Explore Peru: 2 Days in Lima - The City of Bones!

A Lima Travel Story & Guide

I'm an emotional person. For better or for worse my eyes tear up, much to my embarrassment, when I'm happy, sad, angry, saw something breathtaking, or for no reason what so ever. My three week backpacking trip across South America, starting in Lima, Peru, was going to be a test for my tear ducts for varying reasons.... thank gawd I packed tons of small packages of tissue! Let the emotional rollercoaster begin.

Lima, Peru

I flew into Lima on an early Tuesday morning last February. I've been dreaming of doing this trip for too many years too count and actually planning it for months. I haven't traveled for a long time for reasons that seem dumb now, but this trip changed everything, and travel will never take such a long vacation from my life again. The first of many teary-eyed moments was when I was waiting for my backpack to come down the luggage pickup area in the tiny Lima airport. I just couldn't believe that I was finally doing this trip. I was met by a friend, who already booked a night at a hostel near the airport and had a cab waiting, which my airplane-frazzled mind was grateful for.

Exhibit: A Toronto Art History Lesson at the AGO!

AGO's Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries, 1971 - 1989 Exhibition Review

Philosopher George Santayana famously warned that "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." As I wandered through the AGO's Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries exhibit, Santayana's quote kept echoing through my mind. The exhibition gives visitors a glimpse into the gritty history of Toronto's art world from 1971 - 1989 and the emerging artists that pushed the boundaries of 'conventional art'.

Bear Portrait, No. 1, Culture Revolution, 1984 by Jeff Thomas

Displayed in the AGO's Contemporary Tower, more than 100 artists by 65 artists and collectives are brought together to fill the entire fourth floor exhibition space. Themes of social upheaval, political changes and marginalized people, that are reflected in the artwork are still as relevant today as they were during the 1970's and 80's.

Shopping: Fabulous & Unique Sunnies From GlassesShop!

GlassesShop Sunglasses & Website Review

We did it ladies and gentlemen... we made it through another winter. I am so excited that Spring is finally here and I am so ready to break the bounds of the puffy winter coat and wear some fabulous warm weather fashion, which includes a pair of chic sunglasses. I love wearing sunglasses (I've mentioned my love of sunglasses before), and how I can pull a whole look together just by throwing on a fabulous pair of shades. I have been dusting off my sunglasses collection in anticipation of the changing of the seasons and I'm happy to introduce my new addition to my sunglasses family, which was sent to me a few months ago from glasses online retailer GlassesShop, and they have quickly become my favourite pair!

Dierdre Cat Eye Sunglasses from GlassesShop

If you are looking for a new pair of sunglasses, prescription glasses, or prescription sunglasses, you have to checkout GlassesShop.com. They have a very extensive collection of some of the most fashionable frames I've seen, as well as some classic and vintage frames.

P.s!: Out With The Old & In With The New!

Celebrating My Birthday with a Personal Confession

My birthday passed two weeks ago without much fanfare. I spent the day with friends, feeling amazing and looking fabulous, which I haven't done in a long time and is exactly how I wanted to spend the day. Maybe because my birthday is so early in the year and happens right before Spring starts, but I've always treated my birthday as my true "New Year". It's a time when I take stock of my life so far, what I've accomplished and what I would still like to do.

Happy Birthday to Me! at Poop Cafe in Toronto

The last year was a terrible one for me, and the rest of the world it seems. Between political disasters, terrorist attacks, refugee crisis, prominent celebrity deaths, and so much more, the world around me seem to reflect how my life was crashing down around me. 

Makeup Review: Beautiful Lips from Bite Beauty!

Bite Beauty's The Lip Pencil & Amuse Bouche Lipstick Review

As a single woman over the age of 35 with very little time in the morning, I've got my regular makeup routine down to a science: wash, moisturize, foundation, eyeshadow, mascara, and eyebrows. If needed (which I usually do) I dab on some concealer under my eyes or on any blemishes that seem to appear even though I graduated high school in the 90's. I'm usually running late, so I finish my look with some pressed powder and tinted lip gloss or balm which I apply in my building's elevator. I normally don't bother with lipstick because I don't have the time or patience to apply it in the morning and then have to reapply it throughout the day. I usually find lipsticks dry out my lips with daily use and lip liners? Forget it; they are a lost cause for me. If I don't have the time or inclination to apply lipstick, I definitely don't have the extra time to line my lips before I apply the absent lipstick. But I do enjoy wearing a dramatic lip shade when I go out at night or adding a pretty colour to my lips for brunch with friends, but that's it. Until now. I recently was sent two of Bite Beauty's lip pencils and two sample-sized Amuse Bouche lipsticks for free to test out and review. And to my pleasant surprise, I have been wearing the lipstick (almost) daily for the past month.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick in Honeycomb and Whiskey and Lip Pencil in 020 and 044

I'm in love with Bite Beauty's Amuse Bouche lipsticks! Not only did the lipsticks not dry out my lips, but I only had to reapply a few times throughout my long day, the lipstick stayed on my lips through two coffee runs! Made from nourishing oils and ingredients, the Amuse Bouche lipstick made my lips feel and look amazing. The lipstick was creamy and easy to apply. There is a hint of a fresh citrus scent and taste, which is a nice pick-me-up in my busy morning.