MY SUMMER FAVES 2019 EDITION.
AUG 27, 2019
It’s been a long while since I’ve written or posted, wellI was going to say an “Essentials List”, but really it’s been a very long time since I’ve posted anything on the blog. Also, this isn’t even an Essential List, so we’re off to a good start on this one.
If you follow along on my Instagram you know this summer has been a tough one. It’s been a struggle to feel ok writing my usual blog topics. I don’t even know if that’s the right wording, “feel ok”. When life is so unbearably heavy, it’s difficult to put that aside and enjoy anything in life. Nevermind write about things you enjoy.
With that being said, I plan to continue sharing the harder stuff through my Instagram and maybe even a blog post here and there, but for now it’s time to start seeing the joy in things again. Blogging was one of those joys for me.
I love reading blogs or watching YouTube videos on people’s fave things for the seasons. It’s a nice little escape from the daily “to do list”, plus I’ve found some amazing products, books, ideas etc. through fellow bloggers and their fave/essential lists.. I also love sharing my own faves with all of you and I found some great things this summer that I wanted to pass along! I know summer is pretty much over at this point and everyone is blogging their fall favourites, but I dance to my own beat! Plus, not all of the things I’ve shared are solely meant for summer. Some of the items on the list can still be used/experienced in the fall and winter. The rest you’ll have to keep in the back pocket of your brain for next summer, or a warm vacation this winter!
Wearing both The Ordinary Serum Foundation & Too Face Cocoa Contour Kit.
I never wear foundation, ever. My skin was always SO bad in highschool that any sort of makeup would create a worse acne situation for me. I just stuck with that motto in my adult life even though my acne has been managed for years now. Knowing I had 3 weddings this summer I wanted to step up my glam game. The one or two times I ever wore liquid foundation in the past, I HATED it. The heavy feeling of the foundation on my skin, it not blending very well. I knew I didn’t want to spend a ton of money, 1.) in case it was that awful feeling again and 2.) I don’t wear it often enough to justify a $50 price tag. However I didn’t want a drugstore brand either because that was guaranteed to come with that heavy suffocating my pores feeling. As you know from this post, I’m obsessed with The Ordinary Skin Oils for my daily skin routine. I was in the store picking up a refill of one of my oils, and saw their foundations. The sales girl helped me colour match, we went with two colours, and with a $7 price tag you can’t go wrong “experimenting”. I love this foundation. It’s so easy to apply, maybe a bit watery for people who often wear makeup, but I prefer it watery. It’s not cakey or heavy/suffocating feeling on the skin. I’ve had no issues with breakouts after wearing it all day at weddings. I never found it to sweat off or even wear off as the day went on. I would highly recommend this foundation for people who don’t glam everyday, people with sensitive skin or young teenagers experimenting with makeup.
This one kind of goes hand in hand with the foundation. This set was recommended to me by a friend during a big Sephora sale, so I jumped on it.
I.Love.It!
I’ve always preferred a more liquid contour set, but this kit has completely changed my mindset on that. It applies onto the skin easily, blends so nice and it friggin’ smells like chocolate. I mean that alone sells it.
H&M Black One Piece
Chalk it up to stress or over indulging with all the desserts while temporarily living at my parent’s house, but the mummy tummy is real this season. Knowing I’d be out and about this summer with my little I wanted just a simple, block coloured black bathing suit. No patterned suit, no mesh, no fancy details. Just plain black. I was super lucky and found this suit on a quick run at the first store I stopped into. H&M. The suit is so flattering on, I’m in love with the deep v-neck plunge on it. The racer back straps are also adjustable if needed at any point down the road. The suit was also only $14.99!
I’ve been frequenting this spa to get all my summer mani pedi’s. My aunt introduced me to it and it’s near my parents, so it’s been convenient to get to. The pricing of their services are a bit higher then your usual walk in nail salon, but that’s because their atmosphere and service is way better then the usual nail salon. I’m still trying to find my “person” at the salon, so am going through a few of them, and every single one of them is so super friendly and so, so gentle when doing your services*. Only complaint, the service isn’t consistent depending who you get. I’ve had a few disappointing manicures in trying to get to know what staff member I like best.
The best part about this place, is you can sip on some wine or beer while getting pampered and watch some Netflix! Buh bye CP24 on repeat at every other nail salon, am I right? I also love that you can make all your appointments online and request your favourite person to book that service with. You immediately get an emailed confirmation of the appointment and a text closer to the date as a reminder. As I said they aren’t just nails, they do waxing, laser hair removal, massage therapy, facial treatments, hair treatments. They even have a Blow Out Membership where you can get 2 monthly blow dry’s and a free birthday blow out, 10% off products they sell in the salon among other membership inclusions.
*I’ve only ever visited the location in Mississauga.
Bootie Sandal with Chunk Heel
These are by far my favourite fashion buy of the season. I stumbled upon them at Walmart while buying diapers! Even better they were on sale for like $15! I’ve worn them weekly with every outfit you can imagine this summer, the colour goes with almost everything, and depending on what you wear the shade of colouring changes. You wear it with red they look more brown, pair it with blue tones and it turns grey! I even wore these babies to one of the weddings we attended and they caused me no pain, no blisters! I’ll definitely be living in these shoes for as long as I can.
Garnier Ombrelle Kids Sunscreen
I had previously been using Aveeno Baby sunscreen, but this year my little started getting very dry skin from it. Truthfully the lotion does feel quite heavy and takes a lot for it to rub into the skin, so I imagine it takes a lot of scrubbing to get it completely off the surface of the skin, nevermind out of the pores. My friend recommended Garnier’s kids sunscreen, her son has sensitive skin as well. My little has had no more dry skin issues since switching over. It’s so lightweight and easy to apply. Highly recommend for baby and toddlers!
Lafe’s Soothe Deodorant Stick with Lavender & Aloe
I’ve been on the hunt for a more powder based deodorant that’s free of aluminum and paraben’s among other harmful things. The issue with other more naturally made deodorants is they are all more “gel” based, which for me personally wipes off my armpits almost immediately, and then I’m left stinking all day. I also find the “gel” based one’s to be very sticky. I stumbled upon this brand at Whole Foods and haven’t looked back.
Healing Stone Bracelets
This isn’t really new to my life. I’ve had my healing stone bracelets for years, but have relied on them more these past few months. They bring me comfort and help me along, whether it’s the power of the stones or placebo I can’t prove. I believe it’s the healing properties of the stones though. All my bracelets are from my favourite spiritual store Akasha’s Den, but I also know a lovely girl/mom boss who makes beautiful healing stone bracelets, Evie Altier.
There you have it, my faves from this past summer. What were some things you found this summer that you’d put on your fave’s list? I’d love to know and maybe add to my “fall fave list”!