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Roxymandy November 10, 2015

Review of the Ellebox

Ellebox is a pretty fabulous concept. It’s a subscription service which gives you a box each month full of comfort and wellness goods, along with your choice of tampons and/or pads. That time of the month is never fun, but Ellebox makes things much more bearable!

A portion of the proceeds of these boxes support local women’s initiatives in Vancouver where Ellebox is based.

Ellebox was kind enough to send me a sample box, and I was so excited to see what was inside. I was not disappointed!

You can choose a mix of tampons and pads, or just one type of product along with other preferences. You can choose a box with just the necessities like tampons and/or pads, or a more personalized comfort box with tea, chocolate, and other goodies. There are also brand options as well.

I am totally that girl who realizes the day of her period that I have seven empty tampon boxes but no tampons at 11pm at night on a Tuesday. This literally happens to me each month and I learn nothing each time it happens about better preparation for the next month!

I can’t tell you how much easier my time of the month was once my Ellebox arrived! I had an arsenal of supplies delivered to my door, along with chocolate, tea, a Serenity Now aromatherapy mist, and a body butter. Soon you can shop these samples on the Ellebox website as well.

Ellebox is one subscription that truly makes life a little easier since you can schedule your arrival of the box depending on when you need it each month.

For more information visit www.ElleboxCo.com!

Roxymandy October 27, 2015

Speeding Up My Morning Hustle with Jergens Moisturizer for Wet Skin

If I could name one thing that I need the most lately, it would be more time. I also really need more shoes, but more time is actually something I desperately need more. “I need more hours in the day” is something I mutter to myself at least a few times a day.

I work, I blog, I go to the gym and play soccer, I spend time with friends and family, and I have a toddler. In between all of those major things, minor things like shaving my legs or making dinner are treated like a bonus if they’re done at all!

My mornings are especially hectic, and I am sure not a morning person. I actually wear sunglasses on my way out of the house, and it’s still dark outside. I am not a happy, chipper person in the morning, and I am notoriously late.

Once I had my son, his school drop off took away more of my precious little time in the morning. I literally have to bribe him to get him into my car and off to school every morning! My latest trick to get him to hurry up in the morning is to leave a different toy in the car each day. There is a new surprise waiting for him each morning, and even though they are toys he already has, he is excited to get outside and see what’s out there.

My mornings are crazy, so anything to help make things easier at the start of the day is welcomed.

When I was given the opportunity to try out Jergens Moisturizer for Wet Skin and was told it would save me time in the morning, I was excited to give it a try.

The directions said to apply it after showering, but before drying off. I was to apply it to wet skin, and there was no need to rinse it off. I just had to pat myself dry with a towel, and voila!

I was a little skeptical on how this would work, but I gave it a try. Lately I have been so behind schedule heading out the door I often leave with my skin looking and feeling a bit like a crocodile because I haven’t had time to apply lotion.

I was so moisturized after my shower and quick application of the Jergens Moisturizer for Wet Skin that I could just throw on my clothes and go. Moisture was locked into my skin, and it only took me seconds to apply for an all-day lasting effect.

I was a little worried that the Jergens Moisturizer for Wet Skin would get on my clothes or wouldn’t dry properly, but it easily absorbed into my skin and I was ready to head out the door fast.

I tried both the Green Tea Oil and Coconut Oil Wet Skin Moisturizers, and both had a great scent but I am partial to smelling like a coconut so that was my favourite.

On the weekend when I could fit in time for a bath, I used the Moisturizer for Wet Skin and I was instantly moisturized – there was no need for another layer of anything.

Overall I was impressed! I saved time, I was happy with the scent, and the product absolutely moisturized my skin all day.

My morning routine stepped up a bit, and I’m happy I’ve saved myself some much needed time.

Learn more about Jergens Moisturizer for Wet Skin here!

This blog post was sponsored by Jergens® but the opinions are all my own.

Roxymandy October 26, 2015

Updating your Existing Wardrobe with a Faux Fur Collar

Long Faux Fur Collar – Dynamite | Faux Leather Zippered Moto Jacket – Forever 21 | Heels – Charlotte Russe {similar} | Floral Dress – Forever 21 {similar}

There are so many jackets and sweaters with faux fur collars on the racks right now, but dressing up some of your existing outfits with an add-on fur collar is a really fun way to update your wardobe and save lots of cash in the meantime! To me saving money means more shopping money down the road, so really it’s a win-win.

This faux fur collar is from Dynamite, and I love that it’s so long and warm.

Fur always seems so luxurious – I felt like I was playing dress-up with this collar. I can’t wait to wear it with a white sweater to add some interest to a more simple piece.

I’m so used to wearing scarves to accessorize my outfits, so it was nice to switch it up with faux fur.

Fur collars are one of my favourite winter trends. What are some of the winter trends you are excited for right now?

Roxymandy October 23, 2015

What the Heck is Pilates Reformer and Why Should You Try It?

What the heck is Pilates Reformer? I myself had absolutely no idea until I signed up for a class at my gym and gave it a try. The equipment always scared me, and I really had no idea what the class would involve, or if I could survive it! The equipment absolutely looks intimidating, but once I tried a class out I not only loved it, but I didn’t think the equipment was all that scary any more. It was actually pretty fun!

Pilates Reformer is much more dynamic then mat based Pilates because of the use of the Pilates Reformer machine. The machine adds resistance with use of the springs on the machine. Mat based Pilates also mostly focuses on core strength, while Pilates Reformer works the entire body with a repertoire of exercises that are more varied.

In my first class I started with the Pilates Cadillac machine. This machine definitely required two people to operate! So many working pieces helped me stretch and warm up. At one point I felt like I was hanging on a trapeze. It was fun apparatus to warm up with!

From there I moved to the metal Pilates Reformer machine. Both the metal one and wood one had a tower attached so additional exercises could be done. On the metal reformer machine we did some really fun exercises where I would lay down and push myself off! The resistance made it difficult, but it was a really fun exercise.

The wood Pilates Reformer machine was very similar, but the exercises seemed more intense. Weights were added for resistance, and balancing was difficult and required lots of concentration. Switching from machine to machine really mixed things up and kept my adrenalin pumping.

I found that the Pilates Reformer class made me focus on my control and form in my exercises. With the machine you just can’t cheat. The technique has to be right on because the machine forces you to follow the rules of the exercise.

In a Pilates Reformer class the instructor assists those in the class with making the adjustments on your machine. The machines may look scary at first, but then after a few exercises it’s easy to become familiar with how it works.

Overall I loved the Pilates Reformer class. My first session was one-on-one so it was an intense hour workout. I was very sore the next day because I used muscles I didn’t even know I had. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Roxymandy October 22, 2015

Favourites From The Mackage Spring 2016 Collection at World MasterCard Fashion Week

Usually I like to see a few shows at World MasterCard Fashion week each season because I love to see what’s coming soon in the world of fashion in terms of trends, but this year I had to choose one show because of time constraints. Can I just tell you how much a toddler cramps my social life? I thought about making my son my plus one and bringing him to a few shows (North West get’s to sit front row, right?), but I instead opted to choose one show that I really wanted to see.

Mackage creates outerwear that dreams are made of, so it was a no-brainer that I would see this show and their Spring 2016 collection. Did you check out my outfit for Fashion Week here yet?

Oh, how I love a good jacket! A great jacket can often BE the outfit instead of a layer on top of it, and if anyone can make a fabulous jacket it’s Mackage.

These are shots of a few of my favourite pieces. Please note I lead with my absolute favourite jacket of the night – a leather turquoise number that needs to get into my closet. Nothing says spring and “Hello, I’ve arrived to the party!” like a fabulous turquoise leather jacket!

To shop the brand, or at least get ready to shop the spring 2016 collection when it arrives, visit Mackage.com. Photos courtesy of George Pimentel.