Battle of the Samples

Samples are amazing. They let us try out products to see if they work for us before we purchase the (sometimes very expensive) real thing.

I've come across a few samples lately and I thought I would fill you in on which I would buy and which I would pass on.

Bioderma Solution Micellaire

Love it! It takes off most of my makeup, except the most difficult water proof mascara. It has an interesting, almost perfumy scenet which isn't the most appealing. I would definitely use this again.

Result: BUY!

L'Oreal BB Cream 

This one I would definitely not spend my money on. There was no coverage at all; it was completely sheer. It didn't cover up any of the redness I had that day or even my very light freckles. To make matters worse, it left me so shiny! It reminded me of those sunscreens that make you look so slick. It took me wiping off my face with a towel twice to look normal again! Definite pass in this one.

Result: PASS!

In the Kitchen with Cate: Turkey Burgers

Turkey burgers are a great, healthier alternative to beef or pork. There are so many ways to season and dress your burgers.

Today I am going to show you my favourite way to eat my turkey burgers.

I use Lean Ground Turkey Breasts for my Burgers

I use one egg white...

and add it to the ground turkey and mush it in together. It may feel gross but always wash your hands after!

Style Icon Saturdays by Meg Featuring Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is someone I always look for on the Red Carpet, or at any event really, because she always looks lovely- she's as close to a guaranteed hit as you can get.

One of the reasons I love her style so much is because she is such a risk taker. You can always count on Cate to dress apart from the crowd.

Cate picks a lot of unusual dresses, either with regard to structure, pattern, or details which not only bring interest to her dresses and makes her stand out, but shows off a bit of personality.

Cate has shown me...

that the back of your dress can be just as interesting as the front.

Image Courtesy of www.vogue.co.uk

Image Courtesy of www.vogue.co.uk

that choosing an usual color (not many people go with this particular peachy orange!), especially one that suits your skin tone and hair colour, is a lovely way to stand out in a crowd.

The Fault In Our Stars - Book Review

The Fault In Our Stars is the story of a 16 year old girl named Hazel who happens to have "a touch" of terminal cancer. However, The Fault In Our Stars not merely her cancer story, it is the story of her weird and wonderful life as a bright and quirky teenager who falls in love with an equally bright and quirky boy. At the beginning of the story her protective mother encourages Hazel to get a life, to make friends, to not just sit around the house with her parents reading and watching endless episodes of America's Next Top Model. In order to get our out of the house, her mother makes Hazel attend a weekly youth support group for cancer patients where one happenstance day Hazel meets "hot guy" Augustus and their lives both change.

The movie version of The Fault In Our Stars stars none other than Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort of Divergent fame (yes, they played brother and sister in that movie, but let's not make it weird) and is set to come out on June 8th. Apparently it's going to be a tear jerker (as well as inspiring, quite like the book), so bring your tissues!

Image Courtesy of IBTimes

For a sneak peak, you can watch the trailer here: Inside Movies 

Honestly, I cannot recommend this book more. If you haven't read it, forget this review and run immediately to your bookstore. You won't regret it.

The Good, The Bad, and The Alright: Facial Oils

I have decided to start a little series in which I compare and talk about 3 different products in the same category and give you the rundown on which one I think is the best and the ones I wouldn't necessarily purchase in the future.

I have talked quite a bit about facial oils and the benefits of using them, especially at night time and I have mentioned my beloved Rose Hip Oil in a featured post a little while back but I have never compared oils and really told you what I think about the ones I have tried. This is going to be the post for that.

Rose Hip Oil

As many of you know, I love this particular oil. I have been in the long, arduous process of trying to get rid of my post acne scarring from last spring when I experienced the worst skin in my life. I have tried lots of darks spot correctors (yes I will be doing a comparison on them soon) and not many out there can hold up to their claim but Rose Hip Oil is the only oil I have found that with consistent use, my dark spots and scarring have significantly faded with.

Texture and Application: This oil has a pretty average texture. It is definitely not as thick as other oils I have tried but their are also thinner consistency oils out there as well. Because this oil is on the mid range in terms of consistency, it does take a little longer to absorb but it does absorb well into the skin and still leaves a nice glow.

Style Icon Saturdays by Cate: Lauren Conrad

So as many girls my age I watched Laguna Beach while in high-school and The Hills after that so I have been familiar with Lauren Conrad for a while and I have always looked up to her style and her tips.

Lauren has definitely become a style icon, especially in the last few years. She runs a successful fashion line and her own website www.laurenconrad.com and she still manages to keep it real and relate to girls around the world with her classy, girl next door, elegant style.

So today I am going to show you some of my favourite looks from Lauren, including fashion, hair, and makeup.

She's Always California Casual 

Image Curtesy of www.posh24.com

Image Curtesy of www.shopnchill.com

Image Curtesy of www.starstyle.com

Whenever Lauren is out walking the streets, her look is very casual and simple but she makes it look  chic by adding simple accessories like a great bag, oversized sunglasses, or some awesome shoes. Her style is never too made up. It is always attainable. 

Our Interrupted Fairy Tale Book Review & Interview with Megan Williams

Our Interrupted Fairytale is the story of Megan Williams and Chad Warren's great love. As it starts out, the two seem like an unlikely pair. Megan is only 16 years old when they first meet and Chad is ten years older and Chad has a rare, deadly form of cancer. Their paths keep crossing until, finally, they get together, but it is never an easy road. Instead it is paved with uncertainties, with walls that have been built up by the fact that Chad knows he is a "grenade" (to blatently steal from The Fault In Our Stars). He knows that his cancer could hurt Megan badly and also doesn't want to get hurt himself by disappointment if things don't work out... but the two find comfort in each other on the difficult journey, finding that you can't help but be hurt in this life though you do get to choose who hurts you (okay, again, stealing from The Fault in Our Stars! I can't help it, these two novels are so relateable and I read them in such close procession!).

I first heard of this story while flipping through the local Province paper while sitting in a restaurant having breakfast. I hate to admit that I was a bit of a criminal, but I ripped the story out and preceeded to carry it around in my purse before I finally bought the novel and devoured it. It was one of those books that after hearing about it, I just couldn't get it out of my mind. I know I was meant to read it.

Initially I was drawn to this story because Megan Williams is a local Vancouver writer and this story seemed different to me than a typical love story. Their love struggled to survive against so many obstacles and I needed to know how it ended.  Additionally, I am a huge fan of true stories. Sometimes they are just more astounding and heartbreaking and inspirational than anything we can make up in our minds.

What I loved most about this book was how the narration just felt like your best friend telling you this story whilst you were lying on the bed with munchies and boxes of tissues surrounding you (trust me, you'll need them). The style of the book is almost conversational and I really felt an immediate connection with the characters, both Megan and Chad. I get the distinct impression, especially after talking to Megan herself, that she tried to keep things as true to life as possible, including the good, the bad, and the ugly in the story. Both characters have flaws which are brought to life by the difficult circumstances they encounter, without them they wouldn't have learned so much or held each other so close.

I love that you get to see both Megan and Chad's perspectives in the novel. You get a true sense of both of their voices through the emails and letters that are included. To hear more about, Megan's writing style, continue on to our interview with her. She goes into more detail on the whys and hows of Our Interrupted Fairy Tale.

I also loved (finally!) reading a story where I know the locale... I can imagine the places they were going because I've been there myself... the long drive to the airport, the hospital, the Vancouver scenery... it just added a whole depth of realism to the story that I'm sure others can relate to when reading books set in their hometowns.

But now, on to the interview with Megan, who talks about her story and writing in her own words!

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Last Thursday Cate and I had the opportunity to talk to Megan Williams, author of Our Interrupted Fairy Tale. Although we had planned to meet in person, illness kept us apart, and we (after figuring out our technical difficulties!) met on Skype instead. 

I cannot stress how friendly, kind, and down-to-Earth Megan was! We both really enjoyed talking to her, not just about her writing, but about life in general. If you get the chance to meet her at her many book events, you will have a wonderful time. She has one of those sunny personalities that just make you smile!

The first part of the interview started off a bit like Megan was interviewing us, we were both so nervous and excited to meet her! 

(Also, don't get confused between Megan (the author!) and Meg (from Polkadots Blog). I tried to colour code it so it would be less confusing. 

Megan: So you guys found the article from the Province did you?

Cate: Yeah she did! Meg: Yeah I did!

Meg: I was like, I have to read this book!

Megan: Have both of you read the book or just one of you?

Cate/Meg: We both have!

Author Spotlight: S.M. Knowles

S.M. Knowles was born in Elmira, New York, but due to her parents' work relocated to Independance, Kansas; a place that inspired the first book in the Rylee Everley Series: Unusual Awakening.

S.M. Knowles is known for her spirited imagination. As a child she often imagined she was somewhere far away from her sweltering Kansas hometown. It is no suprise then that she wrote her first book at the age of twelve. Despite being so young, she had the persitance and enthusiasm to fill one hundred pages with her ideas. After showing her mother her progress (and begging her to buy her more paper!), she accidently tripped in her excitement and sent her precious story flying everywhere. In her haste, she had failed to number the pages. Completely discouraged, she threw away her story. But she didn't stop writing.

She joined the miltiary which gave her the opportunity to travel and experience new things. She even met her husband in Iraq. After returning to start a family in Arizona, she returned to school where she earned a Master's degree in Adult Education and Training.

S.M. Knowles has continued to write, penning The Rylee Everley Series and Runaway (as Aubrey Kendall). You can find more about S.M. Knowles and her work on her website.

Before you go, don't forget to enter our Spring Beauty Giveaway RIGHT HERE. It ends on May 4th, so get those entries in!

- Meg 

Spring Beauty Giveaway [CLOSED]

Meg and I are so grateful for your support these past few month and we figured it was time for a giveaway.

We went out and bought some of our favourite pampering products to give away to one lucky winner.

Carrot Gift Set from Lush. This contains some really fun bath products to help you wind down and relax.

Style Icon Saturdays By Meg: Featuring Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard and I go way back to when I worked at a movie store and had a love affair (that has never really ended) with French movies. Please run and check out A Very Long Engagement, Love Me If You Dare and La Vie En Rose, stat!

You might recognize Marion, if not from her acting, then as the face of the Lady Dior advertising campaign. Here she is looking flawless as usual, even when bouncing on a trampoline.

 Pictures courtesy of the DailyMail

There is something about French women and their effortless style. It is at once classic and modern, simple and bold. Marion Cotillard is no exception, she is the modern embodiment of chic style and grace.

Take a look at some of my favourite looks and what's she's taught me about fashion thus far.

Don't be afraid to take a risk and stand out!

Picture courtesy of WMagazine

This mermaid-inspired dress with gold-tipped scales is certainly a bold choice, but Marion absolutely shines in it. Her sideswept hair and long necklace serve to accent the dress perfectly and she makes the right choice in keeping the rest of her jewerly and accessories simple.

What's the Deal With "No-Makeup Selfies" & Why You Should Do One For Yourself

There have been a lot of no makeup selfies cropping up around social media recently. Just last week I was tagged on Facebook by a friend who wanted me to participate. It didn't take me long to decide to do it, but maybe it wasn't for the right reasons... 

I had no idea that many of these no makeup selfies cropping up had to do with Cancer Research UK's campaign to raise money for Breast Cancer. The theory is you can raise awareness and gather donations by women posting pictures of themselves barefaced, encouraging people to donate and pass it on. Apparently the theory works, according to the BBC over 2 million has been raised. That's nothing to turn one's nose up at!

Confessions of an Insomniac: Natural Sleep Tips

As a self proclaimed insomniac (yes the real kind, not the "I like to stay up at night" kind) I know a thing or two about trying to wind down and shut my brain off in order to get a good night's rest.

Some say that insomniacs are highly intelligent individuals who just can't stop the wheels in their heads from turning (cool right?) but the truth is, not getting a good enough sleep is really dangerous, especially for those of us who suffer from this at a young age. A New Study Out Recently From Taiwan shows that insomniacs have a greater chance of having a stroke than those who get a good sleep every night. Insomniacs are also at greater risks for diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

It's easy to become an insomniac when you're in the midst of college or university and you stay up late trying to get all those papers and assignments done last minute.

But enough with the why's and the statistics. Today I am going to share with you some of my favourite tips for winding down the mind and hopefully getting some decent shut eye. I like to follow a routine. I find that most insomniacs (in my experience; yes it's different for everyone) lack a lot of routine in their lives and often can never get on a good sleep schedule but for me, creating a little routine before bed (regardless of when I am going to sleep that night) helps my body and brain to understand that it is time to shut off.

Tip # 1: Take a Warm Shower


Image Courtesy of www.ideachampions.com 

Taking a warm shower, for me, is very relaxing and sets the scene for my next few tips. The warm water temperature is very calming and soothing. I like to use my Nivea Harmony Time Shower Cream which has a wonderful Rose and Almond scent that is very calming.



After, I get out of the shower, I don't like to be awake for more than 2 hours because I find that once I go past the 2 hour mark, I loose my "sleepiness" and insomnia kicks in again.

Style Icon Saturdays By Cate: Featuring Grace Kelly

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Grace Kelly. I distinctly remember being in the 10th grade in Photography class and looking through a book of famous photographs and coming across a photograph of Grace Kelly and thinking to myself that the was one of the most classically beautiful women I had ever seen.

This is the photograph that started it all:

Image Courtesy of www.glamasia.com

Grace, like so many other classic hollywood beauties, embodied style and well, grace. Her looks are so timeless and elegant. I feel like everything that women like Grace or Audrey wore over 50 years ago is still as beautiful and as timeless as the first time they put it on. 

Here are just some of my favourite parts of Grace Kelly's iconic style. 

Her "To Catch a Thief" Dress

Image Courtesy of www.indlugy.com

To this day I swear, if I ever get married I would wear a dress like this. It is so beautiful and classic. It fits like a glove and is romantic. 

Divergent - Dual Book & Movie Review

I watched the movie Divergent first before reading the novel (against true English major and book worm fashion; oh the horror!), as I did with the Hunger Games. I have to say, unlike the Hunger Games, a movie which really drew me in, the pull for Divergent was basically non-existant. This may be against popular opinion, but I left the movie feeling kind of "meh" about the whole thing. That being said, I still wanted to read the book(s) because of the "too much to put in with too little time" deal that often happens with book to movie transitions.

I think I went in expecting another Hunger Games- a powerful, emotional, dystopian story that hits you right in the feelings, but what I got was empty and hollow.

I'm not sure what was wrong with movie exactly, but I have a couple of theories. It could be, perhaps, that Shailene Woodley who plays Tris, despite holding her own in The Descendants, was unable to bring the same enthralling performance to this movie. I don't think she quite conveyed the strength and power that one needs to embody in order to pass as a member of Dauntless, though she did quite well as playing a meek member of Abnegation. But I can't entirely blame her, disconnect is prevalent in the movie. There is no spark between Triss and Four, despite Four being pretty darn cute. Even Kate Winslet's acting as Erudite leader Jeanine Matthews, is lacklustre and formulaic (and I can barely stand to say anything negative about my dear Kate!). I don't blame the actors themselves, it is likely what they had to work with, the script and the way the movie came together that made for a film that fell by the wayside. Diverent was disappointing in the way that it was nothing particularly special.

Four, played by actor Theo James.
Photo courtesy of People

But now... the book!