Monday 27 November 2017

Glitter Eyeliner Makeup Tutorial | Christmas Makeup Tutorial


I am so excited, Christmas is the most wonderful and fun time of the year. I love to show off my joy by wearing glitter during the holiday season. I wear glitter all year round but especially do not shy away from it this time of year. The look I am creating in this video is not a dramatic glitter look, its just a bit of sparkle around your eyes. If you are new to wearing glitter, this might be a good place to start. And, if your comfortable in glitter, maybe this is a fun everyday look for you during this season.

I hope you like this makeup tutorial, I had fun creating it! This is the first of a few Christmas makeup tutorials I will be sharing from now until Christmas so don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don't miss any of the fun.



Products featured in this tutorial.


Thank you for watching, liking, commenting and sharing, I love to spend time with you hear!

xoxo
Audrey





Friday 24 November 2017

A Christmas Tree Tradition



I totally have Clark Griswold syndrome: 'a person who dreams of unachievable standards for special family events'. That is my personal definition of the syndrome but explains me well.

The Christmas tree farm was so fun and continues to be a Christmas tradition that I look forward to but the reality of so much of these holiday activities don't always show up in the pictures shared here so let me break it down for you a little.






Raise your eggnog with me, to the real memories we are creating with our families

Heres to:

missing your turn, backtracking and arguing about directions

crying babies as you jam them into snowsuits that restrict them from walking

bringing the hot dogs to roast over the fire but forgetting to bring pokers for actually roasting them

ornament clusters created by littles, close to the bottom of the tree

kids who loose interest in tree decorating after 5 minutes

eating candy canes and sticky messes all over the house

trying to take a billion pictures and sometimes annoying your husband








These are the things we will probably forget as we look back at the pictures of our holidays and remember all the best parts. But really its all the best parts, its all part of the journey, the experience and the memories we create.

Here is a vlog of the day as well. Feel free to share any of your candid holiday moments in the comments below, I love you guys and love hearing from you.



I hope your Christmas is off to a great start.

xoxo
Audrey

Similar To Favourites Featured In This Post



Wednesday 22 November 2017

A Letter To My Lizzy



Dear Elizabeth

You are a girl, wonderfully and purposefully made! Designed by your Heavenly Father that imagined each one of your details and characteristics and how they would propel you into the work He created you to do, work only you can do. Your uniqueness is your strength, it is a challenging strength to embrace but the most powerful. 

Our Heavenly Father made me the same way but with my own strengths! 

Isn’t that amazing! 

I think it’s amazing!

He made all women that way, surround yourself with woman and men who are amazing in the areas you are a little more weak.

Learn from others.

Do not be intimated by someone else's strengths, be amazed at the wonderful and different things God has done in the lives of those around you.

God is doing amazing work in you, sometimes its just a little trickier to see that in ourselves but it is happening.

Eat and love your body. Food is nourishment, to be respected and enjoyed.

Modesty is beautiful.

Think humbly and positively about yourself and only speak words about yourself that you would speak of others, we are all precious.

Try your best not to waste time and energy worrying. When you feel the worry begin, call on God, stop and pray and ask for guidance.

Work on being flexible. Hold firm to your standards but be willing to hear others out.

Love, you can never love enough.

Love can be a scary thing but it is always worth the risk.

Your brother is your best friend.

Serve others and do it to the best of your ability. 

I think you are amazing but at the end of the day I want you to always know God thinks you are amazing too. You are not amazing based on your grades, your appearance or who your friends are, you are amazing because you are Gods, a daughter of The King and that is something you should be proud of. It’s also a responsibility to be a daughter of The King. We need to live different, we live in the world but we are of heaven and there will be many times that what we believe conflicts with our surroundings, that is ok.

Be joyful, just like you are now. Overly and easily excited, its fun to get excited, it feels good. The world needs more joy and excitement.

I love you no matter what.

God loves you no matter what.





Monday 20 November 2017

Chatting About Sin | HAL | Christian Vlogger

I have had so many questions about sin lately. Hang out with me as I dig into some scripture to find some answers and share my thoughts. Please comment below with your thoughts and favourite scripture regarding this topic. And, thank you for checking out this video.


Thursday 16 November 2017

Shop Local Sarnia Tour 2017




Oh my goodness, I had the most fun touring around last weekend with my friend Cass, sipping all the coffee and checking out some amazing spots in Sarnia to Christmas shop and get ready for special holiday events.

Here is the full video of our Shop Local Sarnia Tour 2017. This video is sure to inspire your gift giving. Lets have fun exploring the awesome shopping, eating and events we have in our local community.



Learn more about the businesses featured in this post:

This downtown clothing store is known for their fitness clothing, quality leggings and stylish pieces that will take you from the gym to the street. Did you know though, they also carry denim, outerwear, accessories and so much more! My current favourite pair of jeans are from One Tooth. The owners and staff are fun and friendly and proud to retail all Canadian products.



My favourite online boutique brings us fresh LA style right to our door. There pieces are unique and always make me feel effortlessly chic, even when I am just hanging with the kids. They are always adding new items to their store and sharing tons of fashion inspiration on their Instagram, its so fun to follow along.



If you need to refresh your makeup bag, rework your skin care regime or freshen your face, the face experts at Caryl Baker Visage will be able to help you. Their trained professionals will welcome you into the salon, invite you to sit back and relax and help you choose products and treatments that are perfect for your specific needs.



This art studio and store showcases a lifestyle that is close to my heart, the lake life. As I strolled through, the colours and shapes of the art and gifts on display, it was like looking at reflections of all my memories on the beach. Anyone who loves the lake will love what this store has to offer, showcasing Ontario artists. I was so inspired to see the unique ways that glass has been transformed into useable art for homes, custom orders are also available.



If you are prepping for a big holiday party, take some of the pressure off and treat yourself to a style by a professional at this chic downtown salon. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the experienced stylists will use their pro tools and products to make you look your best. Styling my hair is not my strength and it always feels so good to have someone else take care of it.



There is a reason the name of this business includes the word 'gallery'. Walking around Artopia is an art gallery experience. The store is curated and captivating and I just want my walls to be as sophisticated as the ones in this store. As also stated in the name and as you will see in the video, the framing options for your one of kind art pieces are endless and are sure to be handled by experienced professionals. The artists showcased are all Canadian and each piece is one of a kind, how amazing is it that we have this gem here in Sarnia!


Again, I am so grateful to my friend Cass  for her enthusiasm and talent, working with me to capture the passion that each of these local businesses brings to our community.

I would love to know your favourite Sarnia spots to shop, eat and enjoy, please share them in the comments.

I am going to start saying it folks,
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Audrey 


Wednesday 15 November 2017

Matthew 7:7




I have been working on memorizing scripture the past few weeks. Until recently this is something I only did when I was a child but I feel it’s the next step for me in my faith journey, to challenge myself and memorize a new scripture each week. Right now I am using a Bible Verse Alphabet that I printed and hung for the kids, to guide me to my verses. I am always amazed how God uses my patterning to often teach me a lesson. 

Matthew 7:7 
Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find. 

First I will start with the second part “seek and you shall find” over the last five years God has used my favourite things like blogs, social media and YouTube to help me find Him through my various passions and entertainment. Seek and you will find God, He is always close and He holds what you are looking for. 

Second, the first half of this verse has recently impacted my prayers “ask and it shall be given to you”. If my heart is in the right place, what I ask for WILL be given to me. Mind blowing right! God wants to fill us up to the point of overflowing, He knows our hearts greatest desires. I definitely was not praying big enough prayers until recently but now my prayers include the asking of things I know only God can accomplish, miracles! I also ask to know and do Gods will so I can help bring His miracles to life on earth. 

If your ever looking for a great way to start reading The Bible I would recommend the First 5 app, an amazing Bible study tool that allowed me to fall in love with reading The Bible. 

I would love to know any thoughts or lessons you may want to share on this verse. 

Peace & Hope 
Audrey 

Monday 13 November 2017

Estée Lauder Double Wear Review



I have been using this foundation for a few weeks now and anyone who knows me knows I LOVE full coverage foundation! I have been trying full coverage foundations for months now testing and comparing and they really are all so different. 

I shared about the Urban Decay All Nighter awhile ago here and how much I loved this foundation for its coverage and long wear. I feel the same about the Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation but there are a few characteristics that make it different. 

First I love the colour I found in the Double Wear, I am currently wearing Tawny and it has the perfect yellow undertones. Having the perfect colour match for foundation is always important but it’s especially important with full coverage because it’s a little trickier to blend in and fake. Second, while the coverage is outstanding with this product if does not feel heavy at all, you have to try it to fully understand. Third, it doesn’t budge all day. It requires a little extra scrubbing at the end of the day when washing my face but I don’t mind, I know once I apply my makeup I don’t have to think about it again. Because the product really sticks to your skin you need to work fast when applying it and in sections. I like to apply a little to my forehead, work on that area and then move on to the next section. 

Another great beauty product discovered and added to my collection! In the new year I am revamping my professional makeup kit and the colour range of Estée Lauder Double Wear will be added to that collection for sure. 














Friday 10 November 2017

Christmas Giving Sarnia

Last week I started a conversation on my HAL Facebook page asking people to share their favourite ways to give and tag their favourite charities. I learned about some really cool charities that I didn't know existed and think it might be one of my top favourite conversations on my Facebook page to date.

If you are in need of some giving inspiration, here are the charities that were mentioned and links to their social pages or website.

Regretfully I include my giving somewhere in the middle of my Christmas shopping but this year I am trying to focus on giving first.

I also know that giving can become overwhelming during Christmas. I am going to work on giving my time more, maybe not even to charities, but with my skills to those in need directly around me. I have also been thinking about using my PC and Optimum points as ways of giving as well.

Here are some local charities to consider this year and thank you to everyone who took part in the conversation last week. Feel free to comment with additional charities that you would like to share or creative ideas for giving this season.

The Inn Of The Good Shepherd

Childcan

Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario

Cystic Fibrosis Sarnia Lambton Chapter

Sarnia District Humane Society 

Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness 

The Sarnia Shoe Box Project 

Women's Interval Home 

Sexual Assault Survivor Centre 

Life's Seasons Care & Support 

Arts Can Circle 

Circles Canada

St Josephs Hospice  

xoxo
Heather


Wednesday 8 November 2017

How To Contour & Highlight Using Powder | HAL | Caryl Baker Visage Contour & Highlight



I always get questions about contouring and highlighting so this video is focused specifically on that. I am using powders to contour and highlight my face in this video because I think those are the easiest products to work with when you are learning these techniques and powders are also the most efficient to work with.

Similar Caryl Baker Visage products can be found at the links below, these powders do not come in the palette form anymore but as singles so you can choose only the ones you need.

Contour

Highlight 

Blush

Check out the tutorial here and don't forget to subscribe to my channel. Thank you for watching.









other products I love and used to create this look


Tuesday 7 November 2017

Wildfire Women Sarnia Meet Up Recap




It has taken me a week to absorb everything I learned from the first Wildfire Women Ontario meet up and I am excited to share a few things.

The week of the event I started to feel nervous, I do have experience speaking in front of people but I have never hosted an event with the focus being on God. At first I started to second guess myself, "what kind of qualifications do I have to be hosting an event like this, I am not a ministry leader", but then I remembered that the enemy will attack us as we get closer to our true calling in life.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober minded, be watchful your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

I armed myself with the word of God and prayer and did my best to move through the week prayerfully. The first lesson I learned, God calls me to places of fear and discomfort because He is trying to draw me closer to Him. When I am unsure of my footing, I cling to God as my strength, its not a comfortable place to be, but it does always bring me closer to my Heavenly Father.

God didn't leave me hanging, I had the support and prayers of the panelists and my friend Brittney who sent me the most beautiful encouraging prayers to power me up.

Once the conversation started with all of the wonderful panelists, all of my nerves disappeared and we all chatted like girlfriends, Gods presence was felt by everyone.

Listening to the panelists answer my questions I received a few overarching messages. These conversations and meet ups are important because there is so much power in numbers. Hearing others speak truths that I also know strengthened my faith and courage to be more bold in my walk with the Lord. We all have these amazing stories about the good work God has done in our life and those stories can be life changing for others so sharing them is imperative to doing the work of God. I need to pray more and seek His direction more diligently in everything I do being unafraid that my decisions don't match those of the world. And, thirdly, the more I talk about God the more comfortable I become sharing His good news with the world, and that is really what it is all about, I want to be the hands and feet right where I am.

God is awesome and His greatness is available to us all.

Thank you to everyone who helped with the night, it was a success because of everyone taking part open heartedly.

As for the next event, I am still praying on that matter and I would ask that you pray for myself, Brittney and Wildfire Women too, that God guide us in the direction we should go.

If you were at the event or watched the live stream I would love to hear some of your take aways, please comment below.

xoxo
Audrey