LOVE it; masters n' DOGS Specialty Store

I am writing a second post for the night because this one is a bit different in that I am review an entire store that's related to my furry daughter, Olive. :)

Photocredit: masters n' DOGS

     I thought it was important to give a [so not needed for business] shout out to the best dog store, in Ottawa, there is.  Often I find that people stereotype these types of stores as 1. expensive and 2. for frou frou dogs and dog owners.  This is SO not the case at masters n' DOGS. 
     I've decided to list all the reasons I love them so if you have any specific questions or want to know more about anything related to the store let me know and I'll do a more in depth blog post.

• Their staff is kind, caring and compassionate.  This transcends and applies to so much more than just knowledge of products within the store.  Not only do they remember your dog and love your dog they remember you both by name!  It feels so nice to go into a store where you're not just a number on the receipt.  Shoutout to Jasmine, their assistant manager, for being so awesome and friendly.  She also has the biggest heart and fosters pups waiting for a good home. 
• The variety of products offered is crazy!  Small dogs, HUGE dogs - they cover all their bases.  I know that if I need something for Olive they will have it.  They carry everything from dog food, collars,harnesses and leashes, protective clothing (think boots and coats), treats, hygiene products and toys.  They really know how to make use of the small space in there. 
• Speaking of food?  I can trust that anything I buy there is of the highest quality.  My dog deserves nothing but then best, as bratty as that sounds.  I'd rather pay for good nutrition now than expensive vet bills later. They carry fantastic brands like: Nature's Variety, Orijen, Acana, Go/Now and From.  They also have a great variety of chews - a great selection of canadian bullysticks. 
• Cost of products; as much as people would like to think the store is expensive, it's not for what you get.  Not only are prices reasonable, you will often find a promotion or special on certain products.  This changes constantly.  Not to mention their food reward program - purchase 10 bags of food and receive one free. 
• Another great part?  They carry sample bags of food that they give you to try out before buying to make sure your pup will love it.  They've also been great about giving me a sample bag for when we travel with Olive to make sure there are no problems at the border since the products are still sealed. 
• The best groomer; you would think Olive would run any time we get close to the store but instead she pulls towards it.  She loves her groomer, Darby, and you can tell Darby loves her.  She is so gentle and listens!  Olive has never had a bad cut and always has the best puppy cut.  Plus?  The grooming is actually cheaper than at PetsMart

 Ok, I think I have rambled on enough for now.  Let me know if you'd like any more specific info or reviews by leaving a comment or emailing me.  

That's it for now,

xxx
E

LOVE it (love love love!); Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara

UPDATE! 'Armani Eyes to Kill' is now being offered at Sephora Bayshore for $36 plus HST.  It can be found at the beginning of the aisle in their 'favourite mascaras' section.  :)

- E

I promised in this post that I would  talk about my all time holy-grail mascara.  To me this is it:

Photo Credit: Nordstrom

     It doesn't get better than this mascara. It's everything I want a mascara to be...and more.  [However, keep in mind that in my last post I also specified that mascara is a very personal thing - one mans treasure could be another man's garbage]

     Details:  I purchase mine at Holt Renfrew for $36 plus taxes.  That line right there?  It also gives you, to me, the only two downfalls of this mascara. 1) price and 2) hard to get in Canada.   There are several versions; regular, waterproof, excess and stretch.  I use and prefer the regular in steel black, pictured to the left.

     Why is this my holy-grail-doesn't-get-better-than-this product?

• It defines, coats, seperates and voluminzes lashes without a single clump; my lashes look full and black but super natural 
• The packaging is beautiful; a dark greyish green bottle with a heavy wand makes it feel luxurious and like amazing quality [which it is]. 
• It lasts all day! No smudges, creasing, flaking - nothing! With my previously mentioned greasy eyelids and skin, this is a miracle.
• It lasts for months - I like to only use this mascara so it is a daily go to and yet the entire bottle lasts me at least three months without drying out.  It remains the amazing quality the entire time.  This helps make the sting of the price tag a bit less painful. 
• My sensitive eyes love this mascara too.  I have never had any issues in with watering, dryness, itchiness or discomfort.  

For all these reasons and so many more, I love Armani Eyes to Kill.  This will be my go to mascara for as long as it shall live.... which is hopefully a long time!

For any questions or feedback leave me a comment or email me.

That's all for now,

xxx
E

MEH; Brookside chocolates

 UPDATE:  After contemplating for a few weeks I have decided to change my Brookside Chocolates review  from LIKE it to MEH.  

Are they delicious? Absolutely.  BUT my biggest pet peeve? The product could be so much better and healthier in such as simple way. Let me explain.  When I first purchased these I was under the impression that they were like the other Brookside product that I loved: dark chocolate covered dried berries and nuts.  In fact,  inside of the Brookside chocolates pictured below is nothing more than just a 'fruit juice' jelly.  Really?  I'm not impressed.  I totally thought it would be dried fruit and although at first I really liked them, this fact has just annoyed me more and more.  Therefore they get a MEH from me.  They're tasty and we'll obviously finish them up but I will not be re-purchasing.  Phef.  Glad I got that off my chest....and glad I gave myself 30 days to change my mind! :)

xxx,
E

Today's post is all about taste buds. Enter Brookside Chocolates.

 Photocredit: Brookside

What are they?  Brookside boasts the following: 

"BROOKSIDE artisans have discovered the way to artfully combine smooth dark chocolate with exotic fruit juices. We pair our exceptionally dark chocolate with the unique texture of soft real fruit juice pieces. BROOKSIDE dark chocolate covered real fruit juice pieces provide an intriguing texture and exotic taste experience that provide a natural source of flavanol antioxidants."

I purchased mine at Costco for $9.69 in a 40 pack 90 calorie multipack containing three different flavours: 1. acai with blueberry, 2. goji with raspberry and 3. pomegranate 

Although these are not 'healthy' by any means, they are a healthier alternative to indulging in something sweet and delicious while obtaining some health benefits....rather than tearing open and demolishing a chocolate bar with no real nutritional value [dependent on the bar!] 

These really are delicious too - IF you like dark chocolate and IF you like more exotic berry combos. 

Overall, I give these Brookside Chocolates a LIKE it.  They didn't get a LOVE it because they are quite calorie rich per quanity and because their advertising seems deceiving for the 'health' benefits when in reality these are just fruit juice pellets covered in dark chocolate.


 If you have any questions or comments, leave them below or email me!

That's it for today,

xxx

E

LEAVE it; Maybelline 'The Rocket' Mascara

I have TON of products that I want to rave about and recommend, but I thought it was important to get some of the 'mehs' out of the way....because the point of this blog, after all, is to save you from buying products that aren't amazing.

Today's product, Maybelline's 'The Rocket' mascara, unfortunately, receives a LEAVE it rating from me.  I really wanted to find and love a drugstore mascara.  One that would impress me enough to leave my Armani Eyes to Kill [spoiler alert - holy grail review on this coming up] in the dust. 

Granted, mascara can be one of those products that's not a one-size-fit all approach. Some people love it while it's completely nothing special for me. 

I purchased 'The Rocket' , retailing for $7.99 US,  at Ulta during my last Syracuse trip. I thought I would give it a try since I've heard people rave about it and Ulta had a Buy 1 Get 1 50% deal going on.  

The mascara is just 'Meh'.  It's nothing special.  It clumps, it feels wet and it flakes/smudges throughout the day. It has a rubber brush  which I am not a fan of. Worst of all?  It irritated my sensitive eyes.  I discovered why - because of the flaking I would find pieces of the mascara on my contacts when I took them out at night.  Not impressed. 

Overall, maybe it just didn't work with my oily skin and lashes, maybe I am spoiled by my higher end mascaras but... I give 'The Rocket' a LEAVE it.  There are better mascaras out there, even at the drugstore [I just haven't found them yet].

Questions or comments?  Leave me a line below or send me an email.

That's it for today,

xxx

-E

LOVE it, LIKE it or LEAVE it!

Welcome!

My name is Emina and I am a simple shopping addict from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I created this blog for a few simple reasons;

1. I sort of have a shopping problem; as many girls can relate, it's a natural high! I am a sucker for the latest and greatest but I also love a good deal.

2. I wanted something that didn't exist so I've created it.  One go to place for all types of reviews.  If you want to know what Dior's latest blush is like? You'll probably find out here.  Those Muttluk dog boots?  My morkie, Olive, is wearing them.  Needless to say... I love to try new things and I want to let you know what I think of them. 

What else can you expect from me?

As much as I love to shop, I also thrive of getting the best deals.  I'll be sharing ways to save money on some essentials...leaving the left-over money for the fun things.

I will be rating products and assigning them one of three stars:
One star - Meh - Leave it
Two stars - Like it
Three stars - Love it

Anyways, I hope you stop by as I blab my thoughts, rants and raves here. I hope it's not only a place for me to organize my favourite things but for you to learn about the what's worth it and what's not.

That's it for now,

xxx

E