Water, Water, Water

This is going to be a weird post today.... Anyways, water is so delicious. It may sound ridiculous but I rather drink water then anything else. (excluding certain types of alcohol.) And water is so good for you! Before you go rolling your eyes at me because you've already heard this, I'm just going to reiterate it in a nice list... so please sit back and enjoy the research I so kindly gathered ;) 

1) Health Benefits - The most obvious reason. Water helps curb appetite and is a great substitute for soft drinks that are loaded with sugar. (even if it's "diet" or "zero", soft drinks are never, ever good for you) Water doesn't have sugar, no calories, no fat, so nothing to worry about! As well, it helps cleanses the body, getting rid of a lot of toxins.

Tip: drink a large glass of water before every meal. From personal experience, it helps make you full so you don't eat as much in the long run. 

2) Skin Benefits - Hydrating your skin is really important and is often forgotten after a layer of moisturizer. In reality, drinking water can help create that healthy aura. I cut out soft drinks over a year ago and I've definitely noticed the change in my complexion. Even if I have a lot of fruity drinks one night, the next morning my face will definitely pay the price. 

3) Helps with Hangovers - Although it is no cure, water definitely helps. Drinking lots of water while drinking and right before you go to sleep (along with an Advil) helps diminish hangovers/headaches the next morning. My friend swears by this, so much so that she'll even chase her drinks with water... which to me sounds pretty rough but apparently she never gets hungover soo..

4) Energy - Being dehydrated is no way to go about living. Being lazy and tired all of the time sucks, so why not gulp down a couple extra bottles of H2O and have the energy to do everything you want to do. 

I hope you understand how important it is to drink water! I know people who drink two or three cans of soda a day and I'm completely shocked. We're supposed to drink 8 glasses of water everyday and it's such a cheap and beneficial resource why wouldn't you be game for it? Anyways, I hope you have a lovely day! 

Laters 

DIY Fever

Being jobless has given me a lot of time to feed my obsession of Pinterest and in return, create a new belief that I can become the next Martha Stewart. Pinterest has completely changed my perception of what I'm capable of. It's taking all of my inner strength to not jump in my car, rush to the nearest Value Village or some other junk store where I can buy all sorts of wardrobes and mason jars. (Seriously, if I get my hands on mason jars my day will be made.) Everything seems so do-able these days. And if I can complete some of these projects and save some of the non-existent money I don't have, then that's the best. 

I'm so excited to get to work! In September, I'll be moving into a new house/room for school so I'm super pumped about decorating it with all my DIY projects! I'll be sure to post all my conquests and fails on here, so watch out for them! 

Do you have any favourite Do-It-Yourself blogs or posts? Let me know, I'd love to here them! 

Laters!

Neons

I like to believe that I don't conform to what other's say is cool to wear or "what's in". I pick out clothes that look good on me personally and that I feel comfortable in. It's kind of a catch 22 though, because I go to stores and purchase clothes that have already deemed "in" fashion. I'm not going out of my way to wear clothes that would have people murmuring under their breath. 

That being said, I wear a lot of dark colours so that means a lot of of blacks, greys and navys. (My closet is like a black hole, not in the way that its sucks but in the way that it's...black) It's always been said that the colour black makes you look slimmer and that may be the case; however, I'm not walking into shops and specifically buying dark clothes because of that. Personally, I think clothes that are dark make me look older and just go with lots of other things. My friends and I joke that I'm always funeral ready. 

Yesterday, I decided to mix things up while at H&M. Instead of dark colours, I went neon. Bright green, coral and blue to be specific. I bought three different shirts in three different colours in order to reinvent my wardrobe. Both the green and the coral shirt were $15 while the blue tank top was only $6! Yippie skippy! All shirts are super versatile; I can pair them with leggings, jeans, shorts, skirts... Definitely pleased with all three purchases. Including taxes, I think I paid $41! Wooo!  

Just a little update on the smallest of shopping hauls! 

Laters 

Summer Lovin' - Sunglasses

Before every summer, I find myself buying new sunglasses because for some reason I can't keep a pair without breaking them. So this season I decided to be extra prepared and buy four pairs of sunglasses in hopes that some of them will last. I'm pretty cheap, (I'm not even going to lie about that) so it took me a while to collect this small collection but I'm fairly happy with all my purchases. 

 From left to right: Michael Kors, Hot Topic, Hot Topic, and H&M

I'm such as a fan of Ray Bans. Though these are from Hot Topic, they're still pretty good quality and only $15! 

Another pair from Hot Topic for $15, although this time they're Aviators. I love how the lenses are really reflective. (Don't mind me in the reflection) Super nice with a laid back pair of kakis and a white t-shirt, maybe even with some beach wavy hair. 

Michael Kors always makes a nice pair of glasses. Always. Although these were the most expensive of the bunch, they were still on sale for $40! Definitely found myself a deal seeing as most Michael Kors sunglasses sell for $100 to over $200.

Finally, the pair in the middle in this image are from H&M. I had to search through the sale section and found them at the bottom of the pile. They're okay; definitely not my favourite out of the group. BUT THEY WERE 5 BUCKS. So who cares if I don't wear them everyday!

So there they are! What do you think? What are you're favourite pair of shades? Let me know! 

Laters 

TOP TEN - songs for spring

Like I mentioned in my last post: ITS SPRING TIME! It's so beautiful out that I'm spending as much time as possible outdoors, trying to get a tan so I don't look so pale and sickly anymore! I usually create a playlist depending on my mood or what I'm doing and I thought I'd share with you the tunes I'm currently enjoying this spring! 

1) Pop Culture - Madeon 

     * Saw this guy when he opened up for Lady Gaga! You'll like him if you're into remixes 

2) Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - Amanda Seyfried (Abba Cover)
    * I'm still obsessed with Mamma Mia soundtrack. SAVE ME FROM MYSELF.

3) Q.U.E.E.N. (feat. Erykah Badu) - Janelle Monae 
    * Every time you listen to this song, imagine me totally rocking out in my room by myself. LOL

4) Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams) - Daft Punk

    * No doubt that this will be the song of the summer, so get used to it! 

5) Lightning In A Bottle - The Summer Set

    * Try singing this song while driving down the highway! Addicting!

6) Us - Regina Spektor

    * I would love to make a video montage using this song!

7) One Night - Matthew Koma 

    * Love the sound of this guy's voice!

8) How Ya Doin'? (feat Missy Elliot) - Little Mix 

    * I get so much attitude and so much more sassier when listening to this song! 

9) Still into You - Paramore

   * I've always been a Paramore fan and even though this is a different sound for them, I still dig it!

10) If You Got The Money - Jamie T

   * A super catchy song that reminds me of Ed Sheeran and Jason Mraz.

I hope I've introduced you to a song or an artist/band that you haven't heard before! If the playlist is old news ... then sorry! All of the songs are searchable on Youtube; however, depending on where you live, not all of the songs are available on iTunes.
Happy Spring everybody! 

Laters! 

Collars, Collars, and Collars! Oh My!

I’m just going to go on the record and say that I absolutely love collared shirts. From the traditional collar to a Peter Pan collar, both styles always make me feel so professional for some reason; perhaps it’s because of the stereotype of businessmen and women wearing them to their office buildings? Although I do not have a job in an office environment (or a job at all) I love how any outfit can seem more pulled together with a collar. And I’m not talking about wearing a stuffy pencil skirt and blazer everyday (although I do love blazers as well), I’m talking about how you can seem effortlessly chic and romantic by adding a collar no matter if you’re working in an office or lazing around at home.

Burgundy/Black from H&M, Brown/White from Forever 21

These are two dresses I’ve bought in the past that both have the Peter Pan collars built in. Depending on the occasion, I can wear both dresses casual with just a pair of black leggings and cardigan. Or if the situation calls for a bit more put together look, such as a family get together, I can dress it up a little by not wearing any tights and curling my hair. Either way, these two dresses are staples in my wardrobe and I’m always on the hunt for more of them!

 Shorts, shirt and necklace from H&M. Flats from Forever 21. Watch is Marc Jacobs

As well, I often wear conventional collared shirts (not always so wrinkly though). This blue H&M one is one of at least a dozen that I regularly wear. To spice up the collar, I wear a fairly big necklace underneath the collar to make it stand out even more. Pair it with a bracelet or a watch and some flats that stand out and you’ve got yourself a rather easy and lovely outfit.

Both from H&M

Finally, sometimes you just have to get creative and add a collar. Either over a thin sweater or a dress, both these accessories would be amazing. Actually, it really depends on the outfit. I suggest trying as many different combinations to see what looks best.

A helpful tip: If I ever am unsure about what I am going to wear, I go to the website We Heart It and search other’s pictures. For example, if I knew I wanted to wear tights, I’d search ‘tights’ and just look at other peoples pictures that have tights in them. There is such a vast archive of beautiful photographs that I usually get inspired fairly quickly. Hope that helps!  Laters!

Darling, Can't You Hear Me? S.O.S.

I’ve hit a wall and the wall consists of catchy show tunes and sleeping in until three in the afternoon. Let me elaborate.

Being home from university for the summer has been a nice welcomed change. Although I do miss my friends and the ultimate freedom from my parents, I will never miss the late night cramming for exams or getting up early for classes. I was beginning to think that the bags underneath my eyes were permanently tattooed there. As well, in university a person rarely has time for himself or herself. From roommates to co-ed bathrooms, you completely forget what it’s like to be alone. (And shower without flip-flops on) So now that I’m free from school for over four months (!!!), I have all the time to myself…except that idea has sort of backfired on me.

The time I usually fall asleep at is 4 am and I usually wake up around 3pm. When I am awake, I spend my time in a daze of television, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (what’s the difference between jelly and jam?) and drowning myself in the Mamma Mia! The Movie soundtrack.  I’m not even kidding, I’ve listened to that album exclusively for the past two days after I watched the movie for the first time on Saturday and I’m in love with the eccentric 70s pop songs.

Instead of continuing with this (probably unhealthy) lifestyle of Swedish disco music and pb & j sandwiches, I’ve decided to start a change. I want to start a more natural way of living where I’m actually energized and not sleepy all the time. That means more fresh air and less refined foods. I’m saying goodbye to the dark circles and hello to yoga.  As well, (probably most important) I need to get a job so I can afford to get out of my Lululemon pants and into some cute shorts and floral tops for summer.

It’s almost a guarantee I’m not going to be able to keep up with this dream everyday so I’m open to having lazy days, but I hope they’re few and far between. Sure I’ll miss my lethargic way of living but I think my body and my mind will prefer a more happier and healthier version of me. I’ll keep you posted. Laters!

GIRLS

I've never been into the dramatic televisions shows. Programs like Pretty Little Liars and Grey's Anatomy are fabricated and over dramatized, in my mind. All I can think about while watching these shows is how come the characters haven't keeled over and gone insane from the terrible and crazy things that happen to them? Seriously, if a mysterious person was stalking me and taunting me all the while, I would have been inconsolable... like lots of ugly crying. 

Instead, I prefer comedy-based shows like Community, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family and now GIRLS. 

Copyright HBO

Girls is a fabulous television show that follows a group of (shocker!) girls in their twenties. It is both funny and real and I couldn't be more obsessed with it. I managed to get through two seasons in 48 hours thanks to lots of Red Bull and dry cereal (my guilty pleasures). The show is written and directed by the creator and star Lena Dunham, a woman who I have grown to admire greatly. Not only does Dunham create such a marvelous show but she’s also an advocate for real girls. She's not blinded by the media and by Hollywood and for that I applaud her. Below is a quote from Dunham. 

 "It completely sickens me what our culture is doing to women. Last week I wore a big top and little shorts and a bunch of stuff came out saying I was without pants. 'The No-Pants Look,' it said. And I didn't go out without pants, I had shorts on...If Olivia Wilde had gone to a party with a big silky top and little shorts she might have been told her outfit was cute...What it was really: 'Why did you show us your thighs'?" 

See what I mean? This chick rocks.

Copyright HBO

It also shouldn't come as a surprise that Judd Apatow (my spirit animal) is producing the show. Apatow is known for being linked to some of this generation's staple movies and television shows such as Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, Anchorman, Knocked Up, This Is 40 etc etc etc. 

The story Dunham tells through Girls is refreshing; it's real. The reason I laugh out loud while watching it is probably because I can image myself saying the exact same things the character say. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've said or at least thought half the things the characters have said. The characters are both likeable and unpleasant because they're so relatable. They’re like a more charming and funnier version of ourselves.

Spoiler Alert: One of my favorite episodes is when Dunham’s character Hannah and her gay ex-boyfriend turned roommate decide to do cocaine. Although I can guarantee you I’d never do coke, it was hilarious imagining myself partying with those two. It's not all peaches and cream though, (ps I don't even like peaches and putting them with cream sounds gross) there are a lot of cringe worthy moments from odd sex scenes to the harsh realities of OCD (i.e. when Hannah found out the consequences of sticking a q-tip too far into her ear). But that's what makes this show interesting. It's all real events.

Copyright HBO

I strongly suggest watching Girls. It’s seriously so well written and so funny that I’m hooked and am going through withdraws from my marathon. Also the soundtrack is worth noting with artists such as fun., Robyn and The Vaccines being featured on it. Let me know if you’ve seen the show or listened to the soundtrack and tell me what you think! Laters!