So we’re coming up to a year from when I launched my blog (super exciting!) and one thing I have enjoyed the most about this experience is sharing with you the things that are truly important to me. On the top of my mind lately has been the health and wellness of our local bee community. Growing up, bee stings were a weekly occurrence amongst our neighborhood kid gang now it seems like such a rarity to even see a bee, let alone worry about provoking a sting! I became aware of the decline back in 2012 when I read a great article in the Vancouver Sun about how bees were declining in Ontario. It made me ultra aware of the bee situation locally. With food being such a big component to a healthy lifestyle it’s important to know that one in every three bites of food we eat is pollinated– even the grains and meat in our diet benefit from having pollinators support the landscapes they thrive in! They benefit most from native (bee-friendly) plants such as blueberries, chives, lavender and my favourite, sunflowers! Every spring I plant sunflowers in my parent’s and grandparent’s gardens, as well as create a few potted plants for our patio! It’s even become my favourite gift to give over the summer!

I came upon a beautiful wildflower display in Cathedral Square Park and after spending far too long (according to hubby) admiring the beautiful display I found out it was actually a ‘living’ installation meant to serve as local bee habitat! How cool is that?!

The display was developed by Burt’s Bees—who clearly couldn’t imagine a world without bees either! And was done in partnership with the Wildlife Preservation Canada. Together they developed #KissesforBees and for every one of these limited edition lipsticks that Burt’s Bees sells, they will plant 100 wildflowers across Canada! Can you imagine the impact that will have? Coming from someone who tries to cram as many lavender and sunflower potters onto one balcony, this new campaign was beyond exciting.

I have always been a fan of Burt’s Bees lip balm but hadn’t tried out their lipsticks yet, so this was as good an excuse as any to adopt a new lippy for the summer!

With incredible customer reviews and claims of 8-hour moisture, 100% natural and intense colour pigmentation I picked up a few shades to play around with. I opted for ‘Sunset Cruise’ and ‘Tulip Tide’. At only $9.99 it has quickly become my go-to drugstore brand! If you haven’t already, check out the install—it’s only around a few more days and go out and get yourself a beautiful summer lip that does SO much more than hydrate and look lush!

Will you try this new lippie? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Natalie xx

Photography by Allison Kuhl Photography 

Clothing provided by Barefoot Contessa Boutique

Hair + Makeup by Ana V Beauty

Thank you to Burt’s Bees for sponsoring this post. All comments and opinions are my own.