5 Things I'm Loving Right Now ...

Sharing some new discoveries, and some long time fav's - 
that are helping me live life luxuriously balanced at the moment.

1. Di-Stress Mi Everyday Pairing - Miyu Beauty: It has been a busy summer here at High Heeled Life HQ , designing and creating a line of  HHL and Resilientista products that will officially launch in September. So when this little duo of beauty and tea pairing from Miyu Beauty came my way, as a prize when I attended an event for women hosted by  the folks at The Well Connected - to say this duo couldn't have come at a better time does not begin to express my joy!! 

If you follow along on Instagram, you will have seen the di-stress mi beauty tea has been a regular on my afternoon tea breaks. The blend of peppermint, licorice and chamomile blossoms is fresh and earthy - think soothing and rejuvenating together. Being caffeine-free makes it the perfect pick me up throughout the day or as a little luxurious comfort at the end of a long day. 

And when things get a little overwhelming (which with the products/ launch, working on the 2017 Resilientista Self Care Planner and some other goodies - it has been a steady stream of organized - sometimes disorganized chaos) I'm finding myself reaching for a little spritz of di-stress mi beauty essence, on the daily. The serum mist works to calm inflammation and redness, fights stress-induced free radicals, and helps to rebuild the skin barrier to promote, more resilient skin. 

2. The Chocolate Heart  - Laura Florand: While most scrambled to pick up the new summer reading releases, I made my way to the discounted tables of Indigo at Bay/Bloor.  Long time readers of HHL will know how much I love Paris and all things French - and a little chocolate and romance - OUI!! The title of this book and the cover intrigued me to give it a go - but once I started reading I was HOOKED!! This is my first time reading something by Laura and I assure you it is not going to be my last! The way she transports you to the characters deepest, raw thoughts and the way she breaks open the characters giving you a glimpse into what shaped them to the people they are today, slowly peeling back each thin layer in the most seductive manner. The Chocolate Heart - a must read for anyone who loves desserts, dreams of Paris and has a romantic side. I can't wait to read one of the many other books by Lauara Florand in the Chocolate series.

3. Coconut Yogurt - Rivier Petit Pot: Among the many things I miss about Paris is the amazing thick and creamy textured yogurt that you find at the markets, in glass or ceramic containers. Imagine my delight when my friend Susan tagged me that an Instagram friend posted about yogurt that came in little glass pots!! and shared you can get them HERE in Toronto, at Loblaws!! Disappointingly the closest Loblaws was not carrying them (insert a huge mais pourquoi! and the beginning of the hunt for elusive yogurt). I still recall the first time I got my hands on one of these magical petit pots - the excitement to get home and try it! The anticipation of would it be as great as my Paris memories? Mon amis ... if you have experienced thick, creamy yogurt from a glass/ceramic pot you know what I'm saying.  I was not disappointed - and I know had two favourite types of yogurt!! From Rivier - coconut is my go to!! The Rivier brand is part of the Chalifoux family's dairy product offerings which have been operating in Sorel-Tracy since 1920. Be sure to visit their website for information on all their products and selection of yogurts. If you haven't tried yogurt in a glass pot, I say run to your closest Loblaws (not that these darlings are expensive - but they seem to offer the best regular price of $4.99 for a package of 4 and often on sale for $3.99 . I have seen them in most Loblaws stores now, and I know Pusateri's also carries them), you will thank me later. 

4. LIP GLACÉ - in nectar- Laura Mercier: I have been reaching for this little gem all summer long! It easily glides on and is long lasting. In the summer I really like to keep my look natural and I love that I don't need to use a lip linear - it stays in place and the hint of nectar shade is perfect. It provides a natural dewy shine making my lips appear a little fuller and smooth. Though the CNE may mark the unofficial end of summer ... according to the weather specialists, Toronto is still in for a lot of hot days ahead, so if you are not ready to return to lipstick just yet and find glosses too thick and shiny - add this little gem to your make up - visit the counter at Holts on Bloor.

5. Taming of the Curls - Deva Curl: Sometimes its good to give something new a try. I have been happy with my current curly hair styling products - they work well, so as any gal with natural curls will tell you - if its working don't change it. But, recently when I forgot to pick up some of my regular product, I took it as a sign that it was the day to try the Deva styling products that a dear friend had included in a recent care package to me. Skeptically I looked at the Set it Free and Light Defining Gel - I'm use to a cream product to lock in my curls - so I combined the two Deva products. I applied and let my curls air dry ... the results were so amazing - soft, shapely curls - no frizz -  I immediately shared a selfie of my curls with my social media friends. High humidity and blow outs don't go together (at least not after 5-10 minutes of leaving salon unless you agree to lots of product) - so you may as well embrace them au natural curls!  If your products aren't living up to your expectations or you are considering trying something new as a natural curly haired gal - who lives for her blow outs - I say give Deva Curl a try! 

For previous 5 Things I'm Loving Right Now - click here, 

What are you loving right now?

You are the curator of your life so live it luxuriously ,

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Don't Miss a post get HHL Email Updates 

Subscribe to Celia M. Living My High Heeled Life by Email

5 Things I'm Loving Right Now ...

1. Crumb Cleaner (ladybug) - Starfrit:

This has become one of my favourite kitchen gadgets, it quickly makes crumbs (or any dry dirt) disappear. I keep it next to the toaster/bread board and when entertaining table crumbs are easily cleared. Ladies this is a must have - thank you Mr. G. for adding it to my Christmas stocking!

2. Kinky Girls - shampoo and conditioner - Marc Anthony:

Having been blessed with curly hair (though I have not always felt this way), I'm constantly on the look out for products that will help me keep my curls, bouncy, voluminous and not weigh down my (thin) hair. I have been using Kinky Girls shampoo and conditioner for a few months now and have been very pleased with the results. Oh and it smells great too! If you want luscious curls I would say give this duo a try.   

3. The 7 Deadly Zins - Michael David Winery:

This wine had me at its name! Introduced by a fellow red wine loving friend (thank you Ms. Catherine) the smooth, full body taste totally seduced me! A California wine offering fresh ground pepper and an array of spices, thanks to the 12 months in American oak. Dried fruit (cranberries and dates) on the mid palate, with a finish reminiscent to a slice of warm boysenberry pie. This may very well become the summer of 2016 red wine at the High Heeled Life country home.

4. Ambre Vanillé Honey Bath - Laura Mercier:

If you are a long time reader of HHL, you already know that this is a staple in my self care ~ but with all the garden work I have been doing at HHL country home and HQ in the city, I'm super loving it right now! Where do I start in describing this heavenly bath treat? The delicate vanilla fragrance instantly comforts, relaxes and transports me into a state of calm; the luscious rich and abundance of bubbles from 2-3 twirls of the wooden wand - leave my skin feeling silky soft, and nourished.

5. Thirsty Buddha - Buddha Brands Co:

Staying hydrated is a lot easier when you have a little flavour - and coconut water is a great alternative to plain "old" water. But not all coconut water is appealing to my taste buds. With the hot temperatures of summer just around the corner, I was thrilled to have recently discovered Thirsty Buddha. Along with being great tasting natural coconut water it's: non-GMO Project Certified, gluten free, zero fat, zero cholesterol and use BPA free cans and resealable tetras.

What Are You Loving Right Now?

You are the curator of your life so live it luxuriously ,

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Don't Miss a post get HHL Email Updates 

Subscribe to Celia M. Living My High Heeled Life by Email

Being a VIP has it's Perks!! - Beauty Bag Give-away

How amazing would it be 
to WIN this fabulous give-away?

I'm always on the look out for wonderful items to share with readers of HHL & Resilientista and when I came across this great find at one of my favourite stores - Holt Renfrew - I just had to purchase a Winter Beauty Bag - filled with so many luxurious sample goodies, and host a give-away.

The Goodies: Mascara Volume - Yves Saint Laurent; Orchidée Impériale The Cream- Guerlain; Base Coat - deborah lippmann; the cream - Clé de Peau; tinted moisturizer - laura mercier; Gold Dust transformative mask - Oribe; fruit and flower acids mask - Chantecaille; Custom-repair serum - Clinique; perfume - Hermès

and all your goodies come in this adorable beauty bag ...

To find out how enter pop on over to RESILIENTISTA
and find the entry details on the right side bar.


You are the curator of your life so live it luxuriously ,



Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Don't Miss a post get HHL Email Updates 

Subscribe to Celia M. Living My High Heeled Life by Email

Taking a Little Break ...

Me Time by celiam-highheeledlife featuring Chopra Center

With all the festivities and hustle and bustle of the season it is easy to become stressed and exhausted. This is a time of giving and the one person who is often overlooked is SELF! Remember to give yourself a little time to rejuvenate; be it with a luxurious bath, reading, sipping a cup of tea (or other warm beverages or even a glass of bubbly), relaxing with a good book or just curling up under a cozy blanket and doing NOTHING!!! 

How do you take a little "me time" during the chaos of the season?

Hugs,

 
Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Sharing this post with: What I'm Loving Fridays ~ My Friday's Fancies ~ Friday's Fab ~  

A Little Indulgence on a Cold Day ...

Autumn my favourite season is in full swing! creating a colorful pallet everywhere you go. The days range from sunny and warm to somber and cool. As the season progresses the cold temps seem to gain speed, preparing us for the even colder days of winter.

image credit

 There is nothing more relaxing after a long day than getting in a tub to soak away the day's stress and as the temps begin to drop warm up your bones too!

A bath is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a little luxury. Here are some of my favourite bath time indulgences:

Laura Mercier - Almond Coconut Milk Honey bath and body butter. The delicious scent of almond milk and honey bath infuse the bath water, emitting a gentle fragrance, turning my bathroom into a relaxing and soothing luxurious oasis. After twenty minutes or so of submerging my body in this heavenly liquid, my body is left feeling refreshed, nourished and silky smooth.
The body butter is a super-rich moisturizer which absorbs quickly into the skin - Shea butter, llipe butter, grape seed oil and Jojoba Esters work to moisturize and hydrate the skin, while honey and aloe vera help to soothe.


When I'm enjoying a Himalayan salt bath Cire Trudon candles are perfect for infusing the air with a fragrant relaxing scent. Two of my favourite fragrances are Trianon regal & floral - a tribute to Marie Antoinette; galbanum, hyacinth, rose, white flowers & musk and Mademoiselle de la Valliere spicy floral - named for the lover of Louis the XIV; bergamot, orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine, ylang, musk & rockrose.

Cire Trudon candles are from the world's oldest candle maker. They began in 1643 and some of their clients include Louis XIV's Versailles Court, Napoleon Bonaparte's home, and they still supply the cathedral at Saint-Sulpice in Paris. Each Cire Trudon candles is made from pure vegetal material, the wicks are made from pure cotton.  No heavy metals or pesticides are involved in their manufacturing and they are entirely biodegradable. Candles are 9.5 oz, 270 g, and burn for 85 hours. 

A little soothing music is great to help unwind and calm the mind. If you don't already have your own playlist of soothing bathtime music visit Global -Journey Gifts where you can choose from 25 free downloads.

image google

I like to stock up on white Egyptian cotton towels when ever there is a sale. To me white, plush towels just seem to give that luxurious spa feel - at home.

image Google

The final item is a plush white bathrobe to curl up in after your bath.

Would love to hear your tips for taking the cool autumn chill off and what you do to make bath-time a luxurious experience.

Hugs and Blessings,


Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Sharing this post with: Sunday - Tres Chic Style Bits ~ Mosaic Monday ~Le chateau des fleurs  ~  Inspire Me Tuesday ~  A Return to Loveliness Tuesday ~  What I'm Loving Fridays with Simply LuLu Style,

Joie de Viver ~ Affordable Luxuries

original image google- image edits HHL

With Christmas less than a week away, I thought I would share with you some items that I have started to incorporate into my everyday life (and some that are on my wish list) that don't break the bank - but definitely add a luxurious feeling to everyday living.  These would be great gifts for anyone on your list or a little treat for yourself.






Laura Mercier ~Almond Coconut Milk Honey Bath ~ The delicious scent of almond coconut milk and honey infuse the bath water, emitting a gentle fragrance, turning my bathroom into a relaxing and soothing luxurious oasis. After twenty minutes or so submerging my body in this heavenly liquid, my body is left feeling refreshed, nourished and silky smooth.


Crabtree & Evelyn~ Vanilla handwash ~ We were gifted this wonderful luxurious handwash by our friends from Vermont. Mon ami says it's all she uses in her bathrooms and since trying it, ~  it will be the signature handwash at chateau High Heeled Life too! even Mr. G. loves the vanilla scent it exudes.

On my Wish List ~
Trianon

Cire Trudon ~ I recently discovered the world of Cire Trudon candles and to say I'm beyond excited is an understatement. These candles are known for the quality of their wax, which is made from rice, soy and copra (coconut kernal). It burns cleanly, doesn't drip, lasts a long time, is biodegradable and is particularly well suited to carrying pigment and scent. The glass containers used for the scented candles are hand made in Vinci, Italy.

G. Lalo Stationary ~ There are many luxury brands of writing stationary to choose from, but few have a history that dates back almost 400 years. I have started using G. Lalo Verge de France stationary and whether using a ball point pen or my fountain pen, both glide magically across the page with ease. Lavender and champagne are my choice colours in size 5 3/4 X 8 1/2 ~ perfect for short notes and letters.

On my wish List ~
"Versailles" Collection 

Originating in Paris in 1919, G. Lalo quickly rose to be 'de rigueur' for social stationery in Paris and in the royal courts across Europe with its handcrafted stationery. Two aspects of G. Lalo stationery contribute to its fame: the quality of its papers and the elegance of its presentation. A paper is selected and allowed to bear G. Lalo's exclusive watermark only after exacting examination of its texture, weight, finish and color.

Verge paper has the look and feel of handmade paper. It even has the grid of parallel translucent lines ("vergeures") made as the paper was laid to dry. These grids are very helpful as guides for handwriting. Verge paper was made by hand in huge vats, and today, G. Lalo makes the same paper according to traditional methods but with modern techniques.

On my Wish List ~
The Butterfly

Lampe Berger ~ To cleanse and fragrance the air in our home we use various scents from Lampe Berger depending on season and the rooms. Paris Chic is a favourite for spring and summer , throughout the main living areas. For the kitchen I love Almond Pear or Orange Cinnamon; when cooking a delicious meal So Neutral is a great option (especially when cooking fish dishes) - removes odors without adding fragrance. To freshen up the air in the bedrooms (most important when it's winter and windows are rarely open) Lavender fields is our choice.The first Lampe Berger lamp was created in 1898 by Maurice Berger, a pharmacy dispenser, to purify the air in hospital wards.

Hot Water Bottle ~ on cold winter nights who doesn't enjoy the warmth created by an old fashion tradition ... the hot water bottle? Instead of just having the plastic touch your feet ... why not up the comfy factor with a cashmere hot water bottle cover. These are from Restoration Hardware, but you can easily find them in most shops that carry the standard hot water bottle. I have seen them also in Alpaca , wool, faux fur, and velvet.

WHAT ARE YOUR LITTLE AFFORDABLE LUXURIES?

Sharing this post with:  A Return to Loveliness Tuesday ~  My Simple Country Life for The Country Homemaker Hop ;Katherine of Katherine’s Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop; Kathy of A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday;Sheri at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home; Courtney of French Country Cottage for Feather Your Nest Friday; At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday; Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. ~  What Inspires Me Friday