Top 5 Fashion Trends for Fall/Winter 2013/14 For The Everyday Woman

5. Emerald

     Emerald was all over the runways. This colour has proven to be versatile, bold, and a little bit in your face. Emerald Green just like that person who can stop talking about themselves. She enters the scene, and at first you foolishly think she'll ask you what's going on in your life. Three seasons later, she's still going on about her jealousy for  Mint Green. Suddenly you're thinking, man, I wonder what happened to Mint Green. We should hang out, Mint Green an I. Prediction: Mint Green will be the colour for Spring/Summer 2014 because everyone is sick of Emerald Green's attitude.

4. Blazer

      Nothing says, "I've put my life together" quite like a blazer. Even when you're crying on the inside, a blazer blocks out that negative energy from leaving your body, making people see a young, successful woman who is confident with herself and life choices. The next time you find yourself lying in bed too traumatized to move because you just looked at your latest phone bill, put your blazer on, Instagram a selfie and let the compliments roll in as you eat out of a tub of ice cream with your hands.

3. Gray Scale

      You know how amateur photographers think gray scale makes everything better? This is now going to be a concept you can wear on your body! Now you too can look like you take yourself more seriously, even if nobody else does. If that fails, a grey scale wardrobe will scream out your personality. Because nothing will quite make your personality shine through, than clothes that say, "I wish it were raining," "my cat just died," and/or "I feel fat today, can you tell?"

2. Accents of Fuchsia and Maroon

     Everyone likes accents on people, why not have accents on your clothes too? Wearing a touch of Fuchsia or Maroon will make everyone think, "wow! What an exotic thing I see with my eyes." Everyone likes feeling exotic. Everyone would also love to go to France, but take what you can get. Throw some maroon, matte lipstick on and call it a day.

1. Texture

     Say what you will, but what you want to achieve over the next couple of seasons is to make it seem like you are a delicate woman who only has the strength to wear light material, but also a woman who slays animals. That's why you need to wear light lacy, silky things under big, heaping fur coats, tough leathers or just take some of the cat claws you can naturally find around your house (if you're a cat owner of course) and throw those onto a necklace (a great option if you're a vegetarian and poor). The mixture of the two dynamics will create a look so confusing, it's fashion forward.

Things I'm Into: July

1.

Jigidi is a website where you can do a puzzles online for free! What's great about Jigidi is that it's an environmentally friendly way to enjoy a good puzzle, you can choose from various sizes and you can choose from tonnes of different pictures.

I've been using this website for the last three days in a row because I find it so nice to play some music, do a puzzle and unwind. Typically I go for the pictures with lots of pinks and purples because they're just nice to look at, but there is such a variety on there that if you like puzzles, you'll find more than a few that are your taste.


2.

Life is Magic is a game for your phone that combines your real world with the world of magic. You can battle monsters that plague your neighborhood, battle other users, learn new spells, and accept challenges from shop keepers. The best part? It's free too!

I think I've been playing for about a month now, and what I love most is that under the same account you can have a profile in all available characters without it affecting your other accounts. I love that I can go to "Tim Horton's" in the game, and it looks like this otherworldly cafe. It's a great game for a wide range of people, and it's very addicting.


3.

Harry Potter Illustrations by Mary GrandPre are absolutely stunning. They have a likeness to the American covers of the series, but the scenes portrayed seem fresh and new again. With vibrant colours and wonderfully accurate character representations it brings to life all those memories of reading all day long all those days ago.

I have to say, lately I'm on a bit of a Harry Potter kick, so it's especially nice to see all my favourite moments as I scroll down. It makes me want to open up The Philosopher's Stone and start all over again.


3.

12 Reasons Why Hufflepuff House Is Actually Badass is the perfect list to get you feeling differently about the least appreciated house of all.

When I was first sorted into Hufflepuff on Pottermore, I was like, "What?! Aren't I a Gryffindor? What does Hufflepuff have to offer besides idiocy?" That's why this article connected with me so much. Hufflepuff definitely gets a bad rap and yellow is a great colour for me. I tend to see Hufflepuff as the Canada to Griffindor's America, so I guess I'm actually a perfect fit.


4.

Pottermore keeps tweeting about their upcoming additions to the website, and things are looking tantalizing. Get ready to finish your third year at Hogwarts! Let's hope there's a magical patronis segment.

Right after I was sorted, I knew the next step I cared about was the patronus. I'm so hoping there is an exensive quiz or magical way for me to know what my true shape for this spell would be. If they skip it entirely, I might just cry tears from my eyes.


5.

Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion by The Body Shop and Blemish Fighting Cleansing Cloths by St. Ives smell so good, are gentle on your skin and are simple additions to any routine.

If you read my previous blog, you know I'm currently having a bad breakout and trying to figure my life out. Isn't that what Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream' all about? Anyway, these products seem to be working out for me so far, and the smells are overwhelmingly spa-licious.

6.

Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino from Starbucks is a must have. It's literally a drink version of cake. Whoever came up with this recipe deserves a nobel peace prize because this drink alone could bring nations together.

If you follow me on Twitter, you should know I recently discovered this, and couldn't handle it. This is my new summer favourite, and I strongly suggest you try it too (if you haven't already). I just can't believe nobody told me about this drink before! I mean, I can't believe I had to discover it on my own without ever encountering someone going berzerk about it on Twitter like I did.

7.

Live From New York by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller is a fantastic read where you can take a look inside of this fascinating world. The way the book is designed, it's easy to pick up, put down, and pick up again no matter how long you have to sit and read. 

I love reading this on my way to work because I can start and stop at any point. The book is set up with the interviewee's name and a paragraph or two underneath with their comments. That makes it easy to start and stop when you're not focusing on finishing the chapter or finding an adequate place to stop. With Live From New York, I tend to just stop after the first entry on the left hand page.

8.

GlenAran Irish Market is a highly organized website where you (if you're at least part Irish) can find the tartan and crest associated with your family name.

I was doing some research for an upcoming wardrobe inspiration pin, and I found this amazing website. Since I'm part Irish, it was just so incredible to me that I could find specific information like what tartan goes with my family name. Even if you aren't Irish, I think this website is work a look as this is just a fascinating concept.

9.

Cat eared beanies/hats are likely going to be a trendy item this autumn/winter. It seems like these originated from fuzzy versions and have been altered to a knit for the western style.

I made one of these adorable little beanies for myself, and now am making a version for my fall collection. I seriously can't wait to release the line because of this piece. I think it's so cute, and trendy in a simple, warm way. Dare I say it might be making me excited for the fall too?

10.

Infinity scarves with a lace trim are simple and sophisticated. This will be the perfect autumn accessory as it is light, yet warm.

I love these scarves. I used to have an old dress, pillow and shirt lying around that I was waiting to try this out on, and recently I decided to learn how to use my sewing machine and take a stab at it. Unfortunately, the old shirt didn't work out, but alas, I will try again. Updates are sure to come.

Honorable Mention

Put simply, Derek is a British dramedy written, directed by and starring Ricky Gervais. It's a touching story about a man working in a retirement home alongside a cast of goofy, but kindhearted characters.

I didn't even know about this show, but once I started watching it, I finished it in the same weekend. This is such a beautiful story and funny in a smart way that I haven't quite seen before. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something new to watch as they wait for Game of Thrones (or whatever you watch) to come back on. This is now one of my all time favourites, and I promise you, it will be yours too.

Acne Advice?

     Lately I've either been getting worse acne, or I've been getting more sensitive about it. Typically, I feel that my acne isn't that bad, but perhaps a little bit weird for my age. Whatever though, that's not enough to get me worried in any way. Recently, however, I feel that the acne I do have is sore, and irritating. That's no good at all, so I'm trying some new products.

     Now, I guess I should say that I'm the kind of person who has trouble adding more layers to the skin care routine, and I'm pretty sure I have sensitive skin. When I went shopping, those two aspects made it very difficult for me to make a decision. I stood in the isle for an absurd amount of time mulling over my options, reading labels and even discovering some products weren't vegetarian (which is an issue for me). I also watched a video recently where the girl was saying she can't buy products with salicylic acid in it due to sensitive skin issues. Keeping that in mind really narrowed down my choices (in a good way, as I'd be lost otherwise).

     I finally decided to go with Blemish Fighting Cleansing Cloths from St. Ives for a morning face wash, and Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion from The Body Shop since I always moisturize at night anyway. I've only begun using these products and don't feel I have a true handle on their effect due to the heat wave. Because of the heat, I'm cooling off with the occasional second shower, and usually with the ice cold wash cloth around the neck, face and back. Either way, bringing these products into my routine hasn't been difficult. I'm making sure to mix it up on occasion and use a regular moisturizer at night or wash with regular soap and water and things are going well for me.

     Have you tried these products or have a product you swear by? I would love to know what you think and what works for you as I don't have this routine set in stone yet. If you use any products from The Body Shop, I would double love to know! I really admire their cruelty-free operation, and that in itself is enough to keep me coming back.

     On a very separate note, have you ever tried makeup from The Body Shop? I saw an employee wearing very lovely, and highly pigmented eye shadow when I was in there last, so now I'm dying to know more! I always try to play up my eyes when applying makeup, so this could change everything for me.

     Take care you lovely, little lions and lionesses.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

      I was elated when I found out today that the second season of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee has already started. This is such a joyous occasion for me as I have some knitting I want to do, and I didn't have anything in mind to watch prior to this discovery.

     If you haven't ever watched it, Jerry Seinfeld takes comedians out for a coffee and he always chooses a car that he feels represents that person. It's light, delightful and always has me craving a cup five seconds into the video. I highly suggest you go watch a couple episodes right now. Just stop what you're doing and go. I mean it. There's going to be more words on this page, but I want you to leave here, and only return to this spot once you're done watching a couple of episodes of this terrific show.

http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/

     The best part about Comedians in Cars is not the people he interviews,and it's not Seinfeld either. The best parts are the shots of coffee being made. That's it. That's what keeps me tuning in. The conversations are captivating and the people are super interesting, but it is the cup of coffee being made that always brings me back.

     The most recent episode has Seth Meyers who is a delight, and it's summer, and it's perfect. My mouth is salivating because I can't stop thinking about those coffee shots. I must away and watch more!

Last Night My Cat Spilled Water

     Last night one of my cats climbed out of her box and started dry heaving. I, being the good and sympathetic owner I am, went over to pet her. I asked her if she wanted water. She didn't reply, but by her continuing dry heaves, I figured that was as close to a yes as I would get.

     I left the room. I poured some water into an empty (and washed) margarine tub. I brought her the water.

     My cat didn't want the water, which was fine. I left it there, and went about my knitting. My other cat came by and was curiously sniffing at the situation. She noticed that she wasn't getting attention, but that something else in the room was, so naturally, she needed to investigate.

     Eventually the first cat left the scene, and the second cat was left to her own devices. That's when she put her paw on the side of the tub and pulled it over. Instantly water started pouring out all over the floor.

      Her instinct, for some reason, was to look at me and give me the "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!?" face. Here's the thing...I didn't do it to her. She did it to herself. In fact, she did it to me also.

     I'm not going to lie, I got pretty upset. I had to put down my knitting (and ultimately didn't know where I was when I got back which made me screw up the whole thing), she ruined my nice gesture, and she clearly blamed me! So I swore at her, and loudly.

     I also spritzed her with water using a spray bottle. Power and fury overcame my judgement. Deal with it.