“NOVEMBER: the last month of autumn, but the beginning of a new adventure; time to take risks and do the unexpected!”
Hello friends + welcome to another monthly favorites! I feel like I blinked + November was over. That being said, there were a few items (both beauty & non-beauty related) that I was pretty obsessed with throughout the last month that I wanted to chat about.
So enough with the small talk + let’s jump straight into it!
1) Beauty Counter “The Jellies”
By now, you’ll know that my antennas are up when it comes to clean beauty. Shopping at Sephora has officially been brought to a halt to allow more time to research the brands that fall into the “clean” beauty space. I tell ya, I put those thoughts out into the universe, and the universe responded, in the form of Kim from Beauty Counter. She kindly sent over a few amazing lippies that I will absolutely be showing you in an upcoming post. Kim was SO kind and sent me one of these Jellies in the shade “raspberry”. Okay, for starters, it smells INCREDIBLE. Like the sweetest, juiciest little raspberry in a cute little squeeze tube. This gloss is SO smooth + comfortable and leave the lips feeling super hydrated.
There are a total of 5 shades in The Jellies collection that all smell incredible and are actually sweetened with Stevia! They include: Raspberry, Butterscotch, Orange Cream, Peppermint & Sorbet.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ll be including ingredient info on all beauty products that I mention.
So for those of you that are interested…here they are:Polybutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethyl Vanillin, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Raspberry Ketone, Vanillin, Limonene, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Triethyl Citrate, Linalool, Maltol, Propylene Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Hexyl Acetate, Gamma-Decalactone, Ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, 3-Hexenol, Phenoxyethanol.
2) Netflix’s “The Game Changers”
This docuseries is just as the name suggests, a total game changer. “The Game Changers” details the negative effects that meat has on the body. With my Orange Theory obsession in full force, I’m constantly searching for ways to enhance my athletic performance (gotta get those splat points!). Not that I was a meat lover before I found this show, but it was my only source of protein. Even then, I only ever really ate chicken.
Anyways this show has totally transformed the way I look at food now and it’s actually made me switch to a more plant based diet. That being said, I would say that as soon as I eliminated meat from my diet, I found that I had a lot more energy (which is something I’ve struggled with for a long time), my mood had improved, and my workouts no longer felt impossible.
This lifestyle is definitely not for everyone + I know there’s been a ton of controversy surrounding this Netflix show, debunking their claims. All I can say is that since eliminating meat from my diet I’ve only seen positive results!
3) Bonlook Glasses in “Imagine Purple Glaze” ($179 CAD)
About 12 years ago, I had LASIK. While the whole experience was totally and utterly traumatizing, my eyesight was obviously corrected and I said so long to my glasses and contacts (what I thought would be forever). Fast forward to 2019 and unfortunately my vision isn’t as perfect as it used to be. Driving at night was especially difficult for some reason so after an eye exam, I found that I could benefit from a weak prescription. A couple of my friends had recently purchased frames from Bonlook + they were SO different than the frames I was used to wearing as a teenager. Sooo you better believe I took that prescription straight down to the store and instantly fell in love with the “Imagine Purple Glaze” frames. These glasses are so affordable, so trendy & what’s even better, they have blue light protection (which is a must when you spend as much time in front of a computer as I do). So my friends, if you find yourself needing a pair of glasses, look no further than Bonlook!
4) Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil ($57 CAD for 100 mL)
I think by now you know all of my money goes towards makeup, lip products in particular. Never would I think to spend money on a hair product, especially one that doesn’t sound like something I actually need. A couple pumps of this hair oil by Kérastase + me and my blonde locks are officially hooked. Two pumps through damp hair and you’ll be left with the most amazing frizz-free, soft, delicious smelling mane! Elixir Ultime Original is the most perfect multipurpose oil that will:
- Leave a long lasting fragrant halo for up to 24H
- Reduce split to breakage ends
- Provides 96H durable anti-frizz protection
- Instantly & intensely smooths hair
- Protects from heat up to 230°
- Facilitates hair manageability
- Provides 48h of intense shine
If that wasn’t enough to convince you that you need this Elixir in your life, take a look at the 5 precious oils it contains:
- Marula Oil: Enriched in vitamins C and D, it provides intense source of nutrition, antioxidants, to bring to your hair, the nutrients it deserves.
- Camellia Oil: Helps smooth the hair fiber, resulting in incredible shine.
- Corn Germ Oil: An active ingredient, that has a major nutritional and protection function.
- Pracaxi Oil: Brings shine, nourishment and deep conditioning to the hair.
- Argan Oil: Helps restore strength to the hair and protects it from external aggressors.
Cyclopentasiloxane ● Dimethiconol ● Zea Mays Germ Oil / Corn Germ Oil ● Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil ● Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil ● Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil ● Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil ● Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride ● Linalool ● Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone ● Limonene ● Coumarin ● Benzyl Alcohol ● Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract ● Tocopherol ● Parfum / FragranceYes this product is pricey. But as someone who would never spend a lot of money on hair care, I am convinced that it’s totally worth it!
5) H&M Faux Shearling Top with Zip ($19.99 CAD)
When temperatures get as cold as they do here in Canada, you better believe that you find yourself reaching for comfort over fashion. How amazing is it when you find pieces that check both of those boxes!? This faux shearling top from H&M is not only THE comfiest sweater I’ve ever had, but I think it’s super cute. I’ve worn this top with leggings around the house & I’ve paired it with ripped jeans and ankle boots to a hockey game in Toronto. It’s THE perfect must-have for anyone needing to bundle up to survive this winter!
6) JYM PRE Pre-Workout in Black Cherry ($59.99 CAD)
Hi, my name is Ashley, and I was borderline a (sugar-free) Redbull addict. I’m talking, I couldn’t get through the day without one (or sometimes two) of these drinks. When I first joined Orange Theory, I assumed that these energy drinks would be the thing that got me through my grueling 5:30am workouts. Instead, I found that it actually made them SO much harder. Shockingly enough, that’s all it took for me to kick my 3 year addiction.
With Redbull officially a thing of the past, I was looking for a healthier alternative that would make it a little easier to wake up at 4:20am and get me through the next few hours. I’ve tried so many different pre-workouts over the years. Some that either had NO affect on me + others that left me anxious and jittery for hours. Then one day, a friend asked if I wanted to try a new pre-workout she had just bought. It was strawberry kiwi flavored and after only a few sips, I found myself feeling a lot more alert + energized. And so, being the impulsive person that I am, rushed to the nearest Healthy Planet to pick up my own Jym pre-workout.
Jym highlights the following benefits from taking their powder:
- MORE ENERGY DURING WORKOUTS
- ENHANCED STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE
- BETTER FOCUS
- NO CRASH
- FULL TRANSPARENCY
- NO PROPRIETARY BLENDS
- FAT FREE
- GLUTEN FREE
- LACTOSE FREE
- INFORMED CHOICE
Being lactose intolerant, I can appreciate that this powder does not contain it! What’s even better is that there is VERY little sugar in each serving (which is uncommon in a lot of similar workout powders). These powders come in a variety of flavors including: black cherry, refreshing melon, matrix mandarin, matrix rainbow and strawberry kiwi. I have the black cherry flavor which, if I’m being honest, is not my favorite, but it gets the job done! They tell you to take this powder 30 minutes prior to your workout. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been experimenting with when I take this. When I would take it 30 minutes before working out I found that the effects had worn off before I even got to class. Now, I’ve been drinking it on the drive over to Orange Theory (which takes about 15 minutes) and that seems to work better for me.
7) Nail Art
If you read my Fall/Winter nail inspo post (if you missed it, click here), then you’ll know I’m new to the world of nail art. I’m also defining nail art as anything other than getting one color of shellac on all 10 fingers. I’m definitely making up for lost time and getting all sorts of fun designs. Here are a few of the different nail looks I’ve had over the past few months…
And there you have it friends, my November favorites!
What were some of your favorite products during the month of November? When it comes to pre-workouts, do you use one? I’d LOVE to hear which ones you use!
Thanks so much for stopping by & until next time,
XO