Day Out With Sisters ~ Pho, Chapters and Mall visit

Today we had a bank holiday Monday and didn't have any plans since we just got back from holiday as a family, so my sisters and I decided to go out for lunch and do some shopping ! We went to this super yummy Vietnamese restaurant close to where we live and my sisters tried Beef Ball Pho for the first time ! I got my usual Spicy Chicken Pho; yum ! 

My youngest sister and I =__=

 Second youngest sister and the baby again 

I also picked up a couple of things. Here is the clothes I got from Target last week. A baseball style top that says FEED along one arm, a plain mint V-neck top and a light denim skater style skirt. I also got some sunglasses and non-prescription frames from Aldo, along with some midi rings, (you can't see them very well since they're so tiny).

Today we went to the bookshop and I got Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami and some more pens. I also got some bows from Claire's for pretty cheap.

 I got a backpack for uni as well (from Target). I've been using the same one for two years so I decided to treat myself to a new one, this one was originally $30 but I got it for $22ish because it was 20% off. I'd like to get some supplies from the craft store to customise it but I'm not sure how yet.

LUSH Review ♡

Today I have a long-awaited LUSH Review. I say long-awaited, and what I mean is by me ! I've been meaning to write this review for such a long time because I LOVE this store. I've popped into LUSH many a time over the years, I started becoming familiar with their products about 2 years ago but was too cheap to ever buy anything other than a lip scrub haha I got super interested in actually purchasing products a little before Christmas and asked for the Cupcake Fresh Face Mask for my birthday (in November). I finally caved and bought some things I've been eyeing up for awhile now about six weeks ago so I am definitely able to review these products well. My purse may be crying because of the prices but I love them too much !

1) First up is the American Cream Conditioner. I'm still working on not using too much of this product at once because you really do only need a tiny amount, much less than you'd think ! Plus I only have shoulder length hair. I'd say that the only thing to watch with this product is the amount and the application, you just need a tiny dollop and apply it to the ends of your hair. Don't apply it to the scalp/roots ! It makes your hair far too greasy, concentrate solely on the ends. 

I got the smallest bottle just to try it out, it's lasted a good 6 weeks with a bit left, and I loved it so much I recently picked up their largest bottle of it. This conditioner is so moisturising and smells incredible. When I was at the till the cashier was raving about this conditioner, and how she always, without fail, had to smell her hair right after washing it because it smelt so good. I thought she was exaggerating, but my goodness ! I could smell this on my hair for a couple days (until I washed it again) ! Just, go and pick this up. Immediately. 

2) Next is the Cupcake Fresh Face Mask, it's only available in store unfortunately. This was my second time purchasing this product and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It smells amazing and left my skin feeling so smooth and refreshed. It's difficult to say whether it helped with my acne because I've been taking medication for my skin as well as trying other home remedies, but it certainly didn't hinder the progress my skin is making ! I'm thinking of trying the Cosmetic Warrior next time.

3) I did a lot of looking around when it came to the solid shampoo bars and finally settled on this one; NEW! Solid Shampoo bar. It contains cinnamon and clove to promote hair growth and really get that 'clean' feeling after each wash. And it definitely lives up to it ! I don't use many products in my hair, but for those that do this would be a great clarifying shampoo for you. I also need all the help I can get to get this stubborn hair to grow ! The only thing I would say is to go to your nearest LUSH store and smell this shampoo. I personally love the cinnamon scent, but it isn't for everyone so make sure it's something you can live with.

If you've never used a shampoo bar before you're probably pretty confused as to how it works, I was too so don't worry. All you do is get it a little wet and then smooth it across your scalp, almost like you're trying to comb your hair with it (it sounds weird but that's how I apply it). I focus on my roots near the front of my head and the back by my neck. Then I put it back in the pot on its side so it doesn't get stuck, and time to massage it into your scalp and rinse. Nothing too crazy, I promise !

4) Lastly is the good old Mint Julips Lip Scrub. This was the first product I ever bought from LUSH many years ago, and I'll always stick to this lip scrub. It smells and tastes amazing, works wonders and lasts an awfully long time. I couldn't even finish off the last pot I bought before I needed to re-purchase it. 

Thank you for reading ! I enjoy doing reviews so hopefully I can get some more up soon. I'm actually on holiday with my family at the moment but I'm still trying to catch up on as many posts as I can. 

Mall Haul ♡

This is the first of two mall haul's for all of you, I only have a few things in the second one so don't get too bored ahh !

I stopped off at Forever 21 first and got this dark green top, it actually cuts me off at a really weird angle so I've only been wearing it to the lake over my swimming costume, I'll probably 'donate' it to my sister. I also got these brilliant trousers; they're harem style so they're super comfy, and that print is just insane so I love them ! My friends and family don't like to go out in public with me when I wear them, but they're still my babies. Lastly is the jewelry, I got a gold chain style bracelet, a gold arrow bracelet and a set of three gold rings that look like ropes tied in a knot.

Next I stopped off at Lush ! I picked up some American Cream conditioner, New shampoo bar, Cupcake fresh face mask and Mint Julips. I'm just about to make a review of all these products so I will say no more.

Lastly I picked up this teacup, isn't it adorable !? It's pretty useless I know, I'll likely just put in on display somewhere in my place at uni, but I had a giftcard to the shop it was from and couldn't find anything else that took my fancy.

Shoppers Drugmart & Sally's Haul ♡

Alright, I started this post ages ago and then never finished it, and never wrote any new posts either ! These are just a few items I picked up from my local drugstore and also Sally's Beauty Supply shop.

1) China Glaze in Go Go Pink ~ I have this unusual fear of nail varnish, so I decided to try a pale colour to get started. I still haven't been able to wear it outside of my house, how sad is that !

2) Black Liquid Eyeliner by Physician's Formula ~ I bought this for the first time a few months ago and really liked it, so this is a repurchase.

3) Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution ~ My drugstore had two bottles on sale for $30 ! They're usually $22 each so it was a real bargain.

4) Lashblast Fusion Mascara by Covergirl ~ I like this one better than the volumising mascara that Covergirl offers, but I am on the hunt for a new volumising, lengthening, waterproof mascara. 

5) Wax applicator sticks ~ I use professional hot wax for my face and legs so I had to stock up on these

6) Grey-brown eyebrow pencil by GOSH ~ My favourite drugstore brand eyebrow pencil by far

7) And just the good old essential bobby pins and hair bands !

I know it's super difficult to see the numbers on this fabric, I got new sheets from IKEA for my room at uni so I can start using them in September ! Whoop !  

Ebay Buys of June ♡

This is the first in a long queue of hauls, sorry ! They've been things I've bought over my month hiatus, so I'm just catching up on them and then roll on the more interesting posts ~ bentos, reviews, comparisons, masks, etc.

After buying those white Hello Kitty frames at Otafest, I thought I'd prefer a black pair, so then commenced the search of finding nice frames with clear lenses. I can't find the item I originally bought, but these come pretty close in style and price. Mine cost about $1.50 with free shipping, a complete steal ! Plus they were in perfect condition when they arrived. I personally think they came in good time considering they were coming all the way from Asia, about 3 weeks tops.

I also purchased an eyeshadow quad from Dollywink. Bubbi from Bubzbeauty has used this one for years and I always thought it looked so cute, plus I loved the shades and the quality was meant to be very good too. I bought them from here. The sender was very speedy, maybe 2 weeks, and very nice condition of packaging (the product was new of course). I rarely buy eyeshadows so I allowed myself to splash out a bit with this one. 

All in all I had a great experience with my first time buying from Ebay, I will try not to get hooked but definitely will be checking out some more stuff. Always remember to stay safe by using well reviewed sellers, I used sellers that had 100% positive feedback, so just be careful while shopping online and have fun !

Otafest ♡

On the 18th of May I got to attend Calgary's Otafest celebration. I went back in 2009 and since haven't had a chance to go because I've been in the States during the time it's held, but I was home so I decided to check it out again. For those that don't know, Otafest is a big Anime convention that's held at the University of Calgary every year in May. There's usually a pretty large turnout, with many cosplayers and events. I mainly like to go to the vendors hall and watch the cosplay productions. This year I was only there for a couple of hours so I only got a chance to look at some cosplayers and shop, but it was still a really nice experience, I will definitely go for a whole day next time to get my money's worth ! I myself cosplayed as Rinoa Heartilly from FF8, I didn't take photos but I still have my outfit of course. 

So here's my loot !

A few years back I stumbled across a bento box blog that an Indonesian mother runs, and since then have been obsessed with looking at cute bentos, so sad huh ? I would look at bento boxes and bento recipes and bento accessories online for hours but never buy any ! Well I finally got my chance to purchase these two adorable bento boxes for my future children haha It will be a long time in the future but I couldn't resist !

I realised after buying these and coming home why these keychains looked familiar; I'd seen them on an online store recently, and for about half the price that I got them ~ arg ! But they are sweet right ?

Aren't those Hello Kitty slippers just the cutest ? I was so torn between this pair, or a pair of Rilakkuma ones, I think the fact that these were a tad cheaper is what swayed me, plus I got a Rilakkuma keychain.

I've also been wanting to purchase some Hello Kitty style frames for months, but never did, so I got those white ones with the red bow, they're a little tricky to see in the photos.

It's been a month, oops !

It looks as though I've had another hiatus and I apologise for it ! I got insanely busy all at once, I was working three jobs, plus lots of responsibility at home and church, and then I got sick again, and then my boyfriend and I broke up and I was sorting out finances and details for uni and gahh ! Just crazy ! I had so much going on all at once that I was just getting burnt out; not good. I've also been sketching and painting again so that was rather time consuming.

But I'm down to two jobs now so I hope to be posting often again. I actually have a whole bunch of hauls to post, plus some skincare and reviews, so please do stay tuned. 

Recent buys ♡

Hello all, tonight I thought I would make a post about some of the things I've picked up recently. Not insanely exciting, sorry ! 

Alright, so I went to the mall last week with my sister and picked up some new wallflowers for summer because I'm out of all the ones I got for spring and they had a special offer on. I already plugged in the Mango one (I think it was Mango and something, idk it's fruity and lovely) but I loved the smell of the white barn one so I'll use that one next. I love lighting candles but with juggling 3 jobs and everything I'm not home as often, so it's nice to have the room smelling nice all the time without having to light a candle. 

A few days ago I went to Shoppers Drugmart to get some basics. I got some body lotion because it's getting crazy dry here and my skin is suffering, and also a new lotion for my face because after trying out those two Alyria products my face has been so dry and patchy. I used to use the Nivea Soft (below) but stopped because it was a bit too heavy for my skin, I think my skin really needs some extra hydration at the moment though. I also got some Simple make-up wipes because they do they job really well and I'm almost all out of my Bioderma make-up remover :< I also re-purchased the Gosh eyebrow pencil in 01 Brown. This is my favourite drugstore eye-brow pencil and I'm getting low on the one I have (the Anastasia brow pencil's my all-time favourite but it is rather expensive). 

I was also at a Chapters bookstore and I always get distracted by those cute and random knick-knacks they have, and I saw this:

 Adorable, yes ? And it was only $5 ! I saw it in another shop a few days earlier and it was $10 ! So of course I got it.

Lastly are those two Alyria products (does anyone else think of She's The Man when seeing the name of this brand?) I went to the dermatologist last week, and he prescribed me some pills that I have yet to take, and also this cleanser and moisturiser. I used them both for about five days, I was told to use the cleanser each morning and night, and the moisturiser just at night. I could tell even after the second day that the cleanser dried my skin right out, it was getting super flaky and patchy, and I think it broke me out too. So I've stopped using it, I might go back and try it when I get my medicine though. Has anybody else tried this brand ? I'm really not so sure about it, especially since I'd never heard of it before.

That's all for now folks ! A big shout out to my followers, Jessica and Andrea.  You may be few in number, but you give me hope and want to keep posting, thank you ! c: