[lifeasyouexpectit-blog]

Bruce Peninsula National Park - Tobermory ON, Canada

Before starting my first year of college, my hometown friends organized a camping trip to Sauble Beach ON, Canada. On the second day of this weekend trip, we decided to drive up to Tobermory to visit the Bruce Peninsula National Park and see the Grotto. I had travelled to this area of the province when I was about 5 or 6 years old, but had no memory of it. I was very excited to experience what I had seen in our family photo albums. When we arrived at the main entrance to the park, the parking lot was so full that only half of us could get in. The other half of us, in my car, had to drive to another nearby entrance to park and walk to the Grotto to meet up with our friends. Looking at the map, my friend Aaron said "Guys, it's only about 6km from Little Cove Beach to the Grotto - should only take us about an hour or two!" He could not have been more wrong.

We were in high spirits when we began our hike, talking, laughing and taking lots of photos. We stopped for a swim and a snack after about 45 minutes, thinking we were halfway there. The water was cool but crystal clear and bright blue; I could see everything under the water, including my toes on the rocks below. We also stopped many times to explore the views from the cliffs just off the paths. I am quite afraid of heights, but pushed myself to sit on the edge of the cliffs. It was thrilling. 

After another hour of hiking, a depletion of food and water, a twisted ankle and a loss of cell service, we realized this hike was going to be longer than we originally though. We seemed to have taken a wrong turn that extended the distance by a few kilometres. We finally came across another hiker coming from the direction of the Grotto who told us that we were "about halfway there, only about 8 more kilometres for you!"

We were tired, hot, thirsty and hungry, and my poor friend was so clumsy that she kept twisting the same ankle on the rocks. After about another 4 kilometres we had cell service again, and called our friends to meet us on the path to the Grotto. We continued hiking with low spirits and even some tears from my injured friend. After what seemed like several hours, we saw one of our other friends walking in the distance towards us. We were so excited to think that our hike was almost over and I was relieved to have more helping hands for my friend. About another hour later, we had made it to the Grotto.

Unfortunately, we couldn't stay long as we had been there most of the day with almost no food, and I only got to take one more picture before my camera died. 

Back at camp, as I was wrapping my friend's ankle and having a few well-deserved drinks, we decided that this misadventure wouldn't be a bad memory. As overdramatic as it may sound, we found strength and peace on our journey through the hills, cliffs and rocky beaches. We decided that it would make a great story to share as often as we could.

[phan-inkspiration-blog]

The First of Many

This is my first ever tattoo and it will forever be my favourite piece. It took about 4 years of thinking before I fully committed to the idea of getting something permanent on my body. This is a Vietnamese poem, dedicated to my Mother. The placement of this tattoo is placed above my heart, where I know my Mother will always be. 

You never forget your first! Make sure you sleep on the idea of getting a tattoo for a couple weeks before it becomes a regret. Tattoos are that much better when it means the world to you. 

Finding your artist is key. It is important to do some research on them before you go in for your consultation. Artists usually specialize in only certain areas (script, realism, dot work, etc.) and have a portfolio of the pieces they’ve done, which nowadays can be found on their social media. Their style should fit your needs.

The pain level of this piece is 7.5/10 - the chest area is known to be a sensitive area to get a tattoo, especially around the nipple. At the end of the day, it was 100% worth the pain. “No ragrets”.

Artist: Elisa Ngo (Instagram: @etothelisangoproblemo)

Studio: Under The Rose

[lifeasyouexpectit-blog]

I’m getting my first tattoo done in two and a half weeks now, and I am so excited! I’ve thought about it for around two years and I’m glad I took the time I needed to commit to it. It will be three hummingbirds, based on a water colour painting my grandmother painted for me, and each bird represents my mother, my grandmother and my grandfather. Thanks for sharing the story behind your tattoo!

[hipindie]

summer

[tilldeathdousart]

Anyone up for a road trip?

(via tilldeathdousart)

[turtle-vs-maple-blog]

Cont’d

Maple DID not like Miss, she would always hiss and swat any time she came around. After all, it was Maples home and she felt as if Miss was intruding into our lives. It took about 5 weeks before Maple came around and started understanding Miss was here to stay. 

Once they became friendly towards each other and stopped the hate, they could finally tolerate one another. They have adapted quite well since then, now they are inseparable. They sleep together, eat together, clean each other, play. Don’t get me wrong, they still get in a fight at least once per day, but now it’s just kinda funny. 

At the end of the day, they are sisters and they are happiest together.

They say you are either a cat, or a dog person. While I believe that I am a cat person, I still have room in my heart for dogs. Cats are just way cuddlier that’s all. I think what I like so much about cats is how sneaky and troubling they are. 

One time Jay and I were fast asleep in bed and we woke up at five a.m. to a horrible screeching noise. As we jumped out of bed and ran to the source we had found Miss somehow got her paw stuck in the coffee machine. Yes the coffee machine, don’t ask me how but it happened. I think the point of that story was , Miss trying to be sneaky, somehow turned into getting herself in some major trouble. (I still laugh about it) stupid kitty. 

No matter how much these crazy these furries get into, I still can’t get mad. They are the definition of entertainment, there is never a dull moment with them and they never stop surprising me. 

[lifeasyouexpectit-blog]

Haha this made me laugh! I feel the same way about cats, I love them because they are mischievous trouble makers and they have so much personality. I love these little stories, I can’t wait to read more!

[lifeasyouexpectit-blog]

Nova Icaria Beach - Barcelona, Spain

Two years ago, I was lucky enough to travel to Spain as a part of a high school trip. I had never travelled outside of North America before, and definitely had not been on such a long plane ride over the ocean before. The trip was absolutely incredible; we visited Barcelona, Madrid and Toledo over ten days. 

My favourite part of this trip was the day we spent on Nova Icaria Beach in Barcelona. Our days were often filled with scheduled tours and meals, but this was a day that we were free to do as we pleased. The weather so far on the trip had been drizzly and overcast, but the sky cleared up for our beach day and the temperature was much more pleasant. The first thing I did when I got to the seashore was wade into the cool water of the Mediterranean sea. We spent a few hours of our morning strolling down the beach and the port, enjoying the view. 

When it was time for lunch, we decided to browse the strip for a popular restaurant. The strip was bustling with people enjoying the warm air and sunshine, popping in and out of small shops and cafes.  There was a mix of older stone buildings and new ones with walls of concrete and glass, all built on the cobblestone-paved road. We found a cool burger joint called “Maka” with outdoor seating and decided to try it out. The restaurant was very appealing and had a tropical vibe: smoothies served in coconuts, walls lined with tiki torches, windows pained vibrant colours and palm fronds used as shutters. The menus were brought out by a bilingual server, who encouraged us to try and order in Spanish. The menu was colourful and fun, attached to a cork clipboard, and almost every item on it was accompanied an English translation.

I ordered a burger with a beef patty, brie and goat cheese, smoked red peppers and a balsamic glaze, along with a smoothie of blended mango, papaya, pineapple, coconut water and rum. I remember this so well because the meal was so exquisite; I wouldn’t change anything about it. My friends all had the same experience with their food. I wish I could find a burger joint as good as this one somewhere in Canada, but I have not had any luck yet. We left the joint pleasantly full and a little bit buzzed, off to explore the rest of the beach until sundown. If you ever happen to find yourself in Barcelona, definitely swing by.

[milamai]

Night therapy

[lsleofskye]

Untitled

[turtle-vs-maple-blog]

Turtle vs Maple... Who am I kidding they both have my heart.

This is my very first blog post. Inspired by my two furry friends, I just love them so much; no matter how troubling they can be.

It’s hard when you adopt a pet, it takes a while for them to warm up. But truth be told they do come around…eventually.

I welcomed Maple into to my life first. She was a farm kitten, a friend of mine couldn’t take her in but I was in the right spot to take care of her. She is ADORABLE… ask anyone. The colours of her fur are incredible and she is as sweet as can be. I homed her at 8 weeks, she is my baby.

She can be a handful, and she definitely has sass when it comes to being heard. But I wouldn’t trade her for the world.

Now, this is Turtle (AKA Miss). She was one and a half when I adopted her from someone off of Facebook who could no longer care for her. She is my long haired beauty, so soft and so kind. She took a lot longer then Maple to warm up; she has been re-homed more then four times in her life. But I can assure you, this is her forever home! I adopted her in May of 2016, and she deserves a family that will care for her for her whole life.

[lifeasyouexpectit-blog]

Cats are definitely my favourite animals, and I love reading other people’s stories about their lovable companions. The photos really show their personality. I’m really looking forward to reading future posts about your pets!

[beautyandlifestylebyhan-blog]

College Student Skincare: My Must Haves

So, before I get into talking about all things makeup I thought I’d start with a post of something that should ALWAYS happen before makeup: skincare. I am obsessed with taking care of my skin and finding amazing products that work for me. As I’m getting older I’m really starting to learn the importance of taking the steps to care for your skin and how taking preventative measures now will help immensely in the future years. I have a list of essentials that I think all college students should keep in their bathroom to keep their skin looking their best, plus they’re super fun to use. I’m also including the specific products that I use and swear by.

1. CLEASNER AND CLEANSING BRUSH

The obvious step to maintaining good skin and preventing breakouts is washing your face. Along with using makeup wipes at night to remove my makeup, I think finding the right cleanser for your skin type is so important. A cleanser that works well for very oily and acne prone skin might not work well on someone with more dry and sensitive skin. I love wearing makeup but one of the best things after a long day is washing my face and feeling fresh. It’s not a necessity but I invested in a battery powered cleansing brush and I love it. I feel like it gets dirt and makeup off much better than just using your hands. I have breakouts once in a while but generally I have more normal to combination skin.  My favorite cleanser is the Soap and Glory Vitamin C Facial Wash http://www.soapandglory.com/ca/face-soap-and-claritytm

2. MOISTURIZER

Personally, I can’t live without a good face moisturizer. It serves so many purposes. It hydrates and replenishes skin after cleansing and also prepare the skin for makeup so it has a smooth surface to apply to. If your face tends to feel tight and dry after cleansing, using a good moisturizer in the morning and at night will help with that and make your skin feel more hydrated and comfortable. Some people with oily skin think they don’t need a moisturizer because they think it’ll make their skin more oily, that’s completely false. If skin is overly dry, it’ll go into overdrive and produce more oil, so properly moisturizing will help balance all skin types. I use the Aveeno Daily Moisturizer with SPF during the day under makeup and the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream at night fore intense hydration. http://www.aveeno.com/product/aveeno-+positively+radiant-+daily+moisturizer+broad+spectrum+spf+15.do              

https://www.firstaidbeauty.com/skin-care/product/body/ultra-repair-skin-cream

3. MASK

Who doesn’t love a good face mask? Masks are great because you can get one that tends to your specific skin needs, there are so many on the market. I love doing pamper nights with my roommate and using face masks. They feel so luxurious on the skin and can really make a difference in your skin. I love so many masks, my favorite sheet masks are the SEPHORA brand ones and they come in over 10 varieties for different skin types.

http://www.sephora.com/face-mask-P407006?skuId=1764943&icid2=products grid:p407006

4. EXFOLIATOR

Exfoliating is something that I think makes the biggest difference in my skin . Exfoliators are usually also cleansers, but have little microbeads or are more gritty to really scrub the skin and get dirt and dead skin off. The grittiness gently scrubs off dead skin cells that you can’t see with your eyes and I am always amazed of how soft and smooth my skin is after exfoliating as opposed to just cleansing. I usually exfoliate 2-3 time a week or depending if my skin is acting up or not. There are countless exfoliators on the market but I like to use one that has a little bit of acne medication in it because my cleanser doesn’t, so it works to fight breakouts but I don’t need to use it everyday. I love the smell of the Neutrogena pink grapefruit scrub.

http://www.neutrogena.com/product/oil-free+acne+wash+pink+grapefruit+foaming+scrub.do

[lifeasyouexpectit-blog]

I haven't always taken very good care of my skin, so I'm always trying to find something new that could work better for me! These are great tips and awesome recommendations for products. It also reinforced some of the skincare wisdom I've believed in, which felt bery reassuring. Thanks for sharing this - looking forward to your future posts!

[te5seract]

Field of Suns, Sunflower sunset & Sunflowers at sunset. by Mark Andreas Jones

[lifeasyouexpectit-blog]

I’d like to start this blog by talking about some of the favourite places I’ve visited while travelling.

About one month ago, I got to go to a beautiful, unique and truly Canadian restaurant in downtown Huntsville, Ontario. I was on a small vacation with my boyfriend, our first one together, to celebrate both of our birthdays. While getting ready, we decided to try a local restaurant, and chose “The Mill on Main”. I’m a pretty anxious person, so I was nervous about trying a new restaurant and also about getting fancily dressed up for dinner. As college students, we rarely splurge on expensive dates, so this was the first “fancy” dinner date we had been on.

When we arrived, I could tell right away that we were going to love the place. The walls were exposed brick, the ceilings had exposed wooden beams, and the decor on the walls consisted of Canadian sports equipment, old farm tools and black and white historic photographs of Huntsville. We were seated by a tall waiter with a goofy smile, who asked us about how our trip was going and immediately gave us a food recommendation. Our waitress arrived shortly after, with a genuine smile on her face and a “How is your night going, sweeties?”

I decided to treat myself to a steak dinner and a drink, and my boyfriend decided we would share some nachos for the appetizer. My drink ended up being one of the best drinks I have tasted in my life. It was fruity, but not too sweet, and strong enough to taste the liquor but not for the liquor to burn. I immediately asked for the recipe: 1 oz. raspberry vodka, 1 oz. gin, mixed with pink lemonade and 7Up. Then came the nachos. These were something special; they were fresh-cut potato chips with a seasoning that was spicy, sweet and salty at once, covered in layers of cheese, bacon and peppers. I really didn’t think this restaurant could get ANY better.

We were surprised to see a performer setting up on the stage across the room from us. He was a middle-aged man with a guitar, a harmonica and a microphone. As soon as he started playing, we were blown away. My boyfriend plays guitar himself, and he was so impressed he took a video of the performance to show his family. We were already having such an amazing time when our food was brought to the table, and we knew we wouldn’t be disappointed. My steak came with a red wine glaze, sauteed vegetables and seasoned potato wedges. My boyfriend had a bacon cheeseburger that he likes to describe as “straight from heaven itself.” Both our meals were so perfect, the music was entertaining and enjoyable, and our waitress kept telling us stories about all the performers they’ve hosted. Long story short: we never wanted to leave.

http://www.themillonmain.ca