On our way into May and everything is blooming. Ottawa, Canada celebrates the Tulip Festival every May and we always know summer is coming when our fair city is blanketed in colourful flowers. The Netherlands give Ottawa the gift of tulips every year as a thank you for protecting their monarchy after their country was invaded in 1940. Its a wonderful story & you can read the background here.

But, while many of us are watching our flowers bloom, the rain is wreaking havoc with devastating floods in Canada and with our American neighbours. Help is needed everywhere and of course, the Red Cross is there. In Canada, you can donate here, and residents of the US can donate here.

Gouldylox Reviews featured the new Bare Escentuals summer eye shadows.

The Non-Blonde showed us her latest blush purchase, Rouge Bunny Rouge Florita Blush.

Best Things in Beauty Best Things in Beauty fascinates us with Le Métier de Beauté’s Mediterranean Holiday Summer 2011 Collection Penelope Kaleidoscope Eye Kit.

The Beauty Look Book featured the extraordinary luxury of Edward Bess Eye and Face Brushes.

BeautyXposé gave us a look at the soft, pastel nail polishes in the Spring Garden Collection by Nubar.

Fab over Forty showed us how to recreate a stunning red carpet look from Penelope Cruz.

Café Makeup reviewed the Guerlain Terracotta Fusion cream eye shadows for Summer 2011.

Daly Beauty told us why Acqua di Parma is oh so beautiful. Perfume lovers need to try this one…

Diva Debbi gave us the 411 on Rimmel’s Lash Accelerator.

Product Girl featured Dior’s Electric Tropics Collection for Summer 2011.