How to Turn Your Patio Into An Oasis

It's mid August... where did the time go! Soaking in the last bit of summer has been exceptionally sweet now that our little patio space is finally decorated. When Brandon and I moved in last summer we were so focused on the inside of the house that we totally neglected the outdoor space! I know it's a small space, but we just had priorities to get to!  It was a huge goal of ours to turn the space into a little oasis, where we could relax, have some friends over for drinks and BBQ some delicious food. Now that things have slowed down we have been enjoying it more and more. There are definitely a few ways we mastered the patio hang-out, and turned our space into a little oasis.

You don't need much to make it happen! Here's what you need to turn your outdoor space into a mini summer oasis:

1. Comfy seating
We knew we wanted a lounge sofa instead of a dining table and chair set up. It's just so much more conducive to hosting and hanging out! Plus who doesn't love a good cat nap outdoors? We scored our sofa at a great price online, but I knew I wanted to add in a pop of colour with some fun accent pillows so I headed to Target to pick up a few. I love how the colours are bright and fun and they do go with the couch.  Having a large seating area is perfect for hosting friends and family. Just make sure your pillows are weather proof! You don't want the rain to destroy them.

2. Delicious Drinks

To really feel like we're in a mini oasis we serve up some delicious drinks. This summer I was introduced to SoCIAL Lite vodka drinks and they are a serious game changer! Any drink that I can feel good about drinking is a winner in my book. They are crafted cocktails made from vodka, soda and 100% natural flavours. I am OBSESSED with Grapefruit Pomelo and Blood Orange! They are a nice light drink, and since I hate sugary drinks these are perfection. They have 0 g of sugar and 0 carbs. Yeah, summer-time perfection!




3. Music
Is there anything better than cooking and dancing along to good music? Usually we have a Frank Sinatra playlist going, or French bistro music (LOL). Or we go full on Spanish-mode when it's taco night. We always bring out our portable speaker  and connect to a playlist. It set's the tons for the night and livens things up when friends are over!


4. Plants/Decor
To have an oasis you need some greenery or plant life! It just takes the space up a notch and really makes you feel like you are somewhere tropical. We found some tropical plants to place around the perimeter of the deck and on the coffee table. We also hung an antique mirror on the back wall. Call me crazy, I know! But it makes the space look that much bigger and it feels so rustic, yet cool, and very homey! I love how the wall looks larger and adds in some ambiance.




5. Good people
Yup, the icing on the cake? Good friends and family to spend your days with. Summer is short, guys! You don't want to miss out on those special moments and get-togethers. Make time for loved ones this summer and get them over for a SoCIAL Lite! The drinks pair exceptionally well with popcorn or my fave, chips and guac!

That's it! A few key elements and suddenly you'll feel like you're in the tropics! Is there anything I'm missing that you feel makes a patio something special?

Thank you to SoCIAL Lite for sponsoring this post!

Honeymoon Beauty with Drunk Elephant The Littles

We're going to Miami and I am packing light. I am soooo ready to chill out. You will find me poolside, champagne side, and lathered up in SPF. It's just how I roll. I am beyond excited for the wedding but am also so excited to hang with my hunnie for a few days just us two! This summer has flown by with wedding prep, launching GG & CO, and work.

So what's in my skincare bag? Since I'm packing light I am relying on one brand that  I adore. I am obsessed with Drunk Elephant. I started with their Vitamin C serum after I ran out of this one, and from then on I knew I had to try more from the brand. The whole DE range is clean, fragrance-free,  and they focus on using LESS. Which is so important, no filler toxins or strange ingredients. Just

The Littles set is the ultimate and most perfect travel set. It includes everything you need for your skincare collection, all in travel-sized bottles to fit anywhere! I am smitten with this set. It's their most loved goodies all wrapped up into one little blue waterproof bag to take on the go.

So, what's in it? How do you use it?

I'll take you morning and night how I use the products:

AM
*Beste Cleanser (jelly, so light but really cleanses the prores)
*C-Firma (vitamin C serum), mixed with B-Hydra (hydrating serum). I mix these two serums together. You don't have to. Decide if you want to brighten go for the C-Firma if you want hydration go for B-Hydra.
*C-Tango (eye cream to dab in the thin skin below the eyes)
*Umbra Tint (it's a moisturizer with SPF 30 and has a little glow to it)

PM
*Beste Cleanser again
*T.L.C. serum (it's a glycolic serum so it exfoliates and gets rid of dead skin cells)
*Marula Oil (Face oil to rejuvenate the skin, lock in moisture and nourishes the skin)
*Protini Cream (a decadent face cream to seal the deal for the night)

GUYS. THIS SET. It's literally everything. So worth it. Literally made me for to take to Miami, right?!

Let me know if you're drunk in love with DE.

GET IT NOW!

Indie Lee Daily Vitamin Infusion

When brands actually take the time to reach out to you to get their message out to the world, it has such a huge impact on me.  So many companies try and inundate the industry with their "try this, try that messaging", but why? We want to know how they use their products, what they use and all the deets!

While Indie Lee was visiting Toronto, I had the chance to sit down with her and chat all things wellness, clean beauty and even her favourite spots in Singapore.

If you don't know her story, you NEED to drop everything and become familiar with it now. The brand is about empowerment, education and healthy living. After being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, Indie made it her mission to change what we put in and on our bodies, what we clean with,  and what we eat. She's fighting disease, pollutants, toxins one day at a time, and wants to educate us on how we can do the same.

I love Indie Lee products. They are grounded in education, nature and holistic living. One sniff and I instantly feel at ease and my shoulders lower. It's like my tension is released, and I am calm. Like I can breathe again, and see straight again.

I've already chatted about the squalane oil here, but I think I found my newest obsession. The Daily Vitamin Infusion. It's a new oil/serum and it contains my beloved squalane, but also rosehip seed, vit e, rosemary leaf, and avo oil. Basically, MAX nourishing, plumed, and hydrated. I am hooked! Just a few days with this stuff and my skin is already looking so refreshed!!

Next, do you ever suffer from achy muscles, inflammation, or body pain? ME TOO! Post gym soreness? Tense shoulders? Tech neck? I have it all... Enter in the I-Recover Mind & Body Gel. It contains arnica, black pepper, lavender, and mint. All you do is rub over your muscles/joints and it soothes and releases pain and tension. Indie told me she uses it whenever she has a flare from her arthritis. Now that is power by nature! It goes on light, absorbs quickly and the smell is just so sensual.

Some of my other favourites? The Brightening Cleanser, it's light, smells like strawberries, and none of the products are formulated with sulfates, phthalates, petrolatum, parabens, aluminum, and dyes. Hello, beautiful!

And, while I still have your attention, I URGE you to check out the Radiance Renewal Peel pads. Man, on man, you know I LOVE peel pads. It's like an instant skin fix. Leaves you with baby soft skin as it exfoliates, and skin is brighter and more even toned. I love that these contain vit c (!!), so good for hyperpigmentation. Just make sure to lather up with sunscreen afterward, as your skin will be more sensitive after the exfoliation! And guys-- don't let these go to waste, use the remainder on the back of your hands and on your chest. You know what I said

Have you dived into the green world of beauty? Now I don't want you to become overwhelmed and throw everything away and feel like you need to be 100% green and clean. Just start with small changes! Are you out of a product? Why not, when you go to restock try out a different one, that is better for you, the environment and ultimately the world!

Let me know if you've tried Indie below...

GET THE GOODS!