an 'exotic' getaway

Since I won't have any time tomorrow, I decided to update my recipe of the week tonight with something I actually made tonight - Greek pasta salad! The only thing I'd recommend changing in that recipe are sun-dried tomatoes to substitute for the tomatoes ... they are heavenly.

The reason for making the Greek pasta salad? My 'exotic' getaway tomorrow with The Boy. For his birthday this weekend, I'm taking him to an amusement park complete with whales and dolphins ... which is quite exotic, or at least foreign to our native Canada. So I decided to add a picnic into that mix with Greek pasta salad, rolled sandwiches, and ... pizza. Err, that's Italian and exotic-ish?

What's your version of a getaway look like?

I'm really excited, because after having spent the last few days cooped up inside, only leaving to go to school or grocery shopping, I've found it's nice to have a getaway. And getaway's can come in all kinds of forms: a bubble bath, cuddling on the couch while watching TV with a loved one, having a picnic in the park, taking a road trip, or a 'real' getaway involving leaving on a jet plane and not knowing when I'll be back again enjoying something new.

While I'd love for my getaway to consist of lying in a boat at the edge of a beach, enjoying the sunshine and feeling a tropical breeze, I suppose: i) being at an amusement park with rollercoasters and such; ii) being with The Boy; and iii) having a (hopefully) delicious picnic is good enough for me!

By the way, thank you all SO much for your advice about make-up. I didn't end up going to the mall this weekend but plan on going next week with lots of knowledge in mind about the best Mac products, and be willing to try out something new!

Also, Ramblings Of A Fab Brunette tagged me in the honesty scrap, but I've already done it here, if you'd like to check that out! If you want me to do it again, I can! As for the awards, I'm handing 'em out to:
1) BonBon Rose
2) Cafe Fashionista
3) Teasingly Diverse
4) That Girl Is Hoisin
5) anyone else who wants to do it!

M.A.C. attack!

Confession time: I only* have a drawer of make-up, found in my desk -- and my Mom still thinks I have too much! It's full of boxes, ones dedicated to eyeshadows (mostly Rimmel and CoverGirl), lipglosses (found from every part of the neighbourhood) and tons of foundations. The most I've splurged on is a Lancome foundation, which met its sudden death after six months when the pump broke and I couldn't scoop the rest of the product out of the bottom. A tragedy in the make-up world, as far as I'm concerned!

Confession #2: I only own three Mac products. The first being a lipstick from the Fafi collection called Strawbaby, a second being a Mineralized Foundation in Medium, and a lipglass ... which I use as brow gel (I feel like I should be lowering my head in shame right now).

While I'm addicted to watching make-up tutorials, my 'hauls' consist of three-pack eyeshadows from Rimmel from the drugstore and the occasional Lashblast. Since most of my funds right now are being devoted to Europe (more on that in a later blog!), I don't really have the extra money to spend on things to beautify me, cap'n.

Bring in the Fairy GodMother Sister. After having seen my post on 43 Things, one of them was to buy my first Mac eyeshadow. Lo and behold, she sends me an encouraging card with a Mac giftcard! What a gift, indeed! (Love you, sis!) Only, now that I've considered it, I'm debating between eyeshadows, blushes, and lip products right now.

Which is where you come in! I'm not an expert on Mac at all, though I do have an idea of what things I'd like to have. So, here's a preview and I'd really like to know what YOU would spend if someone handed you a Mac giftcard (with $25 I might add, don't go too crazy)!

Eyeshadows
For me, I'd love an eyeshadow that I'd be able to use on an almost daily basis, for an everyday eye or whatnot. I don't want to splurge (giftcard or not!) on a yellow colour I'd only wear twice. So here are some options, if you have any suggestions let me know! It doesn't just have to be in the beige/brown range (though I'm really disappointed Satin Taupe is sold out)!


L-R: Tempting (from the Style Warrior collection), Omega, Woodwinked, Swiss Chocolate.

Blush
Ah, I love blush. Hate the price of it, though. I only have about four blushes, so it'd be nice to add to that collection as well. I'm considering Buff since I always see that in the 'how to contour' videos on Youtube, whereas the rest are just pink shades. Any suggestions?


L-R: On A Mission (from the Style Warrior collection), Fleur Power, Pinch Me, Buff.

Lips
I'm at a total loss. Way too many options. Lipsticks, lipglosses, lip conditioners. I'm shying away from lipglasses because they're much too sticky and well ... I primarily wear lip products when I'm around The Boy, 'cause he loves when my lips smell like guava (courtesy of CoverGirl). There's slimshines, monogram, Viva glam (which I know my little Mac counter at the mall will probably have since they've advertised it for years).

Plus, I'm not sure what shade to use. I like lighter pinks/nudes ... yeah, I'm a lost cause, aren't I?

So, anyone have any advise for the novice make-up user?
I'm planning on going this Saturday and definitely want a top 3 picked out in case they don't have something I'd like.

Thanks for your help!
And thank you to my fairy sister for her kindness!

*I realized this could be considered a lot, but I'm comparing it to a lot of make-up gurus I know who dedicate a whole dresser to make-up.

my lameness is revealed

Mondays are usually my night to watch TV (save for Thursday, which is all about 'Smallville' and 'Supernatural'). And last night, the show to watch (since 'Gossip Girl' had its finale last week) was 'The Hills'. Yes, it is a guilty pleasure of mine and I don't care how much of it is fabricated -- it's entertaining, and I've always had a special place in my TV-show-loving heart for Lauren Conrad.

To me, in a life of fake-reality, she seemed the most real and the most relate-able, despite the fact that I don't have my own fashion line and don't have a book published (lucky her, I wish I had book deals thrown my way)! Still, I could relate to her mishaps in friendships and relationships and her many rivers created by mascara-covered tears.

I had to throw Brody into that photo collage!

While it could be considered pathetic or pitiful to aspire after a reality TV show star, she's definitely got the smarts to use a TV show to launch a fashion career, so I give her many kudos and props for that.

When I was little, I had this dream to be an actress/singer/songwriter/published author all at once -- the true definition of a 'mega-star'. Once I realized that I live in southern Ontario and have little to no chance of being discovered (which is how I always pictured becoming famous), I decided it's OK to just be me ... and secretly dream of being a star, haha.

So while I may envy Lauren Conrad for living in Laguna Beach (which I admit, I've never watched!), I'm glad that my life is out of the spotlight. While I might relate to her in some scenarios, I wouldn't want to walk in her shoes no matter how expensive they are. Broadcasting my drama (or lack thereof) on TV is not for me.

Still, LC, it's sad to see you go. Her last episode is next Sunday for the finale of The Hills. And ... I'm taking The Boy out for his birthday all day on Sunday, so I'll miss it (yay for reruns!).

Now I must ask, since I've just admitted my love for 'The Hills':
What is YOUR guilty pleasure?

new look, new ... me?

So I finally managed to find the time to revamp the blog! There's still a few things I need to get done, but I hope you all like it. I combined my love of coffee with my appreciation of photography ... it's as cheesy as it can get, without unicorns and rainbows.

One new thing that I added that I hope you'll take advantage of is the recipe of the week off to the side. Every Sunday, that link will be changed to another recipe that I hope you'll enjoy! Of course, they're not my own recipes 'cause I ain't no chef. This week, it's cappuccino cheesecake! I'm drooling already.

I feel like this new look represents the 'new me', as in, trying to be brave and learning that it's okay to say 'NO' sometimes. This weekend, I finally made that attempt to cut the ex-boyfriend out of my life. Funny thing is, this isn't the first time this kind of situation has come up.

Years ago, when I was still in my early teens, I had a friend (who was supposed to be my BFF) who I had fun with watching Sex and the City and covering up our eyes and ears at the raunchy parts. She wanted a blog just like I had at the time. Which means, I made her layouts, I made her cool blog name, and I constantly did favours for her. I never asked for anything in return. Until I realized she just kept calling me over to do things for her. I felt taken advantage of. That, combined with other things, led to the friendship's demise.

Now, years later, I'm dealing with an ex-boyfriend who constantly wants me to do favours for him regarding graphics and websites for his job because I have, and I quote, 'a talent'. In the words of Chris Crocker (and I hate that I'm quoting him), "Leave Britney me alone!"

While I don't mind doing things for others, when I know it's only for his benefit, he doesn't care about me, and that it's been a full year and a half since we've stopped dating, I just don't want to do it.

So ... new me. Let's hope it lasts.

testing testing

1-2-3 :)

Just a temporary entry, I'm changing how this blog looks but I don't have much time until Saturday to fix it up, so don't mind the unfinished look right now!

my modern form of therapy

About two weeks ago, I started writing a novel without planning it whatsoever. I just thought, "Why not write a story about a tech-obsessed girl in her mid-twenties, working at a graphics design company and dealing with love lost and current crises?"

Almost the story of my life, save for the age and occupation. But I've found, more than anything, that writing it has become a form of therapy for me. While I have blogs/journals that I talk about daily life with, reflecting on past mistakes would just bore everyone beyond relief. Writing it out, even with falsified names and exaggerated situations, helps me realize that it was better to lose what I thought I loved in order to find that someone who I do love.

This weekend, me and The Boy are celebrating our one-year anniversary. It might seem like a small milestone compared to so many who are onto their two, three, or sixth+ year together, but to know that we've made it to one year without him ever making me cry, without him cheating on me, without him making me feel lesser than him ... is amazing. FYI, those three criteria were exactly what my ex-boyfriend did to me on a continuous basis. I'm a smart cookie.

Regardless of whatever I've done, writing it out helps me put things in perspective and truly helps me to appreciate what I do have now, rather than obsess over what I don't have. I don't have a gorgeous apartment in Europe above a coffee shop where I'd go with my laptop to have breakfast with The Boy and write novels ... but I do have The Boy, love, and a Shakespeare course to get an A+ in over the summer. So at least that's something!

Also, Margarita over at Ramblings Of A Fab Brunette gave my blog an award! Yay! Even though I'm just getting started and have a lot more planned, it means a lot!



Rules

1. Pass the award on to five other blogs.
I bestow this honour to the following blogs:

1) Sushi Cat
2) Twenty Four Carat
3) Chick Lit Is Not Dead
4) Ask Allison
5) Cafe Fashionista

2. List five of your fabulous addictions.
My five fabulous addictions:

1) Coffee. Gimme any kind, as long as it has a hint of sweetness.
2) CoverGirl Wet Slicks Fruit Spritzer lipgloss. The first drugstore lipgloss I've found that doesn't dry out my lips! (Miracle.)
3) Europe. Anything to do with Europe.
4) Strawberry kiwi juice. It's yummy with anything.
5) Carrying my Marc by Marc Jacobs wallet around like it's a clutch!

3. Copy and paste the rules and the instructions below.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then “add image” it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the “picture” widget. Also, don’t forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

Now I'm off to bed!

inventory time!

Spring cleaning is upon us. Having the end of a school year usually means 'inventory time' for me -- throwing out all those notes and review sheets that will be of no use to me now that the class is over. But, this year I decided to do another type of inventory -- in my closet.

I'm a bit of a pack rat and find no greater delight than spending an afternoon digging around in my drawers/closets/etc, finding things I forgot I had. Not exactly the best thing. So, I decided to make some room in my closet for those 'fashion staples', and throw out the jeans I wore when I was 16. Yes, that is almost 5 years ago, and they were still in my closet. Now, they'll be going to the local Salvation Army.

It's hard, throwing out things that you attach meaning to. You remember the nights you spent wearing that sweater, the compliments you got while wearing that dress shirt. But it no longer fits you, or the dryer made it shrink a little so the arms no longer meet your wrist. And so, I've shrunk my closet, and increased my closet space. Letting in room for high-quality clothes that I know will last. I went on a shopping spree last Sunday, getting myself a few shirts, dress shirts, and pants, and now, am ready to make new memories with my new wardrobe.

Of course, this led me to think about making an inventory in the rest of my room. I found myself finding letters from old boyfriends and realized these things don't matter to me anymore. So, I'm going to throw them out. Leave room for the significant other in my life now, rather than have crowded drawers full of 'promises of forever' that only ended in heartache.

Spring cleaning means more than just the house or the closet. What kind of spring cleaning are you going to do for yourself this year?