December 2023 Roundup

By Jill Oliver-Fox Monday, January 22, 2024 2023, holiday, monthly recap, personal, winter 2023

December 2023 came and went, it was another fast but incredibly emotional one for me.

Rich and Me on Xmas Day

As I mentioned in the last few roundups, I would be leaving my job of 26 years that I had since grade 12, at the end of the holiday season. Well, that happened in December. It was a lot. A lot of emotions and feels to say the least. I said goodbye to so many wonderful people and pets. Clients I had known since I was 17, those that I have known less time, people I consider my friends, and of course their adorable and sweet pets.

Bradley's last day of work. He's retired now.

I got some sweet going aways presents mixed in with Christmas presents. I realized over the years I get a lot of gifts and sweets from both co-workers, people at the vet clinic my work is inside (not technically co-workers, but I consider them that) and clients. I also realize this is the last year I am going to get soooo many gifts to open on Christmas day. It was all very bitter sweet. I am keeping all the cards I got (which I usually do anyways).

Rich and me on my last day of work

Outside of all of that, The hubs and I went for a few meals. I have started to take photos of him while he looks at the menu (and more recently when the food comes), it is a little joke. Hopefully I will make collages in the future for posts of the menu and the food.

We went out for my Brother's birthday at La Palette. It is a lovely French restaurant on Queen West in Toronto, that I recommend checking out.

Rich and I also went to Jack Astor's to get some wings on my last day of work. We were tired but he wanted to take my mind of things (and probably stop me from crying, wings will do that).

what I ate at Rosemary & Thyme

The next morning we went to a brunch spot near us called Rosemary & Thyme. It is in a little strip mall and is always packed. Always. Last time I got the cinnamon roll pancakes, but this time I wanted something more savoury and got their 3 egss meal (it had bacon, sausage, potatoes, toast). It was tasty and a nice way to once again, keep my mind off things.

Christmas table at my aunt's

We did Christmas at my aunts on Christmas day. This is always fantastic. We got there early so Rich could use his pro culinary skills and do a lot of the cooking.

We did boxing day at Rich's Sister's home. We got to see nieces and nephews. It was a nice visit.

Finally we did my family's Fam Jam Christmas on the 30th. This is really sibling's xmas. All of us get together and I get to see my cute nieces and nephew run around and have a blast. I made foccatia to bring.

stew

Finally New Year's Eve we went for lunch at Il Fortinos. I had a great stew (which was extra good because it was cold out) and then rang in the new year at home. we watched a movie and some yummy food. I picked up at a seafood store some salmon and escargot to eat. We also got a bottle of champagne to ring in the new year with.

My mother came back from the US for the holidays, she brought me some Trader Joe's goodies, as well as an Ulta order I did. Wet n Wild had an Ulta exclusive holiday collection that featured foxes. I got quite a bit of it. We also went to the Lisa Cosmetics Warehouse sale. I didn't get much but I did get a bottle of 4711.

In other not interesting things that happened, our upstairs toilet broke, which wasn't fun. Tiles came up too. So we have to divulge a plan to tackle replacing the tiles before putting the toilet back in. We learned vinyl tile doesn't really exist anymore and we can get peel and stick. We don't really want that, it needs to be a bit more durable. So, we are contemplating what to do next. We did pick up a new toilet though.

my toilet flange

So that was the end of the year for me. I am looking forward to a new exciting year filled with new adventures and totally different carrier path for me. Online school should be exciting.

Bradley reluctant to go on a walk in the cold

Wishing you all the best for the new year!

Mary Kay New For Winter 2020

By Jill Oliver-Fox Wednesday, December 23, 2020 hand sanitizer, hand wash, holiday, holiday 2020, may kay, micellar, new products, perfum, perfume, serum, winter 2020

Mary Kay has launched a some new permeant and limited edition items for the winter time. I am pretty excited about them, so let's take a look.

Reusable Facial Pads (Limited Edition) / Set of 10 / $18

Reusable pads have quickly become an 'it' item. I have wanted to get some for a long time, but unfortunately due to the lockdowns this year I haven't been able to source some out. Mary Kay has answered my call and I now have a set to call my own.

This set contains 10 bamboo reusable pads and a bag for washing them.

I really love using them micellar water, eye makeup remover and toners. They are exceptionally soft and I find they wash up really well too.

Satin Hands Pampering Set is my all time favourite Mary Kay product, so whenever Mary Kay launches something in the line I get really excited. This season they launched two, so naturally I am incredibly excited.

Satin Hands Shea Hand Soap / $10

Hand Soap! Mary Kay has added hand soap to their Satin Hands line up! This is probably the most sought after product of 2020 so having more is never a bad thing.

Let's be honest, washing our hands as much as we have been can be hard on our hands, which is why this hand wash is so good. It cleans but also contains Shea butter to help stop your hands from drying out. This formula is fragrance free so it is even more gentle and less irritating.

I find that half a pump is more than enough to wash your hands. The lather is quite rich but loose and rinses easily. There is no fragrance to it but my hands smell mildy of a clean scent after which I can only assume is the shea butter in the formula.

Satin Hands Shea Hand Sanitizer / $8

You probably could guess hand sanitizer would be the other product added to the Satin Hands line. You know it is 2020 when people are stoked about hand sanitizer. I of course am one of those people.

This one is fragrance free, with Aloe Vera and Shea Butter to help hydrate your skin, and 75% ethanol alcohol to kill 99.9% of bacteria. What I really love is that it is a spray, which makes it easy to use on the go and even something I can put onto objects in a pinch. It also is non sticky!!!!

I end up using two spritz per hand to get them covered, but I really like how easy having a spray is to use. I don't find it burns my hands, I also find that my hands don't dry out too much when using it and it smells unscented but nice.

TimeWise Replenishing Serum C+E / $58

This is an update on the TimeWise Replenishing Serum C, it now has vitamin E in it as well as C. It is alight serum that contains anti-oxidants that help fight oxidative stress.

It light on the skin and absorbs quickly. It even shows a dosage line on it so you know how many uses you've used as well as how many you have left, which is fantastic.

Micellar Water / $20

Who doesn't love a good Micellar water? Mary Kay's eye makeup remover is one of the best around so for them to add a Micellar to their lineup just makes sense. I find it does a fantastic job removing my makeup while not agitating my skin. I have been using the reusable rounds with it and have found the results really great.

Illuminea Extrait de Parfum / $70

This is Mary Kay's latest luxury perfume, with 20% concentration of fragrance oils it is their longest lasting fragrance. Extrait De Parfum in case you were wondering is the strongest concentration of perfume oils out there, even stronger than eau de parfum, so it is pretty long lasting.

It's top notes are Mandarin, Quince, Pink Pepper and Morning Dew. Middle notes are Red Apricot, Orange Blossom, Scarlet Peony, Water Lotus and Honeysuckle. Finally the bottom notes are Florentine Iris Absolute, Violet Leaves, Cashmere Woods, Vanilla and White Moss. Overall it is a complex and well rounded scent that is floral and warm all at the same time.

Illuminea Body Soufflé (Limited Edition)/ $30

This cream features the same gorgeous scent as the Extrait d Parfum. It is cream has shea butter in it and has whipped in texture so it isn't heavy but does a great job of moisturizing the skin.

So there you go, some new products for the winter from Mary Kay. I am really enjoying all of it but think the hand wash, reusable pads and micellar water are the true standouts to me. I really also love the hand sanitizer.

*This post features PR samples, all views and opinions are my own.

Gift Guide 2020

By Jill Oliver-Fox Tuesday, December 15, 2020 2020, body fantasies, brushes, dr teal, dr teal's, drug store, freeman, freemans, gift guide, gift sets, holiday, holiday 2020, perfume, real techniques, soap, yardley, yardley london

If you are still out searching for the perfect holiday gift, some stocking stuffers or even something just to spoil yourself with as the season hits high gear? Well, I have you covered. I've got a bunch of items that are both budget friendly and easy to find at drug stores. grocery stores and mass retailers.

Yardley London Eau De Toilette / English Rose / English Lavender /Lily Of The Valley / 50 ml / $18.99

Yardley has been been around for 250 years and holds two royal warrants, making it both legendary and timeless. I personally adore their body care lines and their scents. English Rose has been all time favourite of mine for quite some time and I always get compliments about when I wear it. This holiday season giving a bottle of one of their classic scents may make the perfect gift.

With three absolutely timeless options, English Lavender, English Rose, and Lily of the Valley, there is one to suit just about everyone.

Yardley London Soap / English Rose / English Lavender /Lily Of The Valley / 120g / $2.00

If you're looking for that perfect under $5 stocking stuffer, Yardley's soap may be the right gift. Who among us doesn't need more soap? We are all washing our hands non-stop and they actually work great for the body too. With the same rich scents as the perfumes these soaps accompany them very nicely.

I have the English Lavender here and it makes for a relaxing night time shower or bath soap. That being said the English Rose and Lilly of the Valley are equally as nice and for $2 they won't break the bank while filling a stocking up nicely.

Real Techniques Artist Essentials Brush Set / $29.99

Real Techniques has been in my brush collection since they first launched years ago, I still love their brushes and would recommend them to anyone looking for good quality brushes.

This set features some of their best brushes in one handy kit at a decent price. This one is great for any beauty lover, new to makeup or someone who you know just would appreciate some nice brushes.

The set contains 5 brushes, RT 217 Expert Edge Large, RT 421 Soft Accent Brush, RT 420 Spotlight Fan Brush, RT 317 Smudge Liner Brush, and RT 425 Lip Smudge Brush.

Real Techniques Sparkle On The Go Brush Set / $14.98

This brush set is perfect for any makeup lover in your life. At around $15 it makes a great gift or stocking stuffer.

You get three brushes in silver with mini handles, so it is great for travel, the gym, washrooms, desks with limited space, just about anywhere. It also comes with a limited edition purple Miracle complexation sponge. The brushes included are 406 Mini Medium Sculpting Brush, 407 Mini Multitask Brush, and 200 Mini Expert Face Brush.

Dr. Teal's Set / Relax & Relief / $9.97

Dr. Teal's is a staple in my house, I always have at least one of their salts and bubble baths in my house at all times. I love a relaxing bath and that is exactly what they deliver.

I picked up this set because their Relax and Relief line has been a favourite of mine and I really liked the look of this set. The Relax & Relief line features Eucalyptus and Spearmint.

You get 5 pieces in this gift set, 396 g Epsom Salt Soak, 88 mL Foaming Bath, 88 mL Body Wash, 30 mL Body Oil, and 28 g Body Lotion. Overall it is a great way to try out and get a little bit of everything from the line.

There also is a similar Sooth & Sleep Regimen 5 piece set, 5 pieces Eucalyptus Regimen set and a 3 Piece assorted Epson Salt set for the holidays and all for $9.97.

Freeman Purifying Avocado + Oatmeal Clay Mask / $4.97

Freeman is a brand that I have known, trusted and used for over 25 years. Whether it is for my face or body (have you tried their Bare Foot Peppermint lotion? so good), they manage to provide quality care for my skin at an affordable price.

Their Purifying Avocado + Oatmeal clay mask is a great deep cleaning mask that manages to hydrate at the same time. It is gentle on my skin but also really effective, which is why I think it would make a great gift for anyone's stocking this time of year. At about $5 it is affordable and also a really big tube.

Body Fantasies Gift Set / Pink Vanilla Kiss / $13.00

Body Fantasies make cute little gift sets that are sure to please without breaking the bank. I got the Pink Vanilla Kiss set which features a full size Body Spray, Body Wash as well as mini versions of the Body Spay and Body Lotion.

Pink Vanilla Kiss is a sweet vanilla scent that is not too overwhelming but also just really nice for the holiday season. I think this makes a great gift for anyone who you know loves fragrances, I personally know my mother in law would love it.

There is also a Twilight Mist version available.

Do you have all your gift buying done yet? What kind of beauty gifts do you like to give or get?

*This post features Pr samples as well as purchased by myself items. All views and opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links.

Manscaped - The Performance Package Review

By Jill Oliver-Fox Thursday, December 03, 2020 2020, body care, body hair, gifts, gifts for men, holiday, holiday 2020, manscaped, mens trimmers, reivew, trimmers

Since the holidays are fast approaching I thought it might be time to talk about a gift that might be perfect for the man in your life, Manscaped The Perfomance Package.

Manscaped is a cheeky brand known for its clever word play and being the official sponsors of the UFC and The 49ers as well as being on Shark Tank.

The brand has launched its first 'above the belt' trimming tool, the Weed Whacker. It is a nose and ear trimmer. The Performance Package takes the Weed Whacker and adds it to its already popular Perfect Package 3.0. Today I am going to take a look at this set that makes the perfect holiday gift.

THE PERFORMANCE PACKAGE

What you get in the package

-Weed Whacker / ear and nose hair trimmer
-The Lawn Mower 3.0 / waterproof trimmer
-Crop Preserver
-Crop Reviver
-Magic Mat
Plus free
-Shed / travel bag
-Anti-chafing boxers

Now that we know what is in it let's break it down and give it a review.

THE LAWN MOWER 3.0

This is the star product in the Manscaped line up. It is the third generation of their clipper. It features their SkinSafe technology to prevent nicking sensitive skin. It has a 600mA li-ion rechargeable battery that lasts about 90 minutes so you can get even full body shaving jobs done. It also features a slim and light weight waterproof deign. Finally it has an adjustable guard that has two lengths. There also is a little stand that you can use if you want for charging and storing.

Since we are talking body trimmers, this is already going to get TMI, so why not go all out here. Mr. Fox is a hairy guy, very hair, so he often shaves his chest and privates and requires me to shave his back. So I am going to compile this review from what feedback he has given me plus my own from using it on him.

I love that this is a light weight clipper, it is small enough for my tiny hands, but doesn't slip around. It is light weight so my hand doesn't get tired quickly. In addition to all this it glides along the skin so nicely that I have never had such an easy time clipping his back. His previous trimmer has a metal flat area that goes along the skin and as a results skips...a lot, and that can hut. This clipper has plastic along that area making it slide along the skin and cuts that hair easily. It is by far the best clipper I have ever used on his back.

Mr. Fox says it isn't as sharp as his previous clippers, but it works quick and it seems much safer. He also really liked that you can order replacement blades, something other clippers don't offer.

WEED WHACKER

This is an ear and nose hair trimmer. It has 360° rotary dual-blade system, a 9000 RPM motor, waterproof capability and a 600 mAh li-ion battery. It also has the same charger as The Lawn Mower so you can save some counter space if you just use one charger. You can even replace the blades as it wears out.

Mr. Fox has really been enjoying this one. Since hitting 40 hair kind of starts popping up in strange places, so it has become incredibly handy. He usually use it after trimming his beard and says it clips really well.

Crop preserver

This is an anti-chafing 'ball deodorant'. It is a talc like gel that contains no talc that helps keep privates, body parts and pits from sweating and chafing. With aloe vera, tapioca starch and triglycerides it helps keep you dry and smelling great. It has a residue free and oil free texture that helps protect sensitive skin.

Mr. Fox works in hot conditions and likes to work out too, so this has come in pretty handy for keeping him from chafing and getting uncomfortable. He really likes how it feels and despite the strange concept really likes it and how it works.

CROP REVIVER

This is a toner spray meant for your balls. Made with aloe and witch hazel it helps keep your privates cool and from flaring up after shaving....essentially after shave for your boys.

Mr. Fox thought it felt really neat, it gave a cooling effect while stopping any razor irritation that sometimes can happen after shaving.

You also get with the kit:

The Shed, which is a faux leather grooming bag. It has a handle and a sturdy zipper while being water resistant. It managed to fit all the tools with no problem for easy storage. It is a top quality bag.

Boxers, these are anti-chafing boxer briefs.

Magic Mat, these are disposable mats (you get 3) for doing your grooming on. You can collect the hair and dispose of it with ease. In reality they are just a little newspaper, so it is fun and cute but not a necessity. They certainly add a bit of charm to the set.

Overview:

Overall I think this is a great set and so does Mr. Fox. We both love the clipper and nose and ear trimmer. The additional products that are included are a nice touch that round out the kit and make it bit more special and they all work well. We both think it makes a great gift.

There is one con, we both with there were a bit more guard options for the Lawn Mower. Other than that it is pretty much a perfect set.

You can pick up any of the Manscaped items over on their Canadian website (ca.manscaped.com) or amazon.ca. Right now for the holidays you can save 20% on their site by using the code GIFT.

*This post contains pr samples, all views and opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links.

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