{My Happiness Project} October: Health

It's nearly the end of October and let me tell you... I'm so proud of myself :) Yeah.. So you all know about my quest of wanting to bring sexy back? Well, I've finally done some concrete actions about it. 

So earlier this month, I decided to join the YMCA. I know...I said that I won't join any gym...like ever again (girl meets debt, remember?). But hey, winter is almost here and it's not like I'm going to jog outside, right? I think this membership is good for me. I can cancel anytime I want or I can put it on hold. Plus, I have access to all the classes and even the swimming pool! So, why am I so proud of myself?  I've been going to the gym at least 4 days/week!! (And I even do swim laps, crazy huh?) 

Here's my weekly schedule: 

My other resolution is to get more sleep. Yes, I have trouble getting my zzz's! So here are some things I've been doing for a better night's sleep:

• Avoid caffeine 4 to 6 hours before bedtime. 
• Keep a regular sleep schedule - even on weekends. 
• Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. 
• Get regular exercise and keep a healthy diet. 
• Use a sleep tracking device. I use the SleepBot app. It helps you track your sleep. 

I see how only one month in, my little goals are making a huge difference. They've become part of my lifestyle, so I'm not even worried about carrying them over into the upcoming months. 

Stay tuned for November's goal...

My Happiness Project

Are you happy?

Okay, I know it sounds so cliché... but are you really happy? 

I've been reading Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project and I have to admit that I was skeptical about it. Really. Another self-help book promising the secret to a better life? Oh god. 

For those who haven't read The Happiness Project, it's a story of one's woman's search for happiness. For each month of the year, she picks an area of her life where she wants to improve her happiness (work, marriage, parenting, etc...) Then during each month, she strives towards accomplishing a handful of resolutions related to the theme of that month. 

The whole idea behind The Happiness Project is that it's about the little things in life. It's about not letting life whiz past you without stopping to appreciate everything you have. It's about not wasting time, energy, and resources on things that fill your life with negativity. It's about setting tangible goals for yourself and feeling great once you've accomplished them. It's happiness, really. 

So I decided to start my own happiness project... Each month will have a theme and will focus on a different area of my life that I want to improve. 

what i'm loving right now.

lorde. Love love Royals. Can't you believe she's only 16?!

inspirational blogger. Michelle Phan. She's a blogger, entrepreneur and a Youtuber famous for her makeup videos. Dreams do come true (you know I'm a sucker for a good story!). Her career began in 2007 where she, like many others, logged onto Youtube and started to post makeup tutorials. Years later, her net worth is estimated to be around $3 million! Now she has released her very own makeup line with L'Oreal. Ah! for those of you who have big dreams, don't give up!

Check out her videos: 





vampire diaries - season 5. Love this season but I'm sick of elena/damon/stefan. Ah! I just want Caroline and Klaus together (a Klaroline fan here). 

long weekends. 

Peanut butter & Banana Smoothie

Happy Sunday everyone!

Okay so for me, some mornings are milkshake mornings... These also tend to be kind of mornings that also require old-school Mariah Carey blasting into the bathroom while you belt it out in the shower. Okay, maybe that I'm only speaking for myself here. Surely you're more refined in the morning with your black coffee and classical music. 

I have this smoothie recipe that could best satisfy my morning milkshake craving. My new favorite right now is this peanut butter banana smoothie, which tastes like a milkshake so even though it is packed with protein it is almost like having dessert after working out! 

Ingredients:
- 1 cup soy milk
- 1 medium banana
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- Optional: add almonds + raisins (really good!)

Direction:
Add ingredients into the blender. Blend until smooth. 

Voilà! Enjoy this cool drink for a quick breakfast. Or have it as a snack after working out. 

Oh, and here are some throwback Mariah Carey songs that will eternally make life happy. 

 

30 day Squat Challenge!

Hi everyone, 

I came across a squat challenge, and thought I'd give it a try. Today was Day 1. 50 squats, how hard can it be, right? Ah! Can you say: jelly legs!

Join me and get your body in shape! Tone up your legs, bum and stomach with this great 30 day squat challenge. 

So what's the 30 day squat challenge? 
It's a simple 30-day exercise plan, where you do a set a number of squats each day with a rest day thrown in every 3rd day. You start by completing 50 quats on Day 1, and slowly increase to a maximum of 250 by Day 30.

Check out this video:



Let's get this started and keep with the program!

I've Been a Bad, Bad Girl (part 2)

Dear Journal, 

I think I went a little overboard with my spending lately. Blame it on Amy! This friend of mine started her new job not long ago. We were sooo happy since her office is just next to mine. Great thing, right? Well, up until now, I didn't realize that shopping was her favorite hobby. I swear this girl is worst than me!?

Together. We shop. We eat..like there's no tomorrow. 

This is not good people. Just the other day, she called me after work and wanted to stop at Sephora to buy something. Just 5 minutes. 

One hour later... we were still there. You know the phrase "like a kid in the candy store"? This kid is me, and the candy store is Sephora. This is not just a beauty store; it's heaven for those who love makeup, perfurme & skincare!! So my cart was full of products...

I bought:

The Smashbox The Master Class Palette II. C$68

Make up for ever HD Complexion Starter Kit. C$92

Make up for ever Lift Concealer. C$29

BITE Beauty Lush Lip tint ~ color juice. C$26

I think I'm a lost cause.