Would you dare..the smoky eye!

We normally aren’t very adventurous with our makeup, and tend to stick to neutral shades. On the weekend we decided to take the leap and show how it can be done in a very cool and artsy way..and so we give you:

 

The Dramatic Smoky Eye!




 

Step 1: If you already have make up on, just leave it, as it adds a layer : ) Apply a lavender pink all over eyelid. 


 

Step 2: Using a gun metal grey, apply to the corner of the eye crease and around the edge of the lid, smudging inwards. 


 

Step 3: With a burgundy purple, lightly apply it from the grey all the way to the corner of the eye. 


 

Step 4: Using the smudging brush, or a regular brush, brush it across the whole lid, blending the colours so that it flows all together.

 

Step 5: Add a white highlighter to the corner of your eye, and below the brow. 





 

To Finish: Apply liner and a few coats of mascara. 


 

Voila! Have fun! 






 

A Friday Ritual

A single photo without explanation. A moment captured- a time to be still, to breathe and remember.

Happy Friday!

What to wear on your tootisies in Ottawa?

BOGS!

Here in our city we get lots of rain, freezing rain and snow. Winter tends to get slushy, messy and just downright yucky. I have a pet peeve of having wet feet, and can't stand it when boots leak. A few years ago I discovered Bogs and fell in love. A lot of friends and strangers have asked us where we got them and what they are like, so we thought we would give a brief write up and spread the bog love.

What are they like?

They are perfect for wet, freezing and cold Canada weather. Your tootsies stay dry and warm even up to -40'C!! They are amazing and durable. We just can't say enough good things about these boots. Plus they come in multi colours, prints and of course the basic black. Our mom has caught on the bog loving train, and found a pair of ankle, forest green boots. The best thing is right now you can find them on sale across the city and online. They are definitely worth every penny and your lovely feet will thank you.























































In Ottawa we found them at: Trailhead, Solea, Bushtukah, Expedition Shoppe

home..schooling..art..

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." John Dewey

a teeny bit of background..

Over the years homeschooling for us became a way of life, almost a part of the way our family worked. It was a long journey, but one that all three of us are grateful for and honoured by our parent's sacrifice.

Our parents taught us through a well rounded and creative curriculum.  Math was not just taught by sitting at a desk for hours frustrated over formulas, but through art, music, science and much more.

Being at home and learning at home, caused our family to grow in it's own natural rhythm. Our parents worked hard to defeat the myth that homeschooling kids=shy, isolated adults..so we were all involved in many activities: from swimming lessons, art classes, science fairs, plays, chess clubs, sports and much more.

The beauty of it all is that learning at home, allowed us to create and learn to express ourselves in ways that suited our own individual styles. 

Our mom (the self taught home schooling principal :) helped us with this list, and so here are a few favourite resources if you are curious as to what this whole homeschooling thing is about. 

Our Mom's Homeschooling Helpful Links

Charlotte Mason : British educator in the 1800's, created an amazing and simplified method for teaching children. Our mom liked how Charlotte Mason emphasized the importance of children and art, and so encouraged us with art units, nature walks, museum trips etc.

The Well Trained Mind bu Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise is a brilliant resource. The authors have decades of home schooling experience, and offer simple, step by step outlines for educating pre schoolers up to highschool.

Home Hearts: When we started to homeschool, the web was not as it is today. This website is a great how-to, and is oh so informative with plenty of articles etc.

The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist is an excellent resource on how to encourage students towards a love for language and the art of poetry.

Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas Usborne has many art books which are all informative, easy to use and have many wonderful projects. Our mom used unit studies and implemented art in all areas of our learning.

and for a smile : ) watch this video 7 lies about homeschooling

Here's our cutie pie John hard at work.

A Maple Syrup Love Story

Our mom is French Canadian and so in our home, spring means the start of a very important time, the only time of the year where little containers of hidden sweetness are stashed in secret spots. It means: MAPLE SYRUP is in the HOUSE! and in all of our favourite forms: maple taffy, maple sugar, maple spread, maple butter and of course maple syrup. Our dad is from Alberta and when he met my mom, fell in love with her of course, but also with  the deliciousness of the real- deal -maple syrup. You see in Alberta they have what we call 'telephone pole syrup',  it's corn syrup and is nothing in comparison to maple syrup.When our mom first brought our dad to her aunt's house for dinner, he was introduced to the French Canadian dessert: a large bowl of maple syrup, with a plate of bread and butter. Our dad was hooked, and so in great love for maple syrup and for our mom, has been making her maple taffy ever since.

Our dad's Beloved Maple Taffy

You will need:
-a small pot
-a candy thermometer
-a glass measuring cup
-a baking sheet
-about 12 teaspoons-popsicle sticks don't cut it for us.
-2 cups of real maple syrup
-Clean, untouched snow.





























Step 1: Scoop the snow onto the baking sheet. Pack it down.
Step 2: In the small pot, boil the maple syrup to 'soft ball' stage on your candy thermometer. This means 235'F. After the syrup has reached 235'F, transfer it into a glass measuring cup for pouring.




































































































Step 3: Pour the syrup in a line on the snow

Step 4: Wait 30 seconds : )
Step 5: Roll the taffy around the spoon.

Enjoy and eat with great gusto because it is so delicious!
Ps: The handsome gentleman is Conor-a great friend and superb taste tester of the maple taffy!

Messy Hair Monday!

It’s Monday and your hair is a little dirty, but not dirty enough to wash away the grime..it’s winter after all and you are trying to push the hair washing back to build up your scalp oil, just like Dr Oz, Glamour and every hair stylist has been telling you.. but what do you do to jazz up that sorta dirty hair??

Try: the Super Easy Brilliant Braids!! 

Step 1: Pick up a section of hair, an inch above your ear. Start braiding the hair in the basic braid.

Step 2: Do not pick up the hair like a french braid, this is just a common old fashioned mom braid. Braid the hair all the way until the end. Secure with a tiny elastic. 

Step 3: Repeat on the opposite side, so that you have two equal length braids.

Step 4: Take braid on the right, and pin it over to the left side of your head. Use as many bobby pins until the braid feels secure. Tips on how to hide those bobby pins here: Bobby Pin Help

Step 5. Take the braid on the left, pin it over to the right, crossing over the middle of the head, and pin it underneath the right braid. The ends with the elastics will be sticking out on both sides.

Step 6: Take out the elastics if you want ( they blend well in Renee's hair, so we left them in), and undo the ends of the braids, until you reach the bobby pins.  Use your fingers and comb the ends into your loose hair.




































Voila! Happy Braiding! 

A Friday Ritual

A single photo without explanation. A moment captured- a time to be still, to breathe and remember.

Happy Friday!