Currently 03.19.17

Reading

The High Mountains of Portugal - Yann Martell

This book was three stories that sort of come together at the end. I can't decide if I liked it or not. There were parts that I really enjoyed and parts where I was like "what on earth am I reading?" It was one of those books that would probably be better the second time around, as I'm sure I missed out on a lot the first time. Will I read it again? No.

You are a Badass: How to Start Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life - Jen Sincero

Motivational books can be annoying to me if they are too cheesy. This book kept the cheese factor to a bare minimum, so I totally enjoyed it. I read it on my Kobo, but if you're thinking of reading it, I'd buy it instead. I feel like it's a book that you could read once a year as therapy and it would be really useful.

Clicking

I'm still watching lots of YouTube. This has been the month of April the Giraffe. I'm so obsessed with watching her and her baby bump. I find it so relaxing - like watching an aquarium. I'm still watching my usual beauty, fashion and lifestyle channels, but April has been the most watched for sure. I keep browsing on the Zara website but not buying anything. I've also been researching Palm Springs attractions.

Watching

I've been loving some new shows lately! Big Little Lies (HBO) and The Arrangement  (Bravo) are both really great. We also watched the first episode of Riverdale (Netflix), and we enjoyed it, but we'll probably end up binging it later on once the regular shows are done for the season as we're trying to keep our DVR shows caught up. I was also following The Bachelor (I've always been Team Nick). I was rooting for Kristina but not mad that he chose Vanessa.

Eating

It's been a bit of a strange month for me with food. We've still been eating a lot of vegetarian meals at home, but I've been hitting up some local restaurants as well. La Frasca, The Bicycle Thief, Panizza, and Lower Deck Clayton Park are the ones that I can remember.

Spaghetti at Bicycle Thief

Drinking

I had my Starbucks birthday drink last week. It's always so hard to decide what to get for a birthday drink... I chose a Venti Vanilla Bean Frapp with a shot of caramel and whipped cream. My birthday wine was Woodbridge Moscato and I also picked up some Angry Orchard cider. I'm trying hard to drink lots of water.

Hanging with April at Starbucks on my Bday

Seeing

I'm enjoying the birthday flowers that are on my table (thanks Mom and Dad).

Smelling

The flowers, the potato soup in the slow cooker, and the candle I'm burning (BBW Toasted Graham Latte). I can't wait til April when I'll dig out the spring scents!

Hearing

I've got You Tube on in the background (Desi Perkins)

Wearing

A blue Gap Sweater, AEO jeans, a TNA ball hat.

Feeling

Mentally I'm feeling a bit on edge, which is usually how I feel when I'm getting ready to go on vacation. I'm hoping work is kind to me this week. I'm promising myself that on Friday I will stay in the office to make sure everything is caught up before I leave. Physically I'm feeling pretty good. I've slept really well the past few nights and I've been consistent with my workouts. Finally I'm noticing that I'm toning up and my clothes are fitting much better.

Anticipating

Palm Springs! We're panning on spending lots of time poolside, lots of time shopping. We're visiting The Living Desert Zoo, the Tramway (up the side of a mountain) and possibly Joshua Tree National Park if we have time. The last day of our trip we're heading to LA - going to hang out in Beverley Hills (my parents have never been to LA)  and probably do dinner at The Grove. I'll be pretty active on Insta while I'm gone so if you'd like to follow along you can add me @jennifer.legere

Pavia Gallery in Herring Cove

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Eye Favourites: March 2017

I've changed my style when it comes to eye makeup in the past few years. I used to love subtle shimmer in light colors, but lately I've been all about matte neutrals. I'll share with you the products I've been loving lately.

The base products:

I've been using Benefit Porefessional as a primer under my eyes and MAC Prep and Prime as my eyelid primer. I used to not care about either of these products, but as I'm getting older (38 today to be exact!) my skin is changing. My eyelids became oily after I started treatment for hypothyroidism - hence the need for the lid primer. I've tried a few and this is the best I've found. My dark circles are my nemesis - as is the case for  lot of fair skinned ladies. The Porefessional allows my concealer to glide on without getting cakey. My favourite undereye concealer is MAC Pro Longwear. It takes forever to use it up! The NYX color correcting powder in "Banana" works great as a setting powder for the undereye area.

The colors:

My absolute favourite palette is the one on the bottom - The Urban Decay Naked2 Basics. It has beautiful colors and blends really easily. The top left palette is the Smashbox Cover Shot in Matte. I like the colors in this palette, but I find that they're not easy to blend. I do however love that the lighter shades are bigger than the rest of them- you use them more, so that makes so much sense. The palette on the top right is Mad for Matte by Elf. That's right, Elf! It's really good! Not as easy to blend as the UD, but easier than the Smashbox. If you're looking for a palette on a budget, this one is under $8 at Wal-Mart. I do wish there were more light shades in the Elf one though!

The finishers:

I've been loving the L'Oreal Voluminous Base. I feel like it really makes a difference when  you're wearing an average mascara. It leaves a white coating on the lashes. but the mascara you put over it will cover it up. Great on it's own or over the primer is my favourite mascara at the moment- Benefit Rollerlash. 

What products are you loving lately on your eyes?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: February 2017

Every month, I break down my clothing expenses and share them. My quarterly budget is $500. This amount can be rolled into the next quarter if it's not all spent. My goal is to keep my out of pocket expenses within $2000 a year. Gifts and gift cards don't count towards my budget. Since I've been keeping a budget, I'm much more careful with what I buy, and I will return stuff at the end of the month if I'm not crazy about it after hanging it in my closet.

I spent a lot this month for someone who said she wasn't going to spend anything. No regrets! I got some great pieces for a steal.

Scarf: Wilfred Free via Aritzia (still available in alternate color)
Reg $75, on sale for $30
I was so drawn to the colors of this scarf as it has an array of neutrals and goes with all of my winter coats. It's really good quality and so warm.

Hat: TNA via Aritzia
Reg $35, on sale for $15
I'm so obsessed with baseball hats from Aritzia. They fit my small head. The other two I have are dark, and I wanted a light one to take to Palm Springs.

Top: Old Navy
Reg $25, on sale for $12
I have a lot of neutrals in my wardrobe, which can make packing for somewhere sunny and warm seem a little boring. This pink top this fun and will still mix well into pieces I already own. I love the detail around the neckline.

Top: Dynamite
Reg $35, on sale for $20
This was an impulse buy, but a sound one. I was going out and wanted a new shirt, but I made sure I bought one that was also going to be something I could wear to work or on the weekend casually.

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind via Designer Outlet (175 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Halifax)
Reg $178, on sale for $20
Do I need to explain this, really? I'm obsessed with army green and these were basically free. I already wore them to work and they are so comfortable. They are a size too big, but it just makes them slightly less fitted.

Shorts: Levis via Marshall's
Reg $70, on sale for $25
I wanted a pair of patched shorts, and was looking for a darker wash, but when I tried these on I couldn't leave the store without them.

Not included in the budget is a pair of bikini bottoms from Old Navy that can be worn with three of the bikini tops I already own.

Original value of items:  $418
Price I paid: $122
I saved  71%

I have $362 to spend for March (technically). I do have some leeway though.  I can always "borrow" from next quarter. There's also a birthday present to be bought. We'll see what Palm Springs has to offer. The dollar is gross right now, so that will certainly factor into my shopping decisions. I'm most excited to visit the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. I'd love to find a new coin purse and new black jeans because my beloved Madewell ones kicked the bucket (not impressed as they were only a year old...)

Be sure to check back in early April to see what I scooped up in California!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl