staying positive

as i get older i'm finding it harder and harder to stay positive about things. it actually really bums me out sometimes. the things that used to make me happy just don't do the trick anymore. maybe it's that i had higher expectations for what life was going to bring me as an adult but for right now, i can say that i definitely wish i was a kid again. but who doesn't!

i don't want to be a negative person or in a depressed state because i know that being that way only brings more negativity into your life, it's like a magnet for all bad things. luckily, doing the opposite and being positive can do the same sort of thing except bringing positivity rather than negativity into your life! so instead of wallowing in my own self pity and wasting my precious days away i'm trying to find new things that make me happy and hopefully in the long run, find a new positive path in which to lead my adult life. i'm still trying to figure out what i want to do with this life of mine and i think that is my main problem right now. i think way too much and hurl myself in to this negative mindset, when really there is nothing to worry about!

I have always practiced mediation and i recently starting doing yoga, but i've been trying to do both daily to relax my body and mind. i've seen improvements in my yoga skills however, my meditation still needs work. but i hear meditation takes years of practice to start feeling the benefits from it, so i'm just going keep at it!

i've also been trying to revisit some old things i used to do to see if it may make me feel a bit more at ease on days that i'm struggling to stay happy and positive. i was unpacking a box of my old things a couple of days ago because i'm still not completely unpacked into my new room yet (even though we moved in 5 months ago!) and i came across some of my old diaries. they were actually hilarious, i was laughing out loud at some of the things i wrote and it was beautiful to actually be able to see the innocence in my writing. i was 8/9 years old when i started writing in a diary and even though i was young i did it religiously. every single night before bed, i never missed a day. i stopped around the age of 14 and i think that's partly because i got sucked up in the busy social life of a teenager as well as being embarrassed someone might find out that i wrote in a diary. i wish i didn't stop though because i think it was extremely therapeutic for me and helped me to get anything that i need to get off my chest, off my chest. so i've start up a diary again! my older sister got me this beautiful leather bound journal for christmas last year and i haven't really known what to write in it so i've just been writing anything and everything that comes to my mind, sort of like this blog haha! i've got quotes i like, it's got some drawings of mine and just regular journal entries. i think it will be interesting to go back to it in a couple of years and re-read what i wrote because there are some things you write about and then forget right after. so i'm going to keep writing in it because it's something i'm enjoying right now.

i also like watching movies i watched as a kid. i always gravitated to certain movies to make me feel happy inside when i was worried about something or felt sad. casper, men in black, pocahontas, hocus pocus, the santa clause and jumanji are just a few.

what do you do to stay positive?

as always, stay cheeky!

the end of summer

well, summer is coming to an end. for most people this is a sad thing, but for me it's kind of exciting. fall and winter are my personal favourites.  it may have something to do with me being a red head but summer is just not my season. it does nothing for me. i physically can't tan, i sweat super easily and hate being hot (and my current home doesn't have a/c - lord have mercy) and i'm no longer living the easy life of a kid and have my summers off to play and have fun, i've gotta work the days away. this summer has been rather uneventful for me as well so theres nothing that has made me want it to go on any longer than it already has. so, as you can tell, i'm totally pumped for fall to come around!

as much as the summer has been for the most part uneventful, i did manage to have a little bit off fun. you can't go without it for too long or you'll start to go nuts! so i thought i'd give you all a little glimpse of what i did to stay sane on my limited but, relaxing and fun, days off!

 i got manicure ...or two...or 4.. (OPI roadhouse blues)

i got acquainted to the new house

i explored the new town (this is the town's annual buskerfest) 

 made some new friends

 saw some beautiful sunsets

 spent some time in the great outdoors

 caught up on a couple shows

 celebrated a birthday

 started taking music lessons again! (this is my mom making up some songs)

 took advantage of the new pool

 help a little birdie find his momma again

 hiked with some friends

 caught up with friends

went to a local farm to play with animals

 spent lovely summer evenings with family

and stopped by the CNE!

hope everyone had a safe and happy summer. :)

stay cheeky!

trip toronto

my family and i love going to lacrosse games and all of the ones that we go to see are in the exciting, nearby city of toronto. so, whenever we go to one of the games were always sure to make a day trip out of it. we go to a couple places, shop a bit, get some food and then off to the game. the last game we went to was the st. patrick's day weekend in march. the first thing we did was stop in at ravi soups which has some amazing ratings and even more amazing food. their food presentation, the restaurants atmosphere and the food itself all make you feel comfortable and content. i got the curry and apricot soup and i highly recommend it. if you're ever in toronto be sure to check this place out!

then we were off to the steam whistle brewery in hopes of being able to go on one of the tours they do of the brewery. we forgot that it was in fact st. patrick's day weekend and that the place would of course be PACKED with people wanting to party. so because it was filled to the brim with party goers we just went into the lobby and snagged a couple of free samples which i was totally cool with.

we had a little more time to kill before the game started so we just decide to walk around the city. even though it was colder than ever. we're canadian though, so were used to it ;)

then we got to the ACC, got some snacks, found our seats and enjoyed the game. overall it was a lovely day out and a fun time with the fam. i feel thankful to live so close to such a fun and lively city. 

stay cheeky

new digs

hiya! a while back i talked about the fact that my new blended family and i were moving into a new home! were super excited and have just got possession of it in the past couple days so we've wasted absolutely no time in getting to the renovations. our family is at the grand total of 8 but my oldest sister doesn't live at home anymore so it'll just be the 7 of us living in this new one. Not that that makes out group any smaller haha! anyways the house doesn't have quite enough bedrooms for all of us so we need to add two in the third floor of our home. it's a beautiful place built in the 1920's, have a look!

on a side note: the coloured portion of the drapery/curtains in the dining room ("the pink room") and the living room ("the room with the fireplace") are for sale so contact me if you are interested!

stay cheeky

random goodies haul

i've been shopping a little more than i probably should be lately. but, there are just some things you can't resist getting, you know? 

i went to a local beauty supply shop not too long ago and was trying to resist my ever growing urge to spend. i refrained to a certain degree, but they had a couple of OPI nail polishes on sale so, of course, i got a couple. i had been wanting the "blue my mind" one for a while so i was happy to see it on sale. the 'a-piers to be tan" one intrigued too me so i grabbed it as well.

 when i was in high school i got in the habit of breaking open vitamin e gel capsules and put the oil under my eyes, on cuts, scars, cuticals and lips. i was in the drug store picking up some things when i came across this little jar of vitamin e oil. i like to put it under my eyes and on my forehead creases while i sleep. 

my hair has been an absolute disaster this winter, probably because it has been extra harsh this year. i've been conditioning , putting oils in it and trying to give it some of it's moisture back so it might actually do what i want it to do when styling (it's not curling or straightening properly!) i have seen this around and smell it every time i come across it in a store -- it smells heavenly. i have only used this twice but it seems to be leaving my hair extra soft and clean feeling, thumbs up so far!

now this is for anyone who absolutely from the depths of their soul hate stick deodorant. i have always used stick deodorants and have never quite liked them, they mark clothes, feel weird and often lose their fresh smell. i was talking with my mom expressing my hatred towards them and mentioned how i was jealous that boys had a spray deodorant option. she then went on to tell me that girls did as well, who knew! she said that this brand "Arrid" was the one that everyone used when she was young. let me tell you, this smells great, stays smelling great, doesn't leave deodorant marks on clothes and is super easy and fast to apply. i am never going back to stick deodorants!

let me know if you have tried any of these or if you try them after reading this, i'd love to hear what you guys have to say! remember, stay cheeky.

jobs and grown up life

how's it going everyone?

as some of you may know i've been rather unsuccessfully searching for a job. i thought i wouldn't have any problems finding one seeing as all the university students have left for school and high school students are at school during the days. but it seems i was wrong with that assumption. WHERE HAVE ALL THE JOBS GONE!?

i'm still on the search but in the mean time i'm literally doing nothing productive during the days. my parents are cool with it and say it's actually a great opportunity for me to sit and think about what i actually want to do for the rest of my life since most people my age don't have that opportunity. my sister for example didn't go to university but got a job at my mom's work as a general admin. right out of high school. she's worked her way up to office manager which is amazing but she is really unhappy at her job! it pays her bills but she wishes she had gone to university or college so that she would have had more opportunities to try something different. she also moved out at 16 and has had two homes, mortgages, and other such bills to pay for which i never really experienced. when i left for school i was 18 and i came home to visit rather often and my school bills were basically payed for through a scholarship and my granddad's help (thanks granddad!). my sister had help from my granddad for her houses as well since that wouldn't be fair if i got money for school and she didn't. but it was still a struggle for her to stay afloat. it is just funny to see how our different choices have put us in such different places right now. the funnier thing is, we're both jealous of each other right now! i wish i had a job to make some moolah and she wishes she wasn't working so she could test the waters with different job options. although my parents are cool with this, i think my grandparents are panicking a bit haha they're concerned for what my future is going to look like (40 year old me living in my mom's basement is probably what's floating around their heads). so, that, my sister should be thankful she doesn't  have to deal with.

a couple days ago i actually had a great entrepreneurial idea. it's a secret for now though muahaha;) anyways i've been like a mad scientist in my kitchen experimenting with different things. if it turns out, which hopefully it does, then i'll share it with you guys. i hope to sell it when it's perfected:)

stay cheeky!

I NEED A NEW CAMERA!

Hellllllllllo everybody!

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while I have been working at my job and working on my online course and trying to spend any of my spare time with family and friends. So, I haven't had to much time to write! Anyways, If you haven't already noticed I don't really post too many pictures on my blog and the ones that I do, well, they suck. I actually love photography and take pictures all the time but I desperately need a new camera. I got a "good" camera when I was in grade ten and I always think of it as being the most amazing camera ever because I paid $300 for it at the time and it took what I thought to be great pictures. However, now that I think about it, that camera is around 6 years old and really not that good. I mean the pictures it takes are great and all but no where near as good as some of the pictures cameras that have come out in the last couple years can do. I currently have and use the FUJIFILM finepix S1000 but lately when I try and connect it to my computer the pictures/videos won't all come off or when I try and use the photos and videos that did load properly on IPhoto or IMovie they mess up the whole application! So I want to get a new camera and start fresh. I would love one that will not mess up my computer and one that will take lovely, beautiful pictures/videos.

I've been researching some cameras lately and really like the Canon EOS 600D, the Canon 7D and the Canon 5D. I like the quality of photos that are produced by all of these and as you can probably tell I want a Canon this time. But, I am not too sure if these are actually good cameras and they cost quite a bit! This is where you guys come in! I need your help! If you guys know of any good cameras, own any of the one's I mentioned or just have any input about great cameras please let me know! I NEED HELP PICKING THINGS IM SUPER INDECISIVE...

Sorry about the caps, sometimes when I start I just can't stop...haha :)

As always, thanks for reading and stay cheeky :)

Cheers!

A Little Review of Miley Cyrus' New Video

Happy Thursday Cheeky Chat readers! I thought I would chat on a bit about Miley Cyrus' new song/music video 'We Can't Stop." I have to admit I was making a weird face the entire time watching her music video, one just like this:

this is my *what is happening face*

But, I wouldn't say that I am one to judge. I actually kind of like the video because the fact that it is so strange and out there. Musicians call themselves artists, right? Well, it seems that Miley has taken to that name more than any other musician I've seen, so kudos to her! Being an art student who has seen her share of extremely strange art ventures..trust me this is not that weird. Check out some of David Shrigley's stuff on YouTube THEN we can talk about weird. Miley has changed a lot since her Hannah Montana days! I think it's pretty rad that she finding her own style and voice and going with that. If you guys haven't checked it out I recommend you do so! WATCH IT UP

until we chat again, stay fabulous!

Cheers!

Beauty Tips Video

Hey y'all! I made a blog post about this not too long ago and decided to make a video to go with it. Check out this Beauty Tips video :)

Cheers!

Busy Bee

Hello my Cheeky Chatters!

I haven't written anything on here for a few days and felt as though I needed to write a little something. Unfortunately I have nothing super interesting to talk about since I have been extremely busy working and when I'm not working, doing homework, bleh! I honestly can't wait to be done with this class it feels like the most time consuming class I've ever taken but it's probably because it is a full year course being crammed into a couple months and also because it's my summer and I just want to veg on the couch ;) What can I say, I'm a lazy butt. So, anyway something a tad bit exciting happened at my work today that I thought I would share with you all. One of the ladies that I work with has a daughter who takes in stray animals, cleans them up and helps them find good homes. But, in the past couple days she got four of THE CUTEST little kittens! They had a vet appointment today and she decided to bring the babies down to the office so we could play with them and cry about the fact that none of us could really  take one home for various reasons (allergies, older dogs and cats that probably wouldn't like a new kitten in the house etc.) But nonetheless it was still super fun to play with the little guys. I took a couple pictures of one of the kittens (the others were way too hyper to get a good picture) but just how cute is he! 

Just look at the size of the finger in this picture to get a better idea of how small this little guy was! He was tiny!

Just precious.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers!

Nailed it

Hey Everyone, hope your weekend is going well! Today I decided to do something new with my nails. I usually paint them every couple of days because I am obsessed with nail polish, but, today I decided to go with fake nails! I know a lot of people don't like the look of french tips but I find they look really pretty. My older sister is always using fake nails and has for years. I was never really good at putting them on and I didn't like how damaged my nails felt afterwards, so I hardly ever wore them. But, recently she found a brand of fake nails by Kiss and they are probably the best fake nails I have ever tried! 

They look as though they have been professionally done, they stay on for a long time and they are quick to apply. Although the glue isn't any better for your nails, I have found that putting a layer or two of OPI's base coat on my nails before applying the fake nail helps in protecting your real nail for when you decide to remove the fake ones. So, if you are one of those people that like to use fake nails or was curious and maybe wanted to try them I recommend Kiss's Everlasting French Nails!

Let me know if you guys like them as well or if you have any comments about fake nails that you have tried and like! Thanks for reading :)

Cheers

50 Facts About Me

1. I'm left handed and strangely enough most of the friends I've made in my lifetime have been left handed as well. Three out of my five best friends are lefties.

2. My background is a mixture of Irish, Scottish, English, Dutch, Prussian, German, and a tiny bit of  French. 

3. I love Disney movies.

4. Me and my friends love taking ugly pictures and one of my friends has THE ABSOLUTE ugliest pictures of me and I'm genuinely scared for the day they resurface. It'll most likely be my wedding day...

5. I wrote an article to the newspaper in the third grade about the city cutting down a bunch of trees to put in a highway and with the article I sent in a picture of myself. At the time I had extremely short hair and looked just like a boy so they put in the article that I was a little boy and instead of "she said" they put in "he said"...I never cut my hair short again.

6. I love turnip. 

7. I love pickles so much I used to drink pickle juice. Unfortunately, I ruined my stomach by doing that and can't eat pickles anymore without getting a wicked stomach ache. 

8. I have had 5 jobs since the age of 14. I have never been fired though!

9. I absolutely love country music. 

10. I was on my high school rugby team for 2 years. 

11. I was in an Arbor Day poster with two other friends in grade four and I thought I was pretty cool because of that...haha I need to get over myself.

12. My family has had 4 cats, 1 dog, a morning dove, baby sparrow, guinea pig, hamster, 4 rats, 3 mice, a million fish, stick bugs, two frogs and a leopard gecko not all at the same time, but over my lifetime. 

13. I drove into my grandparents brand new garage doors when I first got my license and slightly dented the car inside the garage, as well as basically ripping the garage doors off. Oops. 

14. I have two sisters one two years older and one two years younger.

15. I was named after my granddad.

16. One time my sister and I were playing in a tent and I tickled her foot and she kicked me in the eye accidentally and gave me a black eye, and it was picture day the next day at school.

17. I love coffee but I'm extremely caffeine sensitive.

18. I have naturally curly hair. 

19. I had braces for almost four years. 

20. I have a fear of barfing.

21. I can't tan, it just won't happen.

22. I have an extreme phobia of bellybuttons. 

23. I have four piercings, all of which are on my ears. 

24. I love doing laundry.

25. I hate flowers. 

26. I used to think if I took a chicken egg out of the fridge and kept it warm, it would hatch. UPDATE: it doesn't.

27. I played the violin for 3 years when I was younger.

28. I choke more than the average person. One of my friends has given me the heimlich remover at least three times and I owe her my life.

29. I love to cook and bake. 

30. I tried learning Swedish when I was younger just for fun and can speak a tiny bit of it still. 

31. I hate apples unless they're cooked into something. I haven't eaten a raw apple since I was 12...that's almost 10 years!

32. I took ballet and irish dancing as a child.

33. I love peanut shells but I hate peanuts...haha not weird at all...right? 

34. I need glasses (and have glasses) but I never wear them.

35. I'm afraid of the dark.

36. I have been to France, Spain, Las Vegas, Bahamas, Cuba, Florida, New York, Arizona, Los Angelos and stopped at an airport in Belgium but I don't think that counts because I never left the airport. 

37. Me and one of my friends always do accents (usually English or Australian) just for fun but sometimes we try and fool people in to thinking that we're actually from those places and that were just visiting Canada, most of the time it works!

38. I hate writing in pen it's too permanent and too much of a commitment for me. 

39. I'm obsessed with Yogurty's...

40. I've never smoked cigarettes and never will.

41. My sisters and I used to play "the fighting game" basically we would hit, punch and kick each other but we couldn't scream, cry or make a sound cause then our parents would hear and the game would be over. It was really just to get our anger out (we had ginger rage you see) but, it was also pretty fun most of the time...only problem, was that my younger sister bruises like a peach and went to school with bruises everywhere and her teacher noticed asked where they were from and my sister replied "the fighting game." Our mom had no idea we were playing this. Needless to say, our mom was called to the school and got an ear full, sorry momma! 

42. I love pizza but then again who doesn't! 

43. I like to knit. 

44. I swear like a friggin sailor. 

45. I cry easily. If someone does something or says something beautiful, I cry. If I see something even slightly sad, I cry. I hear a sad song, I cry. I just literally cry at everything and if you know me, you just ignore it.

46. I sink in water, I can and love to swim, it's really hard for me to stay afloat. 

47. I used to want to be a funeral director. 

48. I love christmas more than anything. 

49. I believe in ghosts and aliens.

50. Sometimes I do things that I don't want to do because I fear that I'll regret not doing it later in life. I don't want to miss out on any experiences. 

I hope you guys enjoyed learning a little bit about me with my 50 facts post! I'd love to hear some facts about yourselves. Or if you have any comments at all I would love to hear them. Thanks for reading.

Cheers

New Sunglasses

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Seeing as the warm weather is on it's way (although it is lagging a bit here in Canada) I thought I would start shopping for some summer essentials! I came across a load of awesome sunglasses at none other than Old Navy! I don't usually shop here but I was with my sister who does and came across them. I fell in love with almost every pair I saw and tried on. Now, I usually have a lot of trouble finding a pair of sunglasses that I like and that fit my small face properly. But, this time it was the opposite, I couldn't pick just one! I ended up getting two pairs what do you guys think?

Cheeky Chat