"Honey Bee" By Lush

I have been posting a lot about Lush products lately. I wish I could post more about geocaching or perhaps my postcards that I receive from postcrossing but there is too much snow on the ground to do any geocaching and I haven't received any new postcards.

I had plans this weekend to attempt to do some cleaning but I have come down with a bad cold that has been going around work. I am not sure why peple go into work when they are sick...I know mothers teach their children to share but really, do you have to share your cold germs too?

Everytime I get paid I go to lush to 'replenish' my supplies...perhaps purchasing two or three bath bombs and perhaps some soap or a bubble bar.

Talking with one of the wonderful girls that work at my favourite lush store, I was pointed in the direction of this bath bomb, Honey Bee. The first ingredient in the product is honey, which naturally moisturises your skin. The light brown or grey stripes that are seen on the bath bomb is rhassoul. Rhassoul is found in the Atlas Mountains in Africa. The 'mud' that is produced when Honey Bee melts in the bath water deeply cleans your body.

What do I think of this product....hmm....unlike bath bombs like Twilight or Dragon's Egg it doesn't contain any sort of bubble bar product so it doesn't last long. It has a pleasant smell to it and my skin is soft. I don't think it is on my list of favourites and I will have to be in a specific mood when I use it again but I don't think that there is anything that is really negative about this product.

Happy Bathing!!

Hello From Tallinn, Estonia!!

I came home after work today to find an envelope and a postcard with my name on them. Both items are from postcrossing.

One is a private swap (the envelope from Prague) and the other was a postcard from Estonia. I will post the postcards from Prague in another post.

Tallinn is the capital city in Estonia and it is also the largest. It is located in the northern coast of Estonia, near the Gulf of Finland.

Tallinn's Old Town was declared an Unesco World Heritage Sites in 1997.

It was also named as a European Capital of Culture for 2011. European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for one full calendar year. During the year the city organises cultural activities and events with a strong European dimension as well.

Information taken from Wikipedia.

"Twilight" By Lush

As my best friends and darling husband will all agree, I was once obsessed with the Twilight Series. This however, doesn't have anything to do with that series...instead it has to do with my 'new' obsession, LUSH.

I first tried this product and wasn't completely sure about it. I didn't think the scent lasted long but it was the longest lasting bath bomb I have ever used. There is an inner blue core which helps turn the bath water a pretty purple.

I decided to try Twilight again and so I used one today. This bath bomb contains lavender oil which soothes and relaxes you so you can simply sleep. Which I will completely admit do I am ready to do at this moment. It also contains Tonka Absolute, a vanilla extract with some kick to it from Costa Rica.

Once again it lasted a lot longer than any other bath bomb I used (including Dragon's Egg - My other favourite, I promise to blog about it later). I was pleasantly surprised that the scent lasted a lot longer this time than the last and the water was a darker purple this time than the last. Perhaps I had a dud last time?

My skin is nice and smooth and I smell like lavender and kick ass vanilla!  My muscles have also relaxed enough that I am not in the amount of pain that I normally am in.

Twilight is on my list of must buys.
Happy Bathing and Blogging!

~M

"Up You Gets" by Lush

I received a comment from PostMuse about how she wanted to try a bath bomb for the shower. Well...let me tell you! I have tried a couple of them and so far this one is my favourite.

It is called "Up You Gets". All you have to do is after you get into the shower put this bar on the floor of your shower and let the water hit it. The essential oils will mix with the steam of the shower waking up your senses.

"Up You Gets" contains grapefruit and lime oils. I have used this when I couldn't get myself up one morning for work. I felt completely refreshed and more awake (even if it was 5 am).

The other time I used this was when I took a bad spill on the ice and my whole body ached. Of course, because of the fibromyalgia everything hurts ten times worse that if I didn't have it. I made the water as hot as I could handle it and placed the emotibomb on the shower floor and simply stood there. Between the hot water, the emotibomb and the soap I was using (will blog about the soap on a later date) I felt better, not great but I was feeling like I could move again.

It was a lucky thing I did too because my MIL called and wanted me to go to Lush with her as she always got overwhelmed in the store, unsure what to buy. I will never give up a chance to go to my favourite bath store!

I absolutely refuse to buy my products anywhere else!!

The Avobath Bath Bomb

I tried this bath bomb on Tuesday night. It smells very citrusy and no wonder! It has lemongrass and avocado. After having a 'day' at work and dealing with traffic on the highway I needed a relaxing bath and I figured that I would try this bath bomb.

It isn't the longest lasting bath bomb that I have used but it didn't disintergrate very quickly either. I think I will put it somewhere in the middle for longevity.

Avobath made my bath water a pretty green and made my skin feel very soft.

This bath bomb is definately on my list of 'buy it again'.

Ocean Salt

I haven't written about Lush in a few days and I suppose that it is time that I do so.

I went on Friday because a friend of mine is allergic to more products than I am (weird I know) and she didn't know what she could use, that and she is gets overwhelmed in the store. I helped her pick out some products that shouldn't cause a problem and got her a sample of Ocean Salt (my favourite!).




This product smells amazing. It contains vodka infused lime, grapefruit, coconut butter and avocado butter and of course sea salt. All you have to do is gently scrub ocean salt on your face and rinse. My skin feels fresh and tingly after...I don't like missing out on using ocean salt any day of the week.

Greetings from Malaysia

Hmmm...not sure what to write about this postcard. I can honestly say that I have never received a postcard that had gas stations on it. :)

I dont believe that I have received a postcard from Malaysia either. It didn't take long to make it to my house, 13 days! I have had postcards traveling to the USA that take longer than the one I received today!

Thank you to the kind postcrossing member that sent me this card. :)

Almost to another goal!

I sat down last night (since I took a spill on the ice on Saturday and frankly can't move a whole lot) and counted the postcards that I have received since I started the 101 things to do in 1001 days.

I want to be able to have 101 postcards and since November I have reached 90, only 11 more to go! It shouldn't be a problem at all with the three postcard communities I belong to. I think it would be more difficult with postcrossing, but postcrossing has happily 'donated' three postcards to my cause! lol.

The postcards numbered 101 will most definately make it here on my blog. I wonder where it will come from?...*day dreams*

This will mean that I will have 2 goals completed...and I will most definately have to get moving on my other goals! Especially the cross stitching ones. I have two major projects that need to be done by the end of my 1001 days.

I only have 930 days left! I am only slightly freaking out at the moment!! *Takes a deep cleansing breath*. No problem I can do this!! I am sure I can complete several of these while I am in Quebec over the spring. Speaking of which....I am getting even more excited!!!

I went looking for some geocaches in Quebec City and there are a TON in the area that I am staying! I will most definately be getting my exercise when I am out there...which will also be good for my fibromyalgia!

Cathedral of Saint Paul

The current Cathedral was instigated in 1904 by the Archbishop John Ireland. At his direction, the archdiocese commissioned a well known architect (who was the chief architect at the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis Missouri), Emmanuel Louis Masqueray. Construction began in 1906.

The open concept of the Cathedral allows the visitors an unobstructed view of the pulpit and the altar.

Masqueray didn't see his design complete, he passed away in 1917.

Construction of the Cathedral was completed in 1958 and in 1974 it was added to the National Registrar of Historical Buildings.

Tubingen, Germany

It is thought that Tubingen was first settled during the 12th millenium BC. The Romans left evidence that they were in the area around 85 AD when they built the Limes border wall at the Neckar.

The city didn't show up on official records until 1191.

Tubingen has the oldest universities in Central Europe.

Today there are approx. 83,000 people residing in Tubingen, including 22,000 students.

First Postcard From Postcrossing

I received my first postcard on February 3rd, 2011 from postcrossing!

It came from Riga, Latvia. I have never received a postcard from Latvia before so I was rather excited! I immediately called H. to tell her that I got the postcard as she was the one that got me hooked on Postcrossing.

Riga is not only the largest city in Latvia but also the capital city of the country.

Riga's historical centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Right now I can only travel the world sitting on my couch but I would like to go Latvia and explore the architecture and culture. How wonderful would it be to travel the world and exploring it.

The Snowstorm I Woke Up To...

The snow started to fly last night around 830. The radio said it started to fly around 11pm, ha! If you looked out my window you could plainly see that it was most definately flying before I went to bed!

I woke up at 230 thinking that DH. was coming home from work at 2 since he started at 10 but I forgot that he wasn't done until 4 this morning...and 5am for the rest of the week. Needless to stay when I looked outside my bedroom window to see if the car was sitting in the parking stall all I could see was snow...and it was still flying around.

Sighing I got up to let the dogs out and grabbed the phone in case DH. told me he was stuck at work because of the snow, I tried to go back to sleep. I heard him come home around 4 am and breathed a sigh of relief that he didn't get stuck somewhere. (The snow plows are notorious for not cleaning the streets until well after the snow falls).

When my alarm went off at 5 am I waited for the traffic reports to come on and DH. came upstairs to also report how nasty the roads were and to see if I was willing to take the bus. It never is a problem taking the bus unless it is -30C and my lungs decide to revolt against me. I quickly got ready and left the house around 530.

As soon as I started walking I debated turning around to grab my snow shoes. The snow was half way up to my knees!! Even Mr. Cottontail that resides in my complex had trouble with the amount of snow that had fallen overnight! I trudged to the bus stop and only had to wait a couple of minutes for the bus (because it took me so long to get there!!) and gladly got on the warm bus.

Making a quick connection downtown I made it to work at about 630. I called DH. to let him know that I made it safe and sound and to let him know the snow almost went past my boots! He didn't sound surprised, frankly, I shouldn't of been either! I am not looking forward to when the wind picks up the snow and blows it all over the place...its deep enough already!

I know! I know! I am talking like I have never seen a snowfall before in my life! Of course I know what a major snowfall looks like...I was in fact trying to be optimistic even with the snowfall warning that was issued for my area that it would completely bypass us...it has happened on more than one occasion.

It just so happens that I love the snow! I love walking through it when it is dark and it is still falling, the world around me seems so quiet, it seems magical. Or even walking through virgin snow (which I was able to do this morning). I like walking the dogs through it and going to the mailbox to drop off some postcards and letters off to my friends around the world. It would be a perfect day to stay home, snuggle under a blanket and write out some postcards and letters, take them out to the mailbox and once I return have a cup of hot chocolate!

I think it is time for a much needed cup of tea...the travel mug of mocha that DH gave him lasted me to my connection bus and I am once again cold.

A nice hot cup of tea is calling my name...

Mucha

Alphonse Mucha was born on July 24th 1860. He was born in what is now The Czech Republic.

From an early age his mother knew that he would be a great artist so after he learned to crawl she would tie a pencil around his neck and he would draw as he crawled around the floor.

He was a Czech Art Nouveau artist and he lived around the world; Vienna, Austria; New York City, United States; Paris France; Prague, Czech Republic.

He married his long time love Maria and had two children.

In 1939 when the German Nazis' came into Prague he was one of the first that was arrested and questioned. The questioning that he endured broke his heatlth and 10 days after his release he died.

His art can be seen all over the World. There is a museum dedicated to Alphonse Mucha, his life and his work in Prague, Czech Republic.

More Thoughts About My Upcoming Trip

I was going to mention that it has been a long time since I last wrote anything, the usual way it goes with my blog...but I have been quite frequent in my updates lately.

I am getting more excited about this trip as the days progress and I still have three months to go before I leave!! I can't imagine that I will get much sleep in the days leading up to my departure. I am hoping to stay in Ottawa for a few days...and perhaps a quick side stop to Toronto to see Casa Loma. It is where the first Commissioner for Girl Guides lived and I would really like to see it.

In Ottawa there are a few places to visit...there's Rideau Hall, Parliament, The Civilization Museum, The War Museum....I am sure I am missing something but those are the ones that come to mind. I will research these places more closely but I could spend hours...no days in museums so you know I would be at home there for awhile.

Perhaps I will write a little blip about each place I want to go in Ottawa and Toronto.

More to come later of course!!

~M

More Postcards

I am so excited about postcrossing!

In the last couple of days three postcards that I had sent out a week and a half ago have reached their destinations, including the one that I was worried about. The lady I sent the postcard too wanted it in an envelope because she collects stamps. I didn't have a problem with doing it but I sent it in an oversized envelope and I had already had one kicked back to me from the post office for incorrect postage. I didn't put my return address on the envelope so I was going to email her at the end of the month if my postcard hadn't been registered.

To date I have sent postcards to the following countries:

1 card to Spain
1 card to Germany
1 card to Italy
I card to Finland
3 cards to USA

I wonder who will send me postcards in return as it isn't the people I have sent postcards too. I believe there are only 6 or 7 countries in total that don't have any postcrossing members.

I am going to speak to my dad about teaching his students about postcrossing as it uses the media (internet) and you get to learn about the world around you and what better way to do that (if you can't travel to the place itself) than to see it through postcards?

The rest of my correspondence has been lacking the last week and I have run out of stamps. I have to wait until next week before I can send anything off again. I love going to the post office though and finding unusual stamps that I can place on the postcards. I think that getting unusual stamps is almost as fun as getting a postcard.

I received a postcard from a friend in Russia with a stamp from the Vancouver Olympics! I couldn't believe it! Isn't it great that even though the Olympics were here that I got a Russian stamp of the Olympics?

My first trip to Prague I became intrigued with antique postcards. Through my many travels to antique shops I ended up finding some from Nova Scotia! I couldn't believe it and I had to pick them up! I went halfway around the world only to come back with some postcards from Nova Scotia! Of course I picked up many different postcards of Prague and the surrounding countryside! How could one resist?

While over there my cousins, aunt and uncle laughed at me over my postcard obsession. They didn't even have to ask me what I had purchased in my outing, they just wanted to know what postcards I came home with! lol. The same cousin even had a Mucha (my favourite art nouveau artist) postcard framed for me!

I will post some pictures up later tonight or tomorrow of Alphonse Mucha.

Work is calling my name so I have to end here.

Happy blogging!!

Quebec

Last year my sister did a program through the Government of Canada called the Explorer program. It is where a student goes to another province to either learn french or english. Since my sister was adept at speaking english she went to Quebec for six weeks during the summer and studied french. She had a fabulous time!

Once she came back I went to my GM at my office and began speaking to him about what my sister had done and how she suggested that I do the same program. Now I am too old for the program through the government but I can still go and study at Laval for six weeks during the spring or summer. The GM turned to me and said to me; "Well you know...we have subsuppliers in Quebec and it would be nice to have someone else in the office that speaks french other than me!" I promptly volunteered!

I spoke french since I was small and went to a french immersion school (all the way up to high school) before entering an english high school...That in itself was a culture shock and I had to relearn my math, sciences, social studies and history in english. Math may be a universal language but when you learn it in a specific language (i.e. french) it is difficult to relearn it in english.

I am leaving on May 5th or 6th and I couldn't be more excited about it! I am taking the plane to Ottawa and then taking the train to Quebec City. I am so excited about using my french language skills...other than my dad and my grandmother I haven't really used my french with anyone else...perhaps the only other being my GM.

I hope to stay in Ottawa for a couple of days before heading to Quebec City...collecting postcards along the way for all my postcard trading friends and for myself. I have never been to Ottawa before and I can't wait to see Parliament! You know...I used to want to be a politician...but I am not a good liar or a cheater...therefore I chose a different career path.

What adventures await me? I promise to keep everyone posted...and update my blog often...more to come later! Work is calling me back to reality today.