One thing I didn’t know about Portugal and specifically the Algarve region is it’s now basically the Florida of Europe for Canadians. I found this out on my recent two-week vacation to Lisbon and Portimao. So. Many. Canadians. Canadians vacation there and we retire there, and I suspect that trend is going to boom in coming months and years.

What I came back to in Canada was basically a country that’s a stressed-out mess. So what are my thoughts on this whole gong show?

I’M NOT TAKING IT ON.

I’m not! Not emotionally, anyway. I spoke on it here in my latest video, there have been some lovely and supportive comments from my American viewers as well sprinkled through my last three videos.

I’ve cued it up to start at the exact point where I talk about how I’m coping with the high levels of stress in this country right now.

It’s been a while since I’ve written a newsletter but to remind you, Hi! I’m Helen, a Toronto writer and video creator (and beginner artist). I review products, I vlog, I persist.

Regarding the aforementioned situation, I wish I could say something profound and moving to my fellow Canadians but I ain’t got nothing, kids. Just hang in there.

Product Updates

✨ Merit’s stick foundation is the best

Still loving Merit Beauty, I wear the Minimalist Foundation Stick (in shade Ochre) nearly every day. It’s so pretty and that little bit glowy and there is SO MUCH IN IT, I’ve been using it daily for months and I’ve barely made a dent in it. Underneath it I wear Great Skin Serum and Merit Moisturizer. ✨ 👜 First orders come with MERIT’s signature bag & free shipping over $40. Here’s my link if you want to support me when you order Merit.

🍞 My Zojirushi Bread Machine is the best

This little white tank has been pumping out serviceable white bread loaves perfect for egg salad for the last 11 or 12 years. This breadmaker is a beast and they still make the same model! Love that. It also makes my pizza dough because kneading is not one of my favourite activities.

☕ Coffee gear that’s the best

People must be crazy because they’re spending a fortune on that dopey hot chocolate velvetizer when this Milk Frother does the same thing AND you can put in in the dishwasher, unlike the velvetizer. Do I look like I want to clean out milk protein by hand? I foam my coffee milk with it.

I bought this Cosori Insulated Kettle fully believing this was some sort of hoax BS kettle that would only last half a year. Wrong! It’s the best electric kettle I’ve ever had, the inside is stainless steel and it keeps the water hot longer for your multiple morning coffee/tea trips, plus the insulation also makes it cooler to the touch. Did I ever tell you the story of when I was at Target in Buffalo and the cashier examined a now-long-dead electric kettle and asked earnestly “All it does is boil water?” They’re so common in Canada but it didn’t occur to me they are not a household staple in the US.

🔥 Clothes for pretend-athletic people that are the best

Whenever I try to be sporty I end up breaking a bone, so now I jog on a treadmill or string myself up on the Pilates Reformer medieval torture rack instead. But even when I’m not exercising, I’ve been getting so much wear out of my Lululemon clothes.

I avoided this brand for about 16 years because it had that “yummy mummy” (ugh, remember that term?) vibe that I find, frankly, repulsive. It really gives Upscale Suburbs Mom, not that there’s anything wrong with that! However, I’m a lifelong city rat and athleisure is a hard sell for me. How wrong I’ve been!

I have a taupe outfit consisting of Lululemon Softstreme Pants in Riverstone (Short/Petite) and the Lululemon Hold Tight Top in Riverstone.

I also have a navy outfit of the same Hold Tight top and a pair of soft-jersey jogger type pants, and also this Scuba half-zip funnel neck sweatshirt. All very cute together! A cheerful unhoused man drunkenly panhandling in front of my local Tim Horton’s told me I had “a great body” as I passed by wearing this, and if that’s not the highest compliment, I don’t know what is!

🫠 Bumming around the house stuff that’s the best

I love my pinafore apron so I can cosplay Canadian queen Anne of Green Gables when I’m making bread or painting watercolour.

Niall bought me these Canadian moccasins when he was in Thunder Bay which is the only solution when you’re an always-cold, as I am. The only months I put them away are July and August.

✨ LED face mask that’s the best

Still using my CurrentBody LED Mask Series 2 and I’m happy to say it basically cured my winter blues this year and gave me about 100% fewer skin flakes this winter, and it was a harsh one. I stopped using it for two weeks in Portugal and the skin flakes came right back again.

don’t need to exfoliate anymore. Not sure I look any younger though and really, it’s not like I have a second face that isn’t using a mask to compare it to. We need a good twin study for these products, I think.

If you want one this is my link and use code CBHELEN or HELENAV

This is a totally free newsletter, I don’t ask for paid subscriptions (and I certainly don’t write often enough to dream of charging for it). However, I do use affiliate links to support this work.

Thanks for reading, much love to you all!

Helen