SOCIAL MEDIA

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Let's talk about Christmas Spirit...

Ok I legitimently just walked out the door, Nick (husband) walked out before me carrying Elliott and there sitting on the porch was a gift bag. 

Nick didn't even see it! Blew right passed and started putting Elliott in the car. 

Me: "hey what's this!"
Nick: "I don't know I thought you put it there to bring"



Someone in our neighborhood started a "Christmas Spirit" pay it forward and it is THE. CUTEST. THING. 

It really brought me back to what this season is all about. I've been so, so, so busy, like 10,000 emails to answer/ messages/ wrapping, cooking, cleaning, working, blah-dy blah to do. 
At the end of the day what I really need to do is be present and soak up all the memories because 2015 is just about up! 

What a fun way to spread cheer, I've already picked up my treats to pass out, now I just have to sneak around the neighbourhood! ;) 




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http://hollyshousewifelife.blogspot.com/2015/12/let-talk-about-christmas-spirit.html 




Thursday, 3 December 2015

SH*T CANADIAN BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY..

I spent all day yesterday filming random footage for vlogmas day 1
I came home from work put it all together and was quite pleased
Then I deleted the footage before it was uploaded to YouTube and all was lost UGH
UGHH

I scrapped vlogmas for the day because I was mad but this  afternoon I had an idea for a video
"Sh*t Canadian Beauty Bloggers Say"..
That's it.
It was fun to film!
Enjoy :)


Tuesday, 1 December 2015

WINTER WORRIES, BATTLE THE DRY CRACKIES..

Winter ugh.
I struggle with dry skin all year round but fall +forward it gets bad.
Especially touching all the paper I touch at work, all I do is sort envelopes.. 
talk about dryness, paper cut city.. 

I've been using a few favorites lately I wanted to share:



I picked up this Salted Coconut scrub at Lush a couple of weeks ago, mainly because it smells soooo good. I am a sucker for coconut anyway, but add in salted.. its divine. 

Sometimes scrubs can be too harsh on my already dry skin but I found this one to be the perfect blend of exfoliate and moisturize. I scoop a handful out and bring it to the shower with me every few days. its really softened the skin on my hands, so much so I started using it on my little piggy's as well!

Cost: $29.99 
Once this is used up I probably wouldn't run out to repurchase right away but I would add it to my gift list for myself and others in the hopes of building a salted coconut stash.


Sticking with scent, the LaVanilla healthy body butter is another to die.
This isn't holy grail moisture but the scent makes me want to repurchase in a heart beat.
It has a great full but not greasy coverage and is the perfect before bed, keep in your car or purse hand cream.

Cost $23.00 at Sephora
Sephora Canada stopped carrying the Lavanilla brand for a hot minute so as soon as I saw it was back I loaded it in my cart! I'm unsure whether its here for good or temporary so you may want to test run it before its gone. *I apologize if you get addicted to the smell and then they make it go away again, don't say I didn't warn ya;)



Life brand skin lotion, this one was a shocker
I thought I had picked up a brand name bottle of moisturizer, when I got home I realized it was this.. meh oh well.
turns out the life brand is so, so much better than the brand name!
It is very hydrating, non greasy, fast drying, all around A+
I like the pump, this is a stationary lotion, kept in my pantry and a second one in the bathroom closet.

Cost: around $10 
I can't remember the exact amount but I've already purchased 3 of these babies so I will check it out next time I'm at the drug store.


The Derma Rescue by Kinderma
This was something I was very excited to try, I suffer from eczema and psoriasis (even on my head! ughhhh) so with a focus on those, I started using this on my shoulders and legs where I break out. 
and BAM, it was the perfect moisturizer for those sensitive areas!
It was very soothing, quick drying, non greasy, non scented and improved the rough psoriasis patches better than any other moisturizer I've used. ( If only they made shampoo and conditioner!) 

Cost: $46.95
available on their website and amazon
Kinderma also has other collections of cruelty free, made in the USA products that I've been looking into, including a hand scrub and a platinum version of their Derma rescue.

If you are someone who suffers like me or are very sensitive to moisturizers (make you rashy, break out) I think Derma Rescue is worth the money! Skin is our biggest organ, take care of yo'self and your organs will thank you :)

Kinderma has kindly offered readers a 
20% off discount using the code 

SAVE20

Good now through the end of the year! 
treat yourself!
(You know I will be since I just scratched/dried my hands out putting up that dang xmas tree!) 

 






HAPPY VLOGMAS BLOGMAS ONE AND ALL


So I've been struggling with what to write recently
Not for lacking ideas or yearning, just because I always think "who wants to read that???"

My life is not particularly interesting
also I've fallen into a what I like to call "blogger peer pressure cooker
I LOVE my blog peers, they've taught me so much but sometimes when you try to take on all of what they advise you end up not blogging at all! 

Ex: So many bloggers are moms, wives, hold down full time jobs etc. etc. etc. 
and their blogs are perfection! perfect photos, no spell check needed, thoughtful well written articles and interactive social media accounts. 

How ladies ??! HOW!?
I can't keep up so I get discouraged and procrastinate. 

Today I remembered I started this blog in 2014 for me!
Non perfect (its on my about me page!)
So I'm back to share it all, interesting or not
I won't commit to an everyday Blogmas but I will commit to letting go of the "I have to be perfect to post" feeling, and get my blog on as much as possible! 

To start a sneak peek of what will be coming to the blog and whats been on the go
Here's to a grand December!


A family that Stuns together, stays together :)
(glasses- target, after Christmas sale .25 cents a pack!)


So many things to make over! Started with this table, will post more..

We been brushin', we been brushin'..
So many teeth!

So much paint!
paint everywhere
we've painted everything but two bathrooms and the guest room in our new house


more table makeovers! see future blogmas..


New couch! Yayyyy


Elliott's room make over.. 
we are getting there!

What I've been wearing! 
This scarf! 
so much scarfing!



same scarf, different snuggle.

What we've been drinking..
cran beer ??? ? 
I just think his minion shirt is so cute I had to post it!
Sears Clearance centre .99 cents!! 


What we've been drinking part 2 and the weight I've gained.... 
whole other story.. 



What Elliott's been eating
and what he hasn't..
picky eaters age18 months has begun.



And finally HO HO! We will post lots of Christmas info/plans/decor this month!
stay tuned and Happy Tuesday!


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Wednesday, 18 November 2015

LAZY LADY DIY: KITCHEN MAKEOVER, TRAY WALL EDITION

This is me..
Just like                                                             ...
Not typing, barely getting anywhere in blogland life.
But anywoo I am back to show you my masterpiece!

What do you do when you have a very large wall and a very unsightly heat pump??
Well first you paint it (the wall) we upgraded from a builders beige to this muted teal.
Now, the wall is too large for one piece of art, I need something more complex to draw your eye away from that monstrosity. ^ 

I didn't want to go with just the basic photo gallery wall, I do them in almost every room, time to change things up.

Enters the silver platter wall!


I (my mom) had so many silver platters from our wedding a few years ago, and they were just hoarded away probably never going to see the light of day beyond the odd Christmas gathering. So I stole a page from one of my favorites, designer, TV personality, the bachelorette herself! Jillian Harris
 


I watched this episode of Love it or list it Vancouver months and months ago but I never forgot the tray wall! I loved it so much, so I hung onto this ^ Instagram photo in the hopes of having a tray wall in my future. 

Now to execute the plan..
If you have learned anything about me it should be that I. don't. plan.
I'm lazy.
I take the easy route. 
Most of the time its worked out :)

For tray wall I wanted what would be fastest and easy to hang them = command strips.
If you don't have command strips in your life then you need them, NEED THEM.
I never hammer any nails into my walls anymore, nails equal so much work!
measuring, hammering, re-measuring, re-hammering and then you're stuck with all the holes for eternity!



When used properly these leave no marks, nothing.
They aren't cheap, each container of 4 will cost you around $4-5 dollars but in the long run of nail holes, I think its a worthy investment.

Lazy lady tip #2:
If you can eye ball it, no need to make a detailed layout plan. 
only tools needed were the strips and a level, DO NOT SKIP OUT ON A LEVEL, even the laziest of ladies need that!

I picked up the largest tray and started placing around that.
The plan being I can always keep adding trays to the wall, I can rearrange down the road since I am only semi committed by using the command strips. 

I love my house to be a little bit imperfect, call it lived in, shabby chic..


Once I got a couple up I saw the direction I needed to go and it was like they just hopped up into place!

I love it so much! 
I love that they were used in our wedding and now get to be displayed.
love that its a bit unique or unusual.
I forgot to mention most of them came from second hand stores so in the scheme they were fairly inexpensive! 
and it adds just enough bling to distract from that unpleasant, yet practical heat pump! 



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Wednesday, 4 November 2015

NOVEMBER LADIES, BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!



I love being a November baby!
Here in Canada November equals cool weather, hot drinks, the staple outfit of boots, legging and scarf; and if we are lucky a light dusting of that pretty sparkle snow.
*Not to be confused with a truck load dump Mother Nature, just a light dusting!!

So in celebration of November babies everywhere I've teamed up with 7 beautiful blog ladies for a November giveaway!

XO Kerry - Leopard scarf
The Lavender Ladies - $15 Starbucks giftcard
The Flynnigans - Face mask, cleansing clothes, mascara and nail polish
Mommy Needs A Dr. Pepper  - Anthropologie Egg Dish
Mommy's Vanity  - Bath & Body Works Scented Candle + Lotion
All Things Lovely  - Pumpkin Spice Latte Chai + Mug
Holly's Housewife Life  - Sephora Lip Moisturizer & Under Eye Mask
In the Loop  - Wet Brush



*One lucky winner will win the whole prize. Prize valued at $125.00. Open to US and Canadian residents. Giveaway open from 3 am Pacific Standard time 11/4 to 12 am Pacific Standard Time 11/8. Winner will be announced within 24 hours of closing. Good luck!

 Best of luck!!
Enter below using Rafflecopter 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 SHARE ME:
http://hollyshousewifelife.blogspot.com/2015/11/november-ladies-birthday-giveaway.html 
Sunday, 1 November 2015

A scent-ational memory with Demeter


I wasn't at all hung up on sentimental details when I got married but one thing  I really wanted was a new perfume specifically to be worn on my wedding day. 
It was something I read about on The Small Things Blog you buy a new scent for that special occasion then whenever you wear that scent in the future you will be transported back to wedding memories. 

I have a terrible, terrible memory, I need a visual, musical or in this case a scent-ual?? scent-ical?? reminder. (There's probably a word for that, I just thought scent-ual would be more fun)

In walks the Demeter fragrance memory box..


I was so excited when this showed up at my door, it had been a long day at work and this was a unexpected surprise. Unwrapping it I was shocked to find a completely custom, beautiful trio of  scents just for me!


On the Demeter website you can actually customize your own smells. You can purchase duos or trios and pick them to fit your preference, you can layer them or wear individually. 



I was sent two sets of three fragrances, the first set of scents (above) are memory inspired by Demeter's CEO Mark Crames. The trio is so personal and unique, I love his description of each scent and why he choose them/was so passionate about making them perfect.

You can read here:

Out of the three I am partial to the Vanilla Cake Batter, but that's a no brainer for me because I love delicious foodie scents. In second place would be Mountain Air because it really does remind me of fresh, clean smells. However Rice Paddy layered with Mountain Air = a lovely crisp scented duo, and exactly why these scent trios are so cool! There are so many possible combos.


On to my scents (above),  nailed it!
Fall is my very favorite time of year, everything about it screams memories!
Cool weather, warm drinks, comfort food, Halloween aka candy, my birthday aka cake!
Flashbacks, flashbacks, flashbacks!

All three of my personalized scents are so yummy I feel like licking myself when I wear them.

Mulled Cider, smells exactly like cinnamon and a gum my mom used to chew when I was little, flashback to my young self stealing pieces from her work smock ;)

Caramel, smells like family familiar fudge and the sweetest of sweet of Halloween candies, those little square caramel ones that were so popular in the '90's. I want to dip my entire body in a bath full of this scent, from head to toe I cant get enough.

Vanilla Cake Batter, nothing left to say.

On days I'm feeling more Autumn-y I will wear just Mulled Cider.
For a milder scent day, Cake Batter.
And for any day for the rest of my existence.. Caramel, it's just that good.
Worn all together the trio balance into a delectable scent-sation!
And if you want to get fancy use as a room spray, your house will smell like it belongs on Pinterest.

You can check out the rest of the scent library here.
Be prepared for scent overload, they legitimately have all the smells!

Thanks to Demeter and the Canadian Beauty Bloggers for sending me the above fragrances and making them so me!