Hive: Must See, Must Shop

One of my all time favourtie stores is Hive. I've loved...LOVED...this store for years! This is my go-to for gifts for friends, or a little something for myself. Jenn, the owner, has such great style and her store- located in Bayfield, Ontario on the Main Street- is something to experience in person. Full of beautiful products and showcasing Jenn's incredible eye for design, I love visiting this store- I not so secretly would love to move it!!

If you find yourself unable to make it to picturesque Bayfield, you can now shop Hive online! Below you will find some of my favourite products in all the categories offered by Hive:

Home & Cottage

Flamingo Salt & Pepper // Anchor Glass // Bike Planter // Glass Vase // Yucatan Rug // Net Shopper 

Clothing

Swimsuit // Shorts // PJ's // Top // Upcycled Sari Cardigan // Denim Dress

Accessories

Earrings // Madagascar Basket // Necklace // Bamboo Poncho // Crossbody Bag // Bracelet

Bath & Body

Macadamia Oil Body Cream // Beach Glass Soap // Natural Deodorant // Seaweed Mask // Lip Balm // Coffee Scrub

Kids

Artwork // Stuffed Owl // Sunglasses // Bib // Slippers // Tag-a-Long Blanket //

So many amazing products and options. There really is something for everyone, anf for every occasion! Jenn is always getting in new products and will be updating her website as products come in, so be sure to check her website often- you never know what you'll find!

Book Club: Rush

Image via Chapters Indigo

Book: Rush: A Novel

Author: Lisa Patton

Chapters Indigo Summary:

Set in modern day Oxford, Mississippi, on the Ole Miss campus, bestselling author Lisa Patton's RUSH is a story about women-from both ends of the social ladder-discovering their voices and their empowerment.

Cali Watkins possesses all the qualities sororities are looking for in a potential new member. She's kind and intelligent, makes friends easily, even plans to someday run for governor. But her resume lacks a vital ingredient. Pedigree. Without family money Cali's chances of sorority membership are already thin, but she has an even bigger problem. If anyone discovers the dark family secrets she's hiding, she'll be dropped from Rush in an instant.

When Lilith Whitmore, the well-heeled House Corp President of Alpha Delta Beta, one of the premiere sororities on campus, appoints recent empty-nester Wilda to the Rush Advisory Board, Wilda can hardly believe her luck. What's more, Lilith suggests their daughters, both incoming freshman, room together. What Wilda doesn't know is that it's all part of Lilith's plan to ensure her own daughter receives an Alpha Delt bid-no matter what.

For twenty-five years, Miss Pearl-as her "babies" like to call her-has been housekeeper and a second mother to the Alpha Delt girls, even though it reminds her of a painful part of her past she'll never forget. When an opportunity for promotion arises, it seems a natural fit. But Lilith Whitmore slams her Prada heel down fast, crushing Miss Pearl's hopes of a better future. When Wilda and the girls find out, they devise a plan destined to change Alpha Delta Beta-and maybe the entire Greek system-forever. 

Achingly poignant, yet laugh-out-loud funny, RUSH takes a sharp nuanced look at a centuries-old tradition while exploring the complex, intimate relationships between mothers and daughters and female friends. Brimming with heart and hope for a better tomorrow, RUSH is an uplifting novel universal to us all.

What I have to say:

This books was recommend forever ago by Kathleen from Carrie Bradshaw Lied. I purchased this book as soon as Kathleen recommended it and add it to my To Be Read pile. I FINALLY got around to reading this book!! Set in 2016 at Ole Miss we are introduced to a variety of women- all associated with Alpha Delta Beta Sorority in one way or another. The characters are well developed, layered, and interesting. The characters felt real, relatable, and like real people you could know, and in some cases, want to be friends with. This book is about so much more than Sorority Rush, or Sorority life. It addresses race and socioeconomic issues, female and family relationships. 

Final Verdict:

Full of heart and humour, I've already recommended this book to people, and I can't wait to read it again. 

Book Club: Mrs.

Image via Chapters Indigo

Book: Mrs.

Author: Caitlin Macy

Chapters Indigo Summary:

In the well-heeled milieu of New York's Upper East Side, coolly elegant Philippa Lye is the woman no one can stop talking about. Despite a shadowy past, Philippa has somehow married the scion of the last family-held investment bank in the city. And although her wealth and connections put her in the center of this world, she refuses to conform to its gossip-fueled culture.

Then, into her precariously balanced life, come two women: Gwen Hogan, a childhood acquaintance who uncovers an explosive secret about Philippa's single days, and Minnie Curtis, a newcomer whose vast fortune and frank revelations about a penurious upbringing in Spanish Harlem put everyone on alert.

When Gwen's husband, a heavy-drinking, obsessive prosecutor in the US Attorney's Office, stumbles over the connection between Philippa's past and the criminal investigation he is pursuing at all costs, this insulated society is forced to confront the rot at its core and the price it has paid to survive into the new millennium.

What I have to say:

Beautifully written and loved the depth of the characters- so many characters each with their own stories and layers. This is a talented author! As for the plot...I read the entire book and I have no idea what it's about! The summary above does sum up the book in a way...having read the book and the summary, I can say 'yup, I see that'. But when reading the book, if I hadn't known the summary...well, I would have summarized it differently. The books is mostly about mother's who children attend the same pre-school. Two mothers- Gwen and Philippa knew each other during their childhood. They hangout with new mom at school, Minnie. Gwen and her husband Dan knew Minnie's husband John in college.John also knew Philippa before she married her husband. By the end of the book, not only did I not have a clear idea what this book is about, but there are a ton- TON- of unanswered questions. 

Final Verdict:

If you are looking for a nicely written book and/or characters that are well developed, and you have zero interest in whether or not there is a plot- I would recommend this book. If you need your books to have a plot that you can follow, give this book a pass.

Book Club: Christmas Shopaholic

Image via Goodreads

Book: Christmas Shopaholic

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Goodreads Summary:

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) adores Christmas. It's always the same – Mum and Dad hosting, carols playing, Mum pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the next-door neighbours coming round for sherry in their terrible festive jumpers.

And now it's even easier with online bargain-shopping sites – if you spend enough you even get free delivery. Sorted!

But this year looks set to be different. Unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocado, Becky's parents are moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch and have asked Becky if she'll host Christmas this year. What could possibly go wrong?

With sister Jess demanding a vegan turkey, husband Luke determined that he just wants aftershave again, and little Minnie insisting on a very specific picnic hamper – surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old boyfriend and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear . . .

Will chaos ensue, or will Becky manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas?

What I have to say:

I have always been a fan of Sophie Kinsella and the Shopaholic series!! If you are familiar with the series, it's the same loveable Becky finding herself in one situation/mix up/miscommunication after another- as she usually does. We follow her as she prepares to host Christmas for the first time, while trying to keep everyone happy. Love that this book was centered around the holidays and that Kinsella gave us a story that is (mostly) relatable and characters we know and love. 

Final Verdict:

I have yet to meet someone who is not a Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood fan. This book was classic Becky and a must read for any fan of the series. Also recommended for anyone looking for a lighthearted Christmas read.

Book Club: Dangerous Girls

Image via Chapters Indigo

Book: Dangerous Girls

Author: Abigal Haas

Indigo Summary:

Paradise in Aruba quickly gets gruesome in this “ripped-from-the-headlines thriller (Kirkus Reviews)” with a twist that defies the imagination.

It’s Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives.

But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend’s killer, she discovers harsh revelations about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.

Awaiting the judge’s decree, it becomes clear to Anna that everyone around her thinks she is not only guilty, but also dangerous. And when the whole story comes out, reality is more shocking than anyone could ever imagine...

What I have to say:

The carefree Spring Break set in Aruba comes to a halt when one of the Spring Breakers- Elise- is found murdered. This book takes us back to high school as we learn how the friendship with Elise and Anna started, and the dynamic of their friendship. We also get caught up in Spring Break and try and figure out the events that led to Elise's murder, and whether or not Anna is innocent, and who the killer might be.

Final Verdict:

This is one of the top three books I've read in 2019. Loved this book and recommend it to everyone. A pick for my book club, it was a favourite among our group. You get drawn into the story, the characters, their relationships, and what really happened on Spring Break. Great twist at the end. Highly recommend this book!!

Book Club: The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist

Image Via Chapters Indigo

Book: The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist

Author: Michelle Morgan

Indigo Summary:

With an in-depth look at the two most empowering years in the life of Marilyn Monroe, The Girl details how The Seven Year Itch created an icon and sent the star on an adventure of self-discovery and transformation from a controlled wife and contract player into a businesswoman and unlikely feminist whose power is still felt today.

When Marilyn Monroe stepped over a subway grating as The Girl in The Seven Year Itch and let a gust of wind catch the skirt of her pleated white dress, an icon was born. Before that, the actress was mainly known for a nude calendar and one-dimensional, albeit memorable, characters on the screen. Though she again played a "dumb blonde" in this film and was making headlines by revealing her enviable anatomy, the star was now every bit in control of her image, and ready for a personal revolution.

Emboldened by her winning fight to land the role of The Girl, the making of The Seven Year Itch and the eighteen months that followed was the period of greatest confidence, liberation, and career success that Monroe lived in her tumultuous life. It was a time in which, among other things, she:

• Ended her marriage to Joe DiMaggio and later began a relationship with Arthur Miller;
• Legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe, divorcing herself from the troubled past of Norma Jeane; Started her own production company; Studied in private lessons with Lee and Paula Strasberg of the Actors Studio and became a part of the acting revolution of the day
The ripple effects her personal rebellion had on Hollywood, and in trailblazing the way for women that followed, will both surprise and inspire readers to see the Marilyn Monroe in an entirely new light.

What I have to say:

This was the May pick for my book club. The book was a bit hard to get into, and was at times hard to follow- the author would move around to different years. This book comes across more of a research book opposed to a biography on Marilyn. The 'thesis' being that Marilyn was a feminist before such a thing existed and the author uses known information (ex interviews, articles, etc) to prove this. This book covers a very specific part of Marilyn's life- where she is trying to leave the Hollywood star system, have more control over her career, and be taken as a serious actor. 

Final Verdict:

As someone who has studied the Hollywood Star System in University, I found this book interesting to learn more about Marilyn's personal experience with the System and what she did to reform her role in it. I think this book will be a disappointment for true Marilyn Monroe fans. Didn't hate it, but would only recommend it to people who have an interest in Film History, or are Marilyn Monroe fans who haven't read a lot about her. 

Empties Part 1

I have been blogging (on and off) for years, and I was a little surprised to see that I have done an empties post! If you are unfamiliar with 'empties' post, it's where people share the recently empty containers of products they have used.

Here we are, my first empties post!

• Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water- In my opinion Micellar Water is Micellar Water, they are all basically the same. I tend to buy whichever Micellar Water is on sale/has a lower price point. I will say that I do really like this product and find it to be slightly less drying than other Micellar Waters.
• eSalon Every Rich Way Moisturizing Conditioner and eSalon Getting Rich Moisturizing Shampoo- I bought both of these products during a FabFitFun add ons sale, and I wasn't able to find the conditioner online, which is why it's not linked. Both products added moisture to my dry hair, making it look and feel healthier. I found it to be equal to either shampoo/conditioners, so I likely won't repurchase, unless it's part of a sale again.
• Garnier All-In-1 Cleansing Micellar Water- Again, I think Micellar Water is Micellar Water. I do like this product (and am currently using it), but it is a bit drying to my overly dry skin. Nothing that a little moisturizer afterwards can't fix.
• Got 2b Beach Trippin Salt-Infusion Waving Spray- This product has been discontinued and this was the last bottle that I had. This was my holy grail of hair products. It provided beautiful, beachy waves without the crunchy, sticky residue that other salt sprays have. 
• Marrakesh Argan and Hemp Oil- My new hair holy grail product. I use this oil every time I wash my hair. It leaves my hair hydrated, shiny, smooth, and healthy. I love this product and highly recommend it. 
• Skin Laundry Restoring Night Serum- This product always seems to be sold out everywhere, so I haven't been able to repurchase. This serum left my skin looking smoother, and with an even tone.
• Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb- I a, convinced that I have the driest skin in the world...I am constantly on the search for products that can hydrate my skin, and hydrate for longer than a couple of hours. This product is it! You can use it both in the morning and at night, it leaves my skin feel comfortable and hydrated for hours. This has been repurchased a number of times and is my current moisturizer. 
• Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream- This is technically not an 'empty' but I've included it because I can't use it any more and threw it out. I really liked this product and used it daily. However, it reached a point where the product stopped coming out of the pump. If I shook the bottle, it would work, but then that stopped working. The pump wasn't clogged or anything...it just stopped working. It was too much of a hassle to the get the remaining product out, so I moved on.

There we have it...my first empties! There were a lot of great products. The Osea Cream is the only one I wouldn't repurchase- great product, but a lot of money to spend on something where I can only use 2/3 of the product. The shampoo and conditioner is not necessarily something I wouldn't buy again, but it's not worth it to order online and have it shipped. I can, and have found, similar products that work just as well that I can pick up at Shoppers Drug Mart. All other products I have and will continue to repurchase.