Taylor and I definitely know how to have fun...this time was no different! We tried the Beanboozled challenge. Check it out (and find out how you can enter to WIN a Kerastase Prize Pack) below.
Elaisha Goes...To The Beverley Hotel
Staycations are the best. Amy and I had a little get together at The Beverley Hotel here in Toronto.
Pants: EXPRESS Turtle Neck: ESPRIT Nail Colour: essie
I climbed all the way to the top of the hotel stairs to a room 41 with a view of snow-covered Toronto below. I had frequently passed the underrated Queen West destination while on harried journeys across the city.
Natural light filled the room and the peek-a-boo bathroom (Amy and I could have totally watched each other pee...) and made for a Pinterest-perfect space.
(All pictures by bae, aka Amy at Bratty B)
For a boutique hotel, the room was incredibly spacious (much bigger than my standard hotel rooms in Paris and London...). We ordered breakfast which arrived quite quickly (after our order was taken by a staff member who came right to our door to deliver a menu). Amy ordered the generous parfait while I enjoyed the lemon ricotta pancakes.
While I do love pancakes from Mildred's, with the first bite, these ones became my favourite in the city. The medley of lemon mixed with maple syrup and the light texture of the pancakes sent me for a loop. I'll definitely return for those again.
I wholly recommend the Beverley Hotel for a budget staycation with a touch of luxury in the city. The prompt room service, space of the room and delicious food make me want to visit over again!
'Laishmas Day 1
I hated keeping this a secret from you guys....Day 1 of 'Laishmas is here!
You all know I'm born on Christmas and I felt like playing Santa this time around and giving you guys some lovely gifts! And hopefully, this will be good inspiration for last minute gifts you may need to buy too.
Want to know how you can win the Black Musk Gift Set from The Body Shop? Follow this link to comment below this video and subscribe to my channel!
#ElaishaGoes to Hailed Coffee
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Next stop on my list of perfect IG spots is another east-end favourite, Hailed Coffee.
Pictures by Desiree of A Desired Journey
Hailed coffee was a welcome and warm escape from the wet and dreary day outside. It was a cute space with the classic coffee grinder and milk steamer noises sounding off here and there. The white washed cafe thankfully carried dairy alternatives! I ordered a decaf latte with almond milk and a hazelnut shot. The gorgeous drink was delicious. I don't drink coffee so this was a little treat for me! It was a super cozy space and I quickly found a spot to sit.
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Desiree and I split a super decadent croissant and chatted a bit of business over our snack. With only a few customers in and out of the space, the atmosphere at Hailed Coffee was super chill. I would definitely recommend one of the tables at the back for a work-day since the music wasn't blasting in there and it wasn't crowded.
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Wearing: EXPRESS Jeans, EXPRESS shoes, Missguided Top
Have you visited Hailed Coffee? Let me know in the comments below!
5 Ways to Slay: Pinterest
Ah! I'm excited to feature my first guest post on the blog from a marketing maven I really admire, Dominique Bennett-Bouchard. This woman is a powerhouse on Pinterest and I wanted her to share some tips with us on how we can capitalize on one of the most underrated social mediums. Without further ado...
As a creator I’m sure you’ve come across a number of ‘essential tool’ lists, advising you on how to market your content. Yet, despite all of the email newsletters I’ve sent and Instagram images I’ve spent way too much time figuring out a caption for, Pinterest Marketing has been the largest source of traffic towards my website.
Pinterest can come across as a massive collection of DIY crafts you’ll never have the time or skill for and pretentious fitness quotes, (I mean come on, there are a million things I can name that taste better than skinny feels.). But as one of the fastest growing social platforms with almost 85% female users, chances are, your target audience is in perfect range (did you get that? That was a shooting joke. I don’t think I delivered that well…)
Here are a few tips on How you Can Drive Traffic From Pinterest to Your Blog
1. Show off The Goods Pinterest recently introduced a rotating showcase that appears at the top of your profile. Show off all of your best ideas by choosing your top 5 boards. Don’t forget to keep the rest of your profile organized. Make sure the first row of boards (first 5) on your profile are related to your brand. For example, Frugal Fanatic, a well known financial blog, organizes her first 5 pins to include ‘MAKING MONEY’, 'FRUGAL LIVING' ‘POPULAR PINS’, ‘MONEY SAVING TIPS’ and ‘WORK FROM HOME’ - all completely on brand with her site.
2. Use Rich Pins Using rich pins in your Pinterest marketing strategy helps you to appear more professional and gives viewers more info on why they should bother clicking. There are 5 different types of rich pins, depending on the type of content that you create. Food bloggers can benefit from Recipe Pins that include serving info, ingredients and cooking times. Travel bloggers can create Place Pins with maps, and Article Pins share headlines, author info, and descriptions.
3. Take Advantage of Pinterest Widgets It’s one thing to share your own content but having viewers share content for you provides reach to a whole new network. Pins with a call to action are shown to get 80% more engagement than those without. Get your website Pinterest ready by adding share widgets, like a ‘Pin-it’ button that automatically appears on images, follow buttons and board/profile previews. Pinterest > Tools > Widgets
4. Design Pinterest Optimized Images Your Pinterest marketing strategy is going to be heavily dependant on the images that you share. There are tons of weird stats about the types of imagery that get the most action on Pinterest. Did you know images with mainly red or orange get 200% more repins than those mostly blue? Starting with the basics, just make sure that you have at least one image in your post that is portrait shaped (735px x 1102px). Another great way to optimize your images is by automating your Pinterest captions for anyone who pins them. Edit your website images to include the caption in the alt-text. Anyone who hits the ‘pin-it’ button will automatically have your original caption.
5. Get in with the Popular Crowd One of the easiest ways to increase your reach is by participating in group boards. Pinterest is filled with collaborative boards that allow other users to share pins about a specific niche and often have large audiences, with thousands of followers. Find group boards that cater to your brand’s subject by using PinGroupie.com. Search by category, group size, keywords, etc.
Do you have special technique that works for Pinterest? Share in the comments below! Also, please check out my personal blog where I share digital marketing, career and all around lifestyle tips at: DominiqueBennett.com
PS you should totally follow Dominique on Pinterest. Look out for my next post on how you can step up your Instagram game with a few simple tweaks!
Easy Potstickers featuring President's Choice Pork & Vegetable
I'm sharing my secret go-to recipe for busy days! When I quickly come home for lunch from work or when I don't feel like making an elaborate dish that still tastes great this meal is delicious (and quick).
You only need a few ingredients to make this yummy dish!
Ingredients
½ tbsp. of coconut oil
½ a pack of President's Choice Pork & Vegetable Potstickers
½ tbsp. of sesame seed oil
A side dish of President's Choice Plum Sauce
I preheat my pan and add my coconut oil. Once it melts, I wait a few seconds then add my pot stickers. A lot of people like them just browned, but I like them a little crispier/charred.
Once the potstickers are crispy, I remove them from the pan and throw them into a bowl and drizzle a bit of sesame oil on it. Then I mix them in the bowl before plating them and grabbing my side of plum sauce and settling in for a delicious meal.
And boom! It's that easy.
Do you have any go-to quick recipes? I'm looking for a few more.
Un-masking my Feelings: Top 3 Face Masks for Fall and Winter
I'm emotionally constipated. That's the frankest and easiest way to say it. I'm not good at expressing my emotions. Last time I had to reveal my true feelings to someone I was shaking and I totally cried. Keep reading to find out why it went well in spite of the tears!
Letting myself feel vulnerable and expressing myself is the scariest thing. I'm already super awkward, so letting my guard down makes me awkward x10. The major key to unmasking my feelings is writing them down before I reveal them. Know which points are the most important to highlight then hit home. If you can keep your notes in front of you, do it. Don't fee embarrassed about it! The best way to sound eloquent is to write your thoughts down and sort them out beforehand.
While working on removing the mask from my emotions, I'm also busy taking care of my skin by putting masks on! Here are my top 3 masks
LUSH Mask of Magnaminty I'm obsessed with this mask. Recommended to me by my girl Janu at LUSH. When I put it on it was like an exfoliant and mask as I applied it. When I washed it off my skin felt super soft and fresh (from the minty tingle). This was my weekly mask of choice when I would pamper myself with my weekly sit-in bath (my daily showers just aren't as nice). After hopping out of the warm bath, I'd apply the mask onto my clean and exfoliated face. After 5-10 minutes my skin would honestly feel brand new.
The Body Shop British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask I tried the Ethiopian Deep Honey Nourishing Mask and it did not work for my skin type. My face felt a bit tight and dry after I washed it off. However, didn't give up on The Body Shop's new Superfood Mask line and gave the British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask a try. I loved trying this mask! The formula was similar to putting strawberry jelly on my face. But when I washed it off my face felt anything but sticky. It felt so soft, moist and frankly a little pump. I loved it. It was rejuvenating and I've tried it twice since whenever my face felt super tight or tired.
L'Oreal Paris Pure Clay Mask
The hype is real guys. Last month all over my Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube were influencers heralding the new mask line from L'Oreal as everything. My skin gets super dull in the winter, so I went for the charcoal detoxifying mask. It was super cool to see my usually unnoticeable pores standout as the mask dried. Now, the only issue: I have combination skin. So this mask was great for my t-zone and drying for my cheeks. My face felt a bit tight after I washed it off. I would definitely recommend it in the summer for those with combination skin versus the drying summer. I kept this review in because I know some of you have oilier skin! This mask is totally for you. Try it and thank me later.
Do you have a problem with masking your emotions? Have you tried any of these masks? Let me know in the comments!
#ElaishaGoes to Versus Coffee
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It's not played out just yet! Versus coffee is one of several east end spots that I will be mentioning in my #ElaishaGoes series while I'm in Toronto. Desiree chose the spot and I'm super happy she did!
We were able to chat over our drinks and catch up after only talking on the phone for the past few weeks. It was pretty quiet on Sunday afternoon with only a few people milling about the shop just before it closed.
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All pictures by Desiree at A Desired Journey
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I wasn't the biggest fan of my matcha because I'm not used to the flavour with unsweetened almond milk (I try to avoid sugar and milk in my drinks). However, the aesthetic of the small space was to die for. The open concept blended well one into another and was filled with natural light from the floor to ceiling windows. We were able to catch some gorgeous shots while we huddled over our carefully crafted drinks.
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Visit if you ever get the chance (even if for the adorable cup filled with their famous s'mores drink). Have you been to Versus before?
Mackage Unboxing
Find out what's in the box!
What Its Like to Have a Colourful Personality
I think everyone feels out of place. Weird. Odd. Different. Those feelings resonated with me growing up because I have an extremely colourful personality.
Pictures by my girl Raya at Style Controversy
Almost in my mid-twenties, I realized that I allowed the world around me to soften my edges. And dull some of my bright sides. I was super bubbly and chatty as a kid, and while I retained some of that lustre, it just wasn't the same.
Shirt: Gap, Pants, Gap, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Purse: Zara Vest: Similar
Passive aggressive comments and jealous remarks from people I considered to be friends weighed heavy on me. 'What's wrong with me?' I used to think. 'Why can't I just be normal?' I used to ask myself. Even before I was homeschooled for most of high school, I would ponder on my inability to be able to fit in and the anxiety I had surrounding it. I often spent lunch breaks alone and explored the historical neighbourhood I grew up in by myself. Or I volunteered at my school library and buried myself in the plots of my heroes, getting lost in their fictional lives that seemed as tragic as my own.
I also grew up in a pretty strict and religious household. So I couldn't go out to parties or dress like everyone else. Being pulled out of school seemed to be the final nail in the coffin that was my blah social life.
But all of these things made me, me. I wouldn't change any of it. Instead, I've tried to embrace what I can't change and just roll with the punches. I won't allow criticism to shape me unless it's constructive and from the heart.
Do you have a colourful personality, too? Let me know in the comments!
#FitFam: 5 Ways to Stay Fit for Travellers
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After I had got back from Vegas, I was thrown into a new job and didn't take the time to focus on myself. I got comfy in my oversized sweaters and leggings and didn't realize that they were getting a bit tight! Then before I knew it, I was away the next weekend in Blue Mountain after Vegas then on a 3-week trip to Europe in the summer. I put together a little plan to make sure I can be fit and feel comfortable in my skin, no matter where I am.
I joined a Gym
While I've had steady results working out at home, seeing money leave my bank account is motivation enough to ensure that I get my butt moving before I leave on a trip and after I return. No matter how good I feel that I look, I'll ensure that I head out to the gym and put in work. Plus I love working out in classes! I've taken some of the moves that I've learned in those classes and personal training sessions and modified them for hotel room and hotel gym workouts.
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I Surrounded Myself with Inspiration
From the people I hang around to the body-positive Instagram accounts I follow, I try to surround myself with fitness inspiration every day. Jetsetter, Iskra Lawrence is one of my faves to follow on Snapchat and Instagram. From city to city, the Australian model works hard, trains hard and looks amazing while doing it all. Another is Canadian Running magazine cover model (and one of my faves), Sasha Exeter. The frequent traveller's body is ridiculous (she looks even better in person), and I love watching her fitness journey and Snapchat adventures online.
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I Made Fitness Part of my Adventure
From hiking across Ben Nevis in Scotland to walking over 10k in a day in Barcelona and New York, I try to incorporate some activity into my day when travelling. I can count only a handful of times that I've hopped in a taxi or Uber while away. I prefer to see and explore cities by foot and public transport. When stuck in a car most of the time in Scotland (while eating everything that came in my path deep fried...) I made it a point to find hiking spots along the way.
I Got out of My Comfort Zone
While I'm still a bit shy about walking right up to the squat rack to do some damage at the gym, I've tried to do things that make me feel uncomfortable. First thing: kickboxing. Oh my gosh, that class kicked my butt! And I felt super uncomfortable walking into it and punching the bag...let alone the warm up. But I did it! And while I haven't returned (yet) I know that literally anything is possible if I could survive that class. So next time I feel uncomfortable jogging across the shoreline in Cancun or hitting the hotel gym, I know I'll be able to move past that emotion and just do it.
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I loved My Body
I'm not getting fit because I hate my body, I'm getting fit because I love it! Maybe someday I'll get into some of the body issues I faced growing up, but for now, I just want to encourage you to find one thing to love about yourself. Then slowly you'll see the list growing until self-love just engulfs you.
How to do you keep fit while you're travelling? Let me know in the comments below!
It's Ok to Cry
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Some days I get really sad. Like, Eyore sad; functional and revelling in it. I throw on some Coldplay or Daughter and just have at it. If it's a really bad day, a soundtrack from The O.C. (usually season 2) will score my wailing and weeping. Whether I'm angry at myself or someone else, the situation consumes me. Many acquaintances may read this in shock because I'm naturally a very happy and energetic person when I'm around others. I feed off of their energy and give a lot of my own then I retreat, tired and a bit drained.
This post isn't about how to get happy, or peppy when you're knee deep in your tears. Instead, it's about feeling those emotions so that they'll eventually soften into a dull ache that will eventually fade.I learned that it's better to sob yourself to sleep at 3 am in the morning than pretend everything is ok. When people don't allow themselves to go through the grieving process or feel sad, they get stuck. Anxious about something triggering them into feeling those emotions or remembering whatever situation that caused their grief.
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Wearing: Ecco Soft 7 Slip on shoes, Tyler Madison culottes, Uniqlo turtleneck, Rudsak umbrella, Calvin Klein Stockings
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Someone close to me told me that her mum taught her not to cry. Her emotional constipation left her unable to empathize with others. Her 'suck it up' and 'you're too sensitive' mentality drove a wedge in our relationship, and I confronted her on it. Don't get me wrong; I'm not a constant cry baby. But if I feel something in my heart I'll speak up or react, especially with someone who understands why I feel sensitive towards something.
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Whether it's bawling at a movie or crying while confronting a fairweather friend I let them flow, and that's ok. Because the next day, or a few days later I can let it go and move on.
Do you feel you're able to let go? Or do you bottle it all up? Let me know in the comments below.
Does Every Blogger Need to Upgrade to the iPhone 7?
Many bloggers have been wondering whether they should upgrade to the iPhone 7. In an industry that throws around "price per wear" to justify $5,000 purses, I figured, why not do some investigating on the ROI of the buzzed about iPhone 7? Keep reading to see whether the iPhone 7 will be worth it for you!
Airpods? I get why everyone is up in arms about it, but I don't care. Wireless headphones are the future. Deal with it! The way Apple dealt with it was to create a product that won't depend on tech that will be obsolete in the near future. I've been using wireless and wired headphones for years now and frankly, I'm excited to say ' boy bye' to detangling my buds.
Camera Who else hates needing to carry around a camera? I stopped bringing mine to press events out of frustration and function. First, cute bags (to me) are smaller. Second, the benefits of lugging my camera around like image stabilization and better image quality (with the 12MP back-facing camera and 7MP front-facing camera) are available on the new iPhone 7. Sure I won't get as good of a shallow depth of field (the phone isn't rocking a 50mm lens), but it'll save me time from uploading pictures via wifi to my phone (and save my shoulders from carrying a camera around).
Battery Life At the reveal event, it was boasted that the iPhone 7 would add '2 more battery hours into your day' for 6s owners. For anyone who is tired of bringing a portable charger around, that extra 2 hours is everything.
Water Resistant My phone is the most important piece of technology in my life. When my computer was acting up this year, it was a mild inconvenience to get my work done. When my phone decided life wasn't worth living after I dropped it in a lake (for half a second), I was irate. My phone was my source of revenue and efficiency. That could have totally been avoided had my phone been water resistant. You can't go deep sea diving with the iPhone 7, but quick submerges in water shouldn't harm it.
Speed Since 3D touch and other interactive features are maintained in this OS, it adds extra strain on older processors to perform. However, the iPhone 7 was made to run iOS10 smooth as butter. With the new A10 fusion chip, it's speedier when running iOS10 than older models.
If you were already going to upgrade this year, don't hesitate and get this baby. If you weren't going to upgrade hold out until the iPhone 7s comes out (like I'm going to). I buy my phones outright, so I've got to rejig my budget to be able to afford this one.
Are you getting the iPhone 7? Did you get it already? Tell me in the comments below.
Top 2017 Bucket-list Destinations
I love travelling and it's my mum's fault. I can remember my first time flying at 7 years old. The excitement I felt about taking off to New York City and how cool I thought I was with my Minnie Mouse luggage.
I'm currently deliberating where I want to visit next year. The questions I keep asking myself are, 'Do I want to hit the tropics?' 'Should I visit a new city?' 'Is 2017 the year I visit Asia?' Well, keep reading to find out where I want to go in 2017.
Wearing: Rag & Bone Jeans from Aritzia, Zara Jacket, Banana Republic Purse, Uniqlo Turtle Neck, Urban Outfitter booties, Kate Spade Bow Bracelet
Las Vegas I know, I know, I already went this year! But hear me out. My favourite boy band, Backstreet Boys will have their own residency in Las Vegas. Obviously, your girl has to support and cheer them on. Plus I still have some exploring to do in Vegas. The museums, the desert and restaurants...there's so much more to do that I can't miss out on.
Alaska I like active vacations and I really want to go on a cold vacation. The chance to go dog sledding or snowmobiling really gets me going. So Alaska obviously made it on to my list. Apparently, there are cruises that you can go on to see whales as they migrate. I would probably bawl the entire time. Sign me up!
Alberta Have you seen the pictures? Someone could post a picture of a garbage can in a field and it would look like a postcard or a painting. It's ridiculous. And I can't wait to get my own shots while marvelling in awe of the gorgeous scenery. I'm getting excited thinking about all of the hiking opportunities.
Iceland From the lagoon to the black sand beaches, Iceland seems like a world of its own. While there has been an uptake in popularity, Iceland still seems like a cool spot to explore. When I connected to Europe from Iceland I was impressed with the washrooms in the airport alone! Should I write about my WOW Air experience?
But for now, this little bird is grounded until the travel bug bites me again. Comment below to let me know where you will or want to be heading in 2017.
#ElaishaGoes to Scotland: Photo Album and City Guide
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Scotland was incredible. I didn't visit any of the bigger and well-known cities like Edinburgh or Glasglow. We road tripped through Scotland from Aberdeen to Inverness then made a loop to Dundee before heading south to London. I spent most of the trip there gawking out of the car window. I couldn't believe that a place so beautiful wasn't listed on destination recommendations everywhere.I have so many pictures and experiences I want to share, but I won't bombard you. Keep reading for my must-see places in the land of rolling hills and sheep.
How to Get Around
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My flight from London wasn't bad at all! British Airways spoiled me, and I was in economy. A hot breakfast of a cheese omelette with toast and a cup of tea (orange juice for me) were all served so nicely. I was thoroughly impressed. And our flight left on time!
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Buses aren't always reliable (or even available) in the smaller towns. If you can rent a car, do it. Driving through Scotland was like driving through a story book. I saw double rainbows, yummy restaurants and the cutest sheep. Cabs are not cheap in Dundee, so watch out for that. Oh, and there's no Uber in certain spots so watch out for that too.
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Fish and chips and mozzarella sticks. Life was great in Scotland.
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Where to Go Inverness was my favourite stop on this road trip. The picturesque town wasn't too touristy when I went. First line of business after a quick nip into Tesco was visiting the castle, which also happened to double as a beautiful lookout point!
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Wearing: Old Navy Leggings, Uniqlo Vest, Uniqlo Shirt, Reebok Woven Furylite Shoes, Champs Men's Shirt
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Another gem you need to pop into is Leakey's Bookshop...it was possibly the cutest place I had ever been to. I was in book heaven. It was dead quiet when I explored the library and I loved it. I wish I bought one of the vintage maps or paintings there (they were over 100 years old!).
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We took a quick stroll about the small 'downtown' area. There were several restaurants and more historic buildings to 'ooo' and 'ahh' over.
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Where to stay
Tigh Na Coin Beagan was the most memorable spot I rested my head in in Scotland. The owner was super pleasant and his Scottish Terriers were just as friendly.
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The house was located across from a gorgeous loch and decorated in tartan (carpets, pillows etc.). The view outside of my room was stunning. My window looked over the loch Mhor and the rolling hill behind it.
Where to Hike
Ben Nevis and Falls of Foyers were the two places I went hiking in Scotland. It was recommended to us by the owner of Tigh Na Coin Beagan.
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Wearing: Columbia Outdry™ EX Gold Trench Jacket, Columbia Leggings, Reebok Woven Furylite Shoes
Falls of Foyers was an easy hike because I took the 'easy' way. Otherwise, it would have been a 2-hour journey to the bottom. I prioritized being able to see Ben Nevis that day instead.
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Wearing: Columbia Leggings, Reebok Woven Furylite Shoes, Columbia Hoodie Shirt, Uniqlo Vest
In Ben Nevis, we hiked for almost half an hour which lead to an incredible clearing that faced the falls. I was in absolute awe of its beauty!
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Be very careful and wear shoes with intense grip. The trek up was very slippery and wet which I didn't mind. Sadly my hiking shoes didn't arrive in time, but these kicks still came through.
Dundee
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Wearing: Stella Nova Jacket, Old Navy Leggings, Kooba Bag, Reebok Woven Furylite Shoes
Dundee was pretty cool. We swung by the Overgate Centre (which you've got to visit, it's huge) and the high street. I went a bit overboard in M&S, but #YOLO. There was this awesome lookout point too that gave us a view of the city.
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St Andrews I was nearly hit by a few golf balls, but other than that hazard St Andrews was incredible. It was cute hanging at the place Kate and William fell in love. We grabbed fish and chips and ate by the beach. While my chips were nearly stolen by greedy seagulls, I really enjoyed it there. With old boy's club establishments and grey stone buildings, I felt like I was in Johnny English or a James Bond movie. It seemed like a super luxe spot (for a University town). I'd definitely visit again with more time to explore.
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Wearing: Zara Jacket, Thrifted Scarf Old Navy Leggings, Kooba Bag, Reebok Woven Furylite Shoes
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I can't wait to return to Scotland and tour the northern coast and also hit the bigger cities. Is there anywhere I visited that stood out to you? Comment down below with whether you'd like to visit!
What I got for $125 at Uniqlo Canada
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Uniqlo is finally in Canada.
Photocredit: Ryan Emberley
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Photocredit: Ryan Emberley
I attended the Canadian preview event this summer and was impressed with the collection of essential basics in an array of colours. I was super excited when I got the invite to the store opening so I could finally see the space (and shop away).
Like other Japanese franchises, (ie. Muji) Uniqlo is a store of essentials and convenience. When I walked into the press preview I was greeted with sake and a $125 gift card. As I strolled about I understood why members of the public lined up at 4am the next day to get their fill of the store.
Kinda went crazy tonight @UniqloCanada! Check it out tomorrow to snag some deals #UNIQLOCanadapic.twitter.com/B6u85lnAEw
— ELAISHA JADE (@ElaishaJade) September 30, 2016
After taking a gander and making some painful decisions, here's what I left the cash register with!
Thanks for watching and reading! Have you been to the new Uniqlo store yet?
The Weekly #ElaishaGoes
I'm starting a new series where I chat about what I've been up to and what events I've had the chance to go to. I like sharing different parts of my life, but sometimes you guys may miss certain things on my social, so let me know if this is something that you'd like to continue to see. Not sure if I want to do this weekly, or just every once and a while.
Mackage Fashion Show
RIP World MasterCard Fashion Week! But I'm excited for what's taken its place. Rogue independent shows, after parties galore and even a few fashion shows have popped up. While I received a bunch of invites, I decided to take it easy and only attend a few.
Today was the Mackage show, but I missed it by 3 minutes. I sprinted towards the check in desk after running 20 minutes later than I was scheduled (thank you TTC!) and was told then that the show had already ended. At least I made it for the brunch and left with a few goodies. It was in celebration of their new Toronto flagship store opening at Yorkdale. I made the trek to my old stomping grounds and also took a swing around Yorkdale too.
Wearing: Reitman Leggings, GAP Booties, Uniqlo Shirt
Tom Odell
I finally got to see Tom Odell live. I remember hearing Another Love for the first time and thinking 'Woah, this guy has it'. Then bingeing on everything he made that I could get my hands on. When I watched The Fault In our Stars by myself at the theatre on Fathers Day (lol), I remember hearing his track during the movie and immediately recognizing his voice. Check my review on Aesthetic Magazine Toronto.
Makeup Forever #GlamToGhoul
I joined my boo, Amy (Bratty B) and some other lovely bloggers for a ghoulish Halloween tutorial with Makeup Forever. We learned how to achieve this adorable look in only a few steps. I modified it a bit since I was already wearing makeup. Totally had 'Do a Dear' stuck in my head the entire time. And I left with the coolest glam-mirror!
Started from the bottom now we deer. #glamtoghoul Thanks @MAKEUPFOREVERCa for a great night! ft. @ElaishaJade pic.twitter.com/cRVstKBozD
— BRATTY B (@xbrattybx) October 12, 2016
Learn how to give it a try sometime with YouTube tutorials here. Don't think you've got the skills? On October 28th and 29th at Sephora you can attend your own #GlamToGhoul event!
Ski Vermont Event I had a great time learning some cool (and unexpected) stuff about the state of Vermont. The different resorts there! One of the coolest things was meeting the grandson of the woman who created the Sound of Music. His last name is Von Trapp and yes they have a cool spot in Vermont. It wasn't my usual crowd, so I didn't take as many pictures as usual (sorry!)
Learning more about @ski_vermont tonight! Follow my snaps for details
— ELAISHA JADE (@ElaishaJade) October 13, 2016
It was a super tough week for me and I admit I'm happy it's over. I'll make sure next week is better by staying positive and making a point to keep around positive people.
Until next time!
What do you 'belif' in?
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I wasn't sure what I was going to write about for this post. I believe in so many things but recently my firm belief of standing up for what's right was put to the test.
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(Keep reading for how you can enter the belif cosmetics contest)
I faced the opportunity to turn a blind eye to a friend of many years allowing another person to bully me. That other person disparaged my character and tried to ruin my relationship with that friend. What really hurt my feelings is that friend allowed it to happen.
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So, I stood up for myself. Sure it was nerve racking confronting my friend, but I think I did alright. Sadly, we're no longer as close as we used to be, but I'm ok with that. Because it means I only keep people around who understand my value as a friend and will treat me the way I deserve to be treated.
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I was given the chance to partner up with belif cosmetics for their Canadian Launch. Their products are available in The Face Shop and select Fruits and Passion stores as of this October. I got a sneak peek of The true cream – moisturizing bomb and The true cream – aqua bomb. I can't wait to let you know what I think.
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Why I'm not Passive Aggressive Anymore
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[All photos taken by Bratty B]
I was once extremely passive aggressive. My mum (while quiet and unassuming) has an extremely strong personality. While she made an effort to ensure my voice was heard, I also knew my place as her child. No arguments. Her way was the way. I also grew up with very accepting friends until I attended hell on earth or as we call it in Toronto, Middle School.
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That cocktail of an experience meant I had trouble speaking up as a teen because I never had to in my social groups when I was younger. Without siblings or cousins my age to prepare me with tough love to be vocal against bullies, doing the right thing and paving my own path, I was passive aggressive. A quiet vindictive force that got my way or my point across through blatant defiance, not my words.
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Jacket: Stella Nova Pants: LOFT Booties: Urban Outfitters Shirt: GAP Purse: Banana Republic
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Now I'm the complete opposite. I let people know how I feel as clearly as possible if asked or when appropriate. Guys blanch at my rebukes in response to their inappropriate comments. Honest answers roll off of my tongue when questioned about a friend's outfit. And when I don't feel right about something, I don't do it.
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Don't get me wrong, I'm polite as ever but more confident in my ability to speak my mind. It's refreshing.
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Do you feel like you can speak your mind? What do you feel holds you back? Let me know in the comments!
#ElaishaGoes to Barcelona: Photo Story & City Guide
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Barcelona was a dream. I honestly feel like I woke up and couldn't possibly have been there. Travelling to Europe to visit some of my greatest friends (and making new ones) was a treat. I'm not picking favourites here, but Barcelona was a city I had the chance to really immerse myself in and explore. Thankfully my girl Katie rounded up her favourite places in Barca and my good friend Graeme and I were able to visit a lot of them. Keep reading for what to do in Barcelona Guide and Photo Story!
Where to BrunchPicnic is the spot. After strolling past the Arc and down a back alley I found the quaint (and popular) restaurant. I sat down and ordered a burrata and mimosa immediately. Both were sweet and amazing. I'm still dreaming about the tacos I got too. Graeme grabbed fluffy pancakes and a beer and we just ate the day away before exploring Barcelona.
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How to get around Cabs are pretty cheap, but as a city girl taking public transport was the way to go. I had a European data plan from three which worked all over the city (I didn't visit the outskirts, however). So this allowed me to just quickly use Google maps and plot out a trip using public transport. Grab a 3-day pass and wear comfortable shoes. Exploring a city by foot has always been my favourite way to learn the ins and outs of different neighbourhoods.
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Where to go dancing After a later dinner at midnight (yes, that's how late people eat out there) hit up the club district by the beach. At about 2am we noticed things were picking up and lines were immense at Opium especially.
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What to see There were so many historical places to visit so we decided to hit up as many as we could walk to within a day instead of tiring ourselves out too much.
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Where to Beach We did not hit up the beach on the weekend but instead decided to settle on a weekday to beat the crowd. We went to what's considered to be the 'Gay Beach', which is an LGBTQ-friendly space with mostly men. What we didn't realize is that it was right next to the nude beach. I was unbothered and Graeme was entertained (but polite obviously). I felt comfortable and for the first time in days no men came up to me or cat-called at me. Then we hit up Xiringuito Escribà for a delicious meal by the beach.
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Where to go Shopping There were so many spots dotted across the city. Of course, La Rambla (aka tourist trap) was the obvious option. However, we ducked down some little side streets and I was able to purchase some cute shirts. However, the salesgirl didn't let me haggle at all. I also hit up Glòries Centre Comercial. It had the stores I really wanted to see (Zara, H&M and Massimo Dutti) without the crowds of the most popular malls. It also had a Walmart-type store where I was able to buy gifts for some friends and pick up food for the weekend.
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Plan on visiting Barcelona? Leave me any questions you have in the comments below!