Drysol: 35ml Of Life-Changing Liquid

I considered not writing this. Because it meant I'd have to reveal and discuss something very embarrassing about myself. And I wasn't sure if I was brave enough to do that... But I slowly convinced myself that I should. Because it's a huge thing for me that I've overcome. And even though I imagine very few people will appreciate the hugeness of it, those are the few people that writing this will help.

For as long as I can remember, ever since puberty I suppose, I have suffered with the issue of sweat. Under-arm sweat. (I told you it was embarrassing). It's something I've dealt with everyday of my life and learned to live with and up until recently, I didn't even think of it as a medical condition. (Not sure why. A quick google search years ago could have saved me years of trouble) I thought I was just a freak who sweated way more than everyone else no matter what kind of antiperspirant that I used.

It's called Hyperhidrosis and if you google it, the first thing that comes up says "Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat even when the temperature is cool or when they are at rest."

So I just sweat. All the time. For no reason. Even if I'm just sitting watching tv and I'm not hot. This has been my life. I can remember times when it affected me, like scarred me for life where I remember key occasions in my life and THE SWEAT is one of the main things my brain has selected to remember.

At my Confirmation I had this cute green cap-sleeve stiff-cotton dress made and while sitting in the church, 2 huge wet spots formed under my arms and I knew... Everyone's gonna see this. And at my Grad. I wore this gorgeous red dress. I was still trying to convince myself that if I just wear lots of antiperspirant and stay cool and calm, it'll be ok. Of course I was sweating before the ceremony even started and had to go in the bathroom and put my pits under the hand dryer and practically burn my skin off from the heat just so I could dry the wet spots. Then by the time I was called for my diploma I was wet again so I had to make sure to keep my arms down as I walked across a stage with lights shining on me in front of everyone with huge wet spots under my arms...

After a few experiences like that I gave into the fact that there were just certain things I couldn't wear. Like if I wore anything with sleeves that wasn't black or white or a dark pattern or polyester, I was screwed. I would look at clothes on racks in stores and I'd trained my brain to reject all options that would show sweat. For someone who loves clothes as much as I do, this has never been fun.

So this has been my life. And I'd accepted it. Until my brother got engaged, and his fiancée asked me to be a bridesmaid. And the dresses were gonna be blue... And I'm so excited I get to be a bridesmaid for the first time and all I'm thinking is; my sweat is bound to show on that dress and I'm gonna be walking down an isle in front of everyone. And taking tons of pictures; pictures that are gonna be their wedding pictures forever... and there's gonna be Melanie... With sweaty frickin' armpits.

So I started doing research. I had heard a while ago that some people get botox in their armpits to make themselves not sweat. So that was the first thing I looked up. Of course that was extremely expensive. I figured celebrities and rich people must be the only ones who do this.

But my research led me to a product. A seemingly simple product. A product that seemed so basic, so cheap, so easy to procure AND got rave reviews all over the internet... It had to be too good to be true.

The next day I purchased from Walmart, for $19.99, DRYSOL. A small innocent-looking bottle of liquid, with a spongy opening at the top. That night I stood in front of the mirror, antiperspirant-free, having not shaved for 24 hours (apparently if you've recently shaved it'll burn like hell) raised each arm and per the instructions, gently dabbed the liquid onto my armpits and I went to bed. It was a little itchy but not too bad.

The next day we were renting a car to drive to Tottenham for a party and to stay overnight. I got up, washed my under-arms with soap and water, dried them, applied Aluminum-Free Deodorant and put on a fitted purple cotton t-shirt.

After getting ready, packing, going to get the rental car, eating, driving for over 2 hours, walking around Yorkdale Mall and driving some more, we arrived at our destination. I took off my coat, and raised my arms... I was dry.

Like I said in the beginning, only people who sweat like I do did will understand the feeling I felt to raise my arms and see that there were no big dark purple circles. I wore a red T-shirt to go to Detroit for a Hockey game. I wore it all day, for 12 hours. And when I got home at 1am, I was dry. My life has changed.


This commercial is obviously a complete lie because Axe would never have stopped my sweat, but it's pretty funny.

Trend-Spotting : Cargo Skinnies

As comfortable as I was sure they were, I always thought of cargos as bulky, unattractive and masculine. I also imagined them in khaki and tan and I cannot pull off those colours.

That all changed when this season I discovered Cargo Skinnies. I think the first time I ever saw them were on Jennifer Hudson's jenny Craig commercial: (sorry the photo sucks)



They have the 'roughing it' feel but in a sleek, stylish way that appears completely new and different to me. I had to have a pair.

I saw the ones on the right by J Brand in 2 consecutive issues of InStyle. Both had celebrities wearing them. Which leads me to believe they got them for free. I am not a celeb and they cost over $200:



So I kept an eye out for a pair in my price range. Which eventually led me to Old Navy. I got these in the middle on sale for $19 - a steal!! :


I can dress them up, dress them down, they can go with a T and converse for a casual look or I can pair them with heels and a pretty top for an interesting contrast between pretty and rugged. I also have new leather booties the look SICK with them.

The only down-side I can see is that such an unusual style could end up being a fad and fall out of fashion pretty quickly.

But for now at least, I LOOOVE Them.

Taylor Momsen Is Not Crap

Last night we rented The Runaways starring Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie. We saw it in the theatre when it came out and LOVED it. made us wanna be 15 and in a girl band and do a lot of drugs and make out with Kristen Stewart. This is not Twilight Bella Kristen Stewart. This is Joan Jett -ified, hot, make you wanna get into trouble with her, Kristin Stewart.

Anyway, so I'm reading LaineyGossip today and she has a post about Taylor Momsen. From Gossip Girl. She's in a band and she thinks she's the shit and people hate on her a lot. But she's performing on the Warped Tour and her band is actually getting good reviews!!

So what do The Runaways and Taylor Momsen's band have in common?

Well see for yourself:


And don't even say oh well she's just copying Cherie cause nothing in entertainment is 'new'. Everybody copies.

What's important is; back in the 70s people Hated on The Runaways SO Much. They didn't want these little girls playing rock music and dressing and acting the way they did and now The Runaways are a major part of rock history and opened doors for girls to be able to be in rock bands or do whatever the hell else they wanted to do that people told them they couldn't or shouldn't.

So Taylor, you do your thing girl! I might even buy your album.

Here's the Video for The Runaways - Cherry Bomb. I challenge you to try to not get this song stuck in your head.


Here's the Vid of Dakota in the movie performing Cherry Bomb


and here's a video for Taylor's Band, The Pretty Reckless - Make Me Wanna Die

Rain Boots. The search continues

Yes I still haven't gotten any.

But here are some that I've been looking at recently. I think I might actually get a pair this time I like the ones from Winners a lot.

Bring on the birthday money!!

Zellers - pink and black

Winners - navy and white, kinda sailor-ish

Joe Fresh - stripes or yellow

The Search for the Perfect Birthday Dress

My Birthday is a little over a month away and I'm already thinking about what I'm going to wear. I know I have tons of time but I suffer from severe birthday anxiety. So I need to be prepared. We're going out downtown Toronto and I need an amazing dress.

My first inspiration is this dress worn by Amanda Seyfried to some premiere or event recently. I literally have not stopped thinking about it since I saw it. The colour, the style, the draping... I die.

VitaminWater: Canada > USA

I've recently fallen in love with VitaminWater. The taste lands wonderfully half way between regular water and juice. And it could be my imagination but I could swear when I drink it at work it gives me energy.

So I got curious and googled it to see how healthy it actually is. answer: Not very healthy. Not very healthy at all!

One small bit of good news though, turns out a bottle of VitaminWater sold in the good old USA contains crystalline fructose which is the main thing all the websites are saying is the worst ingredient in VitaminWater.

The good news? My beloved VitaminWater, when purchased on a Canadian shelf, DOES NOT CONTAIN the crystalline fructose and instead is made with cane sugar. Still sugar, but 50% healthier. Just another reason Canada is better than good ole USA.


(This website explains in more detail what the difference means.)

Now if only Canadian VitaminWater was cheaper....

Outfits: Halloween and Girls Night