BEDROOM SNIPPET

I quick little post to say that I caved and finally bought the bedding I had been eyeing at Ikea for the past few weeks! I absolutely love it and have been uncharacteristically sleepy this week and I think it's because I just want to stay snug under these covers. It's extra gloomy outside today which doesn't help! Spending the day listening to Zac Brown Band, applying for various uni related things and then going to buy some shorts and socks as my first (soccer/football) game of the season is tonight! My coach gave me a size large uniform and I am a small at best, so now I have to go purchase my own uniform so I'm not swimming in my clothes out on the field. I'm playing against two friends and our guy friends have decided to attend and have place bets on which of our teams will win - yikes. Hoping it will all be good fun but I'm still having pre-game jitters!

DO ONE THING EVERY DAY THAT SCARES YOU

WHAT I'M LOVING | can I just own everything in ikea?

HOLIDAY | knee deep in the water somewhere

LIEBSTER AWARD

SPREAD A LITTLE KINDNESS

Today's post is going to be slightly more personal than usual and definitely more rant-like. I just had a very unpleasant phone conversation with someone I was hoping to interview and it left me feeling quite upset. Basically, the man I spoke with was very unhelpful and short with me, and made me feel like a big dink for having *disturbed* him with my phone call.

People are rude to me all the time, and I'm sure that most people are rude/have to deal with rudeness on a daily basis, whether it be at work or at school or even among friends and family. I realized how sad it is, though, that I'm actually so shocked when someone is genuinely nice to me. It's as if friendliness and politeness are so rare that they feel like a gift that I'm not deserving of, if that makes any sense.

Traveling this winter helped to put a lot of things in perspective for me. Some people were rude to us, sure, but I was blown away by how genuinely caring people were to me, a stranger. People opened their homes to me, cooked for me, and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable - and they didn't know me at all! Their actions are more than I can say for some people, including some of my friends.

So traveling helped me realize that there are some genuinely nice people in the world, but that doesn't change the fact that a lot of people are serious d-bags. Sometimes life sucks, for whatever personal reasons, and people are lonely, and dealing with their own problems and trying to solve them. Nobody needs to have a big dose of mean piled onto all of that.

If you're a person who is being rude, maybe you need to think about why it is you are being impatient with people or purposefully mean. Does acting that way make you feel good about yourself, or bad? I know that I went through a period where I was short with everyone around me, and I was really unpleasant to be around. But looking back now, the reasons are obvious. I was in a bad situation and my life was consumed by it - any other interactions were simply over what I could process and I immediately resorted to impatience because I just couldn't deal. But that was a huge sign, that I didn't see at the time but that I am able to realize now. If something in your life is making you feel so negatively that you are taking it out on other people - GET RID OF IT. Whether it is your job, or that you're studying something you don't like, or whether your friends or significant other are the problem (as they were in my case) - just purge the negativity from your life. You will feel significantly better because whatever was bothering you won't be bothering you anymore, and because you will have the capacity to genuinely interact with other people in a positive way.

If someone is being rude to you - GET RID OF THEM. You don't need someone who is going to treat you like dump. If someone is going to put you down, they obviously don't care about you, no matter what they might say. If a stranger is mean to you, don't let it get to you. Today, I wanted to tell the man I spoke to that he was a real so-and-so, but I thanked him for his 10 seconds of time and hung up the phone and carried on with my day. He could benefit from evaluating what is making him so grumpy, but in the mean time, I'm not going to let his problems influence how I'm feeling about myself today.

"You attract what you put out there" is such a spot-on quote and this photo has been the background on my laptop for a while. It is so incredibly true. If you're going to be rude to people, you're inviting people to be rude to you in return. If you think very little of yourself, you are inviting someone into your life who will probably treat you like you are worth very little. If you walk down the street with a smile, maybe someone will smile back at you. Maybe you'll make someone's day. Or maybe you'll make people wonder what has you so happy, and make them think about their own life. You may as well be positive and hope it rubs off on someone else. You might even meet someone who falls in love with you because of that genuine smile, but I can almost guarantee that you're not going to meet the love of your life if you're frowning up the place. If you don't meet the love of your life, at least you'll be treating yourself well and making yourself happy in the process.


I guess my point is this: it's normal to feel down sometimes, and it is normal to be a grouch sometimes if something is bothering you. But you just never know what your actions will cause another person to feel or do, so be kind. Don't be unnecessarily rude and don't take other people for granted. Get rid of the people that bring you down (don't literally "get rid" of them but don't make them your priority) and focus on the people who treat you with understanding, respect, and compassion. If your actions don't rub off on someone else, at least you'll be living a life of positivity and that is the best thing you can do for for yourself.

WHAT I'M USING | latest skincare routine

It's been a rough few months for my skin. With cold winter temperatures and too many plan trips and public transportation rides, my skin is really dry but also oily and prone to bad breakouts. I have rosacea (localized on my cheeks) and it is a difficult problem to deal with, especially when the rest of my face being the opposite and quite oily. Cleansers and hot water make my skin feel dry and tight, so I have to strategically cleanse and moisturize my cheeks differently than the rest of my face. I also workout -(ie get sweaty) a lot and am just awful at showering immediately afterward, so that doesn't help in the breakout department!

I've been a fan of the Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel for a couple of years now. It leaves my skin feeling super clean without feeling too dry and it smells almost like lilacs. I decided to add some more Effaclar products to my routine because lately the cleanser alone doesn't seem to be doing the trick and I seem to be breaking out worse than usual. I use La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR and a prescription cream on my cheeks but I've started using the Effaclar Mat on the rest of my face and the Effaclar Duo on specific spots. I'm really loving both at the moment, as the moisturizer really is mattifying and the treatment is great at clearing up breakouts. And both of these products smell like lilacs too - swoon! 

I've only been using the products for a few weeks but I haven't had an issue yet, like I have with other products *ahem Origins Checks and Balances* and have been seeing results. Obviously these products may not work for other people, but they're working for me right now! I think I might do a kind of 'favourites' post/video about my most loved skincare/beauty products, and I'm definitely going to include the cleansing gel as one of my all-time favourites. 

I've also been meaning to sit down and film a proper Europe (but more like London) haul with the souvenirs, beauty products, and clothes that I bought while traveling - I guess I should get on that sooner rather than later but work has me swamped at the moment so it will have to wait. I kind of feel uneasy making haul videos too as I don't want to come off like a braggart or sound *superficial* or something like that. I do genuinely enjoy watching them but I feel strange making them - does anyone else feel this way?

WHAT I BOUGHT | sick day

All from - you guessed it - chapters. Far too addicted.

I'm quite under the weather again and am going to the doctor on Thursday to hopefully be given some powerful antibiotics to knock this bug out of my system for good! Seeing as I was feeling down, I decided to treat myself to a few things that would make me feel a bit better. Actually, that is misleading, because my parents treated me the magazines - Vogue, Vanity Fair, and InStyle - and the mason jar mug (how cute is that?!) and I bought the journal later in the day after meeting with a couple of my freelance 'bosses' and being stood up for an interview that I had to walk 13 stories to get to (how rude is that?!).  I love notebooks so much but always seem to be losing them, a bit like what seems to happen with all of my bobby pins and hair elastics. So strange! This one was half-off and the bright fuchsia with gold trim is so luxe! I also picked up some super yum hazelnut and coffee macarons at a little shop on my way home, and they completely made my day. Now I'm sat in bed with a cup of tea and am about to hit the hay. I've got lots to do tomorrow so I'm hoping to wake up early and get my writing finished up and attempt to be a productive member of society despite my body aches and phlegmy hack!

What makes you feel better on sick days?

WHAT I'M LOVING | chapters

So Chapters is one of my favourite places to go on a shopping day. It's a Canadian bookstore chain that also carries  accessories, homeware pieces, stationary, and gift cards. I walked in yesterday and fell in love with the colourful wallets, jewelry and scarves on display. Talk about perfect for spring! They also had a bunch of other *spring* things, like these chevron pillows, and the cutest TEA tea cups. I love tea and have a weird affinity for different fonts, so I think I'll have to get myself one of these! They also even have children's clothing and I just had to snap a pic of a little rain coat with pirate-dogs, treasure chests, and anchors on it. If they had had it in my size, I would have bought it right up! 

And of course no trip to Chapters is complete without a look through the book aisles a passion tea lemonade. Yesterday Kelly and I went to Starbucks so I could work on some stories that I am writing on a tight deadline. She didn't have any work to do so she got to spend the time poke-battling and reading The Walking Dead Compendium One. Kind of jealous, I won't lie. 

Speaking of The Walking Dead, my mum just informed me that there are novels about the governor and Woodbury, which I have to read now that I know they exist. My obsession with The Walking Dead is a bit extreme now as the third season was insane! I had a knot in my stomach during every episode and I am really excited to see how the fourth season pans out.

WHAT I'M LOVING | barry m nail paint

I have a confession to make. Ok. Here goes ... I'm addicted to nail polishes.

My love of nail polishes started when I was about 8 or 9 and got my first *grown up* nail polish - a clear formula with little metallic red glittery heart shapes inside. It was from Gap and it was my favourite thing for the longest time. I may even still have it somewhere, even though it is long expired, and I wish I could find something like it today!

For the past couple of years (after quite a love affair with black nails) I have been utterly obsessed with any type of pastel/bright/dare-I-say-milky nail polish formula that I can find. I have a selection of just about every shade of blue known to mankind, and I still seem to be able to pop a new nail polish or two into my basket on most shopping trips.

These two polishes are my absolute favourites right now. I don't even have words for how much I love them. Cute colours, super pigmented, quick drying AND they last for longer than a week without chipping. Really, what other nail polish can boast all of that?! Overall, Barry M nail paints are just the best that I've tried.  Blue Moon, Mint Green and Baby Pink are all on my summer nail colour wishlist!

What are your favourite nail polish brands and shades?

EASTER | treats and traditions

BEACH DREAMS

I'm going on holiday with the family in less than a month and I'm obviously way too excited! Our last trip to Florida was in 2010 but it feels like it has been AGES. We're going to be spending just over two weeks at the beach and I'm already daydreaming about the sun and sand and sea! Here's an inspiration board of some items that I think are vacation necessities. Some of the items I own, and some are things I'd like to pick up before leaving (ahem tropical H&M dress).  I also think that one should wear as many nautical things as possible when near the ocean - and any day, really - so I'm also on the lookout for anything with stripes and anchors on it! What are your holiday essentials?

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO | 2

I thought I'd start a regular "What I'm listening to" post as I want to write about the music I'm listening to everyday but I think that would be a tad much! So I'm going to keep it to probably one post a week about a new song or an old song or a favourite song that I'm listening to on repeat that day or week. Music is a major part of my life and I can get quite *personal* when I talk about songs that really move me, so be warned! 

FEELING BLOUSEY

l-r: new look, h&m, forever 21, forever 21, h&m, h&m, top shop, top shop, h&m, h&m, h&m, zara, new look, forever 21, miss selfridges

Everyone knows that I LOVE my blouses. There's still tons of snow here but the temperature seems to be warming up, and that means soon it will be time to wear sleeveless blouses all I want! I love the styles on my "blouse inspiration board" because they are all quite cute and because they have some kind of special detail - whether it be an intricate pattern, some lace paneling or a big bow! The other thing I love about sleeveless blouses is that they are appropriate for work as well ~ at least my work anyway ~ and are comfortable enough to wear to run errands while still looking pulled together. I'm heading to do some returns later today and am going to be on the lookout for some pretty blouses with feminine details that I can pair with some skinny trousers and flats or wear tucked into a skater skirt this spring. What's on your spring wishlist? 

WHAT I DID | one of those days

Today I had brunch with two of my lovely friends from the Journalism program from which I graduated a few months ago. It's quite a strange thing, going from seeing some people on a daily basis to not seeing them for months at a time. It was good to catch up and have some real *girl talk* with them. We are all sort of at the same stage in our lives now, having just graduated and trying to sort ourselves out, so it was especially nice to chat with them as we're all in the same boat!

We ate at a restaurant called L'avenue and I had just about the best food I've eaten in a while - fresh strawberry and banana juice, and then plain yogurt with muesli and strawberries and bananas - so many noms. Felt very tropical too!

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO | 1

"All questions aside, I asked and you lied."

These boys are probably my favourite band right now and have been for a while. They're coming to town in just over three weeks and I am so excited to see them live for the first time!

WHAT I DID | typical friday

Now that I've graduated from uni and am working as a freelance writer, my days pretty much go as follows: I wake early, hit the gym, then spend the rest of my day doing errands or writing stories I've been assigned, with multiple foods and tea breaks and maybe one or two sneaky Starbucks runs thrown in there. Scintillating stuff, I know! But I'm the type of person that needs a self-imposed routine to function well, so I quite like having a schedule and keeping an agenda even if I don't have anywhere particular to be.

PROPER INTRODUCTIONS

Well hello!

My name is Lesley and I'm 23 years young. I've recently graduated from university with a Journalism degree and right now I'm working as a freelance writer.

I originally started this blog in early 2011 and mostly wrote OOTD and wishlist posts. I haven't blogged for about a year and I decided it was time to start back up again! But I realized that so much has changed in my life and that I'm in such a different place now compared to two years ago - so I deleted my old posts, revamped my page and am starting fresh! :)

I plan to blog about my life and the things I love - style, music, fitness, food, academics, and general ramblings- which means plenty of outfit photos, product reviews, 'what I'm listening to' type posts, shots of what I'm eating (sorry I'm not sorry!), workout routines, philosophical rants and stories about personal experiences. I've just returned from a month-long trip around Europe, which helped me to figure out lots about myself, where I see my life heading, and what is important to me. It also means I have thousands of pictures and handfuls of stories and need a place to put them, so where better than here?

I realize that blogs can be seen by some as *narcissistic* or *self-involved* but I don't always think that is the case. If I learned anything from my studies, it is that times they are a-changin' and that, as much as many of us may moan about it (myself included), most things are no longer private or unplugged. Blogs are often fun to browse and do not necessarily reflect the only things that are going on in the blogger's life or that the blogger cares about.  I think that blogs are lovely to look to for inspiration, advice, or just for a few lolz really - and I hope that is how my blog will be seen, if anyone chooses to take a peek.

So all that being said, welcome back old followers, hello to any new ones who might stumble by, and please do leave me a comment or question if you feel like chatting - I promise I don't bite. xx