is especially important when looking for vintage pieces because vintage sizing is smaller than modern sizing.
  2. Include as much detail as you can in your search. What size are you looking for? Colour, material, style, decade, fit, location, free shipping, and price, to name just a few, are all options you can narrow your search by.
  3. Check seller feedback. This is important. I only order from sellers who have 95% or higher positive feedback. I would also recommend not buying from sellers who have only sold a few items, though if they have an item you’re dying for listed then it might be worth the risk.
  4. Check the shipping costs. If, like me, you live in a remote area this is particularly important. $20 for a cashmere sweater is a bargain but not if the shipping costs $40. I tend to confine my buying to North America for this same reason. Also make sure to check that the buyer ships to your area.
  5. Shop on www.ebay.com, not www.ebay.ca. All the Canadian items for sale will still come up but, because it is the US site, the selection is better.
  6. Read the seller’s return policy. You don’t want to get stuck with something that doesn’t fit or is damaged. Make sure the seller will pay the return shipping costs, if not you lose out on that money.
  7. Try searching for misspellings. Not everybody is great at the whole written word thing. Try Madwell instead of Madewell, Parda instead of Prada, Ralph Laren instead of Ralph Lauren, the list goes on. With some luck you might just find yourself a gem and be the only bidder! Here’s a sweater that I’ve currently got my eye on and I can bid at my leisure because other buys will miss it!
  8. Save your searches. Once you have narrowed all of your parameters down to the exact item you’re looking for (for example, Gucci brown horse-bit vintage loafers size 7.5) you can save the search. You’ll receive email alerts when someone posts something that matches your search and you won’t have to reset all your item specifics when you go to do your search again.
  9. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you want more photos (for example, I often ask for a photo of someone wearing the item if one isn’t already posted), need more information on the sizing, fabric, any flaws, etc. ask. If the buyer isn’t willing to answer your questions then move on to the next seller. A good seller will want you to be totally happy with your purchase and will do as much as they can to ensure that happens.
  10. If you’re looking for something specific don’t get discouraged if you don’t find it the first time around. People all over the world post items everyday so chances are good that if you keep searching you’ll eventually track down what you’re looking for!

And that’s it! As with anything, with practice you’ll get better so get out there and get shopping friends!

xo,

Poutine

Shopping for Lunch

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Yesterday I spent my lunch break shopping with a colleague. Ostensibly we were shopping for her but, let’s be real here people, shopping is my raison d’etre.

I scored this super cute and floaty dress for half price and it was mere pennies my darlings. Pennies. I’ve been really into dresses lately because they’re a one-and-done item. A dress an outfit makes! So simple.

I was immediately attracted to this one because of the drop waist and animal-esque print!

Floaty Dress

Dress: Zoomz Women’s Fashions (Whitehorse, Yukon), Shoes: Taxi 

I styled it for work with pointed toe nude flats and my signature accessories – rings, my watch, and a dangly necklace. I also plan on wearing it with sneakers on the weekend and with tights, boots and a cardigan for the winter!

Accessories

Watch and rings: gifted, Necklace: Sarah Mulder

What have you been loving this summer?

Living Light

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Hello lovers.

I moved in with Mr. P&P recently. So far it’s swell.

That’s not what I’m here to talk about though, I want to talk about living a little bit lighter. Not physically lighter (sadly) but materially. Before I left my apartment I went through all of my stuff methodically and got rid of anything that I don’t need or use or want any more. This included half of my wardrobe. That’s right half. Now all of my clothes fit into one closet and they don’t even fill it up.

Living with a capsule wardrobe for the winter really helped narrow my focus in terms of what I actually wear and define my style clearly. I don’t plan on limiting myself to a certain number of items anymore but I do plan on shopping more mindfully from now on. That means thoroughly thinking through (say that three times fast) any purchases before making them, and investing in quality rather than quantity. I want a well curated wardrobe of classic pieces that all work together, fit properly, and will last. I never want to stand in front of my closet again and think that I have nothing to wear.

Here are a few pieces that I’ll be saving for over the next while:

  1. This classic black bag will see me through many seasons. It’s perfect as an everyday bag and is large enough for me to carry around all the stuff I like to have with me at all times.
  2. This leather jacket is beautiful and versatile. It’s the perfect finishing touch to dresses and jeans and tee-shirts.
  3. These sandals are neutral enough to wear with a lot of different outfits and colours and should hold up well over the years.

If you’re looking for some inspiration on decluttering and/or simplifying, here are a couple of resources that I’ve found helpful.

i. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
ii. Light by Coco
iii. Un-Fancy

Do you like purging your stuff once in a while or do you hang on to everything?

Currently Obsessed

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Why hello there kittens! I’ve been without internet access for the last month and a bit so it’s been a while n’est-ce pas?

There have been some changes in the Poutine world, all of which are good. I’m the proud auntie of a gorgeous baby boy, I’m settled into a fab new apartment (would you be interested in a bit of a tour?), and I start a new job tomorrow!

Anyway, I just wanted to give you a sneaky peek of some products I’ve been crushing on lately.

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The Body Shop Early Harvest Raspberry Body Scrub. I love the idea of body scrubs but most of the ones I’ve tried leave an oily film on my skin. Not so here folks. This stuff is divine and rinses off completely so that you are left with smooth skin and nothing else! It smells like raspberry jam,  looks like raspberry jam, but it most definitely does not taste like raspberry jam.

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I obsessed over this lip balm for months before actually purchasing it. This is a total indulgence. It is tres expensive. I regret nothing. The Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm works with your body chemistry to turn your pout the perfect shade of pink for your skin tone. It has a faint minty scent and is super thick and hydrating. One swipe lasts several hours. I’ve been going for minimal make-up this summer and this is the perfect finish for a glowy daytime look.

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I love bold, fluttery lashes. I think the right mascara can really make your eyes pop. Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes fits the bill. Last night I went to town and applied about six coats. I could see my lashes from 3 feet away. Delicious. I chose the non-waterproof formula and I do find that it smudges a bit at the end of the day. All in all though I’ve been enjoying this mascara.

What are you crushing on this summer?

Reverse Shampooing

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Hello my darlings! Have you missed me? There have been some pretty major changes in my life recently, the biggest being that I’ve moved home to the Yukon to be closer to my family. I’ll be starting a new job next month, as well as moving into a new apartment. Can’t wait to start decorating! You can look forward to more of the same old content in future posts with a slightly different, northern perspective.

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Every day for the last month or so I’ve had a great hair day. It’s not because of a new product or treatment. It’s because of a simple, and free change I’ve made. Curious? All I’ve done is change the order in which I wash my hair. I now condition and then shampoo. Easy peasy!  You would not believe the difference it makes! The idea is that by conditioning first there is no heavy residue left in your hair and you’re left with a lot more body. I’ve found my locks to be smoother as well.

Have you tried reverse shampooing?