Hey guys! I had a few requests through formspring for certain posts such as skin care, hair routines etc… which I thought was a great idea … especially considering I have not had time to do outfit posts (J is my photographer and his time is extremely limited nowadays… I cant wait for us to be all settled in … I am getting anxious! haha).
I guess I should start with a little update (if you could give a rats a** … then skip forward to the paragraph below that starts with “ok, I think I have done enough rambling”) … I know a couple of you had mentioned you were interested in home/wedding details (although I am limited with respect to how much I can reveal on here) … right now J and I are having out invitations printed and we will be sending those out very soon … once they have all been mailed I will show you the invites because we love them … J and I designed them ourselves and brought the idea to the printer… we are doing a destination wedding so you can expect them to be beach themed :) … with respect to the home… we are busy with heating/vac right now … it was something we didn't plan on having to do so it threw off our budget a little … but I guess that is to be expected when you go into a renovation… with the addition, the old machine was not strong enough to power the whole home … it was also apparently outdated … goes to show you how much I know about appliances/electronics etc… we have ordered the windows and are now looking into kitchens… we are thinking shaker style cupboards in white/off white colour … and undecided on countertops at the moment… we have been getting a lot of inspiration online and from books but obviously we have to factor in that we are on a budget …. so we will see what we can do! There is not much to show you as of now … so I will wait until I have more “exciting” stuff for you guys … haha
The weather here in Toronto is getting a little better … we had an extreme heat wave just a short while ago … driving home from work with no air conditioning in the car (broken at the moment) was a killer in fifty degree Celsius weather which is like 122 degree Fahrenheit (with humidity) … i felt like my arm was frying … sweat beads dripping off my whole body … I have never experienced such extreme heat… not even while on vacation (as far as my memory serves) …
ok …. I think I have done enough rambling … onto the facial routine. As most of you know … I have one holy grail and favourite face wash which is the tea tree oil face wash from The Body Shop… I have used this stuff religiously for years and will continue to … until… knock on wood… one day it is discontinued (shakes fist* … it better not happen!)… this stuff keeps me break out free for the most part … and if I do happen to have the random breakout pimple, I dab some pure tea tree oil on it with a q-tip and its usually dried up by the next morning. ok, I should mention that before I wash my face I always, always, always … wipe off any makeup that I have on first! I like to use baby wipes when I don't have too much on and when I have eye makeup and so forth … I love the generic brand equate (from Wal-Mart) facial wipes … they're obviously pricier than baby wipes but not by too much .. and a lot cheaper than anything from L'Oreal and those sorts of brands … once I have removed makeup, then I am ready to cleanse with my body shop cleanser …. I love to use my Olay pro X cleansing system ( has a rotating brush head and really gets all the dirt and grime out of your pores) … it cleans a lot better than just using your fingers and you can usually find it on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for about $28 (and bonus points)! After I cleanse, if I feel I need to use a toner (I always do when I wear my Estee Lauder foundation because that stuff is pretty heavy duty) … then I like my ROC one which I usually get on sale at Winners …I soak a cotton round with the toner and wipe it all over my face (avoiding my eyes)… when I find it, I stock up .. its gentle and I guess I am just used to it … it lifts any last traces of makeup etc… during the day, I like to wear my Biotherm sun block in the summertime … I know you should use it all seasons… but I stick with my Clinique moisturizer in the fall and winter … I ALWAYS use an eye cream before bed … the skin around your eye is delicate so I always gently pat it on with my ring finger after I have applied my night cream moisturizer … moisturizer is so important to use every day … you want to start preventing wrinkles early and not trying to “treat” them after you already have them … at least that’s what my grandma always taught me and she look(s) amazing!! That's about it … let me know if you guys have any other questions!
Onto the books (like my new little brass rooster perched ever so perfectly? The mama brought it back for me from Portugal) … I have a massive book collection … which is why I cannot wait for J and I to have our own library/office … we already have visions of what we want it to look like and I am so excited!! I will finally be able to showcase my books properly … they are currently scattered about, in the basement and in boxes…. the set by George R.R Martin was recommended to me by one of my best friends … he loves to read and I trust his judgement .. although I will admit .. I was a tad sceptical at first but after reading a few more reviews of what the series was about .. I think it peaked my interest enough… that and I found the set on sale for a ridiculously cheap price.. cheaper than if I were to purchase second hand! As you can see from the pile I also picked up 5 books from Value Village for $3 each … the only book in the pile to the left of the set is “Committed” by Elizabeth Gilbert … I got that for $12 (40% off retail price) at Wal Mart because I had been wanting it for quite some time … and quite fitting considering J and I will be tying the knot soon as well! I got into the routine of getting up really early at 6am and taking an hour and a half for myself to make an latte at home and read for a bit before work … depending how cross-eyed my eyes are after work … I try to fit in a half hour somewhere …. usually before bed cuddled up in my sheets with a bunch of pillows surrounding me :)
What are you guys reading? Let me know in the comments section!
Hope you all have a great week… weekend is almost here (long weekend = bonus!)!
xo
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13 rantings:
Thank you so much for an update! Very interesting!
One more question: Which eyecream and nightcream do you use? I cannot see it on the picture.
Right now I am using the Biotherm "rides repair" but I use different ones... once this one finishes I will start using the Olay Professional eye restoration complex (it comes with a more sanitary pump that you dont need to dip your fingers into) ... and the night cream I am using right now is one I picked up on sale by Marcelle(I think its a Canadian brand)...it is the essentials night cream.
what eye creams do you use? I'm stuck on finding one :S thanks!
I'm in the middle of A Game of Thrones right now, and I really like it. If you can get past the first few chapters, which are a bit confusing until you are more familiar with all the characters and relationships, it will suck you right in!
Body Shop tea tree oil range is the best :D I have the foaming cleanser at the moment
Your hair looks fantastic! Where do you get ot done?
Ohmygosh, Ashleigh, you are going to love Diana Gabaldon, if you have not heard of her/read her already. From what little I've read about you and J, it sounds like a wonderful romance, and this book is THE ultimate romance (plus major adventure, and wit...the lead character is such a strong, amazing woman). My boss got me hooked on the series. I've read a few others in your pile, but all I gotta say is: enjoy!
First of all, you have fantastic hair-I love the colors!!
I can't wait to have a 'library' filled with books one day. I've got the small amount I can fit here in my tiny apartment on a shelf, and the rest just hanging at my parents for now..
Ashley - I cant wait to start reading them!
anon 11:27 pm - thanks for the compliment! Unfortunately, I prefer not to say ... Im sorry ... its just that this is the internet and just like I wouldnt post my address on here... I dont like to post places where I can often be found if you know what I mean...haha... but my friend would do my hair ... I used to do it myself a while back using the frost and glow bleach kit :)
Lyd - that is what Ive heard which is why when I saw it ... for only a few dollars ... I knew it was coming home with me ... I should probably start by reading Oleander ... but we'll see ... excited for this book too :)
Bree - awww thanks girlie :) and I know what you mean.... currently, my books are scattered throughout my parents house, in the garage ... everywhere ... I had to get rid of a bunch too (garage sale)... the prospect of having my own "library" is exciting because its something I have always wanted since I was a little girl...
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
Hmm...is there any way you can get ahold of Outlander, first? It's such a detailed story that you're essentially hopping in halfway through. It'll be good! But, you'll lose so much of the richness of the story. (Half.com has cheapies!)
Miss your posts!!! Glad your still posting though I check back everyday haha xoxox
Hi Ashleigh! I miss your blog entries!
Anyways.
I am currently reading John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. I wish you'd incorporate books and coffee more into your blog, i loooooove your posts that contain them ... and everything else, of course :) Cheers!
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