Hello and welcome back!

I had the grand opportunity of attending the Indie Expo Canada in so many ways; official press, tutorial table host and of course as a guest to shop my wallet off hehe. Pam Heil, owner of Girly Bits really nailed this event and her hard word, meticulous attention to details, organization, love and dedication was impecable in orchestrating such a fantastic event! I'm already anxiously awaiting next years event! This event was located in the grand Hyyat Regency hotel, downtown Toronto King St. West. The hotel itself was beautiful and the showroom was perfect!

 It's such an overwhelming (in a good way) feeling being able to actually meet people I've been networking with for a long time. Never had I thought my love for polish would take me so far and I truly cherish all the wonderful friendships I've made with so many utterly amazing people! I was so busy during the day that I miserably failed at taking selfies with so many friends - womp womp.

Covering official press, I of course snapped a bunch of photo's to share with you all of the kick ass hand made goods! This event truly felt like I was at 'home', so familiar familiar people and everyone was so welcoming and inviting. 

Let's get on with the show shall we?

P.S - Feel free to check out the other ladies coverage posts down below at the end =)

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First up, I need to send a huge shout out to Pam for gifting this amazing custom shirt she got made in pair with Wicked Fairy Creations. This black v-neck t-shirt with my social media screen name iholo goodness made me screeeeeeeech in joy! I will cherish it forever!

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GIRLY BITS COSMETICS

Upon first walking into the venue, you're greeted with the wonderfully displayed Girly Bits Cosmetics table. Pam was in mid conversation but I finally had my moment to get a photo without anyone in the way and had to take my chance ya know? Girly Bits Cosmetics is a Canadian brand based out of Kingsville, Ontario and began business back in 2011! You can also find her products across 9 online retailers around the globe - impressive!

Shop and follow Girly Bits on social media:

Website: www.girlybitscosmetics.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/girlybits

Twitter: www.twitter.com/girlybitspolish

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/girlybitspolish

Instagram: www.instagram.com/girlybitscosmetics

Google +: https://plus.google.com/+PamHeilGirlyBitsCosmetics

How beautiful is Girly Bits Cosmetics new collection Sequins & Satin Pants? So sparkly *insert heart eyed emoji* !! 

   

BEYOND THE NAIL

I've had the pleasure of meeting Maddy S several times and finally had the opportunity in meeting the other half of the dynamic duo, Krystn Scrbic - 2 sisters! Beyond the Nail is a Canadian brand, based out of Mississauga, On and opened up shop back in 2013!

Shop and follow Beyond the Nail on social media: 

Website: www.beyondthenail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondthenail

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beyondthenail

Twitter: www.twitter.com/beyondthenail

They had displayed their new Summer Galaxy 2.0 collection - subtle holographic neons and of course I snagged a set! Their displays were adorable!

CANVAS LACQUER

Lan Tran and Alana Elizabeth, both 2 incredibly amazing women own Canvas Lacquer - long time high school best friends! Canvas Lacquer is a Canadian brand, based out of Toronto, ON and they began hand mixing cruelty free vegan and 5-free polishes back in 2014!

Shop and follow Canvas Lacquer on social media:

Website: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CANVASlacquer

Instagram: www.instagram.com/canvaslacquer

Facebook: www.facebook.com/canvaslacquer

Twitter: www.twitter.com/canvaslacquer

TONIC

Lindsay Buck owner of Tonic is a newer U.S indie brand and established business in 2016. Her polishes are highly sought after and she's really blown up. I wish her nothing but a successful future with Tonic and she was such a pleasure to meet. So inviting, happy and I could really sense the passion in making polish. What a gem! As soon as the doors opened, the line up's were crazy! I'm so thankful I got to snag a few beauties (will have a haul post coming up shortly) considering the circumstances; their original shipment of polishes to Canada got held up in customs but she scurried last minute and managed to fit 250 polishes in a suitcases before flying here to Canada. That in itself just shows so much dedication and passion- aint nothing going to get Tonic down! 

Shop and follow Tonic on social media: 

Website: www.tonicpolish.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tonicpolish

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonicpolish

CLIONADH COSMETICS

This brand is ran by 2 sisters: Leigh Cavanaugh and Maggie Cavanaugh. Cliondadh Cosmetics is a Canadian brand and are based out of Toronto, ON. They make cruelty free and vegan unique handmade cosmetics such as: highlighters, blush toppers and eye shadows! 

Shop and follow Clionadh Cosmetics on social media: 

Website: www.clionadhcosmetics.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/clionadhcosmetics

Instagram: www.instagram.com/clionadhcosmetics

CUTER CUTICLES

Samantha Hill is the owner of Cuter Cuticles and she had her hubby (really nice man!), partner in crime with her at the event. I've had the pleasure of meeting Samantha on several occasions and she's really just an overall easy going and inviting person. Her passion really shows through in her products and how she interacts with her customers. Cuter Cuticles is a Canadian indie brand, based out of Oshawa, ON and has been hand making goodies since 2014! Check out all her delicious smelling goodies such as cuticle oils, mani bombs, barrier butters and lip balms that come in loads of yummy scents! She also carries other items such as rings, acetone additives, cuticle oil re-fill pens and clear stampers.

Shop and follow Cuter Cuticles on social media:

Website: www.cutercuticles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cutercuticlesfamily

Instagram: www.instagram.com/canaildian_girl

FIENDISH FANCIES

Lara, owner of Fiendish Fancies is a Canadian brand, based out of Toronto, ON. She's been hand mixing 5-free, vegan and cruelty free polishes since her launch at Niagra Comic Con in 2015. Her inspiration behind polishes are from horror movies and t.v shows, very unique! Her booth was incredible and had so much eye candy to feast on! She's such a kind soul who is very inviting and her creations and incredibly unique! I purchased an awesome unicorn print out from her and can't wait to share that with you in  my haul post!

Shop and follow Fiendish Fancies on social media:

Website: www.fiendishfancies.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fiendishfancies

Twitter: www.twitter.com/fiendishfancies

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fiendishfancies

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/fiendishfancies

BEAUTOMETRY

Therese (on the right) owner of Beautometry is a U.S stockist that carries a wide variety of international brands to make shopping easier - a 1 stop shop for all your nail art needs! Therese and Theresa (on the left - she takes care of shipping) attended IEC on behalf of Hit the Bottle stamping polishes, an Australian stamping polish brand. They also had some other items including; Creative shop plates, Clear Jelly Stampers + replacements heads and a few other things. It was a pleasure meeting both of them and they were so inviting and wonderful! 

Shop and follow Beautometry on social media:

Website: www.beautometry.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beautometry

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beautometry 

Pinterest: www.pinterst.com/beautometry

Youtube: www.youtube.com/beautometry

Shop and follow Hit the Bottle on social media:

Website: www.hitthebotttlepolish.com.au

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hit_the_bottle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hit-the-bottle-polishes

*Purchase Hit the Bottle polishes from Beautometry and save 10% off using coupon code nail experiments at checkout*

This photo was blurry unfortunately, ah! Oh well, still including it :p 

ALTER EGO BODY CARE PRODUCTS

Cynthia Decker, owner of Alter Ego body care products is located in Wisconsin (United States). She sells several products including; nail polish, artisan soaps cuticle oils and more! 

Shop and follow Alter Ego Body Care on social media:

Website: www.wisconsinsoap.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alteregobodycareproducts

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alteregobodycareproducts

PAHLISH

Shannon Pahlas Pummill and Josh Pummill, husband and wife team own and operate Pahlish. Pahlish is based out of Nashville Tennessee, and they've been hand mixing cruelty free and 4-free nail polish since 2012. They weren't able to attend the event in person and had Eileen Reis stand in for them - she did a great job! I was able to snag 2 of these beauties and will share them in an upcoming haul post. This was my first time purchasing anything from the brand, so I'm really excited to play! 

Shop and follow Pahlish on social media:

Website: www.pahlish.bigcartel.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pahlish

Instagram: www.instagram.com/pahlish

FAIR MAIDEN

Sarah and Adrienne are long time friends and are the dynamic duo behind Fair Maiden. This brand is based out of the Twin cities of Minnestota. They weren't able to attend in person and had the lovely Rebecca Hill stand in for them - she did an exceptional job!

Shop and follow Fair Maiden on social media:

Website: www.fairmaidenpolish.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fairmaidenpolish

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fairmaidenpolish

Twitter: www.twitter.com/fairmaidennails

They had displayed their new Pony Parade collection, so many beauties! 

NATIVE WAR PAINTS

Amanda Pigeon-Scribner is the owner of Native War Paints. She began mixing polish at a very young age and has quite the passion in creating new colours. The brand name 'native war paints' originates from her fathers disapproval of her wearing too much makeup and would tell her, "go wash off that war paint!" How awesome is Amanda's dress though???

Shop and follow Native War Paints on social media:

Website: www.nativewarpaints.bigcartel.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nativewarpaints

Instagram: www.instagram.com/nativewarpaints

Tumblr: www.nativewarpaints.tumblr.com

MOO MOO SIGNATURES

Shop and follow Moo Moo Signatures on social media:

Website: www.moomoosignatures.bigcartel.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/moomoosignatures

Facebook: www.facebook.com/moomoosignatures

SUPERFICIALLY COLORFUL LACQUER

Adi Tamir, owner of Superficially Colorful Lacquer is based out of Israel. She wasn't able to attend in person and had the lovely Eunice Kidd (photographed) and Becka Peglar stand in replacement - they did an awesome job! She creates beautiful polishes and incredibly crafted hand soaps! 

Shop and follow Superficially Colourful Lacquer on social media:

Website: www.sclacquer.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jinjit

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jin__jit

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jinjit

LOVACADO

Claudia P. Marillo, the founder of Lavacado, born and raised in Columbia. She was inspired by her grandmother's beauty routine and traditional values. In 2013 Lovacado was born and it focuses on leveraging the restorative power of natural plant oils and botanicals. Lovacado offers face masks, a detoxifying massage oil treatment, eco-foot natural spritzer and extra virgin Avocado oil for skin and hair. Her products are very well marketed and love the overall feel of her brand and message!

Shop and follow Lovacado online:

Website: www.lovacado.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovacado

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lovacado

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovacado_oil

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lovacado

COLORS BY LLAROWE

Leah Ann LaRowe, founder of Llarowe was created back in 2011. Her table set up was incredible and loved how the lighting highlighted her beautiful polishes. I've been of a fan of this brand for quite some time and it was great to see the brand itself in Canada. We do have these polishes available on a Canadian stockist website which is super convenient. 

Shop and follow CBL on social media:

Website: www.llarowe.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/llarowe

Instagram: www.instagram.com/llaroweofficial

Twitter: www.twitter.com/llarowe

EVER AFTER POLISH

Miranda and Rachel (middle school friends that share 20+ years of friendship) are the dynamic duo behind Ever After Polish and began hand making polish back in 2014. They actually made polish prior, sold to family/friends and launched their website back in 2014. Ever After Polish is based out of Phoenix, AZ and Oswego, NY!

Shop and follow Ever After on social media:

Website: www.everafterpolish.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/everafterpolish

Instagram: www.instagram.com/everafterpolish

Twitter: www.twitter.com/everafterpolish

How beautiful are these handmade and hand painted dragon eggs using Ever After's Dragon Egg's newest collection *insert heart eyed emoji*

GREAT LAKES LACQUER

Mariah began hand mixing polish in early 2014 and all polishes are 5-free and cruelty free! I have't tried anything from this brand and scored a beautiful polish in my VIP bag. After swatching it and realizing how creamy and easy the formula was to use, I kicked myself for not purchasing anything from this vendor. Definitely something for me to look into because she has some very unique polishes! Was a treat having you in Canada =)

Shop and follow Great Lakes Lacquer on social media:

Website: www.greatlakeslacquer.bigcartel.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatlakeslacquer

Instagram: www.instagram.com/greatlakeslacquer

Had to snap a photo of this beauty called Indie-cent exposure, check out the second photo for shifty goodness! 

SOGA

SoGa is short for "The Soap Gallery' and their genius daughter suggested the name - clever! This brand is Canadian and based out of Winnipeg, MB and Vancouver, BC. You can shop their wonderful 100% vegan and cruelty free products in stores or online! They had a gorgeous table set up with beautiful handmade soaps, shower smoothies, lotions and bath bombs! You might mistake some of these works of art for bakery treats .. I know I did hehe

Shop and follow SoGa on social media:

Website: www.sogasoap.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SoGaSoap

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sogasoap

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thesoapgallery

Click here to get more info on store locations!

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 I'm incredibly thankful to have been able to be a part of, and attend the first ever Indie Expo Canada! What an amazing experience this was and am anxiously awaiting next years event! I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and my heart is just exploding with so much gratitude right now. I can't thank Pam Heil and her team enough for putting together such an amazing event and hope every vendor was successful!

Aside from all the wonderful vendors, there were several other things going on such as; tutorial tables, speakers, raffles and silent auctions! All proceeds of the auctioned items went to Mount Sinai breast cancer. So many giving and wonderful brands donated products and it was amazing seeing so many people come together for such a great cause. 

Stayed tuned for my post showcasing my haul; it's a good one! I wanted this post to highlight all the vendors and to provide some background info on each brand. 

Did you attend Indie Expo Canada? If so, how was your experience? Did I get to meet you? Comment down below =)

Thanks for reading and I'll see you back soon <3