Bonjour Bella!

A Blog on Fashion, Beauty, Food, Lifestyle, Books, and Pharmacy Profession by Jean Monique

[jeanmonique]

How do you keep calm? 💙 In these challenging and difficult times, it’s hard to stay calm and relaxed. Some are still going to work. Some are now working from home. Kids are now being home-schooled. Majority have been laid off from work. There’s a lot of anxiety and stress especially in these days filled with uncertainties. Life as we knew it has been forever changed. To stay calm and focused, I’ve created a mini sanctuary where I can meditate and do yoga. Just a few minutes of meditation and an hour of yoga helps me so much. @modoyogakildonan offers online yoga classes and guided meditations. I miss the hot studio but I am thankful for technology for connecting me to awesome instructors. ❤️ Wishing all of you to have good health and peaceful minds and hearts. 🧘🏻‍♀️💙 Namaste 🙏🏼 Meditation pillow and yoga props from @shophalfmoon | Mystic Calm Meditation Oil from @sweetspiritapothecary (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_BCGMcADeO/?igshid=hbpjr5wthhz5

[jeanmonique]

Thank you @saunawinnipeg for a very relaxing traditional Finnish sauna experience. ❤️ The Nordic cabin is so cozy. And the sauna experience is so unique and relaxing. It’s 10-15 minutes inside the barrel sauna. Then about 15 mins in the cold. It was a good 90 minutes to relax and recharge with friends. ❤️ All you have to do is bring a robe, slippers, bathing suit, and a water bottle. If you don’t have any of these, you can buy or rent on the spot. To anyone interested in trying out this unique local experience, they’re open at least until end of March. You can book via their website. They have 25% off during Student Night (Tuesdays) and Women’s Night (Wednesdays). Got a couple more weeks to enjoy and try this out! ❤️ #BonjourBella #winnipegblogger #winnipeginfluencer #canadianblogger #filipinoblogger #saunawinnipeg #sauna #saunatime #relax #recharge #finnishsauna #nordicsauna #wpgnow #winnipeg #manitoba #canada #travelmanitoba #tourismwinnipeg #exploremb (at The Forks) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fYvNpgxKt/?igshid=61o7ewmcxpzo

[jeanmonique]

📚 Here Comes The Sun by @ndennisbenn captures the struggles of women (particularly 2 sisters) in poverty in Jamaica. It revolves around sexual exploitation, racial prejudice, lesbian love, poverty and oppression. If you’re poor and in a desolate situation, what are the lengths you’re willing to go to in order to survive? 4/5 ⭐️ e-Book read using Libby app by Winnipeg Public Library @winnipegpubliclibrary #BonjourBella #winnipegblogger #winnipeginfluencer #canadianblogger #filipinoblogger #herecomesthesun #ebook #winnipegpubliclibrary #library #bibliophile #booknerd #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #readersofinsta #readingcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookaddict #bookblogger #bookporn #instabook #bookobsessed #currentlyreading #bookcommunity #bookblog #lovetoread #bookloversofinstagram #readingchallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth2020 (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9M218ZgnNg/?igshid=3rznikqv76cw

[jeanmonique]

Skating again at The Forks Skating Trail ⛸ @theforkswinnipeg Snow is melting so it’s pretty slushy in some parts... no falls this time though. Thanks to my awesome work friends, Dustin and Jahnna! Skated on all the trails and skating rinks this time. 😍 got to take amazing photos of the beautiful warming huts too! And at the end of it, there’s free hot apple cider. ☺️ Winnipeg is really beautiful. ❤️ #BonjourBella #winnipegblogger #winnipeginfluencer #canadianblogger #filipinoblogger #wpgnow #winnipeg #manitoba #canada #travelmanitoba #tourismwinnipeg #exploremb #iceskating #skating #iceskatingfun #iceskate #winter #winterfun #theforks #theforkswinnipeg #art #warminghuts #warminghut (at The Forks) https://www.instagram.com/p/B87cXgpAlF9/?igshid=f6ns65xb1g9z

[jeanmonique]

✨ caffeine and then the world ✨ Sunday mornings are the best! ❤️ I can sleep in, make coffee, read a book with reading socks on and under a comfy throw, listen to relaxing music, and just chill. Hope today you get to rest and recharge for the new week. 🤗 📖 Good Vibes, Good Life by @vexking | l ☕️ Vanilla Hazelnut coffee by @javaworkscoffee | 🕯 Black Cherry Merlot by @bathandbodyworks #BonjourBella #winnipegblogger #winnipeginfluencer #canadianblogger #filipinoblogger #bibliophile #booknerd #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookstagramfeature #readersofinstagram #readersofinsta #readingcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookstagramista #bookaddict #goodreads #bookblogger #bookporn #instabook #amreading #bookobsessed #currentlyreading #bookcommunity #lovetoread #bookloversofinstagram #readingchallenge2020 #mood #relax (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B86luP1gt3c/?igshid=1m4l0hf2td9vc

[jeanmonique]

Late afternoon cappuccino at @cafepostal ❤️ Cafe Postal is such a lovely and cozy cafe in the French neighbourhood of Winnipeg. It’s not uncommon to hear people converse in French here. Feels like I’m in a totally different part of the city. They offer a coffee subscription service so you can try unique coffee beans from amazing Canadian roasters. ☕️ #golocal #supportlocal #cafepostal #coffee #coffeesubscription #BonjourBella #winnipegblogger #winnipeginfluencer #canadianblogger #filipinoblogger #wpgnow #winnipegfood #wpgeats #tastingwinnipeg #winnipeg #manitoba #canada #travelmanitoba #tourismwinnipeg #exploremb #cafe #french (at Café Postal) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8zrbiYAVQi/?igshid=faz3ix8c1ipg

[jeanmonique]

✨ Romantic candlelit dinner ✨ This is how we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day... candles, romantic music, red wine, and medium rare steak. ❤️ just the two of us, no crowds. ❤️ perfect! Today is a day to celebrate love... hope you get to spend this day with the people you love. 💕 #dreamsdocometrue #happyvalentinesday #valentinesday2020 #valentines #romantic #datenight #date #datenight❤️ #love #dinner #valentines2020 (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8knU0DATbc/?igshid=1snz4mcbqratk

[jeanmonique]

Rereading this in honour of #BlackHistoryMonth2020 ❤️ @chimamanda_adichie is a powerful feminist writer. This is a must read for every woman out there, especially if you have a daughter. ❤️ Honestly, this is a book that every woman should have in her bookshelf. 📚 “Teach her to love books. ... reading is valuable. ... Books will help her understand and question the world, help her express herself, and help her in whatever she wants to become...” #BonjourBella #bibliophile #booknerd #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookstagramfeature #readersofinstagram #readersofinsta #readingcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookstagramista #bookaddict #goodreads #bookblogger #bookporn #instabook #amreading #becauseofreading #readersunite #bookobsessed #currentlyreading #bookcommunity #bookblog #lovetoread #bookloversofinstagram #readreadread #readingchallenge2020 (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8kbGD6AN4C/?igshid=1rzamyxfpukck

[jeanmonique]

The Red River Skating Trail isn’t open this year but we got the The Forks Skating Trail. ⛸ It was so fun skating the 1km-long on-land trail under these colourful lights. ⭐️ if you don’t want to skate, there’s a walking trail just right beside it. Lots of amazing warming huts too. (Check out the one made from shovels!) Even though it was -20C that evening and I fell 3 times, it was a really fun evening. 😁 #BonjourBella #winnipegblogger #winnipeginfluencer #canadianblogger #filipinoblogger #wpgnow #winnipeg #manitoba #canada #travelmanitoba #tourismwinnipeg #exploremb #theforks #theforkswinnipeg #skatingtrail #theforksskatingtrail #lights #iceskating #nighticeskating #skating #winter (at The Forks, Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8VRC9_gQI0/?igshid=1ubcg5orh6er8

[jeanmonique]

Been trying out Garnier Bio Organic Lavandin Anti-Age Day Care for a week now as my day and night moisturizer. 💜 It’s enriched with organic Lavandin grown in France, organic Argan oil, and vitamin E to ensure 24 hrs of regenerating hydration. It’s also vegan, organic, made with fairy traded lavandin, and made with 100% recyclable materials. What I love most about this product is the smell. I love lavender scent. I don’t find it as moisturizing as my other moisturizers though. I’ll stop using it now and just reach for it again in spring / summer. Also, I will switch it to just nighttime because the lavender scent helps me relax. ☺️ it would pair well with my Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Lush’s Sleepy body lotion. No breakouts but it makes my skin feel tight after a few minutes so I know that it’s not as moisturizing as I’d like it to be. I will finish the product but I will not be repurchasing this. Thanks to Influenster and Garnier for sending me this product complimentary for testing purposes. #garnierbio #garnierbiolover #contest #complimentary @Influensterca @garniercan #BonjourBella #winnipegblogger #winnipeginfluencer #canadianblogger #filipinoblogger #skincare #beauty #beautyblogger #wpgblogger #skincare #skincarecollection #skincarejunkie #skincareaddict # skincareroutine #skincaretips #skincarebasics #winterskincare #winterskincaretips (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8FIbl-gG6i/?igshid=lkgszhrttrws

[jeanmonique]

❄️ Winter Skin Care Tips for the Body ❄️ I’m a gal who loves moisturizers. Coming from a tropical country, it took me a lot of trial and errors to find my own winter body care routine. Aside from drinking lots of water, it’s very important to EXFOLIATE and MOISTURIZE. Exfoliate once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells. I especially focus on rough patches like elbows and knees. These exfoliating sugar cubes from @harperari smells so fruity so it adds to the fun of using them. Plus I love how I can just use 1 cube and I’m good to go. Then I lightly pat my skin dry to keep as much moisture on my skin as possible. Then I follow up with a good moisturizer. This natural body soufflé from @humanandkind is light yet moisturizing. It has a mild scent that lasts all throughout the day. So these are my winter skincare tips for the body. Share yours below. ☺️ (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B73dImZAelE/?igshid=1llfsz1udq1oq

[jeanmonique]

✨ AM & PM Skincare Routine with Fresh Beauty Super Lotus Moisturizers & Eye Cream ✨ BEFORE pictures were taken Jan 12 evening | AFTER pictures were taken Jan 27 evening (same lighting) Visibly brighter, glowing, and more moisturized skin after 2 weeks of regular use 😍 @freshbeauty products made my face feel soft, smooth, and supple especially during this cold winter season. We experienced temperatures going down to -20 and -30C and never once have I had dry, flaky skin with this new skincare routine. This is in huge contrast to how my skin looked and felt during the previous winters. The products are rich and creamy yet they never clogged my pores. They smell amazing. And I always wake up looking like I had 8 hours of sleep and drank 8 glasses of water the day before. I will definitely keep using these and won’t hesitate to repurchase these. ❤️ Thank you @influensterca and @freshbeauty for giving me these products free for testing purposes. (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B719qTpg8b1/?igshid=k45ekjingsae

[jeanmonique]

Fresh from the Instant Pot: Mac & Cheese 5 mins on high pressure and voila! This is the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever made. I used old cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. It’s creamy and cheesy. 🧀 Even D approves! 😍 Thank you @the_salty_marshmallow for the recipe. ☺️ #thesaltymarshmallow #recipe #instantpot #instantpotrecipes #BonjourBella #winnipegblogger #winnipeginfluencer #canadianblogger #filipinoblogger #food #foodie #macandcheese #foodstagram #foodporn #foodphotography #foodblogger #foodpics #macandcheeserecipe #instantpotmeals #instantpotcooking #instantpoteats #instantpotlove (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7w4CEygPIP/?igshid=ml1eq472lf61

[jeanmonique]

Cold weather ❄️ = ramen weather 🍜 Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen from @gaijinizakaya We’ve been here twice and ordered for delivery once. Perfect ramen every single time! Hot, spicy, rich and very flavourful broth paired with generous meat and toppings. Yum yum! Hope to go back soon and try more of their ramen and sushi 😍 (at GaiJin Izakaya) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7uhwkugeQ7/?igshid=1qg4mnm58s5lf

[jeanmonique]

Post-facial glow 😍✨ Love how my skin glows and looks fresh and bright. Thanks to a 75-min customized facial from Glamorous Aesthetics & Laser Centre @glamorouslaser.wpg My last facial was September and I badly needed one to rejuvenate and deep cleanse my skin. So glad I found one close to home. ☺️ When you enter, you can choose from tea / coffee / water. Then you can get settled and changed in the room. Lizbeth is amazing. She analyzes your skin to suggest a treatment that works best for your skin concerns. I have some pimple scars and hyperpigmentation so she said she’ll do a treatment for those issues. Treatment is so relaxing and well done. No pain, no redness after treatment. Just amazing bright and glowing skin. ✨ #nofilter needed ❤️ They do threading, waxing, sugaring, laser hair removal services too as well as laser treatments for numerous skin problems like deep wrinkles, acne, acne marks, and more. The place is so posh and stylish too. I will 💯 be back! 😍 #winnipeg #wpg #skincare #facial #acnetreatment #hyperpigmentationtreatment #antiagingtreatment #threading #waxing #sugaring #ipl #ipltreatment #laserhairremoval #glamorous #wpgblogger #beautyblogger #beauty #glow #fresh #bright (at Glamorous Aesthetics & Laser Centre) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7dsPungrDU/?igshid=14avoz7gttbit

[jeanmonique]

Happy New Year! 🥳 #love #family #friends #happynewyear #happynewyear2020 (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6y9cUEAfZF/?igshid=1usmvwr5e4rn2

[jeanmonique]

Merry Christmas everyone!🎄☃️🥰 wishing you all lots of love, peace, and happiness this Christmas. 💕 #4thchristmastogether #Christmas2019 #merrychristmas #family #love #missmyfamily (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6eRJ_nAP5v/?igshid=wbrtx5zo6b1k