Rest in peace, Amy

When I read online mid-afternoon that Amy Winehouse was found dead in her Camden apartment, I immediately thought it was the work of heartless hackers. 

I know that it’s been said for years that if Amy doesn’t quit drugs and alcohol that she would wind up dead; I just hoped and prayed that it wouldn’t end up like that.  But after scouring the net and checking reputable sites, the truth came out—Amy Winehouse, 27 years old, was in fact, dead.

I became a fan of hers after a friend lectured me time and time again how insanely great and talented she was.  Every time we spoke he would tell me to go to HMV or any store and buy the album (yes, my friend still frequents music stores and actually purchases CDs). 

Before I considered purchasing her music, I youtubed her and listened to a couple of songs. And yes, my friend was right; Amy’s voice was indeed a gift.  But I will admit that I enjoyed her music waaay after the hype surpassed.  I like to make my own decisions about an artist, and not feel influenced by what everyone is saying.

Since discovering her and downloading the Back to Black cd, I have become a bona fide fan.  I listen to at a couple of songs daily.  It’s funny how she can speak of being dependent on alcohol and drugs and make it sound entertaining, sad and tragic—all at the same time. 

It’s incredibly sad that she had to leave us so soon, but I hope that she is able to find the solace and peace that she was seeking.

Rest in peace, Amy

Fave Amy Tracks

Just Friends

Love is a Losing Game

You Know I’m No Good

Me and Mr. Jones

-Michelle

Product Review

Retro-Lush – Shave The Planet and Cosmetic Lad

Instead of reviewing another Lush product for the ladies (psst..I’m sure I will be back to reviewing products for the girls next month!), I wanted to include the male perspective. I wanted a very manly review of a few beauty products. I'm kinda curious to know what the fellas like.

So I eagerly enlisted the help of a supercool guy (he’s probably one of the few guys that can handle my incessant teasing. You rock, Frederico!) and asked him to tell me what he thought of Lush’s Shave the Planet and Cosmetic Lad. In true Frederico form, he felt the only way to express his opinion was through poetry. Check it out!

Shave the Planet

I never thought
I would find out
What it is like
To smear shortening all over my face
I now have an approximation.

Charged by Simone (aka Michelle) with sampling and reviewing Retro-Lush’s Shave The Planet and Regular Lush’s Cosmetic Lad (Facial Moisturizer),
I tried both
Shave the Planet is a goop you could eat
Acai juice from palm trees in Central and South America
Coconut and wheat germ oil
Pumpkin seed oil
Bamboo infusion (you probably can’t eat this)
All of it blended into a dense smoothie injected into a mini-bucket
I slather it on a face covered with a 5 day fuzz, scooping out glops
I begin to shave
It works. Generally.
The blades are becoming jammed with glunk
Some hairs aren’t cut
But act of shaving feels so smooth
Where once my jaw was covered by coarse hair
It is clean, moisturized
And yet, and yet
so greasy, so greasy
And now because of using the glurp called Retro-Lush’s Shave The Planet
I have no reason to use Regular Lush’s Cosmetic Lad (Facial Moisturizer)
because it would be as if I dumped butter, margarine and olive oil into a Teflon-covered skillet to fry up bacon: It would be too much
My clean, moisturized face feels swell, smells fresh
And I will remember
To use plenty of hot water
To clean out
The blades

Cosmetic Lad (Facial Moisturizer)

I used it twice with regular shaving cream and it was fine
Such a fresh smell
Some say there is a whiff of lavender
Some say honey water
Or even tangerine
I say it smells fresh and fruity, like papaya
And smeared on my face, it feels good, soft
As if I had just put very over-ripe papaya all over my jaw
It is impossible to use this moisturizer with Retro-Lush’s Shave The Planet
(Too much greasy, moisturizing goodness)
I will alternate between the two in order to enjoy the two
in this crappy little apartment which lacks proper air flow and treated/varnished floors


Thanks for the sexy poem, Frederico. I will admit that your flowery words worked some magic on me and I am thisclose to caressing your skin to see if it is as smooth as you say it is! LOL

Michelle

Affordable summer dresses for work and play

Joe Fresh

Hi, my name is Michelle and I am addicted to Joe Fresh dresses. Seriously, my closet is overflowing with a ridiculous amount of dresses that I have bought over the past 4 years. Yep, I’m hooked and I don’t care who knows it!


I can’t help my addiction. It is soooo easy to plunk down a few dollars on anything Joe Fresh from their cosmetics to their shoes. However, their classic yet chic dresses are my absolute weakness.


On my most recent visit to one of the few stand alone stores in the city, I honestly felt like a kid in a candy store. Colourful, stylish clothes surrounded me. I was intoxicated by the amount of clothes that I had to choose from.  I didn’t know what to try on first.


I did manage to find 2 super cute dresses that I can add to my wardrobe. I know I don’t NEED another dress, but they were just too precious to pass up—not to mention inexpensive!

This is what I got on my last Joe Fresh visit.

This blue, patterned shift dress is perfect for work. I can pair it with a fitted blazer and an understated necklace and I’m good to go. It’s also something that I can wear to happy hour. All I have to do is toss the jacket, add some heels and a dangly necklace and all eyes will be on me! This cute little number cost just $29.00.

This flirty dress is my fave dress so far. It may look like a simple sun dress, but once I put it on, I realized its potential.

It completely hugged my body and accentuated my curves. I thought that I would be able to wear it to work, but the plunging neckline may be more appropriate for a hot date! LOL!

Although this dress cost a measly $19, it made me feel sexy and feminine. If I wanted to totally upgrade the look, all I have to do is pair it with an edgy wedge heel and a bold necklace.

So that's my latest buy from Joe Fresh.  I'm sure by the end of the summer I will have bought even more dresses!



Have you shopped at Joe Fresh recently? If so, let me know what you bought!






Michelle