Saturday, January 31, 2015

A Look Back at January


January was damn cold but we made the most of it by skiing every weekend except the last (we got a few mild days in there, by fluke and fortune).  I shared my three New Year Resolutions, we went to Tremblant overnight and I shared a uniform of sorts in an outfit post.

I made a lot of two-ingredient pancakes, rocked a fishtail braid several times and again, more snowboarding.  My condo is coming along but still won't be ready for a year, I bought a new hat with a real fur pom-pom (super on sale), and shared some of my favourite Christmas gifts (did you see the cell phone case that lights up?! The best for selfies!).

I showed my leg/butt workout routine, had a big dinner with friends (potluck style) and shared my tips on how to style grey denim.  I got some new bindings for my board (white, Burton Stiletto, which is the girl version of the Custom--if you're familiar with that kind of thing) and Marco surprised me with a Roxy hoodie (first clothing purchase he's ever bought me).

Finally, finished the month by hosting a surprise engagement party for our friends and doing a little January sale shopping at Zara.


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Friday, January 30, 2015

Nautical Engagement Party


Last weekend a few girlfriends and I threw a surprise engagement party for our friends.  From the get go, we knew we wanted it to be nautical with a blue, white and gold colour scheme.  It was something we planned for almost two months and we got a really awesome reaction from the bride and groom-to-be!

I wanted to share a few of the things we did, the decor and how it all came together, plus a few DIY's if you'd like to see.

Click for more photos....
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Thursday, January 29, 2015

New Years Resolution Check-In


Today I wanted to do a quick check-in on my New Years Resolutions.  We are coming to the end of our first month of 2015 and I have made some head way...
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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Would you ever get a bikini wax?


I have had this conversation with many girlfriends, and while some swear by it, others won't even consider trying it.

A few years ago I...
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Monday, January 26, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

This past weekend was a bit of a whirlwind and it's safe to say I think I need another weekend to recover!  That said, lots of fun, (good) stress and eats so here we go...
 
Friday night we went skiing at Camp Fortune with some friends and met up with my blog photographer, Serena, which was fun.
 

Afterwards, Marco and I, completely famished, grabbed viet food around 10pm.
 
Tons more photos after the jump...
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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

What's your biggest beauty secret?

 
I love hearing what other women do for their beauty regime and I especially love beauty hacks.  I have picked up a few of my own over the years but my biggest beauty secret is...
 
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Monday, January 19, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

Hi ladies, hope you had a great weekend--we finally got some mild weather on Sunday (zero degrees Celsius!) which was such a treat.  I ate a lot of good food (possibly too much!), saw friends and went snowboarding so without further adieu...

...onto the snaps!

On Friday I met Marco at the movies and we saw American Sniper, which was so good.  I'm not a huge fan of going to the movies, at all, but he was dying to see it and I obliged him.  Afterwards we grabbed shawarma for a late night dinner.


On Saturday morning we slept in which was simply amazing and so needed.  We took our time getting up and eventually made our way to the gym after noon.  Afterwards, we decided to check out the new Sporting Life store in Ottawa which is gorgeous.  We found some new bindings for me on sale (these are the Burton Stiletto, but from two seasons ago; found exact pair on eBay) which are way better than the ones I had and prettier too.


Then we hit up the mall to poke around and grabbed an early dinner in the food court.


I had seen a beautiful toque on a girl on Christmas Eve and think I found the exact one at Sporting Life earlier that day--so gorgeous.  Of course the price tag on it is wild ($300!) so I fawned over it and left.  

I ended up following Marco into Sports Experts and finding this Chaos toque made of maroon cashmere and a real fur pom, and on sale for $34!  The toque was a bit of an odd fit but I decided to purchase it and may attach the pom-pom to a nude coloured toque I already own.  So excited about this score!

If you're looking for something similar, and willing to drop a bit more cash than usual, this one is super cute.

More pics after the jump...
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Friday, January 16, 2015

Some Favourite Christmas Gifts

 
I know Christmas seems like so long ago but wanted to share a few of my favourite gifts I received; also, a bunch of the clothing items are still available (and some on sale too!) so wanted to link those down below. 
 
I tend to shop my closet a lot for my outfit posts and am not the best at sharing my newest items when they are still available so thought this would be a great opportunity to grab a few of the items I got if you love them as much as I do.

Thanks for watching!

Items listed after the jump...
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Thursday, January 15, 2015

How to Style Grey Denim


Outfit deets:
* Zara sweater (new and now super on sale; I'm wearing a medium)
* Urban Planet layered cami (similar & love this black one)
* Zara denim (similar & love these) which you've seen with a pair of my fave shoes last Summer
* Aldo boots (old) that used to have a huge platform and I had lowered (before & after pics) (similardifferent but love these)
* Accessories: Dynamite blanket scarf (similar) & Material Girl sunnies (similar & have these on my wish list)

I love grey denim but it never tends to be my default.  I find it more touchy to style than say, your regular blue denim.  That said, other than neutrals, I'm a big fan of pairing it with pastels as I am today with this blush knit sweater and in the past with my mint leather jacket.  

When pairing with light colours, since it's softer, I like to add some tougher elements like the chunky, dark scarf and the edgy wedge boots.  I find this breaks up the look and add some interest while maintaining a streamlined look.

A few other colours that would pair well with your grey denim are navy and a bright coral, like my  nail polish.  

 
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Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Do you pee with the bathroom door open?


I grew up in a fairly open family where I wasn't worried someone would come barging in if I didn't lock the bathroom door and also felt it wasn't a huge deal to not latch the door completely.  Everyone respected each other's privacy and bodily functions were definitely never something to be ashamed of.

That said, in the past, after getting comfortable with a boyfriend, peeing with the door open wasn't a huge deal, however with Marco...
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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Uniform

Outfit deets:
* Bobeau top from Winners (similar here)
* Smart Set cami which is reversible.
* Urban Planet 'Brazil' black skinnies.
* Forever 21 wedge booties (total Isabel Marant cop, I know, wish I could purchase the real deal).
* Accessories: Garage Beanie, F21 necklace & Bizou sunglasses.

This outfit, or a very similar variation, has been on repeat for the past month or so.  I'm loving cross-over tops like this and have a few other colours that I recently added in my closet from various, inexpensive brands and fabrics.  They are forgiving but still show you have a bod underneath being so open.

As you know, neutrals are my jam but pairing some basics like this that have some flare just edges up the overall look.  I love throwing on a beanie to (1) cover up my roots or dirty hair, and (2) it looks freaking cool without even trying.

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Monday, January 12, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

Casual Friday in my current fave wedge snow boots (still available!).


Friday night didn't exactly go as planned; we were planning to a host a board game night but it fell through due to lack of participation and then there was a snowstorm and snow squall warnings so our follow-up plans didn't pan out either.  

I ended up coming home and making these two-ingredient pancakes and added a scoop of vanilla protein (I seriously make these at least twice a week, but often more, for snacks and breakfast) and we watched a movie.


Outfit deets:  Joe fresh top, Lululemon tank, Mondetta leggings (similar) & Aldo leg warmers (old; similar & I like these).

Saturday morning, post gym, pre shower.

 More after the jump...
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Friday, January 9, 2015

How to Paint Acrylic Nails


If you're an acrylic nail lover, you know the deal: the initial mani lasts a week and then the re-growth is apparent or maybe you're just bored and in need of a polish change.

Today I'm showing you how I paint my acrylic nails; it's super simply but I am sharing one crucial tip in the video below that will make or break your mani.  Click play to check it out!




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Thursday, January 8, 2015

Build Your Booty Workout


Today I'm sharing an at-home booty and legs workout.  While I do hit the gym for my workouts, these are all moves I do and that can be done anywhere.

Since leg day is something I always do on my own, this is my own routine I've come up with that works for me.  I find leg day takes the longest workout to bang out, but I always leave with shaky limbs and sore muscles days afterwards--which proves it's working!

One quick tip before we get into the workout: don't forget to consume some sort of protein within 30 minutes post-workout (I like Muscle Farm Combat in Milk Chocolate because it's quick, but if you're not into protein powder, chicken, fish and eggs are great sources).  Your muscles are torn and need protein to build and repair.  If you don't consume protein after your workout, your muscles are not being fed and therefore cannot grow and tone to their full potential.

Now, onto the workout! 

Click for more...
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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

What's an absolute faux-pas on a first date?


I have been on my fair share of first dates, but have never experienced any real crazy behaviour.  A friend once told me about a first date she went on and the guy literally reached across the table to grab her chest, she thought he was joking... he wasn't.  

When it comes to first dates, you're most likely on your best behaviour and almost putting up a front, but what is an absolutely faux-pas on a first date?

For me, aside from groping, discussing religion is too heavy for the first date, among pulling out your phone and introducing them to your friends and/or family.  Also, if a guy burps or lets one rip, it's unlikely I'd want to see him again!

What is your first date faux-pas?  Sound off in the comments below.


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Monday, January 5, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

On Friday I got a special post-Christmas purchase I made for myself online.  I picked up this bias cut cami which I already own in olive green and love (also, it's sticking to my New Years Resolutions because it's 100% silk).


When I got home I whipped up some of my favourite two-ingredient pancakes but added a scoop of vanilla protein to it (I alternate between doing that and not) to tide me over till dinner.


Outfit deets:  F21 sweater, Smart Set reversible cami (just got it in grey as well and loving it!) & F21 necklace (similar & better quality).

Marco and I went out for an impromptu dinner to The Keg Manor which was delicious and your girl cannot pass up a good cocktail so a Keg sized Caesar it was.

More photos after the jump...
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Sunday, January 4, 2015

2014 Recap


Happy New Year!  I hope you had a great evening on Wednesday, whether you hit the sheets before midnight or stayed up to celebrate it.  I went to a house party with friends where the food was on point, the drinks were flowing and the excitement was buzzing.  We did the countdown to midnight and cheers'ed the night away.

Now that I've recovered from that, I'm sharing some highlights of the past year (aside from my favourite outfits, which I've already shared).

2014 was easily the best year of my life (big words there, but true!); so many great things happened it will be hard to top this year, but that's what is so great about making memories: you have them forever. 

I'd love to share a few pictures after the jump if you'd like to see...
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Saturday, January 3, 2015

My New Years Resolutions for 2015


Over the past few years, I have made resolutions such as, pay off my credit card each month, create weekly content for my YouTube channel, floss daily, sew a clutch and a skirt, and grow out my nails.  These are all challenges for me personally, but attainable if I put in the time, effort and discipline.

I'm of the mindset that New Years Resolutions, while challenging, should ultimately be attainable.  I never center mine around working out, weight loss or dieting.  As someone who tries to get to the gym two to three times a week, aims to eat fairly clean (70/30 is probably my ratio, which could be a bit better, but I love treats and they bring me a lot of joy, so there #isaidit ) and work on my own mind set about my body, New Years is not the time to put even more pressure on myself for that.

With that said, I'm making three new resolutions for 2015, so here we go...
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Friday, January 2, 2015

A Look Back at December

 
December was a very busy month (for everyone!) and my main focus was to be organized for the holidays to avoid unnecessary stress and getting sick.  Last year, I got really sick just before the holidays just from getting totally run down and stressing myself out over all there is to do.  So, this year, my plan was to start early and be as organized as possible--something that isn't naturally my strong suit.
 
In December we celebrated Marco's birthday at our place with friends.  The next day, we headed to Toronto for a long weekend away to celebrate just the two of us.  We stayed downtown at the Sheraton and ate at some great places, did some shopping and enjoyed the city.  I shared vlogs of our three days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
 
I tried to get to the gym as much as possible but also tried not to give myself a hard time when I didn't (just with it being such a busy time trying to cook, clean, decorate, buy and wrap gifts and generally hold it altogether).  However, I did share my shoulders workout.  I got a couple new phone cases for the iPhone 6 (white haired girl & lips), we hosted a Secret Santa evening with 16 friends (cut to the 14 minute mark on this video to see some footage of the party) and I got a almond manicure.
 
I went snowboarding a couple times, finished wrapping gifts, shared my Holiday Lookbook video, and hosted a turkey dinner for fun.  My BFF and I did our annual gift exchange, I went to Marco's Christmas party and picked up some new boots (I switched out the laces for black ones).  Lastly, we celebrated our third Christmas together with both our families.
 
 
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