Autumn and Winter Lipsticks

     Autumn and winter are my favourite times to wear lipstick, as this is when all the red and dark berry tones come out. Whether you're going to a party or just feel like a little something to extra, all of these are available in Walmart or Shoppers Drugmart.

  

  So my very favourite is a Rimmel / Kate Moss lipstick in number 107. This is a dark red matte lipstick that lasts for quite awhile and doesn't feel like it's drying out my lips. Also it smells like watermelon, so that's definitely a plus. It is regularly $8.99.

   Next is the priciest lipstick for $32, Elizabeth Arden, Iced Grape, number 36. It's a really beautiful colour, and very moisturising. It also has a really amazing scent that I can't quite name, but I love.

      This next one is a matte Maybelline lipstick in the shade Siren in Scarlett, number 690. It is a beautiful bright red, which retails for $10.99. This is probably my favourite red, as it lasts quite awhile and is highly pigmented.

     My NYC Expert Last lipstick in shade Red Rapture, 432 was an impulse by at a Walmart because it was only $2! Considering it's price, it's super pigmented although it does tend to smudge, so I would suggest using a lip liner with this one.

     The only Gosh lipstick I own is number 008, and although the colour is absolutely gorgeous, it doesn't glide onto my lips the way the other lipsticks do. Not too sure if this is one is just a faulty lipstick or it's the formulation for all of them, but I don't wear it as much as I would like to because of this. $14.99

     Last but not least is the NYX Liquid Suede cream lipstick, number 11. It dries as a matte and is such a beautiful deep red, I'm in love. It dries quickly and lasts a super long time without flaking. This one is a bit drying though, so once you take it off I do recommend doing a lip treatment. $10.99

*all opinions are my own and I purchased all of these products myself.* 

Autumn Reading List

     I'm not too sure when this blog stopped being about health and wellness, but it's about to take on a new chapter. And by chapter, I mean a seasonal book club/reading list. Yes, I made a book pun. Sue me. Basically I'm just going to share books that I either love to read or will be reading that have a sort of Halloween/Thanksgiving/Fall in general vibe. So without further rambling, here it is :


     1. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

      I've wanted to read this for years, and never actually gotten around to it, so I've decided this is the year I finally will. I'm a big fan of Halloween in general, but classics like Frankenstein are my favourite so I am definitely excited to read the book.

     2. Pride And Prejudice - Jane Austen

     Now, this one doesn't really have anything to do with fall, but it is all about family and relationships which is why I think it's nice to read around Thanksgiving when you're potentially being forced to be around family that you may not particularly like. If there's one thing the Bennett's taught me, it's to be thankful for my mother.

     3. Carrie - Stephen King

     I mean, Stephen King has to be on this list, right? I grew up watching the movie Carrie (thanks for the nightmares, mom) and it's been on my reading list for quite awhile, so I think that it's finally the perfect time to read it.

    4. Phantom - Susan Kay

    This is another book whose film adaptation I grew up watching. It's actually one of my favourite movies, so if you like musicals and haven't watched it, you probably should. I only just found out that this was a book, so I am incredibly excited to read it.

    5. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson

    Another classic that I have been meaning to read foreverrrrr. This story has influenced so many different movies, TV specials, and books, so I am definitely thrilled to finally read the original.

     6. Balefire - Cate Tiernan

     Okay so this one is a series, but there's only four of them and they're not too long. It is definitely one of my favourite modern witch series. I'm not even sure how to describe it because it is quite complex, but I promise that they are great books especially around this time of year.

     7. The Harry Potter Series - J.K. Rowling

     I feel like if I left this off the list, I might get struck by lightening. I honestly put off reading the Harry Potter series for years, and now that I've finally finished, I wish I had it in my life way sooner. It's just the most magical and wonderful book series. Ever. If you haven't read it, stop living under a rock. If you have read it, read it again, because you know you want too.

 

     I really hope this list inspires you to curl up on a crisp night with a soft blanket, a cup of tea and a great book. That's definitely how I'll be spending my nights! Have any books you think I'd love? Leave it in the comments!

Camping 101

  Summer is coming to a close, and with it goes our wonderful warm weather. So as a farewell to my favourite season, every year I go camping with some friends and family. It's probably one of my favourite things to do and I always come back with great memories and an even better tan. So this week I'll be showing you my necessities for an amazing weekend in the great outdoors.




Your tent is where it all starts. No one wants to wake up wet and cold in the middle of the night. You also need to decide how many people you're going to have in your tent. My family currently has 4 different tents. We started of with one eight-man tent and every year we get a new one because no one can handle my dad's snoring. Not too sure why we didn't just get one for him in the first place, but we like being difficult I guess. Either way, here are two options for a two person tent and an eight person tent.

Next up is my favourite thing about camping with my family, the amazing food. When we go camping there could be 10 people or there could be 30. So usually one night (usually the Saturday), we have a huge potluck dinner for everyone. Hot dogs, hamburgers, 7 layer dip (my fave!), pulled pork, potato salad and so much more gets set up on an array of picnic tables and it's basically the most wonderful thing in existence. Here is a fantastic recipe for campfire pizza, and another for potatoes.

When we go camping there's always a whole lot of kids who like to be attached to the hip with their favourite relative, so over the years I've found some great ways to keep kids busy while the adults relax. If you're planning on having a campfire (how could you not?!) send kids off to find sticks for roasting marshmallows! Just make sure that they don't go too far off, and you can always see them. Another good way is to set up a scavenger hunt for them to find things like rocks, leaves and pinecones. If you're an adult who either likes to hang out with the kids, or gets voluntold to watch them, you could always play some tag, catch or take them swimming.

Camping is such a great way to hang out with your family and friends, while also getting some much needed fresh air. If you haven't gone camping at least once this summer do it now before the nights start getting too cold.