My Turkish Bath Experience

My mom and I went to the spa the other day for a special treat since our trip to California got cancelled due to the Coronavirus… We went to the Hammam Spa by Céla at Bayview Village in North York, Toronto and it was so relaxing and gorgeous that I just had to share my experience! Below is a picture of the tea lounge.

I got a custom facial for my first treatment which was pretty standard and and felt super nice, and then my second treatment was something called a ‘Turkish Bath’. This is the description of the treatment on the Hammam Spa website:

“Cleanse your body and soothe your spirit with this purifying and refreshing ceremony, modelled on one of the world’s oldest cleansing traditions. Center yourself in our steam room before heading to our calming Turkish suites. Lay on a heated marble table while hot and cool water treatments stimulate your senses. Feel renewed as you are exfoliated with a Céla exfoliating mitt, then experience deep cleansing as layer upon layer of moisturizing bubbles are gently placed on your skin, leaving you softer than silk. The treatment concludes with a final cleanse with stimulating eucalyptus black soap. To finish, unwind in the tea lounge with warm tea, baklava, and Turkish delight — a perfectly sweet ending to this ethereal experience.”

So basically you start in their steam room for 15 minutes to get all your pores open and ready for cleansing. This steam room was SO cool. It is a big room with gorgeous Mediterranean looking tiling and a big pole in the middle where the steam generates. It gets SO steamy in there it was kind of hard to breathe in there sometimes (but I liked it hehe), and you could only see about 1 metre in front of you. It had cool LED lights that changed colours and really soothing music playing. It was so trippy in there it felt like a mild LSD trip with the combination of steam, lights and music LOL.

Then I went into this gorgeous marble room with a marble table that I lay on. They give you disposable underwear to put on and a small towel to cover your boobs, so you’re basically naked. It starts with the splashes of warm and cold water, and when I say ‘splashes’ it’s literally an entire bucket of water poured all over different parts of your body. It’s mostly the hot water that is used but you also get a few cold splashes of water on the top of your head, back of your neck, and all over at the very end of the treatment (but the water really isn’t that cold, more refreshing). After the first few splashes, she then takes an exfoliating mitt and work on my whole body from head to toe. My skin was SO soft after, not a trace of dead skin was left.

The next part was my favourite. Your whole body gets covered in bubbles!!! Legit you look like the Michelin Man, your body is completely covered and you can feel them dissolving over your body it and it actually feels really nice. When the bubbles are still on you, they will take a black soap and cleanse your entire body with it as it mixes with the bubbles. It feels SO soft on your skin and they kind of massage your body as they do this. After that they splash you with more water to rinse, and have you lie on your stomach so they can do it all over again for your back. And as I mentioned before, the treatment concludes with a final splash of cold water on your front and back. After the treatment, I went into the steam room for one last steam.

This was unlike anything I’ve heard of before and it was such a unique experience. It’s not something I would do all the time (it really is just a glorified shower) but it’s definitely a luxurious treat from time to time. The next time I go I want to try a clay wrap!

I definitely recommend the Hammam Spa for any of you Toronto readers. It’s a little pricey but definitely worth it for a day of luxury!

That’s all I have for now!

xoxo,

Sarah

 

5 Breakup Songs You Need to Hear Right Now (Heartbroken or Not) – By Laila Kharouba

5. I Do- Wild Rivers

In their new single “I Do”, Toronto based folk band Wild Rivers muses on a feeling we all know too well— the realization that someone is over you when you aren’t even close. This melancholic song circles around melodically, as the heart does around memories after a breakup. Devan and Khalid’s intertwining harmonies become almost indistinguishable as they repeat the inherently romantic proclamation ‘I Do’, but with a completely different sentiment than one would expect from the song title. I’ve had this gorgeously sad song on repeat since it came out on August 9^th, and you will as well.

“Seems like you’re getting on, I ain’t getting nowhere”. 

4. okay- LANY & Julia Michaels

This song is a simple and earnest retracing of a relationship’s beginning and end. Songwriting queen Julia Michaels sings an octave above Laney (“Thru These Tears”) as the song almost whispers in your ear the question we often ask ourselves and our best friends: “I’m gonna be okay, right?”. The intimacy of the two voices suggests a shared experience of heartbreak while the instrumentation rolls underneath them, pushing them both to move on, and giving the situation some hope despite the defeat made clear in the lyrics.

“Is it wrong to think you’re sadistic? I know you’re sleeping perfect while I’m over here hurting.”

3. Leaving Song- Birds of Bellwood’s

“Leaving Song” is one of the many hauntingly beautiful songs from the popular and undeniably dynamic Birds of Bellwoods. The song reflects on a selfless sending of a loved one on their way, despite a selfish desire for them to stay. Stephen Joffe’s voice has a way of piercing through your headphones and right into your heart, while his bandmate’s voices echo behind him like the words in your head that you wish you had said.

“On the surface it appears that you have always loved it here, but still I know deep inside that you must change the tide.”

2- This Is On You- Maisie Peters

Up and coming British pop-folk powerhouse Maisie Peters has a way of singing complex scenarios into simple and accessible songs. “This Is On You” is sassy (in the sweetest way possible), honest, and tragic. The song is a recognition of what we deserve, and what we don’t, motivated by the anger from years of being loved and needed only at someone else’s convenience. Her vocals begin raw and hesitant as she contemplates a call from her ex, then build into a chorus where her layered vocals chant the words she has finally gained the confidence to say.

“So you wanna be friends of is that on weekends? I was your pick me up, and I would say pick me up, but not anymore”.

1- High On Heartbreak- Nick Babcock

Kingston, Ontario raised pop artist Nick Babcock presents an unquestionably unique perspective on breakups in his debut single “High On Heartbreak”. The song is a moody breakup anthem, tracing the nuances of contemporary relationships where the honeymoon phase turns into boredom in the blink of an eye. Nick doesn’t let this get him down, instead he gets high on the possibility of what’s next—which is often a step closer to where we are meant to be, and who we are meant to be with. The song features soaring romantic harmonies, juxtaposed with a quick, almost rap-like bridge where his lips move as fast as our brains might right before we self-sabotage a relationship. The song captures a sentiment that has not been written before, but has been experienced by many.

“Now I’ve probably passed by another potential wife, bullshit the reasons and regret it every time. But I haven’t missed her in a while like she’s going out of style. I don’t get down, I get high.”

Check out the Spotify playlist featuring all these songs:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2tRCR9tHLHLtKqtXyEQAV2?si=sPQiX_a-Q4mQSC2ydG4CbQ

Follow Laila on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lailakharouba/

For A Whiter, Brighter Smile, Try Keeko Oil Pulling Sachets – By Marisa Chiorello

Hello there, beautiful souls!

Who isn’t on the hunt for a whiter and brighter smile? A healthy, beautiful smile certainly helps with self-confidence! I know when my smile is white and bright, I actually enjoy smiling.  Okay, okay, I totally show it off- guilty as charged! But, sometimes we can’t get a whiter and brighter smile by getting our teeth cleaned every six months. There are so many drinks and food out there that stain our teeth. Unfortunately for me, coffee is one of them. I noticed that because of my caffeine habit, my teeth become slightly stained over time. I searched for teeth whitening products and finally found a super cool, successful one! Here’s why you should try Keeko Oil Pulling Sachets!

                  What Is Oil Pulling And Oil Pulling Sachets?

Keeko and all of its products are Australian made and owned. However, they really care about all of their customers. They are dedicated to your complete satisfaction. If you don’t live in Australia you can still order the products. Are you ready to try oil pulling?

Oil pulling is known for its various benefits such as whitening teeth, getting rid of bad breath, preventing cavities, strengthening teeth and gums, and detoxing your mouth and your body. It’s all natural! So, when I discovered these sachets I knew I had to try them! I was ready to transform my teeth!

Keeko oil pulling sachets are tiny packets filled with organic coconut, lemon, chamomile, myrrh, peppermint, and spearmint oils. These sachets come in different flavours such as Sweet Sensation and Citrus Burst. I tried all of them, but Morning Mint is my absolute favourite!

                  How To Use Oil Pulling Sachets

In order to see successful results, you’ll have to use one packet for fourteen days. First, the packet of oil is pretty hard. You’ll have to massage the packet with your hands, or run it under warm water, in order to activate the oil. Once that’s done, you’re ready to start! Just open the packet, put the oil in your mouth, and swish!

You should swish the oil in your mouth for five to fifteen minutes. I found that the longer I swished the oil in my mouth, the better the result! So, I recommend setting a timer for fifteen minutes.  You must spit the oil into a garbage bin after the fifteen minutes are done, because it can clog your sink! After that, just brush your teeth!

The Benefits Of Keeko Oil Pulling Sachets

You will finally have a whiter, brighter smile after using these sachets! And, it only takes a matter of weeks! Also, these sachets are gentle, dentist recommended, vegan, organic, not tested on animals, gluten free, and non- GMO! They are really good for you, and you don’t have to worry about any negative side effects. I know I didn’t!

After fourteen days, I really saw and felt a difference in my teeth. Now, I can’t stop smiling!

If you decide to try Keeko Oil Pulling Sachets, let me know! You can order them at www.keekooil.com for $38.95AU. They are also available at Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People!

Until next time,

Marisa

What’s In Your Closet? – By CarrieJ

Hopefully, no skeletons!

Recently, I have been thinking about my closet and the colours I like to wear.

When I was about 10, my favourite colour was pink. Everything had to be pink. My dress was pink. My shoes and everything I could possibly own HAD to be pink! Then puberty hit and I changed my fun favourite colour to orange – that lasted for 2 years and until the hormonal surge finally subsided. Next, I liked yellow, and that lasted a good number of years. In fact, I still like yellow.

However, this August, I got the late Summer vibe. Have you been feeling the vibe? It has been a long time coming for me, but I finally felt it last week on a boat cruise. The days have been hot, but I also know that it gets pretty windy, and even cold on the lake, so I wore my coral dress sweater. It was then that I realized that I can’t seem to get enough dresses in coral, green and blue. Green reflects nicely on the water and has a calming effect. It was a beautiful day in my coral dress.

With the number of mentally unbalanced people increasing every single day, especially in Cosmopolitan centres like Toronto, maybe wearing green is not a bad idea too.

Nowadays, I find I have more greens, blues, whites, and corals than any other colour in my closet.

What’s in your closet? What colours have you been falling in love with?

 

– CarrieJ

Ladies, How Do You Remove Your Facial Hair?

Normally this website is about giving beauty advice, but ya girl needs some help too! I’ve tried every possible way of removing my facial hair. This includes, shaving (with both a regular 5 blade razor and a single blade razor), waxing, sugar waxing, threading, and laser hair removal, and all roads almost always lead to a breakout or two. To be clear I am removing ALL OVER the face, meaning cheeks, upper lip, chin, and forehead. And the areas where I get the most broken out afterwards are the cheeks and chin, but that’s where most of my breakouts naturally occur anyways, so it makes sense.

Now I’ve noticed some methods are better at keeping breakouts at bay than others. Waxing and sugar waxing are most definitely the worst for breakouts. I always get a very big red inflamed one when I wax. Shaving with a 5 blade razor has the same outcome, however when I shave with a single blade razor/buzzer, the breakouts aren’t as bad, although I still do get a ton of clogged pores. Threading, although you would think it would be the same outcome as waxing because the hairs are being pulled out, surprisingly doesn’t lead to too many breakouts either. I’ve also lasered my face which led to horrible breakouts as well.

It’s like I can’t win! It’s a toss up between having a hairy face or a pimply face. There are things I do afterwards to help. I’m not exactly a skincare expert, but I think the reason people breakout when they remove hair is because the pores are more exposed and it’s easier for gunk and dirt to get into the pores. So after I remove my facial hair I immediately use some sort of aftershave and a salicylic acid treatment for razor bumps. After that I try to be really diligent about washing it twice a day with an exfoliator so that dirt doesn’t get trapped under dead skin cells and form a bump, and I also use a charcoal pore mask once daily for a week after hair removal to really keep all that gunk out of the pores.

While all this helps, I still breakout a little bit each time I remove my hair. So now I want to pass this on to you…what method of hair removal is your favourite and how to you keep your breakouts at bay, or do you even breakout at all? I’m really curious to hear about other girls’ experience with this and hopefully learn a couple tips as well!

I wanna hear from you!!

XOXO

Sarah

My Top 3 Products for Wavy Hair – By Marisa Chiorello

Well hey there, beautiful souls!

From the time I first started styling my hair, I wish for luxurious, long, bouncy curls. Truth be told, I envied girls with curls. So, because I couldn’t get those girls, I straighten my hair every. single. day. I know… I know exactly what you’re thinking: “Ouch, the heat damage!” “Yikes! The damage!” “But… but… THE DAMAGE!” Yes, here’s my second confession: My hair became terribly damaged, crispy, even. My hair was also really flat with no body or bounce to it. It was basically straw on my head. Sigh. Those were some sad, sad times.

As I got older, I quickly learned to embrace the hair I was given. I threw away my hair straightener and haven’t straightened my hair in SIX years! I think this is quite the accomplishment, and my hair certainly thanks me. It’s now healthier than ever before!

So, what type of hair do I have? I have long, wavy hair. The top of my head typically remains straight, and my waves start at a handful of inches below my scalp. Because my hair is not classified as “curly,” but a mix between curly and straight, it was always difficult for me to find the ideal hair product for my locks. After years of wearing, and leaving my hair in its natural form, I’ve finally found products that leave me with beautiful waves each and every time. Here they are!

DevaCurl Arc Angel Gel, $24.00

This is my go-to, #1, and absolute favorite hair gel! It’s one that I currently use, almost every day. Although it’s a bit pricy, it’s SO worth it! This gel does not make my hair crunchy like what happens with most gels. Instead, it coats each individual strand of my hair while leaving my hair feeling soft, smooth, and frizz free. This gel also defines each wave so my hair has never looked better! I get so many compliments on my wavy hair when I use this gel. It’s great to use during the summer when it’s hot and humid out. If you don’t mind splurging a bit on hair products, I definitely recommend purchasing this one! I purchased mine at Ulta. You won’t regret this purchase, and your hair will look fabulous!

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Tousling Mousse Medium 2, $3.99

I don’t always spend an arm and a leg for my hair or makeup products. In fact, I love shopping at drugstores for these products. You can find a lot of great items! This includes the tousling mousse! This mousse comes in a range of numbers from 1-4. I purchase number 2, because I have wavy hair. I like this mousse because not only does it smell delicious, but also a little goes a long way. I don’t have to use much of this product to get bouncy waves that last all day! I also love that it protects my hair from the humidity and controls frizz. It does all this AND it doesn’t leave my hair sticky or crunchy. Once my hair dries, it looks fantastic after using this product. This is my second choice when it comes to hair products, but it still leaves my hair looking amazing. I totally recommend this one!

Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray, $6.49

This is another product I use that doesn’t cost that much. I love this spray because it is lightweight; it separates each strand of hair for me, and transforms my locks into beautiful, textured waves! It literally looks like I just came back from the beach! I also like how it is infused with sea salt and sea kelp. If you desire beach-like waves, I recommend this product! It’s one of my faves!

Let me know which ones you try! Also, let’s be kind to our hair!

Until next time,

Marisa

I Dyed My Hair Whiter Than The Walls

In honour of Game of Thrones ending, I decided to go all Targaryen on your asses with my new hair 😉 Jk jk. But in all honestly, I decided to dye it because I was just so sick of my grey hairs.

I’ve been getting grey hairs since I was legitimately 14 years old, maybe even earlier. And recently something in me just cracked and I couldn’t take it any longer. So instead of dying it black and trying to cover up the greys, I decided just to dye my whole head grey! (Totally sane choice right :P)

I was inspired by my co-worker Rebecca (shoutout to my homegirl) who went to this salon called “Beauty on The Grind” (@beautonthegrind – follow them on insta). She came to work one day with the most gorgeous silver hair and I was like OMG I NEED THAT RIGHT NOW. So naturally I booked my appointment that same day and before you know it my hair was done 3 weeks later.

I’ll insert a few pics here:

Now, I wanna talk a little bit about the process –  It took a whopping 11 hours in the salon to achieve this look. The first thing they do is bleach the shit out of it, so that takes a few hours to begin with. And then the reason why it takes so long is because she tones it with the colour TWICE, and each time you’re sitting there for a few hours with colour in your hair because she doesn’t use any heat to speed up the process since this damages your hair. I was in there from 12pm to 11pm at night, but lemme tell ya, it was all worth it in the end.

This salon charges $325 as a base rate for 5 bowls of colour, and then they charge $35 dollars per additional bowl, and since my hair is really long I needed about 8 which is why it got rather expensive. I also had to pay for all the new hair care products for blondes and coloured hair, which added an additional couple hundred to the bill.

I was sent home with a couple of products that I want to share with y’all. This salon swears by the brand ‘Fanola’, so I was sent back with their purple shampoo, purple mask, and restructuring shampoo as a once in a while intensive treatment. I’ve used the purple shampoo and mask and it has really lightened my hair already! As many of you know the purple tones are supposed to get rid of any yellow or brassy-ness in the hair. I was also sent home with the Revlon Coconut leave in treatment and I LOVE this stuff. Bleaching your hair makes it feel like legitimate hay and this stuff helps keep some smoothness to it. And finally, I got sent home with the ‘Schwarzkopf Keratin Restore Bonding Mask’ for blondes. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m sure it will make it pretty smooth while keeping the blonde tones.

 

And that’s all I have for now! I plan on booking my follow up appointments for every 6 months or so just to tone it and eventually go more blonde. Right now it is definitely more grey than blonde, and eventually I would like to go lighter! But all in due time.

Thanks for reading!

Skincare With Witch Hazel – By Marisa Chiorello

I know many beautiful souls out there strive to achieve clear, healthy, glowing skin. This is especially important during the summertime when your skin is exposed to the sun’s rays on a daily basis. Well, summertime is here, and with it, comes my special secret for clear, healthy, glowing skin! Witch-hazel!

What Is Witch-Hazel?

Oh yes, this is my special secret! I use witch-hazel pore perfecting toner on my skin, mainly my face.  I know you’re probably thinking, “Witch-hazel? What’s that and how can it help my skin?” Witch-hazel is a plant properly known as Hamamelis virginiana. It’s typically found in the eastern and midwestern regions of the United States. It can also be found in southern Canada. The liquid of a witch-hazel plant is used to make the witch-hazel toner. Although, this toner can be mixed with other ingredients, such as aloe and rosewater, I use pure witch-hazel. I’ve been using it for months now, and it has truly transformed my skin.

How Witch-Hazel Can Help Your Skin

I struggle with acne flare-ups during PMS. The angry, red dots cover my chin and cheeks in clusters. This is super frustrating, upsetting, and my self-confidence totally plummets. However, I found that witch-hazel helps with my acne. I apply witch-hazel toner to my face at night with a cotton ball. The toner removes access oil, dirt, and bacteria from my face. This helps my acne flare-ups from getting worse. After using witch-hazel, I wake up in the morning free from any extra angry, red dots on my chin and cheeks. The toner also dries up my acne and helps it clear up quickly!

I have sensitive skin, and so many makeup remover wipes irritate it. My face starts to burn and it turns red. Witch-hazel toner can be used as makeup remover. I use the toner to remove my makeup (except for any eye makeup). I found that the gentle qualities of witch-hazel calm and soothe my skin.

Lastly, witch-hazel balances skin for a smooth complexion. I’ve noticed since using witch-hazel toner daily, that my skin appears more healthy and glowing.

      Brands Of Witch-Hazel

There are many different brands of witch-hazel toner. I use Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner, and it comes in a 16 fl oz container. This brand is perfect for me because it’s affordable, fragrance free, 100% natural, and cruelty free. You can find Dickinson’s at various drugstores. If affordability is something you don’t worry about, you can purchase the Mario Badescu witch-hazel and rose water toner from Sephora. Either brand has proven, successful results!

       My Recommendation

Although, witch-hazel is known for its gentle properties, some people have experienced irritation from the toner. I recommend testing the toner on a small part of your skin to see how your skin reacts.

If you’re a beautiful soul that wants clear, healthy, glowing skin try my secret, and use witch-hazel toner daily!

Until next time,

Marisa

Meet Rasha – Our Newest Blogger

Hey everyone!

My name is Rasha and I am so excited to join this lovely team of bloggers at Live Life in The Floral Lane. I am a journalist who is passionate about media entrepreneurship and the arts. I came across this beauty and lifestyle platform a few months ago and knew it would be the best platform to not only share my knowledge about skincare, healthy lifestyle (nutrition and fitness) but also learn from others.

Like most young professionals, I graduated Ryerson School of Journalism eager to dive into television and publicity. I am a communications lead by day and producer for 1030rn.com Media by night. Being on the go and cramming my schedule with projects I love and absolutely can’t say no to has taught me a few tips and tricks in keeping my body, mindset and lifestyle optimal and fun!

Living “healthy” and “happy” means different things to everyone. My philosophy regarding this is shaped a lot about what my mom (aesthetician and amazing baker!) has instilled in me – to continuously acquire knowledge that will allow you to make the best health, beauty and self care decisions for yourself. We all are unique, so know what works for you!

Feel free to follow me on Instagram (@rashareh) and support a media arts and culture platform I have co-founded (@1030rn, Instagram).

Meet Marisa – Our Newest Blogger

Hello to all the beautiful souls out there!

My name is Marisa and I’m a 26-year-old writer, editor, and children’s book author. After graduating with a B.A. in English Literature and Women’s and Gender Studies, I now wear many hats! It’s very fun!

I write articles on many different topics. Some of these include feminism, body image, entertainment, beauty, and fashion. This is what brought me here, to my newest favourite blog! I must admit, I am obsessed with every post!

Live Life in The Floral Lane truly embodies who I am as a person. I am a lover of all things pink, because to me, pink is a powerful colour. I also love floral patterns, and I have a collection of floral skirts and dresses currently hanging in my closet. I enjoy expressing myself through fashion and showing others that you can be both feminine and powerful at the same time. So, I may be a walking billboard for Live Life in The Floral Lane in terms of fashion!

Much like I enjoy expressing myself through the written word and clothes, I also enjoy expressing myself through makeup. I like trying new lip gloss and lipsticks that complement my skin. I like trying different types of mascara for extreme volume and length. Lastly, I like trying various bronzers for a sun-kissed glow.

As someone who has constantly struggled with body image and confidence, I hope to aid readers in finding their confidence through the personal posts I write! After all, we are all beautiful!

You can find me on Twitter: @justmarisaxox

You can also read my article(s) here: hellogiggles.com and womensrepublic.net, as well as OurLifeLogs.com.

Thanks for reading!