Happy October Strangers

Happy October! I guess I should start by addressing the naked ghost in the room, where have I been for the past 5 months?

And I wish I had a more exciting answer for you’ll. I’ve just been an uninspired, lazy blogger, and rather than just push through I haven’t been writing. And that hasn’t been limited to my blog. I haven’t done any stories, or script work. I haven’t even been making the effort to go to improv. I’ve just been checked out.

So why am I back? Good question. I have recently had a lot of my blogger friends call it quits and it made me question my own blog mortality. And, after a lot of thought…I’m not ready to die.

Coming to the above conclusion, I also came to the realization that if I'm not ready for the blog to die, I better write or it’s as good as gone anyways.  So here I am, back and rusty as hell.

I’m jumping right back into my Friday schedule, I know today is Saturday, but my weird brain just liked the sound of the starting on the 1^st rather than the 30^th better. Just like when I was actually writing before, I will be pre-writing most my post just to make sure you guys have content on the Friday.

I just want to thank you guys in advance for bearing with me while I try and shake off the rust. And thank you for still being here, I’m can honestly say I don’t think I would be if I was a reader but, that’s why you guys are awesome. Thank you guys, and as always, stay and play safe.

Love,

The Honest Bitch 

xoxo

It's April... When Did That Happen

So apparently April is a thing, I’m not quite sure when it happened…. But it did and I don’t like it. I’m not where I wanted to be by April, I had a plan and evidence that plan went out the window.

I wanted to have my shit together by now, I wanted to have my blog in order, my work / personal life balanced out. That hasn’t really happened. I’m 29 in just over a month, at some point I have to get my shit together and be an adult… Even if I don’t want to.

29 is a scary age to me, that’s when I always thought I’d settle down, get married, have kids and that’s pretty much not happening now. Married, mortgage, kids…. That’s the plan and that’s not a year or two plan. Also for that plan to even work, I’d have to find a guy I can stand and right now, everyone gets on my nerves. I’s just not a people person these days.

Maybe I’m going to have to have a long look at my plan because clearly at the minute it’s not working.

Anyways, I’m going to go and get some sleep, I’m back at work tomorrow and if the last two weeks are anything to go by… it’s going to be a long week. But before I go I have this question for you, what is your scary grown up, have your shit together age? Let me know in the comment box below and as always stay and play safe.

Love,

The Honest Bitch 

xoxo

Skin Care

Since I’ve been doing the beauty box unboxing, I’ve had a few requests to post my skin care routine. As you guys know I’m not a beauty guru by any means, but I do enjoy my makeup and skin care. And if knowing my skin type and the products I use, help you understand my opinions better… what the heck.

I have dry, mildly dehydrated skin and a bit of rosacea. So obviously moisture and exfoliation is the name of the game in my skin care routine. I am aware most of the products I use aren’t cheap, but they work and I see results, so I don’t mind investing in them…. It’ll save on a facelift later in life.  

Let's start at the beginning; The first thing I’ll do is cleanse my face. I’ll either go in with a cleansing oil if I’m removing makeup or if not I’ll go in with a micellar water. Then I go in with a toner just to make sure anything is off. I’m not brand loyal on any of these steps so I change these up all the time.

Once my face is dry, if I’m going to use a chemical exfoliate this when I’ll use it. Sarah Chapman Overnight Exfloliating Booster and Sunday Riley Good Genes are my two favourites That said, I hands down prefer Good Genes and I actually like using it during the day rather than at night. 

While I’m waiting for the exfoliant to eat away at my dead skin I go in with my eye care. First an eye serum, then my eye cream. I’ll be honest, I’m not in love with either of the products I’m using at the minute. I bought the serum because of retinol in it, but so far I’m not seeing any results. And the eye cream is just ok… not worth the price tag. 

The other thing I do while my dead skin is being eaten away is I go in with a lip balm, you can’t beat Aquaphor for the price, it just does a good job. If my lips are a little more on the chapped side, I’ll use Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid, which does a pretty good job of getting them back in shape. 

If I haven’t used a chemical exfoliator, just after I wash my face and before I do my eyes and lips I’ll go in a facial oil. Which oil I use depends on what my face needs. I tend to do 2 nights Luna, then 1 night Peter Thomas Roth 3% Retinoid Plus, but that’s more just what happens rather than a rule.

Both products have Retinol in them, be it in different forms and strengths. Both are fantastic products and have a fairly clean ingredient deck. My skin likes Luna better but, there’s more Retinol in the Peter Thomas Roth product and that can take time for skin to adjust to. If I had to pick one I’d pick Luna, but I suspect the 3% will be better for my skin in the long run.

Once either my exfoliator is completely dry or I’ve let my oil sink in for at least 10 minutes then I go in with a moisturizer. Either Sunday Riley Tidal or if my skin is in alligator mode First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. I only use the First Aid Beauty cream on the bits of my face that are alligator like and only if it’s so bad it hurts. It has a habit of clogging my pores so if I can help it, I won’t use it.

The Sunday Riley on the other hand is awesome, and I haven’t had to use the other since I started using it. My dry skin loves Tidal between the hyaluronic acid and the tamarind (which according to new studies is more effective than hyaluronic acid) my skin feels and looks moisturized after I use it. It also has papain enzymes, which and exfoliate. And we know how much I like them. 

The are 3 other products I want to mention, I don’t use them every day, but I use them often enough to know I loved them. The first is Benton’s Snail Bee High Content Essence. If you can get over the ingredients (snail secretion and bee venom) this product is awesome. I like to use it when my rosacea is bad. I’ll just use it and a moisturizer and call it a day.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir; complete princess product it does nothing for your skin, yet something about the spray and the smell it takes away all my stress and I love it.

The last product I just had to mention is Kate Summerville ExfoliKate. This stuff it’s stupid expensive, but I think I’d sell a kidney for it. It’s magic. I use it about every 10-12 days and it’s not pleasant, but once I’m done my skin is smooth as a baby’s butt. Any dry, flaky patches I had are gone. I’ve tried a lot of these type products over the years and this is the only one that actually works. I just wish the price tag wasn’t so high.

Anyways, you sexy people, that’s my skin care routine, not sure how interesting it was but, I could hear my bank account crying just looking at the products. Before I go I will leave you with this question, what eye products do you use? I'm always on the hunt for a new one. Let me know in the comment box below. And as always stay and play safe.

Love,

The Honest Bitch 

xoxo

Math Is Against Me

I was talking with one of my drivers about how I always seem to be sick on my days off. I explained to him it’s the price you tend to pay when you work 4 on, 4 off, and when you think about it, it kind of makes sense.

When you work 4 on, 4 off, you don’t tend to allow yourself to get fully better. The average cold or flu lasts 7-10 days.  If we start getting sick on our 3^rd or 4^th shift in, it’s normally at its worst by our 1^st or 2^nd day off. 2 or 3 days later, as you do with the flu, you feel better. And that puts you right at the start of your work week. The problem being, you’re not better, you’re just better than you were.  And your mind will tell you, you’ve been in bed for 4 days, you're better and to go to work! The math, on the other hand, will tell you it’s only been 5 or 6 days since you got ill, despite what you think, you’re not better.

But, because nobody ever listens to math; so you go to work, and due to another mathematical equation that is working against, 4 days later, when your work week is done, you’re still sick, probably sicker than you were 4 days ago and the cycle continues.

There is another math equation that works against you and is probably the reason you got sick in the first place and the reason your recovery will take longer than it should; sleep, or lack thereof. When you’re sick, you need rest to recover and lots of it, and when you work 12 hour shifts you don’t get it. And it’s easy to see why.

It takes me 1.5 to get to work, 1 hour to get home. I give myself 2 hours to get ready and eat before work, right there only leaves me 7.5 hours. I have to come in from work, take off my makeup, actually fall asleep. Even if that only took an hour….and trust me, it’s always longer, that only leaves a possible 6.5 hours of sleep a night. And that’s banking on me getting out of work bang on 6am…. Which isn’t a thing that happens. So I’m lucky if I get 5 and half maybe 6 hours of sleep a night. Remembering 8 hours is what we’re meant to be aiming for. By the end of my working week I have a sleep debt of 8+ hours, or a full night’s sleep. Which is why like most 4 on, 4 off night shift workers I rarely see my first day off.

Like I said, math is against me, which is a shame, because it was always my favorite subject in school and now it’s trying to kill me. Anyways, I am going to go and sleep because…. Math. But before I do I have this question for you; what do you feel like is working against you? Let me know in the comment box below and as always stay and play safe.

Love,

The Honest Bitch

xoxo 

Minor Fail

Just for the sake of honesty, which is kind of the name of the game here, I am backdating this post and my next one mainly for accountability. 1 post a week isn’t that much and the fact I failed to do that is ridiculous.

Yes, I have been sick, but that should only account for one week, the other was down to pure laziness, I knew what I had to do but for whatever reason, I just didn’t.  So now that I’m feeling…. Not a whole lot better I’m going try and sort this stuff out and refocus on what’s important.

2016 is meant to be the year of focusing on my career and it’s sad to think by March, I’m already struggling.

Anyways, I’m keeping this post nice a short, and just admitting I’m a failure, but it’s not about how many times you fail or fall behind schedule is it? It’s about how you pick yourself up and carry on… on so the overly positive people say…. I’m still working on the resolution too.

As always you lovely people, stay and play safe.

Love,

The Honest Bitch 

xoxo

50 Questions You've Never Been Asked Tag

I don’t tend to do “tag posts” very often, however, I’m sitting here wanting to write, but my mind is completely blank. And I’m pretty sure times like this is why tag post were invented, so let’s jump into the tag.

1. What's your favorite candle scent? Soft blanket is my favorite sent, there’s just something very relaxing and comforting about it.

2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister? Hilary Duff.

3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother? Colton Orr, that’s right the Canadian picks a hockey player, but who wouldn’t want an enforcer as a brother.

4. How old do you think you'll be when you get married? I use to say in “in my 20’s”, but I turn 29 this year, so I’m going with never, and I’m going to start collecting cats soon.

5. Do you know a hoarder? No, unless you count me with wax tarts… but you can never have too many of those right?

6. Can you do a split? No

7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike? I think I was 6 when I finally got the hang of a 2 wheeler.

8. How many oceans have you swum in? 2

9. How many countries have you been to? 6

10. Is anyone in your family in the army? None in active services.

11. What would you name your daughter if you had one? I always liked Tori.

12. What would you name your son if you had one? Tyler has always been a favourite.

13. What's the worst grade you got on a test? I managed to get an ungraded once….. hangovers and exams don’t mix.

14. What was your favourite TV show when you were a child? Depends how old we’re talking here, I loved the Muppet babies, Mr. Dressup, Garfield and Friends.

15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight? I think I was a witch that year. 

16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series? No, not a one.

17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent? American, it’s easier for most people to understand

18. Did your mother go to college? Yes, she studied journalism

19. Are your grandparents still married? They’re both dead, so until death do us part…. I guess that means no.

20. Have you ever taken karate lessons? No, I played ice hockey… same thing really.

21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is? Are there people out there who don’t?

22. What's the first amusement park you've been to? In Niaraga Falls, Ontario Marine land is the place to go….. I was funny to maybe 2 people reading this, but it was completely worth it J

23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in? Given my job Polish would be really fricking useful.

24. Do you spell the color as grey or gray? I inter change them like you wouldn’t believe. The joys of growing up in a broader city.

25. Is your father bald? No

26. Do you know triplets? Nope

27. Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook? Titanic.

28. Have you ever had Indian food? Yes, last night for dinner in actual fact.

29. What's the name of your favorite restaurant? As weird as this sounds I don’t really have a favorite.

30. Have you ever been to Olive Garden? Yes, and I’ll pass.

31. Do you belong to any warehouse stores (Costco, BJ's, etc.)? No

32. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender? I believe Nicolas, however, I was meant to be Nicole up to the moment my mom saw me.

33. If you have a nickname, what is it? I don’t really have one, I was the energizer bunny growing up. Mainly because my mouth kept going and going.

34. Who's your favorite person in the world? My mom.

35. Would you rather live in a rural area or in the suburbs? Rural, but with amazing internet speeds.

36. Can you whistle? ish

37. Do you sleep with a nightlight? No, but my laptop and or tv tends to always be on

38. Do you eat breakfast every morning? I work nights so my meals are a little messed up, but I try and eat something light before bed.

39. Do you take any pills or medication daily? Yeah, that magic one that keeps babies away.

40. What medical conditions do you have? Asthma (very well managed asthma) and Rosacea if you want to call that a medical condition.

41. How many times have you been to the hospital? A lot.

42. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo? Of course.

43. Where do you buy your jeans? I think the ones I have on are from Yours, but I shop all over the place.

44. What's the last compliment you got? “You’re the only one that actually seems to know what they’re doing.” When it comes to lorry drivers…. That’s a compliment.

45. Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning? Only when I wish I wouldn’t.

46. What flavor tea do you enjoy? Strawberry tea is one of my favorites… if you don’t count ice tea.

47. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own? Shoes about 6, flip-flops on the other hand… I can’t count that high.

48. What religion will you raise your children to practice? I won’t, religion is an individual choice, when they're old enough, they can make that decision their self until then I’ll just try and raise good people.

49. How old were you when you found out that Santa wasn't real? 7 or 8, I was in the 1^st or 2^nd grade, right around the time I got chicken pox.

50. Why do you have a blog? Because if I didn’t my mind would explode.

Anyways, I hope you guys found this insightful and maybe know me a little better now. If you decide to do this tag leave me a link below and I’ll be sure to check it out. As always my dears, stay and play safe.

Love,

The Honest Bitch

xoxo 

2 Months Down, 10 To Go

I can’t believe February is almost over, it feels like just yesterday it was New Years. And now we’re two months in, this year is just flying by.

February has been the month of ghosts of boyfriends past, which is almost fitting given the fact it was Valentine’s Day this month. I’m not sure why so many exes popped up, but it severed a strong reminder that I am where I want to be. Nothing they’ve said has been tempting, it’s been kind of nice to realize all the bullshit over there years has led me in the right place.

Work has been testing; I have had my moments, but overall I’m getting there. I’ve taken a step back and in doing so, I’ve managed to take a step forward. If that makes any sense. I’m still a little “grrrrr”, but I’m doing a much better job of dropping it once I leave and actually being able to enjoy my time off.

On the blog front, I’m really enjoying the new schedule. I’m about 2 weeks ahead with my writing, which takes off a lot pressure and allows me to enjoy the process more. It also means if I get sick or I just don’t want to write, I don’t have to. It’s also meant I’ve been able to do some bonus posts, which I don’t normally do, but have brought in a lot of new readers, a lot of which are sticking around and reading some of my old posts which is awesome.

March is going to be very work focused, I have a few OT shifts lined up which means I won’t have a whole lot of time for extracurricular’s. I don’t really mind, it keeps me out of trouble and thanks to the way they’re lined up I’ll even get some sleep in. The plan for March was to get all my social media back in line, but I think that goal may have to wait until April.

Anyways, you lovely people, I am going to go and write an assy email to a company who doesn’t seem to understand when I pay for next day delivery I expect it the next day. But before I go I will leave you with this question, What is your goal for March? Let me know in the comment box below and as always stay and play safe.

Love,

The Honest Bitch 

xoxo