I live in a snowglobe + what I've been up to

Blizzard time!!!! It's been snowing heavily since last night.... and seriously doesn't show signs of slowing down. Pretty to look at - not so pretty to drive through...

Anyhow.... The past week has been good and bad. I have been fighting off 2 colds. I started with 1... had about a day where I felt well, then got another cold. I'm pretty much over the hump now - just a few sniffles and coughs. NeoCitran has been my best friend. It quiets down the coughing and dries up my sinuses.

---- EATS FROM THE PAST FEW DAYS ----

I had a yogurt parfait for some of my breakfasts. Fat-free cherry yogurt, with maple/pecan granola and thawed out blueberries. It was actually a little too sweet for me, so I'll try some vanilla yogurt next time...

2 weekends ago, I went to the market with my Dad. I went with the grilled veggie + goat cheese panini with an organic greens salad on the side.

Large purchase of berries (32 cartons for $18). I washed all the berries, trimmed the strawberries and stored them in the freezer for easy smoothies. I also bought a bunch of bananas, a pineapple and a cantaloupe for freezing. It has made things sooo convenient! I'll definitely be keeping this up. Now I just need to pick out a good protein powder! (I use maca powder, hemp and chia seeds, almonds, walnuts {not all at once} in my smoothies).  

Ham wrap with some soup on the side. Went without some mayo, which is a baby step. I find it weird to have sandwiches and wraps without mayo. Just mustard this time. It wasn't that bad.

Went to dinner with my friend Julie last weekend. We went to a local Waterloo restaurant, Symposium. I've been there once before. It has a nice relaxed vibe and a superb dessert selection (which I haven't tried yet).  I had a salad with pulled pork and black bean quesadilla. Not a great choice. This was my "cheat meal", but it wasn't really worth it. The quesadilla was really greasy on the outside, but dry on the inside. I don't even think there was sauce with the pulled pork.... Water as my drink of choice. I am continuing to do this when I go out, which has helped.

My mom, stepfather, aunt and uncle came down on the weekend for a quick visit. And also - my aunt/uncle graciously gave me their kitchen table/chairs as they've renovated. Super appreciated since the table I had was on its last legs and very wobbly. Here's the new table:

After a bit of shopping, my aunt, my mom and I went to a local café (Matter of Taste) and had some warm drinks and a snack. I went with their Kyoto Cherry Green Tea and a fuji apple. Here was my mom's drink. <3

This was last night's dinner... baked chicken breast, green beans and greek salad. Yumm-o.

---- OUT AND ABOUT + NEW PRODUCTS ----

I went to Karaoke last weekend!!! Around the corner from our new place is a pub with Karaoke nights on Fridays and Saturdays. I used to take vocal lessons in my teenagehood, so singing is something that I really enjoy doing. Coupled with a couple beers, I had a fantastic time. Here were a few beanies that I found at the pub that gave me a chuckle.... :)

I found a local beauty supply shop that sells a plethora of nailpolish and spa stuff. I was in my happy place!!! Nailpolish is definitely my weakness... Next on the docket is to buy a clear nailpolish rack so I can display them all and see them more clearly.

Here is some China Glaze that I bought - $2 a bottle... crazy...

I have so far used the far left colour (called "Foxy"). These are actually my first bottles of China Glaze. I have been mostly loyal to O.P.I. and Essie thus far. I thought it was pretty comparible to O.P.I.

I tried out a drugstore brand of nailpolish from my local pharmacy. Maybelline Express Finish in Denim Dash. It looked gorgeous on the nails, but it peeled off (not chipped - peeled!) within a day! And before I applied the colour, I made sure to swipe my nails with nailpolish remover and apply base coat. My nails were definitely "grippy" enough to take on the polish. Very disappointed in this product. On top of the blue, I applied "Violet Diamond" by Mavala on my tips, then did a a gradual fade to the top of my nails. I do like the Mavala products. :)

I also bought the Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer. I already have the Urban Decay Primer in "Sin" (which is a champagne colour), but I wanted a clear or skin-tone primer as well. The Urban Decay primer is fantastic, but because it's shimmery, when applied with shadow on top, it can look a bit intense. By using the Too Faced primer, I get a neutral base to put any shadow on top, whether it's matte or shimmery. Worth the $24 from Sephora, because you get better colour pay-off from your shadow, and the shadow lasts all day long. A God-send for someone like me who has oily eyelids.

While shopping with my aunt and mother, I tested out a few fragrances at Sears. I didn't buy anything - because, let's face it - I have enough at home to go through.... but here were 2 fragrances that I really loved!

Vent Du Sud by Lise Watier

This scent was very unique and different. Exotic, tropical-like, but with a bit of warmth. Dare I say it reminded me of a cantaloupe, or some other melon? I'd love to use it in the summer. Here is the description from the Lise Watier website:

Your beloved fragrance is finally back! Envelope your skin with the deliciously exotic scent of the tropics with Vent du Sud Eau de Toilette. Blending the sensual, feminine notes of passion flower, jasmine and rose with the warmth of an exotic fruit cocktail and the sweet, hot traces of amber, vanilla and wood-scented musk, Vent du Sud Eau de Toilette is your passport to the exotic. Now transport yourself to the tropics with just one spritz!

Dot by Marc Jacobs

If you've seen the other Marc Jacobs bottles - they are statement pieces! You can see his "Lola" fragrance in the back (with the flower topper). I had heard great things about this fragrance, so I was glad to give it a good snifferoo. I thought it was a very pretty scent. Here are the particulars:

Meet our new girl, Dot! Dot carries a lush, effervescent floral scent perfect for every eclectic, spontaneous female. Features top notes of red berries, mid notes of jasmine and base notes of driftwood for a bold, feminine scent. The packaging channels Marc’s energetic polka dot pattern, with our signature over-sized cap.

I have no big plans for the weekend.... just a run to the market tomorrow (if the weather isn't too cray-cray). I'd love to start looking for a box spring and continue unpacking. Boxing tomorrow morning (if they're open)!