Another month has come and gone, and I still cant believe we're almost halfway through 2016! This month's favourites were super difficult to narrow down- I've been trying (and loving!) so many new products, but here are the ones that made the May Favourites cut.
1.)
Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Roll-On Perfume
This perfume has been my all time favourite for years now, but I especially love wearing it when the weather gets warmer. The roll-on is super convenient for popping in your handbag or taking with you on vacation! The scent is an all natural blend of sweet orange, mandarin, and berry - Every time i wear this, people flag me down to ask what perfume it is! But my favourite part? Bragging about this perfumes credentials. 100% vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, all natural essential oils (no phthalates), and environmentally conscious...What more could you ask for! (oh yeah, and it retails for under $15!)
2.)
Milk Shop Stay Gold, Motherfucker Pencils
I was fortunate enough to win a giveaway over on
The Brash Brunette's blog, where she partnered with
Milk Shop Ottawa to give away a couple sets of these cheeky pencils, and a set of sunglasses that rarely leave my head! The pencils have been put to particularly good use in the past few weeks, as I was just promoted at work and have quickly learned that using pen in my day planner looks awful if your day tends to change as easily as mine!
3.
Lemon Aide Surface Cleaner
This stuff has been my go-to kitchen cleaner ever since I was introduced to it at a trade show in Toronto last fall. It's all natural, smells like freshly squeezed lemons, and uses essential oils instead of harsh chemicals. Plus they're a Canadian company based out of Toronto!
4. J
enna Hipp Essential Nail & Hand Cream
This favourite is
also thanks to the lovely Megan of
Brash Brunette! Megan had posted a photo on her Instagram of this product, and after asking her about it, we popped into a nearby Winners and found the last tube in the whole store! (I have terribly dry hands, so i'm always looking for new products to try in hopes i'll find my hand cream soulmate.) This one is pretty impressive so far! No artificial fragrances, and it makes my hands feel noticeably softer. The cream comes out really thick, but doesn't leave your hands feeling oily or greasy like most thick hand creams I've tried.
5. Vintage Silver Locket
Sorry lovelies- as much as I want you all to be able to pick up a locket just like this one, it's all mine! This locket was my Nanny's before she passed away. I used to wear it on occasion when I was younger, but I was so into big, bold statement necklaces that this one tended to sit in the back of my jewellery box unworn. Nowadays, it's rare that I ever take it off. It has such sentimental value to me, and I also just love the way it looks. It's so simple, but I get compliments on it all the time and I find that it just
makes my outfit. My favourite part is that the photos inside are ones that my Nanny actually put in it of her and my Poppy. Now that both of them have passed, I love knowing that I still have a piece of them with me wherever I go.
6.
Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts
A little bit different from the rest of my favourites this month, but a favourite just the same! I have been adding these hemp hearts to everything under the sun! Salads, soups, protein balls - you name it, they're in there. Hemp hearts are a great source of complete, plant based protein and omegas. (10g of each for every 30g serving!) AND they taste great! You can find them at your local health food store in large bags, travel sizes, and even pre-made bars or bites. (Manitoba Harvest also makes Cinnamon Hemp Heart Bites that are to die for!)
7.
Scrub Inspired Coco Kisses Lip Scrub
I have used my fair share of lip scrubs in the past, but I think this one has officially become my all time favourite! (even beating out my
Mint Julips from Lush!) Scrub Inspired is an Ottawa-based company that I first began to follow on social media earlier this year. Then I picked up their Coco Kisses lip scrub at the
Cheerfully Made Market this spring, and have been loving it ever since! The almond flavour is so lovely, and the scrub makes your lips super soft. I also love how this scrub is so simple and cleanly made - just brown sugar, coconut oil, almond extract and vanilla extract make up this amazing product!
Thanks for taking the time to read through my May Favourites! If you try anything out from the list or want to share any of your own favourites for this month, send me a photo at bytownandbloor@gmail.com or tag me on Insta using
@bytownandbloor!
-J