I work in production and the times leading up to print can get quite stressful. Yesterday was one of those days when a lot came at me at once and I felt overwhelmed. I was feeling on edge and had a lot to get done so I took a moment to step back and evaluate the situation. I knew I had to calm down and pull myself together so I could focus on my work. I've found there are five things that really help turn around a stressful work day, so I wanted to share them with you.

My first tip would be to get out for a break - whether that's to get a coffee, a lunch break or even just a walk outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air. However, if you're really too busy and don't have the time to take a break (as I didn't) here are some ways to help alleviate the stress.

1. Make a cup of tea.
The first thing I did was put on the kettle to make some nice green tea with mint. Tea is both relaxing, comforting and caffeinated - what more could you want?

2. Light a candle or indulge in some aromatherapy.
I am lucky to work form home so I can light a candle whenever I please. However, I can certainly appreciate that is not the case in most offices. So, if you can't light a candle (which I find immediately gives a sense of relaxation) may I suggest dabbing some lavender essential oil on your pulse points. It'll have a similar effect without offending your co-workers or the fire regulations.

3. Turn on some soft music.
While the kettle was on the stove I got out my iPad and turned on Spotify to give some nice background music and ambience. Both the Acoustic Spring and Totally Stress Free playlists are awesome. I keep the music low even though I'm the only person around because I want to still be able to concentrate and answer phone calls with ease. If you are in an office that objects to you playing music you can use headphones - the universal sign for "do not disturb," which, let's be honest, is another bonus ;)

4. Focus on your breath.
If you can't get out for a break take a moment - seriously all you need is a minute - to take a few deep, soulful breaths. Close your eyes, inhale deeply for five seconds, hold for five and exhale slowly for a count of five. Do this a few times and I promise you will feel better. Extra points if you can do this in front of an open window.

5. Craft a to do list.
Perhaps the most important of the five tips, creating a to do list really helps you focus and prioritize. Even if you don't list the tasks in order of importance, you can look at all you need to accomplish and decide what to tackle first - whether that's the easiest or quickest to get the ball rolling or the most daunting so you can get that taken care of earlier, a to do list will make all the difference. Plus, there's nothing better than crossing things off a list and knowing you did your duty. High five!

Pictured below: my tips in action :)

Remember in my last post when I said it was lovely to watch a movie in bed without any intention of falling asleep? Well, I did just that this week. Twice. 

On Friday night Chris took me to a local Japanese restaurant to celebrate his busiest work season being over and me putting another magazine to print. Chris works in sports so a lot of his weekends are spent at a hockey rink; it was nice to get dressed up (I work from home... that's not a regular occurrence) and go on a real "date." After dinner we watched a movie that had been on my radar for a few months: The F Word (apparently its alternate title is What If). It's an adorable little movie (set in Toronto - how fun is that?) about love and friendship and asks the age old question can men and women be just friends? Harry Potter is in it and I thought he did a nice job being the charming "guy" friend. Probably more than anything else I enjoyed watching a quirky film about people my age set in a city I know well. If these attributes apply to you too, you might want to check it out.

The second movie I watched rather indulgently in bed was Begin Again. I LOVED this movie. It stars Mark Ruffalo (who I adore) and Keira Knightley and is about a music producer getting his groove back while recording an album all over New York with a darling of a songwriter. Adam Levine plays Knightley's rockstar ex-boyfriend and while I know some people are incredibly annoyed by Levine, his handsomeness resembles my loving boyfriend's so I have a soft spot for him :) The songs are cute and catchy and I immediately bought the soundtrack after the movie was over (and have been listening to it on repeat). At first I thought they did a poor job matching the singing voice to Knightley only to find out she is the one singing on the soundtrack and in the movie. Impressive! It's a feel good, want-to-sing-along type of movie that I highly recommend. 

Any movie recommendations for me to check out?!

I've always been a homebody. I'm a nester; I like to be cozy.

This past week our home has been in upheaval. And to be honest, it's throwing me a bit off kilter. When I was a little girl I used to take ownership of tiny corners in our house. It would be my space that I could makeover however I saw fit (I'd set up TV trays with lamps and the odd little bookcase). When Chris would come visit me at grad school I would be fine with his suitcase and things everywhere for approximately one day before I needed to get everything sorted out and organized and somewhat back to normal.

So, while our floor is being replaced and the gyprock on our main wall is down in our living room, I'm having trouble feeling "at home." It got me thinking about the importance of our environment and surroundings. Even on Orange is the New Black, a Netflix show based on a book of the same title about a women's prison, the inmates make their bunks their home. On an airplane we all have those little necessities that make the journey more enjoyable - we make the airplane seat our temporary home. We all need a place away from the world that is ours. A place to disconnect and relax. 

It's often said home is where your heart is or home isn't a place, it's a feeling. And while that may be true in the grand scheme of things, home is - of course - a physical space. And while my physical space is not how I want it (I can't even clean properly - and though I don't think there is anything wrong with the house I keep, the term "clean freak" isn't completely inappropriate), I will find comfort in the small pockets of home. I still have my bathtub. The bedroom is cozy and sometimes there's nothing better than watching movies in bed with no intention of going to sleep. It's time to embrace the unsettlement. 

(And isn't that true of life, too?)

My name is Anna and I am a skincare junkie.

My favourite thing to buy at Sephora is (shock, horror) not makeup, but skincare. I've loved pampering myself for as long as I can remember and started buying Lancome face cream when I was in high school. They discontinued my favourite moisturizer (still not over it) and since then I've been experimenting and searching for my ideal regimen.

I thought the best way for me to introduce my love of skincare would be to show you my tried and tested daily routine.

I should specify: I have dry, sensitive skin. The term "sensitive" in skincare kind of annoys me because a lot of people use it as a synonym for "sensitive to acne breakouts." I have sensitive skin in that many products give me a rash or a reaction. So, it's been an interesting journey on the search for the perfect routine.

But, alas, I believe I've found it (at least for now ;)

My most important tip in regards to skincare is to listen to your body. Not everyone needs a routine. Some people have great, fuss-free skin. They can literally splash some cold water on their face and call it a day. Some people can sleep in makeup and totally be fine with that. I enjoy taking care of my skin. I find it relaxing and it makes me feel pampered. So, I do the whole nine yards.

I cleanse with a balm. I find it the best for my skin. However, skincare guru Caroline Hirons would suggest it is a great method for anyone with any type of skin. It involves massaging the balm into dry skin and removing it with a muslin cloth (a softer version of the terry facecloth). I simply adore this method of cleansing. The best balm I've found is by Antipodes (I've also tried Clinique, Liz Earle, Eve Lom, Ren and Josie Maran). 

I recently tried two samples from Sephora that I immediately bought in full size. They are a skin oil (I apply after cleansing - I don't really need to "tone" but do sometimes) from Fresh and a face cream from L'Occitane. They are game changers. My skin is no longer tight and feels amazing after I use both these products. They might not be needed in the summer, but they have been essential this winter.

 I have yet to find the perfect eye cream but I do enjoy both of the ones pictured above. The Avene is for "sensitive" eyes (lovely and gentle) and the Origins sample is for brightening. I have bought the full size version of this in the past and have tried a bunch of different kinds since then. The hunt continues!

Lastly, I use the Clarisonic every now and then for a deep clean/exfoliation. I used it more often when I worked in TV and wore tons and tons of makeup, but I still enjoy using it every week or two. The Korres lip butter pictured is also gorgeous. I keep it in the skincare drawer in my bathroom for a final step. 

Of course, as a true junkie, I also use serums, masks, toners, etc. etc. but I don't use them daily and I don't want to overwhelm you, my dear readers. Skincare "add ons" can be saved for another post on another day :)

Do you have any skincare questions or recommendations? 

Sometimes there's nothing better than curling up with a good book. 

However, as a magazine editor, I read all day. So, often, reading is the last thing I want to do during my down time. I'm embarrassed to say I've had The Paris Wife for years and have yet to read it. Dark Places is on loan from Chris's dad (and I've shamefully had it for months!). 

I received Yes Please (from Chris) and I Must Say (from my mom) for Christmas and haven't even opened them because I've been busy getting through my birthday gifts first (just finished Lena Dunham's Not That Kind Of Girl - thanks, Jane! I loved it). 

[Author's note: This post is making it quite clear I have lovely people in my life who give me great gifts]

So, pictured above is my spring reading list. I plan to have all of these finished before the summer starts. Giliian Flynn (Dark Places) is the author of Gone Girl and while I didn't love that book, I'm interested to give her writing another go (side note: did you know Flynn was laid off from Entertainment Weekly as a writer only to have her movie adaptation appear on the magazine's cover a few years later? Holy smokes!). The Paris Wife is a novel inspired by Ernest Hemingway's first wife. I love him and I love Paris so I assume I will love that book. Yes Please is supposed to be awesome (and how could it not be?) and Martin Short is my favourite actor/comedian so I'm really looking forward to reading that one, as well. 

What are you reading this spring? Any great recommendations? Let me know in the comments below :)

Spring is such a lovely time. The climate where I live doesn't technically experience "spring" but yesterday I wore moccasins without socks and that's something!

Last night one of my girlfriends pointed out 1/4 of the year is over. Already! That notion, paired with the renewal vibe of spring, got me thinking: now's a time to reevaluate. A time to look at those New Year's resolutions. To look at life goals and plans. There's a dusty warmth in the air that reminds us summer is coming. Let's embrace spring and 2015 before the year suddenly ends and we wonder where it went (although, I think that's inevitable). 

So, here's to slightly longer days, lighter layers, moccasins without socks and flowers starting to bloom. 

Here's to spring <3

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?!