Beauty Review: Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam

I've been a long time fan of Shiseido cleansers now. One of my favourite cleansers is from their Benefiance line.

Although it is marketed towards older women, I find that it works really well on my twenty something skin.

I've been using this cleanser on and off for almost a year now, and this is how much is still left in the tube:



I love that you only need to use a pea size amount each time to get a rich lather. Although I have very dry, sensitive skin, I find that the Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam cleanses my skin without causing irritation.



It is a little pricey for a cleanser, but you definitely get your money's worth.

Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam Ingredients:

Water, Potassium Stearate, PEG-8, Potassium Myristate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Laurate, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Sorbitol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauric Acid, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Polyethylene, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Talc, Trisodium EDTA, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, Iron Oxides.

Until next time!

♥CapitalCityGirl

DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Toner Recipe

Lately, my skin has been acting up due to the changing of seasons. When my skin gets like this, I like to stick to the basics. One of the most basic toners I use is one made with only 2 ingredients: organic apple cider vinegar and water.

Directions:

All you need to do for this simple all natural toner is combine apple cider vinegar with spring water in a 1:3 ratio. 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water. If you have sensitive skin, start with a higher water ratio. Make sure you shake the apple cider vinegar well before combining so that the "mother" is mixed well.

The mother at the bottom of the bottle:



I like to use this once a day, after cleansing. I've been using this solution on and off for the last two years and see a difference every time I start using it again.

The apple cider vinegar I use is Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. You can also try adding a few drops of essential oil or tea tree oil, depending on the type of skin you have.

The final product:

This all natural toner is perfect for all skin types, ages, and seasons.

- Capital City Girl

Sushi 88 Review

As a frequent diner on Somerset street, I've passed by Sushi 88 numerous times but until yesterday, have never tried it.

I was surprised to find that the interior was quite nice. Many of the other restaurants on Somerset seem to focus more on food and less on the decor.

I tried the Chicken Teriyaki lunch special ($10.95). It came with your choice of a miso soup or garden salad. Lunch specials range from $7 to $18. 

I opted for the salad and was pleasantly surprised that the ginger sauce was authentic! I could taste the generous amount of ginger used in the sauce.



My meal was just the right portion size for me. However, my friend found her meal too small for her. She ordered the Sushi Temptation lunch special ($9.25).



The service was prompt as there were not too many other diners. This was surprising as it was noon on a Saturday. There was one waitress and one sushi chef when we were there. Although the service and food quality was good, I don't think I will be visiting Sushi 88 again in the near future. I found that the prices are too high for the portion size you get.

Sushi 88
Address: 690 Somerset St. West
Phone: 613-233-3288

Until next time,

-Capital City Girl

Great Glebe Garage Sale Tips

Having just come back from my first Great Glebe Garage Sale, I'd thought I'd share my experience and a few tips.

My Experience

Many die hard fans will tell you that going early is a MUST. For me, this required waking up at 6 AM (on a Saturday, no less!) I hopped on the #1 OC Transpo bus which dropped me right off at Bank and Glebe. God forbid we drove down there. All the parking spots were already taken by 7AM!



According to the Weather Network, it was -2 degrees with the wind chill. Although it was chilly, I found that it would've been more enjoyable if I had a wide brimmed hat or baseball cap to shield my eyes from the sun.

At about 9 AM, there was noticeably more people.

After roaming around the Glebe for 2 hours, we came upon an ice cream truck. The best part? Ice cream was free! It was just what we needed for an extra energy boost.


After 3.5 hours of strolling up and down the streets of Glebe, we decided it was about time we called it a day.

My haul:

TIPS

So here are a few tips from what I learned after my first Great Glebe Garage Sale...

Before the event:

- The night before the big day, make sure you go to bed early because you're going to need all the energy you have to bargain hunt and haggle.
- Wake up EARLY to ensure that you arrive in the Glebe at 7 AM. Although the event doesn't officially start until 8 AM, plenty of houses will be set up and shoppers will already be in action by 7 AM.
- Eat breakfast! There will be plenty of food trucks at the sale, but who wants to eat a polish sausage for breakfast?
-Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

Transportation:

- Do NOT drive. I repeat, do NOT drive. Even if you're lucky enough to find a parking spot, I wish you luck driving out of the Glebe. You will likely be spending more time watching out for shoppes criss crossing across the streets while driving than you would if you were to take public transportation.
- The # 1, #4,  or #7 will take you right into the Glebe.

What to bring:

- Water bottle - because you WILL get dehydrated from all the walking, regardless of how low the temperature is.
- Backpack - This will keep your hands free and ensure a better shopping experience.
- Cash - An obvious one, but you will be surprised at how long the ATM lineups get. Save some time and bring some bills of lower denominations, and lots of coins! I went to the sale with a coin wallet full of quarters and loonies.
-Small snack - If you're a serious shopper and do not want to waste any time lining up for an overpriced hot dog, pack a granola bar or banana to get you through your journey.

What to wear:

- Comfy shoes - This is a given. You will be walking A LOT and comfortable shoes will make that a breeze.
- Sunglasses and hat - UV is especially harmful for your sensitive morning eyes. After 30 minutes, I was wishing I had a baseball cap and a pair of shades to shield my eyes from the sun.
- Weather appropriate clothes - This is pretty obvious but you will be surprised to how little attention some shoppers will pay to this tip. If it's going to rain, wear a water repellent jacket. If it's going to feel like 35 degrees, wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Simple as that.

And lastly... have FUN! Even if you're not looking for anything in particular, enjoy the live music and being part of such a great community.



Until next time!

-Capital City Girl

613 Night Market Review

Any foodie in Ottawa will tell you that the 613 Night Market is an event not to miss. I stopped by the event yesterday and got to try out the many options our city has to offer.

First stop was MooShu Icecream. How can anyone say no to ice cream truffles?

 Since it was 3 pieces for $5, I tried the black sesame, moolong tea and goodmorning yuzu. My favourite was definitely the black sesame.

Next stop, Urban Cowboy. They had the longest lineup and there's no surprise why! I was one of the lucky ones to get to try the pulled pork taco before they ran out. The catfish taco was equally tasty. 2 tacos for $5? Yes please!

Next was the green curry from the Green Papaya:

The original churro from Mr. Churros. Just the right amount of sweetness and crispyness.. heavenly.

 And to finish off the night, the greek yogurt cheese cake. So delicious, I could've eaten five.

Although the 613 night market did not have as many vendors as I had hoped for, the food quality did not disappoint. I can't wait for the next event!

Sparks Street Poutine Fest Review

I went to the Poutine fest on Sparks street during the second day. I made sure to go in the afternoon to avoid the lunch rush.

The best decision I made all day was choosing the Lobster Bacon Poutine from Golden Fries. It had a generous amount of lobster and the portion sizewas just big enough to leave you feeling satisfied. I originally wanted to try Le Smokin BBQ but didn't think it would be a good idea to have too much meat.

The prices were not too bad. It was $15, including tax for the Lobster Bacon poutine. I also tried the Sweet Potato Poutine from the Double Decker Diner ($12). The sweetness of the sweet potato didn't go too well with the cheese and sauce.

Until next time,

Capital City Girl