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Christmas Crafts
12/23/2016
I have always loved Christmas, like a lot. Now that I have a toddler who is actually aware of what it is, it makes me even more in love with Christmas. It has been so fun to share my love of Christmas with her. She is just like me and is absolutely obsessed with Christmas. Naturally we have been having fun with all sorts of Christmas crafts.
My favourite place to pick up craft supplies is Value Village. It always has hidden gems for making fun crafts. They usually have a section with craft supplies but I also like looking for random little things in the Home Section. You can find all sorts of awesome things for making some fun and creative crafts. I found all these little Christmas trinkets, and a bag of faux snow there. I thought they would be perfect for making little snow globes.
I can't be the only one with an obscure mason jar collection. I just can't help myself, I think they are so cute and purposeful. Mason Jars make the perfect vessels for DIY snow globes.
Supplies:
-Christmas trinkets-bottle brush trees, little reindeer, people, etc
-Faux Snow
-Mason Jars-the wider the base the more things you can fit in it
-Glue Gun
-Bowl & Spoon
Emery helped pick out which little trinkets she wanted in each jar. While I hot glued them, I gave Em a spoon & bowl filled with snow. I got her to spoon the snow into the mason jar. Then I just put the lid on, and viola! A very easy and cute little snow globe!
We made ours super Christmasy but you could also make them more of winter theme forgoing the Santa, etc.
Emery's cute and amazingly soft pjs are from Kickeepants. They are a favourite in our household and always make a great gift! Here is a list of places you can find them in Canada, also if you are in Sherwood Park, Max and Maude carries them.
Have you done any Christmas crafts with your toddlers? Let me know which ones are a hit in your house!
We hope you are all ready for Christmas and are finally relaxing! We still have some running around to do today, and lots of cleaning! Hopefully we will have a Starbucks in hand.
<3 Kastles
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Gifts for Him & Her
12/22/2016
If you are still looking for a few gift ideas for Him or Her, I have a few last minute ideas that will be a winner for sure.
This adorable gift set from THE FACESHOP is not only darling but practical too. Each little kitten comes filled with hand cream. Perfect for throwing in your purse, and the unique container makes them easy to find.
You can never go wrong giving anyone a gift set from Fresh Beauty. Their line of skincare/beauty products is luxurious, effective and swoon worthy. Their Black Tea line is one of my favourites, especially the firming overnight mask. They have a variety of gift sets ranging in price and size at Sephora.
Beauty Gift Sets are always one of my favourite gifts to give and receive. This Smashbox gift set is a crazy good deal, and the packaging is so fun! SmashBox collaborated with neon artist Meryl Pataky to bring you these super cool neon packaging that glows from within. It comes with a eyeshadow, lip and contour palette which makes for a great starter kit. The Photo Op Eyeshadow palette features pigmented, rich bendable colour. The Contour palette has the perfect colors for bronzing and highlighting, and the Lipstick palette lipsticks are super moisturizing and feature a good range of colors. You can find them at Sephora or at Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques.
Burts Bees is such a classic and well known brand. They have 100's of products that are 100% natural, which is a bonus to their already awesome products. I like how this gift set has a good range of the different products they offer. Their lip balm is such a classic product and a favourite in our household. You can pick up their products at several different stores which is great for any last minute shoppers.
I first discovered MIYU Beauty at Anthropologie and fell in love. Their beauty mists are so divine, and I have been using their De-Stress Mi Beauty Essence a lot during this stressful and busy season. I simply adore this gift set that features their Hydrate Mi Beauty Essence and is accompanied by a matching tea. Such a brilliant gift for any tea lover in your life! Also these darling little party favors would be so fun to have at a New Years Party! Here is a list of where you can pick up their products.
Ok first of all the packaging on this gift set from Rocky Mountain Soap Co. so stinking cute! Even my husband commented on how cute it was! Vanilla paired with Candy Cane is just the perfect match, it smells divine! This gift set features several of their best selling products which is a great way to give them a taste of the brand if they haven't tried Rocky Mountain Soap Co. before. You can also build your own gift set which is super fun! Here is a list of where you can find their products.
If you have been reading my blog for awhile then you know what a huge fan I am of Make Up Forever. I am constantly being impressed with all the new products they keep coming out with. Any beauty guru in your life would be so thrilled to receive this brush set from them. It features a good variety of their cult favourite brushes in travel size. They come in a cute little tin which is perfect for throwing in your bag or suitcase. You can find this gift set and other fun ones from Make Up Forever from Sephora.
Why are men so darn hard to shop for? Maybe it's just me, but shopping for the men in my life is a constant challenge. I've rounded up a few classic gifts along with some fun ones that I think any dude in your life would appreciate.
This letter board from Letter Folk Co. has got to be one of my favourite gifts to give this year. It is so fun, creative and unique. It comes with a couple packs of letters so you can get creative and write any sort of message on it. I think a bachelor, brother or attached dude would love to receive this as a gift. It's a little late to order one now but their site does offer gift cards, so I highly recommend picking one up.
Two tired and true gifts. If your husband is anything like mine he could always use new socks, seriously where do all the socks go? Haha! Old Navy has a great variety of casual and dress socks right now.
Also baseball caps are always useful and super trendy right now. If your a Canadian like me, you can't go wrong with Toronto Blue Jays cap. I personally like the Snapback style as it's a little more fashion forward. I picked this one up at Lids in Southgate Centre. I'm sure any Sports store would have a great selection of baseball caps.
Ok this gift is pretty darn awesome! I've been a fan of Lomography's products for many years and so I was thrilled when they came out with an Instant Camera. This Instant camera comes with three different lenses so you can play around and have fun. It's not only a fun toy but you can create fun memories with it. You can find them at your local Urban Outfitters.
I don't know about your man but mine always forgets to take care of his skin. I spend so much time looking after my skin using a wide variety of products, and it's just on the back burner for him. This body buffing set from Dermalogica is a great starter kit for any man in your life. It features their awesome buffing cloth, a hydrating body wash and cream. Check here to find out where you can pick up their products.
I hope this Gift Guide gave you some great ideas for any last minute shopping you might have to do. Do you still have shopping left or are you all done?
<3 Kastles
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Gift Ideas for Little Ones
12/20/2016
I think buying gifts for Emery & other little ones is one of my favourite things to do. Stuff for little kids these days is so incredibly fun and unique. I really enjoy giving little gift baskets, especially when they are in practical & cute baskets such as this Pom Pom one from Pehr Designs. A perfect and fun way to wrap any gift.
Here are a few of my favourite gifts to give ranging from babies to toddlers.
Ok, Clever and Arrow has the most adorable items in their shop! Their cupcake coin bank would be a sweet gift for a new baby to have in their nursery or for a toddler to help them learn about saving money. Either way it makes for adorable decor! Speaking of adorable decor, enter their felt garlands! They are so stinking cute and come in so many different colors & variations. They even offer custom orders if you are looking for something specific. They would be great to hang above a crib, dresser or I was thinking on a cute little indoor tent. For all my Edmonton readers, Clever & Arrow is based out of Stony Plain and offers local pick up and deliveries.
One of my all time favourite items as a Mom with a baby (& toddler) is a sleep sack. Pehr Designs has the most beautiful designs for Bunting Bags. They are basically a wearable blanket to keep your little one cozy at night. You don't have to worry if they keep kicking off their blanket, they just keep snug & warm in this little Bunting Bag. I love this Alphabet print one, it's such a fun print and it's unisex.
Trae Designs does it again with this adorable little Heart Monochrome Family wooden peg toy set. It would be a great gift to give to a toddler who is an only child but has a sibling on the way. It would also make a great keepsake. I can't wait for Emery to play with this and pretend it's our little family.
One of my all time favourite brands for little ones is BlaBla Dolls. I fell in love with their little knitted dolls before Emery was even born. Emery loves her little BlaBla dolls and any parent or little one will be thrilled to receive one as a gift. Their dolls are so special and make such a beautiful gift. This Wooly Sheep comes in two different sizes, and they also just released a book about this doll. The two would make a perfect pairing.
BlaBla Dolls not only has beautiful toys but they create the most unique & gorgeous bedding. They have crib sheets, coverlets, knitted blankets and pillows. This pink eyelash coverlet is a thoughtful and fun gift for any toddler who is getting ready to make a switch to a big bed.
If you have a little reader in your life any fun book always makes a great gift. This Flora & the Flamingo is a beautiful and magical book. The book is about friendship which is so sweet, the illustrations are so special, and it has flaps which any toddler always loves.
What fun and special gifts have you picked up for the little ones in your life? Please share below!
<3 Kastles
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Stocking Stuffers for Her
After my post about Toddler Stocking stuffers, I couldn't very well leave you without some fun ideas for any lady in your life.
When I was younger I would get Lipsmackers in my stocking, so it only makes sense to pick some similar grown up options.
This two ended Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duo from Bite Beauty is perfect for the holiday season. It has a signature Amuse Bouche colour with a foiled, limited-edition top coat that adds just the right amount of holiday sparkle.
Essence Makeup has a great variety and range of beauty products that are on trend but don't break the bank. I love this plumping gloss from them, plus I feel the colour is very Kylie Jenner but without the insane cost.
You definitely need to have some fun items in your stocking, so obviously anything from Ban.do is a no brainer. This set of gel pens brings me back to my junior high days, in the best way possible. They go hand-in-hand perfectly with this box of Compliment Greeting Cards. Who wouldn't want to find a box inside your stocking that says "You are better than Unicorns and Sparkles Combined".
This next gift is pure luxury people, pure beautiful luxury. Myself and my husband have gotten into the habit of sleeping with sleep masks, and this bad boy from Slip is just heaven. Their sleep masks are 100% pure silk, inside and out. Believe me you can tell. Any Mom or Dad for that matter will definitely appreciate this gift. Anything that helps improve your sleep quality is always a win.
The FACESHOP always has the cutest & darling beauty gift sets around. Any beauty guru in your life would be thrilled to get this little set of beauty sponges. Even if they already have one, they can always use more. You can use them for anything from primer, foundation to cream blush. I especially like them for blending in any contouring I might have done. P.s-they are on sale today.
If your friend is a huge fan of FACESHOP and Korean beauty/skincare already you should definitely pick her up some products from Belif. It's a new Korean skincare line, and it's just delightful. This Aqua Bomb-True Cream is a gel cream that's refreshing and hydrating.
Rocky Mountain Soap Co. is one of my favourite Canadian beauty/skincare brands. I especially like that they are based out of the Alberta Rockies. All their products are handcrafted in the Rockies, and there is something for everyone. The Vanilla Coconut Body Oil is a luxurious treat, especially for those with dry skin. Their Hydrating Face Mask has Aloe & Honey in it, and this little package you can get four masks out of, which is really great. Here is a list some other stocking stuffer ideas from them.
Rodial is a very innovative skincare/beauty line so if you want to find something that is up and coming for your friend/girlfriend/wife etc, I would pick her up anything fro Rodial. I am a huge fan of their Snake Serum line, and this new Snake moisturizer from them is a new favourite in my skincare routine.
I'm such a fan of anything Coconut, so naturally I'm in love with Cocovit's products and anyone in your life would be equally thrilled to get them as a gift.
Winter skin has got to be one of my biggest pet peeves, especially when my lips started to crack and peel. This Mint Lip Polish is so great for combating that. It rubs away the dead skin, is so refreshing and then leaves your lips super moisturized. The Coconut Water Hydro-Mist is also amazing at leaving your skin feeling moisturized. Whenever I start to feel a little dry during the day, I just spritz a little of this and instantly feel better.
Cute and fun socks are a must for any stocking right? These socks from local Edmonton Urban Drawer are so delightful and a great addition to any stocking. Urban Drawer has socks for him, her and little ones. Here is a list of the places in #YEG you can pick up their socks from.
Do you have all your stocking stuffers ready to go? I just love stockings so much, haha!
<3 Kastles
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Beauty
Family


Almay Cosmetics- Day in the Life
12/19/2016
If you have been following me on Instagram, you might have seen my Instagram Stories where I shared a behind the scenes look at what a typical day looks like for me. This included my everyday beauty routine, the activities I do with Emery, and a behind the scenes look at blogging. I snapped a little photo journal for those of you who didn't see it.
Usually I start the day early thanks to my little toddler, haha! Most mornings start with her in our bed snuggling or reading books. After we finally get out of bed, she usually plays for a bit while I get her breakfast ready. While she eats her breakfast I putz around the kitchen and get together a breakfast for myself. She usually plays quietly by herself while I sit on the couch, eat my breakfast & read my daily devotional.
After this we usually get ready for the day. While Emery is still playing I sneak away to the bathroom and put my makeup on. I usually do my hair in a bun or curl my hair the night before, nobody has time for that with kids, haha!
Thanks to Almay, it's so easy to get ready and takes less than ten minutes. This is super important when you’re the Mom to a busy little toddler. I love the broad range of products they offer, but I think my favourite thing might be that Almay makeup is hypoallergenic & dermatologist tested. I have the craziest sensitive skin (especially when I'm pregnant) so this is such an added bonus. My nose is especially sensitive these days, so it's nice that Almay's products are also fragrance-free.
I usually start with Almay’s Smart Shade Skintone Matching Makeup, which has SPF 15 in the formula. This is awesome because I always put SPF on everyday so this saves me a step. I make sure to cover up my dark circles (thanks kiddo) with the Almay Age Essentials Concealer (which also has SPF in it). My next step is eyeshadow. Almay’s Intense I-Color palette in Everyday Neutrals has an image on the back that shows you exactly where to apply the swatches and is expertly coordinated to enhance your eye colour. Next is their Smart Shade Blush, and finally, Pen Eyeliner and One Coat Multi-Benefit Mascara. The look is completed by the Smart Shade Butter Kiss lipstick, which is great for adding colour and moisturizing your lips.

After we spend a few hours at our play date, we head home for nap time and work time. Although last Friday Emery didn't nap, I still managed to get some work done. Kids always pick the greatest days not to nap, right? When Emery naps, it's the perfect time for me to photograph for blog posts, edit images, and catch up on emails. One of my flat lay secrets is using rolls of wrapping paper for my backgrounds – it’s cheap and effective!
After nap time, Emery usually watches a cartoon while I wrap up work and start making supper. Then my hubby comes home, which is mine & Emery’s favourite part of the day. They usually play together while I finish making supper. We usually spend the rest of the night reading books and hanging out as a family before Emery's bedtime.

After Emery goes to bed, I get changed into my PJs and take my makeup off. To be honest, I'm usually too tired and lazy to scrub my face with soap and water. The Almay Oil Free Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads are a life saver! Thanks to the blend of aloe, cucumber and green tea in the formula, the pads remove makeup without irritation. The Oil Free Makeup Remover Towelettes are what I use to get the rest of my face makeup off. I love that I can do this while chilling on the couch, reading magazines and watching Netflix. Anything that saves me time, or makes it easy to multi-task is such a necessity for me. Aaron and I usually finish the night watching TV, catching up on a little bit of work and hanging out together.
Thank you for following along on our little adventures together. I loved sharing my day and beauty routines with you. I hope you enjoyed it!
<3 Kastles
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