Let's Scrub [101]

Hey y'all!

So, I decided to try out a new mix for a face scrub.  I have been breaking out a bit more than usual due to the stress of moving to a different country. Not to mention having to find a new job while out of the country you are moving to next. You can imagine how my stress levels have been all over the place lately.

I also have some acne scarring because I tend to scratch my face a lot whenever a pimple is healing.  Since I tend to scar easily, a scar is born.

The face scrub that I plan on using now is a homemade scrub that can be used on face AND body. The ingredients are all natural which I am hoping will be great for my skin. I made the mix using sugar, lemon, honey and extra virgin olive oil. Lemon has been shown to help fade acne scarring as well as help even out skin tone. The honey and olive oil is said to help with the moisturizing aspect.

I measured as I went on a trial and error basis, so once I work out the quantity of each of the ingredients, I will share the recipe with you guys as well. Oh, I forgot to mention that I mixed everything in a plastic container so that it would make storing it easier.

I have tried it on the back of my hand so far and do like the way my skin is feeling.  I cannot wait to try it for a bit and get some before and after photos for you to see if there is any difference in my skins appearance.  My fingers are crossed that this scrub is the answer for my complexion.

Until next time,  I bid you all adieu!

- Lissa xx

The ingredients

The final product.

Location, Location, Location

Hey y'all!

Guess who is moving once again??

If you guessed me then you are correct!  I am relocating and starting a new job as well in a couple weeks. Eeekk! So nervous but super excited as well.

Goodbye London ---> Hello Calgary.

Until next time, toodles loves!

- Lissa xx

2014 in All Its Glory

Hey Y'all!

I have been completely MIA lately because I have been dealing with quite a lot on my end. I have been finishing up yet another course I decided to take here that needs to be completed by April 1st,2014; as well as trying to get in as much traveling as possible to satisfy my wanderlust for the time being because my time in the UK is coming to an end. 

I have been here for nearly two years and let me tell you, it has NOT been an easy road. There have been highs and lows but overall, I have loved every minute of it. Living abroad has helped me learn things about myself that I never knew before. It has also enabled me to further crossing off some things I have listed on my Bucket List. 

To say that 2014 has started of memorable for me would be an understatement. I went through a massive low-point at the beginning of the year but am focused on getting back to a good place once again and not letting what happened hold me back or keep me down. I am in the process of testing out products I bought during a Feel-Better-Shopping-Trip haul. I will be posting photos of the items in a haul post and writing the reviews soon after more use of the products. 

I will also be posting about my hair care routine and the changes I have made yet again for this crazy London weather. Also, I have been wearing my hair straight for the past couple weeks and will be posting about my experience straightening and photos of my hair straight as well. 

I also have to fill you all in on my travels throughout the UK that have been feeding my wanderlust greatly while having me add even MORE places to My Bucket List. Speaking of bucket lists, do any of you have a bucket list? Whether it be travel related or life related. Comment below with a few objectives on your bucket list. I am very curious to see what others want to accomplish within their lives. 

Anywho, this will be it for right now as it is wash day for me and my hair is calling me to clean her. I hope you have all been having a phenomenal start to 2014 and cannot wait to get back to writing normally!

Muchos besos!

- Lissa xx

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

From Edinburgh Hogmanay Celebrations!

- Lissa xx

Let's Get This Party Started

Hey y'all!

I am currently on my way to Scotland for Hogmanay as I write this. It is billed as the biggest new years street party in Europe and I intend to see whether or not the title is a well earned one.

I will be gone for four days and plan on taking as many photos as humanly possibe. After returning from Scotland, I am heading to southwest UK. Busy week filled with travelling. I will have some posts up once I return to London.

How are you planning to ring in the new year? Any way that you choose to celebrate, I hope you all have an amazing New Years!

Until next time,

Lissa xx

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Hey Y'all!

As the title suggests, it is freakin' cold outside which means I have altered my hair routine to compensate for the loss of moisture that is inevitable. I change my regimens depending on the season because for me, that is what has worked. The basics still apply of course but the frequency and products used in my hair change since my hair has different needs.

Things tend to get really manic around the holidays as I am sure most people can relate to which means I have to literally block out time to do my hair. If I do not schedule it in, I know I will get caught up doing a million other things and completely neglect my hair. Let me tell you, I have neglected her before and she retaliated with a vengeance. You live and you learn though and now I am much more vigilant about taking care of her. Yes, my hair is a she and has gained the nickname Pepper from a friend.

Back to Pep's cleansing and care routine. As I mentioned before, it is basic - cleanse, deep condition, LOC method, style and re-moisturize when needed. I have added colour as well to part of my hair which means I definitely have to be on my hair care like no tomorrow. The products I use now are Herbal Essences Bee Strong shampoo (diluted with water); homemade deep conditioner; Coconut Oil and Shea Butter or my Uncle Funky's Daughter Extra Butter cream. If you want to know what I put into my hair mixes, leave a comment below.

I do alternate my homemade deep conditioners because I want to ensure my hair is getting enough moisture as well as protein. I had tried mixing my protein deep conditioner with my moisturizing conditioner but Pep did not take well to that at all. She likes it best if I use one or the other. As I only wash my hair twice a month in the winter, I will use a protein deep conditioner every three washes - so about every month and a half.

Welp, enough of me jabbering on with this post, here are some photos of my wash day. I am also including a photo of my protective style of choice for the next two weeks - simple single braids with twists at the end. I find that I do not like to braid straight to the bottom because it takes ages to undo when I am ready to wash Pep and I am not as patient as I should be when handling her.

Freshly Washed and t-shirt dried. Gotta love shrinkage!

Deep conditioning time

Finished product!

There you have it! Until next time, I bid you adieu.

- Lissa xx

Life, Makeup & Jobs - Oh My!

Hey Y'all!

Firstly, please allow me to apologize profusely for my four month hiatus. I have been busy once again with moving, doing makeup and teaching. Your girl is constantly on the go and the thought of coming home to write and publish a post was hugely daunting to me. So, clearly, I chose not to post and to take a break. However, my self-imposed (and well needed!) break has come to an end and I am back and ready to go!

I have been working in schools teaching while here in the UK which would keep anybody busy. I work mainly with special needs children which is highly rewarding but very tiring. 

I have also been honing my makeup skills by getting in practice whenever I possibly can on other people. I have so far done makeup for a friend who was getting married as well as other friends who had call for my makeup abilities. I did not get any photos of the bridal makeup I did because we were running late after hair so I did not have time. I will start documenting my progression more thoroughly moving forward and posting the photos on the blog. 

I am currently working on a review post for you all and will post it as soon as I have it ready. Until then, I will continue to post as much as possible and will post about my upcoming trip to Scotland as well. 

Until then, Toodle-loo!

- Lissa x