I don’t know what it is, but something about sparkly, and glittery things just make me smile. It doesn’t matter what form it comes in, it just looks so pretty and so fun.
Ode to my Bestie
I’m pretty lucky…to have an awesome best friend in my life 
Christina is moving to British Columbia this weekend, so we went out in Toronto and obviously had a fantastic time. Never a dull moment with my bestie.
My Life in Mobile Pics
I just keep getting worse at keeping up with my My Life in Mobile Pics posts. Although life has been slightly busier than usual.
Since I was in Punta Cana last week – I don’t have much to show you from my iPhone. So, I’ve included some from last week – including the Blue Jays game I went to..which sucked. Although I do love seeing Jose Bautista!
My bestie is moving out west AGAIN, which means I need to spend as much time as possible with her before she leaves. It’s always tough when your best friend moves away. I’m lucky that I have a lot of close friends who live near by (although most of them are in Ottawa, the North West Territories…) But my bestie is curial to my well-being. We’ll be Skyping a TON.
Social Butterfly Blog Does an All-Inclusive
Oh yes, I did.
I have a love-hate relationship with all-inclusive resorts. The list begins with the exploitation of third-world countries for their beautiful weather and pristine beaches, and ends with the argument that at the same time we are also helping them by supporting their jobs. I also find them excessively boring – it’s true, I can go to a beach in Florida or California and have the exact same amount of fun and still be close to a McDonald’s – even though I don’t eat at McDonald’s. But the trip was free, and I needed a vacation bad.
I’m not much of a drinker, but of course my first night there, the all-inclusive-ness got the best of me, and I ended up “losing” my phone, and in the midst of frantically trying to find it and accusing waiters of stealing it and selling it on the black market, I found it in the drawer in the hotel room..you know, the drawer where the Holy Bible’s are stashed…I mean I guess that makes sense, right? Needless to say, I didn’t do very much drinking after that event.
But, I did manage to get some sun, and contribute to more skin cancer, I burned my face, my chest, my shoulders, and my lips. Even though I used an entire bottle of sunscreen over the 5 day duration of my trip.
And when my snorkeling adventure was canceled, I was sent to the spa where the lady doing my services touched parts of my body I don’t even touch, and groped my tata’s, but it was still really relaxing (She kept saying “Like it?” im this Spanish accent that made me almost burst out laughing…most awkward spa experience ever).
All-in-all, I enjoyed the vacation. It was entertaining, I loved the locals, the resort was nice, there was lots to do. But I will still take a back-packing / non-all-inclusive resort trip over an all-inclusive any day.
Safe Ways to Achieve a Healthy Glow
I know the importance of wanting cinnamon skin, and a nice tan. I also know that as a cheerleader having a tan made me look cut and defined my muscles, and so I, like the rest of the girls on the team went tanning in tanning beds. I also sunbathed on the beach sans sunscreen, and I also found out I had melanoma last year.
There are MANY other safe ways to get a gorgeous glow – and trust me, tanning beds and tanning without sunscreen are the worst. This coming from a girl who didn’t burn easily and tanned really fast.
I use different products to fake a glow and make my skin look a little darker. Since we are getting closer to the summer months, and since I’m going on vacation next week…I thought I would show you all these awesome products you can use to get some bronze back in your life in a safe way!
1. Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil from The Body Shop. What is this? Well it looks like some crazy glitter in a bottle, but it’s actually a really nice shimmer that adds a little bronze tint. Great for highlighting areas on your body – arms, legs, shoulders, chest.
2. St. Tropez is one of the best self tanners out there. Seriously. Ask just about anyone. The finish doesn’t look fake, and when spread evenly it looks like a fantastic tan!
3. Rimmel Sunshimmer Maxi Bronzer. This is my favourite bronzer. After applying foundation, dust this on areas that the sun hits – cheek bones, forehead, chin, and the tip of your nose.
4. Sunbeam by Benefit. This bronze highlighter is perfect. Use it on the cheekbones and under brows for a little glow. It really brightens up the face.
5. Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 in rosetint by Benefit. This isn’t a bronzer but it looks great with bronzed skin AND it’s SPF 15!
6. Bronzing and highlighting face powder duo by Benefit is great if you are looking for something a little less dark. This bronzer adds enough colour and shimmer to give your face some glow!
My Week in Mobile Pics
I’m a tad late on this! But here’s my life from last week! Tired of having to watch golf on t.v (even the cats hated it) I headed off to my aunt and uncles for Easter dinner. Easter morning my cousins and I woke up to chocolate…and bubbles. We quickly realized you’re never to old for bubbles, and spent a good hour on the back deck making giant bubbles, and ensuring that any photos our parents took did not include us. (My cousin said to my aunt “Mom don’t show me in the picture. I look bad, and I’m 23 blowing bubbles”)
My bestie and I are HUGE fans of Lights. After missing the concert in Toronto, we were so excited when we found out she was coming to Belleville. So I bought two tickets, one for me, and one for her for her 27th bday! It was probably one of the funest nights I’ve had in a long time.
Every Woman Must Have…
As a girl – I love embracing girly girl stuff. Ribbons, bows, make-up, lace, pretty things. And whether you’re a girly girl or not, I truly believe there are a few items no woman should go without, should keep at hand, or should be close to so they can always feel their best.
Here’s mine:
1. A great hair stylist / hair colourist
Taking care of your hair is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Your hair immediately changes everything about your look. It’s important that you have someone you can go to that you trust, and knows exactly what you love. My stylist is Mark Nolan, and my colourist is Heidi at Aquilibrium Salon in Oshawa. Best place I’ve ever been!
2. A signature scent.
To be honest, I was never really a perfume girl. But then I started noticed how scents remind me of people. Every time I get a whif of Hot Couture I think of my bestie who wore it all through high school and still wears it today. Since Britney Spears launched Fantasy…I’ve been wearing it. I don’t care if it’s a product of Britney Spears. It reminds me of candy.
3. A professional eyebrow waxer
Yes, I realize how ridiculous that sounds. And hey – maybe you’re amazing at shaping your own eyebrows – but in reality there are a LOT of women out there that aren’t. And those women should go see a professional. Eyebrows shaped properly look fabulous. Weird eyebrows don’t. I see Patty from Inside the Makeup Case at Aquilibrium. She is AH-mazing.
4. Red lipstick.
It’s true, red lipstick is one of those beauty tools that instantly makes you look ready to take over the world, and makes you feel powerful. Bold red lips stand out, and once and a while every woman needs to feel like they stand out.
5. A male friend
This male friend must not be someone you are attracted to, but a male friend who you can hang out with, work out with, confide in, and get advice from. Sometimes you just need a male’s point of view!
My Life in Mobile Pics
Lately, I feel like my life has just gotten busier. Which is perfect. I love being busy. I almost find it alarming when I have too much spare time on my hands.
Since I’ve been spending a lot of time working out (Crossfit, pole dancing, yoga…and the recent addition of cheerleading again which will start next weekend) I figure it was time to start adding more protein to my diet. I start my day with a yummy protein shake. Milk, chocolate protein powder, and some fresh fruit. It makes all the difference in the world. I’ve stopped snacking in the mornings, and getting hungry before lunch, not to mention I have so much more energy.
Last weekend I was able to make it out to my family’s home in Prince Edward County for Maple Fest. My mom and I visited a farm, and there were adorable hours-old baby lambs running around. An obvious sign of Spring, althought it was rainy and miserably cold. I stocked up on pur maple syup too!
Although I consider myself to be an athlete and a good eater – I LOVE cheating. Those nights where you put your trackies on, grab a good movie and eat junk. I had one of those this week…it was fantastic. I encourage everyone to participate in treat night one and a while….you only live once.
Pole Dancing: Going Beyond the Strippers
Pole dancing is one of those things that’s noted as a taboo. When you think pole dancing, you think strippers.
The connection between strippers and pole dancing is getting a little more positive (not that dancing naked infront of people on a pole is negative…) But it’s actually a really great work out, and so much fun!!…I would know.
I signed up for a 6 week pole dancing class last month to give it a try. I needed to build up my upper body strength for my upcoming Spartan Race and I knew pole dancing would be a great way to do so.
Whenever I mentioned I had pole dancing class, people would get all excited. “Ooooh training to become a stripper?” , “I saw an interesting Tweet from you last night.” This was the generasl feedback I got from people. I of course set them straight – “Actually, it’s a really good workout.”
I noticed a difference in my upper body strength, and it was hard to tell how much you were working out because you were having so much fun with the other girls. The great thing about signing up for a pole dancing class is meeting the other women (there were no men in my class, although private male classes are offered) and finding out the reason why they signed up. The class attracks women from all different ages. They sign up because they want to reinvent themselves, they just went through a divorce and want to feel good about themselves, they want to try something that looks really cool. And supportive and positive environment of the session has been wonderful. I walk in, and everything outside of the studio melts away. If you’re shy – you won’t feel shy, if you’re self conscious – you won’t feel self conscious. It’s the perfect work-out environment.
Honestly, if you’re loooking for a way to work out, target new muscles, meet new friends, and feel great about yourself…sign up for a pole dancing session. Give it a try! I just finished my first session and unfortunately I can’t go on to the next right now because I have been asked to compete in an upcoming cheerleading competition, but I’m for sure going back! As you continue going through the sessions you learn more and more skills, and intricate movements that can really surprise yourself!
I go to Cheeky Girls in Whitby.
If you live in the Toronto area I recommend Flirty Girl Fitness
Here’s a video of a very pretty pole dance routine…just to give you an idea of what you can work towards 
My Life in Mobile Pics
When it’s your best friend’s birthday you must bring out the bells and whistles. My bestie turned 27 last week, and so we celebrated with vodka, Amaretto, balloons, cake, and fancy outfits (Like the adorable pink dress and gorgeous shoes Christina is wearing). It was a great time out in our home town!
I was excited to get a necklace from Stella and Dot - one that I had been eyeing for a while. It’s the perfect statement necklace! Stella and Dot has some of the nicest pieces of jewelry next to Tiffany’s. Seriously – if you’re looking for statement pieces, check them out.
Ever heard of Kefir yogurt? Everyone at my work is into healthy eating, and working out, etc. There was some buzz going around about this Kefir stuff, and how good it is for you. Basically its a mixture of bacteria and yeast that you mix with milk and let it ferment during the day and overnight. (gross I know). I gave it a shot – a coworker brought me a jar of milk and instructed me on what to do. Straining cultured milk it not really something I enjoy first thing in the morning – however mixed with chocolate protein powder, a banana and a little V8 juice, it tasted pretty damn good. Hello new breakfast ritaul – I won’t show photos of the strained milk….