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    Thank you for tolerating my mess… | 2017 resolutions

    door-opens-door-closes

    theNotice is undergoing a little bit of construction, so please excuse the mess over the next few days! There are a couple of kinks that need to be ironed out in the new layout while it’s live, so you guys are seeing the not-quite-final version.

    I’m working on fixing the “suggested post” width in the full-sized desktop mode as well as adding comment buttons on the bottom of each post, but if you encounter any other issues, please let me know in the comments.

    cochrane-door

    Spent all of last year dreaming about returning to this beautiful door…

    My resolution for 2017

    One of the most meaningful things that I read in 2016 was, surprisingly enough, a comic. It’s by Yao Xiao, a Chinese-born New York artist, and it can be viewed in full here.

    As someone who has lived with depression and anxiety my entire life, this comic spoke volumes to me. I’m trying my best to be mindful about when I say “thank you” vs “sorry” this year, from the ground up — including little things like saying hey, thanks for bearing with me while I put the finishing touches on this layout. I really appreciate it!

    Hopefully, forming habits with the little things will eventually influence my more meaningful conversations, too — like saying thanks for listening instead of “sorry I cried on your cat again, I know he is afraid of water.”

    if-you-want-to-say-thank-you-dont-say-sorry

    PS: What do you think of the new layout?? It’s the first one that I’ve ever purchased instead of built, and I LOVE it.

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    Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-foam, Skinfood Black Sugar Honey reviews | Take Good Care

    take-good-care-review

    The products: Skinfood Black Sugar Honey Mask Wash Off, Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-Foam Clay Trio, and CosRx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask

    Last month, I was introduced to a new Canadian shop specializing in Korean skincare. Based out of Toronto and run by a total sweetheart named Shana Kim and her husband, Take Good Care features handpicked items brought straight from Korea for the North American consumer.

    Opening up a Take Good Care parcel feels like opening up a gift from a friend. Not only do they contain some top-notch skincare products, but they also come packed full of Asian candies — and that’s pretty much a reason in and of itself to order.

    skinfood-black-sugar-honey-mask-review

    Skinfood Black Sugar Honey Mask Wash Off ($16 CAD)

    When I posted my Holiday Survival Guide in December, I mentioned this mask and promised a follow-up. It was scheduled for later this month, but after using the mask for a third, fourth, and fifth time, I knew I had to fast-track my post.

    My skin has been really dry and flakey this winter, so I’ve been turning to the Skinfood Black Sugar Honey Mask on a weekly basis to keep it in check. Full of Brazilian black sugar, macadamia oil, lanolin, and honey, this Korean skincare mask is both hydrating and exfoliating — which is exactly what my skin needs right now.

    A 15-minute session with this wash-off mask leaves my skin feeling so soft that I literally end up petting my face. It makes that big of a difference.

    dr-jart-dermaclear-trans-foam-clay-mask-trio-review

    Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-Foam Clay Trio ($39 CAD for all 3)

    I’m endlessly fascinated by foam-textured products, so I popped on a thin layer of moisturizing pink Trans-Foam Clay (moisturizing pink for me; balancing green for him) last night and settled in for the recommended 3-5 minutes to mask. I took the time to think about downloading Stardew Valley, which I just found out is available for Macs — the wait for Animal Crossing on iOS is killing me.

    dr-jart-dermaclear-trans-foam-cleanser-mask-review

    The Dermaclear Trans-Foam masks a multipurpose products made for multi-masking, so Dr. Jart+ makes three, which can be purchased as a set. There’s a moisturizing pink mask, a refreshing green mask, and a calming white mask, and all three turn into foaming cleansers when rinsed off.

    They’re a gentler mask than the sugar scrub, and while I like them, I don’t find the results to be as drastic. In place of a cleanser, they’d be good daily or every-other-day products.

    cosrx-ultimate-moisturizing-honey-overnight-mask

    CosRx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask ($20 CAD)

    My parcel also included the CosRx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask, which I wasn’t able to test as it contains silicones. However, it’s definitely cool enough to deserve a mention — this mask/moisturizer is made with 85% propolis extract, and has a thin, gel texture.

    Bee propolis is supposed to be excellent for sensitive or irritated skin, so check it out if that sounds like you!

    korean-skincare-review-take-good-care-canada

    The verdict?

    Overall, I’m happy with the pricing and customer service at Take Good Care, and I really liked the selection they offer. Yes, you can get some of their items for cheaper on Amazon, but pricing is on par or less than what you’d see at proper storefronts like Sephora or Birchbox.

    The Take Good Care site lists full ingredients (YESSS!!) and directions for each product, so it really is Korean skincare made easy — easier, even, than most mass-market stuff.

    Availability: All three of these masks are available at TakeGoodCare.ca. Use code NOTICE15 for 15% off (no expiry!)

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    All about Tunakitten: My rescue cat love story

    rescue-cate-story

    Gary Tuna: Outdoor Kitten

    Known aliases: Belly, Kitten-Kitten, Mister, Monster, Mr. Kitten, Notter, Tuna, Tunakitten

    This is my cat, Tuna. And this is our story so far.

    gary-tuna-outdoor-kitten-rescue-cat

    I know that everyone feels strongly about their pets, but you know what? I love reading rescue stories (Natalie’s comes to mind as a particular favourite), so I’m sharing ours, too.

    I met Tuna a year ago on January 2nd, 2016, on my way to look after our neighbour’s cats. I made the fatal mistake of feeding him (little known fact: cats are actually gremlins), and that was that.

    He’s been a constant in my life since then. On January 1st, I was milling about listlessly without a pet; on the 2nd, I had a cat that waited in the garage all day for me to come home and cried whenever he was alone. So that month, I did the only thing I could do, and my partner and I took him to the pound to adopt him.

    I have no idea what happened to Tunakitten’s original family, but they left him out in Edmonton’s -30 degree cold to fend for himself. We found him neutered but not chipped, and so poorly socialized that the pound labelled him as unfit for adoption. The only reason we were able to take him home was that we were the ones who brought him in.

    tunakitten

    tuna-paws

    Tuna is turning 3(ish) this year. He’s such a good cat in some ways: he doesn’t break stuff or pee on things, and he’s so good about using his scratchers. He loves hiding under the bed and sitting right behind my chair so he can gently paw at me when he gets bored, and he’s chatty and adorable at all times.

    But he’s a tough cat to care for in other ways, too. He gets frustrated easily, and he’s full of odd fears.

    For instance: he gets anxiety about sitting people. If you’re sitting and you’re not paying attention to him, he’ll comfort-purr and then bite. He’s claustrophobic, afraid of tapioca pearls (no one knows why), and super not-a-fan of the wind. He hates the wind.

    gary-tuna-outdoor-kitten

    He’s wary of black socks but not white ones, will eat anything that stays still for long enough, and loves carbs so unbeliiiiievably much that he will steal them off of your utensil. Imagine eating breakfast and having a stealth ninja steal a Mini Wheat out of your bowl and flee with it.

    Unlike most cats, he’s surprisingly cool with the vacuum and refuses to sit in boxes unless he can fit completely upright in them. He’s a fast learner – so far, he knows how to sit, wait, and pretend to be a butternut squash. He’s learning the commands for “bed,” “floor,” and “paw.” He’s great with the litter box but refuses to cover his poop, and if we’re out of the house, he’ll wait for us to get home before he can go.

    I don’t know. I think it’s a comfort thing.

    He loves spinach, tomatoes, chicken, and anything containing dairy, and (hilariously) his favourite fish is tuna. I’m pretty sure that he’s convinced the toaster is actually a carb dispenser made just for him.

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    Processed with VSCOcam with se3 preset

    When I started taking Tuna outside, I learned two things: one, he’s terrified of elevators, and two, he trusts us.

    It took a long, long time, and our relationship still isn’t perfect. We have to spend a lot of time together in order to keep his aggression down, and it’s a struggle every day. But, at the end of it all… He got the constant food source that he so desperately wanted, and I got a little terror who trusts me so much that he runs to me when he’s scared.

    I think we both did pretty okay.

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    Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick swatches, review, photos

    artist-rouge-opaque-lipstick-review-photos

    The product: Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipsticks in C105 Grege Beige, C211 Rose Wood, M401 Hot Red by Icona Pop, C502 Taupe Violet, C506 Dark Purple, C603 Midnight Blue by Icona Pop

    When I first opened up this box of Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipsticks, I thought immediately of New Year’s Eve. (Well, once I was done swooning, of course.) These bold shades are the perfect pairing for a night out, and what night is bigger than New Year’s?

    They’re great on their own, but for even more of a statement lip, top them with a glittery gloss or loose shimmer!

    make-up-for-ever-rouge-artist-lipstick-review-swatches-comparison

    The formula: The Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist formula is thick, creamy, and opaque. They’re VERY high coverage, and most of the cream colours are packed with so much pigment that they wear like soft mattes.

    Overall, these lipsticks are heavy but extremely comfortable, with a hydrating finish. The mattes in particular are very well done – just look at the way that red glows!

    The new Rouge Artist lipsticks contain 25% more pigments than the old Rouge Artist Intense formula, and reportedly wear for 8 to 10 hours for the cream and matte finishes – which I wasn’t able to achieve. I saw <4 hours of wear out of these cream formulas with noticeable fading at 1-2 hours; by hour 5, all that was left was a ring around my lipline.

    I know: super classy.

    make-up-for-ever-artist-rouge-grege-beige-rose-wood-taupe-violet-review-swatches-photos

    The best Rouge Artist lipsticks

    The best of the bunch: C105 Grege Beige, C211 Rose Wood, M401 Hot Red by Icona Pop.

    Like with many bold lipsticks, the Rouge Artist lipsticks vary by shade. These three are glorious: opaque in one swipe, easy to work with, and just the right texture not to move around once applied.

    Grege Beige is a nude best suited for medium skintones, and Rose Wood is a somber medium-rose that was right up my alley. Both feature a tacky, heavy cream formula that feels hydrating but not slick.

    Hot Red is a breathtaking super-matte bright red. It’s the kind of shade that almost seems like it’s breaking your eyes (yesss!), but it doesn’t feel heavy or chalky in the least.

    mufe-artist-rouge-swatches

    Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist lipstick swatches / TOP: C105 Grege Beige, C211 Rose Wood / MIDDLE: M401 Hot Red (LE), C502 Taupe Violet / BOTTOM: C506 Dark Purple, C603 Midnight Blue (LE)

    The good Rouge Artist lipsticks

    Shades that wore alright: C502 Taupe Violet, C603 Midnight Blue by Icona Pop.

    These two were great, but definitely harder to work with. They weren’t as opaque as Grege Beige and Rose Wood, and they suffered as a result. I couldn’t get perfect coverage with either, but they were opaque enough to pass. If these were human beings, they’d be the kind that you loved – but wouldn’t bring home to your parents.

    Seriously, though: how gloriously odd are these shades??

    make-up-for-ever-603-midnight-blue-by-icona-pop-review-swatches-photos

    Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist in C603 Midnight Blue by Icona Pop review, swatches

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    Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist lipstick swatches: C105 Grege Beige, C211 Rose Wood, M401 Hot Red (LE), C502 Taupe Violet, C506 Dark Purple, and C603 Midnight Blue (LE).

    The Rouge Artist shade to skip

    What to skip: C506 Dark Purple. 

    Dark Purple was, honesty, a mess. It’s slicker and more sheer than the rest, which makes it slide around and cling to dry patches. Even when I swatched it on my arm, it was obvious how different the texture was to the other cream lipsticks.

    I would love to see a reformulated version of this, because it really is a great shade–just poorly executed. (I guess its people-equivalent would be that person in your Econ class who sits at the front and asks lots of annoying questions, but never reads the textbook and has to drop the class after midterms?)

    make-up-for-ever-dark-purple-midnight-blue-swatches-review-photos

    The verdict?

    Overall, I enjoyed these lipsticks, but they weren’t perfect. They’re beautiful and high-coverage, with an interesting, artistic shade range. I would have liked to see the full 8-hour wear as promised (I need to touch up after 2 hours, which is unusual for me), but they’re comfortable and opaque enough that I’m willing to make the trade.

    There are 45 shades of Rouge Artist lipsticks. I recommend skipping slipperier cream finishes like C506 Dark Purple and snapping up stunners like M401 Hot Red immediately — I’m really hoping M401 will be added to the permanent range!

    Availability:$22 USD/$27 CAD at Sephora; permanent. The Icona Pop shades are limited edition as of Aug 2016.

    Keep reading! »

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    Lustworthy: Face masks | The Gift Guide

     

    tata-harper-resurfacing-mask

    This holiday season, I’m featuring the most enticing items from my Gift Guide in a column simply titled “Lustworthy.” Tune in every Saturday from now until Christmas for your weekly dose!

    For the very last holiday instalment of Lustworthy, I have two products that are both luxe and practical: face masks. Because they need to be carefully applied and left to sit, face masks are one of the most enjoyable beauty luxuries, and they can really help perk up a holiday complexion, too.

    Whether you’ve indulged in too many sweets or the dry air is getting to you, these face masks will help you balance out your complexion should you so desire. (But you already look beautiful as it is!)

    shangpree-silver-premium-rubber-mask

    Featured here: the Shangpree Silver Premium “Rubber” Mask ($20 USD from Peach & Lily) and the all-natural BHA Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask ($58 USD/$77 CAD).

    What’s on your wish list this week?

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    How LELO promotes unsafe sex | Or, why you shouldn’t buy a Mona

    why-not-to-buy-from-lelo

    With Christmas coming in just a few days, I’m officially calling it: this is the end of my holiday gift guide coverage. Instead, I’m moving on to Boxing Day sales – and talking about one brand that you shouldn’t buy from. (Spoiler alert: it’s LELO.)

    Like high end makeup, high end sex toys are definitely luxury items, and a great sale can really help take the edge off of a hefty price tag. But no matter how good the sales get, LELO is one brand that I refuse to support. I was asked recently to expand on this, so here’s why.

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    How LELO became popular (and where their toys went wrong) 

    Simply put, LELO was the first on the scene. When most brands were still churning out jelly dildos packaged in paper boxes, Lelo was making sleek, rechargeable silicone toys. They were one of the first brands to treat sex toys like luxury pieces, and at the time, it was awesome.

    But here’s the thing: the market changed, and Lelo didn’t. 

    Je Joue MiMi Soft vs Uma

    Fun Factory started creating new sensations with their mechanics. We-Vibe invented the partner vibe. And Je Joue? Well, they made the Je Joue MiMi Soft, and my clit will be eternally grateful for that.

    But Lelo just kept on making products with ABS plastic handles and buzzy vibrations. To this day, I still haven’t found a Lelo toy that I enjoy – I find their vibrations so grating that they hurt (and not in a fun way.)

    On top of that, Lelo started floating bulky ripoffs and and poorly-built toys. Dangerous Lilly, one of my favourite sex toy blogs ever, covered this point so well that I’m going to point you to their blog post directly. The long and short of it? The paint on Lilly’s Isla chipped off (gross), the Tiani was just shit all around, and the Ida inspired one thought only: “Did they even test this with human genitals?”

    lelo-pino-cock-ring

    Why I won’t buy from LELO 

    If all of that isn’t enough, just wait! Because folks, THERE’S MORE. This is the train wreck that never ends.

    Meet the Pino.

    lelo-pino

    The Lelo Pino is, I shit you not, a cock ring designed for “the most demanding executives” who want more out of their “intimate investments.” It’s marketed exclusively to male bankers, and it’s sold with cufflinks and a money clip embossed with the phrase “Always Be Closing.” I cannot make this shit up. 

    Epiphora, who is my sex blogging idol (and, incidentally, also my #hairgoals) has a truly excellent post on this if you’d like to read more. And no one is as funny as Piph is, so I really would encourage you to read their entire blog more.

    charlie-sheen-lelo-hex

    Finally, let’s talk about the giant prophylactic elephant in the room: the Lelo Hex. Goddamn, you guys. The Hex.

    The Hex is a condom made by Lelo with a marketing strategy so bad you almost wouldn’t believe that the actual product could be even worse… But somehow, it is. The spokesperson Lelo picked to represent the Hex is none other than Charlie Sheen, who (just in case you forgot) is:

    • A misogynist
    • A convicted domestic abuser
    • And, on that point, someone who has assaulted, threatened to kill, held at knifepoint, and literally shot his partners.

    lelo-hex-gif-pin-pricks

    But wait. Remember how I said the Hex was somehow even worse than its marketing?

    I wasn’t joking. One of Hex’s main selling points is the fact that it doesn’t tear if punctured, which looks super-slick in gif format and is also, incidentally, some of the dumbest shit I have ever seen. (My fellow bloggers Dizzy and Lorax agree!)

    You know why condoms are usually made to tear if they rip or get a hole in them? Because you need to know about that immediately. That’s what lets you know that you’ve just been put at risk of things like incurable gonorrhea and accidental pregnancy. If it doesn’t tear, you could be exposed to an STD and have no idea, or become pregnant and not find out until it’s too late for Plan B.

     

     

    What I’m doing about it

    Aside from this post? Nothing – and that’s the whole point.

    I will not be buying LELO products. I will not be accepting press samples of LELO products. I will not be signing onto partnerships with LELO. And I’d like to ask you to join me in this. 

    I know that most sex toy shops can’t afford to drop a popular brand, but if you’re a sex blogger or consumer who can: please. Do this with me. Don’t recommend LELO products to your friends, family, or readers, and add disclaimers to your posts whenever LELO is mentioned.

    Instead, take the opportunity to direct people to more people-positive companies like SheVibe, CAYA, BS Atelier, Je Joue, and L’Amourose. Those are just a few companies that I’ve shown love to recently, but there are so, so many more–and they’re just waiting to be discovered.

    This post contains images from LELO. 

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    Annabelle TwistUp Metallic review, swatches, photos

    annabelle-twistup-metallic-review-swatches

    The product: Annabelle TwistUp Metallic Retractable Lipstick Crayon

    It’s no secret that I love Annabelle’s TwistUp range. So, when they released a few new TwistUp Metallics this year, I knew immediately that I had to review them. There are 6 new metallic shades: 4 that were released in 2014’s Metal Mix collection that have been brought back, and 2 brand new ones.

    annabelle-heartbreaker-twistup-metallic-review-swatches

    The formula: Like the original TwistUp Lipsticks, the Metallics are comfortable and smooth. They’re a “clingier” formula, so the product doesn’t settle into my lip lines or migrate to the outer edges of my lips when I press them together.

    While I wouldn’t say that Annabelle TwistUps or the TwistUp Metallics are moisturizing, they’re very comfortable to wear, and they don’t leave my lips feeling dry. According to Annabelle, they can also be worn as cream eyeshadows, but I haven’t been brave enough to wear any of them as such yet!

    annabelle-purple-panache-twistup-metallic-review-swatches

    Annabelle TwistUp Metallic review

    annabelle-heavy-petal-twistup-metallic-review-swatches

    Annabelle TwistUp Metallic swatches: Heavy Petal, Crazy Coral, Nude of Fame, Rock & Rose, Heartbreaker, Purple Panache

    The shades: On the whole, the Metallics are bright and punchy, with medium opacity. They’re not as pigmented as most of the original TwistUp creme formulas, which I think is for the best – it really helps them look like modern metallics instead of ’90s frosts.

    Out of the 6 new shades, the only one I wasn’t keen on was Nude of Fame. The pink-nude base colour is quite sheer, and the gold shimmer really stands out. The resulting lip is more of a chunky frost than a metallic to my eye, but lovers of shades like MAC Nymphette and NARS Orgasm might enjoy it!

    annabelle-rock-and-rose-twistup-metallic-review-swatches

    The verdict?

    If you love a metallic lip, the Annabelle TwistUp Metallic Retractable Lipstick Crayons are a great example of metallics done well. They’re free of fragrance, parabens, and animal testing, and their medium-sheer opacity works well with the metallic finish.

    I like to think of these as “soft metallics“. They’re definitely a festive step up from mattes or cremes, but they’re not SO metallic that they start looking frosty. (I like my frost to stay on my cookies and windows, thank you very much.)

    Availability: $9.95 CAD at Annabelle.com as well as at drugstores and mass market retailers across Canada. New permanent as of Fall 2016.

    Keep reading! »

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    Lustworthy: Diptyque & Byredo | The Gift Guide

    byredo-gift-guide

    This holiday season, I’m featuring the most enticing items from my Gift Guide in a column simply titled “Lustworthy.” Tune in every Saturday from now until Christmas for your weekly dose!

    There’s something special about gifting fragrance during the holidays, and these two cult brands are total no-brainers. Though I haven’t fallen head over heels for any specific Bryedo or Diptyque scent just yet, I love gazing at their minimalist packaging in the shops.

    The lovely thing about Diptyque is that, while their products undoubtedly carry a luxury price tag, their candles are available in gift sets all throughout the holiday season. Featured here is the Diptyque Mini Candle Set ($78 USD), which houses Feu de Bois, Opopanax, Ambre, Pomander, and Benjoin.

    diptyque-mini-candle-set-2016

    What’s on your wish list this week?

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    Burt’s Bees Assorted Mix Beeswax Bounty review, photos | The Gift Guide

    burts-bees-beeswax-bounty-review-photos

    The product: Burt’s Bees Assorted Mix Beeswax Bounty

    When it comes to lip balms, there are two stick brands that beauty addicts really love: Fresh and Burt’s Bees. Last year, I did a holiday feature showcasing Fresh, so this year, I’m reviewing the Burt’s Bees Assorted Mix Beeswax Bounty.

    Burt’s balms are more widely available and sit at a much more affordable price point, but don’t be fooled–they’re just as good, and in some ways, these 100% natural balms are even better!

    burts-bees-vanilla-bean-mango-lip-balm-review-photos

    The set: The Assorted Mix Beeswax Bounty contains four Burt’s Bees lip balms: Mango, Pomegranate, Vanilla Bean, and the original Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E & Peppermint.

    Both Mango and Vanilla Bean are new to me, and I love them. They’re just as hydrating and comfortable as the rest of the Burt’s Bees lineup (more hydrating, even, than the tinted balms and coconut/pear flavour), and they smell amazing. Mango is fruity and tasty, like a mango smoothie, and Vanilla Bean is…

    Vanilla Bean is basically to die for. The blue-accented packaging is super cute, and it smells SO good. I usually just feel so-so about vanilla-scented lip products, but this doesn’t smell like someone dumped in some vanilla extract as an afterthought. It smells sweet and complex, like a vanilla cake from a fancy bakery or a mouthwatering Chantilly crème with real vanilla bean.

    burts-bees-pomegranate-peppermint-lip-balm-review-photos

    Why I love Burt’s balms: Honestly? They’re dependable. Burt’s balms are easy to find, all natural, and affordable, and they have the perfect texture – they won’t melt or smoosh on you no matter how hot it gets outside.

    Sure, they’re not the most hydrating lip balms I’ve ever tried, but they’re excellent for maintenance care throughout the year, and I always have at least two in my vanity at all times!

    burts-bees-beeswax-bounty-assorted-mix-review-photos

    The verdict?

    I love Burt’s Bees lip balms, and these four are all excellent. At $12.99 for the set, you’re saving money by buying them all at once, and if the original balm is your jam, Burt’s offers an all-peppermint set, too.

    I really like the cute box that these balms come in, and the recyclable “paper foam” insert that they’re packaged with basically blew my mind. These get a definite “yes” from me, and I’m already planning to buy a second set for a Secret Santa gift exchange this year!

    Availability: $9.99 USD/$12.99 CAD in-stores and online.

    Keep reading! »

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    Mer-Sea & Co. Voyager, Saltaire, Coconut Sugar, and Sea Pines review, photos | The Gift Guide

    holiday-anthro-gift-guide

    The products: Mer-Sea & Co. Body Wash in Coconut Sugar and Saltaire, Sea Pines Sweater Sandbag Candle, and Voyager Sea Tin Candle (Holiday 2016 edition)

    With Canada Post’s last recommended day for holiday shipping having come and passed us by (if you haven’t sent out your packages yet, take note that it’s today), I’ve been trying to focus the rest of my December calendar on gifts that us procrastinators can buy in person.

    Today’s post is all about Mer-Sea & Co., a small brand founded by three friends (all women!) in Kansas. The French-English mixed name is pronounced like “merci,” and it’s available in-stores at Anthropologie.

    mer-sea-body-wash-review-coconut-sugar-saltaire

    I tested the brand’s Body Wash in Coconut Sugar and Saltaire ($18 USDto begin, but my feelings about the line are mixed. While each item looks extremely giftable, I haven’t found anything yet about that line that feels really special.

    Coconut Sugar is sweet and coconutty, while Saltaire reminds me of going to the pool as a kid – our local pool was salt water instead of chlorine, and this scent totally smells like salty water and floral suds wafting out of the shower room. The formula of the body washes isn’t too stripping, but it’s pretty standard, and Saltaire is left feeling like a complementary shower gel at a mid-range hotel.

    mer-sea-pines-sweater-sandbag-candle-review

    From there, I moved on to the Mer-Sea Sea Pines Sweater Sandbag Candle ($28 USD). It’s pricey, but extremely giftable, with an adorable sweater-inspired pouch and a cute strip of branded matches included within it. (The matches are a really nice touch!)

    A soy blend candle, Sea Pines has notes of pine and citrus. I thought it was too saccharine and grating at first… and then my partner and I picked up our first-ever real tree. It turns out that after years of thinking that pine-scented products were getting it all wrong, I was in fact the one in the wrong!

    Pine trees smell weird indoors, folks. And this candle totally nails it.

    mer-sea-voyager-sea-tin-candle-review

    Finally, I wrapped up my Mer-Sea adventures with the Voyager Sea Tin Candle ($24 USD), an holiday-edition candle with a wintery print and listed notes of black pepper, tangerine, citrus flowers, and oak moss. I liked this one the most – it smells like a fancy bath product, and it’s a totally genderless scent.

    (I’m a big fan of the holiday Voyager print, too. So much cuter than a bare tin!)

    mer-sea-anthropologie-review

    The verdict?

    Mer-Sea is a brand that was new to me, and I totally think it fits the Antro aesthetic of new, giftable indie brands. But while all of these products are easily giftable, none of them really took my breath away.

    The packaging and presentation of these is spot-on, but at the price point, I was definitely expecting more. More innovative formulas, more ingredient clarity (what’s a “soy blend” candle? Blended with what?), and more unique fragrances.

    Availability: Select items available at Anthropolgie in stores and online. Mer-Sea is also carried at a number of small retailers throughout the US – see their site for locations!

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