Impressionistic Nails - Inspired by Claude Monet

I am a huge fan of Monet's work - the most influential impressionist painter of all time. After spending hours upon hours just awing over his masterpieces, I was inspired to create an impressionistic form of nail art. What I've come up with could never be compared to the nuance of Monet's brilliant work and hence this is more of an inspired tutorial. In all honesty, I'm quite horrible at applying nail polish so I tried to make this process as simple as possible. I guarantee that anyone, no matter your skill level, will be able to re-create this nail look with ease.


STEP 1:
Start off with a dark colour as a base.

I used Revlon's Midnight Affair (791)

Revlon - Midnight Affair (791)

STEP 2:
Choose a variety of bright colours that you will then stipple onto the dark base with a sponge.

These are the 3 colours that I used (all by Sally Hansen) - Pacific Blue (420), Mint Sorbet (340) & Coral Reef (405).

SALLY HANSEN Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear - Pacific Blue

SALLY HANSEN Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear - Mint Sorbet

SALLY HANSEN Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear - Coral Reef

Here, I applied some nail polish onto the sponge and began stippling the colour onto the nail. Do the same for all of the colours you have selected, layering one upon the other, until you get your desired look. 

After stippling on all 3 colours, layer after layer, I came up with this final look. Again, not even close to the brilliance of Monet's paintings however, I think the inspiration can most certainly be seen.

I think there is something very fun and whimsical about this nail look. The pastels colours make this ideal for spring/summer however the darker base really grounds the whole look. 

I just want to give a quick shout-out to my elementary school art teacher Mrs. Brady! She exposed her students to so many different artists from Monet to Picasso to Dali. It was from her class that I able to experience all of these different forms of art. I don't think it's required for educators to teach their students the history of art at such a young age, however she made it a priority. I remember she even had a special session where she invited an individual who drew the scenes for one of the Star Wars movie to come in and talk to the students. I didn't appreciate it much at the time (because I was so young) but I now realize that opportunities like this don't come everyday. She went above and beyond to give her students the best education possible and I'm glad that I have this knowledge of art that many students tend to lack (unless they've chosen to pursue some form of visual art).

Are you a fan of Monet? Would you ever sport this Monet inspired look on your nails? Let me know in the comments below!

Read More

"Healthier" 5 Layer Nacho Dip

We all know the classic 5-layer dip and we all know how unbelievably unhealthy it can become if we use ingredients such as high-fat sour cream and tons of cheese. These ingredients are what make a nacho dip an absolute home run for me but I thought I would try to make a healthier version of this much loved party-favourite. Here’s what you’ll need:


INGREDIENTS:

Diced tomatoes

Shredded iceberg lettuce

Diced green peppers

Fat-free yogurt

Shredded low-fat cheese (which ever cheese you prefer)

Salsa (this is optional - I'm going to skip since store-bought salsa has a very high sodium content)

Taco Mix

PREPARATION:

1. Mix yogurt and taco mix to create 1st layer of your dip.

2. Place one layer of lettuce on top of the yogurt mix, followed by 1 layer of tomatoes followed by 1 layer of green peppers and finish off with 1 layer of shredded cheese (Note: in the pictures, I opted to put the cheese directly on my nachos with additional lettuce and tomatoes which I then heated in the oven)

5 Layer Dip - yogurt, lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers & cheese (I decided to place the cheese directly onto the nachos instead of placing it as a layer on the dip)

Voila, you are all done. One healthy nacho/chip dip ready in seconds! As you can see in the pictures, I opted to place the cheese directly onto the nachos which I then placed in the oven on broil for about 5 minutes. I also added some additional lettuce and tomatoes onto the nachos. Besides the chips, this is a pretty healthy dip. If you wanted to be uber healthy, I would skip the chips and use this as more of a vegetable dip!

These are the nachos I made to go along with the dip - cheese, tomatoes & lots of lettuce!

Read More

Home-made Fruit Flavoured Water (Newest Obsession!)

Recently, I've been trying to drink ONLY water. To be perfectly honest, I've gained a little bit of weight over the winter months and I thought that one of the best and healthier ways to lose that weight would be to cut out the fizzy sodas and juices and just drink plain ol' water. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. For those of you that have tried this in the past, you know what I mean. Water just tastes so blah in comparison to orange juice or coke (two of my past go-to drinks). I know that there are a lot of flavour packs for water on the market like crystal light and what not but I've been trying to go all natural. In attempt to making my water taste more flavourful, I have begun adding fruit to it and letting it refrigerate over night. The end result is a naturally sweetened and extremely refreshing flavoured drink. For those of you interested in making your own, here is what you'll need:

Ingredients:
1.   1 Pitcher of Water
2.  Fruit (which ever you prefer)
3.   1 Lemon or 1 Lime (which ever you prefer)

Preparation:

1.   Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon/lime into a glass pitcher

2.   Slice your fruit and add to lemon/lime juice (more fruit = more flavour)

3.   Add water to pitcher until full to top

4.   Leave in refrigerator over night

Voila, you are all done! In the morning, you should have some tangy yet sweet flavoured water. This recipe is so simple! The more fruit you add, the more flavourful your water will become! Keep in mind that you want to choose fruits with a higher sugar content so that they will actually sweeten your water! You could also add some mint leaves or other herbs if you want to be really fancy.

PS - When I don't have the time to actually cut up the fruit (or I'm just too lazy), I use frozen fruit which does the same trick (actually if you heat up the fruit in the microwave, the sugars are released which you can add to the water to instantly sweeten it up! You'd just need to give it an hour or two to chill).

What do you think of this simple DIY flavoured water?

Read More

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Small Makeup & Skincare Haul - August 2nd, 2013

I picked up a few random makeup and skincare products over the past week and I thought I'd share my first initial impressions of these products. I thought it would be more beneficial to share a small blurb on how these products perform (in the short-term obv) along-side my haul. Please keep in mind that these are first impressions and therefore, my opinions may change in the future. It's difficult to review certain products (esp. skincare) in terms of long-term benefits after a single-use. If I find it imperative, I will provide a more detailed review of certain products in future posts. If you would like me to provide a full review on any of the products mentioned below, please leave your requests in the comments below or the requests page. 

1) Nicole by O.P.I (Kardashian Kollection) – Smile for the Glam-era: A dark aubergine colour with fuchsia micro-shimmer. This is a beautiful fall colour that could easily be mistaken for black however under light, you can truly see the subtle shimmer and purple base. Nicole by O.P.I has to be my favourite nail polish brand – it has yet to disappoint me. This polish applies like a dream; opaque finish after 2 coats, dries relatively fast and no chips for about 3 days. It’s also one of those foolproof colours that a nail polish newbie such as myself could apply with ease. The only words of caution I would provide are to use a base coat. A lot of these darker colours stain your nails horribly. This colour is part of a previous collection so I was able to buy it on clearance for only $3 @ (get ready for it….) DOLLARAMA! I didn’t even know they sold Nicole by O.P.I but they had quite a few colours (most of them being the crackle/texture polishes which I’m not a fan of). I don’t go to the Dollarama too often but I think I might make a trip once a month to see if any discontinued colours are in. For the record, I have purchased colours from Nicole by O.P.I at full price from SDM and I think they’re worth every single penny! 

Pictures taken after 3 days of wear

2) Pai Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream: This is an ultra light yet hydrating cream. Although this is marketed as a body cream, I've been using it on my face since it's been quite dehydrated and sensitive these past few days. I need a pea sized amount to cover my whole face and neck and it sinks in super fast. This cream works great under makeup as well which is always a plus. The only cons would be the ridiculously high price tag, the odd smell, no SPF and poor accessibility to the product itself (I've only been able to find it online). Although I am enjoying this product, I would not repurchase due to the price. 

3) Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Quad – Moonlit: This quartette by the Revlon Colorstay line provides a white colour, a cream, a lighter taupe and a dark olive green – all shimmery. I find that I get a lot more use out of my smaller eyeshadow palettes rather than the larger bulkier ones. Being a neutrals girl, I picked up this product with high hopes. The colours are right up my alley so I thought I would get my money’s worth. Unfortunately, the colour pay-off of these shadows are quite poor. The white colour is more of just shimmer; the cream is better than the white in terms of pigmentation however it still leaves a lot to be desired. The taupe and the olive are by far the better of the 4 shades. Also, be aware that there is quite a bit of shimmer fall-down. I also find that these colours definitely do not stay on the lids too long – so much for Colorstay. If you already have a hard time having shadows stay on your lids, I would recommend skipping over this product. Overall, I would not repurchase this product, as I don’t enjoy ½ of the colours provided.

Please note that these eyeshadows were heavily swatched.

If you own any of the products mentioned above or you plan on picking some of them up, let me know in the comment below!

Read More

Current Fashion Wishlist - July 31st, 2013 (Coach Factory Outlet SALE up to 75% off)

I'm not one to post the same category of posts consecutively however, I thought I'd better alert my readers ASAP of the Coach Factory Outlet sale! Coach Factory is offering up to 75% off site wide. Although Coach Factory online has made these sales a regular thing, I find that it's usually exclusive to the clearance or just their handbags - not on everything. The sale started on Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 and it will end on Friday, August 2nd, 2013. Here is my Current COACH FACTORY Fashion Wishlist:

Click on image to enlarge

1) GEMMA wedge sandal in Gin for $149.00 - I thought this was a super cute summer sandal and I adore the combination of navy blue and red. The colour combination reminds me of something Tommy Hilfiger would have in his spring/summer collection.

2) Embossed Liquid Gloss Lanyard ID Case in Silver/Moonlight Blue for $16.00 - I am a huge fan of lanyards. Being a university student, I carry a pretty hefty bag pack and therefore, I don't want to carry a purse on top of that. Instead, I throw all of my most important cards as well as my keys onto my lanyard and I'm good to go!

3) Heritage Web Leather Map Bag in Silver/Saddle for $174.00 - I know this is marketed as a man's bag however, I absolutely love it! It's a timeless piece in my opinion and it has that old look to it which always draws me in. I feel that a bag like this will only get better with age. Just for the record, I would use this as a book bag not my regular purse - it seems a bit too bulky for that.

PS - If you are Canadian, make sure you tack on an extra $20 (approx.) on top of everything else (item price + applicable taxes) for duty & customs. I know this sucks but in all honesty, even with the $20, it ends up being cheaper than if we were to buy it in Canada (most of the time). 

Are you planning on shopping the Coach Factory Outlet sale? If so, what are you planning on buying? Let me know in the comments below!

Read More

Current Fashion Wishlist - July 30th, 2013

I've decided to start a new thread of blog posts named Current Fashion Wishlist. In these posts, I will share with you my current wants in terms of clothing, footwear and accessories. If I end up purchasing any of these items in the near future, I'll make sure to showcase it in a fashion haul or some sorts. Here are some current fashion pieces that I am absolutely lusting over:

Click on the image to enlarge

1) Danier Dark Teal Textured Jacket (Style # 104060033) on sale for $99.99

2) Danier Black Leather Jacket (Style # 103020118) on sale for $129.99 

3) Fossil 'Georgia' Crystal Index Leather Strap Watch for $68.64 

4) Naturalizer Norton Wedge Sandals for $29.99 

5) Stella & Dot Kahlo Bib Necklace for $228 (also comes in blue/magenta/mint)

As you probably noticed, most of these pieces are fall ready. I don't know why but I'm just an absolutely sucker for fall attire. Although I love the spring/summer weather, nothing can beat fall fashion - in my eyes at least!

Have any of my fashion finds made it onto your wishlist? What are you currently lusting over? Make sure to share in the comments below!

Read More

Saturday Night BBQ ft. Licks Nature Burgers - July 27th, 2013

Tonight, we headed over my uncle's place for a late night BBQ. As I've mentioned in a previous food blog, my family adores their meat however, the Lick's Nature Burger is the one veggie burger that they all seem to LOVE - as much as their actual meat burgers! The Lick's Nature Burgers come in the following packaging:

Click here to see if your local retailer sells these amazing burgers (can also be purchased at Licks stores)!

Here is a photo of our food on the BBQ. Here we have 2 Nature Burgers and some golden delicious apples which we'll be eating for dessert! Throwing the apples on the BBQ really brings out the sweetness. This is a healthy yet delicious dessert that's bound to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Finally, here are some photos of the final product:

This my burger and I decided to top it with everything: ketchup, mustard, relish, pickles, tomatoes and onions! I figure if I'm going to treat myself to a burger, I want it to be a darn good burger! 

Here is the finished BBQ apple. Typically, my uncle would throw a dollop of ice-cream in the middle and then finish off with some whip cream however since I'm on this health kick, I opted for the plain ol' apple. Still super sweet and super delicious! 

Have you tried the Licks burgers before? Which one is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

Read More

Lemon Butter Bread (ONLY 5 Ingredients?!?)

I was initially going to post a recipe for my homemade garlic butter bread however, after experimenting with several different butters, I realized that I enjoyed my lemon butter bread the most. I wasn't going to dedicate a whole blog post to this because it is SO simple to make however, this deliciousness just had to be shared. Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:
1) 1 Lemon
2) 1 tbsp. Butter
3) Salt
4) Pepper
5) French Crusty Bread

Preparation:
1) Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a bowl
2) Add 1 tbsp. butter, salt & pepper to bowl
3) Heat mixture in microwave for 40 seconds or until melted
4) Cut French crusty bread into slices 
and using pastry brush, apply butter glaze onto bread
5) Place glazed bread into oven at 350 degrees until golden brown (2-5 min)

Voila, you are all done! You should now have some delicious lemon butter bread; ready to devour. The bread literally acts like a sponge; soaking in all of that lemony goodness! Here's a quick tip: when I'm pressed for time, I skip the whole oven business and pop the glazed bread into a toaster!

Try out this super quick and easy lemon butter bread and let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments below!

Read More

Niagara Falls & Niagara On The Lake - July 20th, 2013

No plans had been made for this weekend. I thought it was going to be one of those days where I just sulked around the house; watch TV, check my e-mail, eat and then sleep (I just wanted to get through the day without dying of utter boredom). My sister, bless her soul, decided we head up to Niagara On The Lake and then Niagara Falls. We had made plans to go several weeks ago but unfortunately things just did not work out. I was extremely upset at the time and to make it up to me, she suggested we go today (even though she has absolutely no interest in exploring the quaint little shops that the area has to offer). Below are some images of our exertion:

Shaw Cafe & Wine Bar has to be the most beautiful eatery on the street!

We had some mango ice-cream here and it was absolutely delicious! There are several ice-cream/gelato places on the street so you'll absolutely find something you love!

Here's the inside of Taylor's.

Ten Thousand Villages is a store you MUST visit if you go to Niagara On The Lake. They have different items from all over the world; home decor, jewellery and more. 

Inside Ten Thousand Villages.

I picked up this handmade elephant piggybank from Ten Thousand Villages.

After we finished walking Niagara On The Lake we headed towards Niagara Falls. On the way however we stopped by the following locations:

We decided to pick up some peaches from Parkway Orchard Country Market. They offered fresh peaches, cherries and plums! We didn't have time to actually pick our own so we opted to just pick up a basket at the front check-out. They also have a souvenir shop attached and a small selection of ice-cream.

Here's an image of the inside of Parkway Orchard Country Market. 

Here is what we bought from Parkway Orchard Country Market - fresh plums!

Next, we stopped by McFarland House - isn't it beautiful?

The Whirlpool - they have a small aero car that can take you across for about $13.50.

Finally, we arrived at Niagara Falls! It was an absolutely beautiful evening. The area was crowded with people. The Falls are just an excellent location for picnics and outdoor activities. My mother told me that when I was younger, we would always head to The Falls for picnics on the weekends. 

Here is a photo I took of The Falls. Having been here a million and one times, we took a few pictures and left towards the shops!

There are many touristy shops and activities right near the falls. Here's a photo of the SkyWheel - one of the more popular attractions on the street! I wanted to take some photos in front of the wax figurines at the Wax Museum however, there were way too people crowding the area (it was hard just getting past). They had an amazing sculpture of The Joker (R.I.P Heath Ledger) and if I ever go back again, I will definitely get a picture with it!

After we finished checking out the shops, we headed to the Fallsview Casino (unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries so I was unable to take any photos). We decided to eat at Shoeless Joe's, located in the far corner of the building just besides Sirens. I wasn't going to mention this restaurant because, in all honesty, the experience was HORRIBLE, but I thought I'd better advise any readers to NOT go there if you're going to The Falls. Although our server was excellent, the food was absolutely disgusting. My sister ordered a chicken quesadilla and she said that the ones at Taco Bell were infinitely better (I think that speaks volumes about the taste and quality of their food). The margarita pizza I ordered was pretty much a plain cheese pizza; there were little to no toppings per slice. Also, it took them literally an hour to bring out the food. Dessert took them 30 minutes and it was pretty much a boxed cake with ice-cream and whip cream (seriously - how long does it take to open up a box and cut a slice of cake?)! I'm going to stop rambling about this horrid experience now because just thinking about the food makes my stomach churn. 

If you decide to actually eat inside the Casino (click the hyperlink to view all dining options) complex (as opposed to eating at one of the restaurants on the street) then I would recommend the The Grand Buffet in the actual playing area (their food isn't superb but they have a LOT of variety and tons of great desserts - being a vegetarian, I find their selection lacking however I run into that problem where ever I go). If you're actually eating in the Casino playing area, you need to be 19+ so make sure you don't have any kids with you. I also noticed a new Chinese buffet called Golden Lotus (not located in the playing area so feel free to bring your kids) that was crowded with people (must be good) and they had an excellent selection of food. Unfortunately, they had a grand total of 2 vegetarian options so we didn't go there. Both buffets cost around $20 for dinner (make sure you have a PAC [Player's Advantage Card] otherwise the cost goes up $2 - you can make it for free inside the Casino at the service desk). If you want to skip the whole restaurant experience and just eat some fast food then head over to the food court on their lower level. Last time we went, we ate burgers & fries at Johnny Rocket's and they were absolutely delicious. I wanted to eat there again this time around however due to differing opinions, we opted for Shoeless Joe's (money down the drain). 

Have you ever been to Niagara On The Lake or Niagara Falls? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments below! If you know of any good places to eat, please do share!

Read More

"HUGE Makeup Mark Downs @ RCSS" Haul - ACT QUICK!

I'm posting this ASAP so you guys get these amazing deals as well. I randomly went into The Real Canadian Superstore (RCSS) and they had a TON of makeup that was significantly marked down. This is what I picked up:

Click on the picture to enlarge.

L'oreal Voluminous Power Volume, Black Brown, 0.33 fl oz ($2.74 @ RCSS)

Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Washable Mascara, Very Black, 0.22 fl oz ($2.44 @ RCSS)

Maybelline Master Drama Cream Pencil Liners, Moonlight & Vibrant Violet, 0.01 Ounce ($2.44 @ RCSS)

They also had a LOT of other products marked down such as the Maybelline Fit Me foundations and setting powder (select colours) for only $2.44. The L'oreal One-Swipe eyeshadows were marked down to $2.73. Covergirl also had some mark-downs although not as significant.

If you're in the market for some new drugstore makeup, I would suggest hitting up RCSS!

PS - If you're in Canada, here is a link to some Maybelline coupons that will score you some even better deals at RCSS: http://www.maybelline.ca/Special-Offers.aspx

Happy shopping,

MaquillaGINA

Read More

Marilyn Monroe Cafe - July 18th, 2013

Today one of my good friends and I decided to head over to the Marilyn Monroe Cafe. To be honest, I was planning on meeting up at the typical coffee spot (i.e. Williams or Starbucks) however, she suggested we check it out and I thought why not. Let me just say that I am so glad that we decided to go because this place is absolutely adorable! Don't believe me? Well, I took some pictures to prove just how exquisite this cafe really is (because I knew that words simply would not do it any justice):

Outside Marilyn Monroe Cafe - there is a cute wrap around patio!

The front counter and display at Marilyn Monroe Cafe - so many cute desserts!

The seating situation on the main level of Marilyn Monroe Cafe. The have some really comfortable booths with cushions and pillows as well as some stand-alone tables. I appreciated the fact that they had electrical outlets so you could bring your laptop to the cafe and get some work done! 

Stairs leading to the upper level of the cafe (pictures below).

Upper level of Marilyn Monroe Cafe - nice, large sofa, individual tables and a great view of the counter from above.

I ordered a double chocolate cupcake and an iced white tea sweet pomegranate (they freshly brew your tea as soon as you order!)

Since this cafe seemed so posh, I was under the impression that prices were going to be ridiculously high however they were very reasonable and a whole lot cheaper than the cult-favourite Starbucks. Marilyn Monroe Cafe also seemed to provide a LOT more variety in both beverages and food! Below are some images from their menu:

Overall, I am extremely impressed by this little establishment. Not only were the drinks and food great, but the staff was so kind and friendly. If it were closer to where I lived, it would definitely become my new go-to coffee spot!

Location:

350 Lakeshore Road East

Oakville, Ontario, Canada

L6J 1J6

Phone Number:

(905) 844-5800

Hours of Operation:

Sunday 7 am-10 pm

Monday 6 am-10 pm

Tuesday 6 am-10 pm

Wednesday 6 am-10 pm

Thursday 6 am-10 pm

Friday 6 am-11 pm

Saturday 7 am-11 pm

What do you think of Marilyn Monroe Cafe? Let me know in the comments below!

Read More

Healthy Sunday Family Dinner - July 14th, 2013

This was an impromptu dinner. I wasn't expecting anyone to come over on Sunday night but seeing as no one had any plans, we all decided to get together at my place! Given I only had about an hour and 1/2 before everyone arrived, I had to whip up something super fast. As many of you may not know, I am a vegetarian and therefore everything I make is vegetarian. If you're coming to my place and I'm cooking, you probably won't be getting any meat option (unless I decide to buy a take-out meat dish which I HATE doing because I figure that if someone is coming over to my place, I really ought to spend some time and effort into making a nice nutritious meal). 

Since this was a last minute get-together and it was quite late into the evening (around 7-8 PM), I opted to make some healthier and lighter dishes (plus I'm on this health-kick right now and I want everyone to get in on it). So this is what I made:

Oven-roasted sweet potatoes, garden salad, garlic bread and peppers & paneer

Since most of my family is NOT vegetarian, I was expecting a few moans and groans about the 100% vegetarian dinner however, it was a HUGE success. My uncle even went as far to say that this had been the best vegetarian meal he has ever had and that even though it was super healthy and light, he still found it filling. He also mentioned that if he ate like this every day, he wouldn't need to exercise anymore (I do not recommend this but you get what he meant). 

Had this dinner been earlier in the evening, I would have also created some sort of pasta option but since we were all going to head off to bed soon after, it didn't make sense to eat a load of unnecessary carbs. 

With everything said and done, I feel pretty content with my performance for the night. After all, if these dishes were able impress a group of diehard meat-eaters, who wouldn't feel great :)

MaquillaGINA

Read More

Shopper's Drug Mart Lipstick Haul

Hello Everyone!

I just recently paid a visit to SDM and I've been meaning to post a mini-haul on my lipstick purchases. SDM was having a huge sale on their Revlon lipsticks; they were selling them for only $3.99! I picked up 3 lipsticks from
their Superlustrous line:

I went back about a week later and the SDM had a lot of the Elizabeth Arden products on clearance. The facial masks and certain creams were marked down from around $50-$75 to only $16. Of course, they were all sold out! I managed to pick up 2 lipsticks however for only $6.50 each (reg. price $24.50):

The Wine Cream (07) is a part of the Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Effects line whereas Breathless (17) is part of the Exceptional line.

Don't you just love it when you score some awesome deals on makeup!?! We all know I don't need any more lipsticks but it's hard for me to pass up such amazing prices. 

Have a great day and happy shopping,
MaquillaGINA

Read More