Contest - It's Nice to be Important but it's More Important to be Nice!

As you may be aware from reading my last blog post on Wednesday, my Tuesday of this week didn't start off on a good note but during lunch that day, my friend Katie dropped a gift off to me at my office, just because. After Katie gave me my gift of NARS Turkish Delight my day immediately started to pick up which made me happy because as a very firm believer in good karma, I know that with goodness comes goodness.

Throughout the remainder of the week I experienced so many positive things not only at work, but outside of work as well. For instance, two other people that I work with shared something with me that I thought was absolutely amazing about goals that they have. Such positive goals can only bring positive results!

Yesterday while I was shopping at Winners I was held up at the cash that I was checking out at because the cashier had to get assistance to make a ticket for an article that I was purchasing. She was so apologetic for taking up my time. I smiled and told her that I wasn't in a hurry and advised her that she could take all of the time that she needed. The "thank you" that she responded with was so sincere. It made me wonder if she regularly deals with a lot of rude and hostile people constantly in a hurry. I'm certain that that must be the case because I think that every single one of us can recall a time that we have witnessed the hostility of fellow shoppers.

As I was leaving Winners, an elderly couple who looked as if they were in their 80's were walking in front of me. They were of course walking extremely slow, the man helping his beautiful wife because she could hardly walk. They were so sweet. As we reached the outside doors of Winners I could have walked around them but I didn't. Because the parking lot is always so busy and the man was so engaged in trying to assist his wife, I stayed behind them to make sure that no one hit them as they crossed from the curb out to their car which was parked in the handicapped space near my truck. As we neared our vehicles, the man noticed that I was behind them and actually said "I am very sorry" because he thought that he and his wife were in my way. I stopped in my tracks, looked him right in his eyes and said "please, don't ever be sorry. Not ever". His wife beamed a beautiful smile at me, the man's eyes welled up with tears and he thanked me with the most amazing "thank you" I have ever heard in my life. I replied with a smile and "you're welcome". As I got to my truck I looked back over my shoulder and he and his wife were still standing at their car looking at me with smiles on their faces. I will never forget that little couple and the gratitude that they showed me for not rushing them along.

When I got into my truck, I sat for a minute thinking about the two "thank you's" that I had just received from the cashier and the elderly couple. Because I wasn't in a rush. Because I wasn't being hostile and pushy. Because I smiled. Because I was kind. It is so, so important to be kind. I didn't know my Grandma Olive, but I have been told that one of her favourite sayings was "It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice"; which leads me to my favourite story of the week...

Yesterday morning at 9:15am my daughter's school had a themed assembly about "Acceptance". A guest speaker by the name of John Hastings, an Olympic kayaker was present to speak to the students about how important "acceptance" is and how important it is to be kind to one another. One of the stories that he told was about about how at the age of 16 he was training in Europe. One of his fellow athletes, by the name of Pierre was from Quebec and only spoke French, or so they all thought. John said that no one liked Pierre and everyone made fun of him, never having anything nice to say about him. One day John heard Pierre speaking to their coach in English which made him ill because clearly, Pierre spoke English and knew all of the terrible things that they had been saying about him. To make a long story short, John and Pierre are now the best of friends and John credits Pierre for helping him face his dreams and aspirations of becoming an Olympian. During the same assembly my babygirl was presented with a Student Recognition Award for "Acceptance" from her teacher and her principle. It's amazing that at the age of seven, she knows the importance of being kind to her fellow peers and accepting everyone regardless of their differences.

So, in the spirit of kindness and good karma, I want to challenge you!! And I want to hear about it!!
The challenge is simple. Do a good deed for someone or a bunch of someone's. Something thoughtful and kind to bring a smile to the face of another. A good deed can be anything from baking a batch of cookies and giving them to a friend or relative, buying someone a gift, writing someone a letter or sending someone a card. Volunteering, supporting, helping!! Be creative and show your appreciation to someone that you care about - or even a total stranger!!

This contest challenge involves a prize (prizes are always fun, right?) and there are only three rules!

Rule #1: Do something kind!! Once you have done your good deed, in the comment box below, please tell me what it was that you did!! You have to comment below to be entered into the draw. Only one entry per person will be entered into the draw, but don't let that stop you from doing more good deeds for people!

Rule #2: Share this contest and post with your friends and family. Below you can see that you can share it via Email, Blogger, Twitter or Facebook - or even word of mouth. I know that kindness and good karma are definately things that we want to spread the word on!

Rule #3: Subscribe or Follow my blog via Email Subscription or Google Friend Connect. You can sign up right over there ---> FYI: by signing up via Email Subscription, you will receive my blog posts straight to your email any time that I post something new. If you are already an email subscriber then you are good to go. Easy peasy!

One winner will be chosen randomly to receive the following prize which includes some of my favourite things:

One (1) 10 ounce bottle of Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo
One (1) 2 ounce bottle of Macadamia Natural Oil Curl Reviving Cream
One (1) 1 ounce packet of Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque
One (1) tube of Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Pucker lip gloss
Two (2) Pairs of handmade (by moi!) Rose Earrings (Colour: Black - one for you and one to give to someone else as seen in the side picture)
One (1) knitted scarf handmade (by moi!) - Please note that I will determine the style, width, length and yarn used for the scarf but upon winning the contest the winner will be able to choose the colour.

The contest starts now, Saturday October 29th and will end on Saturday November 12th at 1:00pm EST. This contest is open worldwide.

Let's see the good karma, my friends!

xTx

Disclaimer:
This contest is not sponsored. This contest is open from Saturday October 29th, ending on Saturday November 12th at 1:00pm EST. This contest is open worldwide. The winner must be subscribed to Tawny. Just Tawny. via Email Subscription. One(1) winner will be chosen at random via www.random.org. The winner will be notified via email on Sunday November 13th. If they do not respond within 48 hours the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen via www.random.org and will be notified via email. The prize will be shipped to the winner via mail depending on the best way to deliver to their particular country of residence.

My Katie

Sometimes people do things for me that make me so, so happy. So happy that I scream so loud that I shock myself!!

Today (well, yesterday, technically) I wasn't having the best of days. A couple of things happened at work in the morning that I was battling my way through. I managed to get everything in order, but my day didn't start off to be sunshine and lollypops.

One of my dearest friends in the world, whom I am so fortunate to work with always knows when something is up, whether it is good or bad. I swear that she reads my mind (I tell her this all of the time) because it never fails - If I need her she is there.

On Monday she and I had a quick conversation about Sephora. She was telling me about her new highlighting skills and how much she loves the new Sephora at the mall that we both frequent. During our chat she mentioned that she wanted to become a Kardashian (we are just silly like that) and I mentioned that I was aching to try the NARS Turkish Delight lippy that Kim uses which I planned on getting when i went back to Sephora.

Fast forward to today...

During lunch today, my beauty bestie stopped in to see me. She smiled and asked if I was having a bad day. Without hesitation, I answered with "yes"! Out from her purse (or whatever she was holding; it's all a blur now due to the excitement) she pulled a little Sephora bag and handed it to me telling me that we (as in people in general) don't ever receive enough presents.

There in my little Sephora bag was the NARS Turkish Delight I had spoken of the day before!!

Completely unexpected, I screamed and hugged her with excitement. She totally made my day!!

Immediately after she left my office I received two work related phone calls in a row that were also unexpected and my day immediately started to pick up from there.

Sometimes the smallest things in life can make such a huge impact. You may not know it but that good deed you did or are about to do may completely make someone's day turn from awful to amazing and the good karma that your deed brings with it may change an entire series of events. You just never know!

I am so, so thankful to have a Katie in my life. I hope that you are blessed with a Katie too!!

I'm loving me some Turkish Delight!!

xTx

Sent from my iPhone

30-Something Skin

I have to admit, I wasn't looking forward to turning 30 this past July. I felt the same turning 30 as I did when I turned 20 - I was not exactly thrilled! The only difference was that on my 30th milestone I didn't streak my hair bright pink, HA!

Over the past couple of years I have noticed a change in my skin. In your thirties your skin begins to lose it's elasticity, it requires extra nourishment and a skin regime that you should stay devoted to, especially if you want to reduce the signs of ageing (how many times have you heard that before?). Keeping your skin hydrated can be a feat if you live in Canada like myself. It is so important at this time of year to be extra friendly to your skin with the dry air of Autumn and Winter. Of course this  means drinking lots of water, cleansing and moisturizing. Keep reading...

Numero Un: As I mentioned above, drink lots of water. Eight glasses a day. Bla bla bla. I'll be honest; I hate water and I hardly drink enough of it. During the day while I am at work I tend to grab more coffee and tea than I do water which isn't something that I am proud of. I also have an addiction to Ginger Ale. This water ordeal is such a huge downfall of mine so I have to practice what I preach! I won't say anything more than the fact that it is important to drink. Water hydrates. Spritz some lemon into that glass and drink your merry little heart out. Your skin will thank you.

Numero Deux: Don't scrub your face into an oblivion, cleanse it gently! If your face hurts after you cleanse you're clearly not doing something right - Just sayin'. Find a gentle cleanser that is best suited for your skin type and be sure to clean your face every night before bed. When I shower in the morning I splash water on my face but I don't cleanse it like I do before I go to sleep at night. There are a ton of cleansers on the market that are cheap and simple - You don't have to cleanse with anything expensive. I love L'Oreal 360 Clean cleansers. Not only does this line of cleansers come with an amazing "scrublet" that is a little piece of wonderful, but I find that they are simple. Although I don't have sensitive skin, I use the blue cleanser because it is unscented and light. It is soap-free so my skin doesn't dry out with use and honestly, the scrublet (which you can see in the picture on the right - it pops in and out of the front of the bottle) is a must-have. I wish that I could find these little scrublet's for sale somewhere because the one that I have is amazing.

If you want to try a simple DIY facial cleanser that will only cost you a few cents and seconds to make; try mixing 1.5 teaspoons of melted honey with 1 tablespoon of milk. Mix together and cleanse your face and neck. Rinse with warm water to remove. It is gentle, natural and will leave your skin feeling so lovely.

Numero trois: Exfoliate. I recently started using pür minerals Pur Polish Multi-Use Exfoliator which is amazing. For $23 CDN you receive 8fl oz. of product in a pump jar that can be used all over your body including your face. Exfoliating a couple times a week is important to keep your skin healthy and looking fresh and young. Only exfoliate at night so that your skin has time to settle before you expose it to the elements. Love, love, love this product!

As you can see, my gorgeous cousin Kelsey gives the Pur Polish a thumbs-up too ;)



Numero Quatre: Once you have cleansed or exfoliated at night, moisturize your face with a moisturizer that is right for you. I was using Elizabeth Grant's Caviar Night Creme (which is AMAZING!) but I have recently switched over to 100% pure Argan Oil from the ZINN Beauty Collection. After I cleanse, I blot dry and then allow my face to continue air drying for a couple of minutes. I apply the oil to my face and massage it in gently. It is not a heavy oil and it soaks in quickly, leaving my face feeling silky smooth, hydrated and healthy. Not only can Argan Oil be used on your face but it can be used on your entire body including your hair.
What is Argan Oil you ask? It is extracted from the kernal of the Argan tree which is native to Morocco. It's extremely rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids and is safe and effective for all skin types, proving to protect against issues like premature aging, acne, rosacea and sun damage. It does NOT have Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMO's and Triclosan.

Fun Fact about Argan Oil: Way, way back in the day, day, long before you and I were here, the Berber people (the indigenous peoples that inhabited North Africa, west of the Nile River) used to pick the Argan pits from the waste of their goats (the goats used to climb the Argan trees to eat the fruit). The pits were then ground and pressed to make the amazing oil that we now know today. Fortunately in today's time the pits are no longer pulled from goat waste :)

Numero Cinq: Moisturize. I highly suggest moisturizing with a moisturizer that has an SPF15 in it to help protect your skin from the sun during the day. No matter what time of year it is, you want to protect your skin from ultra violet rays. It is no secret that too much sun exposure causes pre-mature wrinkles which we all would like to avoid. Since I have been using the Aragan Oil at night I have found that I have not required a moisturizer in the morning - I just rinse, blot dry, prime and apply my make-up.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
I will be back to talk about moisturizers in another blog post - They deserve their own :)
Quick Tip: Never use the same hand towel that you use to dry your hands to dry your face. Keep a roll of paper towel in your bathroom to use on your face. This way you use the paper towel once and can throw it away, completely avoid the possibility of germs getting onto your face.

Skin care may seem complicated but it's really not once you are in a steady routine. Educate yourself and love your skin.
xTx

Phantom Farm

I like to think that I am a brave person, but really, when it comes to really scary things, I am just a wimp. I cry like a baby when I am scared. Actually, first I laugh hysterically. And then I cry. A lot.

Phantom Farm, located north of Port Hope, Ontario is by far one of the scariest things I have experienced in my life. I've been through the silly haunted rooms at Canada's Wonderland, Wasaga Beach and Center Island. I experienced some scary themed ordeal at Universal Studio's in California. I've been through many Hallowe'en haunted houses in my lifetime. Some cheesy. Some decent. But only one terrifying.

I know that the people involved are of course just in costume but for some reason, when you're in the middle of a barn that is pitch black, with just the sound of rattling chains and cold hands grabbing at your legs, you forget about the costumes. It's ridiculous, really. The only time I have ever been to Phantom Farm I dragged some poor man through the entire tour with me. I didn't pull him along, I literally dragged him. He was falling, begging me to let go, pleading that I slow down. By the end of the tour he was soaked with my tears. My Aunt and Uncle (whose dear friends own the farm) had forewarned the staff that I would be going through that night so they were all on the look out for me to ensure that I was terrified. They did a superb job of that. Around each corner I ran into someone who knew who I was and did everything possible to frighten me. As my Aunt laughed in hysterics, the poor guy that I was dragging through continued to plead. I buried my face in his chest, pulled on his arm, made him fall, trip and stumble. The poor guy! I threatened to hit every costumed being that I encountered and screamed enough for an army of fifty 12 year old girls.

This month we will be going back to experience the "fun". I'm not excited at all nor do I want to go. I have already decided that I will not be taking the barn trip but I am considering (I can't emphasize that enough!!) the hay ride through the haunted forest but the barn is just too much for me to handle.

If you enjoy being spooked and love all things Hallowe'en, Phantom Farm is definitely for you! People from all over Canada and the U.S. make a point to go to the farm each year. It is only open until the last week of October, so if you have the chance and crave a terrifying experience you should really swing by to enjoy the "fun".

...But don't say that I didn't warn you...

Happy almost Hallowe'en!

xTx

Macadamia Natural Oil - Reviving Curl Cream

My Babygirl has some serious hair. Hair that extends all the way down her back and hair that is loaded with curls. I'm talking serious curls. Serious ringletty curls that take on a mind of their own. They are full of attitude and are completely untamable if they aren't cared for. A couple of years ago her ringlettes would spring into place with ease but since her hair has gotten so long and thick, the weight of it now pulls the rings down. Each night I comb and braid Babygirl's hair so that we are able to fix it up with a 15 minute ease each morning before school. Normally, I simply take the braid out, comb it through with my fingers, spray it with water and then brush it through with a wide toothed comb. To finish, I twist each curl around my finger to try to keep them as defined as possible with the spritz of a frizz tamer. Of course, when she comes home, even with a tamer, her hair is a frizzy, hot mess from her busy day at school.

Again, as we all know, I (alphabetically - LMNOP) love Macadamia Natural Oil products and have had the opportunity to try the Reviving Curl Cream on Babygirl's hair. Because these products are healing and not harmful, I have no concerns using them on my daughter's hair at all. After I spritz-spray her hair with water in the morning I run about a quarter sized amount Curl Reviving Cream through, focusing on the lower half to start; ending off at her roots. I haven't been twisting her ringlettes at all but I have been gently scrunching them into place and they turn out beautiful. I have found that this product is best used on damp to wet hair so I wouldn't suggest applying it to hair that is dry. It definately has a holding agent in it but it's certainly not a strong gel-like hold; just a nice soft hold. Babygirl's curls stay soft, defined, frizzless and shiney all day long, regardless of the amount of running (which she does a lot of) and playing (which she does even more of) that she has done at school that day. It is so nice to see her come home with the same pretty hair that she went to school with.

I can't say enough about this line of hair care and style products. To be honest, the only thing left to say is; if you haven't tried Macadamia Natural Oil, there is no question that you should. It's a simple as that.

xTx

Full Disclaimer: The product I have spoken of was provided to me by Macadamia Natural Oil. No further compensation was received and no guarantee of a positive review was promised nor expected. All opinions expressed are my own - we all know I have one! Thank you, Macadamia Natural Oil for providing my daughter and I with the BEST hair care products possible.

Hello Kitty Nails

Last Sunday I painted Hello Kitty on Babygirl's nails but sadly I forgot her ears.  It's amazing what you can paint with a toothpick!

xTx

Photo © Copyright Tawny Gelinas, 2011

Five ★ Sunday (On a Saturday Night) - Candles

Every year, come September and October's crisp Autumn weather I always make sure that our house is full of the things that make my family and I feel warm and cozy. Like my Mom, I have a serious obsession with candles all year long but I especially love to burn them through the Autumn and Winter months when the smells of freshly cut grass, flower gardens, BBQ's and pool water are no longer. When I was younger we used to attend many functions at the CNE in Toronto and I would always look for a booth selling Kokimo Candles so that I could buy a Candy Candle for my Mom. Back then my favourite Candy scent was grape but now I tend to stick with scents that are warm and that remind me of my childhood. If my Mom wasn't burning candles she would burn a homemade contraption on our stove or over tea light burners so that our home always smelled like cinnamon. Scents with cinnamon are always very comforting to me because of this.

One of my favourite candles to burn in the Autumn is called "Leaves" by Slatkin & Co. which can be purchased at Bath & Body Works.  "Leaves" to me is the true scent of Autumn with high notes of golden nectar, mandarin and red delicious apples paired with undertones of cinnamon, mulled cider spices and fresh red berries. Not only is it a beautiful scent but one 3 wick candle smells my entire house for hours at a time, has a life span of 40-65 hours, comes in a pretty re-sealable jar and burns completely clean with no wasted wax. These candles are really pricey and sell at $25 a jar. The only time I buy them is when they are on sale, 2 for $25. Even though I adore the scent, I refuse to pay $25 for one candle.

My all time favourite candles are Sparta Candles. Like Kokimo Candles, Sparta Candles are Canadian made and can only be purchased online or in the Anything Used and Sparta Country Candles store in Sparta, Ontario. The scent pay off of these candles is phenomenal. What is even more phenomenal is that the 12 oz candles burn for at least 80 hours and are only $9.99!! Even better, once your 12 oz candle has burned out you can purchase a refill candle to go right back in the reusable jar for only $7.99. BUT, if you purchase 5 or more refill candles, they are only $5.99 each. That's $30.00 (plus applicable taxes) for 5 candles equalling 400 hours of burn time. Love it!! My favourite scents are Wildthing, Cinnamon Hearts, Peach Passion and Twisted Raspberry. Oh, and Blueberry Mountain and French Vanilla and Sunburst and Santa's Bake Shop. You know, I could list them all. These candles are beautiful and well worth the price. You will receive free shipping on all orders over $25.00. I believe that a standard shipping charge of $20.00 is added to all orders under $25.00. Honestly, you can't go wrong ordering online (if your order is over $25) and you certainly will not be sorry that you did so.

What candles do you love to burn?

xTx

Photo's courtesy of Bath and Body Works and Sparta Country Candles