Summer Beauty Survival - The Kit

It seems like the city is under the siege of a heat monster and my latest post for The Kit will help you navigate the humid hums with ease. Enjoy! xx

Summer Survival Tips

I’ve noticed that in the summertime, I carry more practical beauty items than glamourous ones. I opt for things that will help me in a bind or get me to my next engagement without looking like a dud.

For the Sweaty Sailor:
I carry around face blotting sheets more than I carry around my wallet. While I’m exaggerating, these sheets are crucial for those moments when you need to go from shiny to matte in five seconds flat. Try: Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens, $12, sephora.com

For Bubbling Blisters:
I’ve noticed that summer shoes do a number on my feet so my best weapon of defense are Advanced Healing Blister tabs from Band-Aid. The squishy pods conceal the pain and provide a bit of medicine to give me the ability to dance, walk, or stroll the night away.

For the Chapped Chaps:
My favourite summer lip balm is one that reminds me of bikes rides and cold soda. I also like a little bit of sheen without a heavy lipstick in the heat. Try: Dr. Pepper Chapstick for a classic pick-me-up on a lazy su­­­­­mmer day.

Live Lightly- Not A Model Mantra

Lately, there are things that keep me heavy in my mind, heavy in my step and heavy in my heart.

Sometimes, there isn't something major happening to bring the weight and sometimes it can be as simple as a recurring circumstance, negative thought pattern or toxic relationship or friendship. It's not always easy to "lighten up" but I've come to learn that it is a choice. It's a choice to see the lightness and look for the quiet good in the obnoxiously loud bad. If you can't remove yourself from the situation or cycle, try and cherish the moments when suddenly you feel buoyant again.

For me it's been:

*my grandmother cutting me roses from her garden at Sunday lunch
*watching one of the last sunsets from my balcony
*morning runs by the water
*my baby sister graduating
*getting a bad haircut - but taking a photo anyway

*spending my first weekend dog-sitting in the city with Bailey

This week's Not A Model mantra is as follows:


"Best to live lightly, unthinkingly." - Sophocles

Not A Model Travel Diary - Las Vegas

When I first decided to go to Las Vegas, I didn't really think I would enjoy it. "It doesn't seem like my scene," I lamented. I strongly dislike gambling and I'm not much of a "wild and crazy" party girl but I figured it was a rite of passage. I packed my bags and headed over to the desert with three of my girlfriends and let's just say I loved every waking second of it.

Below are 6 things I learned from sin city and a mini photo diary. Enjoy! xx

1. Sleep is extremely overrated.

2. You then may fall asleep in other places like Cirque du Soleil to catch up.

3. Happy people listen to house music.

4. Rules aren't just bent, they're crazy straw twisted. 

5. Gambling is lighting your money on fire, with hope that the flame won't catch.

6. After four days, you may not want to go home, but your body will have to.

(photo cred: Christina Tac)

Not A Model Mantra - Contentment

One of my closest friends recently celebrated her birthday and she told me that her goal is to commit herself to being content.

Instead of thinking about how much more exciting her life could be if she had x, y and z - she is making an effort to enjoy whatever her present situation brings.

I found this very interesting. It always seems like people are chatting about the next big milestone or dream item. People love to blab or inquire about "what's next." It's all about the timing of the big job, the big ring, the little flaxen haired babies or the next adventure across the world.

While it's great to have dreams, sometimes it's better to tuck them away for a moment and realize that today is all we have. Who knows, one day you may be nostalgic for the very moment that you're missing.

This week's Not A Model mantra is as follows:

"Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu

It's been a busy week in my professional world, but I promise to have more posts coming soon! xx