Fifty Shades of Pretending This Never Happened

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Nicole Rashotte

I should know that when I accompany a friend to the mall that I will not be able to walk out without purchasing something. At least this time around it was not a product for my face or clothes (I could seriously open my own department store at this point). Instead, I spent about $50 on books. Smart spending is what I call it. I am not entirely sure why I felt the need to buy both. It’s like I suddenly believe that every person in every bookstore is going to make a mad dash towards every book that I am interested in, causing the one I decided not to get that day to be sold out, resulting in others who wanted that book to go crazy and cut down every tree and thus the book is forever lost. Alas, 20 minutes and two standing in line’s later and I was $50 poorer and two books richer. So, what did I purchase exactly? The first was Fifty Shades of Grey. I saw it at the front of my local Indigo when I walked by it the other day and then when I was getting my hair done, my hair stylist brought it up and said it was inspired by Twilight but was for adults, lost the vampire part and was based in erotica. SOLD. Since I am not exactly living the exotic life I might as well live vicariously through the chick in this book as she lives it. There is also the added bonus that if I read it and fall in love, there are two more in the series at my disposal (provided those mad crowds of people don’t attack every book store and then take out their frustrations on every tree in existence). The other book I purchased is called Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir). I read about this book while catching up on Brene Brown’s blog. The book, by Jenny Lawson, sounded like an exaggerated version of something that I would write. One will be there when I need a laugh and a little pick-me-up and the other will be there when I need a little lovin’….in the vicarious sense.

Spa Day….At My Apartment

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Nicole Rashotte

Sunday is my favoutire day to get my self-pampering on. I like to sleep in, lounge around watching guilty-pleasure television and treat my face/body/hair to some serious TLC. Today involves watching the ever-so cheesy Valentine’s Day, treating my face to a mudd masque, my lips and under eyes to some vitamin-e oil and for my hair I have a homemade concoction of mandarin and papaya. The masque soothes my skin and really reduces the size of my pours. The vitamin-e nourishes my lips like nothing else (also it creates a gloss look so it is totally acceptable to dab on and wear out in public). I put the vitamin-e under my eyes because it is such a sensitive area that tends to get very dry due to the constant application of makeup. I have a never-ending battle with dark circles. I have exhausted so many products that I pretty much gave up finding something new because I am always disappointed when I do. If anyone has some great tips or products for dark circles please tell me….I’m all ears. Also, note how I put the masque down my neck as well. A wise person once told me “everything I do to my face, I do to my neck”. I am determined to not look like a chicken when I get older. Finally, the masque on my hair is natural nutrients (Fruit!) that helps with the frizzies – not to mention it smells great. Even once I have washed the masque off the citrus smell still lingers.

Products Used:

Jamieson’s Vitamin E Oil and Purminerals Mineral Mudd Masque

As Seen On Dr.Oz

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Nicole Rashotte

One night (or early morning) while I was channel surfing, I came across an episode of Dr.Oz that was based solely on different ways that one can loose weight/fat aside from the classic eat healthy/workout methods. Of course, the lazy girl in me was instantly interested. Most of the episode was geared towards women who were 45+ and having a hard time losing weight due to the age game and women who would be considered clinically obese. Finally, towards the end of the episode, Dr. Oz mentioned a supplement (if you have read this blog before you know vitamins are kind of my jam) called Raspberry Ketone.

According to the Doc, the supposed benefits of this supplement are an increase in metabolism, shrinkage in elements that cause cellulite and a speedy resource for shedding excess fat. These little “miracles” are also a great source of antioxidants which is never a bad thing. Like most things that are health based, it is still important to get exercise and eat as healthy as possible. Of course, I decided to hop on the bandwagon and purchased a bottle of these about a week ago. Apparently, one can expect results to start showing within in two weeks but I am going to start tracking my progress this week. I already do cardio fives times a week and maintain a fairly healthy “everything in moderation” lifestyle so I think it makes me an ideal candidate to track real results that won’t be skewed by a sudden change in eating and exercising habits. The only thing that I have decided to add to my life is some weight training but I don’t see that being a deterrent in gauging the results.

So, here goes….my current stats….

At 5’5 I weigh 115 pounds and am a size 4/5 (depending on the store).

Desired results are to shed excess “fat” that gives the body a “soft” look. An aid in toning is what I am after.

In two weeks I will start posting results (since they say it takes two weeks to start noticing changes) and see if this supplement is worth its weight in….raspberries.

*Side Note: Apparently the effects of this supplement can be increased when paired with the daily consumption of Green Tea.

“Glowing” Is The Watchword

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Nicole Rashotte

Lately, a lot of people have been telling me that I look like I am glowing (insert random pregnancy jokes here). Since I am equal parts vain and giving, I wanted to share that yes, my skin has been in great shape lately and the ways in which I can help you achieve it by letting you in on my not-so-secret secrets.

The first and probably most important change that I have made is completely free. Water….and lots of it. Being a pop addict (it’s bad) when I was thirsty or about to indulge in a delicious meal I would reach for pop. I don’t think I need to tell anyone how bad excessive amounts of pop is for you (in terms of upping free radicals and the whole it can make you fat thing) I never really thought about how it was effecting my skin. Now, I am not going to say that I no longer drink pop, I still drink it far more than I should (like me, it’s a work in progress) but I swap it for water far more often and even when I am not thirsty I will drink some refreshing H20. I make a conscious decision to sip it all day at work and while there is that slight annoyance of visiting the ladies room at the rate of a coke addict, the benefits far outweigh the whole peeing every hour thing. My face has cleared up (not that I ever had a huge problem with acne) it has become softer and smoother and yeah, I do have a glow to me. Side benefits also include softer hair and my body very rarely confuses thirst for hunger since I am keeping my body fully hydrated throughout the day.

Now onto the items that help lighten the load of your wallet.

Supplements:

Like water, vitamins are just part of my daily routine. Not only do I feel better when I take them (haven’t had a cold in almost a year, when I used to get one every three to four months) I look better. They have helped me maintain my ideal weight (key word there is helped), allowed my hair to grow at a faster rate than normal and upped the moisture in my body. Everyone has different needs and require different supplements that will compliment those needs so you should always have these needs determined by a professional. My current list of vitamins include:

Omega-3 with Wild Salmon and Fish Oils – This vitamin is great for the hair, skin and overall health. I highly suggest this bad boy. Try to find a brand that promises no fishy repeats. When I started using this vitamin I spent the first couple of weeks wondering why it tasted like shrimp every time I burped. Yes, it took me a few weeks to put two and two together. Yes, I am a natural blond.

Vitamin C – Goodbye colds. This vitamin also helps activate vitamin D, which leads me to….

Vitamin D – I found out I was low in this which is what sparked my initial purchase. I like the idea that it is helping protect my teeth and bones since I am pretty fond of both.

Vitamin B6-B12 with Folic Acid – And I quote “Helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Helps to form red blood cells” That is pretty much an orgasm in writing.

And finally Biotin – This has been my most recent addition to the line up. Now, I know that most people are not deficient in Biotin but I have heard so many people rave about how good it is for your hair, skin and nails so I figure I will try it for a few months and if I notice a difference I will keep it in rotation and if I don’t, well that’s less money dwindling for my ever-so sacred bank account. You’re welcome TD Canada Trust.

Makeup

Let’s start with the face cleansing line-up since I believe it to be the most important (yes, I know it is not makeup but it’s like the primer for makeup so it’s going in this column). I have tried about a million and one different facial cleansers and have never really fell in love until recently, when I met Aveeno. In the past, most cleansers that cleared my acne left my face feeling like a desert. Products that moisturized gave me zits and you probably know the story. This is when I decided to give Aveeno a try, in particular their “Positively Radiant” line.

For me, it’s a three-step process. I use the cleanser, then the toner and finish off with the moisturizer that has an SPF-30 in it. I love the look of a glowing tan but I rather protect my skin now and look younger for longer than be bronzed for four months out of the year while in my 20′s…..but that’s just me. This line leaves my skin soft and radiant. It’s an instant perk-me-up. I highly suggest this product. Prices of the three products range from $19.99 – $26.99 which is pretty decent considering how happy I am with the results. Also, Shoppers seems to put it on sale quite a bit which is nice.

The only time I switch up my face routine is when I add a masque to the mix a few times a week and I use a moisturizing night cream before bed. In terms of facial Masques I LOVE Purminerals Mineral Mudd Masque.

And finally a night cream. I will admit, I have not tried that many, but I do really like Marcelle Essentials Night Cream. It makes my skin feel smooth without being greasy and in the morning it is super soft. What more could a girl ask for?

Let’s move on to the fun stuff. I happen to love applying makeup. Watching my face transform to my desired look gets me going in the morning better than coffee (then again I don’t really drink coffee). The water, supplements and cleansing system really help with not having to wear a lot of makeup and therefore getting my face ready in the morning does not take that much time. I can do hair and makeup in under an hour and with an 8:30 call-time at work, that is a time frame I tend to love. So, for starters, I don’t wear foundation. Nothing against anyone who chooses to, I get it’s appeal, but I don’t think it jives well with my face. Anytime I have ever tried to wear it you can notice it on my face and that is the worst. I opt for a tinted moisturizer instead. For a long time I used Marcelle’s tinted moisturizer with an SPF-15 in it but I recently gave Garnier’s BB Cream a try.

I am so glad I decided to try it. It helped that it was on sale (usually retails for about $19.99 and was on for $14.99 at Shoppers recently) as I sometimes hate buying products for the first time at full price. This cream adds a perfect tint of colour, evens out my skin tone and makes my skin feel super soft. Sometimes I set it with a powder if my skin is more on the oily side on any particular day. Finally, to finish off this “glowing” look I swipe on some blush to give my cheeks a rosey pick-me up. I am currently loving Maybellne’s Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal. This product goes on like a powder but is actually a cream so it looks and feels soft.

The hardest part of this look is being consistent. Take the supplements every day, make sure you are drinking plenty of water to keep the natural moisture in your skin and NEVER go to bed with makeup on (the only exception is if you are drunk….doing a three step process can seem a bit daunting when you are next thing to passing out). Remember that makeup is secondary to treating your skin right.

So Let’s Set The World On Fire

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Nicole Rashotte

“When we stop caring what other people think we lose our capacity for connection. When we are defined by what people think we lose our willingness to be vulnerable.” – Brene Brown

I have been reading/watching things on TED since my postgrad in public relations the summer of ’09. I dabble in some of the “Tech Talks” but I am far more interested in the videos and essays on the human condition. Delving into the vast reasons behind what makes people act and react has always intrigued me. Maybe I have had one too many people in my life that make me shake my head and think “WTF?” or maybe it’s because I do one too many things that make me think the same, times two (thank you alcohol and the occasional bout of social awkwardness). Nonetheless, as geeky as it sounds and as shocking as it may seem (to those who only know me on a certain level) I love learning…unless of course I am really not interested. If you ever find me in a conversation that I could care less about you will see me shake my head in understanding and curiosity when I am really thinking about what I should have for dinner, or, if the person happens to be particularly cute, all the other things I wish I could be doing with him aside from having this boring conversation. When it come to Brene Brown, author of the quote above my own gibberish ramblings, her words transcend my grumbling stomach or thoughts of a cute boy’s body pressed up against mine (and this is not an easy task). Brown is a researcher, writer and all-around cool individual. One of the topics that Brown famously covers is vulnerability. I have a phobia when it comes to vulnerability (one of the first things you learn about yourself in Sarcasm 101). Of all the things that I could potentially fear in this life, I would have to say that vulnerability tops them all. I am not alone though. As I get older and learn more about myself and those around me, it becomes clear that problems with vulnerability causes the majority of disconnect between people. Why do we think social media has become so prevalent in modern day society? It sure as hell isn’t convenience alone. Social media creates a person-to-person severance that eases the chances of being put in an overly vulnerable situation. Not only are we scared of being vulnerable but we are scared of those who can find it in themselves to be that way. We feel uncomfortable with it and often, sometimes without even realizing it, we make those people feel “bad” or “weird” for being able to express themselves from a place that has become completely foreign to us. Emotional racists we are. Brown has done extensive research into why certain people cannot get to that place of mature vulnerability and how others seem to thrive in it. I find the best way to accept or change something is to educate myself. If I read something and it resonates with me, I can begin to make the decision to change what I don’t like and accept the things I do but am afraid others will not. You only get one “kick at the can” at life, might as well understand why it is you are kicking.

TED TALKS – Brene Brown – Vulnerability

Title: We Are Young – By: Fun

All I Want For Christmas Is….

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Nicole Rashotte

No, not you. Sorry, maybe next year. What I really want are things like money, power, even more beauty and quite possibly a zigga zag ah.

The following is my grown up Christmas list:

1. My parents to win the lottery. See, I am not a selfish bitch, my parents are the first people on my Christmas list. Sure, I would benefit in a huge way from them being loaded and sure it will ease the blow of their deaths when I claim half their fortune down the road but this one is not for me, it’s for them. Love you guys.

2. Extra-loud pocket change. Let’s be honest, the only people who could be jealous of me at this point in my life are the homeless.

3. Visit the people who live above me and go all Sleeping Beauty on their asses. I have already done half of your job by pre-poisoning some apples. I sprung for golden delicious so you are going to have to reimburse me. We can figure out the whole kiss from a prince thing later. How do you feel about dressing up as a prince and having to kiss more than one dude? Like I said, we can sort it out later.

4.When I drink a Red Bull, I want the damn wings.

5. Taylor Swift to stop smiling so much…it freaks me out.

6. To meet someone rich, funny and good looking…also rich.

7. Abs, without working out. I have it on good authority that you have done this for Janet Jackson on more than one occasion.

8. Go overboard on Tyra Banks’ botox. The day she stops being able to make all of those facial expressions is the day my nightmares end.

9. Daniel Tosh. Jason Segel. Ian Somerhalder. Hugh Dancy. Neil Patrick Harris. Joseph Gordon Leviett. Phil from Modern Family and Carrot Top (I am as curious as shit what that would be like….I’m sick).

10. Psychiatric help.

11. For cats to learn another instrument other than the keyboard.

12. My own personal mute button to use on whomever annoys me (and since most people do, it’s best to put some energizer batteries in that bad boy)

13. World peace.

And Santa, if you can only get to 1 – 12 I will understand.

Thanks,

Nicole

She Was Praying For Something To Happen To Her

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Nicole Rashotte

I am currently watching the movie Jane Austen Book Club and I am going to be honest, my expectations for this movie were relatively low.

I was going through this week’s Netflix options and it was the first one that spoke to me (based on reading that Hugh Dancy was in it. He is neck and neck with Daniel Tosh in the race for my affection. This is of course on the days that I hate all men and just want a gentleman…and his gentleman status assumption is based solely on the characters I have seen him play). Anyways, I am finding myself fairly entertained. The acting is good, the eye candy is great and the storyline is…well, it’s spotty but touches on a lot of things I am feeling right now. Parents fighting, being cold-shoulder by someone who is clearly not as attractive as you and guys pretending that they are not British when they clearly are (I’m looking at you Dancy). Yes, my life is even more complicated than you previously suspected (I bet the whole British confession is really throwing you for a loop). The main thing I am taking from this movie is the way in which these ladies get together and try to dissect all of Austen’s novels. This gets me thinking that it would be amazing to write a book one day that people will sit around trying to interpret. For the record, I am not trying to compare myself to Austen. Clearly, my books would have more swearing and references to body parts below the belt, but just the idea that I could potentially one day write something that even one person that I have no blood ties to could enjoy and want to talk about….well, that is I can’t believe it’s not butter good.

Title: Far Far – By: Yael Naim

I Wanna Make You Hate Me Then Change Your Mind

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Nicole Rashotte

It’s Saturday, which means I’ve popped a painkiller to numb the tendonitis in my foot (thanks for the early Christmas gift Santa) and am watching my 6th straight episode of my boyfriend’s TV show. You may have heard of him, his name is Daniel Tosh and I think it is safe to say that things are getting pretty serious between us.

Before you get all hipster and tell me how you knew about him soooo many years ago, yes I have also seen his show, Tosh.0, prior to 2011. In the past however, it was usually late at night when I was half asleep yet still alert enough to know that his show was something my eyes and ears (and eventually lower regions of my body) wanted to be a part of.

Anyways, I really became a fan (and a girlfriend) of his when I was wasting last Saturday cowering Netflix and came across his stand-up Completely Serious and realized that he was one of the funniest comics I have watched in a really long time (cast of Modern Family aside). His humour is not for everyone, as it is extremely sarcastic and offensive, but as I have come to realize I get offended by literally nothing. I wonder if I am missing that same sensitivity chip that Jennifer Aniston said Brad Pitt was missing? It would make sense as both Brad and I are blond, ridiculously good looking, belong to a fight club and allow Angelina Jolie to raise our children.

I am basically Brad Pitt....

Aside from the high-level of comedic entertainment that his low-level of tact provides, he is also the ideal man. Again, he may not be everyone’s ideal man but he is mine (clearly, since we are dating and all). Tosh is tall, slender, good looking (but not aggressively good looking – I like to be the prettiest in my relationships) and funny as hell and really those are my only requirements in a guy. Although, judging by the guys I have dated as of late you’d probably question me on that. Hey, everyone has their low points. Sometimes it’s fun to “settle” for a short period of time just to prove to yourself that you can. It is the reassurance that you may need if you find yourself 45 and still alone. I should really become an inspirational speaker. That Last Lecture guy would have nothing on me (yes, I know he is dead, but he is still stiff competition).

Anyways, I highly suggest that you check out both Completely Serious and Happy Thoughts but only if you don’t get offended easily. You have been warned. I also suggest that you click the link below (title of this blog post). If you haven’t noticed, all post titles come from a song and I suggest you take a listen. I only pick great songs and I know this because I have excellent taste in music. I am an expert in music as I listen to a ton of it because I find it helps drown out the ongoing “let’s see how much noise we can make today” competition that the people who live above me always seem to be having. I hope they pick a winner soon….and I hope the prize is being shot in the foot by me. In my eyes they are all winners.

Title: We Can’t Be Friends – By: Lorene Scafaria

I Don’t Like The Way I Never Listen To Myself

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Nicole Rashotte

I had a breakdown while watching GLEE tonight. Personally, this show kind of bores me these days, but since it was the Christmas special I thought I would watch. Anyways, every other number they sang made tears gush out of my eyes at an alarming rate. Clearly, I am a freak and clearly it has been a while since I had a mild breakdown – those tears were backed up and bursting at the seams. First of all, WTF? Isn’t Christmasy shit supposed to make people smile from ear to ear at nauseam? I feel like the Grinch who cried all over Christmas. Almost one hour later and I am perfectly fine…but it was touch and go there for a while. I think I miss being a kid…and I miss how close my entire family (extended included) used to feel. Don’t get me wrong, I am still close to my family but it seems like there is a distance that I don’t remember feeling before. Then again, this is my first time being in Toronto so close to Christmas. Truthfully, it doesn’t even feel like it is the holiday season. Weather aside, my head is still stuck in the summer. My mind races past Christmas and then I think “I can’t believe that it is almost 2012″ and “I can’t believe I have been at my place of employment for almost a year”. I mean, I feel totally at home there but I still cannot believe my first day there was almost a year ago. Where does the time go? When I was a kid, a week would take forever to come and go and now I feel like a year is nothing. It’s a snap of my fingers. I am going to the Christmas market in the Distillery district tomorrow with Chrissy – hopefully this will get me in the holiday spirit. If all else fails, I know for a fact that there are beer gardens there and isn’t getting drunk what the holidays are all about?

Title: This Love (Will Be Your Downfall) – By: Ellie Goulding