Ringing in 2013!

Wishing you all a safe and happy New Year's Eve as we welcome 2013! Can you believe it?! 

Merry Christmas Holidays!

Today is my last (half) day of work and reality before the holidays! I'm now off until early January. I so love this time of year, but especially the vacation part - I mean who wouldn't? I get to bake, watch movies, relax, read, spend time with family and friends, all to my heart's content! Not to mention enjoy the odd rum and egg nog!

Wishing you have a safe, happy, and joyful holiday!!!

Love Actually

EVERY SINGLE CHRISTMAS SEASON this is a must watch for me! Definitely one of my favourite movies of all time, this film just warms my heart and gets me in the holiday spirit like nothing else.

I just watched it with my cousin and there were so many times we were saying "oh, this part is so good!", or even got emotional! (That's my M.O. by the way - I'm a weeper!) Since the movie takes place while counting down to Christmas, it's hard not to let the Christmas spirit take you over. It's also such a powerful movie when it comes to love. Isn't love the best?! So many stars in it too. I just can't get enough of it. I'm pretty sure I smile from start to end, haha!

With the negative things going on in the world/on the news as of late, the opening dialogue in the movie is something worth sharing and keeping in mind: "Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around."

Chances are you have seen this movie, BUT if you have not, I recommend you drop everything you're doing right now and watch it immediately. You will not regret it. 

Concept of Time

XOXO Gossip Girl

Today marks the end of a mini-era for me. Tonight is the series finale of Gossip Girl. I have been watching (and loving) this show from the very beginning! I remember 6 years ago my mom telling me she had heard of this new show starting up in the fall and that I should check it out because it sounded right up my alley. Well, was she ever right! (I mean, are moms ever wrong... really?) 

5 years later I am still hooked and still loving it. For me I like my TV shows to provide an escape and this one did it for me. At the start of its run, Gossip Girl was set as a high school drama, but lucky for me, a somewhat intelligent one at least! Also lucky, they all graduated high school on the show a couple years ago (and seemed to skip college and go right in to careers), so I didn't feel so bad being a young career woman and watching it. Other parts of it I love? New York City. Been there. Loved it. Enjoyed seeing it on the show. The fashion. UNREAL! Seeing all the designer duds come to life and being inspired by their styling - it was a brilliant show for fashion. It also introduced me to a lot of indie music I might not have otherwise found. Although obviously VERY different, the NYC and fashion elements of the show were reminiscent of Sex and the City for me. I wonder what show will turn up next to inspire me the same way...

Christmas Shopping Progress

In addition to all the wonderful things I've said about Christmas (music, decorations, food, family, friends, VS Fashion Show), Christmas time also means Christmas shopping! I really love shopping but I rarely go into malls anymore. I know my brands, I know my style, and I know my sizes - I am a PRO at online shopping. I can do it in seconds and never have to leave the comfort of home! Christmas shopping of course is a whole other story. I have to go into malls and stores that have never been busier and fight my way through to see if what I'm looking for is even there. Luckily I don't have too many people to buy for and also, I've gotten my most difficult presents out of the way already. One present was hard to find, and the other had some lead time on it. Both got checked off the list this week! I'm thinking what's left should be easy-peasy and my feet will be kicked up as I listen to Christmas music by the tree eating some delicious food with family in no time!

How's your holiday shopping progress?

Color Run 2012 Thank You Video

Just this week the Color Run released a video with a compilation of various runs done throughout the year as a thank you to all the Color Runners! As I've blogged about previously I've done 2 Color Runs this year: my first ever in Boston and another in Montreal. It really was a blast and after watching this video I remember just how fun it was and I couldn't help but share. I can't WAIT to do at least one more in the coming year. 

I should also say, I am a bit disappointed I wasn't at the same race as the unicorn... :)

Taffy Lane

I don't know if every city has one, but we have a street in our city called Taffy Lane that is known for it's Christmas spirit and over-the-top decorating. I heard about it for the first time last year, on the radio I think, and ever since have had this itch to go see what it's all about. I never made it last year but this year my roommate and I were determined. We visited this street last night and it was everything we'd hoped for... maybe more!

I think before arriving we were both expecting the street to be decorated with all the traditional lights and such - but boy, were we surprised! You know the movie, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation? Even if you haven't seen it, maybe you at least know that the dad in that movie covers the house with a ridiculous amount of lights and other decorations, so much so that you don't know where to look and the power even goes out? Well, it was kind of like that! Not all the houses mind you, but there were some crazy ones! We definitely turned into kids running from house to house looking at all the lights and details. We decided to walk it because then we could get up close, take pictures, and take our time. By the time we left there was quite the build up of cars driving through super slowly. I've heard closer to Christmas they have to pull police in to manage some of the traffic build up! It was definitely worth it though. I thought I was in the Christmas spirit before but this just shot it WAY up!

Festive Duds: Christmas Parties

I always love the holidays because not only can you put glittery things on your Christmas tree, but on your body as well! The more sparkle, shine, glitter the better and more festive you look. Sadly this Christmas season I do not have any "formal" parties to go to that would require a fancy dress or outfit. But that doesn't mean I can't live vicariously through Pinterest! It also doesn't mean I will be wearing anything boring. At every chance I will be rocking sequins and/or festive shoes and/or lots of jewelry! I vow to light up my work lunch and over dress for my low key house parties. Maybe even throw in a red lip just because it's the colour of Santa's hat! But, back to living vicariously through Pinterest, here are a few of my festive faves for Christmas parties...

Probably my fave due to simplicity

Gold!

Black Sparkle

And let's not forget about the potential to throw in some Winter Whites! What are you going to be wearing this holiday season?

All I Want For Christmas...

If you didn't see it last week, here's your chance! Jimmy Fallon, the Roots, and Mariah Carey do an "unpulgged" (with children's instruments) version of Mariah Careys hit holiday song, "All I Want For Christmas Is You". It also happens to be my favourite song this time of year. This is a really cute, funny, and surprisingly good version. Enjoy!

Modesty

I love this quote today so much. I think it is something VERY important to keep in mind, especially during the holidays when we might take things for granted. You never want to be THAT person who speaks as though they know more than everyone else or has more than everyone else. If you keep these words in mind, you won't have to worry about that. Your idea of being fortunate is likely quite different from the next persons, and you never want to take that away from them. Even if you think you are speaking to someone in the same boat as you, modesty never hurts. But it's actually the opposite that can.

Decorated! Gangnam Style

It took several hours of hard labour but my roommate and I finally decorated our house. We even had time left over to make a quick video of what it looks like! 

Ok, just kidding (obviously). But in the spirit of our decorating festivities last night I wanted to share this video! There always seems to be one of these every year... :)

It's Christmas!

Tonight is the night that I look forward to every year and get's me in the Christmas spirit! Why? Because tonight is the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show! I've been watching it for years and always made kind of a big deal of it. Having people over, making delicious food, drinking delicious drinks, and turning up the volume! Like most girls, I do like Victoria's Secret. Not just their stuff, but their brand, or rather the spirit of their brand. The show is so fun, loaded with great music, and fabulous looks. I just can't wait. 

Last year I took the fact that it puts me in the Christmas Spirit one step further. My roommate and I put up the Christmas tree and decorated the house (while drinking and eating as mentioned earlier as a crucial step) all before the show began. By the time it was starting, we were able to watch in the glow of our Christmas tree. So fun and perfect. Can't wait to do it again! This year's musical guests include Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and Rihanna. These pictures are also a sneak peek tonight's show.

Merry Victoria's Secret Fashion Show!

Facial Cues

With Facebook, Instagram and other social platforms, it seems like there are picture everywhere of everything. Including you! Are you conveying what you want with your facial cues? Or are in need of a little guidance? Well, today is your lucky day. I'm sharing with you P'trique's guide to speaking with you smile. Don't you just love him/her?!?!