Nuxe Creme Prodigieuse- the Miracle Cream!

I bought a travel set a while back to try some Nuxe products for the first time. I thought, what better time then to use them up when I need to stay away from harsh ingredients in my skincare- then when I'm pregnant?

Nuxe is a great line because they are natural and most ingredients are plant extracts.

This cream is meant for Normal to Combination skin types. (Although, they do sell one also meant for Dry skin!) I am combination oily in the summer time and combination dry in the winter. So this was the perfect cream for me! Not only is it natural, but it feels great- giving me the hydration my skin needs while using a Matte effect! My skin is left feeling soft, hydrated in all the right places and oil-free! These are all things I like to have in my daily moisturizer. Without having an SPF of any sort, you are able to use this cream both morning and night. However, I like to use my Korres Anti-Aging Serum at night. :P So, this has been my day moisturizer. Some other added bonus'? It protects against oxidative stress- the main cause for anti-aging!!! WHAT WHAT! Oh, and did I mention the smell is divine? With scents of: Everlasting Blue, Blue Agerate and Cocoa Extracts! YUM. It's no wonder that this Moisturizer is one of Nuxe's top selling products!

Although I am almost finished my travel size of this moisturizer, I have been using it for over 3 months now and have noticed my skin feeling softer. 3 months for a travel size moisturizer? You're kidding me, right? My thoughts exactly! You only need a tiny bit of this baby, and she will last a while! With this being said, I would definitely go out and purchase this cream again... even while not being pregnant! Trust me, you do NOT need to be pregnant to enjoy this cream! Like I said earlier, I don't want to use many harsh ingredients on my skin while being pregnant. I like to keep my skincare routine as simple and natural as possible.

I don't know if its the simplicity of my new skincare regime, having raging hormones or using mostly natural products... but my skin has never felt or looked better!

You can pick this cream up online on at: http://www.skin1.com/nuxe-brand.html or if you live in Canada, at most Shoppers Drug Mart's. It retails for $37.00 for a 1.3oz bottle. Which, if you ask me, is worth every penny!

Easy Peazy 4-Step Cherry Cheesecake

Another simple recipe I thought I would share for all of you needing a quick, last minute desert for unexpected guests. This really is one simple way to make cheesecake... and it is delish!!! :P Mmm 

Makes 8 servings

2 packages of Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla
2 Eggs
1 Pre-made Graham Cracker Crumb Crust (the easy way out!)
1 can Cherry Pie Filling

1. Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs and mix.

2. Pour into crust.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 mins or until centre is also set. Let cool, refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

4. After baked and cooled, top with 1 can of cherry pie filling.

And Voila! Bon Appetite! :)

Vera Wang's Be Jeweled

Introducing the newest and latest fragrance for Women by Vera Wang:

Be Jeweled! 

I'm sure by now most of you have seen Vera's newest fragrance hit the shelves in most of the stores in your area as it was launched in April 2013. Some of you may have even picked up this dazzling bottle!

When I first heard Vera Wang was coming out with a new fragrance I wasn't overly thrilled. That is, until I saw the beautiful, elegant and ever so girly packaging! The bottle itself represents a jewel, after all, every girl is a jewel! (Said by Vera herself.) The lid is a jewel, the bottle and they added pink, purple and black jewels around the top half of the bottle. What girl wouldn't love the packaging?

Now on to the scent... again, I have never really been overly pleased with Vera's fragrances. This one, however, may have made me re-think that! A sweet, fruity, flirtatious floral... huh?? Yes, Vera has made a fragrance that not only floral lovers will enjoy, but also those of you who love your sweeter ones! The top notes in this delicious fragrance are: Pomegranate, Red Currant, Champagne, Pink Honeysuckle and Peony. If those ingredients don't shout out "girly" I don't know what else will?... LOL There is also some Sandalwood in it, which tones down the sweetness and makes it not overly sweet. The staying power is also pretty good, however, I would have liked it to be a bit more noticeable after about 5 hours.

As for the age group of this ever so gorgeous fragrance? I would have to say anyone from teens to about early or mid 40's would enjoy it. Any older, it may be a bit too young smelling for them.

Overall, I am very pleased with Vera's latest and greatest fragrance! I would have to give it a 9/10 in my books. It lost a point for the lasting power. :(

And the price tag ain't so bad either! $45CND/30ML  and $68CND/50ML


Want some more idea's for Summer fragrances? Check out My favourite summer fragrances here!

Image Source

Apple and Granola Snack

This could quite possibly be the BEST darn some-what healthy snack I have ever put near my tasty taste buds. And these taste buds LOVE taste! haha

Apple & Granola with a little side of Cottage Cheese? When I first heard of this, I thought, that would have to be the oddest and weirdest combination of ingredients. I mean, apple and granola... ok those are totally normal together. But with cottage cheese? Who would have thought this would actually make you want to run back for 2nd's, 3rd's... maybe more?

If you are or were at all sceptical of trying cottage cheese for the first time because of that runny, thick and gooey texture just like me... you need to give it another go with this recipe!

This is such a simple, quick and healthy snack! Hey, who knows... maybe even the young ones will enjoy!

What you need:

- 1 apple- I use Gala because it's my fav!

- 1/3 cup Granola 

- 1/3 cup Cottage Cheese

1. Wash your apple. You don't want to eat all those germs... think of all the people that pick through fruits and veggies at the super market. YUCK. 

2. Cut your apple into cubes removing the seeds and cork. 

3. Pour apple, Granola and Cottage cheese into your bowl and mix.

Thats it! Simple huh? Told ya! 

Now go enjoy your yummy snack just like I am right now... NOM NOM NOM. 

DIY Chalkboard!

I know there are so many DIY chalkboard tutorials and "how to's" out there already. However, I couldn't resist sharing what I did to create my own and how EASY it was!

The reason I came up with this idea was to do a tally board for what my family members thought our little "peanut" is, BOY or GIRL. We thought it was a cute addition and fun way to find out what people thought before we did the big REVEAL. Afterwards, this chalkboard will become a play toy for our little one in years to come. :)

1.

What you will need: 

- A picture frame- I used some old artwork I had laying around, I still need to take the picture out underneath but the frame worked great! haha I would recommend using a plastic picture frame, as the paint seemed to scrape off the glass easier. 

- Paint tray (Or something to put paint in, like a recycled plastic container even!) 

- Chalkboard paint

- Paint brush

- Painters tape

2. 

First you will want to make sure your picture frame is clean, so take that water and vinegar along with your paper towel and give it a good wipe down. Make sure it is completely dry. Next, Tape off the edges of your picture frame using your painters tape. 

3. 

Start painting your frame in a downward motion. (Vertically) Using straight lines. Be sure not to make it too thick, or it will not dry properly. Continue painting entire surface until all covered. Let dry for 2-3 hours. 

4.  Next you will want to do another coat, this time horizontally. This will ensure all the spots are covered. You will end up with something like this:

5.  Let dry for 24 hours. You will start to end up with a matte finish and your picture frame will start to actually look like a chalkboard now! Something kinda like this: (Sorry for the blurry picture) You can now remove the painters tape along the frame. 

6. After the paint is all dry, you should be able to draw on it. But first, you need to "set" your paint by applying a thin layer of chalk to your entire frame. Do this by taking a piece of chalk on its side to evenly apply. Wipe off using a wet paper towel or cloth. NOW you can draw all the pretty pictures your heart desires! :)

BBQ Seasoned Baby Potatoes

Another one of my favourite BBQ sides would have to be these babies. We always make these when we go camping or just to add to any good ol' BBQ at home. They are so versatile and easy! You can add just about any spices and they will always taste good. This here is my most commonly used ingredients.

This recipe makes enough for 4 sides, approximately 6 potatoes each person. 

Ingredients:

- Half a bag of baby potatoes, washed and cut in halves (you can do red or white or a mix of both for fun!) 

- 1 tsp Minced Garlic

- 2 tbsp Olive oil

- 1/4 tsp Thyme 

- 1/4 tsp Rosemary

- 1/4 tsp Lemon Juice

- 2 dashes of Paprika

- 1/4 tsp Parsley
- Sea Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Place potatoes after being cut into a bbq safe pan. I use dollar store tin disposables.
2. Pour in Olive oil and Lemon juice, mix.
3. Add all Spices and mix.
4. BBQ on MEDIUM heat for approx. 20 mins, or until golden brown and soft on insides.

THATS IT! Told ya it was another easy side. ;)

Have you made these before? If so, do you do anything differently?

Easy Roma Tomato Salad

This salad is one of my favourites during the summer and bbq season! I love it because not only are tomatoes in season this time of year, but because it is such a refreshing and healthy side to any meal. I pair this salad up mostly with chicken but have done it with fish as well! Why else do I love it? Because it is super easy to make and so yummy!!!

What you will need:
- 3 Roma Tomatoes (you can use other tomatoes but Roma are the best because they aren't as gooey.)
- 1/4 tsp Oregano
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

Dice tomatoes and add spices. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar on top. Mix well. Refrigerate for an hour to let tomatoes pick up flavours. Serve while cold.


Makes enough for 3 or 4 sides. (Think a tomato per person!)