Jessica Moy Blog

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I’M GOING TO ASIA & EUROPE

Published by Jessica Moy

Hey friends,

I’m well aware of my lack of blog posts this month. It’s almost 3PM on a Sunday and my eyes are half closed. I could use a nap right about now but we all know “nap” really means knock-out-and-wake-up-around-5AM-just-in-time-to-go-to-work. It’s happened before..

I wanted to give you a life update because for the past few months I kept mentioning exciting things happening but kept it pretty hush, hush. Until now..

First off, topic related to nothing, I’M TURNING 25 SOON! Crazy! I will have an entire blog post talking about that whole transition but.. not right now.. ok where was I.. discussing upcoming travel plans. Yes. They are insane. For the longest time I’ve wanted to experience the world and see things I’ve never seen before and envied from the pictures on Instagram of the lucky people who travel the world for a living (what is your job/how do I get it).

I’ve talked about my lust for traveling countless times, such as HERE and HERE and NOW MY TIME HAS FINALLY COME! I’ve worked full-time for awhile and saved enough money to be able to finally get up and go. Where am I going exactly?

November 10 – December 2

TOKYO, JAPAN
TAIPAI, TAIWAN
GANZHOU, CHINA
HONG KONG

December 16 – January 10

LONDON, ENGLAND
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
BERLIN, GERMANY
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
VIENNA, AUSTRIA (for Christmas!)
KRAKOW, POLAND
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA (for New Years!)
VENICE, ITALY
ROME, ITALY
FLORENCE, ITALY
SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND
PARIS, FRANCE

I can’t properly put into words how excited I am to finally do this for myself. My vlogs and Instagram feed are going to be EPIC. I’m going to Asia with my dad, aunt, and uncle and Europe I am going by myself (eee!). If you’ve been to any of the places I’ve listed above I’m open to recommendations of places to see, what to eat, and things to do. Can’t wait to go on these travel adventures together!

Jessica

INLAND: THE #MADEINCANADA CURATED MARKETPLACE

Published by Jessica Moy

Look in your closet. How many pieces from your wardrobe could you confidently say, “this is made in Canada!” If you’re the average male or female living in a fast-fashion retail world, you’re probably asking if the knit sweater your grandma made you years ago counts.

As Canadians, we could do better when it comes to buying locally. Not only do we support the economy when purchasing “Made In Canada” merch, but we’re also supporting talented designers who live right here in our country/city/the neighbour you never see because they’re too busy building their fashion empire.

Fashion entrepreneur, Sarah Power, has figured out a way to provide more opportunities for these Canadian designers to take their collections to the market. Cue: INLAND.

INLAND is a platform for Canada’s contemporary and up-and-coming fashion designers to connect directly with shoppers and retail buyers. The two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 & 27, encourages consumers to not only shop Canadian, but discover emerging talents and meet the designers behind the collections.

If you’re attending the event and wondering what you can purchase, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite fall pieces, and yes, IT’S ALL MADE IN CANADA!

Hayley Elsaesser

Prints, prints and more prints! Because, your fall wardrobe features too much black (you know who you are!). Get some colour in your #OOTD’s and keep your feet warm under those ankle booties with Hayley’s Heavenly Socks 4 Pack, $45.

OPELLE

If you’re a fashionable student, or a one shoulder bag is not your thing (I feel ya), OPELLE’s Baby Kanye Backpack, $332, is a total luxe must-have. With double stitched seams, your 11” laptop will fit nicely inside and a lined front pocket where you can easily access your phone. You never know when you need to capture an Insta shot in a snap (#priorities).

Peace Collective

Walk down any major street in Toronto and in a few minutes, you’ll see someone sporting a Peace Collective product. I favour the Toronto Vs. Everybody Crewneck, $60, since it’s the perfect item to layer under your fall leather jacket. It’s also good to know that every piece Peace Collective sells, one child in need will be provided school meals for a month through The World Food Program. Canadians are just so nice.

FREE SERIES

Dainty is the new black. Small pieces are being favoured this fall, and Montreal based Free Series captures the trend perfectly with their Half Moon Ring, $154. The ring is made of 14K gold and looks super stylish on its own or paired along with other dainty pieces. Simplicity at its best.

Mary Young

If you’re looking for a Canadian lingerie brand, Mary Young is your girl! Her Bra Top, $98, has a detachable elastic strap for extra detail and is one you’ll definitely want to show off. This style offers full coverage and support (no padding or underwire) while still being sexy. She recommends pairing it with boyfriend jeans for a night out or, luxe sweats for a cool fall night in.

You’ll have a chance to meet and shop from the designers listed above! Where? At INLAND of course! Join INLAND at 99 Sudbury and SHOP CANADIAN! Follow INLAND on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and remember to use #INLANDFall2015 at the event. See you there!

Originally published: Lotus Leaf Style

SUMMER LIST 2015 | ACCOMPLISHED GOALS

Published by Jessica Moy

IT IS THE END OF THE SUMMER!!

Wait, what? Why did I blink and suddenly summer has come and gone..

Whether I like it or not (I guess) the summer months have indeed come to an end and you know what that means, right? Unless you’re new around here (welcome, ya rookie), it means I will go through my MY SUMMER GOALS 2015! I left my list on the shorter side this year since I knew I would have a hectic schedule and didn’t want to add pressure by adding a million goals to accomplish. I’m not a superhero. But if I was, I’d be Wonder Woman or The Hulk.

Enough talk, let’s go through my summer list 2015 of accomplished goals together, shall we?

~~1. Vlog entire summer~~

YES! OH YES I DID! CROSSING THIS OFF PROUDLY! Vlogging has been the best part of my summer. I am extremely grateful that I have amazing friends and family who support and (to my surprise) even wanted to participate in my vlogs. Ya’ll are lovely. This is a hobby/project/the thing I do when I talk to myself (according to my little cousin) I have so much fun with and hope to continue. I have exciting travel plans coming up in the near future and I (obvs) want to share them all with you!

~~2. Coach soccer~~

Once a week for a couple hours I would make it out and coach soccer to the cutest little kiddies. Even though I was exhausted when I got to the field since I came straight from work (I don’t know how I did it), the long days were worth it – especially when I would tell a joke and one out of every ten kids would laugh. That one kid who would laugh would be my favourite and I would sneak them extra stickers because, I can. For example, Julien (see below) laughed so hard when I put the cone on his head for the picture, so easily amused. Love.

~~3. Run half-marathon in Ottawa~~

The toughest 2 hours and 7 minutes, ever. I’m so proud of myself for travelling and running this half-marathon and in many ways, it showed me how I can be capable of exceeding my own expectations and accomplishments. It gave me the opportunity to work towards a goal and relish in the results. It felt goooooooood to cross that line, despite almost throwing up at the end but, minor details. After countless hours of running on weekends, changing my diet and disciplined training, completing this race was one of the proudest moments of my life. A million different emotions all at once never felt so good. SEE THE VIDEO:

~~4. Eat dinner on a fancy rooftop~~

Funny story. This happened today, and I didn’t realize I accomplished it until I got to this point. I was about to admit defeat until I realized I was on a rooftop today and ate some fancy snacks. CHECK. MATE. Everything happens for a reason, I guess. Gosh I love a good snack board whose fancy name I forget (schmorgisboard?). I could honestly eat like this every day.

~~5. Secret mission #1~~

Yes.

6. Secret mission #2

No. But in my defence, it was out of my hands and this secret mission won’t be accomplished until November. Stay tuned.

~~7. Go horseback riding~~

Horseback riding in Nashville, Tennessee. It doesn’t get any better.

8. Write 5 short stories (possibly publish one on blog)

Ugh. To be fair, I started writing one and it’s actually pretty good but (like every story or novel I’ve tried to write) I never finished it. Can I half cross this goal out? At least I tried. 5 points for effort.

~~9. Join a dance class~~

Took hip hop cardio and ballet bootcamp classes at City Dance Corps. Attended with my friend Kirsten for the first class, and the rest I went solo. These dance classes were a WORK-OUT! Especially ballet bootcamp and honestly (this is coming from a competitive soccer player), I have never had my legs ache like they did after I took this class. It was intense x 1000. The instructors know how to work you! I love this place, if you’re a beginner or advanced dancer, you should give one of their drop-in classes a go. Worth it.

~~10. Create an intricate henna tattoo~~

Solo henna party FTW!

All in all, it was a busy and fun summer. I did a great job on my list, and the goals I did not accomplish, that’s ok, there’s always next year. To keep you in the loop, there are life changes happening in the near future and from now until the end of the year, you and I are about to go on a whirlwind. A WHIRLWIND! It will be stressful, fun, exciting, difficult, fulfilling, adventurous, spontaneous, etc. I’m anxious to see life in a different light. You’re probably wondering what in the world I’m talking about, but you’ll find out very, very soon.

Jessica

AUGUST BEAUTY FAVOURITES 2015

Published by Jessica Moy

As I was gathering my favourite beauty products from the month of August, I unintentionally picked up solely hair products. Since my hair has been growing (FINALLY!), these products have been giving my locks volume, texture and I can actually style it into tousled summer beach waves instead of a frizzed, damaged mess (happens to the best of us) and have these beauties to thank.

1. HEAD & SHOULDERS DRY SCALP CARE
I have very fine hair, which can get flat and dirty in a matter of a few hours. If I’m not jumping around in mud or walking down King St. (referring to the amount of dust that comes out from the construction sites in the morning), this shampoo keeps my hair clean and soft for a solid couple days.

2. INFINITI NANO SILVER BY CONAIR
I take my showers late at night, probably 15 minutes before I go to bed. My mother has told me time and time again to not to go bed with wet hair or else it will “mush my brain up.” As a result, I feel obligated to dry my hair before I hit the hay and this dryer is gentle/gives volume in a matter of minutes/the heat doesn’t burn my head.

3. SALLY HERSHBERGER WAVE SPRAY
My hair smells like coconut heaven after I spray this formula vigorously throughout my hair. The smell lingers the entire day, and it’s the perfect summer scent that will help hold tousled beach waves I often envy on models in magazines.

4. MISE EN SCÈNE CURLING ESSENCE 2X
Another one of my favourite Korean beauty products (I just can’t seem to get enough). I apply this gel-like product on wet hair after I shower, and I scrunch it until I get a natural wave going. It smells clean and fresh and works as a great base for those natural-looking waves.

5. KEVIN MURPHY BEACH TEXTURISER
This is my secret hair ingredient. This texturiser smells like a coconut island dream (when paired with Sally Hershberger wave spray, it’s a coconut party I am always thrilled to be invited to). Once I finish blow drying, I scrunch the oil-free formula into my hair for added texture, which I need since I have very fine hair and this will give the illusion of having more hair than I actually have.

NEW BRUNSWICK | PART 3

Published by Jessica Moy

This is the final post in my New Brunswick travel series but before you begin, go ahead and catch up by reading PART 1 & PART 2!

On the last few days of the trip we visited yet another lighthouse, this one was decked out in Acadian pride and lobster cages (classic).

Beside the lighthouse was a nice boardwalk where we spent a lovely afternoon roaming.

Favourite part of the trip = I COOKED MY VERY FIRST LOBSTER! We bought them fresh from a local seafood market (still alive..eek). The first thing my aunt told me was not to name them or else I’d get attached, a hard task for me to follow.

When the lobsters hit the boiling water they did not scream like I thought they would. After 45 minutes the lobsters were ready. They tasted so sweet and fresh, totally worth the physical labour to pull all of the meat out from the shells.

One of our neighbours had cute artwork on their house. I loved it!

Below is a photo of my great aunt Maggie (my grandpa’s sister). Visiting Maggie was such a pleasure. She unfortunately has short-term memory loss and we had to repeat our names from time to time but she cracked jokes and constantly gave us hugs and kisses.

I could see on her walls she had a teaching licence and a few photos of the students she taught. I would’ve LOVED to have had her as a teacher, she has such a big heart and a ton of charisma. Her daughter told me a story on how she had her mom as a grade 3 teacher and one time she forgot to do her homework and Maggie made her own daughter stand facing a wall during class as punishment. Heh heh.

I felt sad to leave Maggie when it was time to go. She made her way to the window, gave a big smile and waved good-bye until we were out of sight. If I can have half the amount of kindness, silliness and love she possesses, I’d be set.

NEW BRUNSWICK | PART 2

Published by Jessica Moy

Before we begin, have you read part 1 of my New Brunswick adventure? If not, go ahead and catch yourself up. If you’re ahead of the game, good good, welcome to the sequel.

Summer in New Brunswick is simplicity at its best. The ocean is cool, the sun is hot, and living is eaaaaaasy. The below photo is a great depiction on how everyone lives in small town NB. Acadian flag? Check. One floor house? Check. Pick-up truck? Check. Massive lot with dog house, lawn chairs, and a trailer? Check, check, check.

New Brunswick is the epitome of white picket perfection, the type you only hear about in a Tim McGraw or Blake Shelton song. All that’s missing is sweet tea and a porch swing.

Adventures from the next couple days included classic tourist activities, such as going to the beach and drawing where you are in the sand (that’s a crab, btw).

I captured my little cousins, Cora and Evan (Cevan, as I like to call them), playing on the beach. Eeek, look at their wee little feet! So cute! No sand castles were created since they were always somehow destroyed by.. wee little feet. Both a curse and a blessing.

The below photo is of Cindy, a dog that hung out with us every day. She didn’t have an owner. Well, she does but they leave her outside to roam around and play with whomever is on the beach. I assume. She also didn’t have a name on her, but Cindy seemed right.

Every morning she would run to us and want to play (aka me throwing a stick into the water for like, two hours). She was also super protective with the kids around the water, every time Cevan went into the Ocean, Cindy would go between them and the deeper parts to make sure they didn’t go in any further. Good girl Cindy, you’re a beauty.

I think Cindy belonged to one of the men on the boat. Still not sure.

C’est un crabe!! Everyone from this small town spoke French. I do not. I can understand some of the time but speaking is impossible. French immersion has done WONDERS for me it seems.

We drove up to Miscou Island, the most northern part of New Brunswick and saw this lovely wooden lighthouse. It was constructed in 1856 and used to prevent accidents on the coast line. It is also used to rake in tourists because this is about the only attraction within a two hour radius.

On a serious note, can someone tell me where one can purchase a pet chicken? Can you imagine me walking down the street with a chicken on a leash? I CAN AND I WOULD! My birthday is coming up, just saying. This is Fried (left) and Baked (right).

New Brunswick grows the BEST blueberries in the world! No chemicals, no pesticides, just a bundle of deliciousness.

NEW BRUNSWICK | PART 1

Published by Jessica Moy

For the past week I was situated in the land of lobsters, blueberries, lighthouses and Acadian pride: NEW BRUNSWICK!

My family and I packed a car and drove for 16 hours to Four Roads, which was the town we stayed in. I’m convinced it was named after how many roads there are in the area (#SmallTownCharm). We ended up at a cozy cottage that overlooked the ocean and the view could have been from a Nicolas Sparks movie. I was waiting for Zac Efron to appear but, I guess he was busy.

The pictures were captured on my first day, included a dirt road because country life wouldn’t be the same without one and lobster cages, which were placed outside our cottage. Too bad it wasn’t lobster catching season, not that I know how to use one, I assume you plunge it into the water and wait for dinner to arrive. Or, you just purchase the lobster from a local seafood store. That works too.

Below is the gorgeous sand trail that lead to the ocean, as well as a variety of rocks, dried up seaweed, and sea shells that were plentiful on the beach.

The Acadian flag sways with pride outside every house in the area! It was adopted in 1884, designed by a priest and the red, white and blue represent the Motherland of the Acadians and the yellow star is a symbol of Mother Mary (you learn something new every day). The area where I stayed is super religious (Roman Catholic to be exact) and there were as many churches in New Brunswick as there are Tim Hortons in Ontario.

Speaking of churches, we drove by one in Sainte-Rose, the exact church my grandfather attended growing up. It is also the resting place of my great grandparents.

The sunsets in New Brunswick are unbelievable. The one aspect I loved most about where we stayed was the simplicity. You have what you need, such as a roof over your head (likely built by its homeowners), a homemade meal on the table every single night, and neighbours who greet you with a smile and don’t mind if you pick the blueberries from their field (thanks again for letting us intrude).

Everything about where we stayed was perfect, expect that we didn’t have wifi but you can’t always get what you want (re: Zac Efron).

If a picture is only worth 1000 words, what is a video worth? Lucky for you, I vlogged my entire trip! Here is part one of three vlogs which includes the ride up, ocean content, and the little white church I love so much. Enjoy!

THE PERFECT GEL MASK FOR SUMMER

Published by Jessica Moy

It’s no stranger I’m a lover of organic beauty, especially when it comes to skin care because honestly, skin care > makeup. I recently discovered an organic gel mask, perfect for summer months since it has a refreshing, cooling sensation that seeps into your sun-kissed or sun-burnt (SPF, USE IT!) skin.

iLike’s Carotene Essentials Gel Mask ($59, Allegra Spa) originated from Hungary (home of my girl crush, Barbara Palvin), containing natural ingredients such as apple, honey, carrot, cantaloupe and algae, which all help nourish and regenerate skin tissue. What I love most about this gel mask is that it contains beta-carotene. beta..WHAT?

Beta-carotene derives from the carrot root and contains vitamin A, which help heal wounds and strengthen tissue for younger looking skin. So, if you have acne scars or sensitive skin, this mask could be your saviour.

When I first applied this mask onto my face and neck, the texture reminded me of baby food, with pulp (note: not extracts, which can be harsh), and it actually felt quite nice to massage onto my skin. I left the goop on my face for 20 minutes while it dried up, which meant it was time to rub it off with a warm, damp cloth. Afterwards my skin felt a little sticky, but nothing a good moisturizer cannot fix.

A few minutes later, I noticed my skin glowed (thank you to the honey) and looked dewy for the entire day. The mask contains no harsh chemicals, it’s vegan and gluten-free. Love it!

FEATURED ON MMF SALON

Published by Jessica Moy

I was beyond flattered when MMF Salon approached me to answer a few Q’s on their blog! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy when I realize more than my mom reads my blog (hi mom!). Click HERE to see the original version. Enjoy!

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Jessica Moy on Toronto Summer, Health & Life

Know how some bloggers just seem simply down-to-earth, approachable and completely down for anything? Jessica Moy is one of them and she’s also based in the Greater Toronto Area (representing the six!). For those who don’t know her or her blog, Walk In Beauty, Jessica blogs about everything from beauty, fitness, her work life (yes, she also has a full-time job!) to Toronto nude beaches. She’s relatable and has a no-fuss style we love… In a nutshell, she’s a blogger and PR-gal to look out for.

So we decided to turn the tables and ask her what’s up in the city. Read on to get to know more about Jessica!

Briefly introduce yourself in a 3-sentence paragraph! Who is Jessica Moy?
I stand at 5’10” and am a half Chinese, half French middle child who loves spontaneous adventures, Keith Urban and cherry flavoured lip balm. I work in Toronto at a fashion/beauty/lifestyle PR agency. In my free time I coach all abilities soccer, create content for my lifestyle blog and edit daily vlogs for my YouTube channel….at some point, I sleep.

Have you always lived in Toronto?
I don’t live in Toronto (although it feels like I do), I actually live in the suburbs just outside the city.

Favourite thing about the six?
SUMMER! Summer in the six = amazing. There is always something to do, such as enjoying sangria on a rooftop patio, tanning at the beaches on the island, rocking out at festivals, outdoor concerts, etc. It’s the place to be during the warm months but, GTFO when you see your first snowflake.

What do you do to bring in the bread (ie. your job)?
I work at a PR agency! My position combines creative writing, editing, media relations, event planning, social media, styling and it’s all within the realm of fashion & beauty. I’m the type of gal who needs to be creative in order to feel fulfilled and my position provides that platform.

What has been the most memorable thing you’ve done in your career so far and why?
The moment I opened up an issue of Canadian Family magazine and saw my first ever, full-page beauty spread. I had the amazing opportunity to produce an entire beauty page, and when I saw it for the first time it literally took my breath away. My background is in journalism so, seeing my name in a national byline was surreal.

When and why did you start your blog & YouTube channel?
I started my blog (jessicamoyblog.com) in 2012 as a way to be creative on my own terms, and because I was procrastinating during a university assignment and thought it would be more fun to create a blog than write a paper.

My blog is a creative outlet where I can be myself and is a safe place to express my interests in fashion, beauty, life, travel and fitness. Oh, and for my mom to keep tabs on me. She likes to know where I am at all times. My YouTube channel I started in 2012 as well because, if you know me, you know I love being in front of a camera. It’s another creative outlet to enhance my blog through visuals. I’m slowly growing and developing into this human adult-thing who has a career, is achieving goals, travels, goes on dates with men who wear ties (on purpose) and everything is confusing and wonderful but in the end, it’s what makes my life (and my blog/vlogs) relatable and entertaining.

So we’re aware that you were once (& still are) a “tomboy!” When did you start getting interested in beauty and fashion?
Growing up with brothers, I had to learn to stand my ground real fast; there was no room for wimps in my household. I grew up a tomboy (still am), but got into the realm of fashion and beauty when I started modeling at 17. That’s about the age I stopped playing competitive sports to focus on my studies, and modeled on the side for extra money. Between the photo shoots, runway shows, the intricate designs of the dresses I wore, beauty products/techniques the makeup and hair artists were using, photography tricks, elaborate studios – I fell in love with the entire creative process.

Describe your style in 3 words.
Comfort is key.

What are some of your holy grail items when it comes to hair and skincare?
I don’t brush my hair so, Uniq-One’s All In One Hair Treatment is my holy grail hair product. It helps with frizz control, detangles, adds body and makes me look more put together than I actually am. For skincare, I LOVE Shu Uemura’s Refining Cleansing Oil. I slather that -ish all over my face and it takes off all makeup in a matter of seconds, plus it gives my face a natural glow for a solid 24 hours (highly recommended to those with dry skin, you’ll fall in love).

What is your go-to hairstyle when you’re running late?
Dry shampoo because let’s be serious, I probably haven’t washed my hair in 3 days. Then I tie it in a ballerina topknot.

You’re an active woman! What do you do to stay healthy, on-the-go?
I walk to and from work from the train station, Monday-Friday. It’s about a 25-minute walk each way. I also go for a quick run on the weekend if I need to get out a burst of energy. If I want to stay in, I do at home Pilates (such as Blogilaties on YouTube) or I spice it up and sign up for dance class.

Does a healthier lifestyle really reflect your appearance? Do you have a personal experience you can share with us?
It sure does. Last year I ran my first half-marathon, and three months prior I stopped drinking alcohol, majorly cut down on sugar and salt in my diet and slept 7-8 hours per night, every night. I noticed my skin cleared up, my hair was shinier and I exuded an amazing amount of energy and confidence. Since then, I have limited my alcohol consumption, am cautious what I put in my body and try to get a good nights rest every night. Training for that half-marathon changed my lifestyle for the better.

What are your go-to foods that really make a difference in how you feel and look? We’d love to know your secret recipe!
Avocados and multi-vitamins. I put avocados on and in everything – sandwiches, salad or (my fav) with a baked sweet potato, which I stuff with avocado, spinach, olive oil, salt and a spritz of lemon. Delicious. Multi-vitamins are also crucial for me and make a HUGE difference on how I feel. My body doesn’t always get its daily amount of calcium or vitamin B12 so, taking multi-vitamins has vastly improved my mood, energy and appearance.

What defines beauty?
Beauty is defined by respecting your body, kindness, intelligence and strength.

If you could be transported to anywhere in Toronto right now, where would that be?
On a rooftop of a tall building at sunset, with pretty lantern lights surrounding a table filled with finger foods, wine and expensive cheese to share with my best friends. This isn’t an actual place, but I would like it to be – can someone make this happen?

Have you ever used MMF Salon?
I have not, but you best believe it has been downloaded. I can’t wait to use it!

Fill in the Blank: A true Torontonian always knows the best place you can get tacos.

Last question! What is your summer beauty tip to beat the heat?
A good foot spray is necessary in the summer. When you wear flats for a long period of time, especially in the heat, you need a foot spray for a quick cool down and to deodorize that stank. I love Footlogix’ Food Deodorant, it’s made with tea-tree oil and leaves my feet feeling refreshed after a long day.

JULY BEAUTY FAVOURITES 2015

Published by Jessica Moy

I’ve been having a GREAT skin month. These months are rare, so let me bask in my no acne, no discolouration, no dry patch happiness. I’ve been having a natural #IWokeUpLikeThis glow and I can’t stop raving about it. My secret? It’s been a combination of drinking a ton of water, getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night and products I’ve included in this months beauty favs. Find out more below!

1. Ddung Family Peeling Gel
This Korean peeling gel visibly rolls, lifts and sweeps away dead skin cells. It works just like an exfoliator, but it comes out like a smooth gel until you massage into your skin. After a few seconds, the gel breaks a part to little enzymes which gives your skin a deep clean and (literally) rolls away any dead skin. I use this once or twice a week and absolutely love how it’s been working to clear up my skin.

2. Pure Anada Marine Mineral Hydrating Toner
If you haven’t heard of Pure Anada, I’m about to change your beauty routine. As one of my favourite Canadian cosmetic lines who use natural ingredients (such as aloe, kelp and dead sea salt), this toning water is my every day must-have. I spray all over my face as the last step in my skincare routine. The toner contains hyaluronic acid, which sounds harsh but don’t let the word “acid” scare you. Think of a baby’s skin, it always looks dewy and smooth, right? That’s because we are all born with a high level of hyaluronic acid. As you age, your body produces less hyaluronic acid, and this toner helps re-vamp your skin for that pinch-your-cheek plumpness.

3. Chanel Sublimage Masque
This is an anti-aging mask, but the earlier you can prevent wrinkles, the better. At least that’s what my mother says. I LOVE this mask or “masque” sorry, this is a fancy product and I must give it justice, because it helps with the unevenness of my skin tone. I’ve always had trouble with redness on my cheeks and acne scarring, but this masque has been evening out all imperfections, the only imperfect element to this product is the $200 price tag..worth it, I promise.

4. NARS Satin Lip Pencil in “Yu”
I will never buy another type of lip product. I know this, my friends know this, if you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know this too. NARS lip pencils are super long lasting and highly pigmented. You may have to re-apply once during the day but that’s it. You need to get you one, or ten.

5. Equate Flosser Picks
Easy flossing for the lazy. Aka, me. No need to say more.

I HAVE A THEORY…

Published by Jessica Moy

“I have a theory: Never bloom too early. I’m a big believer in big losers…eventually you’ll get there, and that’s okay. That builds character.”

– Ruben Toledo

I WENT TO A NUDE BEACH

Published by Jessica Moy

I didn’t mean to go to a clothing optional beach, I just so happened to stumble upon one. I saw way too many body parts I could’ve lived without seeing but realized how much respect I have for those who can bare it all with confidence. Good on them!

Although in that moment I felt extremely awkward and got out of there as quickly as I could, mostly because I was the one being stared at for having clothes on..

BEING OK WITH WHERE YOU ARE

Published by Jessica Moy

I’ve been watching Amy Young for a little while now. She’s a life coach who makes sassy advice videos about boys and relationships that are both thoroughly helpful and entertaining.

Amy recently made a video about the most important relationship you’ll ever have, the one with yourself. Accepting where you are, in this moment, right now. It’s probably one of the most honest, relatable and inspirational videos she’s ever made. I wanted to share it with you because SO many of us are struggling with accepting where we are at this moment in time. A lot of my friends (especially as of recent) and even myself can relate. We think we should have it all figured out because we see people on Instagram, for example, travelling the world, working at their dream job and in a relationship with a model who has perfect hair (I’m convinced those people are robots). We relate our real lives to those who filter theirs and it puts a lot of pressure on ourselves.

A couple years ago, for example, I could not financially support myself, struggled with living with my parents, worked non-paid internships, and waitressed long hours on the side. I thought I was failing as a 20-something because I was not living an ideal life.

It wasn’t until I was bawling my eyes out to my cousin about how I’m struggling to accept my situation and she told me something I will never forget, “you are exactly where you need to be.”

This is why I love this video, because Amy talks about accepting where you are and what you have in the present, and I think young people need to be reminded that it’s ok to not be in a relationship, it’s ok to live with your parents, it’s ok to be 10 lbs over weight because like Amy said, when you do get in a relationships, when you do start to make money and when you do lose that weight, how are you going to know how to accept yourself when, for so long, you haven’t?

Now that I have fully accepted my current situation (still live at home with my parents, btw), it makes it easier for me to be proactive on where I want to go and what I want to do next. I keep having to remind myself that I’m 24, I have so much of my life to live and that I should stop putting unnecessary pressure on myself and to just be in the moment.

“Full disclosure I wait tables on the side along with coaching and while I’ve been building up my business I’ve been living at my parents house…I have such a hard time with being ok with that’s where I am…I see so many of you struggling with that too feeling like, I just want to be there already, I just want to be accomplished. It is ok to be where you are right now, there is no where else, no other way than exactly where you are. And where you are is the perfect jumping off point to move in a new direction, but it has to come from a place to accepting where you are, right now.”

– Amy Young