October Favourites!

             I can't believe it's November in 2 days! So crazy. This means less than 2 months left until Christmas, and also less than 2 months left until I go to Ireland! Ahhhh! I have been loving anything moisturizing this month, as my skin has officially made the changeover from summer to winter. I also have a few random favourites that I will include as well. I have mentioned some of these products before, so there will be a few familiar ones. Let's get into it!

LIP PRODUCTS

Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm With Kokum Butter: I've started using this lip balm as a base before I put any sort of colour on my lips. It's meant to condition your lips for 4 hours with one application, which I find to be true. I purchased this forever ago, and have busted it out again for the cold weather. A must have for the winter!

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm: The shade I'm using is called Honeysuckle, and it is the perfect colour for me. It's a brownish nude, and goes extremely well with my well loved Gosh Velvet Touch Lipstick in Cappuccino. This tinted lip balm is super moisturizing, and conditions with Shea Butter and Botanical Waxes. I'd highly recommend this for the fall/winter! 

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter: I have to say, I really wish I had tried this stuff sooner! The shade I have here is 065 Creamsicle. This may seem like more of a summer colour, but for some reason I only started getting into the light pink shades this fall! You don't need to apply any sort of a base underneath, as it's exceptionally hydrating and glides on effortlessly. Will be repurchasing more shades ASAP!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain: I just did a review on this, which you can find by clicking here, but I love this gorgeous colour! This one is 035 Charm. It lightly stains your lips while giving them a moisturized feel. Unfortunately, the moisturized feeling doesn't last for too long, so I'm really only a fan because of this specific colour!

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub: I actually received this as a gift for my birthday in May, but only needed to start using it recently. This has become part of my daily routine when I'm getting ready to go out, to make sure that there's no dry skin building up on my lips. My lips get chapped SO easily because of the cold weather, so this helps significantly in getting them ready for the day.

Top to Bottom: Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Honeysuckle, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 035 Charm, Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in 065 Creamsicle

EYES + FACE

Nip + Fab CC Eye Fix -Light: This is a really nice concealer and surprisingly moisturizing! I don't have dark circles under my eyes, but this concealer does make you look noticeably more awake and just brightens up the whole eye area. It contains light diffusing particles, as well as beeswax and vitamin E to nourish and protect. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to start carrying for their under eye area and brighten it up at the same time.

Essence Stays No Matter What 24 Hour Jumbo Eye Pencil & Shadow: This eye pencil was extremely cheap and does it's job exceptionally well! I use the shade 07 Whipped White Frosting for the inner corners of my eyes, and it's really made a difference in the presentation of my eye makeup. My eyes look brighter and stand out more. It really does not budge all day. I'll definitely be using throughout the fall and winter.

Revlon Matte Powder Blush: Apparently I'm a big fan of Revlon this month! They actually come out with some really great products, I don't think they get enough credit. I have the shade Perfectly Peach, which I've been wearing forever. I always tend to gravitate towards peach blushes as opposed to pink, just because they seem to look more natural on me. This blush has quite a long staying power, as when I take my makeup off at the end of the day it's still there. There is quite a lot of product there, so it does last you a long time. Big thumbs up!

NAILS

Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer: All Hail the Queen....there's really no need to say anything else. Check out my review here!

CLEANSERS + MOISTURIZERS

Biotherm Hydra-Mineral Cleanser Toning Mousse: I've talked about this cleanser so many times that it seems to be getting a little repetitive. However, I've been using this all month long and it is the perfect cleanser as it really does tone your skin at the same time. I wish it were a LITTLE more moisturizing for this month, so perhaps I will purchase the one that is meant for dry skin as well. Excellent product.

The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter: I have both the 50 ml size and the 200 ml size, as I like to carry one in my purse. This is a must have for the winter. Incredibly moisturizing, made with Community Fair Trade virgin organic coconut oil, you cannot go wrong with this stuff. I love using this as soon as I get out of the shower and/or on freshly shaven legs. 

Be Better Sakura Sensation Foam Bath: I received this as a gift, but I believe it's from Rexall Pharma Plus, which is a Canadian drug store. I've been using this all month long, as I take baths constantly and it smells amazing! It's made with natural ingredients and is paraben free. Love this stuff!

OTHER

Coconut Oil: I have been a huuuuge fan coconut oil for the past year, but after discovering it's most recent purpose, I've become an even bigger fan. My cat Kenya has not been feeling well (send her good vibes!) and had a really sore throat. She wasn't eating properly and was having a hard time swallowing. I started giving her about a tablespoon of coconut oil twice a day to sooth her throat, and from the first time I gave it to her there has been a huge difference! There's a million different amazing uses for coconut oil, and I'll link an article here in case you don't know about them. The kind I have here is Omega Nutrition Certified Organic Coconut Oil. However, it's best if you can get virgin or extra virgin. 

Owl Change Purse: I am obsessed with this little purse! I purchased it from St Lawrence Market I believe last month and it comes with me all the time! It's hand crafted and made with real leather. I actually use it to separate my subway tokens from my wallet. So adorable!

Kimchi Blue Kissing Swans Zip-Around Wallet: I purchased this online from Urban Outfitters about a month ago, and unfortunately it is sold out now! I love swans, so when I saw this I had to get it. It's got all the space you need and is made of incredibly smooth vegan leather. I'll be using this until it completely wears out.

H&M Leopard Print Scarf: I've been wearing this scarf non stop this month, as it seems to go with everything! I've even been wearing it with my winter coat (which may have to change, as it's not the warmest scarf). It's inexpensive, I believe I got it for $14.99 and is quite durable. I will likely be getting all of my winter accessories from H&M as well!

Back when it was warm enough to sit outside!

AND MY LAST OCTOBER FAVOURITE...

Chloe!!! Seeing as we just got Chloe this month, she is for sure an October favourite! She has settled in quickly, has grown and is such a pleasant little kitten. Her and Kenya love each other so much! Perfect addition to our little family.

THAT'S ALL! xx

Adopting a Cat From a Feral Cat Colony: My Experience

                Many people do not like the idea of taking in a feral or "wild" cat off of the streets. Understandably so, as you do not know if these cats are carrying a contagious disease, and you don't always know if they're going to be able to adapt to living with people. However, there are many charities and organizations that take in feral cats and kittens, such as the charity I adopted Chloe through. They are first checked out by a vet, and given up to date vaccinations. Their behavior is then monitored in a foster home, where they stay until they are given their forever home. These organizations also neuter or spay the cats that are taken in, in order to avoid the possibility of even more homeless kittens. I have adopted a kitten through an organization such as this, as well as taking a homeless kitten right off of the street myself. Both have been rewarding, and both were very different experiences. Here is my experience with taking a feral kitten right off the street, and into my home.

KENYA

When Kenya was first brought to my home by a friend of mine, this is exactly what she looked like. Scared out of her mind. She was TINY and could fit in the palm of my hand. I had no experience with feral cats whatsoever, but I had been informed of a litter of kittens that had been living outside since they were born, visiting a local bar every so often to get some food. After hearing this, I offered to take in at least one of them. I first did some research on what to do and what not to do when you take in a feral cat. I remember scrambling around, trying to find a large shallow box, newspaper, litter box and some food and water and putting them in my bath tub. I had two other cats with me at the time (I know, cat lady!) and didn't know how this was really going to work. 

The first night that I had her, all I could do was cuddle her and try to get her to go to sleep. That night she would repeatedly make the tiniest hisses at me, as that was all she could do. But in between the hissing, she let me hold her and snuggle her. I gave her a hot water bottle covered in a small towel to lie next to as well, which actually helped her get to sleep when I'd put her down. I wanted to introduce her to my other two cats right away, to maybe give her some sort of comfort, but I knew that it was a bad idea. She was scared enough as it was, and introducing new cats to her at this point couldn't be a good thing. Also, I had no idea if she had any contagious diseases. All I could see from looking at her was that one of her eyes was a little runny. So until I could take her to a vet, I was going to have to keep her separated. I started feeding her both wet and dry kitten food, and a special milk supplement for kittens that's supposed to be the closest thing to their mother's milk (expensive!)

Once she became a little more adjusted and was comfortable with me holding her, I took her to the vet. If anyone thinks that adopting a kitten off the street is a cheaper way to go, it is definitely not. The first time I took her she was tested for FIV (Feline Aids) and was given a general physical and her very first shots. FIV is not cheap to get tested for, but was definitely necessary seeing as where she was coming from. She was given a clean bill of health with the exception of her eye, which had an infection. This is common with kittens and I was given drops.

Hobbes and Kenya

It didn't take long for my cats to start warming up to Kenya, and before too long they were cuddling and playing together. Keep in mind, this was after 2 weeks of keeping them separate and slowly introducing them through the door, as well as a little growling and hissing along the way.

Kenya and I, 2012

Kenya and I have always had a truly special bond. Whether this is because I've had her since she was SO young, or the fact that she's always been with me wherever I've moved to over the last year and a half (I moved around quite a bit for a short period!) She is just an amazing little girl, and I absolutely love her to pieces. She's quite skiddish with a lot of people, mainly men for some reason, but I don't think this has much or anything to do with her being taken off of the street. All cats develop unique personalities, and she's just a lot more comfortable with females. She is up to date on her shots, spayed and is a healthy girl! If it's something you are willing and able to do, I would definitely suggest getting involved in rescuing cats, or any animal for that matter, any way you can. Whether it's through an organization that does the rescue and vaccinations and then adopts these cats out, or rescuing a homeless cat off the street yourself, it's an extremely rewarding experience for both you and the cat.

Check out the organization that rescued Chloe, her mother and brothers and sisters here!

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! xx

Introducing: Chloe!

          Surprise, surprise, a post about my new kitten! For those who don't know me, these past few years I have definitely grown into a cat person! Not that I don't love dogs, but living in an apartment in the city, cats tend to be the better option. I have come to appreciate their unique personalities, their comforting nature and how relatively low maintenance they are as pets. I have always been an advocate for the humane society and other organizations that help rescue animals and give them homes. Recently, I decided to get involved with a charity called Toronto Cat Rescue. It was my intention to volunteer as a foster parent and give kittens temporary homes while they waited to be adopted. However, for personal reasons I decided to just go ahead and adopt from them instead. The Toronto Cat Rescue really does amazing work, and I intend on continuing to volunteer with them through other means. They are a no kill, 100% volunteer run registered charity. Visit their website to learn more about what they do by clicking here!

So, without further ado, this is 11 week old Chloe!

She really is such a pleasant kitten and so enjoyable to be around. We (my boyfriend and I) weren't intending to adopt a kitten when we visited Pet Valu's adoptathon that was being put on with Toronto Cat Rescue all over the GTA. We only attended because we had nothing else going on on that particular Sunday, and I wanted to learn more about the charity that I was volunteering with. However, as soon as we held her, we knew we had to take her (who can resist an adorable kitten purring in your arms?) What's extremely convenient, is that the adoption fee covers all of their first shots, as well as the cost of spaying/neutering, which is already done before you take your cat home.

Although our 1 1/2 year old cat Kenya was not thrilled for the first few days to have a new kitten on her territory, she is now adjusting extremely well. We catch her grooming Chloe all the time, as well as constantly pouncing around and playing with her. I'm glad that Kenya has a new companion, as she was raised with cats and has never quite adjusted to being without a friend. I actually rescued Kenya off of the street when she was about 5 weeks old, as she was born into a feral cat colony. For those who are interested, there will be a blog post on that at a later date. 

We love our new kitten!