I don’t know when or why, but somewhere along the line we all thought that it was perfectly acceptable to comment on or question others on the shape and size of their bodies. More often than not, we don’t question a person - we comment, behind closed doors or in hushed voices to our friends: God, she gained weight hasn’t she?
I’ve been part of the problem. I know I have. And I’ve vowed to stop.
Standing in my bathroom at 6:47 am I looked first at my reflection and then at the instructions that came with my heated eyelash curler and I questioned how in the reign of all things pretty I came to own a heated eyelash curler.
On the list of things I should put near my eye, I’ve always felt heat-related styling tools fell into the ABSOLUTELY FLIPPIN' NOT category, but here we are. My first experience went a little like...
I’m sitting in the Edmonton International Airport surrounded by total strangers who are as tired as I am, anxiously awaiting the boarding call for my redeye back to Halifax. I can almost smell the sweet scent of F’s hair and I can’t wait to wrap my arms around him, 48 hours after I hugged him goodbye. I didn’t foresee motherhood being trips across the country. I didn’t foresee most of what motherhood has held for me.
It feels like only yesterday I was scratching my head over furry nails, and now I’ve come to discover that I can really get back on the diet train by simply licking my nails… thanks to KFC “Tastes Like Chicken” nail polishes. Except I'd rather not.
As a general rule, I refuse to buy clothing requiring anything more than being thrown in the washing machine and dryer, being hung in my closet and put on my body. Dry clean only? NOPE. Needs to be ironed every time I wear it? HECK NO. But every now and again, I find myself in love with something that's not quite as easy to care for and I try really hard to be diligent and care for it properly. Once per quarter (or even less, sometimes), I take my few items for dry cleaning in and happily fork over my cash to keep my wool peacoat or suit in tip-top shape.
I’ve often joked that headaches are a side effect of parenthood, and in some ways it’s true. Kids are loud and they’re stressful and sometimes they keep you up all night, and all of those things can cause headaches. But I’ve had headaches for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can’t remember a day when I didn’t have a headache – at least for part of the day.
Sitting in my physician’s office in pain, I tried not to well up with tears as he applied pressure to the swelling on my neck and jawline. He looked for blocked salivary ducts in my mouth but saw nothing. Then he had a peek at my teeth. And then, strangely, he asked if I had a child.
I do…
"Has he been vaccinated?"
Yes. Yes, of course. (I’m freaking out a little now.)
"I think you have mumps. You probably picked it up at the playground or daycare centre."
Few are the things I love more than popcorn. It’s one of those snacks that I can eat so many different ways that I’ve guaranteed I will never tire of it! Plus it’s easy to make, inexpensive and assuming you don’t cover it in loads of butter and salt, it’s actually not an unhealthy treat!
Ah, crying. It’s one of those things that can sneak up on you and make your perfect(ish) makeup go to shit in less time than it takes to say “Pass the tissues.” As a self-proclaimed bawl bag, I spend more time than I care to admit trying to unsmudge eyeliner that’s halfway down my face.
Many women I know, myself included, spend an inordinate amount of time plucking, waxing, shaving, lasering and wishing away unwanted body hair. I know women who shave their toes. I know women who wax their knuckles.
Ask any mom, and she’ll tell you that mornings are so hectic, it’s sometimes a miracle anyone has pants on leaving the house. Or at least, that’s how mornings look at my house… and for that reason, I’ve had to get creative so I can get ready in less time without sacrificing style and, uh, personal hygiene and stuff.
We’ve all been there: a sore throat and runny nose, flat hair and watery eyes. Since nothing screams, “you look like a bag of shit” as loudly as having your coworkers ask over and over if you’re sick, it’s reasonable to want to call in and crawl under the covers. Sometimes it’s just not an option.
Whether you’re a high heel lover or a far-off admirer, I’m sure you’ve at least once wondered, “Will I be able to walk in those?” There’s no denying that practice makes perfect, but there’s also no denying that there are just some shoes you can’t walk in. Here’s why:
It doesn’t matter what shoes you’re wearing, if you’ve got skinny, straight or boyfriend cut jeans on your outfit is instantly better when you roll that hem. I remember being a kid and DYING of mortification when my mother would roll my jeans up but now I almost never wear jeans that aren’t cuffed.
I don’t know about you, but fall is my favourite time of year when it comes to fashion: boots, scarves, rich colours and decadent fabrics. The air is crisp enough to beg a sweater in the morning, but it’s warm enough to forgo a jacket. I’d be OK with having September weather all year round. I really would.
The trends in fashion this fall are a great mix of surprises and old faithfuls, but these are a few of my favourites!
Two things most of us value when it comes to our morning routines are sleep and punctuality. We've all had mornings where we get up extra early to wash and style our hair, and I'm willing to bet I'm not the only one who's looked in the mirror and thought "Hmm, it's not that bad." Mornings are busy enough without the added hassle of washing and drying your hair, right? You already know that the less time you spend doing your hair the more time you'll have to make that second cup of coffee.
It seems like just yesterday that I packed my little boy’s backpack for his first day of daycare, but the reality is that it was more than three years ago. In no time at all, my baby will be attending his first day of grade primary (or senior kindergarten in some provinces), and I’m as excited for this new chapter as I am afraid of it. Much like the days of nap time and drool-covered bibs, the days of me picking out Finley’s clothes are long behind us. Heck, he's even helping me choose outfits now!
Most of us love the heat of summer, but we don’t all love the havoc it wreaks on our otherwise smooth, silky hair. If you like to avoid heat styling tools in the summer months altogether, you may often find yourself looking for easy ways to fight the frizz without sacrificing style.
Enter Goody Slideproof Headwraps: your summertime (or anytime) hair hero.
I vividly remember the first time I attempted to use dry shampoo. No one told me it’s not as simple as spray and go, and so that was precisely what I did. Lucky for me, I have light-ish hair.