Currently 06.26.16

Reading

The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Fun book about a dysfunctional family on vacation. A perfect book  to read on your own vacation - flows well and nothing too deep. I'd certainly read more by this author.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Oh my. This book will stick with me for a long time. I did save my tears for the last few chapters though. This movie is out in theatres now, but I will be waiting to watch it in the comfort of my own home. It was a really hard book to put down. Remember a few months ago when I said I was starting to rough out a new novel (not that I'll ever have time to write it...)? Well, the main theme for my book is the same main theme for Me Before You - and I didn't know that until halfway through this book.

Writing

Not much on the blog front if you haven't noticed. It's just too hard to get photos! There's a new empty house next door. Can a photographer move in please?

Clicking

I'm still obsessed with You Tube. My favourite channel lately is Allana Davison. Sometimes I wonder if it's possible for me to transition my blog into a You Tube channel. It's a lot easier to video independently than take photos. It wouldn't fill my creative need to write though.

Allana

Watching

R and I went to see Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping at the theatre a few weeks ago. It was ok, but it would have been made a decent rental. I'm still  making my way through Season 3 of Hart of Dixie. We're (of course) watching The Bachelorette. I'm also into Keeping Up with the Kardashians- way waaaay late in the game. Does anyone know how to access the past seasons?

Eating and Drinking

I went out for lunch with a dear friend to The Brooklyn Warehouse last week. The falafel wrap was super yummy. I've been indulging is massive quantities of $1 ice teas from DavidsTea. My favourite ones of late has to be Caramel Corn and Pineapple Mimosa - so refreshing! I'm also cold steeping teas overnight in the fridge so they are ready for me in the morning. I've used up quite a few loose tea bags lately. need to stock up! Our cousins had the family out to their amazing lakefront cottage yesterday and cooked us  BBQ steaks and twice baked potatoes. So good! I also tried No Boats on Sunday hard cider which is made in my hometown! It was delicious!

Seeing

Golfers! I'm out on the deck writing this post and Sundays are usually really busy on the golf course. The last shot I saw went into the bunker.

Hearing

We get a bit of noise from the main road and there are tons of motorcycles out today. It's a great day for it- sunny and 24. We've been very lucky to have two beautiful weekends in a row.

Smelling

Fresh air! Also, remnants of The Body Shop raspberry perfume I out on this morning.

Wearing

Khaki shorts, striped tee, no shoes.

Feeling

Relaxed. I really don't feel like going inside and tackling my housework... Lately I've been sticking to a cleaning schedule and it's been working great. Let me know if you want any details on what I've been doing. It keeps me on top of stuff so I don't ever have to do a ton of cleaning all at once.

Anticipating

A three day week and 4 day weekend! I took Thursday off to extend my Canada Day holiday. We also just booked a trip to The 6ix for late August, so looking forward to getting away (I think it's been three years since I've been to Toronto- crazy!)

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Summer Night-time Skincare Routine

It's been a while since I've posted on my skincare routine. I'd like to describe me skin as indecisive. It used to be so consistent... sigh. Since I stopped BCP and went on thyroid meds, my skin has gotten a lot more oily in my t- zone. I actually use blotting papers sometimes when I'm not lazy, and until this year, I've never had to use them!

After pulling my hair into a scary-looking ponytail and putting on a hair band of some sort, I use my first cleanser. Yes I have two. One for my chin (the evil area) and the other for the rest of my face. I rub Glamglow Supercleanse Daily Clearing Cleanser on my dry chin, then add a bit of water and massage. Then I wet my face and put Jouviance Cleansing Gel on the rest of my face. I use my Forea Luna Mini to do the hard scrubby work. I find the Glamglow too drying for my cheeks and since it's so expensive, I'd rather use it on just the bit that really needs it!

To remove eye and brow make-up, I use Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Solution on a Quo cotton pad. This works AMAZING and a bottle lasts about six months. Sometimes I actually do the eye makeup removal first, before I wash. Depends on the day.

I gently pat my face dry with a towel and apply my current eye cream Avene Physiolift Eyes with
my ring finger (it's the one that uses the least pressure). Then I use a serum (lately it's been The Body Shop Drops of Youth). I let that sink in for a minute and then apply my moisturizer - Olay Total Effects  or Ole Henricksen Pure Youth Truth Activating Oil. If I need a bit of a glow (I'm so pale), I mix in two or three drops of Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster which is a fabulous facial sunless tanner. It never streaks and can be added to whatever your current moisturizer is.

If I'm being totally honest, I have noticed my skin changing over the past year - the effects of gravity and being a side sleeper. I'm trying hard to sleep on my side for at least part of the night. I also have some uneven tone on my chin from prior breakouts. I've been considering trying microdermabrasion or even IPL. 

My skin care routine will always be in flux as I'm a total product junkie. I'm trying to get better at actually finishing a product before I go out and replace it. I get so bored with the same thing that I have to be obsessed with something before I'd buy it again. I always want to change it up.

I didn't mention any treatments or masks because I think I'll do a separate post on those later for you. I've been loving sheet masks lately!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: May 2016

Every month, I break down my clothing expenses and share them. My quarterly budget is $500. This amount can be rolled into the next quarter if it's not all spent. My goal is to keep my out of pocket expenses within $2000 a year. Gifts and gift cards don't count towards my budget. Since I've been keeping a budget, I'm much more careful with what I buy, and I will return stuff at the end of the month if I'm not crazy about it after hanging it in my closet.

Watch: BCBG via Winners

Reg $250, on sale for $40

Yeah I know, I just bought a watch a few months ago. BUT, it wasn't a WHITE watch. I've worn it a bunch of times already!

Necklace: Aldo
Reg $25, on sale for $14

I couldn't resist all the pretty colors in this necklace. It looks nice with plain gold studs.

Tee: Gap

Reg $23 on sale for $12
No photo for this one. A basic short sleeve white tee with fine baby blue stripes. Super soft - I have one already in black and white. 

That's it for May! Crazy! I barely shopped at all. I have faith that there will be sales in June. 

Original value of items: $298

Price I paid: $66

I saved 78%

I'm left with $346 to spend in June. I'm never left with this much to spend. It might be a long post next month! On my radar... wedge sandals, work pants, maybe white jeans (my current ones are getting dingy) and a baseball hat.

XOXO

Glitterary Girl