Christina Aguilera's new single!!!!

My number one is back... and reinventing herself again!

Christina's new album titled Bionic will be released June 8th, 2010 and I CANNOT wait. I love how she takes a good chunk of time off between albums so that you begin to miss her. I'm sure you guys missed her right? She is somethin else that's for sure... check out her brand spankin' new single (a dance hit for sure!) Not Myself Tonight enjoy listening to those pipes let loose on those notes. Rock on Xtina <3

Nothing beats paradise...

My mini-vacay.


I wanted to post some pics from my getaway to the Bahamas! I had a great time with my dad and my brother... it was really nice to get some down time with family. There is something so amazing about family. I come from a very good family. I don't mean well-off or picture perfect, I mean really GOOD people... the people in my family are the classiest people I know. I must have done something wonderful in my previous lives to accumulate the kind of karma to plop me into the family I have. If you believe in that sort of thing. Who knows. All I can say is, I wish everyone had a family like mine.


I won't go through every detail of my trip but the things that stood out were : the cleanness of the air, the clarity of the water, the extremely slow pace of the natives, the outstanding authentic pina coladas, the creamy white sand, the latin music, being spoiled by my dad, and being thankful for all of it. Some people never realize, that the moments you get to spend, having a blast with the people you love, is life's highest peak and the most rewarding honor. As my dad says, "This is what it's all about." Through all the suffering, obstacles, and frustration of just being citizens of this Earth, the moment you get to slow down and feel completely loved is exactly why we're here. For those moments :) Enjoy the pics!

( first day on the beach )

( on our scooter ride )

( look at that water! )

( peace, man )

( happiness )

( the marketplace )

( my brother, jake )

( riding bikes )

( jet skiing )

( love )

I'm more Irish than anything else...

Let us drink.


To honor my Irish heritage I must say...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I have fair skin and green eyes = Irish.
Drink Responsibly and don't puke. It is a Wednesday after all.
XO.

Bahamas! Here I come...

Taking a break.


Well! It feels like I've been go go going since I arrived back in LA just after New Years. It is time I take a breather and head to an island. I do have some exciting updates but I want to wait until after my little escape to paradise for a fuller, bigger, larger... ok, ok you get the picture... blog post!


I have made a new commitment to myself in order to get into tip top shape for the summer months ahead and sadly, I will be addressing my sugar addiction and seeking help for it. Meaning... Justine will refrain from excessive dessert eating, chocolate snacking, and ice cream splurging. Today is day 2 of weaning myself off... and today, the headaches arrived. Withdrawal symptom? My dad seems to think so -- and so do I. I didn't know it was this bad. Wish me luck!


Tomorrow, I am headed to Free Port in the grand island of the Bahamas, to visit my faja who decided to get the heck out of the winter weather in dear, dear Canada and spend two beautiful months, 5 minutes from the beach. I actually haven't been to any type of island since I was 13, so I am delighted to be going somewhere a bit more tropical than Southern California. Not that I'm complaining... by any means. Phil and I did find a new apartment (FINALLY.) and will be moving in the day after I arrive back from the Bahamas :) Can you believe it? I will update with the full scoop and pics as soon as possible. Since we will have much more room than before, you can imagine how creative my mind has been swirling for how we will decorate it. Until I regain full consciousness after my well deserved vacay... I hope all is well and wonderful!

( actual picture of Bahamas )

Sending love your way... <3

Get some confidence stupid!

Get your daily dose.

I went out dancing last night at a local dive bar with some girly-friends and it just happened to be a night when my confidence level was through the roof. I would say I'm a fairly confident person, some days are better than others - there always tends to be that voice of insecurity in the back of my mind... just waiting to show up uninvited. The people that know me best know I have an off-the-wall sense of humor - I'm talking straight up (for lack of a better word) retarded. Not in a weird, creepy sense, but Kristin Wigg/Molly Shannon/Mo Collins type retarded. I don't often reveal this side of myself in public but last night I thought, 'what the heck!'... I decided to wow the dance floor with moves I only do in my kitchen. I know some might call alcohol "liquid courage" but trust me, one would have to be pretty obliterated to muster up the balls to dance the way I did. And I was NOT obliterated, however, I am young and have to get my kicks while I can so yah, I had a gummie bear shot or two. The reactions I got from my surrounding dance peers was gratifying and the freedom to be who I am from deep down in my core, was stunningly freeing. I've had these occasions happen from time to time, of course this wasn't the first... but it had been a while since I had been out to shake it off, and believe me, I shook it.

The point to this? Confidence makes a massive difference. In everything. I'm sure we all have varying levels of it and I'm sure we all struggle with keeping it high at all times - and maybe it's just me, but I haven't been able to keep it high ALL the time. I'm not just talking about confidence when you're out mingling, or meeting new people. I'm also taking into consideration how much confidence is the 'make it or break it' point in many aspects in life. Everything looks, sounds, and feels better when it's done with confidence. When I sing with confidence, I sound 1000000 times better. It plays a huge role when interviewing for a job. Or when trying to meet a potential life partner. Confidence, although not necessarily a physical attribute, is extremely powerful and people pick it up right away. Yes, of course there is such a thing as too much confidence, but keeping a classy balance will help you soar in everything.

So, how does one 'get' more confidence?

It's all you baby. It's in there, at all times! Shifting your perspective is the only way to bring more of it out. For example, take some moments to think to yourself about everything you have going for you. Whether it be a sense of humor, looks, brains, charisma, positivity, talent, compassion for others, whatever makes you who you are... and be really proud of yourself for just being you (it's a lot of work to just 'be'). Even if you've made a billion mistakes. It doesn't matter, they all make up who you are and as long as you learn from them, they only add depth to your character. Remember, life is painfully short and we waste a ridiculous amount of time worrying about stuff. Really stupid stuff. Stuff that won't matter at all when we're dead. 

Next, stop caring about what anyone thinks. Who cares?! As long as your new found confidence isn't harming anyone, what does it matter if you feel like gettin' down and funky in the aisle of the grocery store? If you decide you want to get up and try karaoke at the good 'ol karaoke bar, do that with confidence. Another good way to put things in a better perspective is deep breathing. Try yoga, or take a meditation class. I swear to you, cross my heart and all that good stuff, breathing properly and taking time out to focus on breath will change your life! You'd be surprised at how often we forget to really breathe because we're so caught up in all the little dramas that fill our day. Do good. Be good. Look good.


That's my 2 cents.

An old soul...

Introducing, Nikki Yanofsky.

My first love -- is to sing. My second love -- is to watch great singers, sing. As a proud Canadian watching the Olympic opening ceremonies in Vancouver (on TV, of course),  I was very interested to see who they had invited to sing the national anthem -- quite an honor in my eyes. When Nikki Yanofsky opened her mouth to sing the anthem I knew so well, I couldn't believe my ears. One, because I had never heard our anthem sung more beautifully than the way Nikki sung it, and two, because there was this monster voice coming out of this little girl. It took a couple days of marinating in this new found musician before I decided to look her up to see what she was about.

She just turned 16.

To put it in a nutshell : She's a Montreal born BEAUTY, can skat sing like it ain't nobody's business (yes, I just said "ain't"), was invited to contribute on an Ella Fitzgerald tribute album (at 13), and is making a huge mark on the Canadian Jazz scene. She made her debut at the 2008 Montreal Jazz Festival; she was 14. She. is. amazing. Nikki's first big album is being released this spring and you know I'll be picking it up! Nothing inspires me more than watching people do what they were, so clearly, born to do. This young lady has such a bright future ahead of her and I'm so glad she is a piece of great Canadian talent. You gotta listen to her sing live... check out her YouTube channel. I love her remake of George Gershwin's, I've Got Rhythm - check that out on her website.


I hope you enjoy :)