Spring Clean Up Lists!

It's that time of year when the weather gets warmer and everything starts fresh! Every spring I like to do a major 'spring cleaning' day (or two) to get everything ready for the nice summer weather. I've been spending some of my time over the past few weekends to kick start my list and get things in gear. Here's what I like to do:

1. Clean out the garage with old junk and discard items that are no longer needed.
2. Store away all winter items (ie. shovels, snow brushes, winter coats, boots etc...)
3. Wash the garage and driveway to get rid of all the salt and sand from the long winter months.
4. Rake all of the dead grass and leaves.
5. Wash my front walk way and front door.
6. Give the garden soil some turning and churning to incorporate air for good growth.
7. Make sure all garden hoses are working and there are no leaks....
8. Pick up all trash and litter around the yard that might have been sitting around underneath the snow.
9. Give my car a really good cleaning (inside & out) from all of the winter dirt and grim.
10. Get rid of all of the garden weeds that are starting to grow. It's important to get the garden weeds under control early to make it manageable throughout the summer.

(Of course in between all of this, going to grab Starbucks or getting an ice cream or two, is also essential as well!)

What's on your typical spring cleaning list?

~RANDOMiss

Oh Joy!

After a month of gloominess, sadness and just being blah...things need to be bright and cheery! If you follow the blogger Joy Cho you know that she recently released her book called 'oh joy!'. Looking at the title and the front cover alone, I knew I needed to get this book! With bright colours, random objects and with many ways to create and give joy, it seemed like the perfect book to fill the blah in my life and it's definitely lived up to its expectations...

I absolutely love this book! It's an instant pick me up and has many inspiring projects and pictures! I love the bright colours and coordinated pictures. I love every inch of it! What I like the most is that anytime I am feeling in a lull, I can turn a page in this book and instantly feel motivated or inspired to work on a project or try something new. I think some of us can use the extra motivation once in awhile. I especially love to look at the photography (which is extremely well done) while sipping my morning coffee and listening to the birds outside.... It would also make a great gift or a coffee table book as well.

My favourite project displayed in the book is the Dotty Wall Art - I can't wait to try this project out!

I love this book and during a difficult time, this book has brought about a lot of light and positivity, which I am grateful for. Regardless of the circumstances, this would definitely be a book that I would recommend for anyone's book collection!

~RANDOMiss

My Everyday Skincare Tips

1. Drink lots of water! Add lemon for a different taste and other added vitamins.
2. Wash your face twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening
3. Remove all of your makeup. Invest in some really good makeup remover wipes! The Costco brand, Kirkland, are my favourite!
4. Use a fresh face cloth every time you wash your face. Don't reuse any towels as dirt can be trapped and transferred back to your clean skin.
5. Take cod liver oil. It does magic for your skin!
6. Eat your fruits and veggies! The easiest way for me to do this is by drinking my green juice. If I don't drink it, my skin does not have a glow.
7. Change/wash your pillow case atleast once a week. At night all of the dirt and sweat gets transferred to your pillow case. It's important to clean it once a week.
8. Use an eye cream no matter how young you are.
9. Use a face mask once a week to give your skin a deep cleanse.
10. Invest in the clarisonic! I would not go back to the days where I didn't have one.

What are you skincare tips?

~RANDOMiss

Saying Goodbye Is Not Easy

It's been a very long time since I've posted anything on the blog. I sincerely apologize for this. On April 10, 2015 I lost my grandfather who was 85 years old. While he lived his life to the fullest potential, it doesn't make it easier to say goodbye. I am extremely close with my grandparents and this loss has been the hardest thing I've ever had to go through.

He went in for open heart surgery on the morning of April 10th. While the surgery was successful, he suffered from complications afterwards. I thought I was driving to the hospital to see him in recovery but instead I went to meet an unexplained circumstance.

My grandfather has only ever shown me love - unconditional love. Even if he did get angry, it was because he cared. Some of the best memories I have of him are from my childhood, which involved playing ball, feeding the birds or buying slurpies for us. He always instilled his knowledge and gave us his advice when we were troubled or lost. I will never forget his blue eyes, or all the times he smiled or laughed, or the way he walked, his shoes that he wore or how he answered the phone. I even know his favourite Tim Hortons order: small decaf coffee with 2 cream and 1 sugar. There are just so many things I can write about him...

I've never experienced loss this close to me. Unless you go through it, you don't know the pain involved with losing a loved one so close and dear to you. It's been three weeks yes, but it's also been three very hard weeks. I'm not sure if my life will ever be the same. No matter how much you try to move on, there is always a little empty space in my heart that misses him so much. But I remember him in my day to day life, whether its through the sunshine, the flowers or the wind.

I only have one grandmother left now. While it's sad that we always remember after something tragic happens to hold the ones that are close to us even closer, we should always try to remember to laugh a little harder, cuddle a little more or hug a little longer. Even though my grandfather lived his life to 85, 85 years was still too short...

You will be missed greatly and will forever be in our hearts...

~RANDOMiss

How I Like To Spend My Friday Nights

1. Order take out. This is a must every Friday night! For my husband and I, we like anything from sushi, Greek, Chinese, pizza or Indian.
2. Watch my favourite TV show. Right now its Scandal, Suits or Downton Abbey.
3. Watch a movie. Depending on what we can rent and what's available.
4. Play some board games! I like to play Scrabble or Yahtzee.
5. Believe it or not, sometimes I like to spend my Friday nights cleaning up. For me its therapeutic. I like having to spend only a few hours to get the entire house clean and finishing all my chores. This leaves me with the entire weekend free!

How do you like to spend your Friday nights?

~RANDOMiss

Books I've Been Reading

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone
After my trip to Universal Studios in Orlando earlier this year, I caught the Harry Potter bug yet again! I mean, I'm a die hard fan of Harry Potter, so it doesn't take much to get me in the mood. I've read the series several times, but I just can't get enough of it! I had to re-read this classic and all time favourite! I want to read the rest of the series as well, but there are so many new books to read with so little time...

Walt Disney's Biography
I was mesmerized by Disney World during my recent trip there, and I began to think about Walt Disney and the person he was, his dreams and ambitions and how he was able to make it all possible. I came across his biography in a gift shop and I had to buy it. I've read about half through the book and it's simply amazing! I think the biggest thing I can take away from his life so far is that he went through many, many ups and downs, and obstacles to get his enterprise to where it is today.

Unbroken
I had bought this book awhile back in the Fall and I just never got around to reading it. After I heard great things about the movie, it inspired me a little more to read it. Once I started however, I could not put the book down! I've gained so much knowledge on other aspects of WWII which I never knew about. The trials and tribulations that Louie goes through is simply incredulous, unbelieving and jaw dropping. This is a true story, and a really amazing one at that. It's a story that will not waste your time and have you thinking about it for days to come.

Dead Wake
Currently reading this bestseller about a passenger cruise ship tragedy during WWI. I'll update you on what I think in my next book post.

What have you been reading lately?

~RANDOMiss

Beauty Uses with Coconut Oil

I recently got into the groove of using coconut oil for some beauty regiments. While I have my tried and tested all time favourite products that I use, I've been using coconut oil to supplement my beauty routines. Be sure to look for unrefined or virgin coconut oil. This means the oil is pure and no chemicals have been added. There are so many benefits to using coconut oil, plus it's good for you and your body. There are so many other uses for coconut oil aside from beauty such as cooking and baking. Here are my favourite ways to use coconut oil for beauty!

1. Use as a conditioner for your hair before you take a shower. It restores the nutrients and makes your hair lush and soft.
2. Use it to help grow your eyebrows.
3. Use it as a natural product for lash growth/extensions.
4. Use underneath eye cream to help with dark circles. It keeps the under eye area looking youthful and fresh.
5. Use over your laugh lines to help decrease the risk of getting wrinkles.
6. Use as a natural lotion/moisturizer for dry skin (especially in the winter).
7. Use a a natural moisturizer for dry hands and feet (especially after a home manicure/pedicure).
8. Use around your cuticles to help strengthen and repair.
9. Use to decrease the appearance of stretch marks.
10. Perfect and natural massage oil after a long day!

What are some ways in which you use coconut oil for beauty?

~RANDOMiss