Update: Where Did She Go?!

Hi everyone, 

I know, I know.  I make a big "to do" about the blog, throw it a huge coming out party only to leave ya hangin' high and dry.  What gives.  LOL.  I apologize in advance, I have been extremely swamped with life.  For starters, as of Thursday..... I GRADUATED !!!! 

Let us all please ignore the HORRID lime green sash they subjected us to.  Seriously?  That thing was not bound to match anyone's shoes ... and it had white fur on it.... it didn't sit on anyone's shoulders properly, which is just a sad day for me, seeing as I have no shoulders as is.  It was just a nightmare.  If it wasn't choking the living daylights out of you, it was falling down on either side of your arms... Okay, I am done ranting about it LOL.  The fact of the matter is, I am DONEZO and finally a certified teacher.  I have dreamed of being a teacher for the longest time, and I am so excited to enter such a remarkable and rewarding field :) 

*I will probably post more pictures later on, let me proceed to the explanation of life events...* 

So apart from that, where have I been?  Sorting out my life, to be honest!  I am trying to wrap up so many loose ends before I move to England, and if you don't already know, I fly out a week today for my two week training session. AHHHHH.  I have been collecting things to pack, I made an ONGOING packing list, I am trying to figure out cell phones and banking ... I have to make sure I'm enlisted with OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) so that I keep my teaching status here in Canada while away... getting criminal record checks, spending time with friends/family ... amongst a whole whack of other things...  Soooo, I'VE BEEN DOING A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT. 

If you know me, you know that I am devoted to lists and agendas.  I think I have a million lists with the likes of England preparation ... but I have also been working on a set blogging/posting schedule (which I will post here shortly once I put it together on the computer!).  Each day will be dedicated to a new topic!  (i.e. food, beauty, health, life etc.)... I haven't decided if I want to blog 5 days a week, or just 3 with an odd day on the weekends... I suppose time will tell when I ease into the swing of it again. 

Another heads up: as mentioned above, I will be in the UK for two weeks and I HIGHLY DOUBT any posts during that time period will be 1) consistent 2) related to anything other than England!!!  I may post short little things here and there, and do one big massive post when I get back home... honestly, I haven't thought about it too too much!  I will most definitely keep a food journal of all the tasty meals and treats I eat while over there!  But just know, I am there training for September ON TOP OF finding the flat I will be renting during my year in the UK.  

That's all for now.  I just wanted to let you know where I was :) I haven't dropped the blog or forgotten about it!  Just a little busy at the moment!  I have so much planned to post!  I have been clothes shopping the past few weeks and want to show you my cute summer finds.... My goodness, SO MUCH BLOGGING TO DO.  I actually have a blogging notebook that I keep nearby to write all my ideas in! :) 

Chat soon loves! 

Steph.
xxoo

PS.  Today is officially the first day of summer.... HAPPY SUMMER!  Enjoy the lovely weather :) 

Refreshing Foods

Summer, for me, has always screamed fresh fruits and veggies.  And what better way to indulge in both by combining them in a kick ass salad?  Kick... butt... salad if that offended you :) LOL. 

Can we just admire how scrumptious my salad looks...

I love foods that are rich and vibrant in colour.  They just look so appealing, am I right?

Don't be afraid of fruit and veggie overload!  There are very few combinations that wouldn't work well together.  I mean, you also have to keep in mind the type of dressing you plan on using.  But seriously, you can do ANYTHING with a salad.  Don't stick to same ol, same ol.  I bet there are enough combinations to have a different type of salad every week of the year!  Heck, I'd accept that challenge ;) 

Anywhos, we all know how much I love to document every thing I produce in a day LOL and I thought tonights salad was worthy enough of a snap/mention on Naked Canvas. 

In case you were wondering....

Base

Freshly washed Baby Spinach

Freshly Washed Mixed Greens

Shredded Carrot

Sliced Mushrooms

Sliced Cucumber

Sliced Pepper 

(I used an orange pepper, it's the sweetest and my fav, but feel free to use whichever colour you prefer!)

Add-Ons

1 tbsp of Crumbled Feta Cheese

Sliced Strawberries

Chopped Apple Slices

1 tsp of Crushed Walnuts

1 - 1.5 tbsp of Sweet Baby Peppers

Gourmet Balsamic Croutons (I used 7!)

Dressing

1 tbsp of Roasted Garlic and Shallot Cuisine Oil

1.5 - 2 tbsp of Red Wine Balsamic Vinegar 

I literally made up the dressing.  LOL.  I opened the cupboard, badda boom, badda bing. There we go! :) 

There are soooooo many alterations you could make.  I honestly throw together what I'm craving and make something magical out of it, haha.  Sometimes it works wonders, other times I wonder what on earth I was thinking.  But hey, c'est la vie!

Chat later, loves :) 

Cheers, 

S. 

xxoo

Early Morning Musings

It is 12:11 AM, and this is what my night has looked like.  Cappuccinos late at night because why the heck not.  Still in the process of re-constructing this baby (i.e. the blog). I just love how I let myself get stressed over these little things ... blogging is something I should enjoy!  I mean, I do enjoy it.  I am just so uptight and anxious-ridden that I get so overwhelmed planning out what I want to post, when, how to go about it... Not to mention the fact that I am leaving the country soon for a whole year.  I've never mentioned that here.  Surprise.  I suppose I should turn in now....

Night loves, 

xxoo

S.

FOTD

As promised :) 

The makeup pictured below has been my recent "go to" neutral look.  I'll show you the palette I used for my maroon smokey eye later!  

In no particular order...

NARS Eyeshadow Base

Styli-Style Line and Seal Twist Eyeliner in 170 Black

Hard Candy's Glamoflauge in Light

Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Eraser in 20 Light

Almay Intense I-colour Eyeliner in 002 Brown Topaz

Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder in Blondes "Lighter Skin"

Hard Candy Eyeshadow Palette in "Naturally Gorgeous"

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes

Maybelline's The Rocket Mascara 

Revlon's Powder Blush in 180 Tender Plum

Benefit's They're Real Mascara 

Garnier's BB Cream (Combo-Oily Skin) in Light/Medium

Aloette Colour Max Mini

Eyelash Curler: Revlon 

The face... 

Have a wonderful evening...

Check back soon :) 

Steph, xxoo

September FOTD's

Hi loves!  

Oh my goodness, biggest headache and nightmare EVER.  I was unable to log into my gmail account for the past couple of days!  I have several accounts and I feel that whenever I tried to do a "recovery" by way of email, gmail made me change passwords for the wrong account ... it was confusing and I can't really understand or explain it all myself.  All I know is THANK GOD I GOT ON AND I'M SO HAPPY TO BE BACK! 

So, as promised, I have compiled a picture set of the makeup I have taken quite the liking to during the month of September :)  

My fellow teacher candidates always get a laugh because I always tell them, in all of my crazy, dramatic glory, that "I woke up and decided to look like fall today." HAHA.  I am such a weirdo...

Here are several makeup looks I have worn for the past couple of weeks, hope you enjoy!  

An upcoming post will actually feature all the makeup products I use, as I'm sure you will be wondering... but for now, it's just the look :) 

A simple look that I wear most days/when I'm in a rush.  I never ever leave the house without putting on mascara and blush/bronzer... I always feel somewhat put together when I do that.... my eyes are my favourite feature so obviously a girl wants to draw attention to that ;) 

This picture was taken before hitting the town with one of my girlfriends!  No I am not naked (whoops, kinda looks like I am) LMAO.  This sparked my week-long obsession with winged eyeliner... yes, I even wore this look to class... 

Can I just say that my phone camera air-brushes the pictures on it's own?!  I didn't touch up at all.  Thanks for making me look so model-esque LG Optimus ;) 

Ah, yes, the berry lips.  I promise you it is much more dark in person...

Okay, well this one was clearly edited. LOL.  But this was my fall smokey eye look...

More winged eyeliner....

Combination of smokey eye AND winged eye-liner (woah... fancy huh ;) ! 

Fall Style ~

I also wanted to show off some of my fall style... why not... LOL.

My staple pieces will always be: 

• Scarves
• Leggings
• Boots

I suppose that is all for now :) 

I have a few upcoming posts planned, like I mentioned before, so come back soon!

Steph

xxoo

Well hello there.

Holy Hannah, it has been QUITE a while my friends.... geez.  This is just sad.

So much has happened since I last wrote here.  I recently moved to a new city, I attend a different University, live on my own...  Growing up sure brings with it many changes and alterations let me tell you!

Well, the good news is: Steph has decided to take up blogging again!  Yes, yes, save your round of applause 'til the end...

I just thought I would show my face while I'm here....

Note the fall-esque eye makeup.  Infinity scarf.  (Not that you can really tell but) My leather jacket?

Fall is my FAVOURITE time of year.  I love the weather.  I love maroons.  I love pumpkin anything.  The warm sweaters and scarves.  I just wish I could live in fall forever!

I have planned a few upcoming blog posts, some of which are fall related!  Other than that, I will just go with the flow.

I'm hoping blogging can be a nice break from the strenuous, time-consuming, overwhelming hell hole, opps, I mean GOD SENT (haha) thing called school...

That is all from me, I will check in with you soon :)

P.s. It's my lovie's birthday on Saturday so perhaps I will feature a pictures/makeup/fashion all-in-one post-party entry.  The one thing I miss about being at home: MY OVEN.  I haven't cooked or baked since moving and I am just i-t-c-h-i-n-g.  If you know me, and you know me well, you know that I am Betty Crocker in the flesh.  Okay, maybe not THAT spectacular.  But I will do anything, try anything and I simply adore the art of it all.  Perhaps I can make a "no bake" treat for Miss K.  We shall see...

Ok.  Enough of my ramblings.

Have a good evening.

Check in on me soon ;)

Steph
xxoo

Summer Favourite(s).

Hi loves,

Holy Hannah, long time no post, eh?

Just wanted to share a recent summer favourite with you.  As I'm sure you are well aware... BB Creams are all the rave.  I picked up the Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector for combo/ oily skin last week and I must say ... I fell in love.

This BB Cream, unlike the others I have tried, ACTUALLY evens out my skin tone and provides more coverage than most.  Some spots peek through afterwards, in which case I just follow up with some concealer.  But it's a nice formula, easy to blend ... I used my Sigma F80, just as I would with a foundation...

I wouldn't say it lives up to it's claim of a "totally matte" finish.  I followed up with a powder and was still oily by the days end.  However, that's just me.  I have EXTREMELY oily skin that is hard to handle.  For some, I know they can set it with a powder and they have enjoyed the results.

Originally I picked up the Medium/Dark shade but, unfortunately, I left the house the other day looking like an Oompa Loompa seeing as Casper has yet to get her tan on.  I returned to Shoppers a few days later to pick up the Light/Medium.  I now own both shades, as I expect to get darker with the upcoming summer months :)

Just wanted to share that tid-bit for now!

Take care & talk soon!

Steph,
xxoo