1. I'm rolling in with a late post today because of work. However, I really wanted to get it done because you need to run over to Old Navy and pick up this adorable t-shirt while it's still available for $9.50! As in, less than ten dollars. I've had Starbucks orders more expensive than this t-shirt. I've been loving graphic tees lately and I mean, this basically summarizes me in four lines, plus it's super soft and perfect for lounging in on the weekends.

2. In other news, Taylor Swift officially released her latest single today! I mean, with all the hype that she garnered this week, this is old news by now but it deserves a mention regardless. I've been a fan of Taylor Swift since the beginning (as in, when I used her "Tim McGraw" lyrics in my MSN messenger status!) and although I am sick of her always playing the victim, I kind of like the new single. I mean, as a rule I am generally underwhelmed and let down by her first single off every album and this one has a weak chorus but I love the beat and the dark vibe. I have high hopes for this album!


3. My birthday week is next week! Sadly that means less as I get older (plus I have to work on my birthday which should never be allowed) but on the bright side, there will be cake and presents so it isn't all bad. It blows my mind that I will be 28 when I feel like it was only yesterday that I turned 8 years old.

4. As much as I love fall, I'm not ready to say goodbye to summer yet. However, one of the best parts of fall is the return of all your favourite TV shows and after watching the trailer for season 2 of This Is Us, I'm slightly more excited for fall to arrive. Also looking forward to the return of Scandal, Riverdale and The Voice!


5. I may try on my first wedding dress tomorrow, eek! I'm still debating because I'm half afraid that it will be "the one" and I won't even have my mom there for it but the store that carries my dream dress has a sample sale that ends tomorrow and I feel like I just need to try it on. If it isn't the dress for me then I will wait until later before I really dig deep into the shopping but I'm afraid the store will stop carrying this dress before I get to try it on. At the same time, it still feels way too early in my mind to be shopping for a wedding dress. Ah, decisions!

The Friday Five

I figured this would be a good week to introduce "The Friday Five" which is basically just five random things that I talk about.. on a Friday. Despite having a few posts drafted, I have no photos to accompany them because 12 hour shifts make photography impossible, so I figured this would be a good way to sneak a post in before the week ended!

>> We went to see Mamma Mia with Jordan's niece last week and I highly recommend you check it out if you can! I'll be honest, I've never been a fan of musicals so I was basically just tagging along for something to do. However, I ended up being totally captivated and now I kind of want to see more shows. It also made me really envious of those who can sing & dance so beautifully.

>> Speaking of dance, I just signed up for burlesque classes and I am super excited about it. I mean, I will probably be terrible but at least it will be good fun! I just need to find a pair of heels that I can actually dance in now.

>> I got my hair dyed a gorgeous smokey grey color earlier this week and while I think my hairstylist did a great job, I have to go back this weekend and get it lightened again. It looked really light in the salon but outside of there, it is just way too dark for me. Luckily they were able to squeeze me in for an appointment on Saturday as I really want it fixed before Brittany's bachelorette party on Saturday night! My hair will probably need some serious TLC after this if anyone has any recommendations for hair masks or products.

>> The Jaclyn Hill Morphe palette finally has a relaunch date - August 22nd! I have been super on the fence with this palette. It is absolutely stunning and I want it but I have trouble justifying the ridiculous cost of shipping for us Canadians (plus customs at the door!). I decide that I will get it, then I get angry at the cost, then it sells out.. and repeat. Maybe I could splurge as a birthday gift to myself? Or maybe I will just hold out for the new Huda Beauty palette..

>> Does anyone else think that it's absolutely ridiculous that Halloween items are popping up in stores already? I mean, it's still the beginning of August and Halloween is the end of October. Who really needs to buy Halloween cookies right now? STOP. I love fall as much as the next person but I just want to enjoy my summer without seeing ghosts and pumpkins everywhere.

I'm headed to the city this weekend for Brittany's bachelorette plus some end-of-exams celebrations with Jordan so it'll likely be next week before I get another post up. Have a great weekend guys!

Surprise.. it's a Wedding Wednesday post!

Apologies for being MIA over the past couple of weeks! I had all intentions of writing some posts this weekend but then this happened and ruined all my plans in the best way possible..

Vogue 73 Questions

I love watching the Vogue "73 Questions" videos which offer viewers a tour of celebrity homes while learning a little more about them. Naturally, the Taylor Swift video is my favourite, but I also enjoyed the Nicole Kidman and Victoria Beckham versions. A few months ago, Jordyn created her own 73 questions on her blog and I knew I wanted to do the same. I took these questions from her version so be sure to go check it out! The answers are supposed to be concise and spontaneous but I definitely had to think about a few of them! 

1.What’s the best thing that happened to you this month? A spontaneous getaway to Punta Cana.

2. What is something you’re tired of? Going to work and paying bills.

3. What is something that recently moved you? Travelling to a less fortunate country.

4. If you could teach one subject in school what would it be? Health or social studies.

5. What’s your favorite beverage? Ginger Ale and lemon water.

6. What’s your favorite cocktail? Whiskey sour.

7. What is your favorite birthday cake? My mom made me a swimming pool cake out of jello and wafer cookies as a child - it's still my favourite. 

8.What is one thing you still have from your childhood? My baby ring, which still fits on my pinky finger.

9. What is your favorite movie? The Notebook and Pitch Perfect.

10. What is something you can’t do? Push ups.

11. What is one habit you wish you could break? Biting my nails.

12. What makes you laugh no matter what? My dog.

13. What does creativity mean to you? Creating unique and meaningful things that bring you personal joy.

14. What are your favorite lyrics of all time? "You belong among the wildflowers, you belong in a boat out at sea", which I actually have tattooed on my ribs.

15. What is something you’ve always wanted to try but you’ve been too scared to do? Sky diving.

16. Best advice for your 19 year old self? Do what makes you happy and say yes to more opportunities.

17. If you could raid one woman’s closet who would it be? Sarah Vickers.

18. Must have purse item? Lipstick.

19. What did you want to do with your life at age 12? Be a graphic and web designer. 

20. What is something you will not be doing in ten years? Dreading going to work.

21. What is an important life lesson for someone to learn? Life is short so do what makes you happy and ignore the rest.

22. What is one goal you are determined to achieve in your lifetime? Have a career that I love.

23. Would you ever live anywhere besides your current town? Absolutely, I would move in a heartbeat.

24. What is your favorite dessert? Cannolis are my new favourite.

25. Is there a dessert you don’t like? Anything that involves baked fruit.

26. It’s brunch! What do you eat? Waffles, bacon and hash browns with fruit.

27. Who is your favorite painter? I don't have one.

28. Favorite Disney animal? Simba.

29. What is a book you are planning on reading? "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi.

30. What did you read most recently? Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

31. Favorite solo artist? Taylor Swift.

32. What’s your favorite board game? Scattergories. 

33. What’s a city you wish to visit? New York City.

34. Heels or flats? Boots.

35.  Where does one go on a perfect road trip? To Maine.

36. What do you do on a rainy day? Cozy up in a blanket, light a candle and work on my blog.

37. What’s your favorite exercise? None at all. 

38. What was your worst subject in school? P.E., unsurprisingly.

39. What is your spirit animal? Cats because they are sassy.

40. What do you usually eat for breakfast? Smoothies.

41. What do you usually eat for dinner? A meat or fish, a carb, and something green.

42. Cooking or Baking? Cooking.

43. Favorite baked good? S'mores cookies and pumpkin bars.

44. What is something you wish you could be good at? Singing.

45. Skiing or Surfing? Skiing.

46. First celebrity crush? Michael on "Barney".

47. Most recent celebrity crush? Wilson Bethel.

48. What color was your prom dress? Black.

49. How do you manage stress? I generally cry and vent to Jordan.

50. What do you do to relax? Listen to music.

51. Age when you were first kissed? 15, I think.

52. Place you were first kissed? At a friend's house.

53. Favorite fashion trend of all time? Riding boots.

54. Best fashion advice you’ve ever received? I have no idea. I don't really follow anyone's fashion advice, I just wear what I like.

55. Trend you would like to see disappear forever? White frame sunglasses.

56. Shoes or Bags? Bags.

57. How do you know if you’re in love? You just inherently know.

58. Television show you’ve binged on recently? Hart of Dixie.

59. Who do you turn to when you’re sad? Jordan.

60. Name one thing you’ve learned the hard way? Life is too short to stay in any situation that makes you unhappy.

61. If you could make a documentary about anything what would it be? Puppies, because PUPPIES.

62. What is your Kryptonite? Intelligence.

63. What are you most enchanted by? The ocean.

64. What is your biggest strength? I'm passionate about what I love.

65. What is your biggest weakness? My emotions.

66. What are 3 words to describe living in Newfoundland? Wet, outdoorsy, friendly.

67. Cutest thing on planet earth? Baby animals.

68. Most important advice you’d give your future children? Just be yourself.

69. Best first date idea? A picnic followed by stargazing.

70. Favorite type of flower? Peonies and hydrangeas.

71. What do you first notice about someone when you meet them? Shoes.

72. What’s your guilty pleasure? Cheesy TV shows and Nicholas Sparks books.

73. Plans for the weekend? Crossing off some bucket list items!

A bit of a different post, but I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me. I am still trying to settle back into post-vacation reality while battling a stomach bug, so bare with me until I can get back to my regular self! 

Finding (And Losing) Your Tribe

Thanks to Taylor Swift, it seems like everyone has #squadgoals these days (and let's be honest, I would happily accept an invite to her squad!). The thing is, no one tells you just how hard it is to maintain your friendships in your late 20s. Or maybe no one has told me because no one else struggles with it, but I sure do.

The thing is, we are at a precarious age. The majority of my friends range in age from 25-30, which is a pivotal time in the lives of many. Gone are the days of freedom, sponteneity, and carelessness. These days, most of us are plagued with the responsibilities of a full-time job, mortgages that need to be paid, and in many cases, children. While I don't have children of my own, I am finding that most of my friends are now married with kids. Suddenly it takes four weeks to make a plan, schedule a date and find a babysitter, for the sake of one night out with friends. Now don't get me wrong, I am not blaming anyone for having kids! While it isn't on my to-do list, I realize that for most people, there is nothing more rewarding. I am simply saying that when your friends become parents, you will naturally see less of them in your life (unless you enjoy playdates!). I totally understand the reason why but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss when we were 21 and free to do whatever we wanted.

Beyond that, most of us have moved past the stage where we want to go out partying every weekend. It seems that the older we get, the happier we are to plop ourselves in front of the TV and binge-watch Netflix. It's a lot easier to stay in in your PJs than it is to make yourself look presentable to go out. Combine that with differing schedules (for example, I work every second weekend, whereas most of my friends work Monday-Friday) and it can be hard to even find the time to schedule a plan.

I'm not really sure where I am going with this post, except that I felt like I used to have a tribe of close friends (even with kids!) that I could count on to be there, and now it feels like I don't have that anymore. Everyone is busy and life has gotten in the way, and that makes me sad. It's hard to meet new people in this town because it's so tiny, which means that you basically know everyone already and there are limited opportunities to meet like-minded people. Not going to lie, the idea of packing up and moving someplace new has crossed my mind many times! It doesn't help that my two "best" friends live far away - one on the other side of Canada, the other on the other side of the world in Australia.  However, I am thankful for the friends that I do have and in many cases, I know that even if we go two months without seeing each other, they are still there for me. I only wish that I could physically spend more time with them! I'm also thankful for the new friendships that we have made, especially our tenants-turned-friends who are always up for an adventure with us.

In conclusion, I miss you. All of you guys. Everyone who once made up my close group of friends. And I just want you to know that.

Does anyone else struggle with this? 

It's Time To Get Serious..

Yesterday was a bad day.

I took one look at myself in the mirror and felt like crying. We all have those days, right? Days where you have to wiggle into your jeans or go shopping for a new bikini and suddenly you're thinking "How did I let myself get to this point?" and "I need six more months before swimsuit season".

I haven't stepped on a scale since last fall and if we are being entirely honest here, I'm not sure if I have the nerve to do it. My weight last fall was 10-15lbs above where I wanted it to be. I did lose a little but never got back to my baseline, had a gym membership but let it expire, went on a healthy eating spree but eventually gave up, and now we are here.

A lot of people look at me and say "You're tiny, you don't need to lose weight!" but it's not about how other people perceive me, it is how I feel about myself that matters. Since high school I've gained about 25lbs and up until recently, my clothing size didn't really change much. However, I've recently gone up a size in jeans because my normal size suddenly feels a bit too tight and I am not okay with it. Now don't get me wrong, I know the number on the scale or the size on the tag isn't what matters. It's about how I look in the mirror and, more importantly, feel about myself. But I don't look nor feel my best right now and that needs to change.

I've always hated exercise. I was the kid in grade three who stayed home from school on sports day because I hated it that much. I never participated in gym class and dropped the course as quickly as I could. I don't like attending group classes because I feel like I cannot keep up with everyone else and then I want to quit.

However, it has gotten to the point where it is time to start doing something. Anything. I'm the girl who tells my friends to rock the bikini and exude confidence, so I feel like a hypocrite by lacking it myself. I started wearing my Fitbit again (add me: janineallison@hotmail.com) and have been participating in workweek and weekend challenges with my friends. I am quite competitive so it actually motivates me to get up and do more. Yesterday afternoon I had 1600 steps and was having a mental breakdown after looking at myself in the mirror and I decided to throw on my gym clothes and take the dog for a walk/run.

You won't see me posting a bikini photo here because the thought makes me want to sink through the floor but I am hoping this post will hold me accountable. If anyone out there is interested in being Fitbit friends, gym buddies, or hiking friends, let me know!