Ever since I swore off heat I've been particularly interested in using ribbons in my hair, especially since it's getting close to summer. Ribbon, in my opinion, is amazing for a multitude of reasons:

-allows for styling without heat
-adds texture and colour
-there are infinite selections
-it's cheap
-unlimited ways to incorporate it in the hair

These are two rolls of ribbon that I bought recently. I thought the lace one would look really feminine and earthy for the spring and summer seasons (I'm a sucker for the bohemian look) and the orange and yellow one would be a way for me to wear those colours since they don't compliment my skin tone very well. So far, so good! I definitely love the different textures ribbon can add to your hair as well as the punch of colour. Give it a try! Your hair will love you for it.

All the best,
Average Allie

Aldo Clearance Boots for Fall? + 15% Off Promo Code

As a female, I love to shop. However, I'm always torn between quality and price. I don't want to buy something if it's not going to last me a long time and I also don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on one purchase. Lately I've been looking around for good quality but still reasonably priced boots for back to school/autumn. Of course it's May and most retail stores aren't carrying boots, but the Aldo online store has tonnnns of boots on clearance right now that would be perfect for fall, including these beauties I bought last year (so comfy). The boots online are all 60% off PLUS Aldo has a promotion going on right now where you can earn 15% off your total purchase if you play and win a game (it's silly but worth it). You could potentially be looking at 75% off the original price of a pair of good quality boots if you shop online and use the promo code!

Of course, there's always the issue of "how do I know if they'll fit me?" Aside from a lot of the boots having written reviews from others who have bought them (including details about size, comfortability, calf circumference, etc.), you can always return your purchase at your nearest Aldo. Definitely worth considering, right?

link to the clearance items ------->    http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-eng/clearance
link to the game -------------------->    http://www.aldoshoeparadise.com/

All the best,
Average Allie

Disney's Scene It Card

I had the biggest laugh the other night when my friends and I were playing some Disney's Scene It (as far as I am concerned, it is the best Scene It EVER) because of one of the cards. It was my turn and I was being asked a mousellaneous question. My friend Andrew read it out and then started cackling like a creep (I love my friends) because of what the answer said. Apparently the card wanted to play the game too... haaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha....ha ha ha.... Oh man... It probably really isn't that amusing but I can't stop giggling. Ohhhh Disney's Scene It...

All the best,
Average Allie

Live Clean Shampoos and Conditioners

For the last 4 or so years I have really been abusing my hair. I used to blow dry it every day and then usually heat style it, all the while using harmful shampoos. It got to the point where I had to use heat on it in order to make it look healthy, so about 3 months ago I just quit everything. I wanted my hair to grow long and be healthy on its own. I made a hair appointment and got about 3 or 4 inches cut off, bought sulfate-free shampoo and the conditioner to go with it, as well as a bottle of a protective hair serum. I can now say that my hair looks and feels much healthier than it did 3 months ago. It feels lighter and free from build-up and it's shiny and a lot stronger. I've only used heat on it twice since I began treating it better, and have no interest in using it unless it's some sort of special occasion.
The Live Clean brand I've been using has really helped. It's all natural and the bottles are recyclable. When I first bought it I was worried that the shampoo wouldn't lather very well as a lot of sulfate-free or natural shampoos don't. But that was not the case! I hardly have to use any shampoo and it lathers very easily and doesn't dry out my hair. Plus they smell AMAZING. This particular kind in the picture smells just like candy--I can't wait to use them. They can be a little expensive depending on where you buy them. My Shopper's Drug Mart sells them for just under $8 a bottle but my Walmart is just under $5 (I usually stock up on them when they are on sale at Walmart).

Tips for regaining healthy, long, strong hair:

1. Cut wayyyy back on heat use or don't use it at all!!
2. Try not to wash your hair everyday if you are able.
3. Use sulfate-free or natural products.
4. Get it trimmed once every 2 months.
5. If you see a split-end, trim that unwanted sucker off!
6. If your hair is damaged, it is probably tangly after washing. Spray with a detangler and brush gently with a wide-toothed comb.
7. Use a hot oil treatment on your hair once a week. You can either buy these products or you can simply use olive oil, coconut oil, etc. on your hair while it is wrapped in a hot towel!
8. Try playing around with different hair do's. Braids, chopsticks, headbands, etc. There are many ways to switch up your look without having to use heat! I personally am a fan of braiding ribbons and small scarves into my hair.
9. EAT HEALTHY FOODS AND STAY HYDRATED. You are what you eat.

All the best,
Average Allie

Salvation Army Buys

As the daughter of a woman who helps manage the Salvation Army, I am kiiinda pressured to shop there. I grew up in a very small town where our Sally Ann always reeked of mothballs and old synthetic leather and the majority of the items there were R. L. Stine teen horror novels, mom jeans, and one-legged Barbie dolls sealed in dollar bags with some throwaway Kinder Surprise toys. Needless to say it wasn't my first choice shopping location. However, after moving to the city I live in now, I find myself purchasing things from the Sally Ann here monthly. It probably has to do with the fact that the city is much, much larger than the place I grew up in and our mall actually has clothing stores in it rather than just a lotto centre and a candy shop. But, nevertheless, I really enjoy looking around in there. Just last week I found a cute sun dress from Le Chateau, a denim Bongo jacket, and a pair of Aldo gladiator flats all in pretty much perfect condition. If I had bought these from their actual retail stores I would have most likely ended up paying  $150+. Purchasing from the Salvation Army, I only paid $16 :) So, depending on how big the town/city you live in is, you should really give Sally Ann a try! I'll admit, a lot of the things in there aren't my style... But when you actually do find something you like it makes you feel awesome inside knowing you only paid $4 rather than $40. As for money you didn't spend, you can always save it up for a big purchase or, if you're a stressed out undergrad like me, buy a couple of drinks at the university pub ;)


All the best,
Average Allie

Balea Face Masks

So, despite the lectures given to me by mother about how it will disappear once I'm an adult, my oily skin and acne are still ragin' away. My sisters find this quite amusing as they both have perfect skin. They know nothing of this pain :'(  Ever since I was 11 or 12 years old I've been fighting breakouts, not just on my face but my upper back and shoulders, too (not so great for the ol' self-confidence). I used to never go out without make-up on and a shirt or hoodie covering my shoulders, especially during high school. Now it's not that big of a problem as I'm slowly learning to not worry so much about it as well as being able to treat it properly.
I've tried dozens of different products and routines and most of them just either prove ineffective or irritate my skin even more. I've also tried prescription medication to help deal with my skin but it also made little difference and I'm not really too keen on messing around with my hormones in general. However, over the past year I've been using the Balea clay face masks and they work amaaaazingly. Not only has my acne diminished, but a lot of the oiliness and redness has as well and whatever little breakouts I do get heal sooo much faster and leave no scarring. Plus these things are super cheap! I buy mine from Shopper's and a lot of the time they're on sale for 3 for $5! I use these on my face every morning and one packet can last me a over a week. They're definitely a great buy.

My tips for treating oily, acne-prone skin:

1. Cut sugar from your diet (pop, cookies, ice cream, iced tea, juices...)
2. Cut unhealthy fats from your diet (chips, deep-fried foods, greasy pizzas...)
3. Try to drink 3+ tall glasses of water daily
4. Treat your face to one of these masks once a day, particularly after a hot shower or bath so that your pores are open
5. Wash your skin with a gentle cleanser before bed
6. Wash pillow cases once a week
7. Avoid touching your face with your hands
8. DO NOT PICK AT SKIN.

All the best,
Average Allie

Hello World! My name is Allie.

First of all, I've never written for a blog before so I don't really have any idea what I'm supposed to be doing. Second of all, I've never even read a blog before and, to be honest, I am uncertain of why I am beginning one. I mean--it probably has something to do with the fact that I am an unemployed undergrad living with my parents, but let's not delve into that just yet.
I am average. I don't live a glammed-up and travel-filled life that I intend to blog about. Instead, if by some slim chance you choose to read my posts, you'll most likely be educated on such topics as "my pitiful love for felines", "something stupid that my dog just did", or "my boyfriend just texted me to tell me he farted".

Yes. My life is substantially average.

All the best,
Average Allie