Friday, August 31, 2012

Fill in the _____ Friday


  1. Over this Labour Day weekend, I will be... trying to get stuff done around the house, but probably mostly doing anything but.
  2. With the political debates going on right now my thoughts are... what political debates? (Just kidding. Sort of.)
  3. Today... I am headachey and tired. I'm glad it's Friday. The weekend can't get here soon enough!
  4. The best thing I've cooked recently was...Um.... cook?
  5. The last thing I bought was... a Starbucks latte.
  6. The best movie I saw this summer was... Probably The Dark Knight Rises... but I honestly don't remember the movies I watched. Oh! And Ted. That shit was hilarious.
  7. The best book I read this summer was... Compacts and Cosmetics by Madeleine Marsh (read my review here). Definitely an acquired taste, but since I'm fascinated by makeup I got a real kick out of it!
As always, thanks to Lauren at The Little Things We Do for the blanks!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Random Thursday: What would you do with $1 Million?

thursdayEm


It's time for Random Thursday, hosted by Lin, Sarah, and myself! Welcome (and welcome back) to everyone who's joining us this week! We're looking forward to reading your posts on this week's topic, which is:


If I Had $1 Million...

We've all thought about what we'd do if we won the lottery or if a rich relative we didn't know about left us a large inheritance, so why not share those plans with us. What would you do if you had $1 Million...buy your dream car? Build a custom-made mansion? Invest? Go on a 50k shopping spree?


Realistically if I had a million dollars I'd pay off my house, buy a car and then invest the rest of it... but since no one is going to find that interesting, here's what I'd do if I wasn't trying to be responsible!

1. I'd go to Powell's Books - a.k.a. my Disneyland. It's a huge bookstore, and I'm sure I could get lost in it for days!


2. I'd buy myself some awesome leather boots. Preferably these Prada ones that I'll never be able to afford in real life!


3. I'd go to Italy. I'd love to see... well, pretty  much all of it... but I'm fascinated by this village called Manarola. Here's why:


4. And of course, I'd go on a MASSIVE Sephora spree.


5. I'd take at least a month off, go somewhere pretty, and read and read and read!


6. And I'd spend some time in London, because it's pretty much my favourite place in the whole world!



7. Late addition: You guys are putting me to shame for not including a charitable idea in my millions. I meant to, but I had trouble deciding which cause and gave up. But thanks to Lin, I'm thinking I'd want to start something close to home - some scholarships for underprivileged kids to go to college or trade school (because I think it's a travesty how little financial support our government provides to educate us), after school programs for kids, and some help for those who suffer from health problems (primarily mental) whose support was cut a few years back. That would be a good start!And of course, I'd either set up a no-kill animal shelter, or help fund one. I'm sure I'd also end up adopting a few new ones...

I'm sure there are plenty of other fun things I'd do... but those are the ones that come to mind! What would you do? Where would you go? Share and link up below!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Ten on Tuesday



1. It's cloudy, for the first time in ages. So I have a headache. I know, I don't get it either, but I've noticed every time the weather changes after being the same for a long time, that happens. ???????

2. I caved and bought the September issue of Vogue. And then discovered it was too heavy to carry home.

3. Having cats sounds great in theory, but it means you can never have carpet or rugs in your house again.

4. It's only Tuesday. I need another weekend. Like, now.

5. I've discovered this game called Bubble Shoot. It's the simplest game in the world, but somehow I can't get past the level I'm on, and I've been trying for 24 hours. It's driving me insane.

6. I just started watching this show called Common Law - it's about these police partners who are a great team, but who fight all the time. Their boss went through couple's counseling with his wife and it saved his marriage, so he decides to make the partners attend. They're amusing, and if you like crime dramas, it's not bad!



7. I think I might have a sign on my forehead that says "please hit me with your bag." I've gotten hit in the head and/or shoulder by people's bags on the bus about 10 times so far this week. Not amused.

8. I also started watching Warehouse 13 last night. Yes, I am desperate for TV now that even the summer programming is ending. It's sort of like the X-Files meets the Mummy meets Dr. Who. Jury's still out.


9. So far my Happy Water isn't making me any happier. I think it's defective.

10. The giggles:






Friday, August 24, 2012

Fill in the _____ Friday


It's back! The good old FITBF format has returned. So I'm joining in again!
  1. My favourite thing to do on Friday is... go home from work at the end of the day and try to forget it exists until Monday!
  2. This Friday I am.... working - but after that we're going to Trivia Night. Not sure what that is exactly yet, but as long as they allow drinking, I'm down.
  3. The best thing about a weekend is... when you get the chores and "have-tos" done and can just kick back and read a good book or take a nap. Yep, I'm old folks. 
  4. Now that summer is almost over, I'm feeling... vaguely relieved that I've managed to get through it without having to wear shorts too often.
  5. The best thing I did this summer was... also the worst: moving. Hated the process, love the end result!
  6. The thing I'm looking forward to about fall is... sweaters, peppermint mochas, rainy Sundays...and the return of good TV!
  7. If I had to be stuck in one season for the rest of my life, it would be... Indian summer/fall. You know, the part where it's not getting dark super early or raining all the time yet, where the leaves are just starting to fall from the trees and you can see your breath in the morning but it warms up in the afternoon.
Thanks to Lauren at The Little Things We Do for the blanks!

Random Thursday - Fun Summer Reads!

thursdayEm

Welcome to this week's Random Thursday with Lin, Sarah - and me! Thanks to everyone who joined in our inaugural RT link-up last week, welcome back to those of you who decided to join in again, and "nice to meet you" to everyone who's just joining us!

First of all, sorry this post is a day late! I haven't yet gotten ahead of the game, since this is a new thing for me, and I lost a night to dilating eye drops. I'm hoping that that whole "better late than never" thing is true, cos I will also tell you now that this will not be the only time this happens! Anyway, on to this week's Random Thursday topic, which is.....

 
This topic is right up my alley (and no, I didn't pick it!), since I love books. I love reading them, looking at them - and buying them! However, I don't really have what I'd call "summer reads." I have a pile of books that I go through as the mood strikes me. So instead of sharing books about summer or that you probably saw on supermarket shelves and top 10 lists throughout the season, I'm going to share a couple of books I have enjoyed or am reading at the moment. On the plus side, this means you don't have to rush to get through them in the next couple of weeks before it's officially fall!

1. COMPACTS AND COSMETICS - Madeleine Marsh


If you are a makeup junkie - particularly if you find the social context of historical makeup trends fascinating - this book is a must read. I first heard about it in one of Lisa Eldridge's videos... and she explains it much better than I ever could. So here it is:



2. UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN - Frances Mayes


I know a lot of you probably know this title from the movie rather than the book. But trust me, that old rule about the book being better is definitely true in this case. I haven't read this in years - I first picked it up in high school, which was longer ago than I'd care to admit - but I loved that it really gave me a sense of Italy. Not just of what it's like to be a tourist there, but the subtle differences that you only learn by spending months - if not years - somewhere new. It's whimsical and will definitely make you want to go to Italy. (Fair warning, it will also make you hungry.)

3. THE RUM DIARY - Hunter S. Thompson


Above is the movie poster because Johnny Depp, but it's based on a book by Hunter S. Thompson. Yep, the Gonzo king himself. It was his first book (and probably most coherent) and one of his few works of fiction. This one is sort of a summer book, in the sense that it is set on a tropical island and includes a lot of rum drinking. Okay, so you have to really want to see it...

4. LET'S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED - Jenny Larson


I nearly forgot this one! I got it for my birthday, and have purposely been allowing myself to read only a little bit at a time - because I never want it to end! As bloggers, many of you will already be familiar with The Bloggess, but if you're not, it's time you got on that. Like, now. She's witty, hilarious, occasionally medicated and always entertaining. 

That's it for this week's Random Thursday - hope to see you again next week! If you want to see more of what I'm reading, head over to my book blog, Backlist Books - I haven't had much time to read since the move, but it has a lot of reviews of old faves, and I'll be getting back to it soon!

Don't forget to link up below!


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Ten on Tuesday

1. I'm rusty, so if my 10 are lame, don't judge. Well, okay, judge, but don't leave mean comments.

2. Moving stinks. I highly recommend not doing it, particularly if you love books as much as I do. I still can't find half my stuff.

3. My new commute is really pretty! Almost makes up for the fact that it takes an hour.

4. I have discovered something amazing. Well, two amazing things. The first is arugula salad greens. Last night I made a salad with arugula, feta, strawberries and avocado. The second is pesto hummus. I kid you not, it's the best thing I've ever tasted.

5. I went clothing shopping last week. It was completely horrifying, but I did find a pair of jeans that seem to fit me and a couple of shirts. So that should hold me for, I'm hoping, another year. HATE shopping.

6. So one of my two favourite crime dramas, The Closer, ended after 8 years. Major Crimes, the spin-off, premiered the same night. It's very bittersweet, because while I'm glad the show is going on and the writing tends to be excellent, it's missing its heart without Kyra Sedgwick. I'm still in the sulking phase, so I'm not sure yet what to think of Major Crimes. In not inclined to like any replacement quite yet - not until the mourning phase passes. All I know right now is it's not The Closer, and that makes me sad.



7. I can't decide which is worse: Getting blood taken for tests or getting those dilating drops in your eyes. Either way, I have to do both this week. Awesome.

8. Pinterest. That is all.

9. Yes, I am one of those people who complains when it rains for days, complains when it's cloudy, and complains that it's too hot when the sun finally comes out.

10. This:

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Random Thursdays - Currently Obsessed With

thursdayEm


Welcome to the very first Random Thursday hosted by myself, Lin and Sarah! Lin, as I'm sure you'll know by now, is one of my favourite people in the whole world, much less the blogosphere. She's hilarious, smart, sarcastic, and totally gets me. She also doesn't seem to mind all the swearing. Sarah is a new blog friend who I'm very much enjoying getting to know via her blog, Sunlight After Rain. You'll like her. I promise.

We are super excited to bring you a new topic every week, and I've been dying to get posting since Lin asked me to co-host! So without further ado, our first Random Thursday topic is....


1. Pinterest


Yes, the devil has got me in its teeth. I have had an account for ages, but never really got into it. but on Tuesday I had to learn more about it for work, and.... well, it just drew me in! It's not my fault, I swear.

2. Blue Bloods



I tried to watch the first episode of this when it originally came out, but for some reason it just didn't take. Now I have no idea why - I am totally addicted! I've flown through the first two seasons in record time and now very impatiently waiting for it to come back on again.

3. Make Up For Ever Lipstick in N31


If you read my makeup blog, you'll know that I LOVE me a good, bright pink lipstick. Unfortunately, I have trouble with matte ones drying out my lips, so I'm always on the lookout for one that gives a great colour without the dry texture. This one is from Make Up For Ever's "Natural" finish line, and is more sheer than their intensely pigmented line. So far? Loving it.

I hope you enjoyed perusing my current obsessions - and don't forget to click on the links below to read more from other bloggers! And why not share your own?




Monday, August 13, 2012

Summertime Swap Package!


You all remember the wonderful Summertime Swap the lovely Lin and I did (okay, mostly Lin), right? Well I was paired up with Leesh of The Blarkness Chronicles, who's a fellow Canadian and all around cool gal! Above you'll see the wonderful stuff she spoiled me with. Not only that, but she made me this pretty, colourful card to go with it!

I want to thank her for all the thought she put into my package - it seriously made my whole summer and I can't WAIT to try out my bright new nail polish shades! I also want to thank everyone who signed up to be part of the swap - I hope you had as much fun with it as I did! And if you missed out - don't worry, Lin and I have already started tossing around ideas for another one in the not-too-distant future!


In case you can't read Leesh's card in the middle there, click here to visit her blog, and here to follow her on Twitter!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Random Thursdays - Re-vamped!


My friend and favourite blogger, Lin from Linnys Vault, has been co-hosting a fabulous little weekly link-up called Random Thursdays. Every Thursday, one of the three co-hosts comes up with a theme - some past examples are Dream Vacation, Celebrity Girl Crush and Summer Favourites - and a whole bunch of bloggers write their own posts based on that week's theme and link up.

Sounds awesome, huh? Well, now I've got some HUGE and very exciting news! Lin (I'll assume you've all checked her out by now, because... well because if you haven't, you're missing out on the best corner of the blogosphere) has taken over Random Thursdays and decided she wanted to bring on a couple of new co-hosts - and she asked me! Yes, I'm feeling super special right about now. And because she's fabulous and therefore knows other fabulous people, she recruited Sarah to be the third co-host!

So, starting next week we'll be doing a re-vamped and re-imagined (but very similar to before) Random Thursday!

If you want to join in on the awesome and fun link-up, grab our new button below and show it off on your blog, follow my lovely co-hosts (Lin & Sarah), and please subscribe HERE or below to get the weekly topics sent directly to your inbox!











Thursday, August 9, 2012

Random Thursday: Favourite Beauty Products


First of all, since I can practically hear y'all thinking it, NO, I did not mis-spell "favourite." I'm Canadian. That's how we do here.

Second of all, I know, I know, you gave me up for dead. I'm hoping that rather than being super mad at me for being gone for so long, you'll just be overwhelmingly relieved that I'm back! No? Fuck.

Anyway, what better way to stage a comeback than to join Lin (along with Natalie and Kailyn) for Random Thursdays? This week's theme is:


So let's get started!

As some of you may know, I also have a (sadly neglected) beauty blog, The Beautiful Addiction. So if you want to see a TON of beauty and make-up posts, head over there. However, this stuff is what I'm really digging at the moment!

1. MAC Makeup Remover Wipes

 I have really sensitive eyes, and I found that even the quilted cotton makeup remover pads would disintegrate leading to bits of cotton in my eyes. Not fun. Also, they tend to absorb a lot of makeup remover, meaning you have to use a lot more and it doesn't work as well. I absolutely love MAC's wipes because they address both of these issues. You might be thinking that they're expensive - so let me share a little tip. Unless you work in the theatre you will probably find that by cutting one of these wipes in half, you'll have more than enough for daily use - which means that one package will last twice as long! I did the math once, and by doing this I found that per use, they cost less than drug store alternatives, and worked much better.

2. Clinique Super City Block SPF 40



It's summer. It's hot. I am pale. 'Nuff said.

3. Orly Nail Polish in "Ancient Jade"



Something about summer makes me want to bust out the turquoise, coral and bright pink nail polishes, and this is one of my all-time faves!

4. Nars Eyeshadow Duo in "Kalahari"


You know how sometimes you just want to reach for makeup in the morning when you're half asleep, and then look in the mirror several hours later and NOT have the sudden and horrific realization that you look like a kid drew on you with neon crayons while you were asleep? This is my go-to eyeshadow duo when I want effortlessly flattering. The colour on the left has a bit of a metallic, burnished bronze finish and the one on the right is a beautiful bruised plum taupe colour that I absolutely LOVE on green or hazel eyes. Gorgeous.

5. MAC Lipstick in "Rebel"






Though I often favour bright pink lipsticks in the summer, I could not live without my Rebel. It might look a bit intimidating, but what I love about it is that you can apply it very sparingly for a universally flattering berry stain, or go to town and have the most intense, wonderful deep berry shade imaginable. Though I think it looks good on everyone, it makes me wish I had dark skin, cos I think it looks fab on you darker ladies!

That's it for my very first (but certainly not last) Random Thursday post! Pop on over to one of the blogs linked above to link up and do your very own!
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