livinlifewithstyle

Red Floral Dress

July 1, 2020

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians!! I am showing my love for our country by wearing this beautiful red floral dress from Shein!

There are so many things that I love about this dress, starting with the fact that it has pockets!!! It’s so hard to find a dress with pockets, so this one is pretty unique. I also love the tie front detail which is super cute!

This dress is flowy, airy, and great for summer. I am wearing a small, and it fits me perfectly. Definitely true to size. I have worn it so much already, and we still have 2 months left of summer! Shein is offering free shipping for only 24 hours, so it’s a great time to order!

Hope everyone has a fun, but safe Canada Day!

Disclaimer: Thanks so much to Shein for sending me this dress

Toys to Keep Self-Isolation FUN!!

June 8, 2020

Trying to keep my kids entertained during the pandemic has been a bit of a challenge. In the mornings they do their school work, but in the afternoons when they get free time to play, they are always looking for something new and fun to do.

These new toys from Hasbro have definitely been keeping them amused. If you’re on the hunt for new toys to keep self-isolation fun for your little ones, these are my kids favourites!

Play-Doh can keep my kids entertained for hours- especially my daughter. This Cluck-a- Dee Feather Fun Chicken has been a real hit! This set comes with 4 barnyard- themed Play-Doh containers, a feather cutter, a shaving tool to shave her neck, an egg mold for laying eggs, and a leaf cutter.

My daughter has so much fun playing with this chicken, She loves adding different colours of Play-Doh to the feather cutter, so that it will sprout different colour feathers when she presses down the chicken’s head. She get so excited about this little secret compartment in the chicken’s back where she can add the Play-Doh shaped egg she made out of the mold, so the chicken can lay an egg. She also loves toys that make noise, but boy does she find it hilarious pressing down the chicken’s head to hear it make cute clucking sounds!

Mr. Potato Head was a favourite when I was a kid, but it didn’t make any noise like this one! Mr. Potato Head Movin’ Lips is an interactive toy that plays over 40 phrases & songs! The set includes a Mr. Potato Head, 2 arms, 2 ears, eyes, nose, hat, and 2 mouths.

To hear him talk or sing a song, you just have to attach one of his magnetic mouths to his mouth area, and press the buttons. My daughter loves putting the red lips on him, and dance to his songs. She finds him so funny how his mouth moves from side to side when he talks and sings. Also, when you remove his lips he mumbles until you give him his lips back. It’s so cute!

When my son wants to get outside for some fun, he always reaches for his Nerf dart blasters. He has a few of them which of course are all Fortnite, and loves to play with them in the backyard.

This Nerf Fortnite SMG-E Motorized Dart Blaster is his newest one that has a 6 Dart Clip, and 6 Nerf Elite Darts. He loves to pile up plastic cups and see how many he can get down with his dart blaster. I actually find it so much fun as well, I like to enjoy in!

Not only does my daughter love pretend play, but she is also obsessed with baby dolls so this Baby Alive Happy Hungry Baby is a win win! She loves to be a mommy, and this baby really makes her feel like she is. The Baby Alive doll moves, talks, eats, drinks, and even pees and poops!

She comes with 2 powdered doll foods that you just add water to, and using her special spoon she opens her mouth to take the food, and even says when she is all done! She has a little sippy cup too, and when she is done eating, and drinking it will be time to change her diaper! That’s my daughter’s favourite part, lol! Some of the things she says is: “Mama”, “Love you Mama”, “mmm baby hungry”, “playtime”, “Baby so sleepy” “I’m tired “, “Is it nap time?” she giggles, and laughs too.

Perfection! This game is a family favourite in our house. We play it on the weekends all together a lot. The kids have so much fun! The object of the game is to try and get all 25 shapes into their matching holes before the timer is up, and then the tray pops up. Usually the kids like to play against each other to see who will get the shortest time.

This game is also great for learning their shapes, hand-eye coordination, and being able to focus. Definitely a great game for the whole family to enjoy!

Hasbro has so many more toys to keep your little ones busy during this time. For a list of all their brands of toys, check out their website, here

Disclaimer: Thanks so much to Hasbro for working with me on this post.

Products I am loving from SkinCeuticals

May 23, 2020

Back in December I was so excited when a SkinCeuticals package showed up at my door. I had heard such amazing things about the brand, I couldn’t wait to try everything!

After a good 5 months of using all the products, I have to say I have seen such a difference in my skin. Knowing that their products were pretty pricey, I think they are definitely worth the investment after seeing such great results.

With that said, and having tried all the products that were sent to me, I wanted to share with you some of my favourites!

I want to start off with this product, because it’s my favourite! C E Ferulic from SkinCeuticals is a vitamin C serum that I use every morning on my skin. I have noticed a huge difference in my overall skin tone from using this product. My skin looks brighter, smoother, and more firm than it ever has before.

After cleansing, I apply 4 drops to my palm, and massage it into my hands. Then I tap the product onto my skin, and blend it with an outward motion all over my face, and neck. Finally, I press my palms all over my face to set the product.

Trust me when I say this product is worth every penny!

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti-aging skin cream that has 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids that helps restore essential skin lipids.

I apply this in the morning, and night to my face, and neck. I have dry skin, and I found this cream very hydrating. It’s a nice thick moisturizer, but it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy at all. It absorbs so well into my skin, making it feel so much smoother, and softer.

Thanks to A. G. E. Eye Complex, I have seen a significant improvement in my crow’s feet. The wrinkles around my eyes have been the biggest problem area for me, and is what definitely bothers me the most. This anti-wrinkle cream has helped reduce the appearance of my crow’s feet a lot, and my eyes don’t look as puffy either.

I apply this eye cream every night before I apply the Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2. I massage some product onto my fingers, and dab a little of the product all around my eye area. Then I blend it outward. It goes on nice and smooth, and feels very hydrating.

I love, love, love, the H. A. Intensifier! I use it 2 times a day. In the mornings after I apply the C E Ferulic, and at night after I apply my retinal cream. I just add 4 drops to my hand, and dab it in little amounts onto my forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck. Then I rub the rest of the product into my hands, and blend it with an outward motion on my face.

It leaves my skin so hydrated, and plump.

This Retexturing Activator is great because it gently exfoliates the skin, while adding moisture back in. I like to use this at night, but it can be used both morning and night. I apply 4 drops to the palm of my hand, and add it to my face and neck.

It absorbs really quickly, and gives my skin such a healthy glow.

I have to admit, I am very new to Retinol. To be honest, I was always afraid to try it. I thought it was going to be to0 strong for me, because I have such sensitive skin. What I didn’t know is there are different strengths of Retinol. The key is to start off with a low percentage, and apply it just 1-2 days a week. If your skin is tolerating it, you can move up to every other day, or everyday, and later on increase the strength.

For me, I started off with the Retinol 0.3. I applied 4-5 drops at night after I cleaned my face. At first I only applied it 2 days a week, and now I am applying it every other day. When I increased to every other day, I did start to see my skin peel a bit, but I just added some extra moisturizer. I have noticed a big change in my forehead lines from the Retinol cream.

Once this one is done, I will move to the 0.5, and make sure to start off 2 days a week again.

There is so much I love about the Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen from SkinCeuticals. For one, I love that it’s tinted, so it acts great as a primer, or to wear with no makeup at all. It gives my skin such a nice glow, and evens out my skin tone. I also love that it’s so lightweight, and not greasy. I hate putting thick sunscreen on my face. This one is very thin, more like a liquid than a cream consistency, so a little goes a long way. It glides on so easily, and doesn’t block your pores, or cause breakouts.

I know all of these products are a splurge, but most of these bottles will last me between 8-10 months, so it does go a long way.

For more information on SkinCeuticals products visit their website here.

How to Create a COVID-19 Stay at Home Schedule

April 6, 2020

Well hello there! Boy a lot has changed since my last post. I hope you all are staying safe and healthy. Like many of you, my family and I are still trying to adjust to the new normal, which has been really difficult.

With online schooling starting Monday, (For us Canadian’s at least) I wanted to create a schedule for the kids and I to keep us in a routine. I think a daily routine is important for everyone. If you wanted to create a schedule for your family like I did, I put together some tips below that might help you.

Here are some tips when creating your Stay at Home Schedule:

MAKE IT COLOURFUL– Get your kids involved, and excited about the schedule. Have them help create it. Get them to colour different sections on the schedule, or if there is room, have them draw little pictures around it. If you printed it out on the computer, you can even add a piece of coloured construction paper to the back to make it more colourful.

ADD AT LEAST 2 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES – It’s important to get out and get some fresh air. When kids are in school they get out 3 times a day. That’s why I added an outdoor activity in the morning, and another one in the afternoon. For our morning activity, we go for a walk around the block, and in the afternoon they can have some free time to play in the backyard or driveway.

HAVE 30 MINS TO 1 HR TIME SLOTS– Don’t make each activity too long, or the kids will get bored or frustrated with what they are doing. Make it manageable or else they might loose interest in that activity if you make it too long. I found 30mins to 1 hr is a good time-frame that keeps them engaged and interested.

ADD FUN THINGS – After each academic time slot, follow it with something fun afterwards as a reward. They will be motivated to complete their work if they know afterwards they can have free time to draw, make a craft, have screen time, play a game or watch a movie.

ADD CHOICES– For each time slot, give them choices to pick what to do. It will make them feel like they have more control. For example, during the Academic Slot I added workbooks, worksheets, writing, spelling or reading. Just make sure they know they need to choose something different each day, so they are getting each topic in.

ADD SNACKS– For the first couple of weeks we were going through a ton of snacks! Every second they were asking for something to eat which was just getting out of control. Adding a snack time into your schedule will help control the amount of snacks they are getting each day.

DON’T BE TOO SERIOUS – Don’t stick to the schedule all 7 days in the week- kids need a break. Mimic the school year, and leave weekends for more family activities and down time.

Hope these tips help you create your daily schedule!

Flannel Sweatshirt

March 10, 2020

Sweater: Shein (I like this and this as well)// Leggings: Aritzia // Boots: Steps (old) Similar// Similar

Have you checked the long term forecast lately? I don’t know about you, but I am so happy with the weather the next couple of weeks. It’s going to be above zero which I think is very rare for March, but with the winter we had, I think we deserve it.

When the weather gets like this I like to loose my jacket, and wear a warm sweatshirt or cardigan. This flannel leopard sweatshirt has been my go-to, especially when I have to go to the hockey rink to watch my son’s games. It’s so warm and cozy. It has a zipper detail on the front with a Kangaroo pocket. It also comes in 2 other colours as well.

I can’t believe it’s Monday already, the weekend just flew by. I have been cleaning the house all day, and trying to get organized for the week which includes getting my taxes in order.

Hope everyone had a great week!

Pop of Colour

February 14, 2020

Bag: c/o Poppy & Peonies // Sweater: J Crew Factory (similar, similar) // Jeans: Nordstrom (love these, and these)// Booties: Call It Spring (similar, similar)

I have been loving the weather so far this week. It has been so mild that I got to shoot this look with no jacket! Unfortunately tomorrow that’s all going to change. The temperature is supposed to drop, and it’s going to get freezing cold, and I’m not looking forward to it one bit. Anyone else sick of winter, and ready for Spring?!

Today’s look is all about a pop of colour with this beautiful mustard bag. It’s vegan leather, and super lightweight. I am not sure what I love more about this bag- that it has 4 interior credit card slots, or that it has a front zipper pocket! I use them both so much! I also love that I can wear it crossbody, which is the way I like to wear it on the weekends when I’m busy running around with the kids. I love this bag so much I might pick up a second one in another colour!