Who wants KANDEE...?

Make-up. The best kind of art.

Halloween is creeping up on us and if you're one to go all out, I have a great recommendation for some fun and different looks for this year. I came across a very talented make-up artist on YouTube and have been obsessed with watching her videos while she does a Halloween series. Her name is Kandee Johnson (professional make-up artist from LA) she has a fun blog, and a YouTube channel. She is incredibly thorough with her tutorials, has lots of great suggestions, and is quite cost savvy. She also sings and dances. She's positive, puts tons of time and love into her work - for free, and is funny as hell. Check out her YouTube channel here and of course her blog, here. I am having a difficult time deciding which look I would like to do. I love getting dressed up, especially in unusual ways! I'm thinking Queen of Hearts, Tinkerbell, maybe a Pin Up?! She's also going to be doing a Betty Boop one which would be amazing. Fun stuff!!!

Does anyone have an interesting or unique ideas for Halloween this year? I can't believe how expensive costumes can get. Be frugal folks - this is no time to be spending $80-$100 on witchcraft. For make-up stores, try Sephora, (carries almost every great make-up brand known to man) MAC, Naimies (online only) and of course there are the cheap drugstore brands. Have fun using your imagination everyone! Looking forward to seeing some of your creations (VIA Facebook...obviously).

*Photo Credit: Kandee Johnson

Fall has arrived...

Happy Fall.

Los Angeles has finally cooled down and I can feel a slight change in season. It's getting pretty cool at night which I love - we've put the duvet back on the bed and it's fun to snuggle under heaps of blankets. I feel like I haven't given an update in a while and lots of new things are happening! We still have not moved nor have we found a new place but that's ok because we have found and bought our first CAR here in LA; something we've been without for nearly two years. It was the first one we looked at, and it sort of just fell into place. I love when the Universe does that for you. It feels wonderful to be able to get up and go wherever we'd like. We can now explore other parts of California and get to the beach whenever we feel like it.

Phil and I also signed up at our local YMCA which is gorgeous by the way. It's got everything you need and more and we're both excited to do laps in the pool! I'll let you know how the workout progess goes - it's been a while. I've decided to also take Salsa dance lessons once a week, inspired by a recent visit to a great Cuban place in Glendale called Mambos. What a happy group of people =) There was a fantastic Cuban band lead by a guest performer (friend of some friends) Adonis Puentes who is up for a Latin Grammy Award this November. Incredibly talented muisicans and wonderful to watch. I will post a video of my night spent in "Cuba"!

In other news! One of my very good friends from back home in Toronto has recently gotten engaged! Congratulations again Sahar! She has been kind enough to ask me to be a bridesmaid which I have never been before and am very thrilled about. She is putting together a wedding to be held on December 20th of this year, not a lot of time but if anyone can pull it off, it's her! This means I get to be home a couple extra days around Christmas which equals YAYNESS! This weekend my mom and her beau are coming to visit for 4 days and we're all going to see a live acoustic concert by the Scottish band, Travis. I am very excited in gerneral about lots of stuff. I should stop saying the word excited. Tonight Phil and I are going to dinner & a movie. Everything feels right. I love that.

For those looking to get a head start on holiday shopping or cards to be sent out, check out one of my favorite little companies MadeByGirl (whose blog is FABULOUS, check that out here) she has the cutest, eco-friendly prints (frame'em and give them as a gifts!) and simply elegant cards...I'm awaiting her holiday collection that should be out soon.

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather and to my Canadians - Happy Early Thanksgiving!!! I'll be making a pumpkin pie to honor my heritage. Mmmmm pie...

Happy Anniversary Philip.

My one & only. One year today.

Thank you for loving me.
♥09.26.08♥

Shorty...

Acting is fun.

I just wanted to post a quick update to tell you I did some actual acting this past weekend! I was fortunate enough to participate in a short horror film written, produced, and directed by good friends of mine. I am very excited to see the finished product and I'll post info on how to view it as soon as I know. I haven't been doing much acting lately, which does sadden me, but all in good time...all in good time. This project was my first real project and I had such a great experience. I am looking forward to acting more - that is why I came out here isn't it?

In other news, Phil and I have not nailed down a new home yet. We are now focused on getting a car as the one we've been using will be gone by the end of this week and life will be that much tougher without wheels. Moving plans are still lingering but that might also take a very different direction. My brother and his friend Miguel are leaving LA tonight =( They will hopefully be back out here after Christmas to resume their plans. Phil and I will celebrate our one year wedding anniversary this Saturday - hopefully I'll have some pictures to post following.

For those of you who enjoy interior design, I found the best used furniture site. It's called This Is Not Ikea - fun isn't it? Their prices are reasonable and all of their stuff is in great condition. Check them out!

Have a great week peeps!

Toasted coconut...

Almost married a year.

On September 26th 2009, it will be our one year wedding anniversary! As we all know and say repeatedly - time flies. Speaking of time, I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife, and it was fantastic. I really enjoyed the way the author wrote it, she takes you through such a wonderful journey of the power of love over time. I am dying to see the movie, although I'm sure they couldn't fit in every detail that the book has to offer. In honor of our one year anniversary, I, Justine, bought a new dress. Surprised? I didn't think so. However, this dress is very unique and I am excited to share it via blog! I found it on Adore Vintage - a site that sells vintage inspired pieces as well as actual vintage pieces from the 30's to the 80's. The dress I bought is a 1960's party dress and they call it toasted coconut which is probably why it appealed to me so much (big coconut fan) but the dress will be a perfect tribute our vintage glam wedding. Oh, and not to mention, I got it at a steal - $42!!! We are most likely going to dine at Sprazzo (read about Sprazzo below!) and then head to The Edison to listen to live jazz and surround ourselves in an exquisite looking "speak-easy" while sipping The Mistress (a yummy twist on the pomegranate martini but with champagne added)

I will pair this little number with gold strappy shoes from Nine West, minimal jewelery, and red lips. Of course. I love the combination of the cream and sage green sequins, so rare...

Happy...

I just want to be happy.

Thanks to my wonderful father for bringing to my attention Leona Lewis's new single titled, Happy. Enjoy the lyrics, and listen to the song on YouTube.com. I hope all of you are happy =)

HAPPY

Leona Lewis

Someone once told me that you have to choose
What you win or lose
You can't have everything
Don't you take chances
You Might feel the pain
Don't you love in vain
Cause love won't set you free
I could stand by the side
And watch this life pass me by
So unhappy
But safe as could be

Chorus:

So what if it hurts me?
So what if i break down?
So what if this world just throws me off the edge
My feet run out of ground
I gotta find my place
I wanna hear myself
Don't care about all the pain in front of me
Cause i'm just trying to be happy, yeah
Just wanna be happy, yeah

Holding on tightly
Just can't let it go
Just trying to play my role
Slowly disappear, ohh
All these days i feel like they're the same
Just different faces, different names
Get me outta here
I can't stand by the side, ohh no
Watch this life pass me by, pass me byyyyyyy....

I just want to be happy.

Back from the hometown...

Fun was had.

The lack of posting was due to my 8 day trip back to my hometown of Southern Ontario - a place summer decided to skip this year. How lovely. However, I had a superb time visiting with everyone I could fit into 8 days. A new nephew was born - Welcome, Oliver James - and I did decide to cut my hair off. Everyone is responding well, which I hope means it looks great and not the other side of great. It feels great! Greater then great! I was also able to get out to Toronto for a fun night with the girls, that included Thai dinner, yum, and dancing at London Tap House and ended with a thunder storm. Pretty fantastic if you ask me. I miss thunder storms.

I know I said Phil and I would be moving by Sept. 1st but guess what?! We have yet to find a place. LA is expensive and I have high standards = nearly impossible?! HA. We'll find something. It just may not be when I want it too. In the mean time, we'll keep looking and will hopefully find something before we have more visitors (2nd weekend in October). I have decided to try writing - a mockumentary. I might start it as a web series. I haven't gotten that far yet. Not too too much is going on right now in my life so I'll leave you with a restaurant suggestion, or two...

For those in Los Angeles, or visiting Los Angeles - if you're in the mood for Italian, Sprazzo is phenomenal in Westwood Village. They make their own balsamic vingarette that you can even purchase in bottles - it is one of the reasons I go! Bottega Louie is also fantastic, and is located Downtown LA. It is very unique - it feels like you're dining in a mansion! The food is great, and the service is fine dining, but the prices aren't.


Until next time. Tiddles.