Beauty Review: Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser

A while ago, my sister did a haul from Paula's Choice and seeing that I needed a new cleaner, threw in the Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser. The reviews were good, so I was excited to use the product. However, I don't know if I can share in the praise surronding this product. I used the entire bottle of the product, which took me a couple months. Below is a video review of my impressions of the product.

 I will say, I like how Paula's Choice has a smaller bottle one can try before committing to the bigger bottle. There's no way, I could have lived with the bigger bottle and the price is unfriendly for a budget seeker. 6oz is $11.00 and the trial size (seen in the video) is $4. If the product had worked, perhaps I wouldn't be concerned with the price. And despite the negative review, I also liked the packaging. It was easy to open and use. The opening makes it easy to control how much you use, so you can prolong and make the product last longer. I however, couldn't wait to be done with it!

iherb haul

iherb.com is a online webstore that sells health-food, natural, organic, and cruelty free products. They have a range of items, from houseware to beauty, at (usually) affordable prices. I often shop there to get healthy raw or organic snacks, hair care, and skin care products. The tricky thing with the site is getting the best shipping deal. This relies on both package weight and price. Hence, it can sometimes be a balancing act to get all the items I need, at the price I want, without going over the weight limit for a fair shipping price. The video above show my most recent haul from iherb.com. I'm happy to say this was one of those times where I managed to balance everything out.

Thanks for stopping by, please comment and subscribe if you haven't already.

New Favorite Collection: Astridland.com

Soft to the skin; can make a bold statement; looks good with almost everything--that's how I'd describe my new top from Astridland.com. Astrid was kind enough to send me a top from her collection and it was simply love at first sight.

 

Included with the package was her lookbook, which gave me even more reason to fall for this collection. Astrid is an incredible designer. Her clothes are both versatile and daring. This isn't an easy task to pull of, since statement making pieces can often be too trendy. But with Astrid's line, it's easy to take any item and work it into your wardrobe. 

Whats more, my top is very comfortable. I love the feel of it; it's just so soft and of great quality. 

If you have a chance, check out Astrid at her Fashion Presentation on Sept 10 at the Apple Store, 1 block away from the Mercedes Benz Fashion Tents from 6-8 PM.

You can learn more about Astrid and her work at the following:

Twitter @ Astridland

Instagram: Astridland

www.astridland.com

www.astridland.blogspot.com

Kawaii Lipstick

 

I'm a sucker for cute packaging, but that doesn't mean I want to spend a lot on account of it. Aliexpress helped me get both cute packaging and affordable lipwear with this lipstick. It was 2.66 and comes in a variety of colors. Check out my review below for more info. 

It claims to be moisturizing, and it is. However, the color is a bit light for me. I'm not too bothered my that though since I feel it still looks good on.

You can find it here, if you are interested.

I heart these overalls

We made friends with the lilies, letting them be

They grew wild, uninhibited and free

For friends let friends live life as need be

 Friends simply want friends to be happy. 

For a while now, I wanted a pair of skinny jean overalls. This was easier said than done, as most were way out of my price range. But early this year, I found a pair on Aliexpress that fit my needs. The paticular seller I bought them from is no longer selling them, but searching "skinny denim overalls women" should turn them up. These were only $17.00  and I love them. They have a heart shaped pocket on the front, and embroidered hearts on the back pockets. While I was hoping for them to be a little more form fitting, I like the baggy roomy feel. They are super confortable, and I know I'll be wearing them for many suns and moons. The top is also from Aliexpress.com.

Feeling A Little Austen

While in Banff, my friends and I decided to buy hats from one of the local shops. I wish I could remember the brand for my hat, but etsy.com sells similar styles. It reminds me of a bonnet from a Jane Austen Book. It does a great job of keeping the sun out.

I had been looking for a hat just like this all summer long, but the ones on etsy were a little out of my price range. This one was $27, which was more reasonable for my budget.

Once home, my family and I went thrifting where I found a lantern: another item I've always wanted.

I feel I should curl up with a cup of tea, while I read the Austen Collection.

Banff: Mountains and Memories

The mountains and evergreens of Banff welcomed my friends and I this summer. A day was spent treking through the small town, while we took in the daily life of those that live there. Pastry shops, sushi and local boutiques were all stops along the way.

Though not far away, it feels like entering a different time. Perhaps it's the pace. Banff, being a small tow, feels like stepping into a time period where you still knew the nieghbor, and the local bar knows your order by heart.

 When you live in a place so long, without really venturing out (that includes outside your own perspective), you forget what it may look like to someone else. The drive to Banff had it's postcard picturesque moments that left me in awe of my own Province.

The rains began to fall; the fog decended, and the scene took on a a mystic eerie feel, that made one both worried and yet inspired. It's the kind of scene that is beautiful to stare at from ones window, safe indoors, but creates feelings of deep caution when you have to drive in it.

The rains slide down the mighty mountains, unaffecting it's majesty, and slipped into the lake, making little ripples that carried on seemingly endlessly. The weather was gratifying. Not too hot, nor too cold. The rains brought out the mosquitos who enthusiastically followed us through our walk.

One of my favorite things about going somewhere else is trying new food. That's also the downside, since new favorite treats cannot easily be accessed. But it gives me an excuse to go there again. In Banff is a Pastry shop that sells ice cream and a dessert called "Beaver Tail." The Beaver is a big part of Alberta culture, so the name is fitting. The dessert comes in a varity of flavors, but my friends and I opted for Skor and cream cheese. It was delicious! The pastry itself is rich and kind of sweet, but the skor, frosting, and caramel...divine.
The sushi in Banff was also tasty and well priced considering that Banff food can be a bit pricey.

 
It's nice to get out of the city, even if you don't go very far. See other sights, engage in different activites, and give yor senses something new to take in. We saw muesum exhibits, horses pulling tourists down the street and locals going on with their ordinary days. And I wonder if they ever take the time to see their lovely little towne the way we outsiders do.