A life full of inspiration & experiments. Crochet maker. Arthritis fighter. Lifestyle blogger. CUExperiments designer. Newly wed. Can secretly be bribed with coffee.
Currently blogging about my adventures, hobbies & inspiring finds.
CUExperiments is a collective of experimental handmade (mostly crochet) projects I've personally designed & created. Each experiment is fabricated through the inspirations of everyday living. All products & their patterns are designed & created by me, Cory U.
Lofty Plants aka Plants to Hang on a Loft Balcony // Blog & VLOG
When we moved into our loft space last year we always dreamed about filling it with plants. Tall trees and vines were our future. Weāve slowly collected plants, first to test out my green thumb, and second when we found something that we thought would go great in our space.Ā Now that Spring has very slowly come into play again, we were able to finally find our favourite metallic plant holders for our second floor rail to embrace our space and load it up with lofty plants.Ā
Searching for plants!Ā
We had a vision and stuck to it.Ā
The plant holders (from Ikea) were all we could envision. Nothing else had that industrial feel with a price point so affordable. We needed something that most people would use outdoors but would still work in an indoor space. Thankfully, we found our favourite pick on an Ikea wandering whim at the cusp of Spring. Even with a solid metal base, I still got paranoid that these outdoor planters would leak and used epoxy to seal the seams of each container.Ā
Recently on Instagram: One of everything please.
We wanted lush plants.
Iām a little more patient than Rishad, but we agreed that big impact right away would be the most satisfying look. We bought two full hanging baskets of ferns hoping we could distribute the plants into three. Did you know each fern leaf has itās own root? We learned quickly that these baskets were like splitting apart a tangled head of curly hair with no conditioner. It was almost impossible and we could only split them into pac-man shapes for just two baskets. Weāre waiting to see how these take before possibly buying a third.Ā Ā
Peering through our second story of lofty plants.
Lofty Plants aka Plants to Hang on a Loft Balcony // VLOG
My green thumb wants more!
We travelled for a week and came back to find our beautiful green plants thriving. Iāve read that ferns are great to filter the air in your home and I just love the way they look staring up from below. After I watered the ten plus plants we already have, I looked around and wished there were more. Iām hooked!Ā
What are your favourite in home plants?
Our videos are sporadic, but we do intend to make them more & more. Follow along on the blog & subscribe to our channel to keep in the loop. xo
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Hiking Rouge Park & Reminiscing Over Summer // Blog & Video // Discovering My City
Iāve finally come to the upsetting realization that Summer has come to an end. Admittingly, the weather has been so warm as of late that itās been easy to be in denial until now. When I finally came in contact with that first morning snow, I whimpered like a puppy dog in sadness. In my mind, I imagined skipping the snow altogether this year. I wish.Ā Luckily for me Iām escaping to a warm sunny holiday very soon, but until then Iām just reminiscing over these past warm summer days instead.Ā
Recently on Instagram: Great weather is something that should be embraced more. I loved this walk through Rouge Park.
Sometime last May we took a hike through Rouge Park. It was gorgeous & green & wildlife was heard all around us. We embraced the fresh air & roamed the forest like we were the only two people around. My favourite part was running into a young family catching buckets of water creatures with so much excitement. Starved for a relaxing end to our day, we ended up by the harbour of Pickering for that last little bit of sun. It felt like a short little holiday.Ā
Reminisce with us in our video below. Ā
CURA - Cory & Rishad // Summertime Hike at Rouge Park
Our videos are sporadic, but we do intend to make them more & more. Follow along on the blog & subscribe to our channel to keep in the loop. xo
Camping at The Bruce (& other detours) // Blog & Video //Ā Summer Camping around Georgian Bay
Itās been over ten years since the last time I went camping. These words frightened Rishad. Since our last trip was spent in a boutique hotel & he knows that I have some particular tastes, the idea of meĀ āroughing itā wasnāt something he could imagine.Ā We made lots of lists, watched lots of YouTube hacks, loaded up Suzy (our car) & went off on a three day camp trip (or so we thought).
Tackling the camping essentials was a breeze. Since my tween years were spent camping across Canada, my family still had some great equipment. I rounded up the cooking gear & propane stove while Rishad rounded up his tent.Ā The only items we really needed to repurchase were sleeping bags & some kind of mattress on a small budget. We found some great little sleeping bags at Mountain WarehouseĀ & still kept to our budget by buying puzzle piece mats from Dollarama. Seriously, they were cheaper than yoga mats, less bulky & time consuming than air mattresses, & so much more colourful. I was proud.
Sitting proud in our cushioned tent
Camping a Cyprus Lake was a brand new experience. We booked our spot on the Parks Canada websiteĀ & hoped we picked a good location. It wasnāt very private, but our neighbours were lovely & we ended up needing each others help in the end. Strict on rules, the campsite aims to be bear free & conservation friendly. They keep these grounds clean & make sure their campers respect the land.Ā
Walking through the calm & quiet Cyprus Lake
We didnāt plan on hiking our first night there but it ended up happening. Listening to the recommendations of the front desk, we headed out to Overhanging Point before sunset. It ended up being the best & worst decision that day.
What was quoted to us as being a 10 minute hike from one lookout to another, ended up being much, much longer. Walking through rocky dirt paths, hugging trees to wrestle down slopes & balancing over a rocky beach took well over 30 minutes with the sun quickly setting overhead. We were fearful weād be walking back to home base in the dark & hurting ourselves in the process. Even so, we trailed on.
When we arrived at our final destination, we were the only ones around. The views were amazing & we sat for some time, taking in the sunset falling directly in front of us. The glistening sun reflected on the rippling water reminded me of the ending to The Little Mermaid. Itās a silly reference, but Iād never seen glowing water so animated like that before. Although the walk back was a little dim & our noodle dinner was cooked in the dark, it was worth it. As a bonus, we didnāt injure ourselves!
Recently on Instagram: Watching the sunset at Overhanging Point
Recently on Instagram: Perfect sunset views as the only two people around
The following morning confused the heck out of me. It was the beginning of Summer & I was freezing the entire night! I woke up to extra layers that I threw on in the middle of the night, happy that I packed my handmade wool Mountain Toque. Warm bubbling coffee excited me more than words could describe as I cooked us up some breakfast that morning.
The rest of the day was spent on more hikes, back tracking to what we quickly passed the night before. We were enjoying ourselves so much that we couldnāt believe we only had one more night to go.
Taking in the views at Indian Head Cove
After dipping our toes in the icy Georgian Bay
Debating through the night, we decided not to head straight home. There was no rush & our packing skills left us with lots of food leftover. We begged for another place at Cyprus Lake but the weekend dates were all booked up. It worked out for the best.
Driving out of the park left us confused. We didnāt want to go home but we didnāt know where to go. After aimlessly googling & driving just a little further south, we made it to our favourite part of the trip, Lionās Head.
We didnāt notice the Lionās Head until AFTER our hike that day. We were pretty tired.
After settling into the open campsite, we headed out to our favourite hike of the whole trip.
Besides a few photos & small blurb or two online we really didnāt know what we were about to discover. It started with a long hike through trees & stones, avoiding the poison ivy that outlined the path on both sides. We could tell from just that little bit of poisonous green that this wasnāt a trail that many people took.
From there we started the incline up & up. I found myself getting pulled up by Rishad or hugging trees as anchors quite frequently without the use of my hands to climb up. It was tricky but we make a great team.
Finally reaching the first lookout, I couldnāt believe my eyes! Below us was the most tropical looking bay of water surrounded by the lushest evergreens. Could this really be Ontario? The day before shocked me in a similar way, but it was the height & immensity of this view that really captivated me.Ā
Looking down from out first lookout point
Heās a daredevil. I couldnāt get the same nerve in me to take this photo myself.
Recently on Instagram: I guess I canāt say Iām afraid of heights anymore. Iāll just have to say that I have a discomfort with heights instead.
Recently on Instagram: Reminding me of the Wood between the Worlds from The Narnia Chronicles. This is what I imagine when I think about the pools they had to enter. Except, this āpoolā was a a long way down.
I wish I could say that our detours stopped after Lionās Head.
Actually, I donāt wish that at all!
The following morning we packed up our belongings for the final time & started to head home. Kinda. Still wanting to find one more beautiful place, we headed in a greyed outĀ āparkā area that looked intriguing onĀ Google Maps. It wasnāt too far away & bordered the waterās edge. Of course, we had no idea whether itād be a cliffside on beachside view.Ā
Zigzagging through sideroads & farm areas, we wondered if thereād be anything to see at our aimed destination. There sure was! We came upon a beautiful, serene beach with no one in sight & miles of blue water ahead of us. I still canāt believe we found such a private yet public beach location.
Recently on Instagram: Sometimes youāve gotta go with your gut & see what you find at the end of the line. We found this quiet oasis by looking at a map & taking some very beaten roads. It was worth it.
Inglis Falls. He really wanted to climb down to it, so we did.
Last stop, for reals this time was Inglis Falls. It was yet another detour that was completely unplanned but totally worth it. I think Iāve been here in the past, but the past blurs a little as you get older. Rishad really wanted to visit a waterfall during our entire trip so Iām glad that we finally did. Not only did we see it, we found a way down to it too.
Climbing up & down to the waterfall was a major accomplishment without my hand strength. Using good communication & a lot of understanding, we conquered a good little rockās edge that I wouldnāt have imagined climbing with anyone else. Weāre both still amazed at what we accomplished in that moment.
After all the detours we took, itās safe to say we didnāt want it to end. I hadnāt been camping in over ten years but Iāve done so now, & Iād do it again. Ontario is such a beautiful place & we really want to explore more areas together this way. We wanted to take another camp trip or two this summer but our crazy schedules got in the way. Itās hard to plan escapes when work events keep popping up in the way. Perhaps next year.
CURA - Cory & Rishad // Camping at The Bruce (& other detours)
Our videos are sporadic, but we do intend to make then more & more. Follow along on the blog & subscribe to our channel to keep in the loop. xo
I recently found myself sitting in front of a few strangers talking about my life & my goals. The standard question,Ā āWhere do you see yourself in five years?ā, became the hot topic. Having being able to answer all the previous questions so succinctly,Ā I found myself processing this final question with a long pause. I couldnāt seem to find a quick direct answer & I take pride these days in finding the confidence not to lie.
I could have lied. I could have said that I see myself owning a company, living in a nice house, being married with children, & accomplishing all my goals in the most perfect ways. I could have said something similar to these things.Ā
Instead I looked them in the eyes & told them my most truthful answer,Ā āI really donāt know.ā Of course I had to explain my reasoning from there, but in the most direct way not knowing was my answer.
Itās not that I donāt wish the best for myself & have goals I wish to achieve. I have a drive, & a passion, & many wants for my life. The problem I find with a five year plan is the uncertainty of it all.Ā
In the past few years my life has taken many turns. Outside of graduating, I found a job straight away. I did not know it at the time, but I wasnāt ready to settle into a 9-5 & travelled full-time the following year. Coming home, I started in an office once again not knowing that my arthritis would come back in full swing. My pains took a hold of my life & my health, becoming my focus from that day forth. I never saw these twists & turns coming the way that did in a five year plan.Ā
Today I work multiple jobs with a sporadic schedule & budget my life accordingly. I didnāt see myself living in the same place for three consecutive years, but here I am. I didnāt think Iād be working as a self-employed individual, but here I am. I never thought that my lifestyle would become aĀ ālet life leadā mentality, but Iāve come to accept it & embrace it these days.
Outside of my own life, Iāve seen so many friends & relatives having to take on the same approach. I know individuals who thought that their job was secure & their money struggles were well behind them. I know individuals who made large commitments thinking that they were able to manage them. I know individuals who have taken risks to bigger and better things only to find that once there, their perspectives had changed.Ā All in all, my friends and family thought they hadĀ planned for the future but could never predict what really was the bigger picture.Ā
I know so many individuals who have had to adapt recently that I canāt even count them all on my two hands.Ā
Jobs have changed; Lifestyles have changed; Living arrangements have changed; Health has changed; & with all this, perspectives have changed.Ā
I donāt know where I see myself in five years because looking back, I donāt think any of us saw ourselves being where we are now.Ā
Moments & time go by so quickly these days & itās too hard to predict. Instead I let life lead & trust that I receive what is needed. I donāt stop living & I donāt stop pursuing, but I try not live too far into a fantasy. But this doesnāt mean stop dreaming. What it means is allowing yourself to be humbled by reality. The more I discuss the future with others, the more we both end up taking note that times are changing. Everything is not so cut & dry, & what you want may not be what you need at the time.
Sometimes we need to allow ourselves to take detours. We need to take note of our realities & truly survey the paths that weāre on. We need to keep our friends & family close, relying on the fact that this is one constant we have in life. Homes change, jobs change, lifestyles change, but who you have as your true confidants, guides & trusted loved ones continually stay the same.
I truly canāt say what my future holds in laymanās terms. Thereās too much that is unpredictable. What I can say is that I aim to still be happy. My measurement of success lies in the little accomplishments in life over the bigger picture. My life so far has gone on to have too many twists that I already never saw coming.Ā
What I know about my future is that no matter what life brings me I will adapt, I will have love, I will be supported, & I will be happy. These are my values. These are my constants. This is my future.Ā
Exploring CuraƧao was our first trip together & if you missed reading Part 1 then youāve missed half of the story. Read & Watch this one first.Ā
When we first started googling our day trip options forĀ CuraƧao we were instantly attracted to images of itās sister island, KleinĀ CuraƧao. Historically, Klein CuraƧao was a quarantine location for slavers of the Dutch West India Company. They would arrive here before heading to the main island where unfortunately many became ill & did not survive. NowĀ this little uninhabited island is showcased to tourists as an island with white sandy beaches, good snorkelling, a visually appealing old lighthouse, & is only really accessible through a boat excursion conveniently offered almost daily. Oh boy, times have changed.Ā
Recently on Instagram: We were the only ones that wanted to explore the lighthouse on the island that day. Perfect.
With limited days at our disposal, we needed to be strategic about our day trip visit to KleinĀ CuraƧao. Some boating tours only travel to the island on certain days & we were attracted to one tour in particular. The one we liked best took less time to travel because of itās really fast boat & it tends to travel on days when the big cruises donāt. We didnāt even know that the island would be so bare before booking, but the Powerboat CaribbeanĀ turned out to be an awesome way to travel there.Ā
Things to note about our boating experience with Powerboat Caribbean in quick points:
1 - The boat is really fast; 2 - It was hard for my arthritic hands to hold on;Ā 3 -Ā I got a headache from being jostled around;Ā 4 - It was super fun!
Taking in the moment at Klein CuraƧao
I still can't believe that no one else wanted to walk inland to explore a bit of Klein CuraƧao besides us. I guess thatās the difference between an adventurer & someone just looking for some R&R. We wanted adventure so we headed to the lighthouse.
Walking to the old lighthouse
I think what's so attractive about this old rundown lighthouse is that itās dynamic colours & farmhouse shape give it such charm. The same charm seems to spread from the āmainlandā of CuraƧao right down to it's little sister. Even just a shell of a building is a beautiful site to see. (You can see more pictures from CuraƧao that relate to this below.)
I climbed up the stairs, but I didn't make it much further
Inside the lighthouse was scary (for me). Only the framework is left leading to the tower & each room. The remains of red cups from previous parties scattered the base of the lighthouse below us. Fearing my balance walking across such a height, I couldn't make it any further than across the first beam grabbing a tight hold of the walls. Rishad on the other hand feared nothing & went right on up. Yes, I panicked quite a bit on the inside.
Recently on Instagram: Can you see Rishad looking out from the windows above?
Recently on Instagram: I miss the soft sands of this tiny islandĀ
Heading back to the waterās edge, we lounged in the beach huts & snorkelled for a while. My head was a little shaken up from the boat & Rishad stillĀ had a large stinger lingering in his foot from the sea urchin so we werenāt up for a huge swim. I seriously don't know how he lived with such a pain.Ā For the small amount of time that we were in the water, we did end up having another close encounter with wild life.Ā
Swimming nearby a sea turtle, I made the silliest move by chasing after it. I was no match to his speed & I ended up drinking some water that accumulated in my snorkel by mistake. It wasn't very pleasant to say the least.
With only half the day complete, we hopped back into the boat, sped back quickly to land & figured out where we would eat.Ā CuraƧao was a tough place for a vegan diet & Iāve got more on that below.Ā
Views from our room at Bijblauw Boutique Hotel
Waking up the following morning was hard. My hands ached from gripping hold of the bars on the powerboat & I didnāt want to move for some time. Thankfully a cute little Nespresso machine was in our suite & I didnāt have to go far for some fresh air & a vibrant view. I truly loved our boutique hotel pick. It was a lovely start to a slow morning before heading back out the door for more adventure.
Recently on Instagram: "I saw fluffy cotton puffs exploding from a cotton bush for the first time, witnessed giant poisonous fruits the size of my head, & got to learn about new herbal arthritic remedies that day. After chatting with Dinah Veeris herself, we took a minute to sit down & take some photos by another beautifully vibrant building reflecting the green of the garden. It took us some time to drive out & find this place, but we're both glad we did.ā
Before arriving to CuraƧao, we went back & forth on the idea of visiting Dinah Veerisā Botanical & Historic Gardens. It was a bit of a drive off the beaten path & we didnāt know how beneficial itād be to us. We were pleasantly surprised.Ā
When we arrived, like most places, we were the only ones visiting. Taking a self tour, we wandered through the serene space & learned about different local herbal remedies. We were in luck that day as we were able to quickly meet Dinah herself & ask her some pressing questions that were on our minds. What do you do for a Sea Urchin sting? & What do you recommend for arthritis? Her answers put a smile on our face in the video below.Ā
Taking a rest atĀ Dinah Veerisā Botanical & Historic Gardens
Pulling over for a tasty treat; Batidos!
You know when you travel to a country & come home craving itās foods? Thatās what Batidos is to us. Made of just fruit, milk & sugar, we had our fair share of them in only a few short days. Of course, I ordered mine without milk every time & I was very happy they were able to do so.Ā Which leads me to the perfect side note on vegan food inĀ CuraƧao.
Finding vegan food in CuraƧao was hard. We went with research on some restaurant choices & places to grab snacks but we had a few glitches in our plans. If you do plan on going, make note that the floating market for fruits & veggies isnāt open on weekends. We arrived on a weekend & I couldnāt stock up on foods the way I planned. We shouldāve also made reservations when possible as restaurants in the evening filled up fast. We did end up finding a great indian restaurant, but itās original location was shut downĀ & it took us two nights of searching to find it.
There is one sentence that we will always remember fromĀ CuraƧao that came after explaining what a vegan eats. āWe have a salad, with chicken.āĀ Wanting to try some of the local restaurants was a hard battle for a vegan but we made it work, kind of.Ā
My initials! Ā C Ā U
Rishadās initials! Ā R Ā A
Want to know how we came up with the name of our YouTube channel? Youāre looking at it!
The Queen Emma Bridge
Before seeing it for myself, I couldnāt comprehend what the Queen Emma Bridge does. Floating between both sides of Willemstad, this bridge connects the two in a rather strange way. Instead of lifting for the boats to pass through, the warning bells toll & the bridge starts to move along the water on an axis becoming parallel to one side of the shore. Itās a beautiful little bridge & with time at our disposal we rode on top of the bridge as it let a boat pass through just to experience it.Ā
Standing in the middle of the Queen Emma Bridge
Pedestrian pathway connecting both sides of Willemstad;Ā The Queen Emma Bridge
Inside Neto Bar
After seeing some videos about the infamous green rum at Neto BarĀ we couldnāt resist a visit. We ordered the famous bright green substance & was basically forced into having it on the rocks. It seemed to be what everyone ordered there. The green rum or āRĆ²m BĆØrdĆØā had a distinct sweet licorice taste & went down easy. We felt a little happier after that. A side effect from the green rum, Iām sure.Ā
Bijblauw Extraordinary Large Room
I canāt stop gushing about Bijblauw Boutique Hotel. On our last morning, we took our time packing up & checking out before heading down for a breakfast treat. We loved the openness of the tall ceilings & old shutter windows. It was such an inviting space from the moment we walked in, right down to the balcony views.Ā
The one thing that made us chuckle was the lack of privacy for the bathroom. The door was a giant window frame with no curtain for discretion. You can see the door & through the window cutout to the bathroom in the photo above. It was strange but we made it work. We just had to announce our bathroom moments to each other for fear of losing a little mystery in our lives.
Bijblauw Extraordinary Large RoomĀ
Biblauw RestaurantĀ
Coffee & orange juice by the ocean every morning please!
Dear vegan readers, please donāt get mad. /Ā Dear everyone else, please donāt get confused.Ā
I have said many times before that Iām onĀ mostly vegan. I do it for health reasons because I find that it helps me manage my arthritic pains. Learning while living, I do also think that itās great for both environmental & physical reasons. Even though I donāt expect everyone to choose this diet, consuming less animal products in all of our lives would be beneficial to all. However, I do still haveĀ ācheat daysā myself during very calculated moments & this moment was one of them.Ā
I will note that although I did very, very much enjoy such an amazing palette of flavours again, I paid the consequences. My body hit a wall of pain during our flight home & I almost didnāt have enough energy in me to make it off the plane & into our cab. It was a delicious meal but it was horrible, all in one bite.Ā This was the reason why I didnāt just have cheat days inĀ CuraƧaoĀ the whole week through.Ā
Recently on Instagram: Treating ourselves to an amazing breakie for two at Bijblauw.Ā
Look at that platter though! For all you āmeat headsā out there, itās seriously a great meal & great price for two to dine.Ā
Recently on Instagram: One final walk through Pietermaai District
With one last batidos & one final walk through Pietermaai & Willemstad, we said goodbye toĀ CuraƧao. We still reminisce about this beautiful place with dreams of going back. I can still picture the streets vividly with the contrast of the revitalized buildings, like our hotel, sitting right beside the worn down buildings still waiting for a change. As we walked around, updates were being made to beaches, walkways, buildings & roads. CuraƧao is growing quickly as a tourist location &Ā Iām sure if we went again today, weād discover a whole new CuraƧao from what it was only months before. Iāll be excited to someday return.
Standing at the shores of Pietermaari District
CURA - Cory & Rishad // Exploring CuraƧao Part 2
With only five days of travel we sure crammed a lot in. We do love adventure! Travelling together has challenges unlike any other, but itās exciting when it all comes to play & works out so well. We were inspired by this trip to share more. Although it may be a gradual sharing, it will happen when the timing seems fit. Keep following for more videos & stories in the future. Ā
Iād love to hear your questions &/or feedback too. Feel free to like, comment & discuss with me whichever youād like, including where you think we should travel to next. Weāve got the travel bug, & we need your ideas! xo
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After a month of dating, we planned a trip. After two months of dating, we were taking that trip. Call us crazy (we already do), but weāre not a very normal couple. Last December we ended up on a whirlwind trip to CuraƧao & we still have dreams about going back.Ā
Why has it taken me so long to write about? Although Iāve shared a few pictures here & there, our need for privacy was on my mind. CuraƧao was a quickly planned & quickly travelled adventure & it was nice keeping that time to ourselves for a little while. Besides a few posts here & there including my recap a while back, Iāve kept mum about the whole thing... until now.
On our balcony atĀ BijBlauw Boutique Hotel
WhyĀ CuraƧao? We were strangely drawn to it. We didnāt want an all-inclusive resort, we wanted a warm place to explore, & we wanted an island small enough to fully discover with only a few days of travel.Ā CuraƧao was the perfect fit.Ā
Splurging a little on a place to stay we choseĀ BijBlauwĀ Boutique Hotel. Made up of two brightly coloured & newly renovated buildings located in Willemstadās Pietermaai District, we were situated by the shoreline within walking distance of local restaurants & the downtown attractions.Ā
Balcony views of Pietermaai District from our room at BijBlauw
The waters edge & patio views from BijBlauw RestaurantĀ
Starting off our first evening in CuraƧao, we ran down for a quick refresher by the shoreline before a city walk at dusk. The BijBlauw Restaurant sits so close to the ocean that depending on the day the waves flow over the rocks. I enjoyed breathing in the fresh salt-water air & taking a moment to relax in our temporary home. Ā
Walking through Pietermaai District
Walking through the city during the holiday season was so magical. Christmas lights lit up the pedestrian streets & guided our way. Our timing was perfect as an evening Christmas market was set up in the district for our first nightsā stay.Ā
The crowds unfortunately made it tough to find an available restaurant nearby & we ended up wandering at lengths to find any vegan options. Itās tough travelling vegan but unless I want to spend a holiday in pain & in bed, itās a must. It was stressful & exhausting but Rishad happily took the time to work something out. Iām so happy that he did or else I wouldāve eaten miso cup-of-soup in the hotel room that night.
Never without a few cameras - Outside BijBlauw waiting for our rental car
Waking up to a beautiful sunny morning, we grabbed some quick eats at the local Kiosk & waited for our rental car pickup recommended by the hotel. Talking to our drivers throughout our stay was a really great trick to help us to plan our days. They recommended driving routes, beaches & places to eat that only locals would know to think of.Ā
We started our first day with a drive to Christoffel National Park on the west coast of the island. Arriving in the hot hours of the day it was recommended that weād take the driving route. Our map was a little confusing as the stopping points were not in numerical order, but our aim was to find the lookout point. The roads were scary steep & sometimes shared by oncoming traffic, but we made it to where we wanted to go.
Driving through Christoffel Park
Recently on Instagram: Lookout point
Recently on Instagram: Taking in the views
The Caves at Christoffel Park
The caves had bats living inside. We didnāt go too far in as we were pressed for time & really wanted to get to a beach. It was winter, but it was still a lovely warm day.
Massive cacti -Ā Look at that strange thing!
Heading back on the road we drove full circle around the rest of the west coast. Aiming to find something to eat on our way, we stopped at a few places without many vegan options in sight. Taking on the recommendation from our driver earlier in the day, we ditched the food idea & stopped by for a swim at Klien Knip. Little did we know that we shouldāve also been recommended water shoes as we came across some dangerous sea creatures during our swim. Thankfully, we pulled in to find a fresh food stall & ordered ourselves some plantain & drinks to enjoy by the watersā edge.Ā
āThe fruit of this tree is poisonous. Do not eatā - Not what we had to worry about that day
Sweet & savoury plantain accompanied by local beers on the beach
Klien Knip Beach
The water was cold & refreshing. After a day of popping in & out of cars we were excited to settle down on a sandy beach. The neighbouring beach, Grote Knip, was busy & crowded, while Klien Knip was calm & quiet. It was perfect.Ā
Of course, less popular beaches are more popular to wildlife & unfortunately we werenāt warned about this. After only a few minutes in the water, Rishad came in contact with an angry sea urchin & came out with a number of black spots. We didnāt know what to do!
See those black dots there? Rishad got stung by a sea urchin!Ā
We hobbled out of the water & back to the food truck to ask for help. Humorously, the guy selling food by the beach all day never steps into the ocean & didnāt even know what it was we were looking at. Some lovely locals came by to console us & told us it was aĀ ānormalā thing. One of them told us he gets stung on the regular & made it sound so scarily common to me.Ā We were told heād be okay, to give it time & to put some wax on it when we got back to the hotel to help pull out any stingers.Ā
A comforting moment... at least, I hope it was
The rest of our evening was spent eating & healing. Finding vegan meals wasnāt very easy on the island, but Iāll save that story for part two. Focusing on the sting, we grabbed a cheap wax candle from the hotel patio to try to uncover any sea urchin stingers. Unfortunately it didnāt seem to do the trick, but he did just fine.
Two days later the biggest stinger came out fatefully through the rough weave of a hotel blanket. I was in awe at the sight of a long, clear, & very hard needle-like stinger that finally came to surface. It was about the length of a finger tip. Taking tweezers to the muscle on the bottom of his foot, I couldnāt imagine the discomfort walking wouldāve caused him. He spent time walking through town, riding on boats & walking on beaches all with a needle stuck in the muscle of his foot. He doesnāt like to talk about it, but he was super tough (& a little stubborn) to live in pain like that for half of our trip.Ā
BijBlauw Boutique Hotel at night - Our room was off of the balcony of the green building
We learned a lot about taking care of each other in those first couple of days. With his foot & my diet, we ended up with some unexpected circumstances on our plates. Of course, this is only part one of the story...
Brand New & Very First video for CURA - Cory & Rishad // Exploring CuraƧao Part 1
Check back soon for part two of ExploringĀ CuraƧao. Pietermaai District, Christoffel Park & Klien Knip were only just the start. Next up weāll share more of BijBlauw, discover KlienĀ CuraƧao, find a herbal garden & roam through Willemstad by day. xo
#ToThePainTuesdays - Breathing Clean with Saje Nebulizer
The environment that you live in can effect how you feel. A space can comfort you, but it can also just as easily overwhelm you. It can effect your health in both positive & negative aspects, not to be forgotten as a variant of comfort & pain. Over the winter season my own space was not helping my health. It was dry, I felt sick, & my physical comfort was lacking. This was when I turned to trying a Saje nebulizer for the first time.
Unfortunately my apartment building is old & gives me no controls over the heating. In the winter months I hear theĀ ātick-tick-tickā of the heaters working away even on the warmer days. My apartment gets dry fast & during a sick spell it wasnāt helping me feel better. Iād try to fight back by lining cups along the heaters edge full of quickly evaporating water, but it was never enough. Knowing I needed a type of humidifier, I started to shop around.Ā
What attracted me to buy a Saje nebulizer was the use of natural aromatherapies in a heat-free environment. I wanted to humidify the air without that feeling of a hot shower running. Using ultrasonic vibrations the nebulizer emits a cool water vapour which can be combined with essential oils to help relax & purify. Itās a device that can be used year round & yes, I have it running right now.Ā
I purchased the limited edition aromaArt designed in collaboration with Dana Mooney. A portion of the sales were donated to the Arts Umbrella Foundation raising $20,000 in just two weeks. I was attracted to it because of the unique marbleizing brush strokes, the size of the nebulizer (meaning it can run for longer periods of time) & of course, Iām always up to the task of supporting a good cause.Ā
Since I bought my nebulizer during a time where I had a really bad cold, I stepped away with diffuser blends Immune, Well-being & Liquid Sunshine. Dispersing droplets of Immune (smelling of eucalyptus & pine)Ā into the air everyday, I could breathe better & I felt my chest relax. I used up this bottle in no time & will gladly be buying more very soon. Well-being I bought for my favourite scents grapefruit & lavender, while Liquid Sunshine helps to brighten up my space & mind through the power of citrus.Ā
Within a few days of running my nebulizer I started to spot some visible changes. Emitting water vapour in the air helps to purify by having negative ions bind with dust & allergens floating around. The binding makes them heavier causing them to fall to the ground. Within a few days, the air in my apartment was visibly cleaner by the film of dust particles lying on certain objects. Most noticeably was the fog that covered the screen of my tv. To imagine that these particles were just floating in my room made me realize that my apartment was once filthy.Ā
Reading up on nebulizers a little bit more Iāve learned that technology emits positive ions, so the emission of negative ions helps to balance everything out. Negative ions help our bodies by improving our general health, therefore helping our immune systems, metabolism & autonomic nervous systems. Now, the air that I breathe is cleaner & I feel much better for that.
Some things that Iāve learned in the months that Iāve owned my SajeĀ nebulizer:
- Dispersing essential oils in my apartment smells amazing & makes me feel great.
- Keep your nebulizer on a flat surface. It will leak if you donāt. Iāve bought a clear plate for underneath mine because the lid attracts condensation that drips every time I open it to fill up. It wonāt leak if the base stays flat, but I like extra security in my less-than-level apartment.
- The automatic shut off works so well that I forget to turn it off when I leave my apartment far too often. It will never run dry.
- The bigger the better. Saje nebulizers range from $60-$130 with more features & longer operation times in the pricer options. They do sometimes go on sale.
- Iāve gotten far too used to hearing the drips of water inside the nebulizer when I sleep. Itās so relaxing!Ā
- Breathing clean helps me feel healthier & when I feel healthier I tend to have less chronic pains.
Next week Saje is running in-store seminars on Natural Remedies in their core Toronto stores. More across Canada as well. I canāt wait to learn more on how to feel better the ānatural wayā. I have an extra ticket for learning if anyone wants to attend with me. Message me. xo
-Cory U
P.S. Todayās post focused less on pain & more on health, which I believe go hand-in-hand. How we feel is directly related to how we treat our health. Like always, I like to write #ToThePainTuesdays as a conversation starter for others. Iād love to hear from you & carry on the conversation if some how you relate. Please get in touch. xo
At some point during the beginning of the year, we tried our luck at visiting the gardens. It was a warm sunny weekend & we were looking for some fresh air & a space where I could relieve some joint pain through movement. The parking lot was full & we spent more time battling to escape that maze than anything else. This month, choosing a random weekday to give it a shot, we finally got to explore the Toronto Botanical Gardens.Ā
But first, coffee....
An early & quiet morning at Scarborough Bluffs Beach.
Originally our morning was planned out to wake up before the sunrise & enjoy coffee with a view. The sunrise part never happened, but we were still awake early enough to capture this moment. (It should be noted that I am not a coffee person & unless coffee is given to me straight away, my morning motivation is lacking.)
Recently on Instagram:Ā I am not a morning person.... but I do love a good morning view.
With such a nice day given to us we decided to go from beach to garden & make a day out of the great outdoors. I hadnāt been to the gardens myself & it was great discovering a new part of the city that I had not done before.
Rishad & I. Taking snaps off the beaten path... under a bridge instead.Ā
Surprised by the sighting of Mr. Groundhog.
A hungry family of geese.
I was surprised by the wildlife we saw roaming around the gardens. At no point did I expect to see a groundhog popping out his head, but he did. Come to think of it, I think thatās the first groundhog sighting Iāve had in real life. We were the only ones to notice his quick in-&-out appearance at the time. If you go to visit the gardens sometime yourself, take note of the creatures that you might be able to spot in amongst the rock gardens.
Gorgeous tulips!
It smelt so good right there. So many fragrant blooms!
A moment of quiet reflection perhaps?
With tulips in full bloom, our moment to discover these gardens couldnāt have been more perfect. The grass was green & the colours of the first blooms of the season were so dynamic. I canāt wait to discover what summer will bring to the Toronto Botanical Gardens next.
#ToThePainTuesdays - 5 Things To Do That Will Help You Feel Okay
Pain wise, I feel okay lately. I donāt want to jinx it by saying such a thing but I donāt want to lie either. My hand pains have been manageable even through my daily activities & itās got me doing a bit of a happy dance for the time being. One thing that Iāve got to remember is that at any moment my pains could turn for the worse. Every day is different & every morning becomes a bit of a worry for me. My moods change, my energy levels vary, & my pains are rarely at a constant state. Even so, Iāve seemed to have found 5 things to help me feel okay.Ā
1. Mental Relaxation - Whether itās in the form of mediation, prayer, or just a quiet moment in a soothing tub alone, a bit of mental relaxation can do a lot of good. Our minds are very busy focusing on pain & the tasks of the day & just like your body, it needs a break too. Try to set some time to rejuvenate your mind & spirit. Ā Ā
2. Eat For Your Health - Over the past few years Iāve noticed that in myself & in my family you truly are what you eat. The idea that living/eating for the moment doesnāt sit so well when you find that the next day youāre lying sick in bed. Becoming health conscious takes time & education but it can make a world of difference. I donāt recommend it for everyone, but my (mostly) vegan diet has helped my body immensely when it comes to pain. Choosing one meal over another can be the difference between feeling okay for a moment or feeling okay for an entire week. Eating for your health can help your body internally more than you could ever imagine.
3. Remember To Stretch - Muscles & joints donāt like to be still all the time. I find that if I donāt stretch or regularly do light exercises I tend to ache more. Seeking a physiotherapist for recommended stretches & exercises can help with stability, maintenance & everyday pain. Remember to make this practice routine.Ā
4. Pace Yourself - Itās the one you always hear, you always think about & when youāre in the moment, you always forget. Itās also the toughest one for others to understand. A great way to pace out tasks is to create a reward system of relaxation. Instead of having a list of strenuous things to continually tackle, add moments of restful activities to that list also.Ā
5. Focus On A Hobby - What is the one thing that you love to do that makes you feel better? Being creatively active can be very therapeutic both physically & mentally. For me, I love to make in the form of crochet. For others, it may be dance, reading, or colouring that put them at ease. Finding a hobby that suits you can be a comforting tool to help take away the stress of the day.
What I find with this list is that itās not just a list for those with chronic pain. Itās a reminder of tasks that anyone can focus on & anyone can benefit from. Although only five things are listed here, there can also be many more. What are other ways that help you feel okay? Are any of these tasks above something you already practice? Iād love to hear from you. xo
-Cory U
P.S. I like to write #ToThePainTuesdays as a conversation starter for others. Iād love to hear from you & carry on the conversation if some how you relate. Please get in touch. xo
P.P.S. Photo used is thanks to Death to the Stock Photo. If you use it too, please do the right thing & give them a nod. Theyāre awesome!
I took a bit of a break recently & it was much needed. I was drained both physically & emotionally & I just needed time for me. The Winter months were hard to get through & it dragged on until late Spring. I felt bogged down, weak all over & in some kind of a rut that Iām still working to overcome. I kept quiet for this time freeing myself from actively blogging or even sharing too much. Now after some reflection & a good Spring cleaning, Iām getting a little bit of a pep back in my step.Ā
Hereās what youāve missed....
Recently on Instagram: Beach walkĀ / Waterfront viewsĀ / Garden day with RishadĀ
I went on a holiday!
It feels like forever ago that I was exploring the beaches of CuraƧao, probably because it was. Throwing it back to November, we had planned our trip within a few shorts weeks & jetted off to an island we knew little about. It was our first time travelling together & it came up real fast, but it was worth every moment.Ā
Iāve really wanted to share stories from this adventure with you all (& I promise that I will), itās just nice having those moments to ourselves for a little while.
Recently on Instagram: Park sunsetĀ / Lookout point / Exploring an old lighthouse
I wrote a post on Instagram that I was really happy to share. My support system has grown as of late & itās been amazing to have someone to lean on, depend on, & dump all my emotions on (if need be). āLiving with chronic pain isn't always easy for yourself, but it can be even harder with others... Today I was a crabby human in pain & I fought with the one who's with me to make a change.āĀ Iām really truly appreciative of who I have for support in my life, & I took that time to share. Please read.
On top of my job working on-site events, Iāve been out supporting Guild Eyewear at different market venues. Working with a brand so colourful & creative is such a joy. I love dressing up in all their custom eyewear shapes while supporting a truly local & unique Toronto brand.Ā
Recently on Instagram: Lap of lace / Mint colours / Crochet workout
I always feel better with crochet. Iām not sure if this is whatās lifted up my spirits ten fold this past few weeks, but Iām happy to get back into it. During the Winter months my hands were too worn out to crochet, but I wish I didnāt stop. Even doing a few stitches here or there helps with that idea that Iām working towards something good. Iāve found my creative juices again & canāt wait to share more & more. Iāve recently worked on a new sweater & home ware items that Iām super excited to use.Ā
Since Iāve stepped away for so long, I feel a little out of the loop with you too. What have you been up to during these quiet months? Plus, whoās excited for Summer to finally get here already?Ā
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Thereās always some kind of pull that I get from artists that I really enjoy listening to. Itās this feeling in my soul that comes out through their music & I always hope that it comes out through their actions too. Lissie made my love for her stronger by releasing this beautiful song & video,Ā Daughters, with such a wonderfully empowering message.
Inspired by the documentaryĀ āPray the Devil Back to Hellā & the current news surrounding the rights of woman, Lissie wrote a song of empowerment. On her Vevo/Youtube channel she states,Ā āIn writing āDaughtersā I was inspired by all of these women and by my hope that united and brought into our true equal power amongst men, we can make this world a better, more peaceful and fairer place!āĀ Even more fitting, Lissie teamed up with Charity WaterĀ to campaign through her video the need of providing clean water to communities.Ā āBy working with communities to provide clean, convenient and sustainable access to water, they empower women. In many communities, it is the duty of women to ācarry the waterā.āĀ
#ToThePainTuesdays -Ā The Power of Distraction... When Dealing with Arthritic PainsĀ
Waking up in the morning is the toughest first step of the day for chronic pain. I lie in bed feeling every stiff joint scream out to just go back to sleep. My body does not want to move & I really don't want to make it either. I feel as though I'm not in control as I fight to find the strength to sit up in bed, step out of my room, & concur the simple task of even just attempting that first morning pee. It's exhausting.
The holiday season made this effort even worse. With the easy choice of sleeping in & not dealing with the struggles of the day, my body won. I didn't have any place to be, & whatever I wanted to do with my day didn't feel as important as the pains in my joints. On most days I gave in to doing nothing at all.
Miraculously, if I did have something planned with others I could deal with the strain. I'd get up slowly & I'd move begrudgingly, but the important part was that I was moving. Once I stepped out of the comforts of my home I could spend a whole day away from my bed with the power of the daysā distractions. With motivations to get up & get out of my apartment, the pains had less power & control of my mind as I had less places to rest & hide. Far from disappearing, or even improving my pains of the day, the acts of planned light activities helped me to cope & at least draw the focus away from the pain. If I were home I'd be drawn to rest, but if I were away, the temptation was taken away. With simple distractions my mind was focused more on the activity than the lingering thoughts of comforting my pain.
It's not the first time I've made this discovery of distraction, but it's the first time Iāve really had to push myself to make distractions. It's easy to just succumb to countless days of āNetflix & chillā, (& yes, I've had my fair share) but Iāve never felt great after knowing that another day had just passed me by. Fighting against the power of rest is so difficult to defeat & I found it easy to let the pain devour me. What I learned to break free of my resting habits was to make use of my small bouts of energy to distract myself with something new. Even on a full day of resting, if I found it in me, I would do small activities to distract myself for even just a small moment of time. The small task of baking a cake, making a few stitches of crochet, or taking a quick walk for errands helped me to feel better about myself. I'd feel less like I wasted the day & more like I at least tried. Some days the distraction just led me straight back to bed, but other days they helped to give me the boost to even do a little more. Either way, I felt a little more accomplished adding a tiny distraction to my day.
Now that I'm back to working more again, the push to get me out the door is much more real. Knowing I'm depended on & knowing that my colleagues give me support when I'm in need gives me great motivation to move & go about my days. However, on my days off I find myself reverting back to my holiday habits. It's my time of rest & my time to recuperate. My days off easily become the most difficult days of the week & the times where I can feel the most pathetic & sore. To shake out of my resting patterns & not revert back to my holiday slump, Iāve created a new goal to add even just one distraction to each day. Itād be easy to let pain win, but it never feels good if it does at the end of the day.Ā
If you feel yourself giving into pain the same ways, try one of these little distractions on a bad day. At least youāll know you tried:
- Bake something quick & easy -Ā I love this 2-ingredient soda pop cakeĀ (& food is always a tasty distraction).
- Do some dishes - They say itāsĀ āgood therapyā for your hands & itās a nice feeling to have a cleaner space.
- Read a book or magazine - Even if itās just a few pages.
- Go for a walk - Just throw on some grubs & a jacket & get a little fresh air. Even a few minutes is worth the push out of the door.
- Write or draw - Let your mind wander & focus on something different.
- Take a bath - Itās restful & you deserve it!
- Call up a friend - Having company over is always a great distraction.
- Work on your favourite hobby - I crochet (even with bad hands) & I feel so much more like myself even if itās just for a few minutes. It feels good to do something you love.
If you find some great distractions that work for you, Iād love to hear them too! xo
-Cory U
P.S. I like to write #ToThePainTuesdays as a conversation starter for others. Iād love to hear from you & carry on the conversation if some how you relate. Please get in touch. xo
P.P.S. Photo used is thanks to Death to the Stock Photo. If you use it too, please do the right thing & give them a nod. Theyāre awesome!
I must admit that 2015 was a tough year for not just me, but to also many of those around me. I witnessed morals getting tested, trust become lost, personal abandonments, loses of lives and jobs, attacks on integrity, & the health of many digress. It felt like a year of more downs than ups with every call, text, email or Skype session giving me something more to worry about. I wish I could say it was all rainbows & sunshine, but Iād be lying if I did.Ā
Even so, Iāve never hugged & loved my close circle of friends & family more than I did in 2015. I respect the challenges that we all had to face & supported the decisions that we helped each other make. Even at our worst, we stuck together.
The importance of 2015 showed me the importance of people. Itās easy to deny help, but we are so much more when we have support. Iāve learned to ask for more help or accept it more freely as it comes. Sure, those closest to me may still laugh & call me independently stubborn when they read this, but deep down they know Iāve changed some of this about me. Iāve asked for more opinions, for more time when my body needs it, support when Iām alone, & more hugs when thatās all that can be offered.Ā
Itās been a testing year, but a fulfilling year as well. Iāve opened up to find a brand new world & group of people around me. Iāve made new best friends, found new work & client contacts, learned more about my Arthritis, & overall found peace in certain struggles that were presented to me. Iāve gained closer connections & have actually learned to indulge in the challenges Iām faced with. These challenges brought me community, made me stronger in knowledge, & have helped me to plunge into so many new experiences that I cannot deny the thought that with every negative there is also a positive.
I hope that you as well can reflect & find positivity in the challenges 2015 may have brought your way. I also pray that 2016 brings forth more joy, wonder & excitement to all of you. Letās give thanks for a New Year. xo
Hello (Not)Ā Music Monday! with Gungor feat. All Sons & Daughters
Finding new, beautiful, & lyrical Christmas music is hard to come by. We repeat upon tradition & follow in the steps of others with little discovery of new joy for that Christmas moment. Itās a time of celebration & that time should come with new moments of joy. I love this time of year, because Iāve found great forms of discovery to make this moment special & joyous through new music through channels that I know & love.
This year, Relevant Magazine has outdone themselves with a two part album of Christmas music & worship. One of these songs happens to be this beautiful celebration of light from Gungor, featuring All Sons & Daughters. Iāll be spending my day with these songs on repeat while driving down to be with family for this Christmas eve. With only a limited time left, I recommend you run on over to Relevant & download volumes 1 & 2 before they disappear.Ā
If I were to imagine a flask for myself it'd be this very one by SWIG. Sleek, shiny & elegant, the sturdy metallic body does what all practical flasks do; keep your personal-sized liquids secure. But it's the simple naked metal body with the added touch of the sturdy plaid sleeve that's really got me going. Adding that pop of colour & personality, this little flask is dressed up to be my new favourite party accessory. Growing out of that silly stage of using a small plastic bottle to carry my BOYB selection, this SWIG flask will be my stylish go-to.
Carrying the SWIG Harris Tweed Red Flask in hand.
Simple yet sharp packaging.
Being gifted this flask by SWIG, the red & black boxed packaging blew me away. Looking so chic, I almost wanted to just stare at the box & not tarnish the dainty black ribbon wrapped round with a tiny bow-tie. Laying on a plush cushion inside the box, you can tell SWIG pays attention to the finer details right down to the representation itself. The shine of the bottle & the plush look of the plaid make such a great pairing to my very own aesthetic. Like something more simple? Sleek solid leather sleeves of the executive collection are also sold in a variety of vibrant colours.
A shot of this with a shot of that. Sweetening my dessert coffee with a swig of something special.
Thinking of the season to come, this stylish & practical accessory would make a great Christmas gift. Looking more for one yourself, this dainty accessory is the perfect fit for toboggan rides & hot cocoa nights in the snow. I'll be using mine own on those evenings in with friends by pairing our evening coffees with a swig of something stronger.
Hailing from the UK, SWIG Hip Flasks range fromĀ Ā£61.00 upwards with personalization & gift set options. Find out more at swigflasks.com
-Cory U
*P.S. A special thanks goes out to SWIG for my very own SWIG Flask in Harris Tweed Red. xo
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Over the past month or so, Iāve gotten to do something really special; Iāve gotten to talk to classrooms of students eager to learn about Arthritis. I get to be open about what works in my life & what doesn't. I get to share my experiences & struggles of everyday life to those willing to learn & wanting to help. They are a group of students designing with the limitations of Arthritis in mind, & Iāve come out of their classrooms discovering more about myself & being in awe from what theyāve designed & taken away from my stories. It's an opportunity that's only come my way from being more candid about this piece of my life that is a part of me.
I know that some people struggle with the thought that they don't want to be defined by their disease. They tend to think that if they become comfortable admitting that they have an illness, then that's all people will see them as. Sure, there's some narrow in thought that will always think this way, but they are a fallen few. By becoming more comfortable, it's become less of a label to define me & more of just a small characteristic among many that makes me.
We need to talk & discuss these invisible illnesses more. We need to take some pride in our experiences & know that we'll be better & find better for doing so. Hiding doesn't help resolve anything. If I were still hiding I wouldn't have the opportunity to share my story with a large group of strangers willing to learn. Open discussion & communication got me this unique opportunity. Itās only when we open up that we truly find ourselves & our place in life. Let's talk more & perhaps more opportunities will come our way.Ā
-Cory U
P.S. I like to write #ToThePainTuesdays as a conversation starter for others. Iāve heard amazing feedback of inspiration & suggestions from others & love every post about it. Iād love to hear from you too & carry on the conversation if some how you relate. Please get in touch. xo
UnboxingĀ Julep MavenĀ - Throwback to October
First thing's first; I know I'm a little late sharing an October box with you lot. This season has been crazy for me, & on top of everything I've caught the never-ending cold. It's been weeks of coughing, sniffling, no voice & packing in as many rest hours as I can. Because of this, my blog has slacked since all my free time has gone to focus on client projects or my health instead. Such is life. Ramping up to (hopefully) the end of this autumn cold, I'm finally ready to share my Julep Maven box from October (while others have already shared their November ones).
One of my favourite features of a Julep Maven box is the complete selectivity of every box item. Receiving an email mid-month, I get to pick & choose between the "default" box created through personality profiles or swap out items for products or colour choices that are more "me". Completely losing out on time to review the selections, I missed the window this month & was sent the personality "default" box as I like to call it. Scared of the colour choices coming to me, I was pleasantly surprised & super happy I didn't opt-out of this box. Here's a look at what I received (already used & tested of course).
Eyeshadow 101 in Champagne Shimmer - I've seen similar eyeshadow sticks from various make-up brands before but I've never been sold on them after seeing the goopy mess of the tester sticks I find at the make-up counters. At the box price, I was pretty happy to finally own one myself. Popping the cap off this stick, I found the same problem happen to me as other mavens have come across; the eyeshadow stick fell right out of the tube. Not glued properly in place, I had to find strategic ways to make sure I didn't lose the stick to the floor mid-use. Outside of this problem, I loved the easy application & sponge-applicator end used to smooth the shadow out. The champagne colour is subtle & light to start, but applying more layers builds up to a bolder, more shimmery look. It's a great shadow stick, besides the whole glue issue.
Your Happy Look in Clover Pink - Lifting the lid of this pink shadow made me rather apprehensive to try. The pink was so... pink. It reminded me of the colours I tried in high school when I first started to play around with blushes. The colour is strong, but it blends very well with my skin tone. I never thought Iād go back to toting around a bright pink blush again but with a light application, I enjoy the pretty pink glow.
Overall, this box was a $42 value for the price of $24.99 (USD plus shipping for Canada). Iāve already used the eyeshadow on more than one occasion & on this sick day, will probably use the blush to perk me up some more. Theyāre the perfect combination to add some glow to your sick weather woes.
Interested in tryingĀ Julep yourself? Sign up for your own freebie Julep Maven Welcome Box here! xo
