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One Good Thing: May 2014

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Hey everyone!

In the beginning of May I decided I was going to write ONE thing each day that made me smile. From this little project I wanted to remind myself that even though I have a daily routine, there are tiny gestures to make me appreciate the unique characteristics of each day. Gestures as simple as receiving a text asking how my day is going or a friend offering to make me dinner after a long day at work. It made me stop and realize that it doesn’t take a ton of money or  well-thought out plan to brighten someone’s day. It’s the little things people, they add up.

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1 – Was told I was allowed to take a cute summer dress home from work.

2 – Melissa went out of her way to deliver a large reusable bag for me to carry five boxes of shoes home.

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3 – Katie came over and made me laugh so hard I cried.

4 – Had time to make a toasted avocado sandwich with mixed fruit and bacon on the side.

5 – Went to bed at 9 p.m.

6 – Discovered there were chocolate muffins in the freezer.

7 – Kristin cleaned up hobo spit from my jacket with a gum wrapper. Yes I got spit on by a hobo, but was lucky to have my best friend there to clean it up.

8 – Went on a nice date with a nice boy.

9 – Danced in a cab (music on full blast) with my friend Emily on her birthday.

10 – Received a big hug from a friend I haven’t seen in a long time.

11 – Kristin invited me over to her backyard to sit outside in the sunshine.

12 – My mom picked me up from the train station on time.

13 – Felt very appreciative there was coffee at work. Took advantage of it all day.

14 – Melissa packed me a fantastic, healthy lunch.

15 – Learned how to make sushi.

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16 – Did laundry late at night. Had toasty clean sheets as I went to sleep.

17 – Little baby Evan hugged me. Voluntarily.

18 – Saw I have over 600 followers on my blog.

19 – Kristin made me a cup of warm fruity tea after work. My favourite.

20 – Kristin texted me asking how my day was going. Appreciated that she was asking just to ask.

21 – Had a Shaytards marathon before I went to bed.

22 – Blasted the soundtrack of “Wicked” at Melissa’s place. We ended up making an interpretative dance that will be seen by NO ONE!

23 – Volunteered to make pre-bagged lunches for children and families across North America.

24 – Older brother got married. The entire day was beautiful.

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25- Got to see my grandpa and ate lunch with him.

26 – Received a free Starbucks drink in the morning. Ended up on my dress. Luckily Kristin was with me to clean it up and laugh it off (again).

27 – Was craving wedges so my mom went to two different grocery stores and was unsuccessful. Got them for me the next day. Nearly cried of happiness. She’s a super-star.

28 – Was freezing at work, realized we have cute sweaters in the back room I could borrow.

29 – My mom picked me flowers from the garden in the morning. Appreciated the nice gesture.

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30 – Went over to my friend Emily’s house. She played piano and we sang One Direction songs.

31 – Ran 5K in the Color Me Rad marathon. Wonderful weather, even better company.

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Beauty Innovation: 3-D Print Makeup

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Grace Choi may have just changed the face of the cosmetic industry. The Harvard business beauty has come up with an extravagant sort-of-doesn’t-seem-real method of printing your own makeup right at home.

Before you become a skeptic, it seems like Choi has a method to her madness.

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Her research at Harvard made her realize that cosmetic brands such as Urban Decay, MAC, Bobbi Brown, etc. create countless numbers of eyeshadow/cheek colours for each season. It would cost a fortune for any beauty guru to try and keep up with the latest trends. So, Choi has come up with a wallet friendly way to get your makeup in the 21st century. Her research indicated that the ink in printer cartridges is the same ink used in cosmetics, both are FDA-approved. As a result, choi developed a mini 3-D printer called “Mink” that allows anyone to print eye and cheek colours from a click of a button.

Read the rest of my post by clicking here: FASHIONOTES.

6 Lessons My Mother Has Taught Me

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Happy Mother’s Day! Currently Momma Moy is enjoying her Sunday by taking photos of cherry blossoms at High Park, buying fabric for a dress she’s making and will probably go grocery shopping to make a stew and an apple pie for tonight (supermom status). While she’s out I have decided to dedicate this lovely Mother’s Day post to her.

If you’ve ever met Momma Moy, you know she’s a pretty splendid human being. From the same person who laughs at her own jokes and gets emotionally attached to every contestant on American Idol, here are the top SIX lessons I have learned from Julie Moy.

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1. You want something? Go get it yourself

Mom: Do you want a sandwich?
Me: Yes!
Mom: Go make it yourself.
Me: Did you just ask if I wanted to make myself a sandwich?
Mom: I just bought all the ingredients, you know where they are.

In that moment I laughed and lovingly sighed “oh mother…”, but in retrospect I noticed throughout my entire life my mom has taught me the value of being a self-starter. I am constantly reminded that if I want something, I need to get up and do it myself. Nothing will ever be served to me on a silver platter. Not even that sandwich.

2. Always look out for a good bargain

Never. Buy. Anything. Full. Price.

3. Be independent

My mom has taught me very little about boys and dating. However, the one thing she HAS taught me is that a boy should never define who I am. If by chance I do meet a nice one, be smart. Just, be smart.

4. EAT THE DAMN CUPCAKE!

No explanation needed.

5. Don’t take life so seriously

My mom is the type of person who drops you off at school in front of all your friends and shouts, “HAVE A NICE DAY, I LOVE YOU!” as you get out of the car. Emphasis on the ‘shout’ part. My mom is a naturally light-hearted person and doesn’t care what people may think of her, even though I can always been seen in the corner covering my face in embarrassment. She will dance in the middle of the street to Donny Osmond, jump up and down in excitement when she bakes something right the first time and is not afraid to look a little silly. From this I have learned that being goofy and awkward is something to embrace, not embarrassed about.

6. Unconditional love

“No matter where you go or what you do, know that your mother will always love you. Even if we fight or we’re a part, know that you’re always in my heart.”

Love you mom, thanks for being spectacular.

My Summer Playlist – 2014

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BOOM!

Make an ultimate Summer playlist.

First goal officially crossed off.

My Summer Playlist – 2014

1. Ten Feet Tall – Afrojack Ft. Wrabel
(best when put on full blast)

2. Single Ladies (DJs From Mars Remix) – Beyonce
(because, Beyonce)

3. Beat Of The Music – Brett Eldredge
(the perfect lay out by the pool song)

4. Summer – Calvin Harris
(you’ll probably be hearing this song everywhere this Summer)

5. If You Left Him For Me – Cody Simpson
(“does he call you gorgeous even in the morning ’cause I would, I would” – thanks Codezzz)

6. Give Life Back To Music – Daft Punk
(I feel like I’m about to fight a robot when I hear the first 10 seconds)

7. Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker
(classic)

8. Show You Off – Dan & Shay
(the duo are my new obsession, but you know this already)

9. SING – Ed Sheeran
(better believe I will learn the rap part by the end of the Summer)

10. Radioactive – Imagine Dragons Ft. Kendrick Lamar
(this will be put on repeat at least 52 times)

11. Talk Dirty To Me – Jason Durulo
(I have to dance every time I hear this, it just takes over)

12. Silhouettes – Avicii
(that beat)

13. Lettin’ The Night Roll – Justin Moore
(SEEING HIM IN CONCERT THIS SUMMER)

14. Let The Groove In – Justin Timberlake
(always have to have the smooths sounds of JT on every Summer playlist)

15. This Moment – Katy Perry
(my favourite song on her “Prism” album)

16. We Were Us – Keith Urban Ft. Miranda Lambert
(yes, just, yes)

17. Come With Me Now – KONGOS
(this is such an odd tune, but I dig it)

18. Be Free – Live Element
(“LIVE YOUR LIFE BE FREE-EEE-EE, BE FREE-EEE-EE”)

19. How To Be A Heartbreaker – Marina And The Diamonds
(watch the music video, all the hot shirtless men you can ever ask for, it’s marvellous)

20. Love Never Felt So Good – Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake
(this makes my heart happy)

21. New Strings – Miranda Lambert
(ALSO SEEING HER IN CONCERT THIS SUMMER – AHHHH)

22. Raging Fire – Phillip Phillips
(ummmm, he’s like so cute)

23. Wild Wild Love – Pitbull Ft. G.R.L
(MR. WORLDWIDE)

24. What You’ve Done To Me – Samantha Jade
(dance, dance, daaaaance)

25. Get Me Some Of That – Thomas Rhett
(will also be seeing him in concert soon, it’s going to be a good Summer)

Picture You, Picture Me

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These portraits by Emer Gillespie with her daughter Laoisha are so sweet. The series involves the two setting a camera and taking photos of each other in a variety of settings according to what interests Laoisha at the time. My future daughter best be ready because her and I will constantly be doing creative projects like this.

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DKNY Tests Microchip Technology for Awear

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According to Awear Solutions, offline is the new online. The Israel-based startup is attempting to make shopping even easier by combining revolutionary technology and streetwear fashion into a mobile app.

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Let’s put it into a scenario. Picture yourself walking down the street. You see someone wearing a cute scarf, possibly of the floral variety, and want to know where they got it. However, the stranger wearing the scarf just broke up with her boyfriend and is bolting to a friends house with two tubs of ice cream. You don’t want to invade her personal space, so instead of asking where her scarf is from you take out your phone and open the Awear app. Standing a few feet away, you scan her outfit and the entire look instantly pops onto your phone with all product information.

Read the rest of my post by clicking here: FASHIONOTES 

Working in the city & fancy tea parties

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Hellloooo!

It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon and my window is cracked slightly to let the gentle Spring breeze dance throughout my room, which, by the way, further enhances my Oceanside wallflower from Bath & Body Works (forever obsessed). It’s been awhile since we’ve last talked so grab yourself a nice cup of tea and a healthy snack because you and I haven’t caught up in a few weeks! What’s new with you? 🙂

First off let me mention my OBSESSION with listening to Dan & Shay. The country-pop duo have been on replay for two weeks with no signs of slowing down. “Parking Break” has been one of my favourite songs and if you’re into this music, you are my people.

Ok, let’s start off with last month when I went to Skyzone for my friend Katie’s birthday. Skyzone is an indoor trampoline park where they have pits of foam you can flip into, tons of trampoline walls you can bounce off of and a handful of arenas for trampoline dodgeball (the reason why we went). I think the park is meant for children since there were dozens of little Jimmy and Becky’s fifth birthday parties everywhere. However, that didn’t stop us. Our first game of dodgeball were against teenagers, mostly girls, and we showed no mercy. You can’t put me into a competitive setting and expect me to take it easy on anyone! Although, I got a taste of my own medicine since the next team we played was Team Iceland and they had full head gear, knee pads, bandanas, gloves and matching jerseys. They meant business.

I almost used this as an excuse not to play against them:

“My plastic surgeon doesn’t want me doing any activities where balls fly at my nose.”

I love Clueless.

Sorry, off topic. Team Iceland certainly kept us on our toes, but it was a nice change of pace. Here’s a sweaty photo of my team and I…..and our bright orange socks.

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A couple of weeks later my friend Kristin and I went to Pacific Mall to browse around and pick up some phone cases. Along the way we bought honeydew bubble tea (MY FAV) and spicy roasted seaweed (a required taste, but I love it).

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Later that night I went to dinner with my family in Markham and devoured every type of animal known to man. Shrimp, beef, pork, chicken, fish, lobster, etc. However, my favourite dishes were the vegetarian ones – sticky rice and bok choy. Mmm. I love my people and their food.

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A few days later I began a whole new chapter in my life and started working at Lotus Leaf (PR/Social Media agency) and Fashionotes (fashion/technology blog) in Toronto. I’ve been there for two weeks and absolutely looooooove it! The job combines everything I’m passionate about and I feel super lucky to work with an amazing, creative team.

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I can’t get enough of the city. Weekdays I’m here for work and on weekends I’ll often stay over at a friends condo to catch up and hang out. I find myself getting sad when I have to go back to the suburbs, which is odd since I’ve worked in Toronto for six months last year, but every night I looked forward to going home. Now it’s the complete opposite.

I think my mindset has changed since I freelanced from home the past few months and went a little crazy. Working from home taught me that I don’t like being confined in my room and not being able to socialize. Long story short, I thrive in the city and hope to move once my income allows me.

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Being back in the city, my style has changed to accompany new surroundings. I’ve received my first pair of Dr. Martens last week from the Agyness Deyn collection (eeeeeeeeeek). I can’t wait for the weather to be a bit warmer to rock these babies! Yes they’re a tad chunky, certainly different from what I usually wear, but it’s always nice to change it up and try something new.

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That takes us to this weekend when my family threw a tea party themed wedding shower for my brothers fiancé. The day was filled with all the women in my family, fancy tea cups, little cakes, macaroons and cucumber sandwiches. My mom worked tirelessly on this party, baking every day and browsing through hundreds of thrift stores to find tea cups priced at less than $5 a piece. When my mom commits, SHE COMMITS! Her hard work pulled through and the party turned out beautifully. My brother’s wedding is in a month and I still haven’t fully grasped that he is getting married. IT’S WEIRD AND SO ADULT OF HIM!

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This is the outfit I wore. Dress from H&M and lips are “Yu” from NARS.

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That is all hot gossip I have for you! I’m super excited to be finally out of my house and have a daily routine. I’m happy, healthy and grateful for my supportive friends and family. PLEASE NONE OF YOU EVER CHANGE!

Have an amazing rest of this long weekend and I’ll talk to you all very soon!

XO

Jessica

NATURAL SPRING LOOK: PURE ANADA COSMETICS

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I was first introduced to Pure Anada when producing the Winter 2014 beauty spread for Canadian Family. I researched about the Canadian cosmetic company and loved the fact their products were all natural and selection of skincare and nail polish lines were actually ah-mazing (which is why I featured them in the magazine).

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Pure Anada’s Natural Mascara ($14) is formulated to be PH balanced and not supposed to sting your retinas. I find a majority of mascaras burn my eyes if any amount of product get into them. It’s awkward explaining to people that the reason why my eyes are draining like faucets is because a little mascara got into my eye. Ugh, it’s the worst, especially since I have to take it off or re-apply with another product.

Funny story, last weekend I drove my friend Katie and I to Target and while driving she was making me laugh obnoxiously (as per usual) and my eyes started to water. A whole bunch of mascara (was wearing Rimmel Lash Accelerator that day) got into my eyes and I couldn’t see while behind the wheel. My eyes were on fire! We got to the store in one piece, but I told myself that I NEED to find a product that won’t feel like my eyes are falling out. This mascara IS that mascara. All natural, volumizing and does not burn. FINALLY!

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I am also obsessed with Pure Anada’s pressed cheek colours. They’re silky in texture and will give a healthy looking glow that lasts for hours. Plus they smell like fruit AND are magnetic so you can easily take a compact ($5) on the go! Above are Sweet Pea ($12) and Bronzed Clove ($12).

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Not a huge fan of loose pigment eye-shadows in general but, the more I play with these, the more I get used to applying them. The colours are luminous and blend seamlessly together, just not a fan of the mess it leaves on my vanity since I tend to always spill the shadow on myself. Above are Gold Dust ($8) (a nice highlight colour I use almost every day), Copper ($8) and Java ($8).

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The lip gloss was nice. Not super long-lasting nor do I really like the “icy” look. However, I do wear it over a natural shade of lipstick since it gives a nice shine and smells/tastes good. Above is Icy Pink ($12).

Let me know if you try any of Pure Anada’s natural cosmetics and what you think of them in the comments below! 🙂

MY SUMMER GOALS 2014!

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My favourite day of the year is finally here…..THE DAY I POST MY LIST OF SUMMER GOALS!

*insert happy dance*

Yes spring has just begun, but summer for me starts in May and that is less than a month away. I’m BEYOND winter and cold weather (who in Toronto isn’t) and I’ve been patiently awaiting tan lines, flip flops and the smell of freshly cut grass. If you want to see my 2013 summer goals, click HERE! If you want to know why I epically failed at completing them, click HERE! THIS SUMMER I AM DETERMINED TO SCRATCH EVERYTHING OFF BY SEPTEMBER (I say this every year, but I promise I’ll actually do it). So my beautiful friends, stay tuned and let’s go on this little summer journey together, shall we? 🙂

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JESSICA’S SUMMER GOALS 2014! 

1. Go to an Asian grocery store and buy a cart full of unknown food, then haul it.
2. Make an ultimate summer playlist.
3. Watch an entire series of a TV show I’ve never seen before.
4. Volunteer.
5. Complete writing my book.
6. Join a fitness class.
7. Go to a concert.
8. Participate in the “Color Me Rad” 5K run.
9. Buy a piñata.
10. Make my family a fancy dinner.
11. Go see live theatre.
12. Buy an ugly oversized cat t-shirt and do a photo shoot.
13. Buy $50 worth of jewelry at Forever 21.
14. Attend a drive-in movie.
15. Read all my Native American literature books.
16. Use a really cheesy pick-up line on a complete (handsome) stranger. Must be filmed. 
17. Go to the doctors for a check-up.
18. Be a vegetarian for a week.
19. Make a collage of all my favourite Summer 2014 photos and put it in a nice frame.
20. Move out.

xo

Jessica