Holiday Gift Guide | For Her, Him & Kids

Ah, the joyous jingle of sleigh bells and the scent of cinnamon wafting through the air— 'tis the season to be merry and make spirits bright! With the holiday festivities approaching, I'm here to sprinkle some extra magic into your gift-giving game. Whether you're shopping for her, seeking the perfect present for him, or delighting the little ones with wonders, here is a curated selection of enchanting gifts that will leave hearts aglow.

This Works Deep Sleep Breathe In and Deep Sleep Pillow Spray | Review

I consider myself lucky as I have had very little trouble falling or staying asleep for most of my life. Lately, however, I have been having more difficulty getting a restful night's sleep. I've been trying to find ways to better set myself up for some quality shut-eye. Taking a hot shower, drinking herbal tea, listening to relaxing music and meditating before going to bed has helped, as has incorporating these two products from This Works* into my ritual to restore a sense of calm before hitting the hay. I have tried similar alternatives from other brands in the past, however, I just had to give these two their time to shine because they have been so incredibly effective in my night time routine.

Vegan Food Haul + Taste Test! | iHerb.com

It has been a hot minute since I've shared a vegan food haul and taste test on here and while perusing iHerb.com recently to stock up on some supplements, I also threw in some never-before-tried snacks and meals into my cart! I'm always amazed by the variety of food I find on the website, and these all caught my attention. From fish-free tuna to vegan mac and cheese and matcha latte, I'm taste testing all of my finds on camera with you so you can see my live reactions! While some were definite hits, others were a little disappointing. Which ones should you give a try? I'm breaking it all down for you in my latest video!

China Travel Diary | Beijing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai

It's still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I travelled halfway around the world and got to visit the culturally-rich country that is the People's Rebulic of China! I had been wanting to visit for years, and when I came across a jaw-dropping deal online, I couldn't help but jump at the opportunity. I saw it as a sign that it was finally time to make the long journey! I spent close to two jam-packed weeks exploring Eastern China, starting off in Beijing, and then flew south to explore Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou and finished off in Shanghai. From visiting the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Olympic Center, a live Kung Fu show, a jade exhibition and the Great Wall of China in Beijing, to visiting Nanchang Street and Three Kingdoms City in Wuxi, to going on a Grand Canal Cruise and visiting the Couple's Garden in Suzhou, to taking a boat ride on Serene West Lake and sipping freshly brewed Dragon Well Green Tea at the plantation in Hangzhou, to walking Nanchang Street, seeing The Bund at night, soaking in the view from the observatory deck of the Jin Mao Tower and going on the Maglev train (aka the fastest train in the world!) in Shanghai, I hope you enjoy experiencing China through my eyes. Make sure to watch the video below in which I captured the beautiful scenery for your viewing pleasure!

How To Treat Excessive Sweating with Dermadry | Review + Demo

We've all been there - sweating profusely during a presentation, following an intense workout or when enduring a heatwave. While sweating is a natural bodily function that helps regulate our body temperature, it can become problematic when excessive sweating is not solely caused by a fight-or-flight response, an intense workout or exposure to heat and becomes an embarrassing inconvenience. The reality is, approximately 20% of the population suffers from hyperhidrosis, the scientific term for excessive sweating, which can occur with no physical exertion or external triggers. In recent years, this is something I have been dealing with, and while I suffer from this on a mild to moderate level, I personally know someone for whom it is more severe and has become a daily struggle. Thankfully, you don't have to rely on strong antiperspirants or seek more invasive Botox injections or even a sympathectomy surgery, as there is an effective and safe way to treat hyperhidrosis from the comfort of your own home, and that is by using an iontophoresis device, a welcomed solution thanks to Dermadry*.

Keeping Warm with Noize Vegan Outerwear

I don't know about the weather where you are, but the cold has really started to hit hard here in Montreal! Nights have been dipping below zero degrees Celsius, and as I am writing this, the first snowfall of the season is blanketing the night view outside my window - same day these photos were shot. Talk about a quick change in landscape! In true Canadian fashion (pun intended - you'll understand as you keep reading!), I am all about bundling up and always look for outerwear that will stand the test of a cold front and snowfall to keep me warm and dry. So when Noize* reached out asking if I would like to try one of their jackets, I thought, well, perfect timing!

Europe Travel Diary | London, Paris, Nice, Monaco, Brussels and Amsterdam

"Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." 

- Mary Ritter Beard

I've recently returned from the most amazing Eurotrip! It was jam-packed with a lot of city-hopping: 17 days, 5 countries, 6 cities, 7 flights (as well as taking a lot of ground transportation and walking) and 7 accommodations later, I've come back home with memories that will last me a lifetime. In case you missed it, I shared a Pack With Me in my last post in which I showed everything I brought with me on this specific trip - things I surprisingly managed to fit into a single carry-on suitcase! We started our journey off in London and then made our way to Paris. We got to experience an extended summer in both Nice and Monaco and finished our adventures off by visiting Brussels and Amsterdam. We opted to stay at both hotels and Airbnbs (First time trying? Get $45 CAD in travel credit when you sign up*)! Sometimes videos and photographs speak louder than words, so I thought I would share my travel photo diary with you below (get ready to scroll!), along with a travel vlog that captures the highlights of my European travels. I hope you enjoy!

Pack With Me For Europe! | How To Pack Carry-On Only

Eeeek! I'm so pumped to be going back to Europe in just a few days! I will be visiting four countries I've yet to have had the chance to explore, all in the span of 17 days: England, France, Belgium and The Netherlands. I've taken on the challenge to take only a carry-on with me on this longer trip, and I figured I would show you just how and what I am packing. We will be staying in both AirBnbs and hotels, and since we will have access to washing machines, it only made sense to lessen our load (and wait time at the airports!) since we will be moving around so much.

My Detox Routine + 3 Super Easy Healthy Vegan Recipes

I view detoxing as all-encompassing: not only is it something that is good for my physical body but being able to detox my mind is also something I regard as highly beneficial for my well-being (and definitely a challenge)! I personally enjoy incorporating more eco-friendly products into my routine, eating plant-based meals and also meditating each day. What I put inside my body is just as important as what I apply to it - same goes for my personal thoughts and the external stimuli that consume my mind, and by the same token the knowledge and information I assimilate. I also think a detox is not something that can be quickly achieved with a magic pill but is instead an ongoing practice that you should dedicate time to each and every day. I am excited to be partnering with Yves Rocher* to show you a few of the ways I like to detox, ranging from their Antipollution line, my meditation practice and some of my current favourite healthy vegan recipes!

What's In My Bag? | Adrienne Vittadini Crossbody Bag Review

I am one of those people who cannot be bothered switching out my handbags, so I wear the same bag over and over again for years, and that all year long! Sadly, my beloved bag I have been using for the last couple of years has seen better days so I was on the hunt for a new one. I decided to stop at Marshalls and was about to leave empty-handed until I spotted this Adrienne Vittadini Crossbody Bag tucked at the back of a rack. I was immediately drawn to its shape, size and colour, and I knew it was a done deal once I tried it on. This style is unlike anything I've owned before, and I've been enjoying it so much that I figured I would feature it in a What's In My Bag since it's been a while since I've shared one! I love seeing what are others' on-the-go essentials, so I hope you enjoy!

Vegan Food Haul + Taste Test | iHerb.com

Lo and behold, I'm back with another vegan food haul and taste test! I am always amazed by how many new plant-based finds I come across whenever I browse my favourite natural food, beauty and supplements store, iHerb.com! You will know how much I love them if you've been following me for a while as I enjoy sharing the hits (and misses) I come across with you all. If you would like to save on your first iHerb order*, you can use code FFM227 at checkout! Best part? They offer affordable international shipping as well - one of the many reasons I like this online retailer so much!

My Culligan Water Experience | All-Around Beauty Benefits

This post was sponsored by Culligan Water as part of an Integrated Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

For the past few months, my beauty routine has drastically changed for the better. "How?" you ask? Well, we all know that water is a necessity of life, but little did I know how much the quality of the water that runs throughout my home can significantly improve not only my quality of life but also take my beauty routine to a whole new level. Since having a Culligan Water softening and filtration system installed in my house, not only have I been enjoying great-tasting water at the touch of a button, but I have also experienced softer skin, smoother hair, and an overall more enjoyable and effective beauty routine.

Water Softening and Filtering with Culligan Water | Changes in My Beauty Routine

This post was sponsored by Culligan Water as part of an Integrated Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. 

Water consumption is such an integral part of our daily lives that we oftentimes forget how much of a necessity it is, even when it comes to our beauty routine! Everything from reaching for a tall glass of water in the morning, to hopping in the shower, brushing your teeth, and cleansing your face (the list goes on), the amount of water and the various uses we have for it can be quite eye-opening to reflect on. While my family and I have always been conscientious about how much water we use in our household, it wasn't until a few years ago that we opted to use a pitcher to filter our drinking water to lower our carbon footprint, no longer having to resort to purchasing plastic water bottles on the regular. We haven't looked back since, however there are still cons to owning one, such as having to buy filter replacements every couple of months, which can really add up overtime. So when I was presented with the opportunity to have a Culligan Water Aqua-Cleer Water Filtration System with ClearLink Pro as well as a High Efficiency Water Softener installed in my house, I couldn't say no to providing the best for my people, and just had to see for myself how this change could improve our quality of life and take our beauty rituals to a new and improved level! 

Epic Empties | Winter 2018 Edition

Spring is near, although it doesn't feel like it quite yet! Just when I thought it was warming up for good, we got hit by yet another snowstorm - Canadian problems, I know. Truth be told, I don't mind snow that much - this last snow dump covered the trees and landscape in a thick white layer and is a real feast for the eyes. Flashback to a couple of days ago on Daylights Savings (when the birds were happily chirping), I decided to film my winter empties, pretty early for once! I had to make the best of this extra daylight, so as tradition holds, I am sharing all of my beauty as well as a couple of random products I've used up over the winter months. It's a rather long one, I still hope you enjoy!

Discovering Natural Indie Beauty and Wellness Products with Navago + Giveaway!

Over the years, I have come across and featured quite a bit of natural beauty brands, and one thing that always keeps things interesting for me as a blogger when it comes to chatting green beauty is that there are always so many more indie companies out there to be discovered! While it can be nice to get a product that is super popular and raved about by what seems like everyone on the internet, I get that much more excited to find brands I've heard no one else talk about. One of my personal joys is to shine a spotlight on these smaller, non-mainstream companies, and after recently being introduced to NAVAGO*, it's like I hit the jackpot! 

Vegan + Gluten-Free Taste Test with my Sister!

After years of trying to convince my sister to start her own YouTube channel, she finally made the jump a couple of months ago! I'm definitely biased, but I have no doubt that you will enjoy her content - she is beautiful inside and out, smart, confident, resourceful and a natural in front of the camera. Olivia has always been my biggest supporter when it comes to my online ventures, and now that she has finally pulled the trigger, I am all but overjoyed to be able to share her amazing lifestyle content with you all. She provides amazing tips and advice and you can expect to see a variety of videos covering topics such as self-improvement and personal growth, travel, beauty, fashion and much more. You can get to know her a bit better here. I wanted to collaborate with her, and figured having her as a guest on my channel for a vegan taste test would be a fun way to go about it! We're both snack addicts, and she is always open to trying new foods, so as soon as I suggested the idea, she was all in. Get cozy, because it's a long one, and you'll also want to stick around until the end of the video as I couldn't resist putting some bloopers together! 

Top 10 Christmas Movies to Watch on Netflix + Giveaway!

I think this holiday season will go down as the one during which I have binge watched the most Christmas movies - and I am not ashamed to admit it! Thank you, Netflix, for sucking me into your festive motion picture vortex. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of my top Netflix movie picks in the Christmas category, because your girl has done her research and is ready to share her findings... I mean recommendations!

Cozying Up For Fall With Escents

While the leaves have not yet started changing colour, fall is just around the corner and it seems it's all everyone is talking about! Funny enough, summer has decided to stay a while longer around here, and despite having pulled out my blankets, thick socks and fluffy slippers just last week, I'm back to wearing shorts and keeping the fans running around the house (and I'm not complaining - summer baby here). To get me in the fall spirit, I recently received a thoughtful care package from Escents, a Canadian aromachology-focused brand based in Vancouver, and have been immersing myself in their wonderful aromatherapy products - along with their Ceramic Grace Aroma Diffuser* and Energizing Aroma Kit*, I also have been enjoying their Wellness Roll-On Kit* and Stress Relief Oolong Tea Blend*.

Alberta Road Trip: Canadian Rockies, Glacial Lakes, BC Border and Edmonton

Western Canada has a special place in my heart. I first got to experience it back in 2011 when I visited Vancouver, and again in 2014 when I travelled to Alberta to visit my cousin and her husband who had recently moved to Edmonton from Ontario (catch a glimpse from that trip here). My sister and I wanted to visit them again this year, so we booked a week off in mid-August so that we could make our way out west again. I've been documenting my travels on the blog these past couples of years (Greece two years ago and Italy last September), so I thought it would be fun to put a post and video together for Alberta this year since I did not write a detailed post the first time around. In true tourist spirit, I lugged my DSLR and phone around everywhere we went to capture the beauty around me. We landed in Edmonton on Wednesday and spent the rest of the day at their country house that first night and had Indian food from Tandoori Fuzion in St Albert for dinner. I went for Chana Masala with rice and vegan naan bread and it was exquisite. I've only had Indian a handful of times but have yet to be disappointed!

Moisturizing Isn’t Just for Your Face

I have peaked your curiosity, haven't I? I know, not your typical beauty-related post, but one that covers an interesting (and important) topic nonetheless, and that is vaginal dryness. This is a topic that I believe should be more openly discussed - if you are a woman (which I know most of you reading this are!), you have most likely experienced this kind of discomfort at one time or another, and knowing there are products out there that can help, such as the Vagisil ProHydrate Natural Feel Moisturizing Gel*, is a relief in itself! My goal here is to make intimate care less taboo, and let others know that those dealing with dryness down there are not alone - in fact, it is quite normal and we should not feel embarrassed to talk about it, even with our doctors.