What To Bring On Your Bachelorette Weekend

It's officially the first long weekend of the summer season and I'm headed on a staycation in the city... for my bachelorette! Yes, I'm a little nervous, excited and don't know what to expect! I have also waited until the very last second to pack my bag. All I've been told is to show up at the hotel later today, with a few outfit options and a yoga matt. Since I really don't know the plan or what's going down, I'm trying to cover all my basis when it comes to packing. Last year we did my girlfriend's bachelorette in the Bahamas so I think I have a pretty good idea of what I need to bring. Some key essentials to get me through 2 nights with 8 ladies in 1 hotel room. Here's what I'm bringing:

Kaia Naturals Cloths To Go: I don't want something that's going to strip my face of its oils. These are natural, alcohol-free and won't leave you feeling dry. Perfect for taking my makeup off after a long night. I also swear by Kaia natural deodorant, so I'll be bringing that along too.

Cake Beauty The Take Out Dry Shampoo Sheets: I love that these are so compact. I can literally throw them in my bag when I'm heading out the door! No need to lug around a huge spray bottle. Perfect for being on-the-go. And, yes they are 100% vegan, and contain no parabens, sulfates, and nasties!

Vita Liberata: Guys, tanning is a no-no for me. I'm a sunless kind of tanning gal! I'm obsessed with Vita Liberata because it looks so natural, bronzy. I have light skin, so I need something that doesn't make me look orange. Since I can't go out and get spray tans all the time, this tanning water is the perfect back up. I already did a coat on my legs last night and they look so lovely! So fresh and glowy. I'm bringing it with me to do my legs again tomorrow, just because! Haha. I love how easy it is to use with the mitt, no streaks!

Gua Sha tool: It basically comes with me everywhere. I slather on some good quality facial oil and work my way up and down my face to de-bloat and de-puff. This will definitely come in handy tomorrow morning.

Cela Essential Balm: You don't know where you'll need a little moisture. Hands? Knees? Elbows? Lips? Tips of your hair? I'm covered with the all-in-one balm. I looooove that it is all natural, contains some amazing ingredients like coconut oil, bergamot oil, and serious vitamins from the ucuuba butter. Plus, another amazing Canadian brand!

Bride Robe: I have milking my use of this robe! And rightfully so! When else will I get to wear it. No doubt I'm packing it along for the trip.

Fun shirts: So, my girl gang shirts? I had my brother make these for me! And I'm so excited we'll all get to wear them together!

Pixi DetoxifEYE eye pads: Yes, they are essential. You want to look your best, feel your best and puffy eyes will definitely make you feel like crap. I just love the feeling when you take off your eye pads and your face feels firm, tight and like it has literally bounced back to life.

Stay tuned into my Instagram for updates and to come along on the weekend! It's likely going to be something you'll want to see!

GET THE GOODS:

Sephora Spring Sale-- What to Buy

Guys-- it's here. The Sephora sale. It's time to stock up on your favourites because these discounts don't come often. It's definitely the perfect time to make your big-ticket purchases (aka La Mer, or the Clarisonic), but for me, I'm going to be stocking up on some essentials. Here's what you need to know:

VIB Rouge members get 20% off with code: HEYROUGE (April 26-May 6)
VIB Members get 15% off with code: HEYVIB (May 2-6)
Beauty Insiders get 10% off with code: HEYINSIDER (May 2-6)

The point system is very generous. You rack up points for discounts, so if you're not signed up as an Insider you can do so anytime! Plus, who doesn't love a free birthday gift!

I share so much of what I love on Instagram (especially in my stories), but today I'm putting it all out there, my tried and true favourites. I use these all religiously and if you're contemplating cashing out your cart here's what I think you NEED. Have any specific questions about anything on my list? DM me on Insta so I can get back right away (or email)!

SKIN
*my miracle worker eye cream
*peel pads that will give you the softest skin imaginable
*overnight mask I use at least twice a week for max hydration and baby soft skin
*cream cleanser that is affordable and works amazingly to clean
*balm cleanser for the toughest of makeup days that is actually worth the investment
*vitamin c serum that brightens, reduces wrinkles and leaves you  glowing
*beauty spray to end all beauty sprays
*gua sha stone to massage your face (I leave mine by my bedside with a bottle of face oil to do nightly)
*lip mask I use nightly and use as a balm, smells divine and give you the softest lips
*mini set to have all bases covered when it comes to serum (day and night)
*sunless tanner you need to try
*go to perfume

MAKEUP
*my go-to bronzer
*my 1 stop shop when it comes to eyebrow pencils
*lip balm on the go; tastes like mint and plumps
*highlighter that is constantly sold out it's so good


HAIR
*lightest hair oil I've tried that does not make my hair oily and I have thin hair

What's on your list?!

Eco Friendly Changes to Make Now

I'm always on the hunt for products that allow me to create less waste. I just hate when a garbage can is piled high with paper towels, makeup wipes and more. There are a few ways I try and cut down on the waste and I figured with Earth Day fast approaching why not share!

Here are 4 eco-friendly changes to make in your kitchen and bathroom now!

KITCHEN
Re-useable Towels
Such an amazing way to reduce dependence on disposable towels. KLIIN is a Canadian brand that I recently discovered and have been loving ever since I did. To give you an idea of how absorbent they are, 1 KLIIN towel replaces 17 rolls of paper towels!! They can also absorb 15 times its weight in water. You throw them in the dishwasher or the laundry and can re-use them up to 300 times. It's crazy to think anyone is still using disposable towels with these around! The patterns are so cute. I obviously found some to go along with my kitchen decor of the moment! But really you can use them in the kitchen, washroom, on windows, on counters or anywhere else you need a little disinfecting. Intrigued yet?

Re-useable Bags
So maybe you already use a re-useable water bottle, lunch containers, and utensils...but what about ziplock baggies? The waste they produce is CRAZY. I first discovered Stasher Bags a year or so ago by following blogger Shut The Kale Up. I looked into Stasher bags and could not find them anywhere, so I resorted to Amazon. They seemed like an investment but once you think about it, it really is so practical and I'm obsessed with them. They are a plastic-free version of your baggies, made of 100% silicone! I use them to store frozen bananas and fruit in the freezer, use them to pack up to work with cut veggies and even put leftovers in them. The bags can be heated up, boiled (microwave friendly) and are even dishwasher friendly. I swear I didn't match them on purpose!


BATHROOM
Face & Body Scrubbers
Daily Concepts has been my go-to in the bathroom. They created face cloths, or makeup wipes, that removes makeup without using any soap! All you need is water! They come with a little bag so you can throw them in the wash, too. Save waste on using cotton pads? I think so! They also make scrubbers for the washroom and sponges that are organic, biodegradable and vegan. I really love that you know its time to replace them when the label has faded.

Spray Facial Toner
I use cotton pads still. I'm not perfect. But I also have been making a conscious effort to go green with my beauty products. There are so many great brands that are creating green beauty that there is no excuse not to start making positive changes. Province Apothecary's Invigorating & Balancing Toner is one way to start! Most toners come in bottle form requiring you to use a cotton pad, therefore creating more waste. I love that this one is in a spray bottle. It has organic rose water, lavender and rosemary so it's cooling, soothing but also wakes you right up! Kaia Naturals also developed a dry shampoo that is in a puff like a dispenser, so there is no aerosol! I know this isn't a toner, but it's just another way I like to make little changes for the better. We all know how harmful aerosol cans can be on the planet, so I love that this one is eco-friendly. Plus it really refreshes the hair and detoxifies orders since its formulated with activated charcoal.

What do you think? What are some eco-friendly changes you have started to make in your life?