Monday, March 18, 2019

Sugar Bubbles Bath Bakery






Happy Monday! I was recently gifted two amazing hand-crafted soaps for my birthday and I instantly feel in LOVE ... so naturally I have to share them with you all!


I received the Strawberry Cheesecake Soap and the Orange Chocolate Donut Cake and let me assure you, they smell as AMAZING as they sound! I love supporting local, and these Nova Scotian boutiques are worth sharing! Sugar Bubbles Bath Bakery have two beautiful seaside locations:

Seabright Factory Store
11452 Peggy's Cove Road
Seabright, Nova Scotia 
*Blue & Pink Building 

AND 

Mahone Bay Flagship Store 
633 Main Street
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

*You can also order online, if not local! 


Inside you'll find their shelves brimming with aromatic soaps, enticing aromas and sumptuous treats for your bath, body & shower! Their Bake Shoppe goodies are filled with skin loving ingredients such as:  Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Cocoa Butter, Kukui Nut Oil, Macadamia Butter and Rice Bran Oil, Aloe Vera, Goat's Milk, Organic Beeswax, Sea Salts, Dead Sea Mud, Canadian Sea Clay, Activated Charcoal, Botanicals and farm fresh honey.

Another factor that I love is that they are sulphate free never using Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Animal Derived fats such as the tallow found in many commercial bars, or harsh detergents. Their treats are made with high quality fragrance oils that are 100% phthalate free, and contain no suspected Parabens! 

It should be no surprise that their products speak for themselves! The time, effort and love put into each hand crafted soap is incredible, creating a unique and memorable bathing experience every time! 

In addition to their beautiful soaps, they offer a wide array of products such as:
and so many more amazing products!

I highly recommend these soaps, their shops are adorable (the perfect insta spot) and they would make the PERFECT gift for any occasion! I can honestly say that the only complaint I have is that they are way to cute to use! 














*This is not a sponsored post, all thoughts are my own.









Sunday, March 17, 2019

Ireland Travel Guide | Attractions & Day Tours


Happy St. Patrick's Day! In honour of this fun holiday, I thought I would share my Ireland Travel Guide focusing on Attractions and Day Tours that I was able to visit and take part in!

In August of 2015 I was able to travel to Dublin, Ireland with my friend Taylor to visit our friend Nikki who was working abroad in Dublin. Although our first few days were spent in the city of Dublin, some of my favourite parts of the trip were from our Day Tours we took to see what the beautiful country of Ireland had to offer.

We booked two Day Tours through Paddywagon Tours. The first tour was the Cliffs of Moher  and the second was the Giants Causeway Day Tour. These tours are extremely organized with a detailed itinerary, knowledgeable tour guides, and are extremely affordable considering all of the sites and attractions you see in just one day! Below are details and pictures of the two Day Tours I took while visiting Ireland, I highly recommend these tours to anyone who is traveling to Ireland in the future!


Cliffs of Moher Day Tour

"We take you around the wild and wonderful west of Ireland with its rolling hills, rugged cliffs, amazing forts, historic castles and we do it all in a day. From the lunar landscape of the Burren to the rugged Atlantic shore and sheer splendour of the cliffs, you shall be inspired all day long!" - Paddywagon Tours

1. Kinvara: Famed for its Galway hookers (boats) a truly picturesque photo shop! Kinvara is a lovely little village with fantastic vistas of the Aran Islands. It truly reflects rural Ireland. A quick stop in the village will give you a chance to stroll around and take some photographs of its traditional Dunguaire Castle and the beautiful fishing harbour.



2. Corcomroe Abbey: This well preserved abbey is picturesquely sited among the grey hills of the Burren and best known for its lonely situation.



3. Atlantic Coastal Drive: You will drive along the beautiful Atlantic Coast and go off the beaten track to the famous 'Baby Cliffs'. These amazing hidden treasures are spectacular, smaller than their big cousins - The Cliffs of Moher, they are an ideal spot to view Whales and Dolphins when they are in our Atlantic waters.







4. The Burren: A limestone and fossil Lunar like rock formation, stretching as far as the eye can see with amazing flora and fauna. A truly unique and inspirational experience.

5. Doolin: We lunch at the beautiful fishing village of Doolin and admire the surf town of Fanore. (I can truly say the food was amazing and the views were even better!)

6. The Cliffs of Moher: After a drive though Black Head, an inspiring and dramatic coastal drive, you will arrive at the world famous Cliffs of Moher. For an hour and a half, you will experience the breathtaking views. Fun fact: the Cliffs of Moher have appeared in numerous films such as The Princess Bride (1987), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) and Leap Year (2010).





7. Bunratty Castle: To end the day you will stop and see the most complete medieval fortress in Ireland. Built in 1425 and restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour, you will get to take some photos of the magnificent castle.





Giants Causeway Day Tour

"You cannot truly visit Ireland without a visit to the legendary Giant's Causeway! Volcanic activity helped Finn McCool forge this wonder of the world some 60 million years ago. The 6km of sheer cliffs rising to over 90m and forming a series of bays are spectacular" - Paddywagon Tours

1. Dark Hedges: You begin the tour by visiting one of the most popular natural phenomena in Northern Ireland, the Dark Hedges. They were used as a set for the hit TV series Game of Thrones. It was the famous King's Road in Season 2. Planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family, TV fans will be delighted by this stop.



2. Carrick A Rede: You will spend an hour strolling along the windswept coastal path with amazing views to and from the rope bridge (optional). Traditionally fisherman erected the bridge to Carrick-a-Rede Island over a chasm 23m deep and 20m wide. With views of the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland and Rathlin Island it is truly an incredible experience.

* As this bridge is optional and I have a fear of heights, my friends and I opted out and went exploring as you will see in the photos below.






3. Giants Causeway: You will continue along the Glens of Antrim, on a coastline drive to the fantastic Giants Causeway. Considered one of the natural wonders of the world, the 37,000 basalt columns form stepping stones leading from the cliff foot under the sea and reappearing in Scotland. Considered as the walkway used by Finn McCool the legendary Irish giant to steal away the most beautiful girl in the highlands.





4. Dunluce Castle: A quick photo-stop at Dunluce Castle, perched on a clifftop overlooking the ocean, is considered Ireland's most romantic castle.

5. Belfast: To complete the wonderful day, you will take a visit to Belfast city centre. You will be introduced to the highlights of the city such as City Hall and the Titanic Quarter.

*As this stop is the last of the tour, you are unfortunately given limited time to explore.



Attractions In and Around Dublin 

As mentioned, our first few days were spent in the city of Dublin, all attractions we were able to walk to and with the help of a map, were easy to find! Below are just a select few of the awesome things to do in Dublin, I can't wait to come back and explore more one day!


Guinness Storehouse 

The Storehouse covers seven floors surrounding a glass atrium shaped in the form of a pint of Guinness. The ground floor introduces the beer's four ingredients: water, barley, hops and yeast. Other floors through the tour introduce you to the brewing and transportation process, the taste experience (you will learn secrets of how to best hone your senses so that you can fully appreciate the sight, aroma, flavour, taste and feel of a perfect pint of Guinness), the history of Guinness advertising and includes an interactive exhibit on responsible drinking. The seventh floor houses the Gravity Bar with views of Dublin and where visitors may drink a pint of Guinness (included in the price of admission). 





Trinity College 

Founded in 1592, Trinity College is the oldest University in Ireland. It covers some 40 acres of cobbled squares and green spaces around buildings that represent the accumulated architectural riches of over four centuries. 



The Temple Bar 

The Temple Bar is one of the most famous pubs in Dublin. It has 450 bottles of rare and interesting whiskeys gathered for decades over the world and is Irelands largest collection. Although a bust tourist spot, the atmosphere is unlike any other pub or bar and is truly worth the experience. 

Other Popular Attractions in Dublin:
  • Wellington Monument
  • Phoenix Park
  • St. James Gate Brewery
  • St. Patricks Tower
  • Croke Park
  • Howth Head
  • The Spire
  • Liberty Hall
  • Hop on-and-off Tours
  • Smithfield
  • Dublin Castle
  • St. Catherine's Church
  • Shopping at local and touristy shops


There are truly so many amazing things to see and do in Ireland, I can't wait to come back one day and explore more of this beautiful country! 

If you have been to Ireland, I would love to know in the comments what fun things you did or saw while there! xo

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Easy Valentine's Day Gift Ideas






Valentine's Day is only ONE week away and time is running out! Do you need help looking for an easy, last minute Valentine's Day Gift!? I've got you covered! Below are 14 easy Gift Ideas with cute sayings or expressions you can add to a label that will give each gift that perfect finishing touch! 



  • Chocolate Kisses: Fill a mason jar with Hershey Kisses. Make a label that can say "Hugs & Kisses" or "Kisses for when I'm not around"

  • Shoes: Gift you significant other with a new pair of shoes! Create a label that can say "From the day you walked into my life, I've never been happier! Every step with you is the beginning of something amazing!" or "Because you've been Running through my mind since the first day I met you!" 

  • Watch: Find the perfect stylish watch and attach a note saying "Today I have loved you for __ days, and I will love you until the end of time!" 

  • Starbucks or Tim Hortons Gift Card: Is your significant other a coffee lover? Give them a gift card and attach a note saying "I like you a Latte" or "You Mocha me very happy".

  • Beer: Pick up a case of their favourite beer and attach a label saying "Ale always Love You", "Beer Mine" or "Love Brew".

  • Box of Donuts: Inside the lid write a cute saying such as: "I Donut know what I'd do without you", "I Donut know how I got so luck to have you as a friend!" or "Donut forget I Love You!"

  • Nuts: Fill a mason jar with an assortment of their favourite nuts! Be sure to tie on a cute label saying "I'm  totally Nuts about you!"

  • Tea: Pick up a cute mug and various types of tea! Don't forget to attach a cute label or note saying "You're my cup of tea!"

  • Bath Bombs: Bath Bombs make the perfect gift and come in so many fun shapes, smells and sizes! Fill a gift basket with their favourites and add a note saying "Valentine, You're the Bomb!" 

  • Scratch Tickets: Pick up an assortment of scratch tickets or lottery tickets, add a cute note saying "___, I'm so lucky to have a ___ like you!" or "I won the lottery when I met you!"

  • Goodie Bag: Fill a brown paper gift bag with a few of their favourite snacks, gifts, etc. On the front of the bag you can write "Brown Bag tied up with a string ... filled with a few of your favourite things!" Be sure to add pretty pink or red tissue paper to the top!

  • Movie Night In Gift Basket: Fill a basket with their favourite snacks, popcorn and movie! Don't forget to add a cute message saying "Have a Poppin' good Valentine's Day!" or "You make my heart POP!" 

  • Starbursts: Fill a mason jar with Starbursts and add a note saying "Baby you make my heart BURST!" or "Bursting with happiness that you're my friend!"

  • Puzzle: Want to have a relaxing night in? Pick up a puzzle and enjoy each others company! Make sure you tell them you "love them to pieces!" 

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Valentine's Day Cookies





Any Holiday is the perfect excuse to make delicious cookies! For Valentine's Day I changed my classic chocolate chip cookie recipe by adding white chocolate chips and red M&M's! They turned out amazing and would make the perfect snack for a quiet Valentine's at home or a perfect gift for that special someone in your life! 

Let me know if you make the cookies and if you enjoyed them as much as I do! 


Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 cups White Chocolate Chips
  • 2 1/4 cups Flour
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 3/4 cup Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla
  • 1 cup Butter
  • 1-2 cups Red or Pink M&M's

Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Cream butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.
  3. Add eggs, beat well.
  4. In separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and salt, add gradually to butter mixture.
  5. Beat together well.
  6. Stir in chocolate chips and M&M's.
  7. Drop dough by rounded spoonful's onto parchment lined cookie sheet.
  8. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown on bottom.
  9. Cool slightly, remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack and enjoy!

Monday, January 21, 2019

How to Save Time In The Morning






If you are like me, then you love sleep. The more time I have in the mornings the better! The following are a few easy, helpful tips that I use to save time. Enjoy!


  • Shower/ Do your hair at night: I was able to save roughly 45 minutes in the mornings by showering and doing my hair the night before. If you like showering in the morning, still do your hair the night before and use a shower cap. Trust me, you won't regret it!
  • Lay your clothes out the night before: There is nothing worse then running late and not being able to find something to wear or the crucial missing piece of clothing. Try looking at the forecast the night before and plan your outfit accordingly. This will help you save time in the mornings and make it able for you to easily slip out the door on the mornings you are running late.
  • Pack your lunch the night before: I don't know about you, but when I am running late the last thing I want to worry about is my lunch. If you make & pack your lunch the night before not only will this save you time in the mornings but it may also help your wallet as you are not running out at lunch to grab something to eat because you did not pack anything.
  • Write the next day's to-do list the night before: When I am trying to fall asleep I am constantly worrying about all the things I have to do the next day and if I will remember. When I make a to-do list for the next day I am able to relax before bed and sleep with no worries, allowing a full nights sleep!
  • Prepare your coffeemaker the night before: Have your coffee and mug ready to go so on those busy mornings so you are all ready to go and still get your morning coffee!

I hope these tips help you save time in the morning. If you have any time saving tips feel free to leave them in a comment down below as I would love to hear them.



Tuesday, January 1, 2019

My Hopes, Goals and Dreams for Sarah Lillian in 2019




Happy New Year! 

The first day of 2019 is officially here and I am so excited to see what this year brings! I want to accomplish bigs things both personally and professionally, it will be a year of growth and learning to put myself first!

As far as blogging goes, Sarah Lillian has been a bit of a rollercoaster the past few years. While studying for my Business Degree, I found it hard to keep up creating new and exciting content for my readers, and truly was not seeing the growth and connection with you all to keep me motivated or inspired to keep pushing me forward.

However, in 2019 that is all going to change! I have so many hopes, dreams and goals for Sarah Lillian to hit and accomplish! I have truly found my love for blogging and I cannot wait to continue producing fresh, new content for you all!

Below are a just a few of the goals I hope for Sarah Lillian to accomplish in 2019, if possible I would love if you could help me out with them!

  • Hit 500 Instagram Followers! To help me out be sure to follow my Instagram! I would love to connect with you all!
  • Publish 10 Sponsored Blog Posts! This may seem small, but to me this number would be an accomplishment!
  • Hit 50 Followers on Pinterest! If you'd like to see my daily pins or get inspiration from my boards, be sure to follow here!
  • Hit 300 Followers on Bloglovin
  • Publish at least one blog post a week! 
  • Create a profit from my blog while knowing my worth.
  • Increase my Blog's monthly page views by 1,000 a month.
  • Double my blogs overall page views. 
  • Connect with more Bloggers both local and international!
  • Host at least two giveaways! 
  • December 2019 commit to publishing 'The 12 Days of Blogmas'


Now I need your input! PLEASE let me know in the comments what types of Blog Posts you would like to see from me in 2019! I would also like to know what types of giveaways you would be interested in!

I would like to thank each and everyone of you that has read, and supported my blog over the years! I know big things are in store for 2019 and I cant wait to share it with you all!


Wishing you all a Happy New Year! xo 
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