Sunday, November 21, 2010

Plagiat : pourquoi ne pas utiliser une formule gagnante ;-) !

Coupable. Je plaide coupable à l'absence, au manque de discipline et d'assiduité. Je n'ai pas rédigé de billet personnel depuis le mois de juillet. Je vous épargne mes raisons. Je prononce une demande de pardon. Ceci étant dit, passons à l'action.


J'appelle une autre personne au banc des coupables. Une soit-disant professionnelle coupable de plagiat. "Ton courriel était génial… pourquoi ne pas utiliser une formule gagnante ;-)! " Parce que, entre autres, tu es payée pour publier un texte qu'une autre personne a écrit, parce que tu ne me cites pas comme auteure et parce que tu ne mentionnes même pas mon nom comme source d'inspiration. Cette personne étais certainement absente le jour où l'intégrité a été distribuée. Par contre, elle devait très certainement être assise au premier rang le jour de la remise de l'effronterie.


J'ai fait une montée de lait vendredi passé sur Twitter. Je pensais que mes 140 caractères passeraient comme un couteau dans du beurre; que je donnais simplement un coup d'épée dans l'eau qui laisserait sortir la vapeur de ma marmite. Mais mon épée semble avoir piqué d'autres auteurs dans leur sensibilité créatrice! Ainsi, il n'y a pas seulement moi qui apprécie la reconnaissance, la droiture et la justice. Ce qui va à César doit être rendu à César. Même sous prétexte que "c'est une formule gagnante". À tous ceux qui ont réagi à ma montée de lait, je dis merci. Merci de votre solidarité virtuelle.


Je rédige en anglais comme en français des communiqués de presse pour une marque de la compagnie pour laquelle je travaille. Les bloggeuses qui écrivent pour leur plaisir et non pour rémunération reprennent souvent en partie ou en intégral "mes" communiqués. Les journalistes le font occasionnellement et toujours de manière beaucoup moins intégrale. Je vois une tournure de phrase reprise ici et là à l'occasion. D'une certaine façon, c'est flatteur et d'un autre côté, il n'y a pas 123 façons d'écrire que l'ingrédient-clé fait ceci ou que le rouge à lèvres est pigmenté et hydratant. L'original demeure un comuniqué de presse qui, même s'il a coulé de ma plume, est signé par une entreprise, pas une personne. Je préfère que le communiqué soit copié en intégral que de voir un faux message circuler.


Par contre, ce n'est pas tout à fait ce qui est arrivé cette fois. J'ai envoyé, à la demande de la gente dame, le communiqué de presse corporatif sur un de nos produits. Il a été recopié dans son intégralité sur le site Web qui l'embauche. Un site sérieux, tout de même. Rien d'extraordinaire à souligner. Puis je poursuis. Une ligne semble appartenir à l'auteure. Sur 17 mots dans cette ligne, 11 sont les miens. Ça sonne une petite cloche à l'interne, mais il n' a pas de quoi s'inquiéter, non? Je continue ma lecture. Ma foi! Les deux paragraphes qui suivent sortent tout droit des doigts sur mon clavier, pas du sien!


Je passe 5 minutes à comparer mon courriel et revenir au site Web. Je ne me peux plus. Je trouve qu'on a abusé de ma candeur et de ma générosité!


Comment ça s'est passé? D'abord, en me demandant le communiqué de presse, elle ajoute une ligne à son courriel: "J’aimerais aussi parler de XYZ et de ABC, peux-tu m’aider?". C'est fréquent que les journalistes me demandent de leur lancer des pistes. Je l'ai fait souvent et je continuerai de le faire. À chaque fois que c'est arrivé, j'ai lu mes idées dans des mots complètement remâchés. C'est génial! On se dit que le journaliste a aimé notre idée, l'a adapté pour ses lecteurs et voilà, nos idées sont devenues ses mots. On fait parler de notre marque et on s'en félicite. À d'autres occasions, mes conseils sont cités et mon nom est nommé. Le résultat est le même : un sentiment d'accomplissement des deux côtés de la clôture.


J'ai donc envoyé un courriel lui suggérant trucs et produits pour répondre aux besoins XYZ puis ABC. C'est monnaie courante, ça fait partie de mon travail et ça me vient tout naturellement! Je signe en écrivant "En espérant que ça aidera à t’inspirer. Au plaisir!". Parce que là est le but de notre échange : lui fournir des idées qui l'inspireront dans son travail de rédactrice. Une fois son texte en ligne, elle m'envoie un courriel m'invitant à lire son billet. À son tour, elle signe ainsi : "J’aimerais connaître lorsque tu as deux minutes tes impressions sur le texte."


Est-ce que c'est ce que l'expression "On ne vaut rien si on ne vaut pas une risée" signifie? Parce qu'en lisant l'article en ligne, que j'ai moi-même rédigé mot pour mot, et en relisant la ligne où elle me demande mes impressions sur le texte, je me dis qu'elle rit de moi. Assez allègrement.


Comme elle me demande si ouvertement mon avis, je ne vais pas me priver de lui donner! "


"Mon impression sur le texte, sérieusement? Comme c’est un « copié/collé » quasi-intégral de mon courriel, je le trouve génial!", que je réplique. Et c'est à ce moment qu'elle retourne le fer dans la plaie en me servant "Ton courriel était génial… pourquoi ne pas utiliser une formule gagnante ;-)! "


Qu'une personne soit en panne d'inspiration pour écrire, je le comprends jusqu'au fond de mon âme et jusqu'au bout de mes doigts. Par contre, j'ai de la difficulté à digérer qu'on prenne 210 de mes mots et qu'on en prenne le crédit, à tort. Dorénavant, quand je pense au plagiat, un synonyme me vient en tête : incompétence.

Si vous en avez ras-le-bol de vous faire piquer vos mots vous aussi, prenez ce texte et copiez-le intégralement dans votre prochain billet. Je vous l'offre avec grand plaisir!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Feline Acne

Two feline creatures allow me to share my condo with them.  (Bodyguard gets irritated when I say I'm the "mother" of two cats.  Ooops.  Hehe!)  The oldest one is 12 and the tiny, dumpster-found teeth-enhanced one is almost 5.

Last February, I realized Pussachat (the eldest) had bad breath.  Not as in "I just ate tuna so leave me alone" bad breath, but unhealthy, permanent, kitty-cat mouth smell.  It also seemed she had less of an appetite in the last days and that indicated I had to bring her to the vet.  I have been going to this vet since 1997 when I had my rabbits.  Not all vets are rabbits vets.  Rabbit vets get to charge double the price for a visit :o) and that's a  different blog topic! 

Here I am, cat in hand, at the clinic with Pussachat who gets on the scale.  It's just an ounce away from 15 lbs and that's not what is best for her already aching lower back.  (She overdoes it by taking high jumps to go steal the little one's food). Eyes, ears, thermometer: everything is fine.  Except she has a small case of gingivitis and she needs her teeth cleaned.  That requires anesthesia and anesthesia equals blood tests and that translates into ching-ching.

I suggest they isolate her right after the intervention because she's known to be right down nasty when waking up after anesthesia.  I was even told to go get my own cat out of her cage at the SPCA because she was threatening to bite the attendant's arm off.  This time for the teeth cleansing, they suggested a new type of anesthesia with the hope that it would help with her cattitude upon waking up.

A bit over $500 later, my cat has a brand new smile and we head home.  Her pupils are dilated to the size of dimes.  I get her out of her cage and she heads straight for her food bowl.  The vet told me she shouldn't eat too much right away and only soft foods.  She's miaowing like there is no tomorrow and she won't stop going around in circles.  This twelve-year old is pretty much a sofa cat.  She lays there for hours and only moves if she sees me going to the kitchen (her food bowl) or bathroom (her faucet of choice). My cat is stoned and she's got a bad case of munchies!

Not only are her pupils dilated, she won't sit down for a minute -even if I offer to brush her fur- and she has lost her coordination!  She requests a drink at the bathroom faucet and what kind of a bad cat owner (mom) would I be if I declined this poor sedated (stoned) cat a drink of fresh-from-the-tap water?  I get her on the counter and she knocks her face on the faucet!  It takes her two minutes and a bit of my help to manage to drink from the faucet.  My conclusion: we go back to the "old" type of anesthetics if we need another intervention!  I'd rather have a falsely aggressive cat than a stoner-cat who needs supervision.

In a conversation with the vet before I went to get my (stoned) cat, he tells me: "While she was still sleeping, I gave her a facial".  Me = dumbfound.  A what?  I'm a certified esthetician, I know what a facial is!  But excuse me, you gave my cat a facial?  "You know she has acne, right?"  No, I certainly did not!  Cats get acne now?  "Yes, feline acne.  She has a lot of blackheads under her chin".  Those are blackheads??? (Follow the red arrows on my pic)  I thought she simply scratched herself too vigorously under the chin and it caused her scabs.  I still can't believe what I'm hearing until he says: "You will have to help  remove the blackheads".  I truly appreciate this doctor and have the utmost respect for him, his clinic and his work.  But is he kidding me?  He had her sedated while he gave her a facial!  Do you have any clue what it's like to try to remove ingrowns and blackheads from a cat's chin when she's fully awake?  She's not quite collaborative, let me tell you!  
(This picture shows very well the sparse hairs and irritated chin)
I now clean her chin (almost) every day with Hibitane, a skin cleanser for veterinary use.  It has significantly reduced the number of scabs on her chin and she scratches less.  I try, as much as she lets me, to remove her ingrowns and blackheads.  Who'd have thought an esthetician's cat would have a bad case of acne?

Friday, July 2, 2010

The day I discovered Tim Minchin

My spring 2007 was quite a busy season.  I bought my condo in January and had to pack boxes for my move in June.  I was going from a 3 bedroom /1200 + sq. ft apartment with incredible storage space into a 2 bedroom 900 sq. ft condo with (almost) no storage space.  I had to do a huge clean up in my stuff and throw away a lot of unnecessary things.  My old high school agendas? Recycled.  Letters exchanged during classes? Gone!  Decluttering is time consuming.  I also had friends from Sao Paulo living here from February until April, which meant I had to entertain.  A lot.  I was traveling to Brazil later that year and had registered for Portuguese lessons in addition to my dance classes.  And, oh, no big deal, I was turning 30 that year and work was quite busy to say the very least (Annabelle Model Search, anyone?).

I took possession of the condo on June 15th.  My family came to help me remove all the carpets because, low and behold, ceramic and hardwood floors and to be completed before my official moving in 7 days later.  We were throwing my parents a surprise party on the 23rd.  My parents were throwing me an advance surprise party on June 30  for my 30th birthday and I was flying to Sao Paulo on July 7th.  My schedule allocated very little down time. 

With the money I received as my birthday gift, I bought myself my very first (digital) camera and first iPod.  I had no time to familiarize myself with my new toy and simply asked a colleague of mine (LM) to throw music in there for me.  "Please put this and that on, a little Jami and a little Matchbox Twenty... as for the rest, surprise me".  There I was, sitting comfortably in my first class seat (Yeah, baby!  Hello Aeroplan points!) on my way to Toronto, excited to get together with my Brazilian friends, when I finally turned on my iPod.  I looked at what he had put in.  I like, I like, don't know.  I decided to listen to an artist which I had never heard of, Tim Minchin.  Genre: humour.  WTF?  Please don't tell me LM put sketches on there!

I was quiet and cozy when "Inflatable You" started to play.  Keep in mind that I have absolutely no clue what to expect.  The first thing I know, I giggle, giggle and finally burst out laughing.  My neighbor, a few feet away from me, glances, with his glasses low on his nose.  I tilt my head sideways to express how profoundly sorry I am to have interrupted his very serious reading of a newspaper.  The song starts with Tim stating "This is a love song".  A few sentences in, he declares "delectable, inflatable you".  The guy is declaring his love to an inflatable doll!  I could not help myself: I had to listen to every Tim song LM had put on my iPod!

The fact that he's funny or not is debattable.  ("Your skin is so smooth, I couldn't afford you with hair.  You have all the wholes real girls have got plus one for the air").  It's a question of taste and perception.  His musical talent, however; is unquestionable.  He rocks the piano!  He also includes a lot of harmonies and my heart is quickly won over harmonies.  Again, his choice of (abrasive and vulgar) language may not be suitable for your ears.  You should surely avoid listening to Tim Minchin if you are particularly religious.  Bodyguard does not think Tim is funny at all (and Bodyguard is not one bit religious).  On the other hand, it's been 3 years already and I still listen to Tim on a regular basis.  An instant fixer upper for me.  He cracks me up.  And although his voice is not spectacular, he carries a tune!

Do I like him even a bit more because he wears (what looks like Annabelle) makeup?  I would say he's a Custom Quad Eyeshadow - Ebony, Smudgeliner - Ohmygoth! and volumelash.com Mascara wearer!  If you're in the mood for a funny musical discovery, I'd invite you to visit his official Website: http://www.timminchin.com/.  Here are a few of my personal Tim favorites (of course, Inflatable You remains my classic of choice):
-Hello
-Rock And Roll Nerd
-You Grew On Me
-Darkside (the piano is amazing!)
-Some People Have It Worse Than Me
-If You Really Loved Me
-Nothing Can Stop Us Now (The end is drastic and cruel, I know!  But the song itself is great).
-Prejudice (What you think it is, it is not!  Love the cleverness of this song.)
 
I appreciate the musicality his songs bring.  I like the fact that he's silly.  There is plenty of time to be serious and politically correct in daily life.  When I want a dose of silly, easy-listening funnies, I turn to Tim.  He's coming to this year's Just For Laughs and I sure hope to be part of the crowd!  He also strongly supports the use of Canvas Bags and, as a canvas bag user myself, I just can't resist this song.  Kudos to you if the chorus doesn't stay in your head all day after listening to it!
 
To LM, my work colleague who loaded my iPod with Minchin tunes: THANK YOU for allowing me to discover Tim!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Certified esthetician

I was asked to write a blog post for the public school where I studied for a year and graduated in esthetics.

Three passions unite: writing, skin care and makeup.

Full article on the school's blog here.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

More on driving

When I was 18 years old, the guy I dated drove a white Honda Prelude which, like he, was fragranced with Calvin Klein Eternity.  The car had a manual transmission and had an 8 ball in lieu of the traditional stick shift.  He was patient enough to let me have my first try out at driving standard.  I wasn't really good at it, but I liked the feeling.  It gave me an even better sensation of control and, for a person who loves to drive, it involved me even more.  The clutch survived and our friendship did too, but we stopped dating.

In 2000, my deareast first car, Chouchoune, was slowly falling apart from rust damage.  I had to travel for work and ended up having approximately 10 days to buy a new car.  My options were, for the same amount, a 1996 Nissan Maxima, standard, or a Ford Contour 1998, automatic.  Because I hadn't practiced much and would spend a lot of time on the road, I hesitated to get the Maxima with manual transmission and decided to take the Ford Contour instead.  Now I loved my Contour while she was good but HATED her when I changed the timing belt for the second time in 6 months.  What a mistake! 

My best friend bought her new car, standard of course, and I had the chance to drive it on a few occasions and I was hooked.  I figured the next MissIPP Mobile would just have to be standard.  When the time came, I went to the car dealer and decided on the model, colour and everything.  I went to pick up my new vehicle on a Friday night and I was handed the keys shortly before closing time.  I was hanging around the dealership doors, waiting, when the saleswoman came to see me.  "Is there something we can help you with?", she asked.  "Oh no, thank you.  I'm just waiting for my sister and her boyfriend to come meet me.  He's going to take the car across the street in the parking lot to teach me how to drive" is what I answered.  I would have paid $20 to get a picture of the look on her face.  "You don't know how to drive standard?", she blurted out.  "Well, yes, I know how to drive standard!  I just need to practice".  I'm convinced she was genuinely preoccupied about the car she had just leased me.

My sister and her boyfriend did arrive.  He drove the car across the street for me and we switched seats.  He would make me stop and go; the most important "how to" when learning to drive standard.  The they followed me home to make sure not too many cars would hit the horn behind me if I stalled at a stop sign or red light.  I discovered how quickly the right arm and its middle finger can be raised to signal the driver in the car behind you that you'll only be one second, hence the one and only finger.

I avoided hills at all cost at first and then eventually got the hang of it.  I learned that high heels are much easier to drive in versus platform shoes that won't let you feel the clutch.  I realized that some men (Hello, Bodyguard!) are still prejudiced and assume that women don't drive standard.  Perhaps it's the way I handle the stick that impressed him?  No pun intended ;o)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Addictions - Part 4: driving


When I turned 16, all I could think of (besides boys) was to put money aside so I could go back to Rio de Janeiro as soon as I could.  I had spent a month there 2 years prior and only wanted to go back as soon as I could (finally went back 15 years after - story to be told in a different blog post).  I was working part-time making $6 an hour in a kids' clothing store with no commission and baby-sitting a lot as well for even less money.  Saving up was hard to do.  (What do you know?  History repeats itself because it's still hard to do!)  My dad, on the other hand, had other plans for me.  He wanted me to take my driver's license classes.

Yuk.  I could not care less.  My mom was driving me everywhere I wanted to! :o)  Of course, Papa a raison, I ended up taking my classes.  We had theory classes for nearly 20 hours  which led to an official written exam in governmental offices.  Then, with my apprentice's permit in hand, I was authorized to take the actual driving lessons and/or drive with someone who had their driver's license.  I succeeded at the written exam the first time around.

My dad would take me driving in the industrial park on week-ends so that I would be able to practice without fearing traffic.  I think he was always comfortable with my driving because I took after him.  Except for parallel parking.  People laugh when I talk about how stressed out I am when I have to parallel park and I have a passenger in my car.  These people have obviously never tried to park with my dad in the car.  It's a story so famous that it's even a running gag.  My dad loves his white walls.  He used to shine them every Friday afternoon during the summertime and these fine white lines could not be scratched.  Try to picture adolescent me, learning how to drive, with my dad by my side telling me : "Watch the tires.  Careful!  Watch the tires.  Not so close.  STOP!"  When you see danger and you look at it, where do you think you end up?  Boom.  Sidewalk.  "Sorry, dad".

Then came the time to pass my road test.  My dad's friend, a retired cop, had become a road test instructor for the government (SAAQ).  He took me for a three-hour drive one afternoon and took me through all the tough areas where the instructor whom would eventually take me on the road for my test would most likely take me.  "Watch the yellow line when you take this curve.  The road tends to pull you towards it; make sure you stay within your lane.  At a stop sign, stop ON THE LINE.  Not a foot before and not an inch after.  This street is two-ways on this end, but one-way only starting here.  The instructor is going to watch if you see the signs and try to have you go the wrong way into a one-way street.  Watch for it."  I was given all the pointers!  On the day of my exam, the man had been instructed to pass me, unless I literally failed to respect safety laws. But I didn't and hurray for me, I got my driver's license!

I have been driving ever since.  My mom's car at first and then I bought my first (used) car when before I turned 19.  I discovered a passion for driving.  I love to go over the speed limit.  My cruising speed?  145 km/hr.  But that was before April 2009 when, in Quebec, they doubled speeding ticket fees and demerit points.  I am not afraid of driving at 145 km/hr on the highway however; I fear having to cut back on everything in my budget to be able to afford a speeding ticket.  Since then, I have been respecting speed limits very diligently :o(

I don't mind a 6-7 hour drive.  I love it, in fact.  As long as I know I have my cell phone and my iPod, I am good to hit the road!  My name is MissIPP and I am addicted to driving!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

The other side of the fence


On April 10, I posted my very first product review:  J.R. Watkins Apothecary Lemon Cream.  Just a few short hours after, I received an email from Mr. Hagen, an Independent Watkins Executive.  Based on my number of followers, I assumed he had the brand name on Google Alert!

My very first thought was "Whoa! Is this what it feels like to be on the other side of the fence; to be contacted by sales and / or PR reps for product reviews?"  It felt very flattering and made me giggle for a few minutes.  After contacting many beauty bloggers myself (please rest assured that I am not pretending to be a beauty blogger.  I am not a beauty blogger.  I am not a makeup artist.  I'm a certified esthetician who works in the cosmetic industry, is a friend to beauty bloggers and an addict to social media and text messaging.),  it felt nice and strange to be sitting on the other side of the fence for a minute.  For this lovely opportunity I was given, thank you, Mr. Hagen.

I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary tube of the new and improved formula, for my personal use and review.

What I learned: the product I had purchased in Florida at such a great discounted price ($2.49 US) had, in fact, been discontinued over a year ago, hence the discount!  The new formulas are not only paraben free, like the Website claims, but the packaging has also been updated.  My sweet and fresh lemon cream is even fresher-looking nowadays.

Again, from the Website:
"J.R. Watkins Body Creams provide your skin with the ultimate moisturizing experience. Natural shea and cocoa butters are whipped together with more than 10 natural oils and extracts to protect, soothe and condition your delicate skin. This is a healthy treat your skin will never forget! 96-97% natural.  Ideal for rough areas including heels, knees and elbows
 
Brand Commitments:
• 95% Natural and above; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free; Sodium Laureth Sulfate Free; Paraben Free; Phthalate Free; Mineral Oil, Petrolatum free; Dye Free."
 
My updated review
Upsides:
-the J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary Shea Butter Body Lemon Cream now comes in a tube instead of a jar.  I no longer get cream stuck under my nails when I get it on my hands to apply.
-the scent is even more natural and lemony (yummy!)
-like the Website claims and contrary to my first product review, the cream is overall natural (19 natural extracts on a total of 34 ingredients)!
-is it me or does my skin feels softer after moisturizing with the new formula?  I think it does!
-the protective barrier it leaves on my skin (hello, lemon peel extract!) which also helps prevent moisture loss
-I can order from Mr. Hagen when I want a new tube and I can't find it in a store near me!

Downsides:
-the size went from 130 g (jar) to 95 g (tube).
-the scent seems to have lost a bit of its "creamy" lemon sent; it smells more like freshly squeezed lemons than a lemon-meringue pie.  I still adore the smell, but wish it had kept a bit of its sweet, creamy/dreamy scent.
-$7.99 CAD + taxes per 95 g tube.  That's a bit expensive for my cheap-single-girl-with-a-mortgage budget and it would absolutely be a treat (from me to myself with lotsa love) to purchase again.

Neutral about:
-the paraben-free,dye-free and other-free formula, but I do realize that is a huge bonus for many beauty gals out there.
-the way it applies.  Although the new version seems to have a better slip and slide effect, it does not go on as smoothly as I love a body cream to do so.

My final thoughts?  I'm a spoiled brat who loves lemon and body creams =)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Une fille sait qu'elle est devenue femme quand...

À quel moment dans sa vie rose bonbon la fille passe-t-elle au vieux rose de la femme?

Hier soir, je suis sortie prendre un verre avec mon amie, mieux connue sous le surnom de MJ ou Poupée.  Je portais un chandail rose... nanane sucée longtemps.  J'attendais patiemment ma chum de fille dans ma voiture.  Quatre jeunes hommes fumaient et buvaient dans leur bouteille de Coke (je les soupçonne d'y avoir ajouté du rhum ou du Jack Daniels) en discutant paisiblement.  Poupée me lâche un coup de fil; ça y est, elle est arrivée.  (Je dois écrire une grosse parenthèse au sujet de son retard - à lire au bas de cet article.)

Je sors de la voiture et empoigne mon sac à mains et mon veston.  "Oh, Madame!", s'exclame un des jeunes hommes.  Pas certaine que l'exclamation me concerne, je ne fais que relever les yeux dans leur direction.  Quatre paires de yeux sont rivées sur moi alors je suppose que c'était vraiment à moi qu'on s'adressait.  "C'est tellement sexy votre chandail.  Ça vous fait tellement bien!  C'est pas décolleté, très class.  Vraiment beau."  Euh... merci?  Bien sûr, je le remercie pour son compliment.  D'abord parce que je trouve beaucoup plus agréable de me faire dire que mon vêtement est sexy et que je le porte à merveille plutôt que de me faire siffler comme une marmotte.
(picture credit: sinstyle.ca)
Mais le coup de grâce est donné.  Je suis à ses yeux de jeune homme de dix-huit, vingt, vingt-deux ans au maximum; une Madame.  Une femme d'expérience.  Quand est-ce que ça m'est arrivé?  Quand est-ce que je suis passée de fille à femme?  Et il m'a dit "VOUS".  Il sait qu'il y a suffisamment de distance entre son âge et le mien pour qu'il sente la nécessité de me vouvoyer.  Il voulait simplement être poli?  SVP, dites-moi qu'il voulait simplement se montrer charmant et poli!

Je vis très bien avec mon âge.  Je ne voudrais pas retourner à mes 22 ans.  Je ne me suis jamais sentie aussi à l'aise avec moi-même que depuis mes 29-30 ans et ça s'améliore avec le temps.  J'ai confiance en mes moyens et je suis très à l'aise avec ceux-ci. Je suis passée de fille à femme sans m'en rendre compte.  Même si mon charme attire toujours les jeunes hommes, je suis clairement passée dans la cour des grandes.  #deuildejeunesseàfaire.  Barman, vite, à boire!  Et apportez m'en un double.

(Parenthèse sur le retard de MJ: depuis des lunes, elle conduit une voiture à transmission manuelle.  Cette semaine, elle a laissé sa voiture au garage pour quelques mises au point et, quelle chance, ils lui ont laissé une voiture de courtoisie!  Je lui envoie un message texte pour lui dire que je suis rendue à notre point de rencontre.  Elle m'appelle.  "Écoute, j'ai un petit problème.  Je ne peux pas me rendre.  La voiture de courtoisie que le garagiste m'a laissée, je pense qu'elle a un système anti-démarrage et le con a oublié de me dire comment l'enlever".  "As-tu essayé les clignotants?  Souvent ils mettent ça dans les clignotants", que j'avance.  Je l'entends signaler à gauche et à droite, mais aucun bruit de moteur qui démarre.  Parce que je conduis moi aussi une voiture manuelle, j'ai tendance à toujours la laisser embrayée quand je stationne.  Je coupe le moteur, un point c'est tout.  Je me souviens que j'ai l'habitude de laisser la voiture automatique de mes parents en "drive" quand j'éteins le moteur et je lui demande: "Est-ce que le bras est sur park ou sur drive?".  Il est sur "d", qu'elle me dit.  "Appuie sur le frein, mets le à "p" et essaie de démarrer".  Vrrrrroum.  "Haha!  J'arrive!" qu'elle me laisse savoir.  C'est pour ça que j'adore ma Poupée; elle me fait rire!  Trop habituée qu'elle est à la conduite manuelle, elle a oublié que les voitures automatiques sont plus capricieuses!  Fin de la paranethèse, mais pas du fou rire.)

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Strangelove

Je me suis récemment soumise à ma torture mensuelle (épilation à la cire). Je me fait épiler depuis des années par une amie dont je perdrai bientôt les bons services.  Qui prend mari prend pays, c'est ça?  Elle nous quittera en septembre prochain pour aller retrouver son mari, nouvelle recrue de la GRC qui est dorénavant affecté à Onion Lake, en Saskatchewan.  Je devais donc me trouver une nouvelle tortionnaire.  Je suis habituellement assez dure sur mon corps et je semble avoir un seuil de tolérance assez élevé pour la douleur.  Par contre, étant moi-même esthéticienne et ancien bourreau de la cire, je peux vous confirmer que je suis une véritable plaie comme cliente.  Je suis très souffrante (et râleuse) lorsque je passe sur la table d'épilation!

La perle que j'ai découverte possède sa cabine au salon de coiffure que je fréquente depuis plus de 15 ans.  Une des deux copropriétaires est mon ancienne voisinne car elle habite juste à côté de chez mes parents.  À l'époque je l'ai connue, je portais les cheveux aux hanches.  (Sur la photo, mes cheveux n'étaient pas à leur pleine longueur et comme je frise... vous imaginez ce que ça donnait quand la tignasse était mouillée?  En passant, j'espère que vous appréciez parce qu'il ne faut vraiment pas avoir de fierté pour publier cette photo de moi! Lol.) 

Bref, ma coiffeuse devait monter sa chaise au plus haut niveau et s'assoyeait sur un marchepied pour me couper les cheveux autrement, elle se cassait le dos à chaque coup.
Cette semaine, j'ai donc croisé ma coiffeuse lorsque je me suis présentée à mon rendez-vous pour l'épilation.  "Il n'y a pas de nouvel article sur ton blogue depuis un bout de temps", qu'elle me dit, mi-moqueuse.  C'est qu'avec ma blessure au doigt, celui qui me sert tant pour enfoncer les touches de mon clavier (même si je tape à 2 mains, merci!), j'ai ralenti la cadence.  Taper au bureau le jour me suffisait!  Cette semaine, toutes mes soirées étaient occupées.  Me voici donc, en ce samedi matin, en train de me remettre au boulot!  Ma coiffeuse est une de mes lectrices les plus assidues, avec la célèbre Caco, une grande amie... à ma soeur! ;o)

En allant à mon rendez-vous arrache-poils, j'ai annoncé à ma coiffeuse que je la verrais jeudi midi prochain.  "Ah oui?"  Je remarque une lueur de crainte dans ses yeux.  Bien qu'elle manie le ciseau fort habilement, elle haguït (du verbe "haguïr", soit "haïr" à la puissance 10) créer ce que j'appelle des pièces montées.  (Une mise en pli , tignasse remontée, pour cheveux longs).  Et jeudi qui vient, je vais assister au party annuel le plus couru du jeune jet-set montréalais, celui de Nightlife.ca!  Je voudrais donc que mes boucles soient remontées pour l'occasion.  Je perçois que ça ne lui tente pas trop.  "Mais mes cheveux sont tellement faciles à coiffer!  2-3 Bobby pins et le tour est joué", que je lui lance avec mon plus beau sourire.  C'est à moitié vrai.  Mes cheveux sont secs et se coiffent très facilement en pièce montée; vrai.  Par contre, j'ai beaucoup de cheveux et ils sont gros (format spaghettini, mettons?).  J'aurais dû écrire 2-3 douzaines de Bobby pins parce que c'est ce que ça va prendre pour faire tenir ma perruque toute la soirée!  Mais j'ai confiance en elle et en ses Bobby pins.

Uh-oh.  Un sourire malin apparaît sur son visage.  "Parfait, mais ça va me prendre un nouvel article, pis en français!".  Ok, point gagné.  Elle demeure une de mes plus ferventes lectrices et elle est en charge de me crêper les boudins.  Je ne vais quand même pas la laisser tomber!  Cet article se veut donc un clin d'oeil à ma coiffeuse.  Merci pour les coiffures.  Merci de ta patience quand tu raidis mes cheveux; c'est un succès éclaboussant à chaque fois :o)

Pourquoi Strangelove comme titre?  Parce que j'étais une fan de Depeche Mode au début de l'adolescence et une partie du refrain va comme suit: "Will you take the pain I will give to you again and again and will you return it".  Et l'épilation à la cire?  I guess it's a strange way of loving myself.  M'infliger de la douleur pour être belle (surtout douce!).

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Hallelujah, praise Amazon!

Amazon has finally heard my prayers (requests)!  After over three long years of waiting in vain... The Fresh Prince of Bel Air season 5 is coming out on DVD!  Lemme me hear you say: "Wi-ill"!


Born and raised dans une famille québécoise francophone, I watched very few TV shows in English.  We used to watch Rescue 911 and then we got warped into Days of our Lives, but that was pretty much it for my family.  I had my very favorite after-school show (I'm saving that one for an upcoming post), discovered SNL and started watching Law & Order.  Benjamin Bratt?  He did quite a bit for my teenage hormones.  Can you say yummy?  I would have held his gun for him.

I did watch The Fresh Prince a few times while it was on television however; I really got into the series from watching reruns.  When the first season came out on DVD, I was ecstatic.  More Will!  Because yes, it's a known fact in my entourage that Will Smith is my Main Man.  I am not just a fan because he's a hottie; and not just a fan of his movies.  I also own every single one of his CDs.  And I know all the lyrics to his songs.  And I have watched the DVDs so many times I know most of his lines.  Pathetic?  Perhaps, but you should know that although I own a  tiny (ridicule) non-flat screen TV and DVD player, I don't have cable nor an antenna.  So I get zero channels.  As in "none". But what does one do with no television in 2010, especially for entertainment?!?  Parental discretion is now advised.  A healthy, sweet young thang in her thirties with no TV?  Are you kidding me?  Entertainment is not only on TV.  And for those quiet evenings, there is always blogging and reading and beating my own best Tetris score on my ancient Gameboy :o)

I purchased season 4 in 2007.  Since then, I had been desperately waiting for season 5 to come out and, finally, the moment has arrived!  Three long years and now Amazon Canada is releasing it on May 4!  Hallelujah, praise Amazon!  I hope it will not take another 3 years before the sixth and final season comes out...

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Posts are delayed because...

My kitty cat, Pattapoil, who is afraid of her own shadow and weighs less than 7 lbs at almost 5 years old, bit me.  On Saturday, a stray cat came to the window and my little one was hissing and I wanted to choo her away because good-mannered cats don't hiss at strangers.

I had the brilliant idea to try and close her mouth with my bare hand.  My right hand.  The hand which serves most purposes in my life.  Bad idea!  She most likely thought it was the stray cat attacking her and she bit me.  Hard!



I am on 4000 mg (yes, you read right: four THOUSAND) of antibacterial meds per DAY (making me a bit of a sleepy head) and, to control the pain until the meds actually kick in, 1000 mg of Tylenol every 3 hours.  Wanna post much?  Meh, not really.



You see on the pics that my right index is quite swollen, but that is nothing!  I had the brilliant idea to call my kinesitherapist yesterday morning.  She gave my finger a lymphatic drainage and reduced the swelling by at least half.  The redness was below my knuckle yesterday morning where today, it just below the wound and, even better, above the knuckle.  You can see that there are two points of teeth entry.  And two infected sites.  I spare you the details.  The pain? Ridiculously excruciating considering wound size. And, mostly, considering it was induced by a stay-at-home, scaredy-less-than-7-pound cat. 


So I apologize but my posts are delayed because I'd rather sleep right now and typing makes my finger quite painful and makes my heart beat in it :o) TTYS!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Intolérante au lactose

Depuis mai 2002, je suis intolérante au lactose.  Ce que ça signifie, c'est que mon système digestif ne produit plus d'enzymes nécessaires à la bonne digestion de ce glucide.  Est-ce une façon que mon corps a adopté pour me signifier que je consomme suffisamment de sucre?  Peut-être.  Je crois que ça fait aussi tout simplement partie de ma réalité: j'ai un million de petits bobos qui ne me tueront jamais!  Un jour j'écrirai la liste de mes bobos, juste pour prouver que certaines choses n'arrivent qu'à moi.

Il y a des degrés d'intolérance au lactose.  Par exemple, certaines personnes sont capables de manger 2 à 3 portions de lactose par jour, mais pas plus.  D'autres personnes peuvent en manger autant qu'elles veulent, mais pas à jeun le matin.  Ça varie d'une personne à une autre.  Il y en a pour qui les pilules du style Lactaid règle le problème.  Pas moi!  Je considère mon degré d'intolérance assez sévère.  Le bon côté des choses est que ce n'est pas une allergie qui risque de mettre ma vie en péril.  Seulement mes sous-vêtements :o)  Lire sur le sujet ici.

Mon intolérance s'est développée sans crier gare.  Du jour au lendemain, j'éprouvais des symptômes que je n'avais jamais connus à long terme et je ne pouvais pas m'expliquer ce qui les provoquais: ballonnements, épouvantables nausées, ventre gonflé à bloc, flatulences (malheureusement, je ne suis pas parfaite!).  J'ai consulté un médecin spécialiste qui m'a suggéré de faire une diète et d'éliminer tout ce qui suit: fruits, légumes crus, produits laitiers, sucreries (ARGH!), et blé pendant 6 à 8 semaines.  Après la semaine 1, je pouvais réintroduire 1 des ces éléments dans mon alimentation, mais seulement 1 par semaine.  Cependant, j'assistais à un mariage et je n'avais pas prévu d'amener mon souper pour l'occasion et je me suis donc pliée à ce qu'il y avait dans mon assiette.  Une crème de légumes en entrée suivi d'une assiette de cannellonis méga gratinés.  Même le gars que j'accompagnais m'a (poliment) fait remarquer que mon abdomen avait pris des proportions assez impressionnantes pendant la soirée.  C'était officiel: j'étais intolérante au lactose.

Le gastro-entérologue m'avait expliqué que je ne devrais pas bannir les produit laitiers de mon guide alimentaire et que je devrais tenter d'en manger occasionnellement pour pouvoir réhabituer mon intestin.  Bad idea!  Sur mon heure de lunch, j'ai tenté de manger 1/4 tasse de yogourt nature.  Le sucre présent dans les yogourts à différentes saveurs créé un appel d'eau dans les intestins et risque de causer encore davantage de symptômes.  Le yogourt nature semblerait donc moins risqué.  Comment expliquer à mon patron, 1 h 30 plus tard, que je devais rentrer chez moi pour une urgence personnelle (dorénavant connue de mes proches comme étant une "urgence nationale")?  J'avais le coeur au bord  des lèvres tellement j'avais la nausée, je ne savais pas combien de temps j'allais pouvoir résister avant de devoir... laisser passer un peu d'air... et, surtout, je ne savais pas si j'allais être capable de seulement pouvoir laisser passer l'air.  J'ai rapidement fait l'aprentissage de mon intolérance au lactose.  Si j'en mange, je dois considérer les précautions suivantes:
1) pouvoir rentrer à la maison dans les 60 minutes qui suivent l'ingestion de lactose;
2) idéalement me retrouver seule à la maison;
3) m'assurer que j'ai du matériel de lecture disponible pour un tête à tête avec mon trône en céramique blanche.

Pour moi, la consommation de produits laitiers équivaut à la prise d'une sérieuse dose de laxatifs.  L'effet est pratiquement immédiat.  Le lactose n'est pas digéré et passe donc directement "au travers" mon tube digestif... en arrachant tout sur son passage. Le pire, c'est que ça ne s'arrête pas au moment ou mon système a éléminé le lactose.  Mon intestin, une fois irrité par le lactose non digéré, demeure irrité!  Tout ce que je consomme par la suite dans les 24 à 48 heures qui suivent me donne du fil à retordre puisque mon intestin est au vif.  Tout ce qui y passe me rappelle que j'ai mangé quelque chose que mon système ne peut plus tolérer!

Je n'ai jamais aimé le lait.  Même enfant, mes parents avaient toute la misère du monde à me faire boire du lait.  Le coeur me lève juste à penser à l'odeur des p'tits maudits berlingots de lait qu'on recevait en classe au primaire.  Mais la crème glacée, le yogourt, le fromage et la crème glacée (je sais, je me répète, mais ça met de l'emphase sur mon adoration pour la crème glacée) faisaient partie de mes incontournables.

Bien que je ne puisse pas le prouver, deux médecins avec qui j'ai parlé de mon histoire m'ont avoué que la cause de mon intolérance au lactose développée "sans raison apparente" pourrait être les suites de mes 3 injections de Depo-Provera, qui fait maintenant l'objet d'un recours collectif.  Les doses d'hormones auraient pu dérégler mon système au point d'en affecter la production d'enzymes et de rendre mon système digestif intolérant au lactose.  Bien sûr, je ne peux rien prouver et quelques femmes que je connais n'ont jamais connus de telles difficultés suite à la prise de ce même médicament.  N'empêche que le hasard semblait au rendez-vous cette année là!

Un prochain article vous fera part de mes produits laitiers chouchous sans lactose!

Monday, April 12, 2010

A comfy fashion crime

Guilty.  
I plead guilty to (sometimes - but ONLY inside my home) 
wearing flip-flop sandals... with socks.

It's awful, I know.  It kills any fashionable / sexy / daring sense I might have.  My boyfriend will be ashamed, of course (well, I'm ready to take the chance he won't read this). People will be able to see that I'm not kidding when I say I have Fred Flinstone feet ("Thanks, dad" - while my mother has the tiniest, smallest, narrowest princess feet!). My exquisitely trendy Barbie friend in TO will surely laugh her butt off to watch me share this fashion faux-pas.  My friends (Fany23, as crianças and Leonardinho) will also laugh but know exactly what I'm talking about when I refer to "comfy". Well, this is what happens behind my closed doors!

I have already mentioned that I wear Havaianas sandals at home instead of slippers.  I live in a half-basement and the floors are ceramic and hardwood, so it gets cold for the footsies, hence doing all the wootsies!  These sandals are great because I never get back pain from standing on ceramic floors for hours on end while cooking, doing the dishes or... trying to dry my hair and make it straight.  If I am only wearing sandals, however, my toes become icicles because of the cold and humidity. Brrrrrrrrrrr.  That's when the socks come in.

I first discovered that socks could be (would have to be) worn with Havaianas in the winter of 2007 when friends came from Brazil to work in Montreal for 3 months.  I made so much fun of them for wearing sandals with socks.  Then I traveled to Sao Paulo and wore the flip flops inside the house, bare feet until... the humidity started to get to me.  My feet were constantly frozen solid.  So I put on my socks and then the sandals.  It surely felt weird at first.  How can I compare?  I guess it feels like when a girl puts on a thong for the first time: it isn't that comfortable, but it's best to endure half an inch were it's supposed to be than to have 3 or 4 inches of fabric riding up your behind where it's not supposed to be!  After a while, you don't feel it anymore and you 're kind of sorry you never tried it before.
I love wearing my Havaianas with socks when I'm at home and when I'm at home only!  It is my comfy-at-home-fashion crime.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

My first product review: J.R. Watkins Apothecary Lemon Cream

This is my very first official product review and I'm not convinced there will be many more.  Unless I start posting food reviews?  Ooooh.  Lactose-free food reviews.  I could think about that and list my favorite cheeses or dairy-free chocolate milk!  How this girl would love to get freebies on those...  I'm also participating in all the contests I can to try to do something with my hair.  My curls have become frizzies lately and I'd love for my hair to be shiny instead of dry and dull.  So perhaps I could also do hair stuff reviews.  I tried my very first shea oil treatment last night and my, the curls do shine more this morning.  How long will this last?  Did I ever tell you my hairdresser is one of my most adamant readers?  She'll surely laugh to know that I'm trying to do something with my hair.

Ok, back to the subject of my new love: J.R. Watkins Apothecary Lemon Cream.  First and foremost, the scent is hea-ven-ly and nothing short of it.  You gotta like lemon, of course.  I applied a few times on the whole body, but most applications were on the arms, legs and... curvaceous bootay.

From the Website:
"J.R. Watkins Body Creams provide your skin with the ultimate moisturizing experience. Natural shea and cocoa butters are whipped together with more than 10 natural oils and extracts to protect, soothe and condition your delicate skin. This is a healthy treat your skin will never forget! 96-97% natural
Ideal for rough areas including heels, knees and elbows

Brand Commitments:
• 95% Natural and above
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate Free
• Paraben Free
• Phthalate Free
• Mineral Oil, Petrolatum free
• Dye Free"

Texture / efficiency 
What struck me at first is that the application is a task on its own.  There is not much of a "slip and slide" effect.  Does not slip, does not slide on the skin; it really needs a bit of working on. The texture of the cream is thick. I did see the lotion also sold in the US, but did not purchase.  Now I wish I had, just to experience the difference in terms of texture and application.   Although it doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy, sticky or uncomfortable, it does seem like it leaves a protective barrier, which feels nice on my legs during winter months.  The cream was working miracles when I was in Florida, but even if I apply it on a daily basis now, my dry skin still flakes :o(  It is soft to the touch, but still quite dry.

Formula / packaging
Formulated with 25 ingredients, product claim is "96-97% natural". 9 ingredients are natural extracts; I don't see how they got the "whipped together with more than 10 natural oils and extracts", but I won't mind it for now. Where I am utterly confused is that the  formula (on the label) lists methylparaben and propylparaben.  Personally, I don't have an issue with parabens.  But why claim (see link to site above) that the brand commitment includes "paraben free"?  This lack of consistency is a minor turn off for me right there.  The packaging is plain but cute: transparent plastic jar with flat-top black cap.  I like the label on it; it gives it a very apothecary-like look that suits the brand to a tee and it remains simple and effective without being boring or bland.

Major pros
The smell again, is what won my heart.  If I had my eyes closed and someone made me smell the jar, I'd be tempted to take a lick, thinking it just might be a lemon-meringue pie sitting in front of me.  I applied at 10 pm and my skin still had a nice sweet lemony smell at 6 am.  I'm loving this long-lasting smell effect on my skin.

I wish... it was easier to spread and absorb.  I will give the lotion a chance if I get my hands on a bottle at a fair price.

Overall, I give it 3.5 stars for the love at first sniff.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

My colour cosmetic travel kit

I recently wrote about my beauty travel kit.  Of course, this kit did not include the collection of colour cosmetics I travel with.  Further to more conversations with Halifax the great Beauty Blogger, here are the colour cosmetics I brought on vacation with me a few weeks back (already!).

The off white bag on the left is from Rudsak.  I received it as one of my gifts when I was a bridesmaid for my good friend Glamourous Gen in 2005.  It is always in my purse and usually contains the same necessities + varying glosses and lipsticks, according to my mood and clothes.  The Air Canada pouch on the right I received when I traveled first class to Brazil in 2007.  Good times.  I only use it to store my makeup when I travel.  And now, the contents!
The necessities (stuff you would always find in this pouch):
-black elastics for my out-of-control hair
-bobby pins again, for the untameable curls 
-Band-Aids
-Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief Eye Drops (I have dry eyes and sometimes my contact lenses kill me)
-Annabelle SkinTrue Pressed Powder - Translucent.  I really preferred the Light shade, but it was discontinued a while ago already :o(  This one can be too dark for me on winter days.
-Zantac 75 pills.  Heartburn is a way of life for me!  My ear-nose-throat specialist tells me my esophagus is scarred from the acid reflux.  Oh well.. perhaps I should invest and buy stocks in Rolaids and Zantac!
-tweezers
-Marcelle Waterproof Lip Definition Contour Crayon - Nude.  As you can see, this one is OLD.  Lol.  It features the old Marcelle logo.  Shame on me for not restocking with fresh stuff!  Lol.
-Marcelle AC-Solution Blemish Control.  When my face wants to grow special friends, I use this locally.
-The Body Shop clear Brow & Lash Gel, which is a MUST before I walk out the door.  I already confessed my love for it here.
-Marcelle Volume Precision Mascara - Black.
-I have dealt with cold sores all my life (although I haven't had anything recently - knock on wood).  I have a special prescription which I keep at home, but always keep the Zilactin Early Relief Cold Sore Gel with me for on-the-spot treatment and relief. This wonderful gel tastes horrible, but it works rapidly and it's truly effective.  It creates a very good seal on the area and protects it.  It completely stops the usual cold sore stinging sensation and discomfort.
What varies:
-Marcelle Rouge Vitality Lipstik - Forever Natural (LE)
-Marcelle Lux Gloss Sheer - Angelica (LE), but I always have a Lux Gloss with me.  ALWAYS. 
-Annabelle volumelip Lip Plumping Gloss - Vivid Volume (I really like that the shine stays on and on and on)
At the Toronto Beauty Blogger Meetup last February, I received goodies from other cosmetics companies; items I usually would not have bought, but which I am extremely glad I discovered!
-FACE atelier lipstick LRO 3 - Revenge.  This is THE lipstick that made me go back to dark hues and reds this winter / spring.  It is looooooooooong-lasting it goes on super smooth.  Although this girl remains faithful to her brands, this was a great discovery!
-Balmshell Lip Gloss - Weekend in the Hamptons (I think! - this travel-size does not say). Sweet aroma and taste, very subtle shine and lots glitter.  Wonderful for when I want to go light on the lips!

Most recent addition (and perhaps new love of my body care life):
-the small black jar contains the Lush Coco Lotion.  It is a wonderful hand moisturizer that does not leave my hands feeling greasy, but rather silky smooth!  I simply adore it.

The Air Canada pouch was filled with the makeup I usually apply at home and don't carry on a day to day basis:
-Marcelle Wet & Dry Eye Shadow Duo - Slate
-Marcelle Star Pigments - 24 Karats (LE)  I use it as a flash point on my lids most of the times.  It's a secret weapon.
-Marcelle Minerals Eye Shadow - Opal
-Marcelle Minerals Eye Shadow - Terra
-Annabelle Custom Quad Magnetic Compact filled with (clockwise from top left) Purple Reine (LE), Sugar Dust, Metallic Meltdown and Vivid Violet (LE)
-Annabelle Trio Eyeshadow - Crème Caramel
-Annabelle Trio Eyeshadow - Rosewood
-Marcelle Concealer Palette - Universal Beige
-Annabelle mineral Powder Foundation - Natural Ivory
-Annabelle Zebra Bronzing Powder - Bronze Shimmer (LE).  However, my first Zebra love, Haute Gold, is coming out later this May as a REGULAR PRODUCT.  Woot-woot!!!
-Annabelle Smudgeliner in (top to bottom) Purple Storm, Rich Chocolate, Vortex Violet and Electric Bronze
-Marcelle 2 in 1 Retractable Eyeliner - Carbon 
-Annbelle Makeup Pro Eye Brushes A-10 Medium Shader and A-8 Small Shader. 
-Annbelle Makeup Pro A-98 Sharpener for waterproof and regular pencils.  That's right ladies and gents, the Annabelle Smudgeliner and Smoothliner are traditional pencils which require sharpening!
-Marcelle Lux Gloss Sheer - Sorbet (this is a tester size... not available for those not working for Groupe Marcelle! ;o)
-Annabelle Le Gloss Star - Flash Dance
-Annabelle Rouge Velours Lipstick # 210 - Adrenaline
-Marcelle Rouge Vitality Lipstick - Rose Divine (LE)
-Marcelle Lux Gloss - Whisper

MIA in the pic are my Annabelle Makeup Pro Brushes A-88 (retractable in 2 positions, I use it to apply my Annabelle mineral Foundation) and A-13, a must-have brush for my bronzer!  I used them the morning I took the pics and left the brushes in my dressing table.  I also left in my beach bag (returning tomorrow with my parents and all my hair products - lol) my precious Marcelle Vita-Lip Plumping Gloss - Mango Splash (LE).  I adore the Vita-Lip Plumping Gloss for the beach or by the pool because it keeps my lips moist, well hydrated and perfectly shiny.  Plus, the slanted spout is fool-proof for applications.


I'm sure my Beauty Bloggers will agree that I traveled light and only brought what was necessary!  What do you think?