Slow Motion

So early this past week, I had a bit of a health scare (also why I had to postpone certain updates on this blog).  I was feeling this minor/sometimes intense tight/heavy feeling in the center of my chest for the past two weeks.  It wasn't a very strong feeling per say, which is why I didn't really inform anyone about it and thought it would just go away soon.  Well, I was quite wrong.  Two weeks had passed by and at exactly the 2 week mark, I was about to head in to work when I just couldn't deal with the discomfort and ignore the situation anymore.  I went to the ER and got blood work, a heart scan and an X-Ray done, just to be safe.  The results came back after 6 hours of waiting in multiple rooms and I'm happy to report that everything seems to be okay.  I do have one final doctor's appointment tomorrow morning just to make sure nothing was overlooked.

Growing up with so many people around me getting sick/ill I think has somehow instilled these negative feelings I have towards any hospitals, doctors and check-ups.  I can vaguely remember the time where my dad was diagnosed with cancer and the surgery.  I was quite young then, so the actual memories are a blur but the emotions and feelings I felt during that time, I can still remember.  To make those negative feelings about being in a hospital more predominant, around six years ago, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer as well.  Thankfully both of my parents were able to get the appropriate treatment and are now recovered and healthy.  When I was younger as well, my grandmother was diagnosed with an illness which eventually took her life away as well.  On top of everything, in the summer of the year before I was to go into high school (end of August), my appendix burst and I was hospitalized until after Thanksgiving (in Canada, Thanksgiving is in October)  This was due to the fact that I was misdiagnosed by a doctor who said I had a kidney problem instead, which lead to me having to stay in the hospital to deal with being misdiagnosed.  I hate to say it, but its because of such experiences,  I've come to really avoid getting any sort of checkups (unless I needed to get certain shots for travel or vaccines).

Its ironic isn't it?  Technically speaking, if one was to develop any sort of illness the best way to fight and treat it would be to get frequent checkups and to see your family doctor if you felt like something was wrong or off.

As I sat in the hospital for the six hours waiting for my test results from the doctor, all these emotions and thoughts flew into my mind.  What if it really was my heart (you're never too young) and that I had some kind of heart issue?  What if my time on this earth was now cut shorter and now even more limited then I had assumed?  It was scary and really stressful to think about all these things...

This experience made me realize how precious each moment we have in each day was.  Sure this is extremely cliche to say here.. as I'm sure many of you have heard the typical saying of "Carpe Diem" but I do believe that every now and then we need moments like this (hopefully not as scary) to have our "a-ha" moments and wake up.

So don't take your moments for granted.  Take in each day.  Do what you believe in.  Don't let your passions goto waist.  Oh!  And don't take your health for granted.

Photo taken through Instagram at our cottage trip Oct 2011

Sweet Escape

Sometimes you just need a little breather in your day-to-day routine - a change of scenery perhaps.  This past weekend the opportunity presented itself to take a somewhat spontaneous mini road trip with Mr. Hubs, my brother and his girlfriend.  We drove through the early morning hours and crossed the border (mainly) to exchange a Christmas gift and do a little shopping (of course!).   For those of you that do not know this, I live in Canada (Oh Canada!) but close enough to be able to have the convenience of driving down to the States.  One of the exciting things (always) about being able to get away for the day is to visit of course, The Cheesecake Factory and getting a big slice of its sweet goodness.  I promise to take a picture of the food next trip!  I didn't take too many pictures of our day but was able to snap a few pictures in the morning.  Now with the regular blogging, I'm going to have to get accustomed to carrying around my camera and putting it to good use.  Although we stayed cross-border a little longer than expected, we came back home on the same day.  Overall, it was great to get some American air, walk through the empty malls and indulge in our favourite foods.. Till we meet again~  I guess the question now is, what did I get?  You will see in the next post!

Early morning drive...

The border crossing to come home

My Beauty Essentials

So here are a few of my beauty products I use regularly. (Other then my sans makeup days of course)

Those that know me well, know how crazy I can be when it comes to makeup and beauty products.  This past year I went a little over board with my collection (my hubby & friends can attest to this!) however, it gave me the opportunity of discovering a few amazing products.

1. Smashbox Photofinish Foundation Primer ($36 CAD) - This is an AHH-mazing product that I think has become a new HG (Holy-Grail) status product for me.  I don't wear this religiously in my day-to-day makeup routine, but its my go-to product when I have an important outing or event to go to.  This vitamin and antioxidant enriched product primes your face by filling your lines & pores along with making your skin feel silky smooth.  It helps to apply my foundation smoothly and helps to keep my makeup stay put all day.  I tend to have combination skin with a very oily T-zone but this keeps my oily areas in check!  Its also one of Smashbox's #1 products.

2. NARS blush in Luster ($27 CAD) - I love this blush!  The colour is a natural peachy/light bronze colour with some shimmer.  It goes on somewhat sheer with a light application but its totally buildable to your personal liking.  I love this colour because it gives me a natural, subtle glow on my cheeks, almost a bit sun kissed, and I just love peachy colours in general.

3. Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit ($32 CAD) - Another new HG product of mine.  A few years ago, I never used to use concealer under my eyes.  I never used to understand the importance or what was so life-changing about using concealer until this past year.  (Can anyone say ammmmen!?!!)  I always wanted to try this concealer by Bobbi Brown in particular after reading about all the reviews in magazines or hearing about it through celebrity makeup artists but could never really get myself to splurge on it - until recently.  I found it at a CCO (cosmetic company outlet) for a fraction of the price and decided it was the time to try it out.  I've tried drugstore brands mostly & MAC, however this one beats them all.  Its very light, creamy and literally melts into my skin.  The colour selection is great too!  No more raccoon eyes!

4. Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum and Primer ($28 CAD) - Worn before mascara application this product coats my lashes, giving them length, moisture and even some extra thickness.  I guess you can say it's similar to the Smashbox Primer but for your lashes instead.  The cool thing about this product is that you can even wear it alone during the night to condition and repair your lashes.  Love this!

5. Nars Lipgloss in Turkish Delight ($24 CAD) - Lovely baby pink colour.  I believe Miss Kim Kardashian is known to wear this colour frequently as well.  I'm obsessed with baby pink lipglosses as I have quite a few in my collection (ok too many!) but hey, they are all slightly different in the tones of baby pink! ;)  This colour can work with an everyday makeup look without being too overbearing but paired with a smokey eye its absolutely gorgeous as well.

Happy 2012!

So another year has gone by and I still cannot believe how quickly 2011 has come and gone! Reflecting on the past year, I'm realizing the older I get, the faster time is passing me by. It's actually kind of scary! After some thinking, I've realized how much I need to cherish the simpler, smaller things in my everyday and to reflect more on my life. I'll be honest... I didn't make many resolutions(if any) in 2011. I didn't want to make them for the sake of the "new year hype" when deep down I didn't feel the need to go out of my way to achieve them just for the sake of saying I did. Looking back however, I've learned its more productive to write down some goals and have yourself reflect on the past year.

This past holiday has given me a chance to not only fill myself up with the most delicious(some many unhealthy) meals, but it gave me a moment to pause and think about how I would like this upcoming year to change for the better. I wrote some of these "resolutions" in my planner and I'd like to share some with you here. I wont be killing myself to accomplish every single one, but I will try my best to achieve as many as I can. Consistency is key. I hope that by the end of the year I can look back and know that I've tried my best. This blog will be a useful tool where we can all keep each other accountable. Here's to the new year and may this year be full of fabulous memories, love & laughter for all of you! :) Xx


My 2012 resolutions in no particular order:

1. Go to church

2. Read 1 book/month

3. Work out on a consistent schedule (Cardio endurance & muscles)

4. Maintain personal blog. Try 4 times a week :)

5. Spend more time with my brothers

6. Spend more time with hubbys fam & now niece

7. Take more pictures

8. Be more thoughtful towards others

9. Eat more vegetables for dinner & fruit

10. Put the bad behind me, move forward & be a better friend towards the ones that have always been there

11. Choose quality purchases. Think long term

12. Find a way I can contribute to making the world a better place.

13. Stress less. Focus more on God's words for direction

14. Keep my area in the bedroom clean. No hoarding!

15. Go to work earlier

16. Put more of an effort M-F to look more presentable :) You feel as good as you look.

17. Upload my products online

18. Sleep earlier. Hopefully by 11, definately before 12. Sleep is key!

19. Print more pictures

20. Spend less time in front of the tube & computer. Be productive busy

21. If it is in His will, my first baby

22. Cherish the time


Phew! Those are a lot!
I'd love to hear some of yours!