Update: Where Have I Been?

 Since we last spoke, a whirlwind of things have been happening and though I've missed blogging I have been forced to prioritize everyday things over being able to sit down for a minute and produce content. Not to worry, they have been mostly good things but they have demanded quite a lot of my time. 

I have pondered whether I should share what's been happening, and how much I should share and I've decided to share only that which will affect this blog moving forward so as to maintain some privacy for my family and myself but still keep you guys in the loop a bit. So I'll stop rambling and give you my updates:

1. We're having a baby!!!

I learnt that contrary to popular belief, you're pregnant for more than nine months. I have found myself seeking out mommy blogs of calm mothers who juggle earning as well as being caregiver and I feel like that will be an added element of the blog in the future. I know that our lives will change beyond anything we can imagine so I am just taking it one day at a time and trying not to figure out how or who I'll be after the birth.

2.  I have closed/ put on hold my jewellery business

When I first started Namesake, I was working for myself and could handle quality control, processing and customer service because I could structure my time. Once I started working for someone else it became a definite struggle. It required using a delivery man, and someone who was unfamiliar with following up with customs and/or customers to handle queries. Further, asking clients to wait eight hours for a response to an inquiry was not a good idea. Eventually, because I could not get the help I needed, we decided to close the store for now.

3. I've been assigned more responsibility

I am now in charge of more than just myself. This means ultimately I have less time for myself at work but more things to do. This has required some massive re-organization in the way I carry out my daily tasks and requires me to learn and carry out management skills I had previously relied on infrequently. I now have to actively work on growing myself as a person and an employee and it's been quite the learning curve.

4. I'm writing a book...

Sigh. I'm writing a book I hope to finish by the end of this year. I feel compelled to write it and to finish it. I will be sharing snippets right here on the blog so you can look out for that. I really really hope you like it and will be able to see my vision and why it's so important for me to write it.

There are many more changes I wish I could share with you. Some you will notice if you pay close attention over time, others will have to remain a secret. I have a new appreciation for personal style and clothes, now that I can't fit into 80%  of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe so I know I will be curating my style and the things I talk about on this blog more carefully from here on out.

Thank you so much for sticking with me through this time and look out for more posts in the future.

'til lata,

*Jane

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Top Three Beauty Favourites - October

Every month or so I try to switch up my beauty routine and try something new or challenging. This not only helps to keep me on my toes, but it also helps me to use all the products I have in my beauty stash. In October I wanted to delve into the Fall beauty trends and try darker wine and berry colours on my cheeks and lips. These are the products that I kept reaching for over and over again:

L-R : JORDANA EASY LINER IN CABERNET, TERRA KISS & PLUSH PLUM; L'OREAL INFALLIBLE LIPSTICK IN PERSISTENT PLUM NO 737; MAYBELLINE COLOSSAL VOLUME EXPRESS WATERPROOF MASCARA IN GLAM BLACK; MAC SHEERTONE SHIMMER BLUSH IN AMBERING ROSE

Lips

Fall is all about the dark lips and I am a big lover of red and plum lips. I have been pairing the L'Oreal Infallible lipstick which is a deep plummy red with different shades of lip liner to change its undertone. This is a good way to change up your lipcolour slightly without having to shell out for a new lipstick. The redder lip liner makes the lipstick look more red, the plum one more purple and the brown one deeper like a raisin colour. These pairings give an all day stain that stayed on my lips through a meal, drinks and a three hour long meeting. Though not moisturizing, you can easily swipe on chapstick over the combo to keep your lips supple. You can purchase these at Discount Pharmacy in Manor Park or the Beauty Counter at Chesterville Pharmacy.

Cheeks

I wanted to try darker colours with shimmer to add some sparkle to the matte colours I was wearing and to also skip the highlighter. I went back to the MAC sheer tone because it gave the option of a sheer layer or building it up to a bolder cheek. It also layered really well over an orange blush for a different tone.

Eyes

With the focus on the lips and cheeks, I wanted to go minimal with the eyes which meant no eyeshadow. I reverted to my all time favourite mascara - Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express paired with a thin line on the top of my eyelid. The mascara creates long thick fluttery lashes that are super black and perfect for day or night.

Extra

I had to add in Biotin as a favourite I finished earlier on because it has done wonders for my hair. Along with my routine it has strengthened and thickened it. If you want to read more about that, you can see it here.

What have you been loving for the month of October and what are you eager to try this month?

Till later,

*Jane

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Growing Longer Hair With Biotin

Some time ago I had posted  on my Facebook page about how fast my hair was growing and how one of the things that caused a tremendous difference was the addition of a Biotin supplement.

This post will deal with some of the more popular questions I've been asked since then. Please note that though the Biotin was the main thing encouraging hair growth it wasn't the only thing. If you want a more detailed explanation of my hair routine you can go here .

Alright,  I started taking Biotin in July of this year. I took the Sundown brand with the 5000 microgram (mcg) capsule in the High Potency formula. I chose this brand because it claimed to be an all natural formula made with vegetable rather than animal products. It comes in in an orange bottle with 60 filled capsules. The capsules are clear and are filled with a fine white powder. It is not a small capsule by any means so if you are uncomfortable swallowing pills maybe this brand is not for you. I took the capsule once a day with meals as was indicated. Biotin also has the claim of speeding up your metabolism but that is for another post.

Here are the pros and cons:

Pros
-increased the speed at which my hair grew
-increased the healing time for cuts,  scrapes and mosquito bites
-allowed for my hair to grow thicker and stronger
-improved the overall complexion of my skin by evening out my skin tone
-made my nails grow faster and stronger and longer w/o breakage or splitting.

Cons
-I had acne flare ups on my face, neck and shoulders
-it makes you suuuuper thirsty forcing you to drastically increase your liquid intake
-to control the acne you need to make sure that you're hydrating with water not any sugary drink or you will bloat

Other FAQ
-It does not have any taste and did not dissolve on my tongue
-it did not cause upset stomach or diarrhoea
-it did not increase/decrease my appetite
-it did not cause me to lose or gain weight on its own
-it didn't cause gas or bloating
-it didn't affect my menstrual cycle
-my hair did not fall out
-all your hair will grow quicker including legs , arm pits etc

I am currently finished with my second bottle and am taking a month off before continuing to take it. I've achieved the growth spurt I wanted so I might reduce the amount of micrograms I take daily.

I hope I've answered all your questions but if you have any more please feel free to leave a comment or contact me on Facebook.

Till later,
**Jane

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