13 Highlights of 2013

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Hi there! I know that a lot of my friends straight up hated 2013, but I happened to absolutely adore it. 2013 was the year that marked many new beginnings for me and I grew SO MUCH this year. It's so crazy now to look back and reflect on it all.

To sum up 2013's best moments, here's a list.

One of a Kind Finds: December 2013

Hi there! It's almost the end of December and I hope that all of you have had an awesome, amazing, fantabulous 2013 because you all deserve that. I know I had a pretty great year and fashion's had a good one, too. Here are a few of the wonderful hidden gems I found online this month that will end the year with a bang. And chandeliers. And flowers. Anyway, let's get into this month's list.

Style Diary: A New Kind of Entry

Hi there! I don’t usually post these on Sundays, but sometimes, there are just too many things to do that there really is no room in one’s schedule to add “sneak off and take photos of self for blog.”

I’m sure I’ve mentioned/complained (depends on how you see it) about the cold where I am numerous times, so I promise you, today will be the last. For this year, at least.

Because it’s so cold, it’s not really possible for me to go outside in -25 temperatures without my protective outer layer, aka my winter jacket, on. I’d get sick almost instantly, which would not be good.

I thought about temporarily retiring the series for a while, but later thought better of it. Instead, as a compromise, I’ll still continue with theses posts, but I’ll just take the photos inside when there’s decent lighting. So let’s see how that worked out.

Sunday Funday: After the Feast...

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Hi there! After eating a ton and now that we’re nearing the end of 2013, I feel like I’m finally able to truly relax and just sleep. A lot. I feel like all I’ve done recently is sleep, eat, and blog. It’s weird, but I’m not complaining. It’s really nice to be able to wind down and spend some time with my family (and my laptop, hehe).

How to: Make New Year's Resolutions So You Actually Keep Them

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Hi there! It’s crazy to me that 2013 is almost over, but one must ignore that to actually get over it and start the New Year off fresh and make it better than the last. Or at least that’s how I think.

It’s been tradition for me to write New Year’s resolutions for years now, so this year is no different. I’m sure that’s the same for many of you out there, but honestly and quite unfortunately, I forget about them by the end of January. Anyone else who’s like that? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Because of my constant failures in keeping up with my resolutions, I decided to change that for 2014. Here are a few things that I kept in mind while making mine.

My Very Merry Christmas

Hi there! I hope that you've all had an amazing time with your family yesterday (and the day before!) being all festive and just spreading the love and spirit of this time of year. I might've (just maybe) mentioned this before, but I absolutely love Christmas. It's just awesome.

Since we don't celebrate Christmas religiously, our traditions are kind of... original. Most years, we usually cook a big Asian meal, but this year, my brother and I begged for a turkey and we got one! After a plate full of food, well, mostly gravy and cranberry sauce for me, I was stuffed to the brim. But it was freaking delicious.

We almost always celebrate Christmas with my aunt's family and my grandma. This year was no different and it was just amazing. The food was delicious and we just had a great time.

(Sorry for the blurry photo. The quality on my phone kind of sucks.)

As you could probably tell, our Christmas tree is all decked out with lots of pretty, pretty ornaments and pretty much anything you can imagine. My family likes to switch it up, so one year, we'll have these decorations up, and the next, we'll mix and match with ornaments collected over the years.

This year, we had TONS of gifts under the tree. It might have to do with the fact that I love buying gifts for people, wrapping them, and making the tree look all pretty by trying to stuff them all around it. If only I had a bigger budget, haha. Most of the gifts are for my cousins and little brother. Unfortunately, I couldn't snap a decent shot before the boys ripped all the presents apart.

I've been told that our tradition is very odd, but we've always, always opened gifts on Christmas Eve. It's Christmas morning when we open Santa's. :) Though it might not be super traditional, it is to us and I wouldn't change our traditions for anything. Ever.

I got some really amazing gifts this year, so thank you to the gift-givers who are watching this. My parents got me a jewellery organiser which I desperately needed because my jewellery has just been a tangled mess for the longest time. I actually filled most of it up, which was surprising. I didn't realise I had that much stuff. Well, now I know.

My mom's coworker asked me to paint her a few things for her son's room (photo below) and it was a gift, so I didn't want to accept any money. So instead, she got me this adorable perfume from Harajuku Lovers and aside from the lovely packaging, it smells so delicious. I've been told that it was a stressful trip trying to get this for me, so it really made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

A friend of mine from school got me this hat from Firefly. She told me that she thought I looked cold waiting for the bus, so she got this for me. Such a sweet girl. Plus, her birthday's on Christmas. Isn't that crazy?

One of the first friends I made at my school gave me this eau de toilette from Elizabeth Arden that just blew me away. I didn't expect her to get me something so big and I just got really emotional. It means a lot to me when people think of me and get me something that they'll know I'll love and I do end up loving.

My best friend got me Rookie: Yearbook One which I don't have with me at the moment, but I was just so happy when I unwrapped the paper and saw it. She knows me so well and I love her for that (and a ton of other things, obviously). I know you're reading this right now, so thank you so much, B! Oh, I love Christmases with her.

Last but not least, my gift from Santa. Oh, even after the truth is revealed, it's fun to keep the tradition going, I'd say. I don't want to be too old for Santa. I probably won't say that a few years from now, but that's what I think right now.

I got Chloe: Attitudes and I was so excited. My brother and I didn't know who it was for, so I ripped the paper along the top and the back to savour the moment. Then, I saw the cover and I screamed. Sorry if I woke you up, Grandma. :P

I don't know Chloe as well as some other fashion houses/designers, so I can't wait to delve into the history of the brand and learn more about them.

The anticipation that builds up all of December is simply contagious and it sucks how it's pretty much all over now. Aw well, until next year! At least as a Canadian, I get to celebrate Boxing Day (the Canadian equivalent to Black Friday) today, so I won't slip into post-Christmas depression so quickly, hehe.

How did you celebrate Christmas? What'd you get from your loved ones? What are a few of your favourite traditions? Leave your comments below!

Thanks for reading!

- J

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Merry Christmas!

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Hi there! I just wanted to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, or if you don't celebrate, a happy holiday season! I'm sure that we're all busy throughout the year and are always planning for the future, but take this time to relax and spend some quality time with your family and loved ones, enjoying yourself as much as you can. Soak it all in before it's all gone.

From me to you, have a safe and magical holiday season! You deserve the best and thank you so much for everything you, my readers, have done for me this past year! I love you and don't you ever forget it.

Thank you SO MUCH for reading!

- J

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Christmas Gift Guide: 15 Stocking Stuffers Under $15

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Hi there! I know I haven't blogged in a while, but hopefully today's post will make up for it! I've put together a pretty big gift guide full of stocking stuffers/last minute gifts for your friends and family and whoever you need to get gifts for this holiday season. This would also be great for any of you looking for some inexpensive gifts for your loved ones.

There are a few things that aren't technically under $15, but they're big sets of things that you can break up and give one to each of your friends because NO ONE needs six mini nail polishes at once.

DIY: You've Got More Issues Than Vogue T-Shirt

Hi there! I made most of my gifts this year, so today's project would make a really fun gift for anyone fashion-obsessed girl in your life. It's probably one of the easiest DIYs I have ever posted.

I don't quite remember where I first saw this shirt, but it was sold at ASOS for a while, but it's been taken down for a really long time, now. I just thought it was absolutely perfect for me, so I decided to make it myself. 

Sunday Funday: The Best Weekend Ever

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Hi there! Honestly, I don’t have much to tell you about this week, but the few things that I do have to tell you about are pretty big and, you know, meaningful. Oh, and really Christmas-y, too.

The reason why there aren’t many things to talk about it because I’ve been so, so busy lately. You might think that because I’m so busy, there’d be lots to say, but I’ve been busy to the point of getting barely any sleep and not being able to just relax and blog or anything, really. It’s truly a crazy time of year.

Instant Banana Almond Butter Oatmeal Recipe

Hi there! A few weeks ago, Melody, who is absolutely awesome, by the way if you're reading this, commented and asked for an oatmeal recipe, so that's what you're going to get today! I'm so in love with the combination of almond butter (or any nut butter) and banana together, it's just so delicious. However, just so you guys know, this recipe might taste a bit better with peanut butter as opposed to almond butter, which was the only thing I had laying around.

We all lead busy lives and the weekend is often a time to just relax and recharge. But during my weekends, I'm always planning ahead to next week, like what fruits I need to add to the grocery list or what homework or blog posts I'll have to get done. 

I wish I had time to make stove-top oatmeal everyday, but a lot of the times, it's just not possible, especially now that my parents won't let me make it on weekdays because it wastes lots of energy. That's why you can make today's oatmeal in the microwave!

Just a Little Hiccup, I Promise.

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Hi there! If you're a regular reader, you might've been wondering where I've been lately, and I assure you, I'm not going anywhere.

The thing that comes with the whole student package is homework and it's right before my holiday break, so homework is pretty darn crazy at the moment. I'm going to be taking a tiny little break this week and will be back on Saturday at the very latest with a new post! I just thought it I'd let you guys know why I've been away and once again, I'm not ditching my little baby. :)

I'll double post a few days during the remainder of the month to make up for any missed posts because I had some really fun ones planned for this week.

Also, there are EIGHT hours left to enter my giveaway for a chance to win an H&M gift card, so if you're interested...

Thank you for your understanding!

- J

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Sunday Funday: We're Almost There

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Hi there! It seems like my weeks keep getting crazier and crazier. I really haven't had time to do anything, it seems. Well, anything leisurely, that is. It's just been a continuous cycle of working, eating, a bit of sleep, then work again. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's this busy, right?

School Tips: 9 Things to Do to Get Your Work Done

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Hi there! A few, well, two, people have asked me to write this post and it has been long overdue. I know that it can be really hard to get to work sometimes and once you get to work, the balance between working too hard and not thinking about your health can also be damaging. I'm no expert, but I have been going to school for a while now, so here are a few things I've found helpful these past few years.

Style Diary: An Optical Illusion

Hi there! You're finally getting to see a little taste of Canada's snow from me, even though it's not very much. I was tempted to throw some on the wall so it would seem like there was more of it, but I think my parents wouldn't have been very pleased with me.

Now that there is snow on the ground, Christmas only seems to be an arm's reach away. Just two more weeks of school and I'm off for Winter Break. Isn't that a pleasant thought?

Christmas Gift Guide: Fashion Lovers

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Hi there! Today, I have for you a gift guide for all the fashion lovers in your life. If you're going into this post thinking that there'll be lots of clothes, that is one thing this gift guide will not include. That might seem a bit odd to you, but I find that the people who love fashion are also really picky about what they wear (I'm guilty!), so save yourself and your loved one the grief of faking their excitement over your clothing by just not getting them clothes.

However, here are a few ideas for every price point for what to get them instead. There are items under $!5, $40, and some more luxurious items that are more expensive. And no, all the items under $15 aren't $14.99 and the same goes for the other categories (I just hate it when gift guides are like that!) They're all items that I'd love to get myself because I am just a teensy bit obsessed with fashion. Just a bit.

I also put up a gift guide for DIY-ers this morning, so check that out if you need to get some crafty people some gifts.

Christmas Gift Guide: DIY-ers

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Hi there! Today, I have for you a gift guide for all the DIY-ers in your life. Yep, you know the one who would rather make something as opposed to going out and buying one from a store. She'd love at least one thing from this list. I've divided this gift guide into two very general categories: one for the cardmakers/scrapbookers and one for the clothing DIY-ers/aspiring fashion designers. 

I have a ton of gift ideas, so I think putting together a little mini basket of this stuff would make your loved one would just be awesome. 

Also, I'm going to have a gift guide for fashion lovers coming up in just a few hours, so be on the lookout for that!

6 Reasons Why You Should Compromise Your Style

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Hi there! I'm usually one to tell you to go out there, be crazy, and be YOU with your style, but there are some times when going all out is just not the right thing to do. It can lead to really awkward situations, cringe-worthy embarrassment, or just display plain disrespect.

Here are a few situations that could potentially lead to emotional turmoil if you're not careful with what you wear.

Haul: Black Friday 2013

Hi there! It's been tradition for my family for several years now, so last Thursday night, we headed over to the States to do a bit of Black Friday shopping! We didn't go crazy, but I thought it'd be cool to show you the few things I got. I also did a bit of shopping back in Canada with my mom and best friend, so there are a few items from there as well.

Now, let's see what's in this bag...

DIY: Gold Star Hair Bow

Hi there! I was inspired by the Christmas spirit and the Rodarte star hair clips to create this lovely statement hair piece.  You might have seen this hair bow before if you've checked out my giveaway (which is open until the 12:00 am EST on the 12th). If you don't live in the States or Canada but still wanted to make something like this, you're in luck! It's a bit time-consuming, but it's not hard at all. If you have an hour or two on your hands, this is an awesome project that would make a really pretty Christmas gift for any girly girls in your life.