The Princeza and Her Princ

Today's post is going to be a little different than my usual cosmetics musings and mostly unnecessary pondering. However rest assured dear readers its still going to be "beauty" related (sort of!) and its my attempt to give you a little glimpse into the Princeza's not-so-glamorous but still kind of amusing everyday life. 

You guys asked for this so I delivered!
I introduce you to my loyal sidekick and a permanent fluffy fixture on my bed - my BFF Pooh!

Pooh is a rescue Turkish Angora, he is 12 years old, pleasantly "plump" and in my humble opinion, the best looking cat in North America. I mean just look at him!

He is pure snow white and lazier than any other animal I have ever had the pleasure to know. Put it to you this way - he lays down while he EATS!

Being a cat, you wouldn't expect him to be loyal but I have to say he is pretty much devoted to me and my bedroom. That's not to say that he is "rude" or "ignorant"! He just happens to be indifferent when it comes to other people and the many other animals that live in our home.

Here are the top 10 things to know about Pooh!

1. Even though he is "plumped", Pooh is actually really picky when it comes to the food he eats and he is definitively not "food-motivated" and as such cannot be bribed into anything

2. He takes his food "issues" to a whole new level by changing his preferences on a monthly basis. Just when I think I found his favorite he decides he is no longer a fan of whatever can-type I stocked up on...

3. Pooh has a huge basket of toys he never plays with but show him any kind of a string and he goes nuts



4. Catnip makes him loopy...for a few minutes at least


5. Being a Turkish Angora he has these cute "fur tufts" between his toes and he DOES not like them being touched

6. Cat-like behavior is not his strong point - he sleeps with a pillow, like a human...

7. He hugs and holds on like a child - paws around the neck...

8. He is friends of raccoons but not other cats or kittens

9. His favorite food is my Mom's pesto chicken

10. He is my favorite thing in the whole wide world!


I hope you guys like my BFF!

Do you have any pets? Cats? Dogs? Raccoons?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

Beauty Shoppers Remorse Blues

We have all been there! New products are released, the buzz spreads through the blogosphere and somewhere in between, you end up being convinced that you need the object of all that attention because somehow you just know that it will be perfect for you. Don't ask me how that makes sense - someone with no impulse control like me can justify just about anything at that point. 

However every once in a while I am knocked back into reality and realize that my coveted, must-have product is actually an "epic fail" for me and is now most likely going to be designated to a solitary drawer to live out its sentence. 

Please keep in mind that theseproducts didn't   work for me but probably preform amazingly for someone else. After all it's because everyone seemed to love it that I ended up getting it in the first place. In fact i know some of these are holy grails for a lot of you but unfortunatelythat doesn't   change the fact that for me for whatever reason these ended up being beauty duds. 

Some of these simply didn't work on me, some caused beauty harm, while others just left me confused and thinking I might have understood something completely different in the item description in the fist place. 

Enter Beauty Shoppers Remorse Blues! 

                                                                            Revlon Lip Butters

These lip butters were all the rage last year and it seemed like people were tripping over themselves to buy the entire collection with bonus limited edition shades.

I got four of what I thought were suitable, flattering shades for my skin tone and looked forward to subtle tints plus moisture. What I got was nice colour but texture and gritty feeling on the lips were a complete turn off and something I just couldn't get past. The L'Oreal Riche Balms were a much better choice for me (review here)

                                                      Proactiv Skincare 

This particular set confused me completely and might be single-handedly responsible  for my anti-infomercial bias. 

Proactiv worked for me for about 2 months and then somehow all hell broke loose, with my chin being a heavy casualty. 

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush 

I wanted to love these so much! They are simply adorable and remind me of childhood silly putty which was probably one of the reasons why the blush didn't work. I was even very creative and persistent in my attempts to figure it out but regardless of the application method the Bouncy Blush just wouldn't blend in and what's even worse, it caked and ruined whatever I had underneath.

Too bad, so sad Maybelline!

                                                                          
 Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (pink tube) 

This mascara has been the "it" makeup item for years among beauty bloggers, gurus and makeup artists. On me this smudged extremely badly and the "wet" formulation never dried, making my eyes droopy and heavy. 

I don't get the appeal unless of course I received a defective tube and everyone else used the "real thing" 

Kiehl's Abyssine Face Cream

A while back when Kiehl's first launched this cream, it was said to be the ultimate anti-aging weapon with superior moisturizing properties. 

It broke me out badly, after just 2-3 days of use. Talk about disappointment! 

                                                       Organixs Coconut Milk Conditionder 

This has got to be the worst conditioner I have ever come across! In fact it seems to do the opposite of what it promises because my hair is always drier after conditioning it with this "conditioner". It's a double disappointment since i really loved the scent of coconuts in the formulation but that doesn't make up for such low performance

These are only some of the products that caused my Beauty Shoppers Remorse and since its highly unlikely that i will stop indulging my beauty palate,  more products will be added very soon. 

What are some of your beauty regrets? What do you think of my choices? 

Thank you for reading 

XOXO 

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

New Lust List!

The Lust List with Eve Lom, Clinique, Sunday Riley

As you can tell I am having a bit of a LUSH affair these days as I am rediscovering some of my old favorites.
Skincare is once again dominating my brain but there are a few makeup items as well to shake things up.
Sidney Riley is a brand that has been catching my mind lately and their tinted primer was a game-changing product for me so expect a full review soon.
My beloved Prada Candy signature scent is now gone and its important to mention that this is the first fragrance I have every finished and I have a feeling its not going to be the last one. Must restock ASAP.

What has been on your wishlist lately?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

The Camping Beauty - A Guide for All High Maintenance Girls

There is no hiding or faking it - I am a high maintenance girl! I try to pretend and  act aloof when confronted by this fact but no more - I admit it, embrace it and honor it!

It might not be cool or popular to proclaim but it's the real me so I have decided to make the best of it and be proud of it for once. I have finally made peace with the fact that I will always over pack, I will always have 12 lip glosses in my purse, I will always enjoy a 12 step skincare routine and I will never-ever be the outdoorsy girl that looks perfect in 5 minutes. Never gonna happen!

Despite being the quintessential girly-girl and loving everything that comes along with that label, I will admit that there are times and circumstances when my "maintenance factor" can become a little cumbersome. Camping is one of those situations! The world came up with "glam ping" because if people like me! 

I might be the "princess type" but I am also the "adaptable type" as well so getting ready and figuring out how to improve the quality of my existence even during camping is something I take quite seriously.

Here are some of the essentials that will make any girl feel better out there in the "wild"!

1. Wipes!!! Lots of lots of wipes! 

There is nothing worse for a girly girl (or anyone really?) than that dirty feeling. When running water or pristine sinks are not available then the next best thing are cleansing wipes. Luckily for us today there are many good quality wipes available now, targeting everything from your face to your underarms.
My choice is L.A. Fresh and Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Wipes 

2. Micellar Cleansing Water

It doesn't matter where I am I will always need and want to wash my face. While I would never use micellar water as a primary cleanser i find it works miracles for camping weekends when I am not wearing much makeup. I do, however make sure my choice is an excellent one with a tried & tested formula and good ingredients.
My top pics are usually Caudalie and Vichy 

3. High Quality Sunscreen for Face & Body

This one is pretty self-explanatory and should not apply to high maintenance girls. Sun protection is important for everyone and that includes the boys!
I love the Supergoop Sunscreen

4. Multi-Tasking Balms

As much as I want to bring my entire beauty cabinet with me, I am reasonable enough to realize that in reality that wouldn't fare so well. However being me I have found a way to circumvent that restriction by bringing products that have multi-uses but don't skimp on the pampering factor. A good balm will perform several functions, eliminate the spill disasters and save room in my luggage for other "necessities".
My top choices are Emma Hardie Moringa Balm and Rodial Glam Balm 

5. Multi-Tasking Cosmetics

Even though camping is certainly not the place to showcase a smoky glamorous eye, that doesn't mean you need to leave your entire makeup bag at home. Multi-tasking cosmetics can create a natural, polished look quickly and do wonders for your confidence. Look for quality BB creams (tind+moisture+spf), colour balm (lip & cheek tint) and clear mascara (lashes & brows)!

My top picks are: By Terry Baume de Rose, Givenchy Hydra-Sparkling Lip & Cheek Balm, REN BB Cream, Cover Girl Clear Lash and NARS Multiples. 

6. Facial Spray

This isn't practical at all and it's definitively a frills item but its something I almost always have in my purse. Put it in a cooler for an extra refreshing feeling!

My choice right now is Caudalie Beauty Elixir!

7. Sheet Masks 

This is an item for only the highest brand of girly girls who are prepared for all kinds of teasing and weird looks from camping companions. It takes 10 minutes, it's cool & refreshing, there is no clean up or mess to worry about and your skin will be extra blowy by the campfire.

Check out My Beauty Diary for skin-loving choices!

8. Dry Shampoo! 

A ponytail is only going to keep your greasy roots hidden for so long before the yucky feeling becomes unbearable! Dry Shampoo will keep extend the time you can stand yourself by at least a day!

My pick is the Cake Beauty Satin Sugar because it works great and smells good enough to eat!

This list can go on and on! Camping will never be my first choice but with some beauty loot I am bound to be more comfortable and have an amazing time!

What are your outdoor beauty essentials?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Obsession #1 Larabars

This post might seem a little off balance for a beauty blog but I have wanted to introduce some lifestyle posts for a while and "my obsessions" are an excellent way to start.

I might have already mentioned how obsessive and focused I can get when I discover something I love. It can get pretty ridiculous! If I love something I can be the BEST brand ambassador ever - seriously they should hire me, I am that good :-)

As many of you I am sure I try very hard to eat healthy, choose high-value foods, use "clean" products, be active and avoid the 'oh so tempting' snack opportunities. Usually it's an epic fail! 

The reason for my failures however seems to be rooted in the fact that many of the 'healthy' options just don't seem to appeal to me. I have all the right intentions believe me, however when faced with a bag of bean chips my resolve crumbles and I go searching for something a little less...wholesome. This may sound like an excuse and it probably is (hey at least I acknowledge it!) but I don't live in an area that offers a lot of variety when it comes to healthier options. My cooking skills are downright dangerous and I can be quite picky when it comes to ingredients...I am praying for a Trader Joe or Whole Foods to find their way to my town! 

The key is that I keep trying things out and luckily I am pretty adventurous when it comes to food experiments, which means that every once in a while I find a healthy-tasty gem among all the wheat grass. 

In essence it is not everyday that I find something I like that actually likes me back. That kind of miracle almost never happens to me. 

My nutritionist has recommended a list of items to look for in the tiny healthy-eating aisle of my grocery store, and most of them turned out to be weird or downright unpalatable.

The exception to this has been the slightly overlooked wonder of the LARABAR! It is hands-down the best discovery I have ever made in the healthy food department. It's currently the #1 thing in my diet and I have been campaigning for the Coconut Cream flavour non-stop. I can eat Larabars every day and I literally panic a little when I see that I am down to the last one.

Official Larabar Coconut Cream description;
Are you known to pop in to pastry shops? Would you say that you loooooove the taste of coconut? If so, then Coconut Cream Pie is the food for you. Our mix of unsweetened coconut, cashews and almonds provides 6 grams of fiber and a yummy alternative to the original, more decadent delight.

I tried the Larabar as a huge skeptic and when i opened the wrapper I was almost a little scared. It looked a lot like all the other "energy bars" that tasted like death to me and even though I could see my favorite coconut flakes I had little hope. 

When I am wrong, I admit I am wrong! And I couldn't have been more wrong about the Larabar Coconut Cream! It was so good that for a split second I thought that maybe this bar was wrongfully left in the organic aisle. A quick glance at the ingredient list alleviated my fears.

Ingredients;

Dates, Almonds, Unsweetened Coconut, Cashews and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. 

That's the complete ingredient list! I don't remember the last time I are something that had so few components. The list is so short that I am sure those of you who are not cooking-challenged like me, could actually reproduce these quite easily in your own kitchen. 

I love everything about this Larabar, the texture, the light coconut scent, the wonderful balanced sweetness and the fact that it satisfies hunger in a pinch. I still can't believe this is health food! 

My verdict on the Larabar Coconut Cream (Coconut Cream Pie) is more positive than any other rating I have ever given. Not only did I find a good food option but this discovery has renewed my will to continue searching for healthy options that don't remind me of my epic failures. My mission now is to find a supplier by the case - they are that good!

Larabar flavours include: Cashew, Chocolate Chip, Apple Pie, Banana Bread, Blueberry Muffin, Cappuccino, Carrot Cake, Cherry Pie, Pecan Pie, Peanut Butter...

You can find all kinds of cool information about Larabars at their website and purchase them at most grocery/health stores. I found them at the Atlantic Super Store, Costco and Shoppers Drug Mart!

I hope you found this helpful!

Hungry, yet? What's your favorite healthy snack? 

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Fixations of the Month - the June Edition 2013

Everyone that knows me is fully aware of my uncanny ability to become completely obsessed with things. I do it all the time and I am very good at it!

Case in point - muffins! Last month I loved muffins, I dreamed about muffins, I looked at recipes, stalked Pinterest for pictures, I talked about the best ingredients to anyone who would listen , I consumed at least 2 muffins a day and constantly arranged special deliveries. I was a true muffin connoisseur for exactly 23 days. Today I could care less! 

This month it's all about the muffins better looking, more sophisticated and elegant cousin - the glorious Cupcake. 

Seeing how my enthusiasm is at an all-time high I decided to share some of the things that I obsessed about this June! I honestly can't endorse these things enough.

1. My new Omorovicza skin care routine

I talked about this before and it was featured quite heavily in my skincare haul so it's really no surprise that it ended up on this list. I am waiting to test all the bits and pieces a little bit longer before reviewing them but I am happy to report that after a few bumps, my face is now glowing enough to actually receive compliments. That's a really big deal for me so even though I am still a little cautious, I am seriously thinking that I've finally found "the one" for me.

2. Subscription Box Reviews

There are so many subscription boxes out there now, that it seems to me you can have anything you heart desires stuffed in a cardboard box (or envelope) and delivered by your jolly neighborhood postman no matter where you might be. 

I had dabbled in a few disappointing beauty box subscriptions in the past, all before I realized I was extremely picky when it comes to my products and basically a control freak. Based on those experiences I kind of gave up on the whole idea, thinking the whole subscription trend will retire as soon as the novelty idea runs its course. 

Obviously I was ridiculously wrong. 

Lately I have found myself reading some new box reviews and realized that the subscription fad has seriously stepped up its game. There are boxes for snackers, foodies, makeup queens, nail polish enthusiasts, candy addicts, environmentalists, tea appreciators...the list goes on and on. Overwhelming to say the least! 

Knowing my personality (ms.picky) I am still very hesitant but I would be lying if I wasn't attracted to some of the lifestyle (Popsugar, Seasons, Conscious), foodie (Knoshbox, Fancy Food, Taste Trunk) and healthy snack (Bestowed, Naturebox, Healthy Surprise) boxes. A lot of times I am disappointed that said box do not deliver to Canada or charge a huge shipping fee for Canuck deliveries. Luckily that terrible trend seems to be changing. I am still searching for that perfect box for me and I am bound to find it at the mecca of all subscription boxes here. 

3. Bad reality shows -Big Brother & The Bachelorette 



I completely understand that its trash TV and I am painfully aware that I am just wasting my brain cells by worrying whether or not Desiree will give the rose to the right guy or if the power of veto will change the nominations in the Big Brother house. I know its dumb and that its insane to take stuff like that personally but I do! I do, every single summer I do!

4. Cupcakes

As i already mentioned, last month's food of choice was the hearty muffin, which I loved a little too much so it finally lost its coveted spot to the elegant, dainty cupcake. It comes in so many flavors, colors and decorations. Essentially the perfect storm of cuteness and yuminess for somebody like me. Did i mention the sprinkles? It usually comes with sprinkles - my kryptonyte!

5. Juicy Couture 


I know that Juicy Couture is not everyone's cup of tee - actually I think they are one of the most polarizing brands in the fashion industry. People either adore their youthful spirit, kitschy trendy designs, wild logos and the infamous "Juicy" velour sweatsuits or are convinced that the brand is one of the tackiest things to ever come out of the glamorous USA. Personally I love them , maybe a little less than I did years ago but still Juicy just makes me happy.
I don't know if its because summer has arrived or because I just feel a little more youthful these days but my old Juicy Couture daydreamer has been making a regular appearance in my daily wardrobe.  It inspired me to pull out my juicy jewelry as well - charms included.


I might make this Fixation list a regular monthly occurrence because I know that someday soon I will wake up and be repulsed by cupcakes, the Juicy bag will be replaced by the Chanel one and Big Brother will switch to Honey Boo Boo. I am pretty fickle when it comes to these things

What have you been obsessing about?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

A Tribute of Sorts - My Beauty Story

I dedicate this Beauty Story to my Beauty Idol. the original Principessa - My Grandmother!

I didn't grow up being a girly girl.

My life started out in a very different, complicated way that even though I was strongly encouraged to be feminine by some key influences I preferred to dabble in some traditional "boyish" habits. My extra-curricular activities included tree-climbing, marble battles in the dust, Kung-Foo movies and animated yelling at TV soccer games. I am pretty sure I wore a dress during most of those things (i think!)

My grandmother was the epitome of an old fashioned beauty queen, she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and when I was a little girl I thought her evenings were cut straight from an old Hollywood movie. I swear she looked and acted as if she was best friends with Audrey Hepburn and had Sophia Lauren on her speed dial (if she did, it wouldn't be a shocker!). She would put on her long silk bathrobe, sit in front of her magnificent huge vanity and spend an eternity brushing her long hair, smoothing on fancy, lovely scented potions...making her skin look and feel like velvet. In the morning she would get up early, preform her "spells" in the mirror and finally emerge out of the room looking like she was ready for a Sears catalog shoot (red lipstick included!) The whole ritual was so romantic, so feminine, so mesmerizing and so deliciously unattainable that although I much preferred climbing trees back then, I knew that one day I would want to recreate that scenario for myself.

You would think that with such glamorous genes I would grow up and grow in to such classic beauty, making the smallest ritual seem to be so effortless and movie worthy...like she did. Sadly and unfortunately that's not how things work out.

My beauty life has been very awkward to say the least and my cosmetic interest didn't bloom till much later on, and even then it was brought upon by a necessity, but I am evolving each day like all of you and always striving to improve, to discover that one bottle that will obviously change my life...right? I practice my very own beauty rituals, which are nowhere as fancy looking as hers did and I apply all kinds of creams and balms trying and failing miserably to achieve her velvety skin. I also regularly frighten people with random facial masks each week - you'd be surprised how easy that really is! 

Despite the fact that she is gone now I will always remember all the things she taught me and showed me while she was alive. The strength of our relationship and contentedness is something i treasure so much and the fact that there are so many small things that remind me of her now is an unexpected blessing that warms my heart each day. I don't like the scent of Chanel No. 5 but I will always have a roller ball of it in my purse , just because a small whiff of it instantly transports me to her bedroom and that glamorous Hollywood vanity table. 

She had many "beauty secrets" that she tried to pass on to me but I think the one that resonates the most is that we should always strive put our best foot forward no matter what the en-devour is. Regardless of what life was like for her, she was always beautiful, always strong, always determined and most importantly always dignified. 

All in all I think my grandmother would be so proud that after all her training and constant reminders about what it takes to be a "true lady" her little tom-girl transformed into the ultimate girly girl with her very own fancy vanity table and even her own little beauty blog. 

And eye cream! If nothing else - always, always use eye cream!

What or who is your beauty inspiration!

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Things to Look Forward To - Upcoming Posts

I am sure that most people who have viewed this blog in the past few days are "painfully" aware how new this is to me and just how much I have to and need to learn about proper blogging, tech support, editing, photography, design....pretty much everything! This is a huge learning curve for me so feedback, suggestions, tips and most importantly patience will go a long way to help "The Canadian Principessa" fulfill its true potential.

I received a few lovely encouraging emails, messages, comments and even a tweet from one of my favorite bloggers (Liz from Beauty Reductionista!!!) - so unexpected and so amazing all at once. The best part however was learning that my beautiful (and missed so much!) cousin, Samra, is now going to be reading my blog all the way from our own hometown SARAJEVO (BiH) - a fact that will only motivate me even more to grow and be better with each post!
Thank you for your kindness, it means more than you know and I already know that it will make a difference for me and my beauty brain!

As I am now knee-deep in blogging excitement, full of inspiration & ideas and in a bit of a beauty frenzy I wanted to take advantage of my enthusiasm and plan a few future blog posts to give you a tiny glimpse of my current obsessions.

- Revamped skincare routine featuring some new products by Omorovicza
- Brand Spotlight coming from the UK - REN - skincare brand that i am very familiar with
- "When in France" - Skincare Essentials Order
- "European Skincare - the Underrated Version"
- "Principessa's Glow - They Dont Glitter" - Powder vs. Liquid Highlighters
- "Battle of the Hair Oils" - mini reviews of my top 5
- "Spring to Summer Makeup Base Wardrobe" - Canadian Version
- "Why Mini Beauty is Better Beauty (for me!)
- "High Maintenance Girls Can Go Camping" The Must Have Kit
- "Products That Made me Sad"

- Reviews, Reviews, Reviews...galore...

If you guys have any ideas, or if there is something you want to see or know please dont hesitate to comment or email me! I will try to get back to you ASAP

XOXO

Anja

The Canadian Principessa - Blog With a Purpose

Gone