My 2014 Book list that gives "a young momma Motivation"

As I come to a closure of a chapter in my life and start a new one next week (starting a new corporate full-time role),  it dawned on me that I need something to keep my hopes high, and positivity to motivate and help me balance my new life as a working mama.

I thought, what better way than to read a few books that really SPEAKS TO ME. Not just any book, but a book that I can go to when I need time away from the craziness, or a book that I can almost meditate on when I'm feeling the need to be re-energized from a long day at work and home with family.

I have always been the type to read all types of books for the main purpose of aiding me in my journey while going through various life changes. Which in terms of this new life change I will be experiencing, I thought I would share with you all my 3 Top Wish-list books that I will be picking up and reading for the  next few months.

These 3 books all have a common purpose for me and that is to MOTIVATE me. I want to learn how to be happy doing something I love, all while finding balance with all of it so nothing lacks. I want to be an fantastic Corporate Recruiter, an in-touch and consistent blogger & shop owner. I also want to be a hands-on nurturing mommy to my 2 year old son and a adoring, loving wife to my hubby.

Can I really handle all of that within a 35 hr work week? Do I have what it takes to balance them effectively and with care?

All I know is that Im not looking to be perfect, but I do know that all of these things are what I want and will continue to work hard for.

With all that said, here are my 3 books to coach me on along the way:

Source: Amazon.ca

1. I have been a solid fan of Danielle Laporte since I "coped" her former book, "The fire Starter Sessions" last year. She has such a way with words in her books that make you feel like you're having a direct heart-to-heart with her in your home office. She tells it like it is and keeps you re-organizing your goals and actions plans. In this new book, "The Desire Map", she helps us narrow down a plan to reach our Happiness, instead of our "goals". It is a new way of thinking which she states -

"Your bucket list. Quarterly objectives. Strategic plans. Big dreams. Goals. Lots of goals and plans to achieve those goals-no matter what. Except. You're not chasing the goal itself, you're actually chasing the feeling that you hope achieving that goal will give you. Which means we have the procedures of achievement upside down. We go after the stuff we want to have, get, or accomplish, and we hope that we'll be fulfilled when we get there. It's backwards. And it's burning us out."

 I cannot wait to dig into this book and I know i will uncover a lot more about myself and what I want out of life than I do now.

Source: Amazon.ca

2. Sparkle: The Girl's Guide to Living a Deliciously Dazzling, Wildly Effervescent, Kick-Ass Life
had me as soon as I read the title. What woman doesn't want to live a " deliciously dazzling, wildly effervescent kick-ass" life? I uncovered this book through Twitter when I landed on Cara's (The Author) twitter page. As she says about this book, it is a book designed to help woman uncover what makes them SPARKLE and how they can use these qualities to live a life they desire and better yet deserve. It is like a celebration of your personal qualities and motivation to help you use them effectively in any environment.

Source: WorkingMomManifesto.com

3. Lastly, this book is probably my most excited to read book of all three. Its called The Working Mom Manifesto by CEO/Mommy-preneur of Glamajama, Author and Motivational Life Coach, Heather Schuck. I also discovered her through Twitter and immediately fell in-love with her story and not to mention amazing twitter feeds! She is a mother bursting with a beautiful story to tell of her past struggles and current success. She has made a life out of her disasters from the past and proves that any mother can do the same thing if they try! She is truly an inspiration to me.

I hope some or all of these books end up on your bookshelves as well as mine because they are all great, motivating reads for us women and momma's!

Thanks for reading.

P.S: I would love to hear any of your favourite "Motivational reads" for young woman and mommas! 

Winter Winter, what have you done with my skin! Skincare Routine

Old man winter always has a way of messing with our hair, skin and lips. I cannot tell you how many jars of Blistex me and hubby go through weekly to help our lips survive from being chapped and dry.

My face is a whole other thing.

In the winter, I actually have to change my products, the way I use them and how much I use.

**Since I came across Arbonne and chemical/paraben free products, I have changed my skin care and make-up to   healthier and safer options, which is what you will see in my skincare routine below.**



Normally I would do the normal cleanser, toner, acne medication and moisturizer but in the winter I HAVE to take out toner completely in hope of not taking away any more moisture that my skin needs.

Here is a run down of what I use, and of course no skin care would be complete with out my Mia2 Clarisonic:

For the most part, daily I like to use the Live Clean Foam Cleanser with my Mia2, rinse well then apply my Live Clean Moisturizer. They go hand in hand and leave my face feeling supple, well moisturized and light.

When the weather gets really cold and i feel like my face feels dry (doesn't happen a lot), I like to use my Arbonne products from the FC5 line. They are amazing to use when you have dry skin and need a refreshing dose of moisture protection and a sealed in barrier. These products do not sell in store but online or through an Arbonne Consultant (I use to be one and even though I don't host parties anymore, I still love their products and purchase them often).

Weekly, I like to have a mask night where I use a mask that is good for the specific need my skin has. When i feel that my skin is congested and oily, this is my GO TO MASK! I love Origins products and this mask is no exception. Perfect for drawing out those deep impurities that cause skin to get oily and persistent breakouts. This is definitely one of my favourites and a must try!

And of course all my products work even better with my Clarisonic. I use the Deep Pore brush head, and I find that my skin works well with it. Every skin type is different and you must try until you know you've found the right one. I started with the sensitive, which they advise all new owners of the cleansing brush to do. I found that it was just to soft and wasn't doing my skin any justice. This one works great for me.

What do you normally add or take away from your skincare routine? 

This weekend Wrap-Up/ Blogger Challenge 2014!

Happy Monday beauties!

I am a bit under the weather since yesterday but I have an amazing night ahead (BEYONCE CONCERT!!!!!!!!!!!) so I got to get a grip on this cold from now so I can do my "booty dance" tonight!
As I did last week Monday, here is a small wrap-up of our past weekend! It was definitely a busy one but well enjoyed!


Friday night was a "stay in with pizza & Netflix" type of night, where we just enjoyed the warmth of staying indoors!

We LOVE Dominoes!

Saturday was a crazy day! We we're planning to do some Christmas shopping in the morning but the weather was not very understanding so we decided to skip the malls. In the afternoon we had a Christmas party to attend at my cousin's house and although I didn't get to take any of my own pictures there, I did manage to snap selfie before I left :)

SELFIE!

Sunday afternoon we had a 1st birthday to attend, which I also helped with doing the candy buffet and signs for a friend. Here is the table right before the party started:

Circus Theme

He was so happy with his BIG lolly!

His 1ST ever face-painting! He wanted spider man!

Later that night after the party, we had a surprise engagement party to go to of our close friend and here is the happy newly engaged couple in the middle of it all:

Congrats to the happy couple!

And that was our busy weekend!

I also joined the 2014 Blogger challenge, hosted by Gaby of  Another Girly Blog. There is an estimated total of 400+ bloggers world-wide involved and I am SO super excited about joining the roster! Basically the challenge involves being given 2 random topics per month to post about, ranging anywhere from Fashion to Cooking and Reviews.

This is a great way to meet, connect and work with amazing bloggers who you wouldn't normally come across and also to expand our blogging skills and topics! I cannot wait to kick of 2014 with this amazing challenge! 

Be sure to stay tuned on all the great stuff I will have in store for you guys in 2014, including the launch of my Online Store, Purple Heart!

Yuppie!