Monday, May 21, 2012

Settling into a routine

In the past 2 weeks, I feel like a gazillion things have changed in my life.  Safe to say my eating/workout habits got pushed to the side.  But now that things are streamlining again, I was able to spend the day on me.  I love sundays/'day before work' days where I often don't go out and do the following.

  • Making lunch to take to work
  • Doing my nails
  • Pampering my hair (protein & moisture treatment)
  • Washing my makeup brushes
  • Laundry
  • Working it out (unfortunately I went to the gym after it closed & drove home right after.  Apparently holiday hours didn't click for me

I like to stay in and enjoy just vegging and taking care of me!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Making strides

I used to run daily about five years ago.  I wanted to loose weight and didn't know much about fitness so I would do as much cardio as I could.  My knees would hurt every day but I kept doing it.  Eventually I got too busy with school and stopped.  Now I am older and wiser.  I try and do 1 session of cardio and 1 session of weights a week if I can manage it.  Some weeks I do more, others I do less but I try not to beat myeslf up over it.  I do curse myself when I am trying to do something after a long break and I find it hard because I've already lost the strength I worked hard to get.

Yesterday, I ran on the treadmill since it was still a little cold out there and was able to do 12 mins @ 6.5 & 18 mins @ 7 and the usual 5min warmup and 5 min cool down.  Considering I would 'run' @ 5 before and think I was doing well for myself, I am happy with my little accomplishment.


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Calming my skin down

I've been using dermatologist prescribed Tactuo gel which is Canadas version of the Epiduo gel for about half a year nightly on top of lotion.  I figured after half a year, I could now transition to using it first and then putting the lotion on after.

Since I stopped taking my anti biotics, I've been seeing breakouts again though not quite at the level if I wasn't using the Tactuo gel.  I figured if I transitioned to using the Tactuo gel first, it would be more effective.  Well it could be more effective but boy was my face not ready for it.  My face is a red mess right now after about a week of using it first.  I am trying to calm it down without completely stopping the Tactuo gel because I felt like it was helping my acne.  I am also holding off on trying my new foundations till my skin calms down.  Cross your fingers for me...

Sunday, April 8, 2012

MAC face & body woes

I wrote earlier that I purchased a few new foundations to try out.  I don't think face & body is going to make the cut.  It has good buildable coverage but you really need to build it.  And I think I am aggravating my face with all the 'building' I am doing.  Being on Tactuo has made my face extra sensitive and my face has been extra red this past week.  On top of that, I look like a super oil slick by the end of the day.  I want to try it a few more times before returning it but my impressions after a week of use is this isn't for me. 

I am also a little nervous about returning a used product to MAC.  I did ask before I purchased it and they told me it wouldn't be a problem returning the product w/in 30days if it didn't work for me but I've never done this before.  I feel a little guilty returning something that I used but I don't want to force myself to use something that isn't working for me.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Tips for the gym

I am all for cute outfits @ the gym.  I shamelessly admit I have spent more than I should at Lulu but please do not wear pants that show your asscrack.  It's one thing when you squat and your ass shows, it's another thing when you start running or do any sort of movement and your pants start drooping & your ass shows.  Worse is when you decide to be at the front of the class and everybody behind you is subjected to it. 

Yup, that's my little rant...

Friday, April 6, 2012

More skinny cravings

I don't normally shop at Zara.  While I've always liked their clothing, for some reason I always thought it was pricey and wouldn't bother going in there.  Yesterday I was at The Eaton Center with time to kill before meeting a friend and went in.  I was surprised at how reasonably priced they were.  Not quite H&M but probably cheaper than Banana Republic.

While roaming the store, they added to my skinny jeans/pants wants that I am looking for this summer.  They had a pair of leggings with two zippers on them similar to the F21 post below but not in my size :(  I liked it so much that I stopped by Fairview on my way home to see if they had it but no luck there as well.  Guess it wasn't meant to be.  Here are a few other things that caught my eye....
If only I was ballsy enough to wear white pants

Wish this came in the material as the white pants so I could wear it to work

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

ANTM British Invasion


It's a little embarrassing but yes, I still watch Americas Next Top Model.  I actually tried watching an episode earlier this season but couldn't sit through the whole episode.  I thought I finally kicked the habbit but like a true addict, I caught myself watching another episode.  They were at Toronto's Fashion Week so it was pretty interesting to watch and recognize places.  i.e. their photo shoot was in the Distillery District....In true Tyra style, the shoot was tacky as ever with maple leafs stuck over their naughty bits with maple syrup poured over them.  Really who still takes this show seriously?


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Want: Bright Colored Skinnys

Each season, I buy a few trendy pieces that I dig.  Typically I don't spend much because I don't know if I'll want it for more than a season.  If it's something I see myself wearing several seasons, I have no problem spending the money.  But bright colored skinnys aren't something I am sure I'll wear long term.  Either way, I am itching for a pair or two.

I also have a weakness for zippers and cheapness so I think I might get the one pictured above from Forever 21.  At $34, it's something I can fit into my budget.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

New Foundations

OK, so I went a little crazy shopping.  I am almost out of my Revlon Color Stay Foundation and wanted to try something different.  The MAC Face & Body as well as Estee Lauders Double Wear foundation have been getting good reviews so I went ahead and purchased them.  I got the Estee Lauders Double Wear in Bronze and Macs Face and Body in C9.  They are both a little dark for me at the moment but I figure with summer coming, would be a better to get a shade a little darker.  I can get away with them as it is but hoping it will be perfect once the suns out.  My only concern with MAC is that it might break me out.  I remember using their Sudio Fix foundation years ago and stopping because it broke me out.  Hoping Face and Body doesn't end up in the same category.  

Murale was having a promo where you got almost $20 in optimum points free if you spent $75 so I added a Stila concealer and Tweezerman Tweezers to the mix.  Based on only using the concealer and tweezers once, I love them both.  Especially the tweezers!  It's amazing what a difference a quality, sharpened tweezers makes.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Japanese Sunscreen

Everybody knows your should wear sunscreen to help prevent signs of aging.  But if you're like me, you hate wearing them.  I've had problems with sunscreens from here making me looking oily, breaking me out, hard to wash off, just feeling gross on my screen.  Enter, Japanese sunscreens.  It's almost like just applying water...I hardly feel it.  I am just about finished with my Nivea Protect Water Gel and am toying with the idea of trying something new.  Biore has a lot of good reviews and I think I am going to jump on it.  Who knew that sunscreen would get me all excited!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Drugstore adventures

I am happy to say that I tried out Marcelles new BB cream at the store and was disappointed by their limited shade availabilities.  Why happy?  Because that's $20+ that is still in my pocket.  I also was looking for a cleanser to use in the morning.  I typically don't wash my face in the morning because I feel like it is too harsh but am feeling like I need something gentle to use.  I've tried cetaphil before and it's not for me.  After some googling, I bought acne.orgs cleanser.  Now I have to wait for it to arrive in the mail patiently.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Lovers Day

As usual, not doing anything special on valentines day.  Sometimes we'll go out for dinner if we're in the mood but most years, it's just another day.  Today is no other and it includes me going to the gym and doing some work.  Snooze fest.

I have this pair of goal dress pants that I'd like to fit into eventually.  Well I tried it on today and was able to squeeze into it barely.  I figured I would celebrate by wearing it to work.   Huge mistake because I felt like I couldn't breathe for the whole day and had to pee every 2 seconds.  Back to going to the back of my closet for me.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Squatting incorrectly for years

Me and the squats aren't friends.  It is something I always struggle with because it sets my thighs on fire and make me feel like I can't do anything else after doing a few reps.  What's worse is, only till recently did I realize I wasn't even doing it properly.  I was doing more of a half squat which is what I see lots of people doing.  And well since I've never had a trainer, I just assumed that I was doing it correctly since that's what the majority of folks were doing.  Imagine the burn when I actually did a full one.  Thighs parallel to the floor and you're good!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

HIIT - High intensity interval training

I've read about it before but tried out HIIT for the first time ever over the weekend & it kicked my butt and then some.  & my body is still aching a little bit from it!  I think I can do prolonged work outs no problem but I spread my energy out over time.  Doing quick bursts were a struggle.  I am going to see if I can do an HIIT workout once a week to keep me on my toes.

I also want to get back into foam rolling.  When I was doing it regularly, it was great but I couldn't be bothered putting an extra few minutes when I was home to do it.  Maybe it will be my mini goal for the month.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Got my cardswap gift card in the mail

Despite my concern that my gift card getting lost in the mail, it arrived safe and sound today.  Paranoid me had to check right away that there was indeed a $100 on the card and sure enough there was.  $4 saved which is not much but is a free starbucks drink to me.

There was also a $10 coupon if you sell a gift card of >$125 which I don't think I'll be able to take advantage of.

Now that I know this is legit, I am going to try check it every once in a while in hopes their grow their assortment of cards.  i.e. petro canada gift cards, I am looking for you.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The weather outside

is frightful awesome!  I can't think of the last time I saw positive numbers in February in Toronto, let alone almost double digits!  I went to the gym and walked back to my car in my short shorts without layering up and I wasn't cold.  I could get used to this!

I wish I wasn't working right now and was outside enjoying the weather.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Motivation

I used to look at pics of skinny people to motivate myself to get to the gym. That doesn't cut it anymore...if anything, it motivates me to starve myself and that's not what I am going for.  Quotes like below get my ass into gear.

From the reddit fitness boardYou may not have a loving relationship, a family or even monetary success, but you will always have your body.  Treat it with respect and take care of it, it will always be there for you.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Starting a strength training routine

I've been doing Body Pump on a regular basis but I think I want to take it to the next level and start doing a strength training routine on my own as well outside of the class atmosphere.  Body Pump is great but because of the high reps, you don't really ever lift heavy and I think a lifting routine will be interesting and help me get toned and look more tight.  From my googling and quick reading, most people recommend Starting Strength or The New Rules of Lifting for Women for newbies.  I am going to try getting them for my ipad and giving it a go.  Wish me luck...

Saturday, January 28, 2012

CardSwap.ca

I got a few gift cards over the Christmas break that I don't necessarily see myself using so I was looking at how to monetize it.  I found cardswap and remember them on Dragons Den.  I think the Boston Pizza dude ended up partnering with them which would explain why there are so many boston pizza gift cards on there. 

The idea is they buy your gift cards from you for a fraction of the price and sell it for a slightly higher rate than they bought it at and that's where they make the money.  The money you get and can pay for a gift card depends on its popularity.  As an example a $25 starbucks gift card sells for $25 or (4% off) which isn't an amazing deal but that's almost a free drink for every $100.  You can find less popular gift cards for more of a discount --> LifeExperiences gift card are almost 30% off.  In terms of selling, I got a good rate for an HBC gift card ~90% while a not so great rate for Spring Shoes ~75%.

I bought a starbucks gift card because I figured I was getting 4% off plus another 1% of from using my credit card to pay for it and that's 5 more % off than I had before.  I also wanted to try it out and see how it goes.  The concern I can see is things getting lost in the mail.  I wonder how that is handled.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Shoemint is apparently in Canada

and I am really tempted to sign up but then I tell myself $80 for a pair of shoes is money I could spend elsewhere and I come back down to reality.  For anybody that uses this in Canada, tell me how you like it.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Thinking about dyeing my shirt

I have this gorgeous white cream shirt that got a stain and I was lazy in washing it immediately and now it just won't go away :(  The thing is, I love this shirt so I googled for options and am thinking about buying some Rit dye and trying to dye it to see if I can bring it back to life.  It was originally white and over multiple washes sometimes not with other whites, it's changed into this creamy color which sounds gross but still looks good.  But this stain is a nono.  I am a little scared the shirt won't dye evenly and it will look a hot mess.  I am going to try stopping by Fabric Land one of these days and seeing if I can find some of this Rit dye that is all over the interwebs.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Project Runway Allstars

Austin Scarlett
I don't have cable so I am pretty behind on the TV world.  I was on hulu last night and what do I see?  Project Runway All-Stars.  Awesome!  Except, it doesn't have Heidi as the host anymore.  Not just Heidi, all the judges have changed.  I wonder what happened.  I found Heidi very chrasimatic and easy to like.  This new host has some big shoes to fill but I can't help watching since some old favorites are back including the fabulous Austin.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Want > Fold Over Clutch

Express is now in Canada and you Toronto folks can go to Fairview Mall to check it out.  I was never super impressed by them on my shopping trips to the US but I popped in to see what it brought to Canada and there is this clutch!  The most absolute gorgeous sparkly thing I've laid eyes on.  The issue is its $80 and I can't justify that so after pawing it, I walked out the store.  For $80, I might as well spend a little extra and get a BCBG one.

I did pick up a card to use before the end of January that gives me $40 off a $100 which if I am still lusting over this week, I might go back and get.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eye Studio Sampler @ Shoppers

I was killing time at the mall today before dinner with some friends so I went into shoppers to see if there was any new & exciting products.  I toyed with the lip balms but what caught my eye was the Eye Studio Sampler which gives you 4 deluxe sized mascaras, a Quo eye liner and a gift certificate for a full sized mascara for $39.  Pricey but considering it includes some HE mascaras in there, it's quite worth it.

I love mascaras and trying new ones out so I was pretty tempted.  The only thing that I couldn't figure out from the box was how big a deluxe sized mascara would be.  Is it a weeks worth of use, a month, a few months....


Monday, January 16, 2012

The Tight Shorts Girl

I've read that January gym memberships account for anywhere from 50% and up of the annual $ for a gym.  It's annoying that the first 2 weeks of the new year at the gym are ridiculously packed but we all started somewhere.  I joined off season a few years ago and am glad I did.  I was super intimidated my first visit and don't think I would fare too well if I joined in January.  I'd probably run away scared at all the manly men and gorgeous girls.

If you go to the gym, please read this for a funny but accurate post on people you run into at the gym -->  The 7 Jerks You Meet in Every Gym.  I must admit I've been guilty of being that tight shorts girl once in a while.  Don't hate.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

You know what's badass?

Pushups!  I've always envied a woman that can do pushups on their feet.  Something about them makes the person doing them come off as strong and bad ass.  My goal for the end of the year is to be able to do a few of these comfortably on my feet.  Pretty weak goal right?  Not if your upper body is as weak as mine is.  Last year I couldn't even do them on my knees.  My upper body strength is lacking and something I never focused on.  Running, cardio, I can handle no problem.  Throw weights into the mix and you think you have a 5 year old on your hands.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Acne dilema

I've battled acne for what seems like forever.  I finally gave in and made an appointment with the dermatalogist some time last year.  Not sure why I waited so long since visits are covered by OHIP if you are referred by your doctor and my work covers a 100% for prescriptions. 

I've gone from using Benzaclyin to Sulfacet-R to Differin to antibiotics to Tactuo (Canadas version of Epiduo).  I am currently on Tactuo and while my skin is better than it was prior to using it, I still get about 1 new active pimple per week which is something I would consider awesome in a previous life but with a wedding coming up it still bugs the *#@& out of me!  I am debating going back to the derm and asking for antibiotics again.  The thing with antibiotics is once I am off it, everything comes back and I don't like the idea of having to take a pill everyday without knowing what else it's doing to my body.  Lately I've been feeling like it's something I am willing to put up with to boost my confidence and not have to do a 100 things to my skin to make it look presentable.  I just wish it was a phase I would grow out of like everybody said it would be.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Eye Liner - I think I found a new love

Milani Infinite Liner after shower
I have been on this quest to find something that lasts on my waterline throughout the day without giving me racoon eyes or fading away.  For my lid, my go to way to line my eye is one thin line of L'Oreals Lineur Intese felt trip followed by a thin line of L'Oreals Lineur Intense brush tip.  The effect is the blackest most precise smooth line.

Enter me discovering curling my lashes and tightlining.  I love the way tight lining looks but can't get anything to last or not migrate below my eye and give me a semi raccoon eye look.  I've tried everything...

  • L'Oreal liners
  • Maybeline liners
  • Prestige liners
  • Revlons liners
  • MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
  • Laura Merciers tightline cake liner (it says tightline in the product name so it must work right?)

Yeah well, none of these worked out for me.  The closest was MACs blacktrack fluidline but by the end of the day, I could still see some product below my eye and the original line I placed would have faded quite a bit.  I picked up Milanis Infinite Liner at Loblaws because I didn't even realize they sold Milani in Canada.  There were several things I wanted but I settled on the liner.  I tried it out on my hand as you can see above and it's been there for several hours and even through a shower.  I take pretty long showers and I even did a protien treatment and deep conditioned so I was in there extra long.  As you can see by my hand, it's hardly budged!  Now I am a little worried about how I am going to remove it but I am excited at the idea of being able to line my waterline without smudging.

The only con I see so far is using this on my lid.  The brush is a little thick and the formula is a little goopey so not sure I would be able to get a precise line but for my waterline, this is awesome.

Monday, January 9, 2012

CBC Radios Mommy Bloggers

I normally have the radio tuned into cbc radio when I am getting ready in the mornings.  I randomly heard the last half of the Sunday Editions coverage on mommy bloggers and how some of them start out with the intent of making money off their blogs.  It was interesting because I think it applies not only to mommy bloggers but also makeup, fitness, you name it bloggers.  If peoples opinions are geniuine or if they are upfront about it, it doesn't bother me but when it gets to the point when peoples blogging intentions become biased and every single post is littered with sponsored this & that, it doesn't become a fun read.

Go here to have a listen.


Sunday, January 8, 2012

Express check out is for people with few items!

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I am buying a handful of items at the grocery store and the checkouts are packed.  Oh wait, there's an express line that says it is for people with 1-8 items.  Sweet!  And even better there is only person ahead of me in line.  I get to the line and what do I find?  The couple in front of me has a cart full of items.  Not 1-2 items over the recommended 8, at least 20 items!  Seriously, wait your flippin turn in the normal lines or the least they could've done is let me go ahead of them.  I had 2 items.  Am I wrong for feeling entitled to being in an express line and expecting that everybody else follows the rules?  That's what it's there for right?

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Removing Tarnish from my Tiffanys Necklace

I've noticed that my Tiffanys chain isn't as polished as it could be as of late.  It's been looking a little black & dull.  My bf gave it to me several years ago and I basically wear it 365 days of the year so replacing it wasn't really an option which is what I normally would do when I get frustrated.  I've tried everything from the polishing agents you can buy at the department store to the polishing cloths straight from Tiffanys and their polish.  While it works, I could never polish the nooks & crannies & overall was never happy with how it looked.  I've paid for Tiffanys to clean it and it comes out amazing but spending $20+ to get it cleaned feels like a rip off.

Google gave me this link and I just tried it.  You can read about the science of it here.  All you need is some hot water, aluminum foil and baking soda so what did I have to loose by trying it.  Well if you are looking to remove tarnish from your jewelry, try this!  It's practically free since you likely have the items in your kitchen and it worked super awesome.  My chain looks like how it did when I first bought it.  I did have to do it a few times to get all the tarnish off but it was pretty easy to do. Now it's ready to be worn another 365 days :)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

January 2012 goals

Instead of posting goals for the whole year, I figured I'd try it month by month with little baby goals that are more realistic.  So to start off for January, I'd like to accomplish the following.

Beauty
  • Spend no more than $10 for the month.  Eeek!  I already bought a rubberized base coat from Quos new nailpolish venture with Quo for $10 earlier today called Strong Bond.
  • Slather Aquaphor on my cracked heels nightly.  This is gross but once sandal season is over, I stop moisturizing and my heels are proof.  I want to get my soft heels back and this will only happen if I regularly take care of them instead of seasonally.
Fitness
  • Run once a week and lift weights once a week
  • No pop of any kind  
  • Cook at least once a week for work lunches
Wedding
  • Print my save the dates cards
  • Get $2k deposit for contract I signed last week
Clothing
  • Spend nothing.  Yup, that's right my boxing day shopping has me wanting nothing new for the time being
Misc
  • Sell something.  (currently have some video games up for sale on Kijiji and may try selling shoes that I've never worn)

Monday, January 2, 2012

New Year, another $5k in TFSA

A brand new year means another $5000 you can put into your TFSA.  I just deposited another $5k into my existing Canadian Tire TFSA.  Last year I put my $5k in a TFSA trading account through questrade and lets just say that I didn't do as well as I had hoped.  I think I will continue to use what I have from my 2010 TFSA contribution for stocks and this years $5k in a savings account.  Plus with a marriage looming later this year, I want money to be liquid because let me tell ya, weddings are bloody expensive!

Go here if you're curious about interest rates you can get on your TFSA savings account.  If you are not using a TFSA, you should!  You don't get taxed on your gains and have absolutely nothing to loose as you can take the money out any time during the year.

I still need to figure out what I am doing with my RRSPs.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Back from Niagara

Ate at the Fallsview buffet last night.  They raised the prices from $20 to $30 for New Years eve but promised an enhanced menu compared to their normal buffet.  For $30 I was not impressed.  There was nothing special about what they were serving in there and didn't seem that different from their normal menu.  You would think for new years eve, they would at least be on point with their dessert but nope.  We both had one bites of various cakes and pies we picked up from their dessert table but left it behind.

The weather however cooperated and we watched the fireworks over the falls for the countdown.  We couldn't be bothered to spend the whole night there so about 10mins before 12, we walked out the back of Fallsview Casino and watched the view from there.

Next year, I want to stay in or go somewhere out of the country!