Hola Chica | My week in the Cuban Sunshine

why hello there, yes it has been a while.

The last few months have been my last in Montreal, so have been filled with finals, friends, fun nights out and farewells :'(

Before packing my French Canadian bags two girlfriends and myself headed off to the Beach on Santa Lucia in Cuba for some much needed sun and girl time.

Enjoying the Sunrise

 The beach was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen... Unfortunately I had to spent most of the week in the shade as my Scottish skin would burn to a crisp in the harsh Cuban sun! We stayed in hotel 'Brisas'. It was by far the nicest resort hotel in this area, but holiday makes should note that a 4 star Cuban hotel is more like a 2 star hotel.

 To summarise, We drank lots of rum, ate desert with every mean, and ever tried a cigar or two. It was the ideal get away! 

Glaces & Cupcakes Les Glaceurs | Montreal

Hello all!!!!

I swear one of the best things about being an exchange student is eating all the time as if your on holiday, and here in Montreal there is so many amazing restaurants and cafes that you are spoilt for choice!

 A few weeks back some girlfriends and myself decided to go for a wander down by the old port and came across this little cupcake and icecream shop; 'Glaces & Cupcakes'!!

Glaces & Cupcakes | Montreal 

Red velvet, Lemon & Chocolate Brownie

With a choice of cupcakes, macaroons and Ice-cream, as well as one of the most delicious mochas I have had in Montreal (and i've consumed hundreds) This place is indubitably worth a visit if you fancy a quick bite when sight-seeing down in old Montreal!!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Biosphere Montreal | Facing Cuts, Just Like Our Deteriorating Rainforest!?

The Biosphere 

On no... there is a Nuclear Disaster... better go hide in a locker

Conducting Experiments 

My reaction to one super cool experiment... Can you guess what?

A few weeks ago, three friends and myself, headed across the water to Montreal Iconic Dome... The Biosphere. For Those who don't know, The Biosphere is Montreal's very own environmental Museum on the original site of The World Fair Expo '67 and a short metro ride from Downtown Montreal.

In our quest to go to all Montreal's major attraction we headed down there one glorious Friday afternoon for a day of education, culture and most importantly fun... and I was not disappointed. 

This museum, in my eyes, is excellent and one of Montreal's hidden gems! The staff were beyond friendly and helpful and really added something to the whole experience! They are a true credit to this Museum. Even if you are not eco or science mad there is an exhibition for everyone and we easily spent 3-4 hours here and I haven't laughed as much in ages! 

From the interactive machines in ten first hall, really showing the true value of water to the astounding collection of dressed made from recycled material and my personal favourite... getting to conduct our own experiments and dressing up, The Biosphere has perfectly blended education about a serious topic while enchanting its audience cohesively!!

This is why at the end of our trip I was devastated to hear that it was likely that the Museum was shortly to be closed during to Budget cuts!!! 

We are slowly killing our planet everyday and education on the matter is key if we want to slow down the effects... I find it fascinating that in this beautiful city, people will happily pay $100's for a hockey game yet there is not enough money to keep a beautiful Museum up and running!!!!

I would whole heartedly encourage residents and tourists to visit this amazing attraction while you still have the chance as you will really not regret it!!

Sarahxx

 

Review | Bite Beauty 'Colour + Shine to go'

Bite Lipsticks (L-R) | Tannin, Cin Cin

Swatches (L-R) | Cin Cin, Tannin, Champaign Pearl (gloss)

Ever on the hunt to find some more local beauty treats over here in Canada, on a recent trip to Sephora I can across the brand Bite Beauty. A Toronto based cosmetics company that a pretty decent selections of lipsticks that are of great quality... and even healthy enough for you to eat!!! A rather edgy brand and I love how they are binding fashion and lips sticks together! For me, as you may know if you have checked out my 'Lipstickoration' posts, Lipstick is one of THE most expressive cosmetic and can make a dull dreary day into something a little different!

I was keen to try out a few products from this all-lipstick brand and fortunately I came across this little on-the-go bag of goodies! for $15 there was two min lip sticks and a lip gloss

On swatching the testers in store I fell in love with both colours, and the lipsticks are perfect for even the tiniest handbag!! The pigment in both lipsticks is pretty decent and the smell is temptingly delicious... it does not surprise me that these were made safe to eat as i'll be licking my lips all day when wearing these! I can't wait to be get some creative outfits that have been inspired by these shades too!!!

Keep your eyes peeled for this brand some more... 

Sxx

Review | Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

Josie Maran | 100% Pure Argan Oil

15ml bottle with dropper $18/ £11.50

Okay.. First off I want to discuss the hot topic of argan oil

Todays Market seem to be saturated with argan oil products, from bottles costing $5 - $100+ but whats is all the fuss about and why do the products vary so much?

Argan oil ( also known as Natural Argania Spinosa Kernel oil) is a multi purpose wonder product that can be used to hair, face, nails, body.. you can even put it in that bath! Recently many products have come out that contain argan (including Moroccan oil) but recently there has been a bit of a back lash as these products contain lots of lots of fillers and non-water soluble sillocins. These silicones can build up in your hair if you use these products regularly and can be especially bad for curly hair! product that contain 100% Argan Oil are therefore seen as the most desirable, but this 'liquid gold' product can be pretty pricey to try and here is where Josie Maran comes in

The supermodel and business woman has created a line of skincare and cosmetics containing argan oil that are all organic and eco- friendly... Luxury with a conscience, as well as a reasonable price tag in my opinion.  

A 15ml bottle of 100% pure Argan oil is $18 (£11.50) a bargain compared to some other brands that contain the exact same ingredient! The product comes with a dropper and you only need a little amount as it goes a long way! for the past two weeks I have been using the oil on the ends of my hair (I have naturally frizzy/curly hair) and I have LOVED the results. My curls are sleeker and more defined. My end are sealed and have been splitting less. The product is very light and does not weigh down the hair and its always a plus that its an organic and made in an eco friendly environment too! 

I will defiantly be stalking up with the larger size bottle before my return to the UK this may and I have a feeling it's going to be a god send when the Summer heat hits ... or I go back to rainy, humid Scotland!!

Have any of you tried any other of her products?? 

Some of the facial creams smell amazing and could be next on my wish list!!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Review | Lush Fresh Face Mask ' Love Lettuce'

'Love Lettuce' Fresh Face Mask

Its pamper time here in the Miss Sajja household and so I thought I would review another Lush Fresh face mask. My skin, for once, has been pretty well behaved and I was looking for a mask just to brighten up the skin a little and didn't want anything too heavy that would break me out so I went for one of the most popular face masks.... 'Love Lettuce'!! 

This face mask claims to exfoliate and nourish your skin to leave it 'bright, fresh skin that glows inside and out' well what more could you want!!

As always applying these masks are a joy in themselves as they need to be kept in the fridge so they are cool and refreshing. After leaving that mask on for 10mins or so I rinsed off the mask in the shower and   this was just as enjoyable as putting on the mask. You can really feel it exfoliating the skin, but in a gentler way than some face scrubs. Even after an hour my skin felt very soft and I didn't even really feel the need to apply any moisturiser after using the mask. Within the next few days my skin stayed notably softer although I didn't really see and 'brightening' of the skin... but hey, it is Winter in Canada!!

Love Lettuce is a face mask I have used before and I will continue to use again. It perfect for most all skin types... especially combination as it really balances out your skin... it gives it what it needs most and the best part is it has never lead me to break out so it's perfect to use before a special occasion to give your skin a wee boost... without the fear of spots!!

Its around the $7 mark here in Canada but you get at least 4-6 uses out of each tub so it is very good value for money! One down side though, is that this mask is often so popular that it is often sold out so a little tip would be to find out by one of the shop assistants when they get more in/ make up the pots, we always know that they are happy to help in Lush!! :D

Thats All for Now

Sxx

Spring Break pt. 2 | Ottawa

Selfie alert!!!! Me and Mr Moose

Last weekend, I finally managed to take a trip to Canada's Capital, Ottawa!!! 

Not one of Canada's better known cities, I was still excited to travel to the capital, to visit all the museums and learn a little bit more about the country I've spent the past six months in and in all honesty there was mixed reviews.

'Confusion' is the first word that now comes to mind when describing my trip to the Capital.
Firstly, I had no idea that Ottawa was half in Ontario and half in Quebec!! This will not come as a shock to most, as my geography is notably terrible ( I once though that Argentina was North of Scotland?!?) 

The Guidebooks show the beautiful Parliament building, and the sun drenched canal where you can take leisurely strolls... What we found was deserted streets (even at the weekend), an out of use canal and a parliament buiding that was masked by construction (due to be completed in around 10 years time) 

It seemed like a bit of a lots Capital, with no real main area... I have to assume this was due to the time we visited (End of Feb) or maybe the snow and cold was keeping everyone inside!! However Ottawa does have a few jewels in it's slightly obscure crown....
so here is my 'Top 5 Must See' things to Do in 

Ottawa...

1. War Museum

In everything I read, this museum always came second to the Museum of Civilisation, however, if you are a war geek like myself you will LOVE this museum! We spent a good few hours learning all of the Canadian war history and the involvement of the French and English and how they formed this nation!! They also have an impressive collection of tanks and air crafts as well as Hitlers ACTUAL car that was gifted to Canada after the WW2.

Hitler's Parade Car

Canadian aircraft used to watch over the Russian/ Canadian water

2. Beaver Tails 

This is a Canadian based chain that originated in Ontario that sells a fried dough pastry that is stretched into the shape of a beaver tail and covered with a topping of your choice!! relatively inexpensive... and perfect for desert, a snack to warm you up and lets face it... your in Canada, your going to need the extra calories to keep you warm!!! I have already tracked one down in Montreal they were sooo good! 

Warning: prepare to feel like a Child again with Chocolate sauce and syrup all over your hands and face while trying to eat these!!

Maple Butter,  Nutella and Oreo Beaver Tails!!

3. Museum of Civilisation

The museum is perfect for all ages and a good place to spend a few hours. It seen as THEE place to go and I did enjoy myself a lot at this museum...its just not as much food for thought as the War Museum in my opinion. Here there is lots of information on the Canadians Native American routes or 'First Nations' people as well as lots of important people though the ages. Lots of interesting features but the highlight for me was the current Exhibition on Voodoo. This spiritual and a little bit spooky exhibit takes you through the myths and facts of Voodoo as well as have am amazingly impressive number of used artefacts. as you walked through the rooms there was an erie and enchanting atmosphere, Specially in a room that was full of just smaller that human size dolls that had real human Skulls!! Not for the faint hearted but if you hold any interest in such things it was a rare view into such a world!

4. FOOD

The food was amazingly good here with soooo many places to eat! We ate out almost every meal on our short trip and you can get pretty much every cuisine you could possibly want. ByWard Market is the perfect spot for lunch on the go in between sightseeing and there are lots of little restaurants in the surrounding area. Ottawa also has a decent China town (A lot bigger than Montreal's) if you are looking somewhere a little cheaper to dine, it is a bit more out of the way but well worth a visit none the less. 

Amazing Fish and Chips from Irish pub 'The Aulde Dubliner' 

5. Parliament and the Canal

Ok so yes the main sight seeing destinations are important to see, and the only reason they are last on my top 5 is due to the construction and time of year they looked a little depressing!!! In Ottawa's defence we visited at an awkward time of year (after the winter festivities and before spring/summer)

Parliament Buildings