HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER // WARDROBE INSPIRATION

With the hustle and bustle of school I have been MIA lately so sorry guys!  Thursday evening have been my "rest" days from cups of coffee, books and laboratory manuals.

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Thursdays are the days when I can catch up on ABC's How to Get Away With Murder.  This show really had me hooked from the start not only does it have a killer cast which includes Academy Award nominee Viola Davis, but it is thought provoking and very suspensful.  Produced by Grey's Anatomy's Shonda Rhimes, How to Get Away With Murder centres around the professional and personal life of criminal law professor Annalise Keating and law students that work for her firm.   The show is filled with flash back scences which take its audience to uncovering a murder which maybe unveiled into today's winter finale!

The characters are well developed and have their own unique demeanour which is reflected with the way they dress.  I wanted to do an outfit post inspired by the show.  Many of the outfits worn by the characters in the show are very tailored with modern silhouettes and because the show is very dark, I went with all black pieces.  The outfit below is an example of what I think one of the characters in the show would wear outside of the law firm.

1. Moa Collar Shirt (layered underneath knit), ZARA 2. Knitted Sweater, F21
3. 1969 Dark Denim Skinny Jeans, GAP 4. Blundstone Boots, SOFTMOC
5. Touque, H&M 6. Classic Watch, TIMEX

Who said black was boring?  It's all about textures and layering to get that silhouette just right.  Make sure to watch the show, and let me know what you think of the season finale! 

-M

LUCKY GOLD CHARMS

For years I've been on the hunt for the perfect dainty gold necklace and I have finally found something close to what I've been looking for. I recently started reading books on Buddhism and wanted a Hamsa necklace to remind me of the new practice of Buddhism I was taking up.

Hamsa is an ancient symbol from the Middle East and is believed to possess magical powers of protection, happiness and prosperity. I looked all over Amazon and Etsy and found a unique version of the Hamsa by BijouxMeg. I instantly fell in love with her shop and wanted to buy everything! She had mastered the art of creating simple, intricate, elegant pieces of jewelry, and I felt an instant connection with her because she understood that jewelry isn't all about statement pieces and completing outfits. Jewelry can be a meaningful piece that someone wears almost everyday and can change the way they feel, it can instantly make you feel beautiful, confident or connected with yourself or a greater being.

In her "About" section on her shop she says, "when I started offering personalized jewelry, my whole outlook changed. I can't even explain the joy it brings to help create special pieces that mean so much to each recipient. I know that every time they look at their piece of jewelry, something special comes to their mind, and I am so happy to have helped create that for them :)"

I couldn't resist buying the wishbone necklace in addition to the Hamsa and I surprisingly wear the wishbone necklace more than the Hamsa, but I wear one of them almost every day and have received numerous compliments on them.

You can tell a lot of thought and work went into the packing of these two pieces. Each item was received in a cute brown box tied with a bow. The necklaces were wrapped in a bag sealed with a heart sticker and the chains of each necklace was carefully place in a small zip lock bag adhered to the back of the necklace holder to prevent tangling. She also included special instructions for caring for the jewelry and a personalized hand written card.

If you are looking a special personalized piece of jewelry for the holidays definitely check out her Etsy shop, you won't be disappointed.

-A

MAKING CASH WHILE IN SCHOOL

When I started school in the States I was fortunate enough to land a job working at the school library. I don't get paid much, but anything helps when you're living away from home having to pay for rent, utilities, cell phone bill, car insurance, gas, groceries etc. etc. As months went by I realized there were plenty of ways to make extra cash while in school.

On Campus Opportunities

1. School Library - The perks at working at your school library is that you learn a lot about the resources your school has to offer, and you get first dibs on all the textbooks. I was fortunate to have access to free printing and to be able to study on the job!
2. Become a tutor or TA. Tutoring is beneficial in so many ways, it refines your skill to be able to take a complex subject and break it down so it is easier for someone else to understand. This is a win-win situation because you get paid to study and learn the material. Most tutors or TA's get paid between $15-20/per.
3. Become a student blogger. My class was sent an e-mail with an opportunity to enrol in a free online training session to become a student blogger for physicians. I applied for this position almost a year ago and I have been blessed to have a clinic employ me to blog for their practice. Most reimbursements are $25/blog but this can be negotiated.
4. School organizations. When I was in undergrad I had an amazing opportunity to work for a school organization called Let's Talk Science. As one of the three coordinators I received a stipend for the school year. Through this organization I had the opportunity to travel, develop a personal relationship with the Dean of Science and Faculty of Science members, meet and work with various students. I not only met Mark through this organization but met many of my close friends 

There are numerous ways to make money on campus while juggling school, you just have to look for opportunities or ask other students.

Off-Campus Opportunities 

1. Work at a doctor's office - many of my classmates work for an office every second Saturday of the month. Not only do they make some pocket money, but they gained valuable experience that can only be learned outside of a classroom
2. Jobs that pay commission - Jobs that pay commission are generally more demanding, but you can earn cash a lot faster this way because you get your base wage + a % of the sales you made. I waitressed during undergrad and Mark worked at a high end furniture store and both had helped us pay our bills

I recently discovered an app called Checkout 51 which is an app where you buy groceries and earn money. Every week they send out "offers" which are similar to coupons. You can purchase items that are offered by Checkout 51 at any store in Canada or the US. After you upload your receipt the company will reimburse you for the "coupons/offers" you used. They send you a cheque in increments of $20! 

-A

VANCOUVER SERIES: DAY 2 - THE WEDDING

This day started very early for us, 6AM to be exact.  There were just some last minute errands to run before the ceremony.  We took it upon ourselves to duck out for some coffee before accomplishing these errands.  If you know us by now you know that we both love a good cup of coffee in the morning. Not too far from the hotel was JJ Bean, with its modern interior and friendly atmosphere,  this coffee shop truly blew our minds.  Unique to Vancouver, JJ Bean's coffee was exceptional, however it was the pastries that really stuck out.  We both enjoyed a mild roast and a warm chocolate croissant.  Let's just say we will never have another croissant unless its from JJ bean (yes, it was life changing good)!

The day was filled with joy, as Mark's sister wed the love of her life. The bride and groom opted to mix their colour motif of Mercury with traditional Filipino elements.  The groomsmen wore a traditional Filipino garment called a "Barong Tagalog" while the bridesmaids wore different styles of modern dresses all in Mercury.  Mark is wearing wearing a Barong Tagalog above.  Made from pineapple fibres the Barong Tagalog definitely stands out from other weddings we have attended.

Simple yet elegant the reception was filled with great food, drinks, and dancing. Congratulations Anna and Arnold!

Stay tuned to Day 3 - Jam Packed

-A&M

VANCOUVER SERIES: DAY 1 -THE ARRIVAL

YWG to ORD recently took beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia by storm! Kidding, we were attending a family wedding.  We tried our best to document the whole trip, so here we are with what we are titling "The Vancouver Series." This is day one -  The Arrival. For those who have not been to Vancouver, it is a place you should all visit. Located on the west coast, it is known as one of the best places to visit in Canada.  It has a unique juxtaposition between urbanization and utter natural beauty that makes it appealing to anyone who comes to visit.  We were fortunate enough to have beautiful weather the few days we were there, not a cloud in sight.

July 10th was by far the busiest day for both us.  It was filled with last minute appointments and running around to grab things for the wedding the next day.  We did however find time to grab lunch on the patio at The Cactus Club.  The food and drinks were on point.

• Ashley opted for a Grilled Chicken Chipotle Burger with a side salad. After carefully scouring the drink menu she chose a signature cocktail, the Cohiba - "A mojito muddled with fresh blackberries, lemon and spearmint, shaken with vodka and finished with soda."
• I opted for simple Fish Tacos with a side of Guacamole and Tortilla Chips.  To drink I chose a Heineken Beer.

The rest of the afternoon was spent running more errands.

• Ashley was able to get her eyebrows threaded at a place called Diva Brow Bar & Spa.  Funny story, we got lost!  It took us a good half hour to find the place turns out it was literally a few blocks down in an obscure shopping mall.  Anyway, it was well worth it because the service literally ONLY COSTED $5!! They did a great job and definitely deserve two thumbs up.  
• We checked into our hotel, which was the venue for the wedding the next day.  Coast Coal Harbour located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver became our home for two days.  Modern with amazing amenities, amazing city view, and the most comfortable bed we have every slept in, it definitely is a must stay when you are in the Downtown Vancouver area.
• Since we were walking distance from Robson Street which is synonymous for the best shopping and coffee shops in Vancouver, we decided to walk down and enjoy everything it had to offer. Ashley and I were able to pick up a few pieces from several shops. Don't worry we will post a HAUL in a separate post.
• We are both fans of bubble tea.  A slushy beverage with tapioca pearls on the bottom.  Think milkshake with gummy bears! We couldn't resist grabbing a Taro Bubble Tea at Bubble World. So yummy!
• Lastly, to end the day we needed to grab pastries for the next morning.  We opted for a Safeway run. Here is Ashley pulling a hulk carrying ALL most of the pastries.  Enough said.

DAY 2 to come, the wedding... Stay tuned!

-A&M

PEPSI COLA

Hey guys,

So my record collection is getting kinda out-of-hand and I don't have any shelf space to fit them all.  Luckily, I was able to pickup this Vintage Wooden Crate from Kijiji.   Kijiji is a Canadian Classified Ad Site where people sell all sorts of things, think online garage sale. 

I really wanted something unique and comical.  After searching aimlessly on the site, I came across this wooden crate.  I knew that it would be perfect to hold my records.  Originally from the 70s by the Canadian Division of Pepsi Soda Company (this one stamped from Montreal, Quebec).  This crate originally held Pop bottles, it is now repurposed for record storage.  I merely plopped it beside my Eames Molded Armchair and thought it was perfect!  I think that it gives some comic relief to my otherwise very minimalist room.

Adding some vintage pieces to any room is always nice.  It never hurts when designing a space to think: "out of the box"

Tell me what you think of this in the comment section below! 

-M

GLASS STRAWS

I've always been a fan of straws and use them mostly for smoothies and hot beverages, but I wanted an eco friendly version since our land mines are filled with plastic. After watching Benji from "Its Judy's Life" using metal straws for his smoothies I became obsessed with the idea of eco friendly straws. I was hesitant on purchasing metal straws since many people complain of the metal taste, and I was weary of glass straws and how fragile they might be. After some research I invested in some glass straws from a company called SimplyStraws. I purchased mine from Amazon but you might find a similar version on Etsy.

I bought 6 straight straws, 3 for me and 3 for Mark in the colours: Amber, Amethyst, Blue, Green, Pink and Teal

FIRST IMPRESSION
1. Overal Quality - Initially I was afraid they would shatter easily if I dropped them in the sink, but they are actually very durable. The glass is thick that it won't easily break and it is thick enough to use with hot beverages. I usually drink tea with straws to avoid tea stains and most plastic straws end up melting or become scorching hot that you can't even use them. These straws were thick enough that you don't burn your lips.

2. Design - Simply Straws makes a variety of sizes, colour and shapes (ie. bent or straight) and they also comes with a fitted brush for easy cleaning. The diameter of the straws are perfect for thick smoothies.

3. Company Policy - Although these are expensive you are definitely getting your money's worth because Simply Straws has a lifetime guarantee- "of you break 'em, we replace 'em."

I've been using these straws religiously for weeks now and I absolutely love them. I wish I bought the bent straws in a shorter length so make sure you order the correct length before purchasing your straws.

Let's Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! 

-A

BODY SHOP HAUL

I blame the stress of board studying for my recent online shopping purchases. Although I love using macadamia nut oil on my skin, I've been annoyed at how the oil transfers from my arm onto my textbooks making my pages translucent.  I wanted to buy a product that was "natural," moisturizing and absorbent. Although The Body Shop isn't 100% all natural ingredients, I know it is a brand I can trust and they use community fair trade ingredients from Ghana which is an extra bonus. I love the fragrance of their body butters and how silky smooth your skin feels after. The Body Shop recently had a mix and match sale going on where you could buy 3 products and get 3 free so I purchased the following:

1. BODY BUTTER COCOA BUTTER
2. BODY BUTTER OLIVE
3. BODY BUTTER SHEA
4. BODY BUTTER ALMOND
5. HAND BUTTER ABSINTHE
6. BODY SCRUB BRAZIL NUT

I LOVE the HEMP HAND PROTECTOR, but Mark absolutely detests the smell and wouldn't go near me when I used the product so I had to be picky with the fragrances I purchased. I also had to make sure that the products I purchased were appropriate to wear in a clinical setting as perfumes and fragrances are not allowed at my school clinic. I purchased the lighter nutty scents with the exception of Olive and Absinthe, both which I knew Mark liked. Over Christmas my mom bought a Groupon for the Body Shop and wanted Mark and I to use it up. We were obsessed with the Olive and Absinthe scents, but unfortunately they were out of stock of both products.

These body butters leave your skin feeling moisturized all day and night. I usually apply my body butter right after the shower before I got to bed.  When I wake up the next morning my skin is still soft and feels hydrated. These are definitely worth trying.

- A

ALOHA - DRIED GREEN JUICE

I've been trying to incorporate a green juice/smoothie everyday in my diet this past month and stumbled across, "ALOHA" through a Facebook ad. I ordered a free 5 day trial and think this is a convenient way to add more vitamins and minerals into anyones diet. I have noticed an increase in my energy level especially in the mornings after I have a green juice. You can either mix the individual packets with water, coconut water or throw it in a smoothie. I blended the ALOHA with fresh fruit and water. If you're busy and always on the go I would recommend trying the product because it is filled with 14 rich nutrient rich ingredients. I prefer making my own green smoothies in the morning because it is more cost efficient and I rather use fresh ingredients, however, I will most likely purchase this product again in the future when I travel for my rotations. ALOHA is coming out with two new flavours, "Berry Blend" and " Chocolate Cacao" so be sure to check out their website and order a free 5 day trial!

-A

HERBAL COFFEE

When I moved to Chicago for school I quickly learned that I needed to figure out how to never ever get sick. I moved to a new country and there was no one to take care of me! I needed to learn how to take care of myself. I was told numerous times during my orientation that,  "the amount of information thrown at you is like trying to drink out of a fire hydrant" and it's so true. I knew if I got sick I would fall so far behind in school so I promised myself I would eat healthy and that's when my new journey of healthy eating began. I have become a little neurotic about reading ingredients on every food product and try to educate myself (and Mark...but he never listens to me) about what I put into my body. Like any student, I consume more caffeine than I should and recently discovered a natural organic coffee replacement :)

Teeccino is a company that makes herbal coffee and teas and I recently purchased Vanilla Nut, Maya Chocolate and Almond Amaretto (I'm saving this one for Mark). 

Maya Chocolate 
Ingredients: Roasted organic carob, organic barley, organic chicory, organic ramon seeds, natural chocolate flavour, organic cocoa, chile flakes.
Impression: the aroma smelt so similar to coffee. It had a more bitter dark chocolate taste than I was expecting so I added milk and sugar. I was expecting a more chocolaty taste and was a little disappointed with this flavour - it was okay.

Vanilla Nut
Ingredients: Roasted organic carob, organic barley, organic chicory, dates, almonds, organic dates, natural vanilla extract, natural nut flavor, figs.
Impression: I could definitely smell and taste the dates in this, but I quite enjoyed the flavour more than the Maya Chocolate. I drank this the first time black and the second time as an iced beverage which was delicious.  The acquired taste of this flavour may take some getting use to.

Overall, I think this is a great product if your looking for a flavourful beverage to enjoy that does NOT contain caffeine. If you are trying to cut down on your caffeine intake it is suggested that you mix your favourite coffee with Teeccino and gradually wean yourself off of coffee. Unlike coffee, Teeccino won't lead to insomnia, irritability, muscle tremors or heart palpitations, rather Teeccino can help nourish your body. It has no caffeine, it is non-acidic so it won't erode your stomach lining, it has antioxidants, provides a natural energy boost and more. 

I'm still getting use to the taste of Teeccino and won't go throwing out my coffee and black teas just yet, but I enjoy having a variety of beverage options for those late study nights.

-A

RECORD CRAZY

Hey guys,

This summer has been such a busy one for me. The only thing that seems to get me through some stressful days is my growing record collection. I figured since I have a little time I would update you guys with 6 records "spinning" this month.

• Adele : 21 - melodic with great slow jams and some up beat tracks. Adele delivers a great performance, a must have for those who appreciate ballads.
• Lauryn Hill : The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - I grew up listening to Lauryn Hill so it was only fitting to grab this LP.  No words can explain how awesome this album is. Soulful and powerful Lauryn Hill is a must have in anyones LP collections
• Lorde : PURE HEROINE -  I have to be honest I was a little hesitant picking this LP up. I Youtubed the full album before grabbing it.  I was pleasantly surprised.  PURE HEROINE has become a favourite of mine. Electronic with great beats, LORDE really shows why she deserves all the hype.
• Florence and the Machine : LUNGS - "The dog days are over" - Florence Welch the lead singer delivers amazing vocals 
• Justin Timberlake : FUTURESEX/LOVESOUNDS - Great R&B Justin Timberlake brings sexy back with great transitions between amazing tracks.
• Mumford & Sons : BABEL - A feel good uplifting LP.

Hope you guys are doing well!

-M

CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES

I've always wanted to open a bakery/coffee shop since high school. There is something about the atmosphere about walking into a small bakery filled with heavenly scents of fresh baked goodness. I remember my parents use to make their own bread on the weekends and there is nothing better than walking up the smell of freshly made bread. We live in a fast pace society that we forget to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life like good home cooked food. Every time I come home I make my favourite chocolate chip oatmeal cookies which I have perfected over the years.

Time: 25 minutes | Yield: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 c. flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 c. butter
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups old fashioned oats
• 3/4 c. dark chocolate chips + 2 squares of white Baker's chocolate chopped up

Method

• In a bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon 
• In a mixer cream butter softened at room temperature, sugars and eggs together
• Gradually beat in flour mixture until blended
• Stir in oats and chocolate chips
• Drop dough by tablespoon (I used an ice-cream scooper to keep the size consistent) onto an ungreased pan
• Bake at 375°F for 8 minutes for chewy cookies or 10 minutes for crisp cookies

Enjoy!

-A

FRAMED INSPIRATION WALL

Hi,

So lately I have been feeling uninspired.  The weather sucks in Winnipeg (as I am writing this blog post it is snowing out, yes I ask myself this all the time... WHY DO I LIVE HERE and YES IT'S MAY!) and since my bedroom is situated in the basement there is hardly any natural light that comes in.  For the longest time my desk was facing a blank wall.  Very uninspiring.

*Cue - Unintentional shopping spree to IKEA*

I have always wanted a framed walled similar to this picture below

PHOTO: http://nijihomedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Ideas-Wall-Decor-Design-with-Art-Picture-Framed.jpg

Believe it or not IKEA has a very small "AS-IS" section with many items blown out for ridiculous prices.  I saw several 5 X 7 black frames on sale for $1 and knew I could use them to make an inspiration wall. 

SUPPLIES:

• 2 pkgs - 3M Frame Picture Tape (Here is a coupon)
• 9 - 5 X 7 Frames of your choice I used these by IKEA 
• Level App
• 9 of your favourite photos 5 X 7 
• Laser Jet printer

INSTRUCTIONS:

I highly suggest planning the frame configuration before you start sticking things onto the wall.  You can stagger your picture frames to your liking but I kept mine very simple and did a 3 X 3 square.  I also wanted to create drama by printing 7/9 photos in black and white (using Photoshop) and 2/9 of the photos in colour.  Using a laser jet printer is an inexpensive way to print high quality images. Below is the configuration I came up with.

1. Place photos into picture frames
2. Place 3M tape on the back of the photo (preferably on the top, centered.  Follow the instructions on the packaging)
3. Using the mobile level app make sure the image is level to the wall
4. Repeat until the desired configuration is achieved)

This is such a quick and inexpensive way to turn a wall into a personalized art installation.  I am so happy with how it turned out!  I would love to hear your thoughts on this little project in the comment section below.

-M

HEART & STROKE

Hi,

A month ago I attended a CPR course geared toward healthcare providers.  To be honest I was putting off doing the training, but was forced since it is a requirement for my course of study.  I was pleasantly surprised on how informative this course was.  

I took the course at The Canadian First Aid Training Centre in Winnipeg.  The instructor was very funny and honed in on the important aspects we needed to know.  Many of the students I sat in with were nurses, doctors and paramedics so it was nice to see their take on healthcare.  The material was delivered by the The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation.  Through video demonstrations I was able to perform CPR and utilize an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) on dummies (infant and adult).  Being part of the healthcare field we were also taught how to preform Basic Life Support (BLS) in groups of two.  

It was a very informative 8 hours session, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Here are some pictures I was able to "sneak" in during break sessions;

I highly suggest taking this course.  You never know when you can save a life!!!

-M

WATER SNOB

Confession, I am a huge water snob. I don't like drinking tap water because I think it taste funny, but I don't have a water filtering system in my apartment and I think buying bottled is a waste of money because the plastic bottles are wasteful and water should be a free commodity, right? I usually boil my water and drink it with slices of lemon but lately I've noticed the water started to taste funny and I could see white specs floating around in my cup. When I looked at the bottom of my kettle it was covered with limescale (limescale is a white deposit commonly found on the inside of pipes, pots and kettles, caused by the leeching of minerals from water) and you won't believe how easy it is to clean!

Supplies

• 1/4c white vinegar

Method

• Pour vinegar into the kettle and fill it with water to the "max" line on the kettle and boil it
• After boiling is complete, empty the contents and fill the kettle with water and boil once more to get rid of an excess vinegar residue

Try this trick, it's quick and easy and your water will taste much better afterwards. You might have to repeat this every 3-4 months depending on how hard your water is. To avoid limescale from building up don't leave water sitting in your kettle. You can pour any excess water you didn't use into a glass jug or mason jar to drink later or water your plants with.

-A

APPS

Sorry about the staggered posted we have just been so busy with school and blogging kinda took a backseat.  Anyway you probably don't care and just want to get to the meat and potatoes of this post. We just want to share some of our favourite apps on our iPhones.

If it is one thing we cannot live without it would be our phones as it connects us wherever we are.  Aside from the amazing features that come with the iPhone already, ie. FaceTime and iMessage we would like to share our top 5 apps we use on a regular basis. Also stay tuned to the end of the post as we have EXCITING news to tell you!

Ashley's Picks

1. PuddingCam - It allows you to take a variety of pictures by choosing various old school cameras and different film types
2. 8 Tracks - If you're a lover of music this app allows you to enjoy a wide spectrum of music genres and pre-made playlists

Mark's Picks

1. Shazam - Have you ever walked into a store and wondered what song was playing? This app allows you find the artist and song currently playing with the tap of a button
2. Nike+ Running This app allows you to map out your run, it syncs to the Nike Fuel Band, and tells you all the statistics you need to know about your run (distance ran, pace, calories, etc.)

Mark and Ashley's Picks

Viber - Newly redesigned.  This app allows you to use your data or wifi to call and text anywhere in the world, free of charge!

We really hope that you enjoy the applications we listed.  At this time we would like to share some exciting news with you.  We are officially launching our Facebook and Instagram pages! Please like and follow us!

-M&A

CARTOON

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to share an illustration that Mark's cousin Jaime sent us.  She is a writer for Eat. Geek. Play and an illustrator out of Los Angeles.  We were so flattered when she reached out and illustrated us for her tumblr page, check her out here: jamierosaurus.

The Spring Couple. We love it Jaime! 

- A&M

CONTAGIOUS CONFIDENCE

"Confidence is silent. Insecurities are loud" - Kushandwizdom

As I was walking down the hallway to class last week I passed 2 students and a staff member walking in the opposite direction as me. I kept looking up and was going to give them a pleasant morning smile, but every single one of them walked by with their heads down. I know it can be awkward when you are walking down a long hallway and someone else is walking toward you and you don't know where to look or how long to smile for, but I think it's much better to keep your head held high and just smile at the people passing by you.  I don't know why I was so bothered by the fact that no one looked up. I didn't know any of them, but it's always nice when a stranger passing by smiles and says hello. I feel that people nowadays either are socially awkward, are too consumed by their cellphones, or just lack confidence and don't want to be noticed by others.

I know this may sound creepy, but I enjoy people watching and just observing the behaviours of others, and the individuals that I remember the most are those that walk around with confidence.  I think confidence can leave a lasting impression on anyone and is a difficult thing to master. To me confidence is accepting your flaws, embracing your failures and loving who you are. It's not something you are given, but something you build overtime and no one can take it away but yourself.

-A

OOTD - SPRING LAYERING

Hello Everyone!

PHOTO: Winnipeg 6 Day forecast - Yes we are still in the negative but it is better than -50. I'm not complaining.

Spring has finally sprung in Winnipeg (let's not talk about the possibility of flurries this weekend)! Having lived in Winnipeg most of my life, this winter tops the worst it has ever been.  But let's not be such Debbie Downers, the bright side to living in the Prairies is enjoying all the seasons nature has to offer.  

Moreover, Spring and Fall are definitely the two seasons I look forward to every year. Why you ask? Well for the sheer fact that you can layer!  I am a firm believer in investment pieces, which are classic staple pieces that are a little more in price point, but are justified by its sheer practicality and use - Ashley can vouch for me on this.  I like to mix and match not only investment pieces, but pieces that can carry me through season to season.  This post is dedicated to what I would typically wear on a spring day out to run errands or meet up with friends for some beers.

An awesome investment piece I have used over the years is a jean jacket by Levi's, it truly transforms any outfit.  My style tip is to get one that is tailored to your body type. Levi's are coming out with new designs of their classic jean jacket only this time with slimmer fits, great for you hipsters out there. I chose this "U" neck t-shirt from JOE FRESH to layer underneath the jean jacket, inexpensive and a subtle change from the "crew neck" or "v-neck".  For bottoms, slim fit chinos have been in my spring lineup for many seasons now. These chinos are from TOPMAN and I style them rolled up.  I know you guys are wondering why I chose these shoes, and the reason being that Double Monk strap shoes are such a classic style and dates back to the British Aristocrats from the 70s. This shoe from ALDO features brown suede exterior and a crepe sole, perfect for a spring shoe (did I mention it is on SALE)! These shoes could easily be worn with dark denim jeans.  I usually wear these as is with no socks (think Parisian)! These shoes take a simple outfit and adds an unexpected twist.  

One thing that I do skimp on are accessories.  I like to keep it simple and practical.  Every man needs a good time piece.  I would highly suggest this Casio watch in gold, it pairs off with many outfits including this one.   Digital watches have been very trendy lately and has been featured in GQ on many occasions.  Since it does get quite sunny in Winnipeg during the spring I usually wear this Boston Red Sox Baseball cap.

To recap, spring doesn't need to be such a drab, try layering your outfits!  Invest in pieces that will last.  Tailored items are key for a professional and well put together look.  Tell us what your person style story is in the comment section below.  

PHOTO: Boston Red Sox Baseball Cap - Foot Locker,  Slim Fit Trucker Jean Jacket - Urban Outfitters, U Neck T-shirt - JOE FRESH, Slim Fit Chinos - TOPMAN, Gold Timepiece - American Apparel, Double Monk Straps - ALDO

-M

THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES

I don't think Mark and I knew what we were getting ourselves into when we decided to pursue a long distance relationship. There wasn't much time for us to figure things out because I was originally wait listed for school, and found out the second week of July that I was officially accepted.  I had two weeks to get approved for a loan, move my entire life, find a place to live, figure out how I was going to get around because I wasn't bringing a car, and at this point we had only been dating for 6 or 7 months. Although we are both terrified of the unknown we were determined to try to make our relationship work. We have definitely had our ups and downs and continually work on effective communication because most of our "fights" revolve around a lack of communication or just miscommunication. I think a lot of our miscommunication comes from not understanding each other fully.

I recently started reading this short book called, "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman and it has given me new insight on how others communicate their love. Both Mark and I have different love languages and I now understand why Mark does and does not do certain things.

The book describes five different love languages which are:

1. Words of Affirmation
2. Quality Time
3. Receiving Gifts
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch

I express my love through acts of service but appreciate it when someone displays their love for me with quality time. Mark on the other hand, expresses love through acts of service, but prefers to receive love through words of affirmation (you always have to tell him he looks good ;) I still get upset with him when we are Facetiming and he's on his phone because I truly appreciate when he spends quality time with me. I think I use to unintentionally equate how much quality time he spends with me to how much he loves me, but I now know how unfair that is because he simply expresses love in a different way.

It's interesting how we each have our own unique love language and encourage every couple to read the book. I bought this book used for $1.94 from a site called Dealoz. It's a 'search engine' that searches online markets and bookstores for new and used books and gives you the best prices. I've bought a lot of my textbooks from this site and haven't had a problem thus far.

Let us know what you're love language is <3

-A

NATURAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

Have you ever wondered what happens to the cream you apply on your body? It doesn't magically disappear, so where does it go? It gets absorbed into your body. Let's think about this for a minute, most of us have heard of nicotine patches, right. You apply a patch to your skin and the medication is absorbed into the body then into the bloodstream and distributed to other parts of your body. A similar things happens with products that you apply to your skin. Your skin absorbs approximately 60% of what it is exposed to (ie. air/pollution, location, water etc.) so why do we nourish our skin with things such as: Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethiconol, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1? I bet you don't even know what these are or why they are in your body lotion. These are just a few examples of ingredients use in a lotion commonly bought in stores. If I don't know what an ingredient is or the effects it will have on my body I try to avoid it.  Instead I try nourish and cleanse my skin with natural products.  

Face
I started using Juice Beauty 3 months ago and have noticed a drastic difference in my skin. I break out a lot less, my skin is less oily and my acne scars are slowly disappearing. Their products consist of natural organic fruit, vegetables, leaf extracts and oils and leave out the harsh chemicals. I am currently using their Blemish Clearing line and the Stem Cellular Eye Treatment which has actually reduced the wrinkles under my eyes. The product is really expensive but I highly recommend the Blemish Clearing Cleanser and the Green Apple Blemish Clearing Peel. I gave my mom a sample of the face peel and we both noticed her skin was smoother and clearer after one application. 

Body Cleansers 
1. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps 18-1 Hemp Almond Pure Castile Soap 
This stuff really cleans your skin while nourishing it at the same time. It's the only product that I have found that truly removes deodorant from my underarms leaving them fresh and clean :P You can also use this product as shampoo but the water in Chicago is hard and leaves a film coating on my hair, but this doesn't happen in Winnipeg since the water is softer. 

2.  Arbonne "Awaken" Sea Salt Scrub (if anyone is in Winnipeg I can give you the name of my friend who sells this product - it makes your skin so soft)


Body Moisturizers 
1. Macadamia Oil
After I jump out of the shower I apply cold pressed macadamia oil. I like using this oil because it absorbs quickly into the skin without feeling greasy and my skin still feels moisturized the next day. Macadamia oil is suppose to have anti-aging properties by promoting the production of  of palmitoleic acid naturally found in the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help sooth irritated or sunburnt skin. 

2. Coconut oil
I don't use this often on my skin because it's very greasy and takes a long time to be absorbed. I only use this before bed when my feet are really dry and cover them with cotton socks to help keep the moisture in.

3. Dr. Bronner's Magic All-One Lip Balm
This is my favourite organic lip balm! My favourite flavours are "lemon lime" and "orange ginger." I have really chapped lips and this is the only product that has worked for me. In the past, I have tried Blister, Carmex, Burt's Bees, Coconut Oil, Vaseline and nothing has worked as well as Dr. Bronner's lip balm.

I encourage all of you to read the ingredients of your favourite products and find a more natural option, that in my opinion is more beneficial to your body. A lot of store bought products have added chemicals that aren't necessarily nourishing your body.

-A