Lifestyle: 1st Time Homebuyer...What are the steps?

Here is a twist on the blog today, things that I want to be sharing more often...We are all at different stages in life, what we want out of this life and how we will achieve these goals.  Of these goals, home ownership is a very important one, and sometimes asking friends or family for help or advice may not always be the best way to go.  

This weekend, Saturday January 26th, 2013, there is a great event that will address all the steps and things you need to do so you can be on your way to buying your FIRST HOME!  

Check out the details here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/411794588899464/

Here are the full details below:

• PREPARE YOURSELF TO BUY A HOME IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS
• Host:  Minesh "Manny" Thakkar - 12 Yrs. in the Mortgage industry | Mortgage Agent 
• Learn the steps to buying a home including 
• How to qualify for the mortgage and what costs to expect. 
• @Travelodge at Markham Rd/401 (20 Milner Business Court)
• 2pm - 3pm
• Map & Directions: http://www.travelodge.com/hotels/ontario/toronto-east-scarborough/travelodge-toronto-east/maps-directions
• Parking will be covered
• RSVP: 416-992-6265 

A worthy event to get some very helpful and needed advice!

Always Smile :)  - Sand

Makeup Must: Kajal Extreme - Intense Eye Pencil in Extreme Black

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am an eyeliner lover!  Being from an Indian family, I was mesmerized by the exotic eyes of the leading ladies from all of the Bollywood movies I watched from my childhood. A way to keep the eyes looking beautiful thenwas using "Kajal" , a traditional eye kohl, that came in powder form that you applied with a metal wand, which helped to line and define eyes.  

From a very young age, I was awed by how pretty eyes could look with a sweep of the Kajal wand.  As a teenager, my product of choice was Liquid Liner and Black eye pencil.  From Cat eyes, to Winged eyes, to Sultry to lined waterlines, to the smokey "V" that would help to define and smoke out the eyes, I was familiar and loved every single lined or smoked look.

Here is what was tricky, the con has always been that the smudged look you achieved in the AM, would look extra smudgy in the evening.  (Yes people there is a good smudge and a bad smudge! If you look like you have sultry eyes, you did it right, but if your eyes look like you resemble a raccoon with black tears, you did something wrong or the eyeliner you used miserably failed you!)

I was so glad that Vasanti Cosmetics introduced this AMAZING eye pencil!  The pros:

• Smooth application 
• Intense black colour without having to press hard or go over the line more than once
• The pencil give you versatility with the built in smudger AND sharpener.
• Use sharpened pencil for the close lined eyes
• Use the smudger to help to extend the cat eye precisely
• Waterproof 
• Smudge proof - Will not budge (Commuting, Humidity, Working out, Cooking or Day to Night)

Kajal Extreme - Intense Eye Pencil in Extreme Black. (Image courtesy of: Vasanti Cosmetics)

Throw out all of your other Eye Pencils, this is the one!

Always Smile :) - Sand

Want glowing smooth skin? Use Vasanti's Monoi Magic!

The colder months are still on the way and boy is it starting to feel like Winter!  The weather wreaks havoc on the skin.  If you are a forgetful water drinker or tend to skip the extra moisturizing that our skin deserves in these months especially, look no further than Vasanti's Monoi Magic - Monoi de Tahiti Treatment Oil.

I love this product because it is the best treatment oil to date! I have used a variety of Oils and they were either too greasy and didn't absorb well.  Monoi Magic is such a great product, and I use it for many reasons which I have listed below:

- Easily absorbs. 

- Leaves skin glowing.

- Great as a night treatment (or a morning treatment for that thirsty skin).

- Multi purpose product because you can use it on your Face, Skin and Hair.

- Results are noticed immediately.

- Mineral oil free, Paraben free, 100% vegan & not tested on animals!

Photo courtesy of:  www.vasanticosmetics.com

Now for some of you skeptical people, using an oil may seem foreign, but once you see the results and that it is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores - cue the "Ahhhhhhhhh) you will not be disappointed.

I have been using it for the past month and I am in love! Naturally it has been added to my skin care arsenal!

Always Smile - Sand :) 

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2013 Make it your own!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!! 

Hope everyone got a chance to reflect, think and remember 2012, and got the chance to ring in 2013 with loved ones!

2012 for me was a very busy year, here are a few highlights:

• Celebrated a Milestone B-day with Family & Friends
• Worked 2 big Makeup events
• Travelled
• Spent time with Family
• Changed careers
• Reignited my love for reading and discovered some classics and new stories
• Explored our GREAT city 
• Shared my favourite pics on Instagram:  http://instagram.com/makeupbysand

Life has shown me that with the good, we can also go through difficult things as well.  What can help you get through these difficult times is if you remember the great people that are in your life, and that if you focus on the good, there will always be amazing things to be thankful for.  I carry this with me into 2013, another year of promise, of growth and great memories to be had.

Therefore, even though resolutions can be short lived, and last only in the month of Jan., I don't typically like to call them resolutions, rather I like to establish goals at the start of the New Year.  This can be anything that you want to accomplish, goals you put on the back burner, dreams that you continue to have but are fearful of making them come true, family you want to reconnect with, career or school related goals...whatever they may be, make 2013 your own!

I have a mixture of things I would love to achieve in 2013, some are fun, some are whimsical, some are private, but one I would like to share is the frequency of posting on my blog, because when I am here I feel a calmness, an excitement to share, the need to reflect and to remember the good which should make it easier to...

Always Smile! - Sand :)