This week I took ill. It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't pleasant. I work from home so I was still able to work, but I was just feeling miserable. So, when I'm not feeling well I take comfort in a few things that make the misery a little more bearable. Since this time of year is quite germ infested, I thought you could use a little comfort, too. 

1. Kleenex Cold Touch Tissues

• Obviously one needs tissues when one is ill. I promise, once you try these you will never go back.

2. Gingerale

• Must be Canada Dry. Preferably in a glass bottle.

3. Cough Drops

• I like Halls cherry flavoured. I am not a fan of the weird syrupy centred ones.

1. Haagen-Dazs Strawberry Ice Cream

• Vanilla is also a good choice. Stay clear of the ones with too much stuff. Simple is best.

2. Green Smoothies

• Any recipe you like. My go to? Unsweetened almond milk, lots of fresh spinach, banana, frozen pineapple and frozen mango.

3. Chamomile Tea with Honey

• Any tea is lovely when ill. Chamomile is soft and naturally decaf so you can get your much needed rest.

4. Netflix

• Currently re-watching Scrubs from the beginning (LOVE. One of my favourite shows ever) and moving onto season 3 of Damages.

Now for the fun part :)

I personally need to shower when under the weather. I know sometimes you are too sick to get out of bed, but that's rarely the case for me. I think there is nothing better than a hot shower to sort yourself out. 

I crave extra moisture when I'm sick. So, a moisturizing shampoo, a hair mask and a lovely skin conditioner make me feel pampered and refreshed. Make sure you wash your face and use a good lip scrub. Eye cream, face oil and moisturizer finish off the face while a nice body butter soothes your achy limbs. A moisturizing face spray can also be used as needed (consider this a prescription ;).

So, the sick day routine goes as follows. Have orange juice in bed while groggily waking up. Open the windows to get some fresh air while you are still cozy underneath the covers.

Get up and brush your teeth (floss and use mouth wash while you're at it) and then shower with all of your favourite, but not too elaborate, products. Throw on a face mask and rinse off at the end of your shower if you're really feeling miserable (your skin, like the rest of you, isn't looking its best — show it some love). Slather yourself with face oil and body butter. 

Get dressed (if you have to leave the house, leggings, fuzzy socks and your coziest sweater are essential) and make yourself a green smoothie and some tea. Fill a tumbler with water and fresh lemon slices. Gotta get your fluids!

Carry on your day as you see fit (whether that is working, laying on the couch, being taken care of by someone who loves you, or what have you) and, most importantly, 

FEEL BETTER :)

I love a good lipstick.

It's probably my favourite makeup item. Although I rarely wear makeup, I simply adore it. I love buying it. I love looking at it. I love watching other people do it — I just love it. I favour the natural look, however, I experiment the most with lipstick. In fact, I think bold lips are having a moment right now. Case in point: my friend and I recently went into Shopper's for — wait for it — purple lipstick. She had seen our beloved Mindy Kaling wearing it and wanted to try it for herself. I ended up buying the same Stila shade, too. 

So, in an ode to the delightfulness that is lipstick, here are my favourite shades of all time. As to not favour any one over the other, I've decided to order them from lightest/sheerest to boldest/brightest. 

(Helpful hint: you can click on the photos to enlarge :)

1. Dior Addict Lipstick 178 "Urban"
The only lipstick I've ever finished and repurchased. I bought this on a whim at Sephora while visiting Chris when he lived in Ottawa a few years ago. I've read a few "disappointing" reviews on this one but I LOVE it. It's soft and subtle but oh so pretty. I'm almost done my second tube and will, shockingly, purchase a third.

2. Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick "Vouvray"
Bite Beauty is Canadian (whoop whoop) and is just lovely. This shade is described as "ballet pink" (adorable) and I love it. It's creamy and a packs just a little more punch than the Dior. 

3. Chanel Rouge Coco 39 "Paradis"
Chanel. Need I say more? I got this because my first foray into Chanel beauty was a lipstick that cracked as I was reapplying during a celebratory dinner date with Chris. So, obviously, I needed a new one to fill my luxury quota (as if Dior isn't luxury ;). I prefer this colour (I bought the other — I believe it was "Boy" — in the Paris airport. I think it was more about buying Chanel in Paris than the actual lipstick). There's probably nothing more luxurious than pulling Chanel from your handbag. Just a little drop of fancy <3

4. Marc Jacobs Lovemarc Lip Gel 120 "Voila!"
Marc Jacobs is my favourite designer. When I found out he was venturing into makeup I was very excited. He did not disappoint. The packaging is gorgeous with a magnetic close (love that!). This pinky/red-y (magenta?) shade is a beauty and has been one of my favourites for quite some time.

5. MAC Retro Matte "Flat Out Fabulous" 
Last but certainly not least is my newest favourite. Full disclosure: I ordered this because Kaitlyn from The Bachelor tweeted it was her go to colour and I just loved her style on the show. Although she and I have incredibly different colouring, this colour works on both of us which makes me think it would work on anyone. It's a matte finish so I always make sure to layer it over lip balm.

Hope you enjoyed this little peek into my makeup bag :)

This time last year my girlfriends and I participated (some more successfully than others ;) in a social media challenge called 100 Happy Days. The idea was to post one moment of happiness, however big or small, every day for 100 straight days. You can see the challenge's website here: http://100happydays.com.

Although it was a year ago, I still think about it and often catch myself thinking 'this would be my happy moment of the day.' I keep a 5 Year Journal and some days I write down a happy moment as my line for the day (some days it's events, thoughts, feelings...etc.), I think it's important to appreciate the little things in life. Catching the sunrise, a beautifully made coffee, a surprise flower delivery from your mama because spring is on its way.

I've heard gratitude is the number 1 thing you can do to live a happy life. When you take the time to appreciate moments of happiness, even in a hectic day, the day turns around — it's no longer just about the stress or the chaos, it's about acknowledging the positive things you've got going on. A gentle reminder that there is good in every day.

I don't think you need a social media challenge to recognize the good in every day, but it was a fun experience and I was proud of myself for completing it (the website claims 70 per cent of people don't finish). 

What do you think? Would you ever give the 100 Happy Days a shot?

1. Chicago.
Oh, the Windy City. I simply adore you. The shopoholic in me thrilled at your Magnificent Mile. The journalist in me thrived breathing the air where Oprah got her start. The granddaughter in me delighted to visit my grandmother's birthplace. The Beatles fangirl in me went giddy to see and hear Paul McCartney. The (somewhat reluctant) baseball fan in me loved singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch (we also went to a White Sox game — both the Cubs and the Sox won :). I could go on and on about the coolness of Chicago. It's a must visit, in my opinion.

2. Vegas, baby!
To be honest, I thought I would hate Vegas. I'm not the biggest party girl, I'd rather spend my money on expensive skincare than gambling and Celine Dion wasn't playing during my visit (Britney wasn't even on the radar at this point — April 2013). But let me tell you, Vegas was amazing. I think everyone would love it. It's clean (a surprise to me), not as rambunctious as I imagined and not as sad as I feared (gamblers losing all their money, drunkards falling all over the streets). My four best gal pals and I ventured to the desert during a snowstorm (again, I live on a rocky, cold island in the Atlantic). The weather was beautiful, the shows were incredible (Cirque du soliel's Love. We also saw Shania Twain... she was OK) and the shopping was on point. We did the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon and fun was had by all. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

3. California Dreaming.
My boyfriend, Chris, and I flew into LAX and after a few days exploring L.A. (saw the Hollywood sign, the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars are held, the Friends set at the WB studios and, my personal favourite, the Getty Center) we rented an SUV and drove up the Pacific Coast Highway. Just. Glorious. We made stops along the way, of course (Carmel stole the show), and finished our journey in the Bay Area. I did, indeed, leave my heart in San Francisco. My dad told me I'd fall in love with the city and sheesh that was an understatement. I felt at home in the foreign city. It was chilly and foggy (something I am familiar with and try to escape at any opportunity) and it didn't matter. The sights, the museums, the food, the people, the architecture. If you ever get the chance, PLEASE take the amazing drive and visit San Fran — I can't imagine anyone would be disappointed. 

4. Turkey and Greece.
Another trip with two of my best friends (one I've known since pre-school — age 3 — and one I met in Grade 1. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have them in my life). We did a Contiki tour and ventured to a far off land. Since this was all the way back in 2011, and it was two and a half weeks, I don't have all the details at the ready. But we saw the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sofia, the Grand Bazaar, Troy, Santorini and so much more. It was the most unique trip and one I'll never forget. My girlfriends and I went to Istanbul (via Paris, I might add :) a few days before the tour started so we could enjoy the city on our own terms. One night we shared a bottle of wine on the roof of our hotel, overlooking the ancient city. The call to prayer rang out and it was a surreal experience. I will cherish that memory for the rest of my life.

5. New York, France, Italy etc. etc. etc.
Ok, I've been to New York for every season (except "Christmas" — and I'm DYING to do that) and went to France with school in Grade 10 and Italy in Grade 12. I've been to other cities/states in my youth (including an amazing visit to Dollywood — look it up) but the majority of my adult travelling is what stands out the most. They're the trips I chose and planned. They're the trips I went on with my favourite people. They're the trips that give me the wanderlust. 

Now, where to next?!