DIY: Sewing buttons onto my reusable bag

I came across a DIY blog recently, whose link I can't find! It inspired me to sew buttons onto my reusable fabric bag I use for my lunch, for work.

One problem I was having with my lunchbag is that it would flop around quite a bit while on my shoulder. Last week, I sewed on a few snap buttons that were lying around the house. I only sewed on a few buttons initially and am planning to add a few more to keep it properly shut when I get the chance. Bigger snap buttons might give a stronger hold, so hopefully I can pick some up soon.

Take a look!

Working on any DIY projects of your own?

Blog re-Design!

In my blog's almost two year existence, it has undergone three major face-lifts! I felt that the initial design didn't reflect the sometimes serious subjects I addressed in my blog. While the second design wasn't accessible enough. I always had a problem with the font colour in the tabs section and don't know how to work my way around the coding to have been able to change that.

I'm very happy with the site's update, as I now feel that the design more accurately represents the blog's identity. Increasing the accessibility was important to me. I wanted to make it as easy on the eyes as possible, so hopefully you'll like the changes!

What are your thoughts on the re-design?

Great make-up sale for Canadians!

Hey guys! I meant to post this a few days ago, but got a bit busy with some other stuff. There is an awesome sale going on this week at Rexall. At the moment, they are offering 50% of all cosmetic face products, including foundations, powders, concealers, correctors, bronzers and blushes. You can search for your flyer here.

I've been wanting to pick up a liquid foundation as I do not have one at the moment! I threw out all the foundations I had been using before after my major breakout in February.

I had read quite a lot of good reviews for L'Oreal's True Match Foundation, so yesterday I picked it up in W6 (sun beige). I am between MAC's NC35-40, for reference. I am happy to report after an initial test, the colour match is perfect and the texture feels incredible! Stay tuned for a full report once I've properly tested it.

Natural vs. (Un) Natural Deodorants: Which is better?

More than a year ago, I decided to swear off synthetic/chemical laden deodorants in favour of a natural deodorant,  called Crystal. With previous skin issues, and a desire to minimize the negative impact of  chemical buildup in my body, this seemed like a good idea at the time. I thought I would share my experience with this specific product in case anyone was interested in knowing what it was like.The cool hypoallergenic, fragrance and paraben free solution felt nice being applied to my underarms after showering. Gone were the times of applying a thick, waxy substance to my fresh and clean underarms!

After initially testing out the product, I didn't notice any difference in perspiration levels. It is only in the past few months that I realized that Crystal's formula wasn't really working for me, at all! I just assumed that I was a heavy underarm sweater and that regular deodorants didn't do much to reduce my sweating previously.

I clearly had some memory issues as I must have overlooked the usefulness of conventional deodorants in controlling perspiration, because I felt good using a natural product in such a sensitive area.

Last week, I decided to do a little experiment. I used a a mini Dove deodorant I had previously acquired for travel, but had not used. The results were drastic. If I had to quantify the percentage of how much I perspired compared to the amount I usually do using the natural deodorant, I'd say it was about 5-10%. Needless to say, I've switched over...for now. I don't have to tell you that excessive underarm sweating is embarrassing (ie. having visible sweat marks when you aren't exercising, etc!) and this is something that I'm wishing to avoid henceforth!

To be clear, I don't think natural deodorants are not good products because I am planning to continue my search for a natural deodorant that is effect at deodorizing and reducing perspiration naturally, if possible! I saw a recommendation online for this product but, I need to do some more research before committing.

Crystal brand deodorant is not very good at deodorizing or reducing sweating (at all.) If you are looking for a natural deodorant, I would look further than this product because I am sure there is something out there that balances our need for fewer chemicals and is also an effective deodorizer/anti-perspirant.

If you've tried out a product like this that works for you, I'd love some suggestions!

Recipe: Afghan Chappli/Chapli Kabobs

In the almost two years of my blog's existence, I have not yet shared any of my favourite recipes! Today, I'm planning to change that. One of my favourite things to eat are fried meats! In my home, I'm known for my dry meat marination specialty! So it seems fitting that my first recipe post should be of such an item.

I've found that post-war, there have been a number of Afghan restaurants established in my area. With its fresh and juicy offerings, Afghan food has fast become one of my favourite types of cuisines to indulge in! My top three favourite Afghan restaurants in the greater Toronto area, for those interested, include Bamiyan Kabob, Pamier Kabob and Afghan Kebob Cuisine.

I typically order their chicken breast kabob with naan, or their chappli kabob with naan. I guess I got inspired to recreate a fraction of the flavour I'm used to eating at these restaurants.

So I've been working on perfecting the recipe below. I've only made it twice, but it is well on its way to becoming one of my favourite minced meat dishes! For help, I searched through a number of different recipes online for Afghan chappli kabobs and fused them with a few added ingredients and came up with the following:

The Greatest Love (Kdrama): My Thoughts

Airing for 16 episodes this past May and June, The Greatest Love turned out to to be an unexpected delight! I always feel lucky every time we stumble upon an interesting drama! I had tested out the first episode with my siblings and didn't feel the right vibe and subsequently discontinued watching it. My younger sister continued with it and informed us that the show had gotten very interesting! And the rest is history, really :-)

Here's a brief synopsis from wikiaddicts: 

Ae Jung was once the most popular member of girl band The National Treasure Girls. However 10 years ago the band broke up and she received most of the blame. Despite her warm personality her career has suffered ever since and she now spends her time fighting for air time on variety shows. Dokko Jin is a top movie star at the height of his career. The two meet and become involved in each other's careers. Yoon Pil Joo is a doctor of oriental medicine who has no interest in the entertainment industry but agrees to make a dating show. Dokko Jin helps get Ae Jung a role on a new reality show called Couple Making. Pil Joo is the bachelor being set up on Couple Making. Both men fall for Ae Jung both off and on the screen. 

REVIEWED: Physicians Formula Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder

Again, a Physicians Formula product with a mouthful of a name! Before I get rolling with this review, I just wanted to take a quick moment to shoutout to my new followers. I very much appreciate the support, and hope to keep some fresh content coming your way!

If you've had the chance to read some of my previous posts, I discussed at length some of the skin issues I have experienced/been experiencing. Why is this relevant to this review...? Here's the backstory.

Earlier in the year, after a skin reaction led me to find out I had very sensitive facial skin, I took a short break from makeup to allow my skin to properly heal and to figure out which makeup products would be most suitable for my skin type. I felt naked! When I was ready to wear makeup once again, I tried a few different products including MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark, which still didn't mesh well with my skin and caused me to have minor breakouts :-(

When I was all but losing hope about finding an easy route to a new foundation, I visited my local Rexall and picked up Physicians Formula Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder in Sand Beige, on clearance! The product retails between $15- $20, depending on the store. However, if you keep your eyes open you'll be able to purchase this one for 15, 20 or 30% off! For this price, you are getting about 0.49 Oz/14 g of product. Just as a comparison, MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation is 0.52 Oz/15 g.

An Incredible View...

And He has made subservient to you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, all, from Himself; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.(Qur'an, 45: 13)

You're Beautiful (Kdrama): My Thoughts

I recently swapped dvds with a friend of mine- 49 Days for You're Beautiful ( aka He's Beautiful, You're Handsome). I was recommended this drama from many different sources and now was as good a time as any to check it out. From what I had read, this drama was quite liked by people and seeing as to how I just finished City Hunter, I was in need of some Asian flavour!

Here is a brief synopsis: The management company of the idol group A.N.JELL insisted on adding a new singer to the group as the lead vocal, Tae Kyung's voice was hurting. However,the new member, Mi Nam, had to go to the States to repair a botched eye job just before signing the contract. His agent came up with the idea of having his twin sister, Mi Nyu,to stand in for him and pretend that she was her brother. The two of them grew up in an orphanage and Mi Nyu, who was all set to become a nun, agreed to this charade as she didn't want to spoil her brother's chance of fame which would make it easier to look for their mother.

Now, before beginning this drama, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Initially I thought that a story revolving around a kpop band might be kind of redundant, but it was fresh enough to maintain my interest for the most part! As far as the gender-swapping premise of the show, I had seen Coffee Prince in the past, so it wasn't as novel a concept. Still, this drama had a different spin on this switch, which made this storyline interesting.

Product Rave: Eucerin Brand Creams

Earlier in the year, I visited a really nice dermatologist who helped me figure out what was going on with my skin. After my appointment, I came away with a diagnosis of sensitive skin and psoriasis!

Armed with this knowledge, I had to radically alter my facial skincare routine and learn to take extra precautions with my skin in general. As my dermatologist told me: I had beautiful skin! Once I started believing this and treating my skin in a way that respected it's 'issues', I have never felt better about my skin, ah (short for thank God in Arabic).

Before having this diagnosis, I had already begun introducing changes into my skin and bodycare routine that had helped me tremendously.

Which brings me to the subject of this blogpost:  

EUCERIN brand creams