coming clean...

i shampoo my hair every other week.

I know. That must sound completely absurd but it's true. I used to shampoo almost more that I conditioned my hair because I was convinced my hair was too oily. Then I started reading in on how to properly take care of my curly hair. I found a video on Girl with Curves and she explained her hair routine and how she's able to keep her girls so gorgeous and lush. What she said about shampooing once a week made sense and I figured I'd try it out. The first week was a little hectic because the oil continued to build up because it was so used to being cleaned daily! By shampooing my hair 3-4 time a week I had actually trained it to produce more oil. of course!

fyi: i only shampoo/condition sulfate and paraben free. i use Trichomania by LUSH and also Soft and Silky Vanilla Silk by Organix for conditioners I use American Cream and Jungle by LUSH and  (i alternate shampoos and conditioners)

So, by week 2 my hair had only been washed once. It was so happy to have that shampoo in and didn't want to oil up as quickly that week. My curls were luscious and I had one of my best hair weeks! lol Week 3 proved even better and for the past 3 months I've only washed my hair once a week. Well... up until 3 weeks ago. 

3 weeks ago I came across this post via Pinterest and though it wasn't the first time I'd come across a "shampoo free" way of life. It was definitely the first time I'd considered it. The  post talks about everything I already know. Parabens and sulfates and all the chemicals that are in everyday shampoos conditioners are bad. It's is why I convinced myself that paying $20 for an 8oz bottle of conditioner was worth it. I was protecting myself. Well, 3weeks ago I used a mixture of 1.5 tbsp of baking soda and 1/2 cup of water. I poured it on my head and rubbed it in as you would shampoo. The mixture doesn't lather it doesn't even feel like it's in your hair anymore but it DOES work. My hair is so shiny and so clean and I have no more dandruff  (yeah ew) It was like the light shined down and showed me that this is the way! So, basically I've been converted.

 If you're on a budget and looking for a healthy and cheap and effective way to clean your hair just TRY it. give it 2 weeks just so you know for sure and I'm positive you'll be convinced. So, here's my schedule

sunday: baking soda/ conditioner

tuesday/thursday: conditioner

sunday: shampoo/conditioner

tuesday/thursday: conditioner

sunday: baking soda/ conditioner

etc...

The shampoo and conditioners I use are not cheap and using them as sparingly as I do hasn't certainly been helpful on our pockets.So, when I run out in the next year or so (lol) I won't buy anymore and will just use the baking soda solution. I haven't tried the condition treatments she offers yet. I need to try it...maybe after the holidays.

ciao

This week is going to prove to be our busiest week since we've moved here! It's mainly to do with the holidays being right around the corner but it's still exciting. 

Yesterday I went with Lee's friends girlfriend to see Breaking Dawn. The movie was by far the WORST installment yet and that's not saying much. We did have a good time rolling our eyes and eating our sneak in snacks! (<---yeah, im that person) Yesterday evening I hung out with the ladies I met at the english speaking group. We went to a massage class that was being offered at the English Community Centre. We didn't realize until we got there that the class was being targeted to seniors!!! We laughed about it though and went on. It was actually a lot of fun and we learned how to give ourselves a full body massage! We went out for glass of wine afterwards and then headed home. 

Tonight Lee was invited to attend a Volkswagen event, there's going to be cocktails and the unveiling of some new models. I'm a good wife so of course I said I would go. lol

Thursday we're playing dodgeball and Saturday I'm hosting a turkey dinner for some friends. Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite meal EVER. So, I decided that even though they do not celebrate it here, I would not go without the meal.  :)

So, yeah. That's our week. It may not seem like much, but to 2 broke people it's going to be quite an adventure! LOL

ooo speaking of broke people. I of course LIVE for thrift stores and I scored the most awesome set of spice bottles ever yesterday! I got 12 bottles for $1.00!!! I couldn't wait to get them into shape so today I spent the afternoon cleaning, sanding, taping and painting. 

i think they turned out great. I'm now looking for the perfect shelf to put them on.

till next time....

about time...

I've been meaning to do this for a while now. This hasn't exactly been a fashion blog for a couple of months. It's kind of  become more like a journal. I know it's not the most interesting for you readers but my life hasn't been the most interesting lately. So, I'm changing the name and officially changing the whole outlook and calling it my "whatever" blog. Welcome.

girl time!

i haven't had SERIOUS girl time in about 5 months. I know, it's sad but true.  I mentioned last week that I met some girls at the English Meeting I went to and we were going to meet up. Well, today we got together in Old Quebec and spent the afternoon walking around and just enjoying the freezing cold day we had. After walking around the city we went to Miranda's apartment and watched Sex and the City reruns while drinking tea. It was such a simple day but it was needed so badly! I really like these ladies and we've already made plans to hang out again on Monday! I'm super excited and definitely starting to have a more positive outlook on everything.

:)

it's snowing!

we've had an awesome morning so far! i made us homemade brown sugar pancakes while listening to some bob marley! we were given some awesome old windows by the gentleman upstairs (he know's i've been looking for some to do crafts with) and now we're sitting in our favorite coffee shop enjoying the first snow in the cozy comfort. :)
just thought i'd share. <3

back to black.

my hair is black again! it' been a while and it's such a nice change. the red was fun but it's definitely a lot of up keep. 

fun news: this tuesday we're playing dodge ball with some people we met at the New Comers meeting we went to last night! it's kind of random but one of the girls was part a league in Vancouver and she's hoping to start a league here in Quebec! it should be lots of fun  :)

Glass Half Full.

I've been in Quebec for 5 months. I know!!! Time flies. lol. It's been rough, the honeymoon stage has pretty much come to an end and now I'm realizing that there is so much more to Quebec than the history, food, scenery, etc... There's a whole culture that I'm responsible for adapting to. That's A LOT to ask of a person! I mean, I  have friends that won't move out of their hometown in Florida because they're so used to their little "bubble" and here I am getting ready to learn, not only a new language but a whole new way of life. It's intense and I know now that I really hadn't thought it all the way through. I was EXTREMELY  naive to think that I'll have the language down in 5 months and ready to go to work and do whatever I needed to do to when my papers came in.

 I went to a meeting tonight hosted by The Voices of English Speaking Quebec (VEQ) and it was a meeting for newcomers and gave a lot of insight on "Finding Your Niche" inside of Quebec. There were 2 guest speakers and both of them had completely different experiences.One man came here for love and studied hard to learn the language, found a job and adapted. It took him 7 years but he feels that now Quebec is as much his home as it is someone that has lived here all their life. The other lady moved here to kind of find herself. She's been here 3 years and knows the basics of the language, she works as a english-speaking tour guide and just loves it here. I guess it just shows me that no matter if I learn the language next month of in 7 years I'll be able to find my place.I was seriously worried about that but now I know that it's possible and it makes me feel so much better.

oooo! i also met some girls my age!!! we're talking about getting together next week for drinks and I'm hoping that goes through. I've only made 1 friend here and we haven't hung out since I've stopped working. :( 

it'll be nice to have girl time again.