Fall 2016 Goals

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

In case you missed it, I wrote a list of summer goals and then posted an update at the end of summer after I successfully completed everything on my list! Since I had so much fun with this, I thought I would do this for the fall as well. However, I decided to rename it to seasonal goals as the term “bucket list” doesn’t really make sense in this situation.

1. Go To a Farmers Market | This sounds easy enough but the nearest farmers market is actually two hours away so this is something that I will have to actually plan in advance. We will probably take a weekend trip to the city later in the fall and head there then!

2. Try 5 New Recipes | We have been eating out way too much lately, namely because we are sick of eating the same things at home all the time. Fall is such a great time to try a few new recipes because it makes me crave comfort food like soup and.. well, basically anything with gravy. If you have any recipe recommendations, I’d love to hear them, especially if they are for the slow cooker!


3. Have a Harry Potter Movie Marathon | Despite reading the book series multiple times, I’ve only seen most of the movies once (in the cinema when they were released). I am terrible at watching movies so this definitely won’t happen all at once but the cozy weather makes me want to set up a pile of pillows and blankets, make a ton of snacks and re-watch the whole series.


4. Complete a DIY Project | I keep pinning cute DIY projects but never actually complete any. I’d like to make a wreath or some decorative pumpkins or even complete a gallery wall. I love these modern metallic pumpkins!


5. Join a Fitness Class | I successfully started this one as I joined zumba again.. then the instructor hurt her knee and has to remain off for at least six weeks! I am hoping to get back into it once classes start up again but in the meantime, I really want to try yoga. Anyone interested in joining me?

What is on your to-do list this fall? Leave a comment below!

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Fall 2016 Goals


In case you missed it, I wrote a list of summer goals and then posted an update at the end of summer after I successfully completed everything on my list! Since I had so much fun with this, I thought I would do this for the fall as well. However, I decided to rename it to seasonal goals as the term "bucket list" doesn't really make sense in this situation.

1. Go To a Farmers Market | This sounds easy enough but the nearest farmers market is actually two hours away so this is something that I will have to actually plan in advance. We will probably take a weekend trip to the city later in the fall and head there then!

2. Try 5 New Recipes | We have been eating out way too much lately, namely because we are sick of eating the same things at home all the time. Fall is such a great time to try a few new recipes because it makes me crave comfort food like soup and.. well, basically anything with gravy. If you have any recipe recommendations, I'd love to hear them, especially if they are for the slow cooker!

3. Have a Harry Potter Movie Marathon | Despite reading the book series multiple times, I've only seen most of the movies once (in the cinema when they were released). I am terrible at watching movies so this definitely won't happen all at once but the cozy weather makes me want to set up a pile of pillows and blankets, make a ton of snacks and re-watch the whole series.

4. Complete a DIY Project | I keep pinning cute DIY projects but never actually complete any. I'd like to make a wreath or some decorative pumpkins or even complete a gallery wall. I love these modern metallic pumpkins!

5. Join a Fitness Class | I successfully started this one as I joined zumba again.. then the instructor hurt her knee and has to remain off for at least six weeks! I am hoping to get back into it once classes start up again but in the meantime, I really want to try yoga. Anyone interested in joining me?

What is on your to-do list this fall? Leave a comment below!

Sunday Lately: September 19 - 25

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe – KatyAngelicaMeghan and Nicole. Each week they present five new prompts to describe what is happening in your life that week. This weeks prompts are Planning, Loving, Reading, Wishing and Feeling.

Planning: I’ve got a few blog posts in mind and another started but to be honest, I’ve been very unmotivated for the past couple of weeks. As much as I enjoy blogging, it is just a hobby for me and it can be difficult to make time for it when I am also working full-time and trying to have a social life. Needless to say, it took the back burner for the past little while but I am hoping to get back on board with it ASAP!


Loving: My new Diane Von Furstenberg luggage set that I found at Winners last weekend. I was in the market for a new luggage set since Westjet accidentally destroyed my large suitcase during our trip to Punta Cana. I’ve always loved the Delsey “Chatelet” collection but cannot afford to drop that much money on luggage right now. While in Winners, I stumbled upon this similar-style lavender DVF set and fell in love. Like, serious heart-eye-emoticon love. I had a DVF luggage set in the past and it was great quality (sadly, my mother accidentally ran over one of the suitcases and destroyed it).  I really didn’t want to spend that much money on this shopping trip but I couldn’t resist the opportunity so I picked up the medium and large suitcases (I always use this as my carry on!). I also picked up the cutest marble coasters and now I want to redecorate my entire house.

Reading: I’m currently reading “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert but I’m not super into it yet. I’m hoping that it will interest me more as I continue reading but I think it’s time for me to take a break from the self-help/motivational books and read a couple fiction novels for a change.


Wishing: To win the lottery, quite honestly! (But who doesn’t wish that?) I get tired of things quickly so I’m ready for a new house, wardrobe, and also a six-month vacation. I hate that we don’t have any trips booked and we have no idea when we will even be traveling again.


Feeling: Thankful that tonight is my last night shift for the weekend! Also thankful for great co-workers that make work fun.

What are you up to this weekend? Leave a comment below!

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Sunday Lately: September 19 - 25


Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe - KatyAngelicaMeghan and Nicole. Each week they present five new prompts to describe what is happening in your life that week. This weeks prompts are Planning, Loving, Reading, Wishing and Feeling.

Planning: I've got a few blog posts in mind and another started but to be honest, I've been very unmotivated for the past couple of weeks. As much as I enjoy blogging, it is just a hobby for me and it can be difficult to make time for it when I am also working full-time and trying to have a social life. Needless to say, it took the back burner for the past little while but I am hoping to get back on board with it ASAP! 

Loving: My new Diane Von Furstenberg luggage set that I found at Winners last weekend. I was in the market for a new luggage set since Westjet accidentally destroyed my large suitcase during our trip to Punta Cana. I've always loved the Delsey "Chatelet" collection but cannot afford to drop that much money on luggage right now. While in Winners, I stumbled upon this similar-style lavender DVF set and fell in love. Like, serious heart-eye-emoticon love. I had a DVF luggage set in the past and it was great quality (sadly, my mother accidentally ran over one of the suitcases and destroyed it).  I really didn't want to spend that much money on this shopping trip but I couldn't resist the opportunity so I picked up the medium and large suitcases (I always use this as my carry on!). I also picked up the cutest marble coasters and now I want to redecorate my entire house.


Reading: I'm currently reading "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert but I'm not super into it yet. I'm hoping that it will interest me more as I continue reading but I think it's time for me to take a break from the self-help/motivational books and read a couple fiction novels for a change.

Wishing: To win the lottery, quite honestly! (But who doesn't wish that?) I get tired of things quickly so I'm ready for a new house, wardrobe, and also a six-month vacation. I hate that we don't have any trips booked and we have no idea when we will even be traveling again. 

Feeling: Thankful that tonight is my last night shift for the weekend! Also thankful for great co-workers that make work fun. 

What are you up to this weekend? Leave a comment below!

Summer Bucket List Update

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Now that summer is basically over, I decided that it was time to take a look back at my Summer 2016 Bucket List and see whether or not I was successful in crossing off those items. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I completed all that I set out to do!

Go Hiking | I didn’t do as much hiking as I wanted to this summer, but I will consider this a win as I did hike the Skerwink Trail again. It nearly killed me the first time I did it a few years ago (granted, I had no desire to hike back then) and I am pleased to say that I enjoyed it the second time around. Verdict: Complete!

 

A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on Aug 20, 2016 at 11:39am PDT


Try Five New Restaurants | I was so close to writing this one off, as we only tried four new restaurants, right up until Sunday. I probably would have tried five earlier except that I won a gift certificate to The Fifth Ticket (read my review here!) so we ate there twice this summer. We also ate at the Two Whales Coffee Shop (review here), the Skipper’s Restaurant (lobster rolls, yes!), the Random Passage Tearoom and, as of last weekend, Milestones Bar and Grill. Verdict: Completed (and enjoyed them all!).

 


Read, Read, Read | I’m actually pleased with the amount that I’ve read this summer, even though it was only three books. I completed “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” by JK Rowling (review here), “#GIRLBOSS” by Sophia Amoruso, and “Confess” by Colleen Hoover. I’m fine with averaging one book a month, now I need to try and keep it up! Verdict: Complete!

 

A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on Aug 10, 2016 at 3:08pm PDT


Go Fishing | I went fishing twice and caught a handful of fish during my second trip. This is one of my favourite summer activities and I’m sad I didn’t get to do it more but it’s difficult to coordinate schedules and the weather often hampered our plans. Verdict: Complete!

 

A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on Jul 9, 2016 at 3:23pm PDT


Go Camping.. In a Tent! | Jordan and I, along with our friends Matt and Brittany, successfully crossed this one off the list at the beginning of the summer. In hindsight, we should have waited until it was warmer in the evenings as we nearly froze to death, but it was a good experience and I can finally say I’ve slept in a tent. Verdict: Complete!

 

A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on Jun 27, 2016 at 3:29pm PDT


Take a Weekend Trip | We actually ended up taking a surprise week-long trip to the Dominican Republic (speaking of, I meant to do a post on that..)! The timing worked in our favour and we were worried that Jordan’s schooling would prevent us from going on a trip this fall so we booked it on a whim. I didn’t think I would enjoy traveling down south in the dead of summer but it was actually wonderful! Verdict: Complete.. and then some!

 

A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on Aug 6, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT

Overall, I think my summer bucket list was a success, having completed all six items. While many of the items on my list are things that I probably would have done anyway, it was a nice little motivational push knowing that I could check them off at the end of the summer. It also encouraged us to go out and try new restaurants and activities, which is a bonus!

Did you complete any bucket list items this summer? I’d love to hear about it! Also, keep an eye out for my fall bucket list which will be posted soon!

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Summer Bucket List Update

Now that summer is basically over, I decided that it was time to take a look back at my Summer 2016 Bucket List and see whether or not I was successful in crossing off those items. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I completed all that I set out to do! 

Go Hiking | I didn't do as much hiking as I wanted to this summer, but I will consider this a win as I did hike the Skerwink Trail again. It nearly killed me the first time I did it a few years ago (granted, I had no desire to hike back then) and I am pleased to say that I enjoyed it the second time around. Verdict: Complete!



A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on

Try Five New Restaurants | I was so close to writing this one off, as we only tried four new restaurants, right up until Sunday. I probably would have tried five earlier except that I won a gift certificate to The Fifth Ticket (read my review here!) so we ate there twice this summer. We also ate at the Two Whales Coffee Shop (review here), the Skipper's Restaurant (lobster rolls, yes!), the Random Passage Tearoom and, as of last weekend, Milestones Bar and Grill. Verdict: Completed (and enjoyed them all!).




Read, Read, Read | I'm actually pleased with the amount that I've read this summer, even though it was only three books. I completed "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by JK Rowling (review here), "#GIRLBOSS" by Sophia Amoruso, and "Confess" by Colleen Hoover. I'm fine with averaging one book a month, now I need to try and keep it up! Verdict: Complete!



A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on

Go Fishing | I went fishing twice and caught a handful of fish during my second trip. This is one of my favourite summer activities and I'm sad I didn't get to do it more but it's difficult to coordinate schedules and the weather often hampered our plans. Verdict: Complete!



A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on

Go Camping.. In a Tent! | Jordan and I, along with our friends Matt and Brittany, successfully crossed this one off the list at the beginning of the summer. In hindsight, we should have waited until it was warmer in the evenings as we nearly froze to death, but it was a good experience and I can finally say I've slept in a tent. Verdict: Complete!



A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on

Take a Weekend Trip | We actually ended up taking a surprise week-long trip to the Dominican Republic (speaking of, I meant to do a post on that..)! The timing worked in our favour and we were worried that Jordan's schooling would prevent us from going on a trip this fall so we booked it on a whim. I didn't think I would enjoy traveling down south in the dead of summer but it was actually wonderful! Verdict: Complete.. and then some!



A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on

Overall, I think my summer bucket list was a success, having completed all six items. While many of the items on my list are things that I probably would have done anyway, it was a nice little motivational push knowing that I could check them off at the end of the summer. It also encouraged us to go out and try new restaurants and activities, which is a bonus!

Did you complete any bucket list items this summer? I'd love to hear about it! Also, keep an eye out for my fall bucket list which will be posted soon!

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Make Up For Ever recently launched their new Artist Rouge lipstick collection, featuring 45 show-stopping shades in a variety of cream and matte finishes. There are 14 matte shades and 31 cream shades in the collection and the colors range from traditional reds and pinks to mint green, turquoise, and lilac. The Make Up For Ever team was kind enough to send me two lipsticks from their new collection to review and share with you guys.
Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review
First of all, the packaging is super sleek and simple. The lipsticks are in a black matte bullet with the finish and the color number on the bottom. However, if you have many of these, I feel like you would either need to memorize the numbers or have to pull the cover off to check the color. Personally, I prefer when lipsticks are named similar to their color, or at least have a color swatch on the bottom of the tube. I do think that these look very professional though. The inside of the tube is silver on the bottom with “Make Up For Ever” embossed. The cover snaps onto to the tube securely which means that I don’t have to worry about it falling off in my purse!
Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review

 

The formula of these lipsticks is amazing. They contain both macadamia and mallow oil, which leaves your lips super moisturized. Even the matte formula feels incredibly comfortable to wear and not drying at all! Make Up For Ever states that the cream formula can get 8 hours of wear, while the matte can provide 10 hours, however, I have to disagree with this. I can get about 2-3 hours of wear without touching up, however, I find that it begins to fade after that, as well as after eating or drinking. The color does fade nicely and evenly on the lips, however, which is a perk.
Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review
The lipstick itself has a unique tear-shaped tip which is designed for easy application of the product, no matter your lip shape. I can say that it works effectively as the lipstick was easy to apply without making a mess, even without lip liner. The pigmentation of these lipsticks is also incredible, with 25% more pigment than the last generation of the Rouge Artist Intense lipsticks.
Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick M300 C302
I received the colors C302 (beige coral) and M300 (red orange). I wasn’t sure about the salmon-pink C302 at first because it seems a bit pale on my lips in person but after swatching it and taking a photo, I actually like it. It would make a nice spring color. The second color, M300 is not a color I would choose for myself and unfortunately, the orange undertones in this lipstick do not agree with my coloring. I will be passing this one along to a friend but only because the color isn’t for me, as I love the formula!
Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review M300 C302

Pros:

  • Sleek and secure packaging
  • Excellent color range
  • Extremely comfortable formula
  • High pigmentation
  • Unique shaped tip for easy application

Cons:

  • Wear time is about 2-3 hours before needing touch-ups
  • Unable to determine shade from outside of lipstick tube (without memorizing numbers)
Overall, I would recommend picking up these lipsticks to try (especially the matte formula) if you are looking for a comfortable, moisturizing lipstick. If you are looking for something long-lasting, I would skip these. Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know if you’ve tried the new Artist Rouge lipstick line!
The Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge lipstick retails for $27 and is available exclusively at Sephora online and in Sephora stores across Canada and the U.S.
The products in this post were provided complimentary for review purposes. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and based on my personal experience. 

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Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review

Make Up For Ever recently launched their new Artist Rouge lipstick collection, featuring 45 show-stopping shades in a variety of cream and matte finishes. There are 14 matte shades and 31 cream shades in the collection and the colors range from traditional reds and pinks to mint green, turquoise, and lilac. The Make Up For Ever team was kind enough to send me two lipsticks from their new collection to review and share with you guys.

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review

First of all, the packaging is super sleek and simple. The lipsticks are in a black matte bullet with the finish and the color number on the bottom. However, if you have many of these, I feel like you would either need to memorize the numbers or have to pull the cover off to check the color. Personally, I prefer when lipsticks are named similar to their color, or at least have a color swatch on the bottom of the tube. I do think that these look very professional though. The inside of the tube is silver on the bottom with "Make Up For Ever" embossed. The cover snaps onto to the tube securely which means that I don't have to worry about it falling off in my purse! 

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review

The formula of these lipsticks is amazing. They contain both macadamia and mallow oil, which leaves your lips super moisturized. Even the matte formula feels incredibly comfortable to wear and not drying at all! Make Up For Ever states that the cream formula can get 8 hours of wear, while the matte can provide 10 hours, however, I have to disagree with this. I can get about 2-3 hours of wear without touching up, however, I find that it begins to fade after that, as well as after eating or drinking. The color does fade nicely and evenly on the lips, however, which is a perk.

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review

The lipstick itself has a unique tear-shaped tip which is designed for easy application of the product, no matter your lip shape. I can say that it works effectively as the lipstick was easy to apply without making a mess, even without lip liner. The pigmentation of these lipsticks is also incredible, with 25% more pigment than the last generation of the Rouge Artist Intense lipsticks. 

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick M300 C302

I received the colors C302 (beige coral) and M300 (red orange). I wasn't sure about the salmon-pink C302 at first because it seems a bit pale on my lips in person but after swatching it and taking a photo, I actually like it. It would make a nice spring color. The second color, M300 is not a color I would choose for myself and unfortunately, the orange undertones in this lipstick do not agree with my coloring. I will be passing this one along to a friend but only because the color isn't for me, as I love the formula!

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick Review M300 C302

Pros:

  • Sleek and secure packaging
  • Excellent color range
  • Extremely comfortable formula
  • High pigmentation
  • Unique shaped tip for easy application

Cons:

  • Wear time is about 2-3 hours before needing touch-ups
  • Unable to determine shade from outside of lipstick tube (without memorizing numbers)

Overall, I would recommend picking up these lipsticks to try (especially the matte formula) if you are looking for a comfortable, moisturizing lipstick. If you are looking for something long-lasting, I would skip these. Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know if you've tried the new Artist Rouge lipstick line!

The Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge lipstick retails for $27 and is available exclusively at Sephora online and in Sephora stores across Canada and the U.S. 

The products in this post were provided complimentary for review purposes. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and based on my personal experience. 

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What I'm Buying This Fall

Monday, September 12, 2016

1. Kate Spade Monterrey Watch | 2. Gap 1969 Flare Jeans | 3. J. Crew Downtown Field Jacket | 4. American Eagle Soft Boyfriend Shirt | 5. Call It Spring “Kokes” | 6. Old Navy Marled Cocoon Open-Front Sweater

Fall is my favourite season of all (except it means that we are one season closer to the dreaded winter) and I look forward to it every year. I love everything from the fall foliage to pumpkin-flavoured everything but I especially love fall fashion. Although I haven’t gone “back to school” for the past four years, I get an itch every September to buy a few new outfits. I probably should have been a teacher because at least then I could have justified it!

1. I’m actually not in the market for a new watch as I already own this gorgeous Fossil watch. However, I stumbled upon this Kate Spade watch and I fell in love. Is there a watch more suited to me? I don’t think so. I love the simple leather band and the blue second hand but I especially love the “I need a vacation” on the time face. Mainly because I always need a vacation.

2. As much as I love skinny jeans and boots in the fall, I really want a new style of jeans for a change. I love how flared jeans make my legs look a mile long! I haven’t owned a pair for a few years but I just ordered these Gap jeans for a steal at less than $40 and I really hope that they fit.

3. I have been wanting a military-style jacket for ages now and I fell in love with this one the moment I seen it. Even better, it’s marked down with an additional 30% off using code “SHOPSTYLE”. I actually slept on it before biting the bullet and ordering it because I really don’t need another jacket but I love how versatile this style it. Because of the reviews, I ordered a size larger than I normally would so I am praying that it fits!

4. The plaid button-up shirt is a quintessential fall staple and I have been living in them recently. I love the colors in this one and it would be perfect for Christmas as well. These shirts are so easy to throw on with jeans and boots and are also great for lounging around the house when paired with leggings.

5. If only Spring accepted gift cards online, these babies would probably already be in my possession. I am hoping that they have them in store the next time I am there so I can try them on. If they are comfortable, I will definitely be adding them to my collection!

6. Fall is the season for cozy sweaters and this affordable option from Old Navy is definitely on my to-buy list. I love pairing long cardigans with v-neck tees and boots for days when the weather is chilly but not too cold.

What’s on your fall wishlist? Leave a comment below!

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What I'm Buying This Fall

1. Kate Spade Monterrey Watch | 2. Gap 1969 Flare Jeans | 3. J. Crew Downtown Field Jacket | 4. American Eagle Soft Boyfriend Shirt | 5. Call It Spring "Kokes" | 6. Old Navy Marled Cocoon Open-Front Sweater

Fall is my favourite season of all (except it means that we are one season closer to the dreaded winter) and I look forward to it every year. I love everything from the fall foliage to pumpkin-flavoured everything but I especially love fall fashion. Although I haven't gone "back to school" for the past four years, I get an itch every September to buy a few new outfits. I probably should have been a teacher because at least then I could have justified it!

1. I'm actually not in the market for a new watch as I already own this gorgeous Fossil watch. However, I stumbled upon this Kate Spade watch and I fell in love. Is there a watch more suited to me? I don't think so. I love the simple leather band and the blue second hand but I especially love the "I need a vacation" on the time face. Mainly because I always need a vacation.

2. As much as I love skinny jeans and boots in the fall, I really want a new style of jeans for a change. I love how flared jeans make my legs look a mile long! I haven't owned a pair for a few years but I just ordered these Gap jeans for a steal at less than $40 and I really hope that they fit.

3. I have been wanting a military-style jacket for ages now and I fell in love with this one the moment I seen it. Even better, it's marked down with an additional 30% off using code "SHOPSTYLE". I actually slept on it before biting the bullet and ordering it because I really don't need another jacket but I love how versatile this style it. Because of the reviews, I ordered a size larger than I normally would so I am praying that it fits!

4. The plaid button-up shirt is a quintessential fall staple and I have been living in them recently. I love the colors in this one and it would be perfect for Christmas as well. These shirts are so easy to throw on with jeans and boots and are also great for lounging around the house when paired with leggings.

5. If only Spring accepted gift cards online, these babies would probably already be in my possession. I am hoping that they have them in store the next time I am there so I can try them on. If they are comfortable, I will definitely be adding them to my collection!

6. Fall is the season for cozy sweaters and this affordable option from Old Navy is definitely on my to-buy list. I love pairing long cardigans with v-neck tees and boots for days when the weather is chilly but not too cold.

What's on your fall wishlist? Leave a comment below!
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