'Using What I Have' Challenge!!

Hey Guys!!

So about a year ago, I had signed up to do a budget friendly life challenge thingy online. 

One of the tips that the host suggested was to eat from your cabinets.

So shop your stash.

So last night as I was thinking about my week ahead and pay day being on Wednesday I thought to myself 'hmm...I wonder if I can only eat stuff that I have in my house right now until Wednesday!'

So here we go!!

This morning I had a coffee from the Keurig pods that I had, two eggs in the fridge and a slice of bread with margarine that I had..so far so good!!

Kind of worried about lunches and dinners but then I remembered that I had just gotten a four pack of deep dish make at home pizzas from my friend Kristen!!

Pizzas for days!! Yay!! Now here's hoping I can keep this trend going!!

I'll keep you all updated on my FaceBook page: Key of Marie :)

See ya there!!

-M. 

Catching Up!!

So I just realized that I have been in my new place for more than a month and I still haven't blogged about it?!?

WHAT?!?

The craziness of unpacking, school, students, and life has just taken over. 

I have some decor up, some leaning against walls because I am unsure of how I want to mount it.

I have candles in every room, which I love. 

I have a patio door that I can open and let the breeze blow through which is lovely on these fall days.

I have a great bed which I love to spend time in. 

I. HAVE. A. KEURIG!!

My own coffee in the morning is great because the only drive thru here is A&W and it's not the best. 

I have photos around but I'd love more.

I've had a few visitors and welcome more. 

Even after the first day this place felt like mine. It was my little space in the world that I could retreat to and decorate by myself.

I dislike being away from here. I yearn to be back. It's comforting and me. 

I love it!!

Can't wait to talk more about it!!

-M.

I'M MOVING!!

As I sit here listening to Telus' 'on hold' music, I think 'what a perfect time to blog!!'.

So as the title states, I'm moving!! Back to Lac La Biche!!

FOR A TEACHING JOB!!

WOOHOO FOR USING MY DEGREE!!

Super excited to move into my own place and blog about decorating, teaching and life in general. 

I'm sure with all of the quiet time that I'll have that I'll have lots to talk about and express :)

It definitely helped me when I lived out in the boonies down by Bragg Creek :).

Just my way of expressing myself :).

Also, if anyone has super cute fun way to decorate a rental space that would be greatly appreciated!!

Love you all and can't wait for you to join me on this new adventure!!

-M.

Why I Loathe Summer

Controversial title..I know..

But the heat..and the sticky feeling that your skin gets and you can't take off any more clothing and you can't sleep...and everything is inferno lol.

Don't get me wrong, there are perks to the summer, but I'm a Fall/Winter girl any day. 

I like a cool breeze, I like wearing boots, I like not dying if I forget to order an ICED Caramel Macchiato...cuz that happened on Monday..

Another reason not a huge fan of summer?

As a wannabe teacher who isn't a teacher yet really, Summer is stressful.

I need two months of employment to get by but nobody wants to hire me because I'll be gone in..two months lol. 

So I'm left in this weird limbo type of thing where it's stressful but all of my friends are on break so we have to have fun..but I'm broke lol. 

So this is why Summer is stressful to me. Tomorrow maybe it'll be better and for sure there are things in this summer that I'm looking forward to. 

A cherished friends wedding.

Babies.

And a trip out East to see a long lost friend.

I guess Summer isn't that bad after all.

-M.

March Madness!!

Hey guys and gals!!

So I just popped on here and noticed that I only did one New Year, New Loves for March!

WHAT?!?

So I've decided that tomorrow I am going to fill up 20 spots, instead of the normal 5 in order to catch up :). 

It was a crazy March with Spring Break and I'm ready to get back into my routine of blogging and YouTubing and everything else in my lovely life!! 

See you all tomorrow!!

-M.

New Year, New Loves - March 7th, 2016

Hey guys, welcome to March!!

Here we go!!

1. The 100 - getting addicted to this nuclear show!!

2. The scale - it was my friend today, down 2 lbs!!

3. Chili Lime Shrimp Quinoa - still eating this, still loving it!

4. My bed - loving sleep, even though I'm not getting enough of it!

5. NO by Meghan Trainor - love this girl anthem, and yes, sometimes I just wanna dance!

Thanks guys! Have a great week!!

-M.

New Year, New Loves - February 29th, 2016

Wow this one is late lol ah well at least it's not Monday yet!!

Happy March!!

Here are the five things:

1. Goal shirts - got my 10lb shirt and love the incentive it gives!!

2. Jamberry Nails - love the designs and easiness of this amazing company!!

3. Getting free shampoo and conditioner in the mail from Influenster!!

4. Chili Lime Shrimp and Quinoa - mmm so much flavor!!

5. Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks - cannot get over a classic!!

Have a great rest of your weekend guys!!

-M.

New Year, New Loves - February 22nd, 2016

Hey!! Posting this on a Monday!!

Here we go:

1. Work - Rihanna..such a motivating song!! Love it!!

2. My FitBit -  love getting notified of my step goal being met!!

3. Chicken Parmesan - I made this from my Fixate cookbook!! Loved it!!

4. Arm workouts - boy do they hurt but I was missing my toned arms!

5. Drive around cranking the music - nothing better than crazy loud music!!

Love y'all. 

-M.

New Year, New Loves - February 15th, 2016

Hey guys!!

Loving some great stuff!!

1. Gravity - Papa Roach feat. Maria Brink...obssessed with this song!!

2. Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens - after watching the previous 6 episodes on a marathon I'm super in love with this movie!!

3. In This Moment - awesome band and their lead singer is Maria Brink from the first love!!

4. Days off - This Family Day was lovely, I love three day weekends!!

5. Home Cooking - I prepped some new meals from the Fixate cookbook and they are both winners!!

Thanks guys!!

-M.

#BioreBakingSoda Influenster VoxBox!!

Hey guys!!

So I got another Influenster box today!!

I've blogged a few times about them and I am super stoked for this box!!

It's all about skincare...more specifically Biore and their new line of Baking Soda products!!

Both of the products are exfoliating which is super awesome because I need help in that area for sure!!

They are cool sounding products too!!

A pore cleanser and a cleansing scrub that you have to activate with water!!

I got these two products to test and write reviews of! I am going to use them tonight after I remove my makeup!

Cannot wait to see how they work!!

-M.

Valentines Day 2016!!

Happy Hearts Day!!

So once again I am single for Valentine's Day...

I don't think I've ever had a romantic or 'special' Valentine's. 

Not a huge deal in my life. My parents never really celebrated it because my Mom isn't about cheesy holidays. 

My Dad is a romantic though, every year he gets my Mom roses for their anniversary, one rose for every year they have been married (it was 30 last August!!...if that's not incentive for romance I don't know what is!!)

So this post isn't going to be gushy or me telling you what I got.

It's going to be what I can possibly give!!

I am currently listening to 'Unchained Melody' by The Righteous Brothers because that's what came on my Spotify playlist!!

I hope to give you love.

I hope to give you the knowledge that just because you are single does not mean you are unlovable.

I hope to give you the confidence to love yourself first and let the rest fall into place. 

I hope to give you the strength to realize that today is just another day and that chocolates or flowers fade but that true self love is key. 

As I wrote that last sentence it reminded me of one of my favourite Faith Hill songs, Take Me As I Am...so so so true!!

Practice self love and the rest will fall into place.

I love y'all.

New Year, New Loves - February 8th, 2016

Hey!! This is actually getting posted on a Monday!!

Woot woot!!

Here we go:

1. Tasty Tomato - if you live in Edmonton and enjoy yummy Italian food, you need to check this place out!!

2. Sports bras - SO. MUCH. SUPPORT. I was wearing this one today!

3. CIZE - dance workout that gets me sweating!!

4. Be Right There - Diplo - love this song!! Love the old school feeling to it!!

5. Temperatures above 0 in February - really can enjoy 4 recess supervisions with weather like this!!

-M.

New Year, New Loves - February 1st, 2016

I love when the first day of a new month and a Monday coincide!! 

It's like the most refreshing place to begin!

Here we go!!

1. Chocolate Shakeology - love having chocolate banana smoothies in the morning!

2. Three day work weeks - PD for the last two days so I get to travel!!

3. Dairy Queen burgers - so yummy and smoky flavored!!

4. Leg Day - I love feeling my leg strength and my booty working.

5. Four recesses - Love all the fresh air I get at work!!

Thanks guys!! Here comes Valentines!!

-M.

New Year, New Loves - January 25th, 2016

Here we go again friends!!

1. My scale - I weighed in 1.5lbs less than last Monday.

2. Zumba - A great enthusiastic instructor and amazing music make my day!

3. Groot - love this character from Guardians of the Galaxy!!

4. Pasta - mmm carbs..is all I have to say.

5. Fans - I always have mine blowing at night...love the cool breeze!!

Thanks for reading!!

-M.

New Year, New Loves - January 18th, 2016

Hey Guys!

So I know this post is late but Monday was chaotic!!

Here are my top 5 things:

1. Zumba - I love this cardio latin dance collab.

2. 21 Day Fix - I love the simplicity of the containers to keep me on track.

3. Nicki Minaj - Something about a strong woman singing about big butts is just lovely to me.

4. Grandparents - When the day is crazy it is lovely to come home to family.

5. Car Starters - Cold few days definitely make me appreciate these!!

Thanks for reading!! Can't wait til next time!!

-M.

Goal Board - Explained!!

Hey Guys!!

So in case you didn't know your friendly neighbourhood blog writer is on somewhat of a weight loss/health journey!

I started the program 21 Day Fix one week ago and have been working out and counting containers ever since!!

I also work out with a persona trainer 2x a week at my local SpaLady!!

I can see changes and feel changes in my body and I love it!!

Well today I decided to set some goals for myself and set rewards to go along with those goals!!

So here's my Goal Board!!

So I'm planning these goals in 10 lb increments because I think that is totally achievable!!

10 lb goal - Goal Digger workout shirt - because I love having goals and I love workout shirts!!

20 lb goal - Victoria's Secret workout bra - I need a supportive and cute bra ;)

30 lb goal - Victoria's Secret workout bag - I think this bag is super cute and can house all my stuffs!

40 lb goal - Victoria's Secret (see a theme ;)) workout pants - gotta complete the outfit!!

50 lb goal - Going on a trip to Seattle with my Mama!! We went to New York together 3 years ago and when I mentioned Seattle she seemed eager to join me, which I love!!

60 lb goal - A retro halter bikini - I've never been a bikini girl but you best believe if I get back to my high school weight that I am rocking one!!

70 lb goal - A new tattoo - I may get this one early but I definitely want a new tattoo that's inspirational and all me :)

Super excited that these goals are in place and that they are hanging above my desk so I can see them every day and know what I am working towards!!

Love ya,

M.

New Year, New Loves - January 11th, 2016

Here we go again friends :)

1. Been You - Justin Bieber...so catchy and fun to belt in the car. 

2. Water...there is nothing like a tall glass of water after a workout!! 

3. Yahtzee with Buddies app...love being able to play Yahtzee on my phone!!

4. Hot baths...so comforting and you come out smelling amazing!

5. Car Starters...ahh coming out to a warm vehicle in minus 15 weather..loves it!!

Looking forward to an awesome week!! Can't wait!! 

Practice Lockdown drill tomorrow at school!

Love ya, 

M. 

New Year, New Loves - January 4, 2016

So I'm currently working at a school and their theme for December was gratitude. It was a cool project to think about things that make you grateful and happy. I'm going to start this year off right by every Monday posting 5 things that I'm currently loving!! Some things might repeat, some might not but it will be current and will be a fun series on my blog!!

Here are some things I'm currently loving!

- my FitBit Charge HR...love knowing my steps and a digital clock 

- Goulue blush from NARS...not sure if this is a collection blush or just limited edition but I love it!

- Chestnut Praline latte from Starbucks...so nutty yet decadent!

-So Much Betta (Janet Jackson)...great beat and danceable!

- Julep Matte Lip Mousse in bisou...beautiful colour and cool formulation!!

Thanks!!