LIFESTYLE | Five on Friday

It's Friday and what feels like the end of a very long week! I have a day off today and had a very long day yesterday as I worked and then had to attend a work event until late. I had hoped to continue my blog posting streak, but alas this week was just a bit too much for me. As tired as I am from last night, it feels like this week will be ending on a good note so I can't complain! Just gotta survive one more day of work tomorrow and I can relax again on Sunday!

 
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A colleague of mine brought me candy LEGO bricks that are actually buildable! I won't lie - I munched on these candy bricks all day! They remind me of PEZ candy (are those still a thing?)!

SKINCARE | FirstBase Fresh Start Organic Essence #CanadianJuly

This one I technically bought, but I was originally sent a press sample!

This review is long overdue! So overdue that I had to BUY a second bottle to take photos of because I FINISHED the press sample that was originally sent to me! I became a massive fan of Calgary-based FirstBase Skincare after trying their first product - the Double Dose Vitamin C Serum (my review) of which I have already gone through two full sized bottles which says a lot for someone like me! Their vitamin C serum was their first and only product for awhile until their second product release in 2023 - the Fresh Start Organic Essence which *spoiler* also turned out to be another winner!    

SHEET MASK | Catkin Summer Palace

 

Gifted by a friend

Happy Sunday! As I type this, I am sipping my coffee and watching a replay of Stage 9 of the Tour de France and happy as a clam! That is what Sundays should be all about - coffee, cats, husband and TDF! Today's mask is from Chinese brand Catkin, who I got to know through Instagram for their pretty packaging paying tribute to traditional Chinese art.

LIFESTYLE | Five on Friday (Poke, Chocolate, Pompon, Walks and Pixyls)

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I keep thinking about this tuna and mango poke bowl I had at Cactus Club during my birthday week and just how refreshing it was! It was also plated beautifully which helped!

SKINCARE | Skoah Hydradew Mask #CanadianJuly

Purchased by me

Founded here in Vancouver, BC I have not posted about Skoah since 2014 and it's mainly because I worked there and had a bit of a negative experience at head office where I worked, but now that I have had 10+ years of hindsight and life experience, it's mostly in the past and I feel comfortable sharing about this brand again. It also just goes to show how good the Hydradew Mask is that I have felt the need to come out of "hibernation" to let you all know just how good this mask is!  

SKINCARE | BKIND Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm #CanadianJuly

Press sample

I have been raving about Quebec-based brand BKIND and their nail polishes for the last few weeks of CBBxManiMondays and now we are moving into their skincare! I know that single product reviews are sooo 10 years ago, but you know what? I find that doing a mixture of both round-ups and single product posts keeps me more organized and helps me remember better what I have talked about with all of you here! Sometimes certain products deserve a conversation of their own and since we are featuring Canadian brands this month, BKIND is gettin' their own post!

NAILS | Neon Polka Dots #CBBxManiMonday

Some press samples

Look at that! I am on time! I was watching a replay of Stage 2 of the Tour de France all Sunday afternoon as we finally decided to subscribe to Flobikes which is the only way you can see TDF in Canada, but at $50 for the month, it has been worth it so far! We watched most of the 4 hour ride which ended around 7pm and then my husband started making dinner. I was about to do TDF-themed nails like I did back in 2023, but as it was already late by the time I cleaned up, I decided to stick to something bright for today as this month's CBBxManiMonday theme is "Brights"!

SHEET MASK | My Scheming Hyaluronan Moisturizing Mask

 

Press sample

Happy Sheet Mask Sunday everyone! I feel like I have not been great about consistency with my Sunday posts, but now that I have had a little vacation and rest, I feel like I have more energy. Granted, I have only been back at work for one day so we shall see how I feel next Sunday when the fatigue has gotten to me!

LIFESTYLE | Five on Friday (Birthday Festivities)

This last week definitely deserves a solid blog entry as I had taken it off to celebrate my birthday so there were lots of things and events to note!

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HAIR | AG Care Vita C Collection (Smells Like Vanilla & Oranges!) #CanadianJuly

Press samples

For the first time in awhile, this is a haircare review where I have found the products made a noticeable difference to my hair and scalp! I was about to review the AG Care Vita C Collection anyway, but now that this month is all about Canadian brands, it kind of works out that this awesome brand was founded right here in North Vancouver, BC by husband and wife team, John and Lotte Davis, with all products being made in Canada! Their daughter Mackenzie Davis is also a great actress! I first noticed her as the cool new Terminator and then I really liked her in the movie The Happiest Season! She probably always has the healthiest hair ever! 

SKINCARE | Sunscreen Roundup 2025 (The Good, Bad and the Just OK)

Press samples marked with *. Affiliate links.

Despite my slowdown in blog posts over the last few years, the one thing I love doing every summer is a rundown of new sunscreens I am using. Yes, I am still using some favourites featured over the years like the Biore UV, Tocobo and La Roche Posay Invisible Touch, but this year I've got a whole new set of new-to-me UV blockers to share with you!

LIFESTYLE | I Turn 42 Today!

 

I made it! I have been having THE BEST week celebrating my birthday with friends and doing activities with Dior that have totally brightened up my whole summer! Unfortunately, today I am not feeling so hot due to a stomach bug that may or may not be caused by anxiety. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling super sick and then ended up throwing up which I HATE. I don't know who else out there has emetophobia aka "the fear of vomiting", but I will do my best to avoid it all costs even if it means suffering with nausea for hours and hours. So, that happened this morning and all day I feel like I have been mentally on edge with monitoring how my body has been feeling. I am annoyed at my body and my mind for doing what it is doing, so I am anxious to wake up tomorrow feeling like a brand new person!