So this is the New Year

As 2009 comes to a close, it is only natural to reminisce about another year gone by.
This was definitely a year of transitioning for me, and I learned a lot about myself. Although there were some hiccups as I like to call them, I wouldn't change anything.

Instead, I will learn from the past and enter the new year with the knowledge and certainty that there will always be something new awaiting me. It is time to put the past in the past and look with bright eyes to the year ahead. There is no need to compare, but I am ready to make 2010 the best. year. ever. 

Noteworthy Recap of 2009:  

1.   I jumped on the Crackberry wagon
2.   Graduated university/moved back home 
3.   Welcomed Bailey into my life

 4.   Went to Europe with my best friend
5.   Started post-grad PR school

 6.   Launched my very own blog

 7.   Took a risk and opened myself up
8.   Attended Teen Vogue Fashion U/ was in presence of DVF

 9.   Fell during Toronto fashion week 
10.  Joined a co-ed soccer team

As for New Years Resolutions,  I am always torn. I feel that resolutions are just a way for magazines and media to capitalize on people's insecurities about their bodies, jobs and relationships. On the other hand, I also think there is no better time to start fresh if that's what you're looking for. So I decided to make a little list :  

Resolutions & Things I'm Looking Forward to in 2010:

1. Start my PR career

2. Give back- get involved in more charities, become a mentor for young girls

 3. Be brave.

 4. Welcome a new baby cousin in February!

 5. Put health as a #1 priority- continue working out, eating healthy and staying active.

 6. Focus on relaxation and meditation- stress is not pretty. Who wants to look 50 when they're 30?

 7. Write. Write. Write. Write

 8. Find time to travel somewhere

9. Be less judgmental and quick to give an opinion

 10. Keep blogging!

That's all lovelies! What are your resolutions or memorable moments of 09?

Victorious in Vintage

You have to be in the right mindset to go thrift shopping. I think it requires good concentration and a keen eye. Above all, you must have patience. It may take an endless amount of rummaging before you find that George Clooney hidden in a pile of Jon Gossselins.

Yesterday I was feeling restless so I decided to go thrift shopping at my staple location: Value Village. I left with a red genuine leather belt, a black patent clutch, a leather over sized clutch, a mini purse and some vintage earrings all for under $30. There is no greater shopping thrill than scoring a good find for a cheap price.

I can't wait to rock my two new clutches. All for under $12 folks.

Red shag carpet not included.

CURSE OF THE CURLS

Since I was a little girl I was always known as "Amanda with the curly hair." 

My curly flaxen locks seem to define me. My relationship with my ringlets has always been a rocky one. I remember running from my mother while she tried to comb out the unforgiving knots. I always had to be Scary Spice when we played Spice Girls at recess. Some notable nicknames include: Sideshow Bob, Pubes, Tina Turner & Barbie with a perm.

In Grade 7 I wore my hair in a bun every single day for an entire year. My parents would beg, "Rapunzel uhh Amanda, please let down your hair!"

It was only until I entered my university years that I started to let the beast roam free and accept what the good Lord gave me. A couple months ago I even changed the colour. While always sticking to my blonde roots, I decided to go some sort of golden, bronzey reddish hue. At first I didn't recognize myself in the mirror. Now it is faded and washed out just like that time period in my life. Do you ever look back at a hairstyle and remember the person you used to be? I've come to realize that hair is just hair and mine is only a small part of who I am. To me, hair is a large vanity and this song is always a solid reminder.

On another note, for the holidays I always like to change it up and try a looser look.

Step 1: ACCEPTANCE- Make peace with the daunting task ahead.

STEP 2: TRY & TAME THE BEAST.

 

STEP 3: SMILE AT A  DECENT JOB WELL DONE MINUS A HAIRDRESSER!

Products & Tools:

Frederic Fekkai Ironless Straightening Balm
Hana Standard Flat Iron
Isinis Spring Curling Iron

Tonight, I'm hosting a small party for a group of my closest friends. The guys and girls who remembered me when I met them in Grade 6 with my giant 'fro.

Happy Winter Break!

Melissa Stewart

My sister is a Jane of all homemaker trades. 

She can bake stunningly mouthwatering cakes, cupcakes and cookies. She managed to make her tiny bedroom look chic and spacious with her colour coordinated redesign.  Melissa, or Melba as I affectionately call her, constantly scours home and style magazines searching for her next project. She dreams of being an event planner and I can envision her being an amazing mother and career woman who will bring joy to her work and family. At least someone will be able to provide yummy treats for my future sugar deprived children. Go to Auntie Melba's house I'll say, she'll bake you cupcakes and do crafts with you. 

Her latest project? Decorating for our Christmas Eve dinner. Melba combined gold and red on a white backdrop to create a classy Winter Wonderland dinner theme. She used tall curly frosted branches and cotton to add a snowy touch.

 

 

 

My baby sister is pretty spectacular and she also has a kind heart. She added a little card to the head table stating that a donation has been made to the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of our grandfather Nonno Joe. I miss my grandfather extra so over the holidays. He was one person who left a profound impact on each and every one of my family members. I've yet to encounter anyone with his warm heart and I strive to be more like him everyday. Melba's tiny touch brought me to tears.

So Merry Christmas Notamodel Readers! Hope you have a happy holidays filled with family, friends and love! xo

Not an Athlete

I tried to fake sick. *cough cough* I was sure I had a fever. How on earth did I get myself into this? Peter, aka superstar soccer player extraordinaire tried to console me on our car ride. It won't be that bad. Just relax. You're going to do fine. 

I kind of, sort of joined a co-ed soccer team. To put this into perspective, I haven't played soccer since I was a kid, or maybe a teen. I don't have mad skills. All I can do is run. I've been keeping up with my cardio for the past couple of weeks so I wouldn't be a total disaster when I stepped on that field.  

The Verdict? I sucked it up and got myself out there. I got knocked down once and almost twice by the same girl who said, "Oh my gosh I'm sooo sorry! I don't know why I keep doing this?" I know why, because I'm an easy person to knock over who won't do anything back. I'd knock me down too. But I picked myself up and kept going. I didn't score in my own net or trip over my own feet, so all in all I would say that it was a minor success. I'm still learning and I will try my best if needed to play again. I wouldn't be offended if the team decides to go in *ahem* another direction.

But at least I jumped out of my comfort zone, met some new people and got some Tuesday cardio in. Playing on a team is a pretty fun experience, I forgot how easy camaraderie is formed. I'm definitely not an athlete, but this team is pretty awesome. We, or rather they won 5-0. I contributed the best I could, but they're all a bunch of talented superstars. 

Oh and back to my notamodel roots I had my photo taken today. For someone who claims she isn't a model,  I don't know how I keep ending up in these situations. Anyways, it took maybe 300 shots to get a good one. The theme had me on edge. It was all about positive, strong women and I don't think I fit the bill. I know being self-depreciating is not attractive but I can't help it. I guess you never see yourself the way others see you. My photographer, Miss Stefania kept asking me questions like, "Think about where you'll be in 5 years, what you want to accomplish, how far you've come now." Let's just say there were 300 photos of me looking absolutely terrified. Yet once again, I tried my best to think positively and be confident. It's all you can really do in the end.

Fake it till you make it kids.
 

Glory for Girls

I was delighted when asked to test out Glory for Girls. My desire to find natural products only became a priority for me recently, and I wish someone would have told me about the benefits of healthy products when I was a teenager.

This is why Glory for Girls is such an inspiring beauty line. They feature naturally paraben and sulfate free products for girls at an affordable price. Their formulas are biodegradable, 100% vegan and their packaging comes from recyclable plastics.

Their philosophy:
"Glory for Girls hopes to inspire each and every girl to believe in her unique self and take pride and responsibility for how she looks, how she feels, and how she acts. At work and at play, we follow three guiding principles – be positive, be practical, and be proactive. We apply these in creating products for everyday girls that are fun, fresh, safe and effective." 

My favourite product is the Cherry Lip Balm. The sweet smell of cherries reminds me of my childhood. Also, I enjoy knowing that what goes on my lips isn't laden with preservatives and chemicals.

My sister enjoyed the anti-oxidant filled Coconut Scrub. She liked the pink jojoba beads to slough off her dead skin. The product line also features a natural deodorant and some clarifying products for calming blemishes and impurities. You can also start with the Glory Basics, an everyday essentials starter kit. I've been using the Everyday Body and Face Wash in the shower and its light citrus scent wakes me up.

If you have a special young lady in your life, there is nothing greater than giving the gift of confidence. All products can be purchased online. Glory for Girls will inspire young women to choose products that are good for them and the environment starting from day 1 of their beauty routines. Hopefully these philosophies will stay with them long after they wash their faces or moisturize their lips. 

GROUNDHOG LIVING

Perspective is like yo-yo dieting. 

You gain a lot and then lose it all. Back and forth. Over and over again. It is a myriad of profound and then suddenly lost moments.

I believe perspective can only come when you finally decide to dig yourself out of that narcissistic hole you've so been so happily living in. It is that deep, dark place where all thoughts, moments and mirrors reflect only you and your plights.

My hole could easily consist of:

• homework assignments
• facial and body scrutiny
• over- analysis of past mistakes & situations
• negativity and self- doubt  
• feeling disheartened

So I was safe in my hole. I was the life of the party. The center of my own sad universe. All my problems and troubles were the most important and only thing I could see. 

Until I read something about a fellow blogger. I met her while interning at FASHION. I always enjoyed walking over to her desk to give her products to shoot. She had an exceptional sense of personal style and she was quiet, but special in her own way. I will not reveal her strife for it is not my place, but I can say it is larger than frizzy hair and boys. So this is for Y if you're reading this, you're in my thoughts.

Now, I don't suddenly feel better because, "hey it could always be worse!" I dislike that motto. It's too soft and squishy for me. There are brave people out there who fight the hardest battles so instead I choose to ask myself: 

"Is this really important?"
"Is this how I want to spend my energy and thoughts?"

It is about removing the haze that is clouding my vision with two fresh sprays of windshield wiper fluid. Once the wipers cut through the soft grime, the stark clearness of the view shocks my focus.

And I find clarity once again. 

READ THE LOVE

As a fairly beginner blogger, I'm constantly on the lookout for other blog talent to satisfy my thirsty eyeballs. Whether the people are friends, aquaintances or strangers I'm happy to be part of the blogging community where people openly share thoughts, ideas and opinons.

Here are a few blogs that I'm looking at right now: 

For the Couture Craft Maker:

P.S I Made This features one girl's quest to re-create amazing pieces from wreaths to chandelier earrings. She's eco-friendly, artsy and amazing. You'll be inspired to grab some glue and get started.

For the Magazine Enthusiast:

Life is Glossy for Erica whose blog features valuable tips on internships, feature writing and her desire to make it into the magazine masthead.

For the Nutritious Newbie:

Diary of a Nutritionista features tips from Naturally Raya a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) who is currently studying PR. Her posts provide a balanced approach to wellness.

For the Soul Searching Photography Lover:
I've been reading Dallas' Passionate Rationality blog for 5 years! This was the first blog that ever inspired me to become a blogger. (it only took me 4 years to grab some gumption) Her photography is stunning and her life musings are noteworthy.

I also have some PR lovelies who have all started blogging so I will have a new list soon! xo

Happy Reading!

Stick to the plan. Stick to plan. Stick to the..

Here’s to all the people who have their entire life all planned out. To all the people who have made a timeline for every detail and upcoming milestone. People who look at the future not as a place of uncertainty but as a leather bound day planner.

So instead of raising my glass to you “organized folk” I want to splash my champagne flute in your face.

Now that I have your attention, please give me a moment to explain. Here’s a dry towel. Sorry.

This is how I look at it. Unless you have a special edition lifetime guarantee stamp- your plans are a charade. You can sketch, make diagrams and map out your ideal life plan, but realistically you have no idea where you will be tomorrow let alone 5 years from now. You can plan the year you want to get married, how many children you want and exactly how you will receive that promotion- but it may not turn out that way.

Sure I get lost in daydreaming about my future. Who doesn't? But I try not to get too attached to my thoughts. Nothing is set in stone as the cliché goes. This doesn’t mean I’m advocating throwing away your goals, ambitions or dreams. I just don’t feel the need to plan out how it will all happen because I don’t have those answers.

If a fortune teller came to me with a crystal ball to show me how my entire life would pan out I would slam the door in her precocious face. Seriously lady, you’re creeping out the children and my puppy. Please leave.

I also feel that people who plan too much won’t handle life’s curveballs as well as us non-planners. If you want to get married by the age of 26 and you’re still single- how will you handle that?

So I say throw your day planner out the window. (Not your regular planner with appointments, socials, & deadlines. I love my planner so much it hurts. Thanks to my sister who gave me this one as a gift. It's a beauty)

So here’s to all the people who have no idea how it will all turn out. People who know what they want but don’t have a strict no nonsense timeline attached to it. The people who understand that whatever gets in the way may not actually be an obstacle but something greater than the original plan. 

A germaphobe seeking soft hands- apply within

There is one item that can be found at every mall, school, purse, bank and glove compartment and that is HAND SANITIZER. 

It seems that everyone has embraced squirting their hands with this jelly like substance at all hours. With the flu on everyone's radar this season, no one (myself included) wants to get sick.

But I've come to despise hand sanitizer. It smells awful, like a vodka shot to be exact and it dries up my hands. Don't even bother with scented ones- they have such a strong stench that you will wish you stuck with the vodka.

My solution: CleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer. As my readers know I'm a great fan of natural products and this product doesn't disappoint. This sanitizer is alcohol-free and plant-based and so it won't dry up my hands.  The gobbly goop is also exchanged with an easy to spray formula. Just a few sprays on my hands and I'm germ free, dry and the slight citrus scent is refreshing not over powerful. Best of all I don't have to fan out my palms like an overly excited child.

I purchased mine at Pistachio an eco-friendly gift store that has quickly become one of my new favourite shops. For $6.99 it costs more than your average sanitizer but this one promises 225+ sprays and no headaches.

I much prefer my alcohol in my martini glass anyways.

James Brown said, "GET UP OFFA THAT THING"

Today in the computer lab of my social media class I had an epiphany.

I looked around the room at everyone zoned out at their computer screens. Click. Click. Click. Type. Type. Type. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet. You get the picture.

I then realized that my neck kind of hurt and I was sitting sideways on my chair. I wasn't focused on anything but the screen in front of me. I recapped the past few months and thought of how much time I've spent clicking, refreshing, driving, taking notes, typing, watching and resting on my derrière.


I thought, JC (less offensive than the full version but still wrong, sorry Mom) I'm on the path to an early demise. Here I go being all dramatic again but Women's Health Magazine further confirmed my seemingly ridiculous statement. Scary!

It also feels like a million years ago that I decided to set that fitness challenge. The weather is no longer suitable for dog walking. My schoolwork has piled up beyond words. I'm stressed, tired and the last thing I want to do is get off my chair, couch, stool or recliner. I'd even take going to the dentist- because heck I even get to sit there. 

My reasoning is absurd and my body is actually showing me that it doesn't like me.  My sister dared me to pick up her boyfriend the other night. I refused (both out of embarassment- I mean how awkward is that?) and because I know I couldn't do it. She forced us by saying, "Why are you guys getting so awkward? It's not like I'm asking you to kiss!" Anyways, I tried and didn't even get him off the ground.


So today I came home and decided to face the elephant in my basement...the treadmill. All in all it wasn't so bad. I watched an episode of SATC while doing cardio, lunges, squats, weights and sit ups. 

And guess what? My body feels good. I know tomorrow is gonna hurt. But I say give me pain. I'll try to keep at it and give some updates.

Now back to the academic grind.

MONTH END LOVIN'

I would like to extend a shout-out and thank you to my girl Christina Tac. She has supported the notamodel blog from day 1 and she is constantly sharing her insights and comments on everything! It is great to have support from one of my bests!!

Also, thanks again to all my new or dedicated readers! I love hearing from you- What do you like? Don’t like? Want more of? Less of? Do you want to be featured on the spotlight? Do you have a new product you’d love me to try?
 
Speak your mind & introduce yourself because I’d love to get to know you.

If you don’t like the comment feature- you can always send me an email at: write.notamodel@gmail.com

love.

Lessons from the First Lady

On my first day of PR school, I remember having to participate in about 100 ice breakers. First off, I hate ice breakers. They give me anxiety. I always sit there sweating it out while trying to think of something clever to say. On the other hand, the instructor gets to pick some question for their own amusement such as, Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows or What is the most interesting thing you've done, or What is your favourite ice cream flavour?

I always sit there wracking my brain while I categorize all of my life experiences.

Anyways, I remember receiving the ice breaker: If you could have lunch with any person who would it be and why?" 

I chose Michelle Obama.

Although my answer to this question changes everyday--on that day I wanted to lunch with the first lady. If the kids and President Obama showed up I wouldn't be opposed. Besides having great arms,  intelligence and an actual sense of style Mrs. Obama also probably knows a thing or two about relationships.

“Cute’s good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it’s, who are you as a person? Don’t look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul...When you’re dating a man, you should always feel good...You shouldn’t be in a relationship with somebody who doesn’t make you completely happy and make you feel whole.” -Michelle Obama- Glamour Magazine 2009

Sometimes I read something (like the above quote) and it kind of sticks to my brain like unfloured pizza dough until I remember it again at a different point in time. I also think this quote applies to both genders. Just rearrange the words to suit your situation. The theme is universal.

So I dare to ask:

Are you in a relationship or dating someone that makes you feel oh so good or are you just fooling yourself? No need to answer but it does make you think. Hmm...

[photo credit: This image is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain]