Zoella Holiday 2018: Four Lucky Stars and Milky Way Bath Milk Powder

Zoella Beauty puts out a new holiday collection each year, but this is my first time trying anything from any of them. I don't think we always get the full collections here, but it is nice that we can get some of it! This year's collection is based on the cosmos, so everything is a bit galaxy-themed and I love that.

So when I was offered the chance to try a few of the products and also give a set away on one of my social media channels, I quickly agreed. Until the end of December 13th, you can go to my Instagram and enter on this post. There are a few rules! You must follow the accounts I mention (which is only one besides my own), not be a giveaway account, like the picture, tag a Canadian friend as it is only open to Canadians, and tell me which scent always reminds you of the holidays.

Here are the two items I got to try!

Keep reading!

What's Up Nails Canada Day Nail Vinyls (and 10 Free Sets for You!)

I was sent these adorable vinyl nail stencils by What's Up Nails from Nail Polish Canada. And guess what? I have a code that will get 10 of you a free set all of your own! You must have a Canadian address to take advantage and that's it. Once ten people have taken advantage of my code, you can search through the other lovely bloggers doing this promotion and hopefully find a code you can use.

Just showcasing some Canadian love with the stencils and a few of my favorite Canadian brands. :)

I hadn't tried stencils before these but what I really love is not only how easy they are to use, but also you're left with the little leaf center that you can also use in future manicures. It basically doubles the pack! The below swatches are not my own, because I can be honest with myself and know that my nail shots are not at that level right now. Maybe one day, haha! I tried mine for the first time this week and they are easy and fun. It looks like there are two sizes, big and small. I used two small ones for an accent nail on each hand.

These are perfect for Canada Day! As an American in Canada, I can't wait to sport these and now I need to start my search for American flag ones. Then, I can represent both of my countries. That would be awesome! These would also be fun in a blue and white manicure for Toronto Maple Leafs hockey games.

So how can you get your hands...errr...nails on one of these packs? Just go to this link and put in my code: UB3C1QAAHM4. That's it! The link walks you through it. If my ten have been taken, you can scroll down that same page and see other blogs that were also given codes. There's no catch! So to all my Canadian readers who want to sport some extra spirit come July 1st, here's a perfect way to do that.

**I received these for testing purposes and to get 10 of you your very own set to try from Nail Polish Canada. There are no affiliate links in this post.

My Ready for the Holiday Party Essentials

Before you scroll down and realize it, the giveaway for the advent calendar is open to Canada only. I do giveaways that are open internationally from time-to-time, so keep your eyes open for more of those on here and my social media! I do still share my ready for holiday party essentials below and I hope you'll stick around to see those and maybe share with me one or two of your own glam essentials for holiday parties in the comments!

More on the giveaway at the end of the post. But first, let's talk about a few of the things that I rely on to get myself ready for the influx of holiday parties and gatherings!

Keep reading!

March 2017 Faves (& Giveaway Reminder)

March has almost come and gone. Last weekend was our wedding anniversary and we enjoyed a little two night getaway and it was just what I needed. It was our first vacation in a year, so we both felt overdue for one. I'm working on a post about our hotel and trip to go up next week.

After spending the last few days stressing over which phone, plan, and provider to go with, I wish I could hit rewind and pop myself back into our hotel room. Canadian phone plans are not my cup of tea and the prices are ugly. I'm nowhere closer to choosing a plan or provider (thinking of leaving Telus after 11 years), but I'm pretty torn on the iPhone 7+ or Samsung S8+. Have you seen the S8? Talk about a gorgeous phone! But I've been on an iPhone for four years now, so I'm used to it and everything is easy to transfer. Decisions!

Feel free to tell me if you're team Android or Apple in the comments and why. I like both- I also have an Android tablet, so I'm familiar! Anyway, here's this month's favorites!

• Smashbox Blush Rush in Flush - I don't think I've given this its own blog post, but I do have a swatch here. I rediscovered this in my stash. It's so gorgeous and I just always forget about it. It produces such a beautiful glow.

• Arbonne Shape It Up Brow Pencil - Perfect for beginners and has a convenient spoolie on one end! Super easy to work with.

• ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Summer Lovin' - If and when they bring this back, get it. I don't think you'll regret it for a second.

• ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Times Square - A really great nude that I think would suit a lot of people.

• Essie Turquoise and Caicos - Some bottles seem to be more vibrant, but mine has always been a little more subdued. And I like it that way! The minute spring comes, I crave pastels.

Also, don't forget that I have a giveaway open on my Instagram that ends at 12 AM EST on March 31, 2017. See the picture on my account for the rules! You can win what is pictured below. All the makings for a pamper session!

Firmoo Glasses

I adore my Firmoo sunglasses and glasses. I've talked about them and featured them a few different times among my social media accounts and blog. Even if you don't need a prescription or have perfect vision, they have an option for non-prescription lenses. There's also options for bifocals, blue-light blocking, anti-scratch, and more. You can try them on through their virtual "try on" tool where you can upload your own picture.
Why am I telling you all of this again? Because below is a giveaway to enter to win a pair of Firmoo glasses! There are a few rules to enter...

• Must be within a country that Firmoo will ship to. They'll cover shipping if you are in the US.
• If you want extra features added on, you will have to cover the extra fees.
• Leave a comment below with a link to the pair that you like from this page.
• The first four entries are mandatory, all others will be bonus entries.
• No posting about this giveaway on any contest forums/websites and no cheating.
• The winner will receive a voucher code in an email from me.

It starts today and will end on Dec. 14, 2015 at 12AM EST. Good luck!
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Aveeno #FreshEssentials

With spring just around the corner, I have done a little layout facelift on here. I'm still tweaking some things around, but sometimes I just need to freshen things up. The same thing happened with my facial skincare routine. I have had the opportunity to try out Aveeno's Fresh Essentials line of products over the past month and now I'll be sharing my thoughts on it.

The Fresh Essentials (Smart Essentials in the US) line consists of three products - Hydrating Night Cream, Nourishing Moisturizer, and Daily Exfoliating Scrub. It is designed to keep the good in and the bad out. Keep the moisture and radiance in and keep the drying environmental stressors out. Southernwood Extract, Vitamins A, C, and E work together to replenish your skin. Do you find your skin dull or do you have dry skin patches? This might be worth trying!

Nourishing Moisturizer - I love that it has a pump. Sometimes I think pumps dispense too much, but I found this one to let out just the right amount. It has SPF 30, but I can't detect it as much in the scent as I can in other products. It is a thick white cream, but it sinks well into the skin. I have dry skin and found this worked well for me, but it might be a little too much for oily skin. The smell is very strong and lasts for a few hours on me, so I can't wear it on days that I have a headache or migraine. Something to take note of if you have any scent sensitivities. Southernwood Extract helps keep the skin moisturized. And SPF is always a plus! ($16.97-$19.99 CAD retail price)

Daily Exfoliating Scrub - I have very sensitive skin that turns red and I have had many allergic reactions. This scrub is so gentle and I have noticed minimal redness. I have not used it daily, because I don't think my skin needs it that often. I do use it 2-3 times a week. My skin is a little dry afterward, but that is when the day or night cream work their magic. Southernwood Extract and coconut pulp work together to exfoliate and smooth skin. I keep this in my shower and I reach for it over my St. Ives Apricot Scrub, which I have always found even the gentle version of that to be a little too rough. I'm so happy to have been introduced to this. ($9.97-$12.99 CAD retail price)

Hydrating Night Cream - I typically shower at night, so this is what I use after the scrub. It adds the needed moisture after exfoliating. I don't feel it heavy on the skin and it sinks in quickly. Again, the scent has the tendency to stick around. This works while you sleep, restoring moisture during your skin's nightly rebuilding phase. This and the scrub is a new favorite duo in my skincare routine. ($16.97-$19.99 CAD retail price)

All products are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and oil-free. They can be found nationwide at food, drug, and mass merchandisers.

Rules:
This giveaway is open to my Canadian readers. No giveaway accounts. It is open until March 30, 2015 at 12am EST. The winner will receive all three products to try!
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**These items were sent to me by Tug Agency on behalf of Aveeno. My pictures and thoughts are my own. There are no affiliated links in this post and I have not been paid for my review. #FreshEssentials

My Thoughts on Odylique

Odylique is new to me. It is a British brand, but they have now started offering their products to the US and Canada. They have a wide range of natural products to choose from and I chose four that I think would come in handy the most for me year-round. The harshness of winter was at the forefront of my mind, though. And who can go wrong with a skincare favorite of Amanda Seyfried?! Her skin is gorgeous!

• Spot-On Serum - So many uses! Heal a blemish, insect bite, minor burns. I used it the other day when hot water burned my wrist while cooking and it definitely calmed it. Pimples are rare for me, so I have not gotten to try it for that yet. I have a cut on my leg right now, so I'll be popping this on shortly and giving it a go. Active ingredients include lavender, tea tree oil, and aloe vera juice.
• Calming Rose Super Tonic - The thick glass feels wonderful in the hand. This has a strong rose smell, just a note if you have any sensitivities. I am not a big fan of rose scents, but it didn't last long on me. I wanted to try this based solely on the fact that it helps redness and sensitive skin. My skin does feel more hydrated after using this. I bet it would be wonderful to keep in the refrigerator during the warmer months for a quick cool spritz! Actives include rose essential oil and rose flower water.
• Ultra Rich Balm - To be honest, I hate the smell. So I can't bring myself to use it on my face or hands, but it feels and works wonderfully on my feet and elbows. Having to wear my snow boots nearly everyday does a number on my feet and using this balm is getting my feet sandal ready for when spring arrives. I keep forgetting to try it on my hair. Note to self! Actives include shea, coconut oil, beeswax, SBT, and extra virgin olive oil.
• Gentle Herb Shampoo - I love that this has a pump and it is sulfate free! The scent is light afterward (not a big fan of how it smells in the bottle) and it suds up nicely while still feeling gentle. My hair feels so soft after using this that I have not had to use any of my conditioners or treatments. And my scalp has not been itchy, which never happens.Actives include horsetail, coconut oil, chamomile, rosemary, aloe vera juice, and biodynamic nettle.

I love the simple packaging and it would look great sitting on any vanity. I experienced no allergic reactions or redness from any of the products. I really like all of the products I chose, but the biggest winner for me is the shampoo. Odylique, founded by a mother and daughter team, is geared towards those with sensitive skin, but everyone can benefit from their line. The products are all handmade and natural and in recyclable packaging. You can read more about them here.

Rules:
This giveaway is open to my US and Canada readers to celebrate Odylique now being available in these two countries. No giveaway accounts. Once I have picked a winner, they will be notified by email. Odylique will ship out the prize to the winner. Contest ends on March 20, 2015 at 12AM EST.
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* I received these products from Odylique. There are no affiliated links and all pictures and thoughts are my own. They have graciously provided the giveaway prize.

Wake Up With Lavazza + Giveaway!

Who woke up to a video call from Italy this morning? This gal! As part of my Lavazza experience, I had my alarm app set to go off this morning. I thought I had time to quickly brew a cup of the Perfetto expresso roast and make it back before the alarm went off. Just as the last drop hit the cup, I heard an operatic "Buongiornooooooooooo" from their spokesperson and I hurried over to see that the call had started. Whew, close one!

I suffer from "foot-in-mouth" syndrome often, so I did not have high hopes for myself during a video call. But I think I survived with minimal embarrassment! Fingers crossed! It was a lovely start to my morning to learn more about Lavazza.

Oh, we talked about many things like my blog and music. We talked about positivity and of course, coffee. Glorious coffee. It took me out of my comfort zone and I'm glad. I mentioned on Twitter the other day how I was trying to be more positive and how it is working for me. If you put good out in the world, good comes to you. Lavazza has proven that to me in a big way. They have treated me kindly and made me feel like my voice matters. That's a big deal! I can stand behind a company that has those kind of standards.

This has been a fantastic experience and I cannot say enough good things. I hate surprises and they kept a lot of this secret from me until it was time to know something. That would normally drive me crazy, but I think it actually added to the adventure. I enjoyed not knowing what was in the box when it arrived and I enjoyed not knowing what to fully expect when the alarm went off (probably the only time I will ever be a morning person and it not be Christmas morning!). You can read more in my last post!

Lavazza is offered in K-Cups and you can read more about them here. I was sent all four to try and it's hard to choose favorites, but I can't stay away from Gran Aroma and Perfetto. My MIL loves dark and bold roasts and has really been enjoying the Gran Selezione.That's not a knock against Classico, by any means!

Now, I want to give one lucky reader a chance to try all four. In this giveaway, I've picked something to represent the three main categories of my blog- lifestyle, beauty, and fashion. The winner will receive two K-Cups of each Lavazza flavor to sample, a rose gold bow cuff, a Korres lip butter in Quince, and an One Direction mascara (an extra one from one of my sets that has never been opened). This will end on December 15, 2014 at 12AM EST. Open internationally!

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*These items were sent to me from We Are Social, in collaboration with Lavazza Coffee. #BuongiornoAmerica! The pictures and thoughts are my own. There are no affiliated links in this post.

Sponsored Firmoo Giveaway (CLOSED)

Exciting news for you guys today! Did you read my review of my Firmoo sunglasses? Well now, this might make it easier for you to make the leap and grab your own pair! I'm giving away five $25 Firmoo gift vouchers. Just keep reading to find out more!

^what comes with each pair you order

Now yes, there are some things you need to know.

1. You need to be within Firmoo's delivery range.

2. The voucher can only be used on glasses on this page. However, you can personalize each pair to your non-prescription/prescription needs and make any of the pairs into sunglasses by adding a tint to the lenses. There is a handy tool on the left side of the page where you can put in your photo and virtually try on the glasses.

3. The first option is mandatory, all of the others are bonus entries.

4. The giveway is open for seven days. Good luck! :) I will let the five winners know by email when they have won and send the voucher code!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This is a sponsored giveaway by Firmoo. All pictures and thoughts are my own.

Giveaway winner!

Congrats to Priscilla M who won my latest giveaway! I will be sending you an email shortly and get your prizes out as soon as possible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered! This was not my first giveaway and it certainly won't be my last. So there's always next time!

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm & Giveaway Reminder!

Don't forget to enter my spring giveaway! It closes tomorrow night, May 31, 2013.

Now onto my review of a beauty balm that I got in a sample set of four at Sephora during the holidays. I haven't tried the other three in the Dr. Jart+ set yet, but here's my review on the Water Fuse one!

To see more pictures, please keep reading.

Keep reading!

Birthday OOTD and Giveaway Winner!

So yesterday was my birthday! I'm sorry for not having the time to update. It completely escaped my mind. I'll continue with the rest of what I got for my birthday on Monday. Today, I'm going to share with you what I wore to my birthday dinner with the family yesterday and announce the winner of my latest giveaway!

First off, I thought I'd show off my pretty in pink iPhone decorations. It made me happy every time I looked at my phone for the past week. I almost didn't want to change my lock screen today. How come birthdays and Christmas go by so fast?! Anyway, my friend Kerri wants me to do the "What's on my iPhone" tag. Look for that post soon!

Here's my birthday OOTD! Striped dress and white cardigan - Old Navy. Shoes - Converse. Ring - Torrid. Two beaded bracelets - Target. Evil eye bracelet - ordered from Beyond the Rack last year. Nails - Essie's Buy Me a Cameo as base color with Sephora by OPI's Traffic-Stopper Copper as the glitter topcoat. Made a perfect rose gold nail!

And the winner of the giveaway is Grace! Congratulations! I'll be emailing you shortly to get your details. :)

Don't worry if you missed out. I'm not far from 500 followers and you'll have another chance at winning! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. ♥

Giveaway Reminder! Closes tomorrow night!

My giveaway for the Storage magazine is still open until tomorrow night at 11:59 EST! This magazine is one of my favorites to read and it gives so many organization ideas. It's perfect for those of you who want more space in your bedroom, dorm room, or house. It has given me so many ideas to use in my own home!

Click here to go to the post.

Storage Magazine Giveaway!- CLOSED

So I made the mistake and purchased the summer edition of Storage magazine without realizing that it is a reprint of last year's summer issue. I'm such a loser! But my loss is your gain, because obviously I don't need two issues that are the same. This is my favorite home magazine as it has so many wonderful organizing and decorating tips! I save every issue I get.

This is the current issue that's out until the beginning of September. It is a $8.99 value. However, I am known for sometimes throwing in an extra gift or two with my giveaway packages. ;)

I know this is such a small giveaway and not really in the realm of beauty, but why not?! If you want to enter, just leave a comment with your email or blog link so that I can contact you if you win. Also, you must be a follower of this blog. The giveaway will end next Thursday, July 12th (which just happens to be my birthday!) at 11:59PM EST. I'll choose the winner by using random.org.

400 Followers Giveaway Winner!

I made a numbered list with the entries and your names and used random.org. If your name was by the number given, you were the winner. That's how I always do it to keep it fair. :)

Congrats to Passing Fancy! I'll be sending her an email tonight. Sara has a lovely blog, so do check her out. To the ones who entered and didn't win, I loved your answers about what you love about fall. And there will be plenty of chances to win other things in my future giveaways. Thank you all for taking the time to enter my contest and for sticking around. ♥

October 2011 Favorites- Happy Halloween!

Faves time! :) I love October because the weather is cooler and the leaves are on the ground. I love putting on my boots and walking in the crisp air while wrapped up in a cozy cardigan. Instant mood lifter!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple cleanser - cleanses and takes off makeup
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - nothing cancels out dark circles better
Benefit Erase Paste
YSL Rouge Volupte in #2 (Sensual Silk)
Sephora by OPI "The Way TuTu His Heart" nail polish - a perfect milky pink
DKNY Be Delicious perfume - my favorite perfume for the fall
MAC Hang Loose blush duo (LE) - a blush/highlighter in one & the lilac shade gives a perfect glow

P.S.- My contest ends at 11:59PM tonight, so there is still time to enter!

IMATS Toronto + Contest Reminder!

My ticket has been ordered and printed for IMATS Toronto. I'll be going on the first day, November 12, 2011. So if you're going that day, I hope that we can do a quick meet-up or maybe lunch! Be prepared because I get ridiculously hyper around all of the glorious beauty around me with the makeup and artists. ;) Also, if you think it will be awkward to walk up to me...don't worry. I don't bite!

To see what the past two Toronto IMATS events look like and to hear about my experiences, just check out my IMATS label. You'll see pictures, tips, and hauls. With item prices being mostly discounted and getting some hard to come by items, IMATS is worth the ticket price to get in. Hope to see you there!

Also, don't forget that my contest is still open until the end of the month. All it takes is a follow and a comment to enter! Click here to read the instructions and to enter.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

400 Followers Giveaway! - CLOSED

Well, I reached 400 followers! I wasn't going to do a giveaway so soon after the other, but my mother-in-law and I have started a new business on Etsy. And I want to give one of you one of our items! Our Etsy shop is Warm and Fuzzy Knitwear, where right now we just have two batches of baby items listed. We'll be extending stock to include socks, scarves, jewelery, and more! I also have a side blog (click here) dedicated to the business where I will be updating it with newer items and special announcements. It's all very exciting. :)

So this giveaway is centered around autumn, because it's my favorite season! And to enter, all you need to do is make sure you're following this blog and leave a comment. I hate comments that just say "enter me", so tell me your favorite thing about fall. Don't forget to add your email so that I have a way to contact you if you win.This is open to everyone! Just be sure that it is okay to give me your address, if you win.

For two extra entries each, you can follow the business blog and/or the Etsy store (both are linked above). So if you leave a comment, follow the blog, and favorite the Etsy shop...that's five entries. I hope that makes sense! Just tell me in your comment if you took these extra steps. Now, do you want to see what you'll get if you win? Yeah, I thought so!

^ scarf from Warm & Fuzzy, A Little Bit BADgal Lash mascara, NYC Color Wheel in Pink Cheek Glow, Maybelline Eye Studio quad in Taupe Temptress, and Revlon Matte lipstick in Nude Attitude.





^ The scarf is ruffled and has metallic threads throughout. The colors are even better in person!

So there you have it! Everything I think you need for a beautiful fall look. :) Giveaway will close October 31, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be chosen by random.org. If you have any further questions, please ask below or send me an email at wendy@fashionableheart.com. Good luck, everyone!

ETA: CLOSED! Existing comments have been hidden to hide the email addresses of those that entered. Thank you for entering!