tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64493372330686748762024-03-08T15:24:39.388-08:00ALANNAH MARGARETamkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-74282569736742210242016-05-18T20:58:00.001-07:002016-06-01T20:59:48.735-07:00The Bare Necessities<br />
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I was recently inspired by Glossier's blog series <i><a href="https://intothegloss.com/2014/10/emily-weiss-glossier/">The Top Shelf</a> </i>where a long list of women throughout the industry are asked to share their beauty must-haves. Glossier's motto is <b>skin first, beauty second, smile always</b>, I used this as inspiration in putting together my own little top shelf. Here are a few of my beauty favourites that help me feeling confident bare faced and beautiful. <br />
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<u>BEAUTY </u><br />
If you were to have told my teenage self that one day I'd be in-love with my big brows I would have either laughed in your face or asked you how much my mother paid you to say that. My mother always stressed the importance of leaving my brows alone, in fact she was strictly adamant on it. She literally scared me out of becoming a closet plucker and forced me to have no choice but to embrace my eyebrows. Today, I could kiss her for it. They've actually become one of my favourite features, making accentuating them a daily ritual. Lately, I've been straying away from a polished brow and letting them go a bit rogue (emphasis on "a bit" - let's not get too carried away) . My favourite thing to do is just brush a bit of tinted brow gel through them while brushing them up - at the moment I'm loving Essence's Make Me Brow. It is a super affordable ($4!!!) alternative to products along the lines of Benefit's Gimme Brow.If I were to only have time to do one beauty ritual in the morning, it would be this. Brows can make or break your whole look and for me, just making sure to give them a quick brush through with some tint can really make a dramatic difference and does wonders for framing my face and accentuating my eyes. There are some great options out there, Glossier's <a href="https://www.glossier.com/#!/products/boy-brow">Boy Brow</a> has been on my lust list for quite some time now and definitely next on my list to try. <br />
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<u>SKIN</u><br />
For years I took advantage of my relatively clear skin, I always thought if I don't break out easily then there isn't much to tend to for my skin. Wrong. Wrong. W R O N G. I have dry-combination skin, it typically sees its roughest days in the winter months but every now and again I need to exfoliate and keep it moisturized on the daily. At the moment, my favourite moisturizing product is the Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet. Making sure my skin is moisturized has become a huge priority for me, it brings life to my skin allowing me to enjoy it makeup-free and on days where I do decide to p<span id="goog_1440591007"></span>ut on a face it makes a <i>h u g e</i> difference in how my makeup applies on my skin. Glossier's <a href="https://www.glossier.com/#!/products/moisturizing-moon-mask">Moisturizing Moon Mask</a><span id="goog_1440591008"></span> is great for whenever your skin is having a dry day.<br />
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A newer addition to my skin care routine is also by the Body Shop has
been their Drops of Youth serum. This leaves my skin feeling so baby
smooth and I've noticed a difference in the pigmentation of my skin, and
have found that this has started to really help with the discolouration
in my skin. Glossier's <a href="https://www.glossier.com/#%21/products/balm-dotcom">Balm Dotcom </a>is another great alternative for achieving that super moisturized, locked in hydration. <br />
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Check out Glossier <a href="https://www.glossier.com/">here</a> and shop their amazing products <a href="https://www.glossier.com/products/">here</a> <br />
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-47321758224692764212015-12-15T18:02:00.001-08:002015-12-18T01:54:49.164-08:00White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies <center>
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In anticipation for Christmas, I have been testing out baking recipes for the last week. After one too many pinterest fails, I decided to make a few tweaks of my own to a couple recipes I stumbled upon. This recipe worked out beautifully - these cookies are so soft and chewy and are a perfect little festive treat. I tested them out on my family (a rather blunt bunch of people I might add) and they were an absolute hit! I'll definitely be making these again come Christmas day.</div>
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Ingredients:<br />
- 3/4 cup butter (room temperature works best, if too soft it will cause your cookies to come out flat)<br />
- 1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
- 1/2 cup white sugar<br />
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract<br />
- 1 egg<br />
- 2 cups all purpose flour<br />
- 2 tsp cornstarch<br />
- 1 tsp baking soda<br />
- a pinch of salt<br />
- 1 1/2 cup dried cranberries<br />
- 1 1/2 cup white chocolate chips<br />
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- Beat together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Add in flour, salt, baking soda, and cornstarch until a soft dough is formed. By hand, add in the white chocolate chips and cranberries.<br />
- Refrigerate dough for <i>at least</i> an hour, this is crucial to ensure your cookies do not turn out flat.<br />
- Preheat oven to 350F, prepare by lining baking sheets with parchment paper.<br />
- Remove chilled dough from refrigerator and roll 1 inch balls. Place on baking sheet ~2 inches apart.<br />
- Bake for approx 6-10 minutes depending on your oven. I found 7 minutes to be the perfect timing for my oven.<br />
- Don't fret if your cookied appear undercooked, they will settled even after they've been removed from the oven.<br />
- Let cookies settle on baking sheet for ~5 minutes once removed from oven before transferring to a wire cooling rack.<br />
- Lastly, dig in!<br />
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I hope you try out this recipe, make sure to share your experience with me if you do!<br />
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-91496195824078894642015-12-14T20:20:00.000-08:002015-12-18T01:54:39.718-08:00Beating the Winter Blues <center>
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Amidst the grey skies, shorter days, and cold weather it's quite easy to slip into a bit of a funk - otherwise known as the winter blues. This is something I've experienced over the last few years, particularly heightened since I came to university. Quite honestly, come winter time I barely ever want to leave the house. Now keep in mind, I'm typically avoiding the gale force winds and knee high snow that accompany a Canadian winter. Over the last few years I've become familiar with the term SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). <br />
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SAD is a type of depression that accompanies a change in weather, you typically feel the effects of SAD in the fall and it drags out throughout the winter months - and if you live anywhere like I do these long winters make for absolute hell on earth.
Just like depression, SAD can become absolutely debilitating. Even if you don't experience SAD and simply seem to fall into a bit of a temporary funk come winter time, you'll be familiar with the complete lack of motivation, and exhaustion.
This year, I decided to be proactive about my SAD. I'm tired of feeling this way each winter, and I want to do as much as I can to avoid having to undergo this this winter. As I said SAD can be entirely debilitating and being a university student it can be absolutely miserable having to undergo this funk during your exams.<br />
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Now, I'm not claiming this to be any sort of cure but these are some of the things I've been adamant on including into my routine this winter to try and keep my SAD relatively contained.
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Firstly, I recommend picking up a "SAD lamp". Light technology can help improve your moods, your ability to focus, your motivation, and energy levels. I purchased mine on November 1st (I wasn't kidding about being proactive), and have been using it twice a day and have so far noticed quite a difference! I read that it is recommended that you turn your light on when you wake up and before you go to bed to create the illusion of longer daylight (as lack daylight is a contributor to SAD). I also use it when I'm studying or working on term papers to help with my focus and concentration. I purchased mine of amazon for around $50, again they are an investment but if this is something you go through it does make a world of a difference. There are several models, some quite a pretty penny but I find mine to work really well for a fair price. You can purchase the same one I have <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00761HREI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00">here</a>.
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My next tip - <b>stay hydrated! </b>Your hydration levels are crucial to anxiety. It's important to drink a lot of water for an endless amount of reasons but I've definitely noticed how crucial this can be for how I'm feeling. If you have anxiety and ever wonder why you feel particularly anxious after a night of drinking (some call it "hangover anxiety") it is due to your dehydration. When I first learned this my mind was b l o w n.<br />
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Lastly, get some fresh air each day. I know in exams and if you work from home it's all to easy to get cooped up inside but just spending a few minutes outside, just enough to get some fresh air, can make a world of a difference.<br />
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I hope these tips help as winter rolls in!<br />
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-89765353436849520312015-12-11T14:37:00.001-08:002015-12-18T01:55:15.880-08:00Tree Hunting <center>
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Finally came the day that we brought home a Christmas tree. Admitedly, our family is always super late to get around to getting a tree but this year we wanted to make a point of being somewhat timely. As the weather is obscenely nice in Ontario at the moment, everyone seems to be out cutting trees a lot earlier. It's definitely easier to get in the festive spirit when you don't have to trudge through thigh deep snow. </div>
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After driving around to a few tree farms we finally settled on one near by that had the best selection for the fairest prices. It was a cute and quaint little farm off the side of the road that offers free cider and candy canes with an adorable little gift shop. My dad and I found our tree pretty quickly - well he found it .. and is a little too chuffed with himself if you ask me. </div>
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All in all it was a lovely way to spend our morning. The weather was great, the sun was out, and it was an all around festive day. Now time to decorate! </div>
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-86094973806165861182015-12-08T14:19:00.004-08:002015-12-18T01:55:47.967-08:00A Day Uptown <center>
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This morning I had a law exam that I've been stressing over for weeks. For the last 5 days I've been cramped inside trying to prepare for it, so needless to say I was beyond anxious to get it over with. As soon as I walked out of my exam I called one of my closest friends <a href="http://www.elektric.ca/">Elektra</a>, and we did a bit (a little more than a bit) of retail therapy. After having been home all week it was so nice to get outside and have a stress free afternoon. Uptown had been decorated for Christmas and it just felt like a perfectly festive afternoon. What started out as a stress and anxiety ridden morning turned out to be a day well spent with good company.</div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-22115388706612111662015-12-07T10:33:00.002-08:002015-12-18T01:55:39.681-08:00Winter Skin Essentials<center>
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Come winter time, my skin always tends to get quite dry. I typically have combination skin and around this time of year I start to notice that my skin becomes quite patchy and my makeup starts to sit weirdly on my skin. For those with dry or combination skin like myself, these two products will work beautifully and help to combat that dry winter air.<br />
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- <i>Lush Ocean Salt </i>is a great exfoliant, I tend to use this one more on my body than my face but it works great for both. This has become a staple in my shower, it keeps my arms feeling soft and because of the added citrus it actually works well to help with any discolouration as well, particularly in the underarm area.</div>
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- <i>Body Shop Aqua Boost Sorbet </i>this has quickly become a firm staple in my everyday skin care routine. It provides optimal moisture all day while keeping your skin matte, avoiding that greasy look many moisturizers tend to leave behind. </div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-19136809356473618982015-12-06T12:33:00.000-08:002015-12-18T01:55:59.149-08:00The Meaning of Christmas <center>
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This morning my cousin tagged me in an old home video from Christmas over 15 years ago. It featured highlights of me running around with an uncontrollable amount of excitement, my brothers as awkward teens, and my mom going crazy getting dinner ready. The home video also featured some family members who are sadly no longer with us. </div>
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A lot changes when you lose key members of your family, the glue that kept everyone together begins to dissolve and we all start to get more and more distant as we get older. There was something so heartbreaking yet so fulfilling about seeing us all together like that as a family. It's been years since we were all together in that way. It's crazy to see the dynamic then, and think of the dynamic now and how family really does play a key role in your life. It really hits you that behind the big production that is Christmas, family is the core of it all and without family you wouldn't have much to celebrate. Things are quickly changing as we continue to get older, while we are missing a few beloved members of our family, our family is also growing in other ways. And while it's an adjustment I'm learning to make, the most important thing is that we embrace the family we have and cherish being together this time of year. That is the true meaning of Christmas.</div>
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-52394479813840904082015-12-05T11:14:00.001-08:002015-12-18T01:56:08.906-08:00Christmas Wish List <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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As we're nearing the end of the first week of December, our phones are starting to buzz with calls from every family member asking what we have on our Christmas lists. Every year I seem to be less and less prepared for these phone calls, and while there are several things I lust over throughout the year I can never seem to think of anything to ask for for Christmas. I remember as a child I would have my list ready by November 1st mind you, the first two items were always puppy and pony (the order of preference interchanged each year). This year, I've managed to put together a list. It mostly consists of things I've put off buying for myself throughout the year. </div>
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This year I'm wishing for:</div>
-<i> Arthur Elgort: The Big Picture </i>| This book looks amazing, I'm a big fan of Arthur Elgort's work so this would be an amazing gift to receive. <br />
<i>- Topshop Velvet Crossbody </i>| I love the deep forest green colour, I don't have anything like it!<br />
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- <i>Canon EF 50mm </i>| This lens was made for bloggers, let's be real.</div>
- <i>Lush "It's Christmas Deer" tin </i>| Lush's wrapped gifts never fail<br />
- <i>Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette </i>| This palette is absolutely gorgeous, there's just nothing comparable on the market.<br />
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- <i>Kat Von D "Vampira" </i>| This colour is always sold out, it's a stunning deep red perfect for this time of year. </div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-26652805877750043252015-12-04T11:33:00.002-08:002015-12-18T01:56:16.368-08:00Festive Night In<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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After having my first exam last night and with another coming early next week there's nothing I rather do tonight than just stay home and relax. What an exciting Friday night, eh? </div>
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One of my favourite ways to kick back this time of year is to put on some Christmas pajamas, curl up in my coziest blankets, whip up a cup of hot cocoa, and put on a Christmas film. With all the running around that happens this time of year, especially for students like myself, sometimes it's nice and certainly needed to take a night to yourself. </div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-61396369996617762202015-12-03T10:50:00.004-08:002015-12-18T01:56:23.068-08:00Holiday Polish Picks<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I absolutely love this time of year and the rich colours we get to bring out and play around with. My go-to's for the holiday season are always reds and metallics. The deep reds are a great fall-to-Christmas colour and the metallics are great through the New Year. Nothing better than adding a little extra festive touch with your polish!</div>
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Here are some of my favourites for this year (left to right):</div>
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- L'Oreal <i>Because You're Worth It</i> | an opaque rich gold</div>
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- Butter London <i>Chancer </i>| the perfect Christmass glitter red</div>
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- H&M <i>#501 </i>| a gorgeous deep red</div>
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- Essie <i>Buy Me a Cameo </i>| beautiful rose gold/copper</div>
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What are your favourite polishes this time of year?</div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-69142699156459391342015-12-02T09:40:00.004-08:002015-12-18T01:56:29.422-08:00Lush Holiday Goodies <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Come Winter, nothing beats the cold like a nice warm bath. As per usual, Lush has out done themselves again with their Holiday range. There are so many new additions alongside the annual return of some of their Christmas classics. I tried to contain myself this round, because let's be honest this won't be the only batch of holiday goodies I'll be picking up from them this year. </div>
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- <i><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Stardust/06457,en_CA,pd.html">Stardust</a></span>: </i>This bathbomb is a new addition to Lush's Christmas range, it has strong hints of vanilla and rosewood. I used it after I shot for this post and it was incredibly moisturizing and relaxing.<br />
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- <i><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.lush.ca/The-Magic-Of-Christmas/06468,en_CA,pd.html">The Magic of Christmas</a></span>: </i>This bubble bar is another new addition to the Christmas range. I absolutely love these bubble wands, and find they last much longer than the regular bubble bars. This truly makes your bath smell like your swimming in a tub of Christmas, with the strong cinnamon and clove scents. I also used this after I shot for this post, and although it is quite glittery it all seems to fade within the first use and there was next to no cleanup. It adds a nice golden colour to your bath as well.<br />
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- <i><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Yog-Nog/06458,en_CA,pd.html">Yog Nog</a></span>: </i>This bathbomb is another new addition to the Christmas range. This has to be my favourite scent of the range it has such a rich, smooth toffee scent it smells absolutely delicious. This bathbomb also has soymilk and shea butter, perfect for keeping your skin smooth and soft this winter.<br />
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- <i><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Luxury-Lush-Pud/03897,en_CA,pd.html">Luxury Lush Pud</a></span>: </i>This bathbomb is making a return to the Christmas range this year. With the perfectly relaxing hints of lavender it's no wonder it's made it's way back into the range. <i> </i></div>
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Have you picked anything up from the Lush Christmas range this year?</center>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-15957821057225627022015-12-01T08:10:00.000-08:002015-12-18T01:56:36.820-08:00The Christmas Tag That time of year has come - welcome, everyone to Blogmas 2015! Now, this is my first ever year participating in Blogmas and I have to say I'm pretty excited for the challenge. There's absolutely nothing I love more than the Christmas season and all it brings so why not celebrate it here on the blog? To kick off Blogmas I thought I'd write a post that'll get us all in the Christmas spirit. Tags aren't normally my content of choice but what better way to kick off Blogmas than a fun tag all about the Christmas season?! Now, I didn't see too many tags floating around this year so I thought I'd put one together myself! Hope you all enjoy and try the tag yourselves, I'd love to see your replies!<br />
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<b><br /><span style="color: #990000;">1. What is your favourite Christmas film?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">My favourite Christmas classic is Home Alone, my more grown up choice has to be The Holiday.</span></span><b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">2. What is your favourite Christmas tradition?</span></b><br />
I love going to all the Christmas markets and fairs around this time of year, it's the absolute best way to get into the Christmas spirit and you can find some great one-of-a-kind gifts there as well!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">3. Fake tree or real tree?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: black;">Real tree all the way. Nonnegotiable.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">4. What is your favourite Christmas song?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">Probably <i>Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens, </i>but I do love a bit of Mariah Carey this time of year</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">5. What food do your most look forward to for Christmas dinner?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">My mum's stuffing is unbeatable. I don't even need the turkey, I'd be entirely content with just her stuffing.</span></span><b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">6. What are you wishing for the most this Christmas?</span></b>That everyone is able to sit back and take the day to relax and cherish
the time with family. I just want everyone to be able to enjoy their
Christmas! (and I mean I wouldn't complain if there was a nice new 50mm
lens under the tree)<br />
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-85332394485900425872015-10-26T17:21:00.001-07:002015-12-03T10:52:42.857-08:00A Day at Buffer Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I had the pleasure of attending Buffer Festival in Toronto this weekend. For those who don't know Buffer Festival is held annually in Toronto, showcasing content by dozens of creators and allowing fans a glimpse of industry insight through panels. I attended the Beauty and Lifestyle screening, in which I had the absolute pleasure of meeting and chatting with the lovely <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/essiebutton">Estée Lalonde</a> and getting a first glimpse of some featured content by a handful of creators. </div>
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It was really inspiring getting to hear creators discuss their content and give some insight to the highs and lows of the industry. I loved being able to see these creators showcase their content. I was able to really see the amount of pride and hard work people put into their content, something too easily overlooked when as viewers we get so consumed in expecting weekly videos. Buffer Festival was such an inspiring experience I will definitely be in attendance next year, and hopefully get out to even more screenings! <br />
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-70242036912195512972015-10-11T23:25:00.002-07:002015-10-15T17:08:11.728-07:00Don't Over Think It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Somewhere over the last year I've managed to fall off the blogging wagon. For a while, it was simply due to a lack of time. Having been trying to juggle a full course load at university and working part-time, blogging sadly fell to the wayside. In that time, I seem to have lost sight of inspiration and I had been constantly feeling as though my mind had run dry of all creativity. I would be sat thinking, "How on earth did I used to cook up a new post every week??"when there I was entirely unable to think of a single post to put together. I would be sat stressing over the idea of lookbooks, the latest product I could buy and review, and researching new camera lenses. Then just this past week, it hit me. <br />
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I have been so anxious to get back into blogging that I had begun to over think my content. Doing so, had me losing sight of the character of my blog and I had realized I had been steering in all sorts of directions trying to find my own again. I was so concerned over producing this high production post that I realized it wasn't my style in the least. That's what I love about blogging is how personal it can be, and how it truly is to each, their own. That being said, my strongest piece of advice to anyone wanting to start to blog and as a little constant reminder to myself is - <i>don't over think it. </i>Authenticity carries it's own charm, don't worry yourself over other content or styles. Focus on what you enjoy and the creative juices will start flowing all on their own. <br />
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-50743333732209963732015-03-26T10:16:00.001-07:002015-03-26T10:16:46.755-07:00The Brow Necessities <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZaeS3mhiWQ/VRQ2YtykqcI/AAAAAAAAA-8/-mrsXkf2BUc/s1600/IMG_9583.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZaeS3mhiWQ/VRQ2YtykqcI/AAAAAAAAA-8/-mrsXkf2BUc/s1600/IMG_9583.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZRyLx0TBZY/VRQ3a7V4iFI/AAAAAAAAA_E/1cdDbQi7s-8/s1600/IMG_9582.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZRyLx0TBZY/VRQ3a7V4iFI/AAAAAAAAA_E/1cdDbQi7s-8/s1600/IMG_9582.png" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://soniakashuk.com/products/eyebrow-comb-brush-no-126/">Sonia Kashuk Brow Brush</a> | <a href="http://www.sephora.com/brow-wiz-P202633?skuId=1488345">Anastasia Brow Wiz "Ebony" </a>| <a href="http://www.sephora.com/brow-gel-P69304">Anastasia Clear Brow Gel</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-Slant-Tweezer-Zebra-Print/dp/B0016N0RZ8">Tweezerman Tweezers</a> |</span> <a href="http://www.sephora.com/gimme-brow-P379986"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Benefit Gimme Brow "Medium/Deep"</span></a></span></div>
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Recently I've dabbled into the daunting craft of filling in my eyebrows. I have rather thick brows as it is but I just wanted a little filler for some sparse areas at the front of my brows. I've always struggled to find a brow pencil that didn't give me horrible sharpie brows. As I have black hair, finding a diluted black pencil has been quite the struggle. I thought I'd give Anastasia's Brow Wiz a try as I have been devoted to their Clear Brow Gel for years, and I couldn't be happier. It's become a part of my daily routine and I'm starting to question how I've gone without it for so long!</div>
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If I don't have time to fill them in I swap the brow wiz- clear gel combo for a few quick swipes of Benefit's Gimme Brow. It gives them a darkened tint and does a fair job at filling in any sparse areas for a quick on the go solution. </div>
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Finally, for standard brow maintenance I couldn't live without my brush and tweezers. I can't tell you how many sets of these tweezers I have floating around the house, they are yet to be beat! If you're looking for a good pair of tweezers, I highly recommend Tweezerman. I never have to deal with the fuss of breaking hairs with these. </div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-82123692015796685462015-02-25T12:29:00.001-08:002015-02-26T07:16:26.456-08:00What I Bought in London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whilst I was tackling the chaos that is my suitcase, I had pulled
together my purchases from my recent trip across the pond to England. I
spent around 10 days exploring London and managed to rack up quite a
hefty amount of goodies to bring back to Canada. (Not pictured: about 30
pounds of Cadbury and Maoams) I wanted to do the majority of my
shopping in shops that we don't have over here. Shopping in London was
definitely an experience, Oxford Circus is certainly an appropriate name
to describe the atmosphere and crowds on a Saturday afternoon. As the
GBP is nearly double the value of our Canadian Dollar, I had to be quite
cautious with what I chose to spend my money on. That being said and as
you can probably already guess - I headed straight to Primark. I fell
in love. I was so pleasantly surprised to find semi casual tops that I
could easily dress up or down for such great prices. I picked up a basic
off white chiffon-esque tank top (£4) - perfect for layering, a
sleeveless black high bunched neck top (£8) - I think this would look
great paired under a leather jacket, a longer dolphin cut top with flowy
sheer sleeves (£9), the softest oversized grey cardingan (£14), and a
few other basics such as t shirts and long-sleeves. <br />
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Another shop
on my must-visit list was Office. I have been lusting over their
website for ages and had actually never known it had a shop I could
visit on Oxford Street. I managed to scoop up these all leather chelsea
boots in the sale (£52.50), this was most certainly my splurge purchase
of the trip but seeing as their made in Spain and real leather I
couldn't go wrong. <br />
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Finally, are a collection of bits and bobs. I
hunted high and low for a Superdrug that carried Zoella's beauty range
and finally, on a day trip to Brighton I was able to get my hands on her
Fizz Bar (£5). I wandered through the rest of her range but the Fizz
Bar was the item I had on my lust list from the start. I also picked up
Ruth's Colab Dry Shampoo in the scent London and I have to say, I have
never found a dry shampoo this good. It doesnt add any weight to your
hair and also acts as a texturizing and styling spray. There is honestly
nothing like it and for a mere £2 and change I am just kicking myself
for not jamming my suitcase full of them. I have also been just dying to
try the Barry M Gelly polishes as those too are unavaible in Canada. I
bought the shades Lychee and Olive and I have had Lychee on my nails for
around 8 days now and they are still going strong - couldn't be
happier! Lastly, as part of my Primark overload I picked up these
minimalist gold necklaces, each were £1.50 and I wore them almost
everyday whilst I was there. <br />
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London treated me well, and I am already counting down the days until I can come back. Till then,<br />
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-78315466902882399652015-01-15T13:46:00.004-08:002015-02-26T07:15:46.092-08:00Getting Organized<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For myself (and any other fellow uni students out there), the start of the new year also means the start of a new semester. This term I promised myself I'd stay on top of my readings and assignments. Really, time management overall is something I'd like to improve in 2015. Between work, school, blogging and time with friends and family I'd like to make adequate time for everything without stressing myself out. This is where organization comes into play.</div>
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<b>Keeping a Planner -</b><br />
I live out of my day planner, it is my savior. I won't lie to you I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to selecting the perfect day planner. It can't be too small, it can't have time slots, it must have a monthly overview etc. (I know, pathetic really) But I'm telling you, finding a day planner that works well for you will really help optimize your organization. <b></b><br />
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<b><br />Setting Goals - </b></div>
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This is something new I've started in the new year. At the start of each week I set a small goal for myself at the top of the page. This I've found has helped me complete pesky little tasks that do not necessarily need to be completed right away but would be nice to get out of the way. You could even set personal goals like "drink a litre of water every day this week!" or "wake up by 8am every day!" </div>
Setting even the smallest goals like those really help to make you feel like you've accomplished something and you'll find you'll become increasingly more productive with your days as they go on!<br />
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<b>To-Do Lists - </b><br />
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Ah, a good ole' to-do list. They can either make you feel proud and accomplished or like crap for having not crossed off a single task by the end of the day. This is why I set weekly to-do lists. It's inevitable that things come up throughout your day and some tasks are likely to be shoved aside. Instead of getting down that you didn't achieve as much as you prospected, give yourself the week or even a few days to accomplish it. I jot mine down on a little sticky note and keep it on the weekly overview in my planner, this way it is always in sight but not bound to a specific day of the week. Some planners even provide a section just for to-do lists!</div>
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I hope these baby steps can be of some help to some of you, and cheers to a more organized 2015!</div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-69024048066378536952014-03-24T02:30:00.000-07:002015-10-15T17:08:37.864-07:00Recipe | Chia Seed Pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not going to lie, when it comes to healthy "desserts" my first reaction is to scoff and opt for a Reese's peanut butter cup. I always come across recipes that will "satisfy your sweet tooth" and it's typically a bite sized rice cake variety with cinnamon on it (I'll pass...thank you). So now that I'm trying to eat healthier - or cleaner I should say, I'm always on the hunt for easy, innovative recipes that don't consider kale to be an alternative to a Mars bar. </div>
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That being said, you can take my word for when I say this recipe makes for a perfect little snack and an excellent breakfast option! I for one, am not a pudding person. I'm pretty indifferent towards it, but with the added fruit toppings this makes for an awesome breakfast leaving you feeling awesome about starting your day on a healthy note!</div>
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For those that aren't too familiar with chia seeds let me just give you a mini run down on these little guys. Chia seeds are an awesome source of omega-3 fats, they actually have 3x the omega-3s that flax seeds have! They're also a great source of fiber, calcium, protein, manganese & phosphorus. Basically, they get you full faster, are great for your heart health, fight off pesky belly fat (can I get a woop woop!), and are a cholesterol free way of adding protein to your diet. Best of all? They're tasteless and super easy to add to your meals. I even sprinkle them in my grilled cheeses. </div>
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<u>What you'll need:</u></div>
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2 c. almond milk (You can also use coconut milk or soy milk)</div>
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1/4 c. chia seeds</div>
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2 tsp. vanilla extract</div>
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Last but certainly not least, toppings of your choosing. I opted for a sprinkle of cinnamon and a handful of raspberries!</div>
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<u>Other toppings I recommend:</u></div>
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- granola</div>
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- mixed berries</div>
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- chopped nuts (almonds and pistachios are delicious with fruit)</div>
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- a sprinkle of brown sugar for added sweetness</div>
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<i>Attention chocolate lovers</i>: You can even mix in some cocoa powder to make this into a tasty little chocolatey treat! </div>
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Once
you mix all the ingredients together, you want to make sure your chia
seeds are evenly mixed in with your pudding mix. Unfortunately for us
impatient type, you have to let this sit for around 8 hours. I tend to
make mine at night so I can dive into it the next morning!</div>
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Once your pudding has settled overnight, go right ahead and add your toppings and you're good to go!</div>
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-29813323264238497012014-03-01T16:37:00.002-08:002014-03-23T18:28:30.823-07:00Spring Cleaning | Closet Clearout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's almost that time of year again, folks. The time of year where we shove our Winter wear to the back of our closets and bringing out our brighter Spring colours. While I was sorting through my closet I began finding articles that I pretty much never wear, have had for far too long, or were of no interest to me anymore. </div>
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A friend of mine kept telling me of a place nearby that bought gently worn clothing. I've always been a bit skeptical about selling to consignment shops because my past experiences have been a bit shady. Store owners would only pay you once your item sold and would never notify you when it did, you would have to keep coming in store to check in. The amount you waste in gas making these visits outweighs the benefit of selling the clothes in the first place, so when I was told this consignment shop sorts through and pays you for your contribution up front, I was sold!</div>
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Keep in mind, many of these places are typically looking for name brand apparel and of course, nothing with stains, holes or pilling. So, after sorting through my closet of clothes I no longer wanted to keep, I then sorted through those piles for the articles I figured would be of interest to the consignment shop. I was getting a bit hoarder-esque in the beginning but then began to formulate a break down to help in deciding what's to keep and what's to go.</div>
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<b>- Have you worn this in the last 8 months?</b></div>
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No? Chances are you aren't going to wear it anytime soon. Toss.</div>
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<b>- Does it fit? (Alannah, stop telling yourself it will if you REALLY REALLY try)</b></div>
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No? Toss...seriously, TOSS IT.</div>
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<b>- Does it fit in with your current style?</b></div>
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No? Then let it go. Time to evolve.</div>
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<b>- Would you buy it today, if it was sold in stores?</b></div>
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No? Do I have to say it? Toss.</div>
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I ended up with 2 duffle bags of items to take to consignment. I went in, handed them over, waited around 20 minutes and to my surprise, they had taken almost everything I had brought over! I made $74.25 for pieces I had pretty much forgotten I even owned! Anything the shop wasn't interested in taking was added to the Salvation Army donation pile. </div>
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It felt pretty good to not only clear out my closet for the new season and make space for some new items, but to earn a few dollars in the process! I would definitely recommend looking up consignment shops in your area for a little added motivation to start your spring cleaning early!</div>
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Happy Spring Cleaning!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/alannahblogs">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://instagram.com/akedds">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/akedds/">Pinterest </a></span></div>
amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-42646626080814082342014-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:002014-01-10T18:02:10.164-08:00Rave | Nars Soulshine Blush Palette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During the Christmas shopping season, I was in Sephora grabbing a few gifts when I saw the <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.co.uk/the-latest/what-s-new/~/soulshine-blush-palette" target="_blank">Nars Soulshine Palette</a>. One thing led to another and next thing you knew I was leaving Sephora with a cheeky new purchase for myself. I couldn't help it, it's just such a gorgeous palette! This palette comes with three blush tones: a shimmery golden apricot, a deep rose, and a gorgeous coral with gold overlay. The neatest part about this palette is the formatting. NARS is actually embossed in the powder with a gorgeous gold shimmer that when swirled all together adds that perfect highlighted touch to your cheeks. This palette is sizable enough that you are able to use each blush shade individually or all together. I find that the pigmentation when swirled together is quite bold, so I opt for a duo fiber brush (I use the MAC 187). Each shade is gorgeous on it's own but when combined you achieve such a unique, beautiful colour. <br>
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I am absolutely obsessed with this palette at the moment and truthfully, I haven't reached for any other blush since this found its way into my collection! If I had to name a negative, my only "complaint" would be that the gold embossing seems to only be at the initial surface level. However, as you can tell by the pictures above, the gold shimmer more or less mixes itself into the other shades the more you use it. Because of the richness and variety amongst the shades, I would say this blush is suitable for just about every skin tone!</div>
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What is your go-to blush at the moment? </div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-87464883440616164462013-12-31T13:16:00.000-08:002013-12-31T13:18:32.101-08:00Kickstarting 2014 On The Right Foot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For me, 2013 was a so-so year. Between school and work it was quite easy for me to fall flat on my commitments and personal goals. I lacked inspiration and motivation in almost every aspect of my life, and just ultimately caused me to fall flat. I want my 2014 to be a happier, healthier, more organized and more motivated year. If there's anything I've learned from this year is that you have to go for what you want, if you have to fight for it - then fight for it. </div>
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I went out to Chapters and picked up a few things to get my 2014 started on the right foot. I picked up this adorable <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/paper/wild-and-free-a5-3/882709089391-item.html?ikwid=notebooks&ikwsec=Home&gcs_requestid=0CMDcjp6u27sCFcnU5wodqiQAAA" target="_blank">notebook </a>for only $6.50, it has a cute little <i>Where The Wild Things Are</i> quote on it which made me fall in love with it. This is going to be my blogging notebook, just to help me stay organized and inspired. I also picked up Demi Lovato's book <i>Staying Strong 365 Days A Year, </i>It has a quote and goal for each day of the year. This will really help me stay inspired and motivate me on the days that I'll really need a kick in the butt. Finally, and probably most importantly, I found this adorable recycled calendar from Sugar Paper. I heavily rely on my monthly outlines to keep me on track, this one's a little more grown up compared to my One Direction choice last year (I regret nothing). </div>
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That being said, here are my resolutions for 2014:</div>
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1. Look for inspiration everywhere</div>
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2. Drink more water</div>
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3. Post at least one blog post a week</div>
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4. Make a point to exercise weekly</div>
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5. Eat clean as much as possible</div>
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6. Always choose to be happy</div>
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7. Save enough money for a trip abroad </div>
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8. Take action towards my dreams</div>
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What are your personal goals and resolutions for 2014?</div>
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<br />amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6449337233068674876.post-37042742532929257382013-12-28T03:00:00.000-08:002013-12-28T17:03:06.068-08:00Nightime Skin Care Routine | Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Come Winter time, my skin tends to be victimized by the harsh Canadian weather. I typically have combination skin, but my skin tends to really dry out in the Winter. To prevent my skin from drying out I've started to heavily moisturize right before bed. This gives my skin the chance to hydrate overnight and provides a nice smooth surface to apply my makeup in the morning - nobody likes the look of foundation over flaky skin. This is the 3 step system I've found to work best for me this Winter, I would definitely recommend each of these products in a heartbeat!</div>
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1. <i><b>Bioderma Créaline Lait -</b> </i>This summer, a friend of mine visited France and was kind enough to bring this back for me. I have been (impatiently) waiting for Winter to roll around so I could finally test it out. So far, I absolutely love it. I prefer using this at night just so I can give my skin a chance to hydrate overnight. This is a creamier formulation compared to the regular H20 formula, providing a little extra moisture for your skin - an absolute must for the Winter months!</div>
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2. <b><i>Bioderma H20 - </i></b>This will forever be a staple in my skincare routine. Despite recently switching out for the Lait formula as my main cleanser/makeup remover before bed, I still find that I reach for this to remove my eye makeup. It's not necessary, the Lait can sufficiently remove any and all makeup, I have just personally found this to be gentler on the eyes and a little easier to get my mascara off with. </div>
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3. <i><b>Bioderma Hydrabio Serum - </b></i>After getting a baby sample size with my bottle of H20, I thought I'd give this a try. After 3 straight days of squeezing the life out of the sample bottle, my skin felt baby soft. That has <i>never </i>been the case for my skin, I actually <i>enjoy </i>moisturizing now, simply because I can actually see a great difference in my skin! My skin hasn't been this hydrated in as long as I can remember. It is hydrating enough to use at night and light weight enough to use before I apply my makeup in the morning. It is a very concentrated serum that allows for maximum hydration while still keeping a light weight formulation - to put it in simpler words, it's everything I've ever wanted in a moisturizer. </div>
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What are you using to treat your skin this winter?</div>
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amkddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08835563170473823034noreply@blogger.com6