Lifestyle

I’m back!

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

I’m back from my mini vacation, and the blog will return to its regular content on Friday. I was in Nova Scotia with the Mister to visit my parents, and attend my cousin’s wedding.

Where my parents live, there are beautiful trails and lots of deer – we came upon two in someone’s yard snacking on the trees and shrubs. These were taken from across the road so not as to scare them away:

Deer - Nova Scotia

Deer - Nova Scotia

Walking trails - Nova Scotia

Here’s a panoramic shot from the top of the lighthouse at Masstown Market:

Panoramic shot, lighthouse at Masstown Market

I had planned on keeping up with all of your blogs – reading and commenting, but failed at this, so I’ve loads to catch up on.

Have a beautiful day!

 

Choupette Chocolat Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Today I have something a little different – an artisanal chocolate review. I was recently contacted by one of the owners of Choupette Chocolat and asked if I wanted to try their newly launched chocolate bars. Of course I said yes!

Choupette Chocolat

A few days later, a little package arrived. Let’s take a look inside:

Choupette Chocolat is made in Montreal, QC (Canada). They made fine chocolate with fun and original flavours. They currently have four different flavoured bars, ranging from 45% to 50% cocoa, sold in 35 gram bars (185 calories).

Chocolat Fin & Croustilles (Fine Chocolate & Chips)

This one is flavoured with kettle chips, maple flakes and sea salt. I didn’t think that I was going to like this one, but it is a perfect blend of salty, sweet and crunchy!

Chocolat fin & Mais Souffleé (Fine Chocolate & Popcorn)

Flavoured with popcorn, maple flakes and sea salt, this one was my favourite of the four, as the popcorn added a buttery note to the salty sweet blend.

Chocolat Fin & Bretzels (Fine Chocolate & Pretzels)

This one is flavoured with pretzels, caramel, maple flakes and sea salt. The flavour of this one is hard to describe, it was sweeter than I expected it to be, but still had a salty sweet crunch.

Chocolat Fin & Érable Croquant (Fine Chocolate & Maple Crunch)

This one is flavoured with maple taffy, maple flakes, and sea salt. This is the sweetest one of the four, but the addition of sea salt kept it from being too overly sweet. Again, this was one of my favourites.

Choupette Chocolat can be found on facebook and instagram (@choupettechocolat).

Merci Choupette Chocolat!

Disclosure: PR samples, however my chocolate snobbery is entirely my own!

 

Matter Company Day Pack Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Today I have a review of one of the goodies that I was gifted for my birthday last month – the Day Pack gift set from Matter Company. (Thanks again R!)

Matter Company

Matter Company

But first, a little bit about the company since they are Canadian (yay!), based in Toronto (info in italics is taken from their website):

At Matter Company, we embrace a holistic approach to personal care which recognizes the relationship between our natural environment and our physical and emotional well being. […]

A self-professed plant lover, Toronto-based Denise Williams founded Matter Company, a luxe range of all-natural skincare products, in 1996. 

Their products are herbal, organic, cruelty-free, paraben free, gmo free, AND made in Canada.

Matter Company

 

The Day Pack gift set is a small little kit that contains three products: the All-Heal Salve, the Heat Rub and a Lip Balm – the perfect size for travelling.

 

Matter Company

All-Heal Salve:

Hardcore ointment. Natural protection from the wear & tear of the elements. Soothes, smooths, & revitalizes irritated skin. For cuts & scrapes, cracked heels, even doggie paws.

Everyone needs to own one of these salves. Seriously. The Mr. had a skin irritation on his arm – possibly contact dermatitis or something similar – and since he started using this salve, it has started to heal.

Matter Company

Ingredients: olea europaea (olive oil), symphytum officinale (comfrey) leaf, articum lapa (burdock) root, stellaria media (chickweed) oil, plantago major (plantain) leaf, matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) flower, cera alba (beeswax), tocopherol (vitamin) e, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) and lavandula officinalis (lavender) essential oils

Heat Rub:

Soothes & revitalizes tired muscles. Relaxing massage ointment. After-sports rub. Pressure points. Chest rub.

Matter Company

This stuff is so good on sore muscles. And it doesn’t have that terrible stench that a lot of heat rubs have. And it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.

Ingredients: mustard oil, cayenne pepper, ginger root, mustard seeds, beeswax, eucalyptus, cayenne, camphor, peppermint, rosemary and thymol essential oils

Lip Balm: 

Natural protection from the elements. Soothes & softens dry chapped lips.

Matter Company

As a lip balm addict, you know that I love this. I especially love that this can be attached to my key ring, so I always have a lip balm with me.

Ingredients: soya bean oil, shea butter, comfrey leaf, echinacea root, beeswax, vitamin e, peppermint, and orange essential oils

Matter Company

 

Have you tried anything from Matter Company? I was so excited when I found out that they were Canadian!

Disclosure: This was a birthday gift from a friend.

 

Saje Diffuser Blend Reviews

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Today I’m reviewing a few of the Saje Diffuser Blends.  I bought myself an Aroma Gem  diffuser / nebulizer from Saje for Christmas (review is here), and I’ve since purchased and tested out a few more essential oil blends.

Saje Diffuser Blends

Glow  (Enticing Diffuser Blend)

 

SWEET. SPICY. DECADENT.
Indulge with the sweetly comforting and uplifting aroma of this vanilla-based blend that brings warmth and calm to the body and mind.
Ingredients:
  • vanilla 10% infusion (vanilla planifolia fruit extract)
  • peppermint (mentha piperita)
  • ginger (zingiber officinale)
  • patchouli (pogostemum cablin)
  • peru balsam (myroxylon pereirae)
  • cinnamon (cinnamomum cassia)

Saje Glow Diffuser Blend

This one really does have a spicy scent to it. I don’t smell the peppermint note at all. I like this one, but I don’t love it. I find that this blend can become overpowering really quickly unless you use the smallest amount.

Peppermint Twist (Refreshing Diffuser Blend) –

MINTY. FRESH. SWEET.
Relish in this refreshing blend that inspires feelings of walking in a winter wonderland. Peppermint and orange invigorates the senses, while benzoin adds a sweet touch of joy.
Ingredients:
  • peppermint (mentha piperita)
  • orange (citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil)
  • spearmint (mentha viridis (spearmint) leaf oil)
  • benzoin (styrax benzoin resin extract)

Saje Peppermint Twist Diffuser Blend

I absolutely love this one, it is so fresh smelling. I think that it might be my favourite one that I’ve tried thus far!

Liquid Sunshine (Cheerful Diffuser Blend) –

UPLIFTING. CITRUS. FRESH.
Fill your room with cheery radiance and uplifting spirits. Bright, citrus notes of grapefruit, lime and a dash of bergamot will bring the feeling of a fresh spring morning to mind.
Let happiness shine through.

Ingredients:

  • grapefruit (citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil)
  • bergamot (citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil)
  • orange (citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil)
  • lime (citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel oil)
  • mandarin red (citrus nobilis (mandarin orange) peel oil)

Saje Liquid Sunshine

Liquid Sunshine was my fave until I tried Peppermint Twist. I still love this one, especially on dreary cold mornings. It is a such bright and happy scent!

Energy Boost (Revitalizing Diffuser Blend) –

INVIGORATING. UPLIFTING. FRESH.
Seeking stimulation? Look no further than the energizing power of citrus and herbal notes in this uplifting, invigorating blend designed to revitalize your mind the natural way.
Stay sharp.
Ingredients:
  • lemon (citrus limonum)
  • rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis)
  • peppermint (mentha piperita)
  • basil (ocimum basilicum)
  • bergamot (citrus bergamia)

Saje Energy Diffuser Blend

This one is a weird blend, but it somehow works. It is another bright scent, but the herbal notes make it stand out. I tend to use this one in the afternoons, rather than have a cup of coffee for a boost while I’m working.

I really do need to buy a second diffuser. I’m always moving my Aroma Gem between the bedroom and the livingroom / workspace.

What is your fave diffuser blend? I’ve only tried ones from Saje so far.

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day! ❤

Disclosure: I purchased these things.

Girlfriend Collective Leggings Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

I don’t know if you’ve seen the articles and ads for Girlfriend Collective leggings –  there were articles on Refinery 29 (which is where I first read about Girlfriend Collective), InStyle, and Who What Wear – just to name a few.

The basic premise is that they believe that their legging are so awesome that they will send you a pair of their basic core legging for free, and you pay for the shipping. I initially thought that there had to be a catch – like you end up being stuck in an unbreakable subscription where they send you $100 leggings every month forever, or something terrible like that.

Girlfriend Collectivegirlfriend-collective5

Before moving onto my review, let’s take a look at Girlfriend Collective (info taken from company website):

When we started Girlfriend Collective we knew that we wanted to get away from fast fashion that strips the world of its resources and ends up in landfills. We decided to commit to meaningful change rather than the quickest route by using recycled fabrics, certified by Oeko-Tex, Global Recycling Standards, and Bluesign. All our fabric is cut and sewn at our SA8000 facility, the fair trade equivalent for garment production.

We also discovered quickly that high end fit and feel is not a matter of cost, it’s a matter of time. We take the time to make sure every single one of our designs is so beautiful that you won’t cycle through it the next time you look through your closet.

Beyond that we wanted to find a community of people who cared about where their clothes come from as much as how they look. We’re lucky to have found you. Take a look around, we’re glad you’re here.

Girlfriend Collective Screenshot

*screenshot taken from Girlfriend Collective website*

About the free leggings campaign:

We are doing this free campaign because we believe the best way to fall in love with a product is to try it yourself. […] We started Girlfriend Collective because we saw the need for affordable, luxury activewear that doesn’t destroy the environment, and that gives everyone from the factory to the office living wages and a decent life.

About the fabric:

The leggings are made from 79% micro polyester (recycled), 21 spandex, and the fabric is 260 gsm (grams per square meter). The polyester yarns are made from recycled pop bottles. This gets better – fabric science time – the micro polyester yarns add moisture wicking properties to the fabric. The spandex adds not only stretch and recovery properties, but also a level of compression. This means that the leggings add support to your muscles, but not in a too tight, uncomfortable way. As well, the way in which the fabric is knit (they call it Tite Tech), serves to make the fabric opaque (not sheer) and pill resistant (the fuzzy, knobby bits that often show up after wearing and washing certain fabrics).

My experience:

I placed my order in late November, and knew that my leggings would not ship until some time in January. For the initial pre-launch free leggings run, they ship directly from their factory in Hanoi, Vietnam. The shipping to Canada was $29.99 USD, and with the exchange rate (USD to CAD) it was $41.36 CAD. Once they launch their full line in the spring, they will be shipping from the US, so the shipping cost will likely be a lot cheaper.

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective

My package arrived around the second or third week of January. Since then, I’ve worn and washed them several times, and I feel like I am ready to review.

When I first opened the package and tried them on, I thought that I’d made a mistake in sizing as I was pulling them on as they felt quite snug. But once pulled all the way up and adjusted, they felt comfortably snug – similar to my running tights in terms of fit and compression.

I’ve been wearing my Girlfriend Collective leggings for yoga several times a week, and I have to say that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM! They are so comfortable!

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective

The waistband is nice and high (the rise is about 12″) and stays flat during yoga. The waistband does not slip or roll. All of the seams are flatlocked so the seams don’t bunch or rub (especially good if you are wearing these leggings for physical activity like yoga or running and not just for watching Netflix).

Girlfriend Collectivegirlfriend-collective9girlfriend-collective-8

Despite having to hang these leggings to dry – which might seem like an inconvenience – it really isn’t as the micro poly fabric dries pretty quickly.

Girlfriend Collective

Sadly the pre-launch free leggings deal ended on Feb 3rd. If you missed out, you will have to wait for spring when the full line launches. I’m looking forward to seeing the whole line. I’m hoping for some colourful leggings!  I need to buy another pair (or three)!

I’ve been doing yoga every single day so far this year. I started with the 31 Day #yogarevolution done by Yoga with Adriene (which if you follow me on Twitter, I tweeted about it daily) and now that it is over, I’m hoping to keep a daily practice going. It was a great experience, and I’m so happy that I stuck with it.

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day! ❤

Disclosure: I purchased this!

 

Weekly Re-Cap (Jan 9th to 15th, 2017)

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Just a little re-cap of the week’s blog posts in case you missed anything.

Monday, January 9th – Saje Natural Wellness Pocket Farmacy

Wednesday, January 11th – blog post went into outer space and never came back!

Friday, January 13th – Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker and the Glow All Out Highlight & Sculpt Cheek Highlighter 

Friday’s post was a re-write of the missing Wednesday post (Sexy Mother Pucker), combined with my planned Friday post (Glow All Out). Thankfully it didn’t take me very long to re-do.

I’ve been doing the Yoga with Adriene 31 day #yogarevolution, and so far I’ve managed to do yoga every day!

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day! ❤

Disclosure: Please see original reviews.

 

Weekly Re-Cap (Dec 12th to 18th)

Ipsy Glam Bag Dec 2016
| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Just a little re-cap in case you’ve missed any of my posts this week…

Tuesday, December 13th – Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil Review

Thursday, December 15th – Ipsy Glam Bag Unboxing & First Impressions, December 2016

 

In other news:

I got an early Christmas present last week, an Instant Pot! So I’ve been experimenting with recipes and learning to use this new addition to my kitchen. The two most exciting things that I’ve made are yogurt and cheesecake! If you follow my Instagram, you will have seen photos…

And I made my very first gluten free lasagna last night! I was finally able to find gluten free lasagna noodles this weekend. It was so good! My first lasagna in about FIVE YEARS!

There was a huge recall for Cuisinart food processors because the blade was breaking off. Over 8 MILLION food processors have been effected. If you own one, please check the website to find out if yours is on the recall list. If it is, you can register to get a replacement blade mailed to you. Mine was on the recall list, and I use mine ALL THE TIME. In fact, I’d used mine the night before the recall was announced! Thankfully nothing bad had happened.

This week, I’ll only be posting on Tuesday and Thursday again.

Hope you all have a beautiful week, thanks so much for reading! ❤

Nuworld Botanicals – Beauty & Wellness – Anxiety Relief

Nuworld Botanicals Anxiety Relief Aromatherapy Personals
| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Continuing with my week-long focus on Nuworld Botanicals, today I’m reviewing the Anxiety Relief Personal Aromatherapy products – the Whipped Borage Oil Hand and Foot Butter, the Multi-Nutritive 3-in-1 Oil and the Signature Roll-On.

Nuworld Botanicals Anxiety Relief Aromatherapy Personals

Starting with the Anxiety Relief Whipped Borage Oil Hand and Foot Butter. Here’s what it says on the website:

Anxiety Relief Whipped Borage Oil Hand & Foot Butter contains those essentials oils known to help reduce anxiety and promote inner calm including Lavender, Chamomile and Rosewood.

This spa-inspired massage butter treatment leaves skin instantly nourished, enriched and renewed. Borage oil, a rich natural source of Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) is whipped into a creamy Shea butter, helping to restore the suppleness, elasticity and tone of tired, dry skin. Rich in Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, Borage oil penetrates deep, nourishing the epidermis giving it an extraordinary capacity of regeneration. Shea Butter, Coconut oil and Jojoba oil are excellent for skin health, helping to restore skin’s softness and smoothness.

To Use: Massage into skin, holding and pressing at acupressure points (hands, feet) to restore the flow of energy. Breathe in the transforming aroma for an overall sense of well-being and restoration. A truly renewing and therapeutic experience for mind and body. For added nourishment, apply over 3-in-1 Multi-Nutritive Oil.

Nuworld Botanicals Anxiety Relief Aromatherapy Personals

This butter is so luxurious. I’ve been applying it to my hands and feet every night before I go to sleep. The aromatherapy blend is so beautiful, it instantly calms me and helps me prepare for sleep.

Active Ingredients: Aqua, Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), Beeswax, Borago (Borage) Officinalis Oil, Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Jojoba (Buxus Chinensis) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Citrus bergamia (bergamot) oil, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, Anethemis nobilis (chamomile) flower oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, Cananga odorata flower (ylang ylang) oil, Aniba roseodora (rosewood) wood oil, Vitamin E.

Up next is the Anxiety Relief Multi-Nutritive 3-in-1 Oil for body, bath and hair.

Anxiety Relief is a perfectly balanced synergy blend of pure and essential oils reputed as being some of the best for encouraging anxiety relief including Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Orange, Bergamot and Chamomile.

This innovative multi-tasker functions as an all over body moisturizer, luxurious hair and scalp treatment, nourishing bath oil and…instant sensory remedy! Naturally active aromatherapy essential oil blend combines with delicate skin nourishing seed oils to create ANXIETY RELIEF Multi-Nutritive Oil for Body, Bath and Hair.

Anxiety Relief multi-nutrient enriched oil blend of Pomegranate, Passionfruit and Sea Buckthorn seed oils help smooth, hydrate and protect skin and hair with anti-oxidant vitamins A, B, C + E and delivers an unsurpassed source of omegas-3, 6, + 9 for soft, luminous skin and hair. Rare omega-7 fatty acid helps boost collagen production and creates the perfect barrier to moisturize, rejuvenate, repair and protect.

Nuworld Botanicals Anxiety Relief Aromatherapy Personals

This oil is particularly lovely for an evening bath. I’ve also used it after getting out of the shower to moisturize my skin, and in my hair. It is a true multi-tasking product.

Active Ingredients: Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, Rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil*, Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, Punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil, Passiflora edulis (passionfruit) seed oil, Prunus amygdalus (almond sweet) oil, Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn) oil, Citrus bergamia (bergamot) oil*, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil*, Anethemis nobilis (chamomile) flower oil*, Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil*, Cananga odorata flower (ylang ylang) oil*, Aniba roseodora (rosewood) wood oil*, Tocopherol (vitamin e)

And last but not least is the Anxiety Relief Signature Roll-On.

Helps Relieve Anxiety…Naturally! Anxiety Relief contains those oils known to help reduce anxiety and promote inner calm, including lavender, chamomille, rosewood, sweet orange and others. Studies show that orange oil contains Limonene, which can decrease your anxiety and improve your mood. Infused with superfruit anti-oxidants this nutrient-enriched oil blend nourishes skin with Vitamins A, B, C & E while stimulating the senses instantly. Natural UVA/UVB protection.

To Use: Massage onto pulse point areas on the skin– back of neck (or just below ears), inside wrists or temples. Breathe in the gentle aroma for an overall sense of well-being and restoration.

Nuworld Botanicals Anxiety Relief Aromatherapy Personals

I’ve been keeping this one next to my bed, as it helps me unwind and fall asleep.

Active Ingredients: Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, Citrus bergamia (bergamot) oil*, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil*, Anethemis nobilis (chamomile) flower oil*, Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil*, Cananga odorata flower (ylang ylang) oil*, Aniba roseodora (rosewood) wood oil, Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn) oil, Tocopherol (natural vitamin e)

In case you’ve missed it, I’ve already reviewed the Stress Relief and Energy Boost Personal Aromatherapy products (here and here).  I’ll be back tomorrow with my final Nuworld Botanicals product review!

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day! ❤

Disclosure: Products sent for testing and review purposes from Nuworld Botanicals. My opinion is my own.

 

Nuworld Botanicals -Beauty & Wellness – Stress Relief

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

I’m super excited about this week’s reviews because I’m devoting my usual Monday, Wednesday, and Friday posts (and a bonus post on Thursday) to Nuworld Botanicals, a total beauty and wellness brand that is based in Ontario, Canada. They sent me a gorgeous package of goodies to test and review.

Nuworld Botanicals

Wellness, quality, beauty and education is what Nuworld Botanicals is all about. We pride ourselves on producing effective products from fresh botanical ingredients.  All of our ingredients are chosen for their skin-friendly compatibility, carefully crafted into highly effective formulas to give you more healthy looking skin plus an overall sense of well-being.  Made in small batches to guarantee freshness.

Wellness and beauty? Two of my passions! I was super excited to try out this brand.

Nuworld Botanicals - Stress Relief

Today I’m reviewing the Stress Relief personal aromatherapy products – the Marine Mineral Bath Soak, and the Signature Roll-On.

Nuworld Botanicals - Multi-Mineral Bath Soak

Starting with the Marine Mineral Bath Soak / Multi-Mineral Bath Soak:

Stress Relief Mineral Bath Soak is unique synergy blend of pure essential oils known to be useful in reducing stress and its side effects including certified organic Sweet Orange, Bergamot and Grapefruit. Ideal for brightening moods.

A luxurious spa-inspired bath treatment formulated with 100 percent pure and organic essential oils, premium dead sea salts and hand-minded Pink Himalayan rock salts. Rich in over 80 minerals and trace elements, including magnesium, potassium, copper and iron, this salt blend will rejuvenate the body, stimulate circulation and soothe tired or sore muscles. Acts as a powerful detoxifier that draws out toxins and impurities. Softens and cleanses the skin; skin feels smooth and supple.

The Stress Relief Marine Mineral Bath Soak is so soothing and relaxing. I love using bath salts because they really do work on relaxing and detoxing the body, while the aromatherapy helps calm the mind and relieve stress.

Active Ingredients: Dead Sea Salt, Pink Himalyan Rock Salt, Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil*, Citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil*, Citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil*, Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil*, Pogostemon cablin (patchouli) oil*

Nuworld Botanicals - Stress Relief

The Stress Relief Signature Roll-On is great, I can keep it in my purse for when I need a little de-stressing action on the go.

Stress Relief features a unique synergy blend of pure essential oils known to be useful in reducing stress and its side effects including certified organic orange sweet, bergamot, grapefruit and others. Ideal for brightening moods. Infused with superfruit anti-oxidants this nutrient-enriched oil blend nourishes skin with Vitamins A, B, C & E while stimulating the senses instantly. Natural UVA/UVB protection. To Use: Massage onto pulse point areas on the skin– back of neck (or just below ears), inside wrists or temples. Breathe in the gentle aroma for an overall sense of well-being and restoration.

I’m in love with both of these products. The blend of orange, bergamot, grapefruit, ylang ylang and patchouli is so soothing.

Active Ingredients: Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil* , Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil , Citrus aurantiumdulcis (orange) peel oil*, Citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil*, Citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil*, Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil*, Pogostemon cablin (patchouli) oil, Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn) oil, Tocopherol (natural vitamin e).

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day! ❤

Disclosure: These products were sent to me for testing and review purposes from Nuworld Botanicals, but my opinion os my own.