ImPRESS Review

Hello! Hello! 

I know I've been away for a little while but I'm back and this time with a review! You nail enthusiast will probably like this one. 

Influenster and Broadway nails send me a lovely package with ImPress nails to test out, so here is my honest opinion. 

I've always seen these at the drugstore and have wanted to purchase them but have always been hesitant because they are just stick on nails, so how good can they really be? Well boy was I wrong. I honestly wasn't expecting too much from these nails but honestly, they really have impressed me! 

                                     

The reason why I picked the design-ey ones to try out is because the pink ones were see through and I didn't have time to paint over them. 

I quickly filed my nails and buffed the top to remove the natural shine so the nails can stick better 

- I forgot to use the prep pad, but honestly I don't see how it'd be helpful. My guess is that it's an alcohol pad to remove oil and shine from the nails 

I then laid out the nails that would fit me in the order I'd stick them on to make the application process a little faster.

I then quickly stuck them on and went on with my day. The package said to avoid getting the nails wet for about 30 minutes, which I did obey :)
I naturally have thin nail-beds so any kind of 'fake' nail always looks big on my hands.

As I said, for stick on nails I wasn't expecting much from these but boy did they blow me out of the water. 

For the next few days I really did put a number on these nails at work yet not a single one fell off!!! By day 5, I got tired of them and the design so I soaked my nails in acetone to remove them. 

I honestly love these nails and will definitely be repurchasing them!!! The only thing I didn't like about them was that when I would run my hands through my hair, my hair would get caught between the fake nail and my own nail and by day 4, the design started to fade at the tips. 

As you can see, the edges had started to round out and the design had started to fade.

I know this particular design is a little tacky, however they have other super cute designs. I highly recommend these nails if you guys have an event to go to bad don't have time to do your own nails or get them done!

Have you ever tried Broadway's ImPRESS nails?

- Anahid

Skinny Pizza

Hello Lovelies!

Happy Monday and what better way to start your week than with healthy meals planned to get back into shape? Lately I've been doing my best to eat clean and work out to start living healthier. So I’ve been obsessed with finding “clean” alternatives for my favourite foods.

Pizza is my weakness. I love pizza. I love the warm crust with meaty, cheesy toppings. However, what I don’t love about pizza is the calorie and fat content on the little slices of heaven. I started to search the web for ‘healthier’ alternatives and I stumbled upon a cauliflower pizza crust recipe so I just HAD to try it.

I was a bit hesitant at first, but let me just tell you it was absolutely DELICIOUS! I am actually obsessed with this recipe so I thought I’d share it with you guys, especially because it’s SO EASY!

What you’ll need:

1.     About 2.5 cups of cauliflower

2.     About 1 cups of low fat mozzarella cheese

3.     1 egg

4.     Ground flax seed (optional)

5. Seasonings

First, I chopped up some cauliflower florets and tossed them in the steamer.

When the cauliflower is steamed and has cooled down, you want to grate the cauliflower so it looks like rice.

Mix in roughly 1 cup of grated low fat mozzarella cheese, 1 raw egg and any seasonings you’d like. I tossed in some Italian seasoning and basil.

If your mixture is a little wet, I suggest adding in some ground flax seed. Or you can just toss some in for the health benefits.

Now you want to press this mixture in a circular shape on parchment paper and bake it at 425F for about 10 minutes or until golden.

THAT’S IT FOR THE CRUST. Yup, that easy!

Now I topped my crust with tomato sauce, cheese, chicken, artichokes and peppers. Tossed it back into the oven for about 10 minutes and VOILA.

I know it doesn’t look as appetizing as regular pizza, but trust me when I say it’s delicious! The best part is that it’s low fat!!!

Let me know if you guys try out this recipe and what you think of it!

What are some of your favourite healthy alternatives?

- Anahid

...and that's a wrap!

It's official, I have completed my second year of university and boy what a ride it was! This year was filled with plenty of ups and downs, laughter and tears, but at the end of the day I wouldn't change anything about it. 

Words cannot describe how relieved I felt as I handed in my last exams and headed back to my apartment to pack up the rest of my belongings. I thought moving out of my apartment this year would be a lot easier than leaving residence last year, but was I ever wrong. 

Eight months ago, my roommate and I moved into our small, "perfect couples home" and it really was absolutely perfect for us! I have to admit, the transition from living in residence where I had 5 roommates, an open door policy and amazing neighbours, to a small, 2 bedroom, quiet apartment was weird at the beginning but turned out for the best. 

Honestly, moving out of my apartment was so much harder than I would have ever imagined it being because with the help of the most amazing people in my life, we had created the most amazing memories. From loud crowded gatherings, to all-nighter cram session, to life chats; these all look place in our small 800 square-foot home.

I don't even know how I'd even begin thanking the incredible people who have shared laughs, love, support, tears and a whole lot of sass and inappropriateness with me. I do have to take the time to thank the most amazing roommate I could have ever asked for. Seriously, this poor girl put up with all of my stupid shit while never stopping to love or support me.
Nevertheless, to all those phenomenal people who drove in from out of town on many occasions to join in on the shenanigans, thank you!!!  To those who weren't able to make it, we'll make up for lost time this summer!

If you have been past this door, just know that I am more than extremely thankful to have you in my life and thank you for making this year an absolutely unforgettable ride. If you think this post indirectly mentions you, you're probably right so just know that you have a special place in my heart filled with love. Stay golden my friends!

Now some throwback love to the past 8 months! 

 HOCO

Hop Hop Hop in Hess 

 Dys-FUNK-tional Family

Happy Anniversary Ya Filthy Animal 

 Oops... 

 Oops x2

Lil bit of death 

 Devilish Duo

Best fraaaaan

  

Somewhere over the rainbow 

Tryna keep it together

Roommate aka lover 

Final roady to B-Hole! Special shout out to the cop who let me off on a warning for speeding... oops!

Sometimes the city can look alright


Cheers!



- Anahid

The Retail World

Time and time again I get asked the same question in which I always give the same generic answer to… that is until today.  Once people learn that I work in the wonderful retail world, specifically the jewellery division, they always seem to ask me the exact same question:  “Do you like your job and why do you do it?” To this, I robotically answer in the most humble way that I possibly can “Yes because I know exactly what I am doing and I happen to be good at it”.

A few days ago, I served a gentleman whose story and feedback was so touching that it helped me realize why I really love my job. This lovely man had come into the store looking for a gift to purchase for his mother-in-law, so naturally I asked what the occasion was. He said that there was no occasion; he just wanted to express his appreciation for her and all that she has done for him and his children. Now having worked in this industry for over 4 years, I know that if a son-in-law has come in to purchase an appreciation gift for his mother-in-law, she must have done something spectacular and I was interested in hearing about it. So instead of bombarding this man with loads of information and option, I decided bombard him with questions.

Through interrogating this poor man who was so patient with me and all of my questions, I discovered that this man’s wife had passed away 2 years ago, leaving him and his 2 young sons in a world of pain. This complete stranger opened up him and his family’s heartbreaking experience watching his wife battle breast cancer. He told me how his youngest son, who is now only 7 years old, would stay up all night waiting for his mother to come home, only to realize that she would not be returning. He expressed his fear of how his children would grow up without the love and support from their mother. His fear of how he wouldn’t be able to provide the right advice for his boys growing up. His fear that he wouldn’t show them enough love and affection, or that if he did he’d be smothering them. He then told me how his mother-in-law has been the greatest help in helping him and his children through this tragic time. This man who was a complete stranger less than half and hour ago had just completely opened up and shared his painful experience with me.

After finding what we thought would be the perfect gift for his mother-in-law, he took a big breath and thanked me. Most customer typically do thank the sales associate at the end of the transaction for their help, but he stood there for a minute in silence before he actually articulated what he was thanking me for.

He told me that I was the first person who has asked him why he appreciates his mother-in-law so much, this being the reason why he felt so comfortable sharing his personal story and fears with. He said that once people find out that his wife has passed away, they simply apologize and try to change the topic. He thanked me for being there and actually listening to him, instead of trying to be that good friend who is just listening for support.

I really started to think about what this man had said to me and as I walked into work the next few shifts, I really began to understand why I loved my job. I love my job because of all of the different personalities I get to work with. I love my job because of the different obstacles I have to overcome to provide the best service. I love my job because it requires me to listen. I love my job because I get to hear all sorts of amazing stories, whether they bring laughter or tears. But most importantly, I love my job because sometimes a non-judgmental mind and a set of ears is all someone needs to help them get through a difficult time – and to some people, a complete stranger is what they need.  

Each person is fighting a battle we may not be aware of. A genuine smile or simply holding the door open for the next person is all it takes to have their day go by a little smoother.

Remember; be kind, we’re all on this journey together.

- Anahid 

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Yup, that’s right. I’m finally admitting to it. I am a bit of a shopaholic and lately I’ve been dreaming about going on a ridiculous shopping spree. There’s just something about buying that beautiful dress I saw on display and pairing it with the perfect shoe that makes me feel so great on the inside. Actually, it doesn’t even have to be a dress, or shoes for that matter. Purchasing any article of clothing or accessory makes me happy; I can’t even lie about it. But lately I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to stop wasting my money ‘cute’ things and actually save it for the pieces worth investing in.

I’ve had my eye on a few pieces that I have been saving up for, hence the reason I haven’t gone shopping in a while. It doesn’t help that my mom loves to shop as well, so anytime I come home I want to drag her out to shop with me (sorry dad). Don’t worry, even through these tempting times I've resisted the urge because I have one main goal in mind; Chanel. 

My mom and I have been eyeing Chanel bags, amongst other things, over the last few years and we’ve decided that we need to stop buying other brands and stay focused. I’d like to say I’ve been a lot better than she has at not shopping, but as I stay away from retail stores, my wish list keeps growing and growing and growing.

First on the list is of course Chanel’s medium shopping bag 

I love everything about Chanel as a whole, but there’s something about that perfectly quilted leather with the gold chain straps that make their bags to die for.

 

I’ve always said with every purse, goes the perfect pair of shoes. Next on my list, keeping it French of course; Monsieur Christian Louboutin. The red soles on his shoes make me melt. I've spent hours and hours on his website trying to decide what I’d want as my first pair and I’ve finally decided on the Bianca’s. I must say it was a hard toss-up between the Daffodile’s and the Bianca’s but at the end of the day, I find the Bianca’s to be a little more classy and timeless. Not to mention the fact that most people can barely walk in Daffodile.

  

These next few items are things that have ‘magically appeared’ on my wish list and I have fallen completely in love with. 

 Presidential Rolex 

Brian Atwood Zipper Pumps 

Roger Viver 

 

Céline Luggage Tote 

Large Lady Dior 

Burberry Trench Coat

Cashmere Burberry Shawl 

Chanel Bijou Sunglasses 

Gucci Crossbody 

Hermes Birkin 

Needless to say, obtaining all of these items is completely unrealistic. I know that I will never have all of these perfectly manufactured items in my possession but a girl can dream, right?

Lastly, I just wanted to mention that the point of this post was not to talk about my wish list but I wanted to encourage you guys to save your money to be able to purchase things that you never thought you’d be able to have. I personally find shopping to be 1000x more thrilling when I walk into a store and purchase an item that I have been wanting for a while because really, what’s the fun in having something if you don’t have to work for it? 

What's on your wish list?

- Anahid 

DIY Easter Bunny Nail Art

Why hello there!

With Easter just around the corner and my love for nail-art rekindled, I thought that a DIY nail design would be perfect for today’s post. As you will be able to see in my pictures, I am not a professional nail artist by any means – I just enjoy nail polish and nail art a little too much.

I have to credit the amazing CutePolish for this cute and easy Easter Bunny design. If you guys love nail as much as I do, you should definitely check out her YouTube channel for more amazing styles.

For this design, I used polishes that I already had, so feel free to substitute them for whatever you have at home. Here we go:

I always start off my filing, shaping and painting a protective topcoat over my natural nails. I typically use OPI Nail Envy and top it off wit Sephora by OPI basecoat.

To make things a little more festive, I painted a thin coat and very subtle coat of a glittery polish as a ‘background’ for my bunnies. 

OPI Servin’ Up Sparkle

 Now this part takes a little patience. You want to paint a half circle at the tip of your nails. This looks weird, but this will eventually become the face for your bunny.

OPI Alpine Snow

Next, you want to use a dotting tool, a toothpick, or anything thin enough to paint the ears. Paint two vertical white stripes coming out of the half-circles, going ¾ of the way down your nail. Make sure they’re thick enough because we need to paint the inside of them pink.

OPI Alpine Snow

For this next step, I recommend using a toothpick because they always seen to be the perfect width to colour in the white ears. With pink polish, you want to ‘dot-in’ the white stripes we just painted to add a little more detail to the ears.

With that same toothpick, add a little pink dot at the tip of your nail for the nose.

Sephora by OPI Diva-in-Training

 

I also use a toothpick for this last step. Dip your tooth pick in black polish and dot two little eyes for your bunnies. If you’re feeling confident, you can also use a flicking motion to create whiskers by your bunny’s nose. I was too lazy to do it on all of my nails so I just did it on my ring finger.

Sephora by OPI Never Enough Shoes

Now for this final step, I highly encourage using a quick-dry topcoat to seal in your design.

Sephora by OPI Quick Dry Top Coat

Your topcoat doesn’t have to be ‘quick dry’, but I definitely recommend using some sort of topcoat. I just use it because you don’t have to worry about smudging your nails and not the mention the fact that I am one of the most impatient people I know. 

Thats it! Your little Easter bunnies are now complete! I know it seems super simple when you break it down in about 5 steps but it does take A LOT of patient, q-tips and nail polish remover. 

I'd love to see your recreation of this design so make sure you post pictures in the comment section below :) 

I hope you all have a wonderful week building up to the Easter long weekend coming up!

- Anahid