Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts

What To Do When You Can't Sleep


I'm an insomniac, so I have lots of time late at night to ponder what I should be doing with that time.

If you can't sleep either, I hope this list helps you:

1 Drink tea, listen to music or have a hot bath. Anything relaxing that makes you sleepy.

2 Stay up and use your time wisely. Plug away at homework/work/a hobby. Read a book that's sat on your shelf unread for months. Clean the house. Anything productive. At least your sleepless night won't feel wasted.

3 Pray. I've become more spiritual in the past few years, and find that lighting candles and engaging in a ritual (I'm Pagan) or simply thanking the Goddess makes me feel more at ease. Gratitude has incredible healing powers, whether you're religious or not.

4 Research sleep meds. Zopiclone, melatonin, something else? Have a list ready for next time you go to the doctor and ask if a medication is right for you.

5 Lay down. Let your body rest, even if the rest of you doesn't want to.

What do you do when you can't sleep?

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"Blurgh!" [Halloween 2011]

I'm totally not spending Halloween like this... Really! Um...

I didn't expect to spend Halloween like this... doing homework, wearing pjs, watching 30 Rock reruns with no one but my boyfriend's cat to keep me company.

I was contemplating staying in bed, wallowing in my loneliness, but I'm trying to make the best of being home alone in the middle of nowhere.

So here's to drinking ice water + pretending it's wine, finding solace in favourite TV shows + buying Halloween candy 'cause you're too old to go trick-or-treating.

Happy Halloween!

Contest: Caffienated Marshmallows from Caffex

Caffex sent me some of their CaffeMallows to taste + share with my readers!

CaffeMallows each contain a double-dose of coffee or espresso, and they come in  numerous flavours!

My individually wrapped marshmallows arrived in a cute little plastic container within a well-padded envelope, along with some deliciously fragrant coffee beans in an organza bag. The delivery was very prompt, which is always a treat as well.

My favourite Caffex marshmallow is the Mocca (Cacao Espresso!!) flavour. It's sweet and chocolatey with a very unique texture. It gave me a bit of an energy jolt, though not as much as I hoped.

This is a great product, both for its innovative taste-texture combo + its convenient packaging, which makes Caffex Mallows great for the 'with-it' woman who wants a treat on the go.

Do you want two yummy CaffeMallows of your very own? Comment on this blog post + tell me why! For a bonus contest entry, follow me on twitter + leave a comment here with your username.

Please get your entries in by 12 pm EST this Wednesday (26 October).

Update: The winner has been contacted. Thanks everyone!

A Year of Books + Films

When I turned 19, I decided to record every book I read and film I watched for a year. The whole project made me more mindful of the media I consume every day + what interests me. I discovered a lot more about myself in the process, than I thought I would.

You'll find the lists below. I highly suggest that you try this too!

20th Year Books
Consolation by Michael Redhill
Tuesdays With Morrie
Bound to Please: A History of the Victorian Corset
Water For Elephants
Chocolat
The Story of O
Justine
The Poison Eaters by Holly Black
Truth Dare or Promise by Paula Boock
Holding Still For As Long As Possible by Zoe Whittall
It Gets Better
Bossypants
The Stream Runs Fast by Nellie McClung
A Taste of Honey
Bottle Rocket Hearts by Zoe Whittall
Kingdom Hearts volume 3
Kingdom Hearts volume 4
Fuck This Book
Kingdom Hearts volume 1
Rage by Julie Anne Peters
Moominvalley in November
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
Define "Normal" by Julie Anne Peters

20th Year Movies
Chloe
Salt (x3)
The Runaways (x3)
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Life As We Know It
Nine
Madama Butterfly
Dear John
Mamma Mia
Four Christmases
Ramona and Beezus
Elf (x2)
Leap Year
The September Issue
Rent on Broadway
Toy Story 3 (x5)
Eat Pray Love
Alice In Wonderland (2010)
Adventureland (x3)
Despicable Me (x4)
500 Days of Summer (x3)
Remember Me
The Tourist
Easy A (x5)
Julie and Julia
Pride and Prejudice
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Toy Story
Toy Story 2 (x3)
Monsters Inc
Ratatouille
Definitely, Maybe (x13)
A Bill of Divorcement
The Dilemma
Paperman (x3)
Buried
The Princess and The Frog (x3)
Valentine's Day
Wuthering Heights
The Seven Year Itch
The Perfect Vagina
Laughing With Hitler
The Big Lift (x5)
Judgement At Nuremberg
Laurel and Hardy Highlights
Les Miserables (Concert)
Benny and Joon
Some Like It Hot
Phoebe in Wonderland
Let the Right One In (x3)
The Trotsky (x2)
Killers
The Great Dictator
Sweeney Todd
Freaky Friday
Black Swan (x3)
You Me and Dupree
An Education
Water For Elephants
Bridesmaids
How To Train Your Dragon
Vampires Suck
Zombieland
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2
Pocahontas
Mulan
Titanic
Juno

I Stopped Reading "Health" Magazines + You Should Too!



April Flores for Bizarre Magazine

I used to pore over women's health magazines, certain that reading them would inspire me to be healthier. Recently, though, I learned that so-called health magazines aren't so good for us afterall: They perpetuate negative body image ideals and insist that a woman will never be good enough until she's thin, inspiring crash diets and self-loathing.

Now, I do indulge in magazines (what girl doesn't?) but I'm far more discerning than I used to be. In place of reaching for Self or Shape, I explore the Health at Every Size community online or read feminist publications like Bitch and Bust. Better quality material and it makes me feel good about myself. I love fashion magazines too, but take their "health" tips with a grain of salt.

Rather than reading about ways to be skinny, I actively work at being healthy by going for walks, preparing nutritious snacks or practicing yoga.

I recognize that skinny is not necessarily healthy and healthy is not necessarily skinny, just like fat is not necessarily unhealthy and unhealthy is not necessarily fat.

I acknowledge that my body type (voluptuous, full-figured) was highly sought-after throughout history-- a larger figure meant a woman was well-off enough to eat lavishly and her curves were considered beautiful. In the past 60 years or so, slender has been considered most attractive. Society's tastes change in cycles. One day curvy will be in again and thin will be out. We just have to ignore trends and embrace the body we have.

Lastly, I remind myself over and over again that I am beautiful and I deserve to be healthy-- emotionally and physically.

And so do you.

Excited About Spring

Despite all the snow on the ground here in Toronto, it's time to get excited about spring! We could all use a healthy dose of optimism and sunshine, so, a la Tres Sugar, here's a list of things to look forward to about this time of year.

<3 White eyelet dresses
<3 Berries are in season at last!
<3 Time for sneakers, strappy heels or flats-- no more heavy boots.
<3 Yummy light desserts like meringues, blueberries and cream or frozen yogurt
<3 Day trips
<3 Grilled vegetables on the BBQ
<3 Easter, Passover + Ostara
<3 Wearing neon and pastels

What would you add?

What's in your NYE party bag?



With just a few days to go until 2011, most of us are looking forward to NYE parties. Make some plans, pick out a sparkly top or little black dress! Before the festivities, make sure you have these things in your bag for a stress-free, truly glam evening.

~Lipstick. Touching up your make-up throughout the night is no fun, and neither is lugging your entire cosmetic bag to a soiree, so keep it simple. Apply your make-up, and bring a tube of crimson or hot pink lipstick on hand to enhance your pout.

~ID.

~A camera (or camera phone). You're all dolled up and having a blast! Looking back on tonight will be fun.

~Safety pin. You never know...your outfit might need an emergency alteration.

~A condom. According to a study, 33% of women will have an affair on New Year's Eve. Be prepared!

~Breath mints. For aforementioned hookups and an overall feeling of freshness. Mmmm!

~Bus fare or money for a cab.

~Perfume. Wearing your favourite scent will help you feel confident, and you'll smell awesome! Instead of lugging the bottle, try a travel mini or a cotton ball soaked in scent and stored in a little Ziploc.

~Band-aids. Blisters can strike any time. Don't let them ruin your fun.

~Cute+comfy flats. If you're wearing sky high heels, consider bringing some flats to change into if your feet get sore.

Most importantly, bring confidence and fun! NYE is all about enjoying yourself, so go wild!

4 Pretty Little Pick-Me-Ups

Next time you have a bad day (we all have 'em, afterall), try one of these!

1 Put on lipstick. It's worth the effort, trust me. It brightens your face and feeling pretty will make you smile.

2 Take a hot bath. Go all out, with an exfoliating scrub, music, candles and essential oils. Aaah!

3 Try out a mask, like the ones offered at Lush. Slough off dead skin and those negative thoughts along with it.

4 Treat yourself to a new lip gloss or nail polish. An inexpensive gift to yourself is sometimes all it takes :)

2 New Ways to Catch Creative Ideas Whenever They Strike

You're at home on the couch, tub of popcorn on your lap and movie on TV. Suddenly, a brilliant idea strikes! ...but no paper is on hand. You'll remember later, right?

How about using one of these creative and convenient ideas??



1 It looks like black paint--but it will act as a chalkboard! Simply paint a couple of coats on the wall of your choice (paint over it in a different colour, if you like) and voila!! Check out the hardware store to buy.



2 Remember writing on the wall (or wanting to to) as a kid?  Here's your opportunity! Art supply stores are a great resource, even if you're not an artist.  Purchase a roll of mural or butcher paper. Roll it out on the floor or tape a large section to the wall when you need to brainstorm. Pages can easily be folded or rolled up and stored, or recycled when you're done with them.

Go off and be creative now, my dears! Where will your ideas take you?
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