Hiatus

it's that time of year!


sorry for the pathetic lack of posting. i don't even know if anyone is still reading this blog anymore . . . hello . . . ? anyone? haha, yah. it's mainly due to 1) my incredibly old, slow and bogged down laptop that i now avoid using because it just makes me want to run myself into a wall and 2) i'm juggling two jobs in december . . . ouch! but everything is good, aside from my first job not being too happy with me dedicating my life and love to my second job that we all i know i worked my butt off to get. they even kicked me out of the secret santa - how nice of them to show the true meaning of Christmas by excluding me from joining in on all the reindeer games. well Rudolph was a non-conformist so eff the games :) 


i prlly won't be posting as much as i have been the last few months, my apologies to you, but i will be updating my makeup blog soon! i had my first official creative shoot with a photographer friend of mine ( check him out here ) and it couldn't have gone better! we worked in true photo-shoot-fashion and banged out a 14 hour day, accomplishing 4 different looks, 6 different scenarios and 2 different series. i can't wait to show them to you! i'm debating about moving my makeup blog to the new blog platform Tumblr . . . what do you guys think? is anyone using it? i have no idea how to customize it to my liking which is the con. 


it seems everyone around us is getting slammed with snow, but somehow we're managing to be missed. i really would rather a chaotic amount of snow. it would be the final touch on making this time of year feel more festive and of course, would make things much more exciting. there's still 13 days left until the big day so lets hope we Torontonians are blessed with snow. LET IS SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW! by the way for some reason or another ( prlly because i'm feeling fussy right now ) i find myself refraining from swearing a lot in this post. you're welcome!


all the best for the last 12 days of shopping! oh, and try not to do it in your pajamas! k thanks,


justine XOXO

The Fuss & Ish Show!

november edition.


i remember as a child, the month of november felt like an eternity. it was a full 30 days, the final month before Christmas and always seemed to draaaaaag on. well, not as an adult! here we are, headed into the last month of 2010 and i've got pictures to prove all that was experienced during "the longest month of the year". fall was lovely, weather has been superb (although, i really want a white Christmas, so i'm ok with it getting colder) and lots of loose ends are being tied up. i love new beginnings, clean slates and fresh perspective!!! into December we go . . . (time to get out faves like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Santa Claus and Elf)

post-MAC-interview

Ish's paparazzi shot

jimmy the babe blogging

Ish and our tiny chocolate mousse! perfect.

jimmy the babe & his scarf

uncle jake & jim

getting his beauty sleep

first fire

Ish's housewarming party

wine & cheese

Fuss & Ish

friends

awkward sibling photo

a living room dance party

My Very First V-Log!

. . . enjoy . . .

Free Me

you only gotta raise your eyes and see me fly.


the truth is, i'm insecure . . . just like you. but i'd like to think, i'm insecure only some of the time. can you be insecure only "some" of the time? i've got everything i need not to be insecure yet still i find myself self-doubting, imposing limits, trying to control time and not working nearly as hard as i could be. don't get me wrong. i am incredibly grateful for all that i have. if you think about it, worrying about insecurity is almost a blessing. i do have to remind myself that there are people in this world that worry about far greater things. i suppose it's kind of like how a turtle only grows as big as his environment will let him. our worries will only grow as big as our environment will let them. 


i have to think that, with all the ways of doing things on this Earth, i should stop trying to live the "right" way. most of the time what we consider to be right or wrong are established based on comparing ourselves to what other's believe to be right or wrong. there are obvious things that are wrong. things that only take common sense. i think that if your intentions are well, that's all that really matters. each person has to create their own world of what is right and wrong for them. and what is right for me, may very well not be right for you. but judgement should never come into play if people have opposing viewpoints. judgement is a joke and a sad waste of time. there are many things wrong with this world and i'm skeptical that will ever change . . . but i do have hope and belief in the power of all of us. in the power of the individual. i do think that we, with the help of God, create our own destinies. we are the masters. books upon books will tell you this, but until you thoroughly understand what it is to be God, then i don't know if you can ever be free. and once you understand it, then you have to put it into action . . . because what's the point of inhibiting God and not doing much with it.


i want to do great things. i will do great things. you will too. if you want. i feel like i've been preparing for a marathon but never actually getting to run the thing. never feeling accomplishment so big i could burst at the seams. i start off with solid intentions, full of confidence and excitement . . . well, this time, i really want to see some results. from this moment on . . . here's what i want to do :

• start my own freelance makeup business 
• LAND an agent
• do lots of yoga ( if you're in the GTA, best yoga studio alive; Kula )
• meditate
• do lots of cardio 
• continue singing lessons
• continue to develop my peace & happiness ( aggressively! )
• take a french class
• book a 15 day trip to Europe for next spring with Ish. (targets : Ireland, France, Italy )
• buy a house
• inspire you
• do more Second City
• have the best blog ever
• book acting roles

all of this is possible. i want it all to happen by this time next year. are you with me? a dear friend and fellow blogger ( A Simple Girl ) posted possibly the best description of "happiness" that i've ever heard in my life from the book i'm currently reading (and is now out in theatres) Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. please FOR THE LOVE OF GOD read it here. we all think a lot alike. we're all searching for the same thing. never forget ( as i'm trying to do ) that what we're searching for is with us at all times . . .  then you will be free.

here are some inspiring tunes from the soul of Joss Stone . . .

ps. have you ever typed 'God' into Google Images? it seems that many think he resembles Ariel's father from The Little Mermaid.

Home and here to stay!

now appearing in lower-case!

i love thunder. i can hear it faintly right now... as i type these words. i also love all lower-case.  i'm switching to all lower-case for fussyjussy's return to her blog. and apparently referring to myself in third person. how clever. not really, i'll just stick with the lower-case and leave the third person for another day. it has been officially one month since i last posted. for anyone still reading my blog . . . i am SO sorry. however, i do have one fantastic excuse - um, moving across the country. i have arrived safely into the arms of my mother country - Canada. she took me back with open arms and said "here little Canadian girl, have some Tim Hortons coffee... and maybe a little sour-cream glazed Timbit..." and i did, oh yes . . . i did. i was greeted by a magnificent lightning storm my first night back and was privileged enough to fall asleep listening to the rain and thunder. what a welcome home gift! 

my favourite part about getting off the plane (the joyous plane ride where i had to nurse Jimmy The Babe the entire 4 hours so that people wouldn't think i was an awful dog owner whose dog would cry out sounds of torture because he was in a crate) anyway, as i was saying, my favourite part about arriving at YYZ (why is this Toronto's code for our airport? why does LA get something cool like LAX and we get YYZ? we should at least have TOX or TOR or even TAX... yes, that one makes sense) again, my favourite part about arriving home was walking out of secondary-inspection and seeing the handsome devil i married. i always tear up. i must say i've had the best first week back ever. spending time with family and friends, in backyards eating meat i haven't eaten in years, drinking wine, watching my brother and husband attempt full front flips on nothing but the cushion of Mother Earth herself, catching up with my favourite french-Canadian skateboarder-turned-Rastafarian-turned-entrepreneur who has an eye-opening, awe-inspiring vibrant life company that you should absolutely check out here, and on top of that, knowing that i have the rest of my life to spend with the people most important to me in a country i now have a new found appreciation for. oh Canada!

i'm starting a new chapter in this life and i am making a determination to be more attentive to my long lost blog that i think could be really great one day. i want it to be filled with deepness, inspiration for you on your personal journey of (as my french-Canadian calls it... which i love and fully agree with) self-discovery. life is about discovering yourself at your core and living to the fullest of your potential and greatness. a special person will hopefully be doing that today as he goes on his first official audition, my brother and soon to be the next Leo Dicaprio, Jake Manley. until next time folks . . . from one enigma to another . . . never try to define the undefinable.

tata! xo.

FussyJussy has been MIA...

BAH!

I know! It's almost July and I've only done ONE post this entire month :( Well, now two counting this one. Sorry everyone. I want to start posting again but things have been nutso crazy since we decided to pack up and head home. Phil leaves tomorrow to drive our car back, packed to the brim with our belongings! He'll make the 4 day journey by himself (accompanied by loads of music and books on tape) and I'll fly back July 18th with our beloved little Jimmy The Babe. I have started a very fun job at the Laura Mercier counter at Bloomingdales and am having a blast playing with makeup all day and helping people feel good about themselves. 

I promise to do more regular updates as soon as I am settled in my life. Check back soon for more news on my future plans and to see some of my new favourite products for summer :) Oh! A BIG congrats to a good friend of mine who has just gotten engaged - CONGRATS ALISA & BRANDON!!! 

Hope all is well with you... sending love... as always...

XO.

I've got something to tell you...

I'm not off my rocker.

Am I crazy? That's a tough question. Nah, I wouldn't say crazy... I would say, defiant, impatience and madly in love with family. As I'm sure some of you have probably guessed, or for those of you I've already told, this may not come as a surprise to you but for everyone else who doesn't have a clue... here goes... Phil and I are moving back to Canada. 


I know, it's funny isn't it? It took us months to find a perfect new home in LA, we finally do, start decorating it, even have a housewarming party and that same weekend we both came to the conclusion - our time in LA feels finished. Everything is turning out (as it almost always does) completely different from what I expected. But I know deep down inside, it's all for the right reasons.


Now let me be clear. Los Angeles is a beautiful city. We've been here for 2 and a half years and have both experienced and learned SO much, it's indescribable. I studied acting with one of the best teachers I've ever had the privilege of knowing (Mr. Robert Carnegie), discovered that although I love to act, I'm better at comedy and would rather make you laugh. I found the best vocal teacher I've ever had and have grown immensely in my vocal ability, all thanks to her amazing explanations (and my dedicated practicing). 


I've lived near a beach, had palm trees in my sight at all times, practiced Nichiren Buddhism (and chanted with musical legend, Herbie Hancock!) had the pleasure of showing many people the historical sights, fabulous restaurants and the beautiful scenery LA is made of. Partied in Hollywood, shopped til I dropped, danced ALOT, hiked, biked, walked, and ate delicious food. I've met incredibly creative people full of ambition and talent from all over North America... I've laughed a lot, cried a lot, missed people a lot, been disappointed and been pleasantly surprised, filled my 'book of life' with one more chapter and am completely satisfied with moving back to begin our new chapter!


I am so grateful and happy that Phil & I decided to embark on this beautiful adventure together - it certainly hasn't been easy but I appreciate everything in my life so much more because of it; having a supportive husband by my side, having family close by, living in a smaller city, and spending tons of time with my closest friends. So, when do we head back you ask?


... at the end of this month! SURPRISE!!!


ps. I turn 23 on June 13th! AND Phil turns 25 on June 18th!

I love my family...

Thank you.


Happy Memorial Day Weekend U.S.! And Happy Belated Victoria Day Canada! I hope everyone in the U.S. is enjoying the 3 day weekend and finally... some SoCal weather. What's the deal California? It's been significantly warmer in Toronto than it has been here - which is fine, but I mean REALLY?!? Hehe... kiddings. This is just a little post to declare my unending love for my family. I am so fortunate to have parents who love me unconditionally, a brother who let me boss him around when we were young (that I'm paying for now...) and an extended family that supports me, encourages me and believes in me. These people + Philip + my true friends = all I need in this life. I'm pretty rich. 


An extra "thanks" to my Mom, Dad & Phil who always have my back, help me realize all the good around me and reassure me that no matter what, everything is going to be ok :) I only hope I can do the same for them.


I love you.

( fussyjussy, 2 years old )

( me & daddy )

( me & yacob )

( high school graduation 2005 )

( me & daddy, 2001 )

( fussyjussy xmas morning - another doll! )

( fussyjussy eating chocolate pudding )

<3

FussyJussy welcomes Tam to LA...

I promise to start posting more once I work less.

Yah, I know I've said it before but I have no problem saying it again... becoming an adult is a shocker. Life is set up very odd. To begin with, life is about one thing; survival. As middle-class citizens (or upper class or even lower class) we have somehow managed to create an existence that tries to ignore the purpose of life. Most of us don't spend our days searching for food or protecting our homes from sabotage (at least, if you're reading this, I highly doubt you have to do the above stated). Listen, what I'm trying to say is... working full-time blows. There I said it. Yup, if I had it my way, I would be a lady of leisure. Isn't that a great title to carry? "Lady of Leisure"... *sigh, what a life to be lived. I'll get there one of these days, I promise. 

That being said, Miss Tamsyn and I had a wonderful 5 days together. It was really the first time we got to spend a good chunk of time just us... and we spent lots of time chatting, shopping, walking and planning our lives. Thankfully, Tam didn't care too much about seeing the typical LA spots (the ones I've seen 100000 times) so it gave us a chance to just chill and be a little lazy. Tam is spending the summer not too far from me and come September, we could be even closer to each other... like in the same city. Phil and I may or may not have a surprise to reveal but I don't want to open my mouth prematurely. I'll wait until things are finalized before I "spill the beans"... and no, I'm not pregnant... yet (hehehe). In the meantime, enjoy some of the pics Tam & I accumulated while she was in town. I am so thankful to have a friend like her in my life. Love you Tam <3

( at my lil housewarming get-together )

( out to dinner on Sunset Blvd. )

( mmm yummy at La Petit Four )

( out for drinks at Mastros in Bev Hills )

( dawny, tam & i at Mastros )

( this was my idea... i don't know )

( pink lips )

( up in the hills at Yamashiro for sushi )

( me being a kid )

( had to sneak one of me & my love )

It's late and I should get to bed...

In full bloom.


Wow - the last couple weeks have flowwwwn by. Just thought I would do a little update on me and my life. Ok so first things first... Christina Aguilera. Let me just say, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Although I was filled with nerves, butterflies and anticipation the night before and the morning of (the Vh1 Storytellers taping is what I'm referring to) as soon as we got in (I brought my vocal teacher with me) and I realized how close I would be to my musical idol, it suddenly became very natural feeling. It was a very small stage, she of course, had a live band and we were 4 rows back on the right hand side... roughly about 10 feet from where she would be singing. When she came on, I couldn't believe that I finally got to experience a type of concert so intimate with such a huge presence. Because it was a taping, in between songs she was so casual and funny, joking while her makeup artist would fan her or touch up her perfect face. She talked a lot about each song she performed, going into detail about how it all came together and the meaning of it to her. Linda Perry (who has co-written and written tons of song for Christina including Beautiful and Hurt) was there to play the piano while she performed Beautiful, which was so beautiful it made me tear up. 


I won't bore you too much with the Christina details but in short, she is a very dedicated artist who makes belting out those huge notes look very easy and she made it quite clear that from a young age, nothing was going to get in her way when it came to succeeding as a singer. She certainly gives me someone to look up to in the determination meter and not compromising who you are for others (although, like I said in my last post, I do think she stretched it a bit thin in her most recent video). Speaking of not compromising yourself for others... I really don't think it's necessary in order to be successful. I just read a great quote from a cute little coffee table book I just bought called Good Person and it says... "People should know what you stand for and what you won't" -Unknown. I'm really not in the business of succumbing to others or having to put up with any sort of disrespect. What's the point of being an individual if everyone thinks you should be just like them? I just want to say, I know I'm a growing human being, but I do know what I will stand for and what I won't, and I think that's a very important trait. In any aspect of life... relationships, jobs, careers, family, friends... you name it - I know I try my best to be a good person and I'm not going to let anyone make me feel bad about myself.


Sorry for the detour but I just had to get it off my chest. I am very excited for this week because one of my very best friends is finally coming to visit me in LA and I can't wait to show her around. I'm trying to get my house looking as homey as possible before she comes and so far, so good... considering I don't have tons of extra money to spend on decorating... it's an unfortunate thing. I will definitely post pictures next week of our weekend together and all the fun things we do! Until then folks, hope you have a fabulous second week in May (my favorite month besides June because my birthday is June 13th).


Sending love your way... always... <3

Phase One

Almost starting from scratch.


I'm almost embarrassed to show you these photos... but I know you'll keep in mind that we just moved in and really don't have much to fill our new giant home... so please, use your imagination! I despise messes and not having it look like the way I want, but unfortunately, I have to be patient. Once we complete the bathroom I'm hoping to sell our current couch for a more comfortable one, get a new dining room set, new curtains, a coffee table, bedside tables, lights, and the list goes on. I will keep you updated with our "phases"... cross your fingers there are only three! On to the BEFORE pictures...

There you have it! I'm aiming to have Phase Two completed within the next couple of months. I will keep you updated :)

My new job...

I am Content Coordinator. ( <--- meant to be said like a robot )


I just wanted to drop a line to let you all know that I officially have a full time job in what appears to be, an act of the Universe. I say this because I have just fallen into a possible career shift that I a) wasn't expecting b) never thought of pursuing (writing) and c) kind of love. 

I am now the Content Coordinator for California Psychics which means I organize, edit, write, produce, moderate, and nurse the blog. The wonderful thing about the blog is that the majority of the content we put out there, I enjoy... and it's aimed at a better well-being and happiness (as well as helping others). I have a degree of creative control which is fun and although California Psychics is a psychic network... I must say, it is quite unique :) It's not what you're thinking... really. Yes we do have over 200 psychics to choose from, buttttt there is much more to it then just a "fortune telling" reading. We have a fantastic newsletter filled with helpful articles on things such as relationships, astrology, pets, spirituality, health, sex, and even how to improve your own psychic ability (ever heard of intuition?). Trust me, I'm not being paid to post this - I just wanted to share the news!


This does not mean that I'm giving up any sort of possible career in acting or singing. Trust me, I won't let those slide away that easily. I am thrilled with the vocal teacher I've hooked up with and cant believe the transformation in my voice within only a couple months. I can now belt a high Dflat. That's pretty huge in case you're wondering ;). Yes my dream of performing for a living is still there but I just won't have to go the "starving" artist route... because, ya know... I'm making money now. I am determined to get a commercial agent this year and want to do more improv, sketch comedy and of course, singing.


Hey - I'm thinking about doing some V-Logs. Vlogs (like "Blog" but with a "V"). I'll have to see if my iPhone camera will cut it or if I'll have to go out and purchase a little video camera. I thought it would be interesting to throw in an "interview with FussyJussy" once in a while. Just for shits and giggles. More giggles really. Watcha think? 


I'm going to be posting some pics of my new pad this weekend... and the home renovations we've started, so get excited for those! 


happy weekend fj readers <3

Introducing our new home!

The eagle has landed.

We are ecstatic to be living in an apartment that has more than one room! It honestly feels massive and is wonderful to be able to stretch out and... live! We are now in a cute two story building and there are only  7 tenants. We even have our OWN front door! It's on a funky street in the heart of Miracle Mile with lots of vegetation and people our age... and dangerously close to Yogurtland (which we love!). We have such an appreciation for the big improvements that have been developing in our lives and I can't express enough how important gratitude is. I am dying to start decorating our new place but I guess that will come one step at a time. I will keep you updated with the progress... the items below are first on my list! We couldn't wait to fix up our bedroom so we ended up spending half a day at Ikea and walked away with a new bedroom set and a bigger mattress! Comfy!

images via: MadebyGirl & Style At Home

items from : West Elm/Urban Outfitters/ZGallerie