July just flew by! It was my birthday month and I went on a road trip.  Here’s what I used up in July:

And here’s what I thought of each – hopefully this will help you if you want to try any of these.

Avène Eluage cream – $55 for 30ml (drugstores)
This is one of my HG skincare items. I talk about this in my anti-aging skincare products post.  This particular tube is actually expired because Dec 2014 but I continued to use it because eh, it’s in a vacuum sealed pump, the risk of it losing full potency instantaneously is low.  I’ve started using the Avene YsthéAL Emulsion ($51 for 30ml) as its replacement – it’s less emollient and optimal for summertime.  This bottle lasted me much more than 18 months because I only use it in a targeted area (for my laugh lines).
Stash worthiness: 10/10     Repurchase: Yes

Lise Watier HydraSmart Gel-Crème Hydration 3D – $18 for 30ml (Shoppers drug Mart and online)
This typically comes in a 50ml jar but I saw the 30ml travel size ones online and discovered that they were actually less expensive per ml compared to the full size version (it’s $42 for the 50ml jar, making it $0.84/ml – the travel sized tube cost $0.60/ml).  And, the travel size comes in a much more sanitary tube packaging, to boot.  I quite liked this gel-cream – it’s a lighter weight consistency so it absorbs rapidly and I choose wearing this for summertime. However, I discovered that the product would pill (or ball up) under some foundations.  And over time, the strong fragrance of this – it smells like hair spray – started to bother me.  I have another unopened one of this which I hope to finish up this summer.
Stash worthiness: 6/10     Repurchase: No

Alpha Hydrox 12% AHA Souffle – $10 for 45ml (online)
I purchased this from Winners ages ago and have been using this jar on and off. The scent-free cream has a gooey kind of texture that’s lightweight but a bit sticky – with 12% AHA it is certainly not for nightly use for me, it tingles quite a bit but leaves my skin silky smooth the next morning.  I choose this for summertime so I chose to start using it again – however, this particular jar has likely lost its potency because it has completely lost the tingling sensation.  I have another jar in my stash – it was purchased much later than this one so I hope it’s fresh.  I discovered that they’ve because changed the packaging to a tube  which is an improvement!
Stash worthiness: 9/10     Repurchase: Yes

Caudalie Lip Conditioner – $12 for 4.5g (Sephora)
This came as part of a kit and I’d been curious to try it for a while now – unfortunately, I don’t love it. It has a thin consistency that doesn’t really hydrate my lips very well and it disappears rapidly so I have to keep reapplying. It doesn’t have any scent or flavour which is good for those who are sensitive.  The tube lasted me about 6 months.
Stash worthiness: 6/10     Repurchase: No

Prestige My most significant Lashes mascara – $10 for 13.6ml (drugstores)
I did a review of this.  It’s a terrific volumizing mascara but it gave me raccoon eyes.  When I wear this, I have to layer a top coat to make it transfer-proof. It’s a bit too much work for the results, but if you don’t have tissues with mascaras transferring and want full lush lashes, give this a try.
Stash worthiness: 7/10     Repurchase: No

Indeed Labs Peptalash – $25 for 5ml (Shoppers drug Mart)
I opened this in September last year and I’ve been using it on and off (when I remember) at night. like Cargo LashActivator Night, I do feel that it’s helped my lashes not fall out as much – thus, making my overall lashes look fuller. This product is much simpler to use compared to the Cargo – I just apply a thin line along my lash line like a liquid liner. I have another unopened one of this but I’m not sure if I will repurchase – I may try just plain old castor oil to see how I get on with that.
Stash worthiness: 7/10     Repurchase: Maybe

GOSH professional curl it Baby! Defining cream  – $10 for 150ml (Shoppers drug Mart)
I got this on clearance for 50% off or else I wouldn’t have paid this much for a hair product.  It was good – I use this on my damp hair to help keep my waves from separating and getting frizzy.  It’s not effective on its own but when combined with a curling spray, it does offer some definition and didn’t weigh my hair down. It smells like papayas.
Stash worthiness: 7/10     Repurchase: No

Clean & clear Deep cleaning Astringent – $8.50 for 235ml (drugstores)
Surprised to see this item on here? Well, I don’t use this on my face! It’s way too severe for that. I use this solely for my underarms as the prepping and cleansing step when I sugar them (sugaring is an alternative to waxing). The high alcohol content in this astringent makes it ideal for getting rid of any oils, and the 2% salicylic acid helps avoid ingrowns.
Stash worthiness: 7/10     Repurchase: Yes

Nuxe Toning lotion with 3 Roses (renamed to Toning lotion with rose Petals) – $28 for 200ml (drugstores)
I unintentionally purchased this thinking it was the Nuxe micellar water which I really wanted to try. I did eventually purchase the Nuxe micellar water and it turns out I didn’t much care for either of that or this toner. Nuxe face products and I don’t seem to get along even though I really want to like their products! The only thing that I’ve loved from Nuxe is the Huile Prodigieuse (Multipurpose dry oil) which I use for my hair and scalp. This toner is just average.
Stash worthiness: 6/10     Repurchase: No

Shiseido Facial Cotton – $11 for 165 count (department stores, drugstores, online)
This is the conventional by which all other facial cottons are compared (in my opinion). I did a post on this, comparing other “dupes” from the drugstore (spoiler: they don’t compare).
Stash worthiness: 10/10     Repurchase: Yes

Have you used any of these empties?

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Trash Stash: June 2015The end of June marks the official mid-point of the year! I’ve always wondered why it’s “Christmas in July” when it really makes much more sense to be in June! 💡 It was especially satisfying to finish some of these products this month because many of them I’d been using for a long…
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March 1, 2016In “Beauty”

Yes, it’s a little sad to think, isn’t it… but Back to school is just around the corner!  Even though I’m no longer in school (some days I think about how great it would be to be back in school, and then I remember the assignments and exams! ), I’m still a stationery fiend.  I am that person at the office who will not lend out my pen because I know you will either 1) chew on it 2) not return it, or 3) lose it!  So it was with excitement that I checked out the MUJI Canada HQ once again, this time, to learn about their stationery and organizational products!

Those are the comfy bean bag chairs that I sat on last time I was there!
The open house started with an introduction of MUJI’s technique on product development – there are 4 crucial considerations:
1) world of MUJI: redesigning common, everyday items, often partnering up with well-known designers
2) found MUJI: discovering local items and recreating them for a global market
3) Quest for best materials: attention to sourcing the most natural material as possible
4) Observation: look at how people live at home, and how they work at their workplace to create products to fit their lives

The presentation was given by MUJI Canada’s President, Toru Akita, whose passion for all things MUJI is obvious by how he speaks about the product development process. I just love getting another peek behind the scenes at MUJI HQ!

The concept behind MUJI is no secret, the principles are clearly displayed at their stores.
Then we were shown their product set-up showcasing the most popular stationery and storage items:

The best part was the stamping area they set up in their office, just for us:

Here’s something you don’t know about me – I loved stamps when I was younger. I used to spend hours making cards and my own individualized stationery using a large collection of stamps.

We were each given a selection of MUJI stationery and organization products to try for ourselves! I just had to stamp my notebook with some Japanese inspired symbols:

I was trying for an alternating red / black colour scheme but kind of messed up that last one on the lower ideal hand corner. Also, I was over zealous with my stamping and the designs kind of bled together… those stamps were really fresh and “juicy”.

Here are the rest of the items we received in a lot more detail:

Cat-shaped sticky notes! Pocket-sized stapler! modification tape in a sleek casing! Pen holder clip (attach to any notebook – what a dazzling concept)!

I’m slightly obsessed with the manual hand-crank desk size shredder – I was surprised at how well it works. I own a full size electronic shredder at home and I hardly ever use it due to the hassle and the NOISE; instead, I tossed all the papers I need to shred in a bin (it’s been at least 6 months considering that I’ve run that thing). now I can shred in SILENCE and even get some wrist exercise!

The PP double Pen case we received was packed to the brim with writing instruments – my weakness!

Yup, I put the tiny stapler inside that smaller compartment – that’s how tiny that thing is.
The new writing instruments will be a great addition to my desk at work:

Here are all the items from the case laid out – on the far ideal side are 3 of my own pens that I’ve purchased from MUJI (I have a thing for clicky style pens).  Of the ones I already own, my absolute much-loved is the Resin Body Ballpoint Pen 0.7mm (in the smokey black casing). It’s really smooth and supplies a thicker line so it’s like I’m always writing in bold.  I learned at the open house that the ink in that pen is oil based so it will not smear even if your page gets wet!

Fun fact: in Canada, MUJI’s #1 item is their Gel Pen. They sell 80,000 units of just the black colour every year! (really excellent considering there are only 2 stores in Canada so far) MUJI’s pens are high quality – they’re created so that you get every drop of ink from the cartridge. and they’re so affordable – now you don’t have to borrow my pen, you can get your own!

Notebooks are always useful – we even received a student planner, which has a calendar that starts in August and consists of full views of each month, and then plain ruled pages at the back.

I also love the little spiral notebook, which I immediately decorated with those makeup stickers I got last month:

And yesss, a clicky multi-coloured pen! This is such a throwback to middle school.
And we even got a set of 24 markers! I need to get one of those adult colouring books, pronto!

Of course, the first thing I drew is a rainbow. need to test out all the colours, am I right?

Does any individual do this, set up colouring pencils / crayons, markers in rainbow order? I do this whenever I get a set of them. Old routines die hard.

The pièce de résistance, we received 2 acrylic storage cases

I already own a few of the drawers, so this is a welcome addition. and the pen holder is a similar concept to the one I picked up from Daiso in Japan. I may try to put brushes in this one considering that it’s deeper.

Again, like the last open house, I met up with some fantastic local bloggers and YouTubers!  Please go check them out:
• fun size Beauty
• Life is My Movie
• maximizing Minimalism
• Diary of a Toronto Girl
• A certain Romance
• petite Pear Style
• Alisha’s Guide
We were chitchatting so much that the folks at MUJI finally told us that they had to close the office! thank you again, MUJI, for having me!

MUJI Canada is currently having a 15% off sale for Back to school promotion including stationery and storage items – time to stock up!

Here’s the stamping station at the MUJI Atrium location – it was a complete madhouse around there!

In Canada, MUJI is available online and at the following store locations:
• Toronto: MUJI Atrium, across from the Eaton Centre
• Mississauga: MUJI Square One
And, there are whisperings that a new location in the GTA is opening soon – stay tuned!

This post consists of products which were supplied to me by MUJI Canada complimentary of charge. I wrote about them to share my love of all things nerdy stationery, organization, and MUJI!

I’ll be doing a reorganization of my makeup storage coming up. I know lots of of you have expressed interest in seeing my set up – it’s currently a mishmash of containers and my goal is to switch to a single system by the end of the year!  Guess where I’ll be going to stock up on acrylic cases!

So tell me, are you a stationery fiend too? Fess up!

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July 7, 2016In “Beauty”

ready for spring!
Good morning and happy Saturday, friend! I read earlier this week that lavender nail polish is going to be a “thing” this spring, and so of course my first thought was, “Isn’t lavender polish always a thing?” My second thought was, “LET’S DO THIS.”

Hence, the small parade o’ purple polish at the top. I’m learning toward Fauntleroy at the moment…

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Smith & Cult’s Fauntleroy nail Polish
Do you have a favorite lavender polish? If you do, I would love to hear about it!

This week’s reading…

Do you really need a base and a top coat?

How to build a makeup capsule collection/

11 ways to defend yourself against a cat!!

Apparently, lavender is the new nude.

Note to self: I love these floors.

Oui!

This looks pretty and easy.

I realize this is all about the makeup but THE HAIR! Epic.

You know I love me some Erin.

Looking forward to sweating to this ASAP.

Yes, please.

Concealer 411

Lots of good tips

I’ve been obsessed with cleaning videos lately.

Look at what the dudes are wearing.

Got any plans for the weekend? Besides painting my paws and doing a whole lotta high-intensity relaxing (IT needs TO BE DONE), I’m going to home Depot to check out some flooring and look at plants.

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Dude, you know you’re officially adulting when trips to home Depot are the *highlight* of your weekend! ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

His royal Huskiness, Master of His Meowmain, as well as the single biggest force in the history of kitty supermodeling. I don’t care what anybody says. He was the one who started it all.

This is the 700th installment of Sundays With Tabs! My tabby young boy was right here for 552 of them.

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I miss him dearly. Tremendously. I tear up just believing about it. He was as well as always will be the feline like of my life.

I mean, I’ve been blogging right here on MBB because 2007… That’s a long time, as well as the only reason I’ve done it this long is Tabs. I can honestly state that he was my muse for many of those years. He was larger than life, both to me personally as well as right here on the blog. He got my innovative juices going. He made whatever much more fun, as well as he seemed to delight in doing it. He liked the attention. He liked taking pics with me, liked the hugs as well as the stage direction, just liked being himself, as well as I liked being around him.

He was my partner, my confidant, my motivation as well as my finest friend. We matured together as people (and a feline). I’ll never fail to remember him as long as I live.

Rosie

Rosie continues to do a amazing task taking over for Tabs as CFO (Chief Feline Officer) of Tabs the feline Industries, LLC. To her credit, she’s never tried to upstage Tabs. She isn’t as passionate about kitty modeling as Tabs was since she’s her own feline person, with her own really hopes as well as dreams.

I respect as well as appreciate that about her.

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Thank you, Rosie, for being yourself. You’re a bad-@ss as well as a sweet, fantastic girl. I like you extremely much.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen