Day in the Life: 20Something Crisis

For those of you unaware of the quarter-life crisis (a.k.a. 20Something crisis) they happen more often than you'd think. Being a twenty-something is hard. There are so many things going on and so many people expect you to have it all together. Personally, I applaud all of you who keep it semi-together in this crazy, disorganized mess of a world we call life. 

http://www.tumblr18.com/t18/2013/10/Surprised-cat.jpg

Here are my questions of the day as I muddle through my quarter-life crisis (of the week):

Who am I? What is my purpose? Am I getting the right degree? What will I do after I graduate? Do I have money? Where will I get money? Am I forgetting something? Did I lock the door? Is pizza a bad idea (as the fifth meal in a row)? Did I need to buy this? What is love (baby, don't hurt me)? When should I get married (jk, forever alone)? Should I go to yoga? What am I doing with my life? WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE? Maybe I should quit school and live in a box with cats... 

http://www.catster.com/files/cat%20in%20a%20cardboard%20box_0.jpg

Let's all go into savasana and re-evaluate the direction of our lives...

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Thoughtfully yours,

Addie

Addie's Style Book: Winter Must-Have

source: http://www.evergreen.ie/product_images/259997_L.jpg

Here is my hand cream must-have for winter. I first experienced Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme years ago, when I was about fifteen years old. Though I have tried other creams to fight against winter skin chapping, this will always be my favourite. It's the most reliable and effective hand cream I have used. Plus it smells amazing!

Although it comes in a small glass jar, don't let it's size deceive you. The product has a very thick consistency. Since it has such moisturising power, you only need a little and the jar will last you more than a season. It's great to put on after coming inside on a cold day, before going to bed or after washing dishes and keeps your hands soft and healthy looking. Note: It may leave your hands a bit greasy until it is fully absorbed into the skin.  

Another product I highly recommend from Burt's Bees is their Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. It keeps your cuticles smooth and prevents painful hangnails and peeling skin. 

source:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfemLUWKgkgcVg9lf39MUnJK8k0iuT8KPrG86-l5AAfh_f3dZ3J6Uf9JpRvoizkgPeQRW48A0nuijM_vhQanJapivNZdvMga2dj_JxoXtoOHOoPEs9g1I-mRvHF3SddTWi44KNwJiY0Y/s400/bees.jpg

Overall, it is important to take good care of your skin and body, however in the Winter it is especially important to take care of yourself since the conditions can be very harsh. Moving from a dry and warm inside to a cold, windy and sometimes wet outside can definitely take a toll on your health. Keeping up with small habits such as regular hand-washing, moisturising, wearing sunscreen, chapstick and dressing warmly will help you survive harsh winter conditions (Hello, Canadian Winters!) and feel pampered doing so.  

 Hint: to tame static or frizzy winter hair apply hand cream to your hands and rub excess through your hair and smooth over the top to reveal a smooth, manageable mane. 


Do you have any winter favourites? What is your essential winter product? Let me know if you want a review for any products or have any questions!

Thoughtfully yours,

Addie

Lazy Fashion: Mundane Mondays

Get it... It's Ironic.  This is what I wore out on a Monday Night out ;).  Live life on the edge.

Mundane Mondays by enteen 

Sometimes you make poor life choices and go out on a Monday.  Try this simple and easy (and lazy) outfit that looks good enough to get a few free beers.  

I pair a bold coloured t-shirt with a pair of dark jeggings (black preferably).  A pair of statement flats and a nice silver necklace (or any other accessories you like).

Don't forget to put on some bold eye look (comment to see what I did) that complements your own natural beauty :)

Most of all, be safe and HAVE FUN!

Thoughtfully yours,

C.C.

Addie's Style Book: November Essential

http://www.thebodyshop.ca/en/images/packshot/products/large/almond-hand-nail-cream_l.jpg

This is my new favourite hand cream. It's the Body Shop's Almond Hand and Nail Cream. It makes my hands really soft and it's also a multi-purpose cream. It's great for skin and nails/cuticles. I think it's definitely a November essential because it's non-greasy and absorbs into your skin very easily. My favourite part of this cream is that you can still be functional after application. Unlike many lotions and creams that leave you incapable of turning a doorknob or opening a bottle, the Body Shop's cream leaves your skin moisturised without the issues. 

http://www.thebodyshop.ca/en/images/packshot/products/large/hemp-hand-protector_l.jpg

If you have especially dry skin, I recommend trying the Hemp Hand Protector. It's thicker than the Almond Hand and Nail Cream but it's also a non-greasy formula. It's really effective for rough and chapped hands!

Both of these hand creams smell amazing and leave you with smooth and silky skin. 

Have you tried either of these products? Do you have any other winter essentials?

Thoughtfully yours, 

Addie

Nail Stamping

Here are the results of my nail stamping adventure. I went home for the weekend and this is my mom's new obsession. Overall, I think nail stamping is a good investment if you like having intricate nail designs but don't have time or the skill to dedicate to working on your nails for a long period of time. Plus, the possibilities are endless! You can choose a design from a variety of plates and any colour nail polish. You can also combine them with an accent nail like I have. 

I used Maybelline's Vintage Leather nail polish as a base and Maybelline Colour Show Polka Dots for my accent nail. I chose a basic gold nail polish for the stamping. My favourite top coat of the moment is NYC's Mattifying Top Coat. 

Here are the nail stamping tools:

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lk62xcpsBv1qgsz0g.jpg

For more on nail stamping leave a comment! 

Thoughtfully yours,

Addie

Lazy Fashion: LBD

LBD by enteen

I think the Little Black Dress (LBD) is definitely a girl's best friend.  The French truly did know what they were talking about when they choose to always wear black.  It is so flattering and honestly it can be dressed up and down.  

You can see that it is actually one dress with endless possibilities.  Me, being the lazy C.C. I am, loves to just pull the LBD out of my closet.  I can dress it up and dress it down depending if I pull on a blazer on top or a cardigan.  Sometimes you can throw on a t-shirt and make it look like a skirt.  Depending on the accessories you use, you be as bold or as simple as you like!

That's my little lazy insight for you ;)

How do you like wearing your LBD?

Thoughtfully yours,

C.C.

Trip Planning: Learn the Language

Since C.C. and I decided to make this trip to Europe, we decided to get back into our language studies so we can ask the important questions (where is the bathroom? Do you speak English?) and can enjoy our travel experience. 

source: http://www.golearnto.com/travelblog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/lg_language_a.jpg

To start with, I am working on Italian and C.C. is working on German. (C.C. is already fluent in French and, I can speak French proficiently with a bit of German). We use Duolingo, a FREE interactive language learning website. Warning: It is highly addicting and may or may not cause you to learn Spanish instead of study for exams. 

source: http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/2472977/duolingo2_large_PNG_verge_medium_landscape.png

It's also great if you like to see instant progress. It allows you to track the words you learn and measures your learning in different levels. Additionally, if you sign up with facebook, you can follow your friends' progress and language levels. This means I can see when C.C. is procrastinating. 

My overall review is that it's a nice way to learn. Instead of learning grammar based on rules, you learn how to speak based on context and repetition. There are also a variety of languages to choose from to keep things interesting. However, you have to move through some seldom used phrases to get to the useful phrases. For example, you will learn how to say " I eat an apple" in every language to start with.

source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Red_Apple.jpg

I eat an apple.

Je mange une pomme.

Yo como una manzana.

Ich esse einen Apfel.

Io mangio una mela. 

Try it. Let us know what you think. Are there any other resources you recommend to learn languages? We'll keep you posted on our progess :)

Thoughtfully yours,

Addie