YouTube Ladies.

I am hopelessly addicted to YouTube. Actually, also to Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin' and my newest discovery, weheartit.com (possibly because it says tit in the title?)
I like nothing better than a free evening, a cup of coffee and a couple of hours of internet time. I do use Facebook, but 3 things irritate me enough to make me not want to check it: 1) Using Facebook like twitter and updating constantly throughout the day. 2) Candy Crush... I don't want to play, please stop inviting me! 3) Likes. I do it too, but we only 'Like' when we are too lazy to write a comment. You see the little red update signal... and it's a 'Like' ... so disappointing. 
Particularly, I love watching beauty/makeup videos. My mum does too. I think she would like her own channel! Here are my favorites, as requested by my lovely mum :-)

Fleur De Force

(A bit posh and likes skincare, so I love her)

Pink So Foxy

(Beauty DIYs, natural skin care... I'm not so in to her makeup)

Glam Life Guru

(Beautiful makeup and her fiance proposed to her on YouTube)

Pixiwoo

(Makeup artists from England, probably one of the most popular makeup channels on Youtube)

Lisa Eldridge

(The best makeup artist)

Vivianna does Makeup 

(She's good at buying stuff)

Lily Pebbles

(Very cool Londoner)

Charlotte Tilbury

(Very posh accent and uses the words 'gorgeous, luxurious and fantastic' a lot)

Skin.

One of my loves is skincare. I would ideally spend most of my paycheque on potions and lotions… but that obviously doesn’t actually happen! I have tried quite a few cheaper brands, and until recently, have fallen in love with oils.

Growing up, my skin was always okay. It wasn’t until I turned 17/18 that my skin started to break out. My skin changed a lot after I came off the pill, and ever since then it has never really calmed down.

About a year and a half ago, I started using a scary purple gel cleanser from Clean and clean. It would actually leave my skin feeling so dry, I would run for my moisturizer. Then I tried a system by Liz Earle, which is really popular in England. I remember really liking it back in the day. It’s nice and gentle, and you remove the cleanser with a muslin cloth. Although its smells lovely, it wasn't really clearing my skin.

I then switched to La Roche-Posay. Normally I wouldn't want to pay so much, but it was a birthday present. I think this line, which you can get at Shopper’s Drugmart, is much more effective at treating acne. I did stick with the routine; I cleansed, toned and moisturized twice a day, so I did notice a difference. Even if I did get a monthly breakout, the rest of my skin was in good condition.

I am now in the process of experimentation. I have begun using ‘oils’ to remove and clean my face. I mainly use sweet almond oil, or Jajoba oil. I put a quarter size amount in the palm of my hand, and then add one drop of tea tree oil or one drop of lavender oil. The tea tree oil kills bacteria, and the lavender reduces redness and inflammation. Rub it into your skin, sometimes this turns into a mini facial, and then steam it all off with a hot flannel 4 or 5 times.

I think doing this has made the biggest difference to my skin. I noticed the breakouts around my mouth had really started to clear up, and my face was so soft. I usually don’t feel the need to moisturize after, but sometimes I put on  a really small amount of coconut oil… like a tiny amount, or the leftover Roche Posay moisturizer.

BUT… and a big but at that… I started the Wild Rose Detox about 2 weeks ago, which has made my skin break out badly. And so the vicious cycle begins again. Big spot = lots of foundation and concealers. Lots of foundation and concealer = more spots. I think I am over the worst, and now my skin is just recovering.

I am also trying out an organic brand called Michael Todd, which is very popular with my YouTube ladies (I’ll talk about that later on).

The cleanser contains charcoal and the toner contains Blue Green algae. It is supposed to be a miracle worker, but because of my self-inflicted cleanse nightmare, I can’t tell if works or not. Update to come. 

I am very with happy with this routine; although, I think what you eat has more of an effect than what you put on your face. The massage therapist recommended me a probiotic to help with digestion, which could help my skin. 

The Sunshine Coast

Jose and I, along with mum and dad, headed to the Sunshine Coast on Friday afternoon. We bought tickets for the 3.50 ferry; however, we were supposed to leave earlier. Dad had reserved tickets, but in reverse. We had a return on Friday and a departure for Sunday.  Mum and dad managed to catch the 1.40, but we missed it by about 3 minutes. To pass the time, we went for lunch. One of our favorite restaurants is in Horseshoes Bay and it is called ‘The Olive and Anchor’. We have been quite a few times now, and every time the food has been excellent and the service is always really friendly. It used to be Ya Ya´s Oyster Bar, but we have come to the conclusion that a Korean family owns it now.

I think one of the best things on the menu is the Smoked Salmon Flatbread with Capers. My other favourite is the Chicken Tikka Masala. Completely different to traditional takeout CTM; it has Brown rice, edammame beans and carrots. I also ordered a Caesar and I played around with the camera, so I didn´t mind so much that we had to wait. I picked up some new sunglasses, faux D&G and some invisible band aids to cover the world’s biggest and ugliest spot on my chin.

After waking up on the beautiful sunshine Coast, lounging on the sofa, drinking a nice cup of instant coffee, and eating a good English breakfast, Jose and I headed out for a walk on the beach. The weather wasn’t great, but it wasn’t raining either. I threw the stick into the sea for Rocky about 30 times, until my hands were red, raw and wrinkly.

After, I exercised on the beach. I did three rounds of jumping jacks, push-ups, knee-ups and jumping step-ups. Next I did 6 sprints on the beach. To finish off, I did three rounds of 20 lunges and frog jumps. I’m not sure how long it was, maybe 30ish minutes, but enough to leave my red and sweaty.

In the afternoon that day, I got a massage from the lady who owns Halfmoon Haven, the beachfront retreat where we were staying. She specializes in holistic health, therapeutic massage and whole foods nutrition.  Her hut is just next to the cottage, its very small but very cozy. I am always nervous about this sort of thing, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was supposed to do, and when it involves taking your clothes off, I feel even more nervous. When I entered, she told me to go through and would be back in a few minutes. I interpreted this as - get your kit off. 

I snuggled under the thick blankets, but then suddenly felt that I should have waited. In a split second I wanted to get out of the bed and get dressed again, but just in that moment, she slid the door open…too late. For the rest of the massage, which was absolutely incredible, I was convinced she didn’t like me and was angry that I had rudely invited myself into her spiritual sanctuary and disturbed her flow. After the massage, I felt the need to be extra thankful, but I truly did mean it. We talked about digestion and acidophilus, she game me a sample of her pure rose cream, and then I said I would consider online holistic nutrition sessions with her. 

On Sunday, we went for some lunch in Gibsons. I ordered a Portobello mushroom burger, which had a distinct lack of portabella mushroom.

We took the 2.45 ferry, which is where I am right now. We had a lovely time, the weather wasn’t totally in our favour, but I am already looking forward to our next visit here.

Invisalign... my treatment.

As you may know... or more likely, you may have seen, I wear Invisalign.I started this treatment back in September, after having all four of my wisdom teeth removed.

*Sidenote, don't listen to anyone who tells you that it's not that bad, and you only need a few days to recover! Maybe I had dry sockets, or I am huge baby, but I thought it was really painful. 

I have always had quite bad teeth, clean, but not straight. Actually, whenever I met someone, I would instantly feel very conscious about my teeth. This definitely worsened when we moved to Canada from England. I think 'perfect' teeth is less of a big deal; however, this is not to stay that we only brush them once a year! Especially in West Vancouver... and even more so at Rockridge Secondary, everyone and I mean everyone, has worn braces and has perfectly straight teeth. 

I had been told by my English dentist that I should have gotten braces, but my fear of never finding a boyfriend always stopped me. Last August, I went for a regular check-up, and was as usual prepared for the usual braces shpil. The hygienist had a really hard time cleaning my teeth because they were so crowded. The very next day, I got in touch with Mr. Invsalign!

The name of the clinic is called Fresh Smile. I had all of my pictures taken from every possible angle... horrifying.  Soon after that, I had my mould made. They do this by putting a long plastic thing in your mouth with scanner on the end that takes lots of images of your teeth. All of these images are put together so you get a 3D image of your teeth... my image resembled that of a werewolf.

Next, I had little plastic attachments.... glued...lasered... stuck? I'm not to sure, onto my teeth which are very sharp and you can't imagine ever getting used to them. Then they gave me my first few aligners. The first pair I wore, I walked around lisping and shushing for a few days, and then gradually I got used to it. Inside the aligners, are small cutouts so that the attachments fit. Because I have attachements on almost all of my teeth... unfortunately my Invisalign is not so invisible.

Leanne's invisalign Video

I put in a new aligner every 2 weeks, which sometimes hurts and other times it's not so bad. Your teeth are a little sensitive for a day or two, but then they adjust. Although, I just put in aligner 19... and this is by far the most painful.

You should wear them for 22 hours a day, but anybody who can actually do this must be an angel. I find that some weeks are better than others... I try to aim for about 15 a day. I have been for a few check ups, and everything is fine so far, so I don't feel that bad about it.

In 8 weeks, I have my attachments removed, and then another 10 weeks after that I should be done. In total, it will be just over a year, and it is possible that at the end they may still want to make some further changes. I don't mind wearing them for another month or so, if I can get fantastic teeth!!

Although it has been expensive, I think it is totally worth it but you have to commit to it. I'm sure so many must start and not finish, but you have to just keep thinking of the end result. Even if I have a bad day and I only wear it for 10 hours... it is better than not wearing it.I am so excited to be finished, and to have a confident smile. I think it will make a really big difference. I would totally recommend Fresh Smile; Dr. Daher is so friendly and professional and the clinic works like clock work, really efficient, organized and punctual. 

The other side of the gym.

Back in February, post Christmas season (this season seems to stretch longer every year), Jose and I decided to kick ourselves into action and join the gym. I kind of knew what this entailed. Me, going for about three weeks, and then maybe once a month after that. However, after being persuaded by some lycra-clad ladies, I ended up buying 12 personal training sessions.

My trainer Kelsey, was very in shape, and I on the other hand, felt like a little round ball. First off, we had a chat about my goals, or lack thereof actually. "I want to lose weight and tone up." I'm sure these trainers would be millionaires if they got a dollar every time a woman said that. Anyways, we began.

I have to say after the first week, I could barely get myself out of bed, I just waved my hands around and whimpered.

Now, 24 sessions later, I am a converted iron pumper. Actually that's exaggerating a little, but I now understand why people say that the best way to 'tone up' is by lifting weights, not using the elliptical machine. It has actually taught me a lot about working out, I even own a pair of those little gloves that weight lifting people use.

I personally enjoy arms day much more than legs day, which has actually surprised me. I can only do 10 pushups comfortably, but considering my first failed pushup on day one, I'm pleased with my 10. I can really see a big difference in my arms, and my legs are slowing starting to change. We do a lot of functional exercises using quite heavy weights, for example, squats, dead-lifts, lunges, pushups, pull-ups, bench presses and some plyometrics.

I've realized that you have to work really hard to see results; fast walking on the treadmill isn't going to give you results. I would totally recommend Kelsey, she works at the Yaletown location if anyone is interested.

After I go to the gym, Kelsey told me about a smoothie/vitamin store called 'Body Energy Club. They have such good smoothies, my favourite is the 'Organic Chocolate Monkey' + Vega Sport protein powder, or the 'Bananarama'. They have a new location now on Robson and Homer Street. Definitely try one. 

Some really good fitness youtube channels that I love watching. 

The Lean Machines (two English guys with nice accents... is it weird that I say that??)
Lean Secrets (Really to the point, very interesting and has an inspirational b-hind)
The Daily Hitt (Formally BodyRockers. Mildly pornographic.. but lots of interesting work outs you can do at home)
Tone it up (You will just wish you could be one of them, I find the exercises a bit plank-y)
Flavilicious (A bit hardcore, and currently she is pregnant)
Zuzka Light (Really really hardcore, I feel like I get a workout just watching)
Melissa Bender At Home workouts.

This is a really good video for your backside. 
34 Best Butt Exercises . 

Brunch at the Flying Pig.

Rather than going out for dinner this weekend, we did brunch. We had our minds set on Gastown, and ended up choosing a new place called 'The Flying Pig'. 

I don't entirely get the name... but the location is nice and it is quite a big space. I remember going there about two years ago, when it used to be a Mexican Restaurant. Funnily enough, she sat us in exactly the same table as I did two years before. Also, funnily enough... or I guess not so funny, the restaurant had exactly the same smell. The service was alright, a very chirpy server and a not so chirpy host. 

First off, they served us a piece of banana bread, and free I might add! It was bloody lovely! Harder than traditional 'moist' banana bread... I hate that word, but for want of a better one I´ll go with moist! One couple sat next to us, and she actually refused the banana bread because they were both 'Gluten free' which I could kind of tell from her hairstyle. Apparently I rolled my eyes quite blatantly. 

Under the menu title 'Brekkie' I ordered the salmon benny, and with that a very small cup of coffee. Jose ordered 'Chef Erik’s Croque Madame' which does't really sound like a dish to me, but it was really tasty. 

The website - The Flying Pig