J-E-L-L-O!

One of the things I request ppl from Canada bring me or send me?

JELLO!!!

This fat-free, sugar-free snack is perfect for when you want the sugary taste without the calories.

So many good flavors (strawberry is my fave) and a texture incomparable to anything else. Add fresh fruit for a healthier version, or vodka for a less healthy version ;)

xo

Calvin Klein Collection 2011

I want this to be my life. New CK commercial featuring Lara Stone and Tyson Ballou.

My Gypsie Chain

At a market in Rome last week, I found the most spectacular necklace.

I call it my "gypsie chain" because it glistens. I kind of want it to rust or dull out or something so it looks more vintage.

Long necklaces usually aren't my thing, but when I saw this baby sitting on a vendor's table, I knew she needed a home.

The markets in Europe are way more common, and quite different, than the ones back home. But once the weather warms up you guys should seriously make an effort to check one out. Not only will you find delicious FRESH fruits and veggies, but often times you'll find antiques, old books, and cool jewelry.

For those in Waterloo, St. Jacobs market is a good place to start :)

Oh I Love Oh Land

Is this girl kidding?

Not only is she stunningly beautiful (Hedi Klum anyone?), but her voice melts my soul.

This Danish, ex-ballerina, has everything going for her. All of her songs (and some awesome remixes of her) have been on my playlist for months.

Make sure you guys check out her other stuff too!

The Beauty of Art

That's art for ya...

Even if you aren't good at it (like myself), it's a seriously fun activity to get some friends, get some supplies (paint, spray paint, jewelry, furniture, ANYTHING) and change it in some way.

It adds a personal touch to mass-manufactured things and creates some great memories.

Meowww

I'm currently pulling an all-nighter with someone who shares my love of stroking cats.

After much discussion regarding our mutual love for these cute little animals, we have come to the conclusion that there is only one type of kitten that will suffice as the "perfect pet"

A "White Ragdoll" kitten.

There's a reason these little cuties are on the toilet paper commercial. They can sell anything!

obbbbsessssssseddddd

Vacay Time!

Reading Week

Spring Break

March Break

Whatever you call it, and whatever you do during it, I hope you all have an fun, SAFE, time!! I'll be spending the week with one of my besties in Rome and Paris and I'm literally so excited I can't sleep.

My blog, understandably, will be lacking. But with that being said, you shouldn't be sitting around reading blogs on your reading week either. So in a way, I'm doing you a favor.

Stories to come!!!

xoxox

Pretty In Pink

Rain, Rain, Won't You Stay?

As shown in order:

Black Diamante Pagoda Parasol by Chantal Thomass, $140

Guy De Jean Black CanCan Parasol, $140

Tulle Drape by Chantal Thomass, $200

With some cute rain attire, a little shower can do no harm!

While it may be snowing in Canadaland, the only precipitation we are getting over here is rain. So grab your Hunters and a cute umbrella, its gunna pour baby.

The Tulle Drape umbrella is, in my opinion, one of the best thing's I've ever seen. But it's got some good competition from MKO over there.

But to each their own....

Quote of the Day

"I don't know what I want. All I know is what I don't want"

-Cristina

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

The Prettiest Nails on the Chalkboard

Essie's idea of a french affair?
Wine, Sand, and Endless Shopping. And you can bet your last penny this affair would include a mani-pedi.

Here are 3 of my fave Essie colors. For those of you who haven't tried this brand yet, I would dare to say it's even nicer than OPI. The colors are just prettier.

My all time fave is "Turquoise and Caicos" ... the other two, "Nice is Nice" and "Sand Tropez" are from the new Spring Line.

Tips!

1. Keeping your nail polish in the fridge will actually keep it thinner, and help keep the color
2. Apply nail polish remover to your nails before painting them, even if you aren't wearing color. This removes any excess dirt and oils, making the polish stick better.
3. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. Allow for a good amount of drying time in-between
4. If your nail breaks, take nail glue used to apply fake nails, and glue down the nail instead of cutting it off. It holds surprisingly well and keeps the shape of your nail

Happy Polishing!

It's Tuesday So I'll Go To The Museum

The "Natural Science" Museum.

Featuring a bug/ant exhibit and a volcano exhibit.

Cuz everyone should learn something sometimes!

xo

Oh Mrs. Beckham, How I Envy Thee.

Victoria Beckham.

She's hard not to love, but even if you don't, there's no denying the girls got mad style. And a beautiful husband.

Her Spring 2011 Collection at NYFW showed bright colors, fierce makeup, and playful cuts, zippers and accessories. Not to mention her handbags which are stunningly perfect.

I am counting down the minutes until it's warm enough for dresses and fun colors. 60's Andy Warhol inspiration all the way!

Laurent Wolf feat. Mod Martin - SUZY - Clip Officiel WEB.mov

A fun, strangely addictive, song that reminds me of a cross between the old school songs "Blue" and "It's tricky"

Don'tcha think?

Quote of the Day

"I always tell the girls, never take it seriously. If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. You never get hurt, you always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit your friends."

-Penny Lane

(Almost Famous, 2000)

Black Coffee For Me, Thanks

While perhaps slightly bizarre, I made my first pot of coffee this morning.

I've made espresso's and such, but never just a regular pot of coffee. After experimenting with the correct amount of beans to put in - and 2 pots later - I finally made the perfect cup.

Very, very strong. Just the way I like it.

I've gotten into the habit of taking my coffee black. No milk. No sugar. Perhaps a sweetener if I'm feeling adventurous.

I love coffee. The perfect hangover cure, the perfect thing to warm your stomach, the perfect drink.

(Tea is also brilliant, but I genuinely don't think you can even compare the two as they completely different. I want to own a tea shop when I'm older, so more to come on that....)

Now for another cup...

Mad Men

I've just recently started watching Mad Men, and I cannot believe it's taken me this long!

Such a phenomenal show -it makes me way too nostalgic.

The outfits, the hair, the makeup, the way the speak! So classy, so elegant.

Plus, how hot is January Jones.

Versace sure picked a good one...

Once You Pop....

The saying is true - I literally cannot stop eating these things!!

So delish.

I'm not even exactly sure what paprika is (I know it's a spice, but made of what?), but its possibly the best pringle flavor ever made.

I like BBQ pringles too. But these are way better.

Canada needs to get on board with the paprika. It's too good.

I Can't Hear You

When I want a good night's beauty sleep, I like to sleep with earplugs in.

They block out all the stupid little noises, ensuring that I can sleep in peace.

I've recently been on the look-out for stylish earplugs and, of course, the first look that came into my head are the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Earplugs that Holly wears.

For only $6, you can pick up a pair of these earplugs, made by JenGen, at various online stores.

Happy Sleeping!

The Nice Blues

There's a reason that no fast food restaurants use blue as their main color... it actually functions as an appetizer suppressant! On the contrary; red, yellow and orange act as appetizer stimulants.

So throw a blue table cloth over your kitchen table, buy some blue flowers, or wear blue clothing the next time you have a big meal planned.

xo

Kate Moss & Bobby Gillespie - Diamond Blue

How cute is Kate Moss?

My new obsession: British singers.

Inherent Stripes

Run wild, run free.

xo

Seeing Red

Picked up a pair of these today, and while they may be silly, I'm in love!

For Winter Days

Savour Hot Chocolate spoons!

7.99 euros, and well worth it.

I picked up three of these guys today - dark chocolate with cinnamon, milk chocolate with crispy caramel, and white chocolate with raspberry.

Simply stir the spoon in a cup filled with boiling milk (or water) to make the most delicious cup of hot chocolate.

Yummmmmm.
I'm going to have to send some home to Canada - they need it much more over there for those cold winter days.

If Only...

A Quick Hello!

I Think Valentine's Day Is Stupid

With Valentines day coming up, there's lots of talk of candy, chocolate, flowers and presents.

A very cute idea, but stupid to say the least.
Now, I don't mean that in the bitter "I don't have a valentine and I'm jealous of the girls that do" way .... I mean that in the "you should show the people that you love, that you love them, everyday" type of way.

Last year, (with a boyfriend I should mention so I don't sound like the lonely cat lady), I decided to become anti-valentines day.
Instead of doing cliche things, we professed our love in.....different....ways. Ways that shall not be mentioned on a blog. Or ever.

This year, I'm sticking to it. In fact, Valentines day will now be the only day that I don't tell someone that I love them. Even if my parents call me, they will not get the usual "I love you" before hanging up.

Barbra Streisand, No Longer

http://gobarbra.com/


You know that annoying Barbra Streisand song that we all secretly love?

Well out with the old (being Barbra) and in with the new (being YOU).

Click on the link above to create your own personal "Barbra Streisand" song using your name.

I already know I'm going to regret posting this....

xo

Think Different

With all this talk of the new Superbowl commercials, I've decided to share with everyone what I believe is one of the best commercials to ever be made.

Its the Apple "Think Differently" ad which aired in 2006.

Enjoy!

What's on YOUR Head?

If you've been around me for longer than a day, then you are sure of one thing: I LOVE HEADWARE.

Fedoras, Headbands, Turbands, Toques - you name it, I love it.

Hats automatically add spice to your style, and also save you time because you don't have to do your hair (win-win right?)

Luckily for me, hats are going to be huge this spring, with floppy big hats being the number one contender.

Above are some of my favorite pieces of headware from my past.

Tomorrow I am going on a hunt to find the perfect floppy hat, so once I do, I will post! xo

The Road of Thirst

I have a dirty secret to tell you all.

Since coming to France, I have become a bit of an alcoholic. Not the "bad kind where you need help", but the "good kind where you don't need help yet".

It's not my fault. It really isn't.

Its the Rue de la Soif. A street in the middle of the city, with the literal translation meaning "The Road of Thirst". It might as well be called "Amsterdam" because apparently, there are no rules on this magnificent street. Only bars, clubs, and food places that are open till all hours of the night.

Once the pubs and clubs are filled, people literally party in the middle of the street to continue the rage!

If I could live here for the rest of my life....I would. But it would be one short, fun, life!

xo

Quote of the Day

"I believe in manicures.
I believe in overdressing.
I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick.
I believe in pink.
I believe that loving is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing.
I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

-Audrey Hepburn

I am absolutely, truly, madly, deeply in love with this quote (and Audrey)

The Secret Diary of a Call Girl

To her friends and family she is Hannah, a legal secretary clocking in regular hours at a regular job.

To her clients she is Belle; the secret to every man's fantasies.

I recently discovered this show and I'm hooked. It's kind of like the female version of Entourage, only with a prostitute, and it takes place in London, England.

Check this show out (I watch it on tvblinkx.com)

Paris vs. New York

Living on the other side of the pond, I've grown a fond appreciation for "Paris vs. New York - a tally of two cities" by Vahram Muraytan

There are so many other pics - check em out!

Fun Fashion

How smitten are you over the new Prada Spring/Summer 2011 video?

So fun! Makes me wanna dance on the beach in a bright colored, oversized, prada hat!

I Appreciate A Man With Good Style

So here's how I see it.

Girls spend hours primping and priming. We deal with outfit choices (which does not just consist of a bottom and top, but also shoes, purse, and accessories), hair colors and styles, nail color, make-up techniques and smelling good. I'm not complaining - we have the choice to partake in as many or as few of these "beauty regiments" as we'd like.

Men, on the other hand, have a much more simplified routine (shower, shave, spray of cologne).

That's why I so very much appreciate a man whose style has you asking where he got his shirt...in the good way. A man who knows, and cares, about the different fits, washes, and styles of jeans. A man who gives my shoe and hat collection some friendly competition.

Russell Brand is a prime example of this. His eccentric makes me shiver with delight. This guy can pull of tighter jeans (or leggings?) than me and make it look sexy.

Rocking The Red

"It's easier to be bad than good with red hair. People who haven't red hair don't know what trouble is" - Anne from Anne of Green Gables

....and I think it's time for me to cause a little bit of trouble.

I've decided to take the plunge and go red. Prior to this, my hair was a dark brown with red tinge. Now, I want red.

I'm talking sexy, passionate, bold, confident and sassy RED.

Ya dig?

Seek Bromance

This song may be old, but for me, it only gets better with age.

Like wine. And men.

When I first heard this song without lyrics, I pictured myself running through the rainforest with all my friends. Since then, I've been hooked.

Heres the video to go along with it.

It's pretty much what I imagined... minus the rainforest.

(Seek Bromance - Tim Berg)

Super Superbowl Snacks

Tomorrows the big day - the Superbowl.



While I usually find football to be about a 2/10 on the "interesting scale" I actually quite enjoy the superbowl!

I suppose the yummy snacks, kegs of beer, and new commercials don't hurt either...

If you're hosting a SB party, or just watching with some friends, delicious food is a must!

Suggestions:

-7 layer nacho dip with whole wheat or blue tortilla chips
-mini pizza's
-wings (extra saucyyyy)
-veggies and dip (to offset all the grease)
-artichoke and asiago dip with whole wheat crackers

and if that doesn't appeal, you can always fill up on beer!!

Cheers

GO STEELERS!

It's Saturday So I'll Go To The Market

Every Saturday vendors come from all over to set up little booths at this MASSIVE market.

There's everything from fresh fruits and veggies, to jewelry to art.

Not only does this mean everything is hand made/grown, but its also unique.

This is one of my fave things to do ever.

Heres two of the necklaces I purchased this week - these pictures really don't do them justice. They are so detailed and beautiful...and heavy!