Lips, Kissable Lips

Reds are my favourite lip colour. I would wear a red lipstick any day of the week, almost anywhere. Accept for work. I find that my office is so casual that if I were to show up wearing a red lip the world would end. So my solution was to try and find a lip stain I liked. It will never compare to the reds I like, but it will suffice.
I first started experimenting with lipstick a few years ago. The first red I bought was Russian Red from Mac. I still have one and I love it. Since then I have tried a variety of colours and now have a rainbow of red, pink, burgundy, purple and wine colours. But I always go back to these two reds by Mac. Ruby Woo will stay on for hours and is a wonderful cherry colour. Viva Glam 1 is more of a brick red is really versatile.

Left: Ruby Woo Right: Viva Glam 1

However I recently discovered a new shade that I have fallen for, it stays on all day and is just such an amazing punch of colour. It is Strong by Lush.

 

 

Lush: Strong (And a kitten paw?) 

Here is all three!

Now moving onto lip stains. A few months ago in one of those subscription beauty boxes I got a lip tint. I didn't try it until recently because I had no reason to, who needs tint when you can wear a bright red lip! However now in my job I want to wear a lip colour, but without such a punch. So here are the two lip tins I enjoy. And I will for sure be trying more. The only thing I can suggest is that they tend to dry out your lips, so load up on your favourite lip balm. (Mine is this one, Rosebud Perfume Co. Minted Rose)
The first one is Model Co Cheek and Lip Tin in Rosy Red. I know nothing about this company. But so far I enjoy it. 
The second one I tried was Revlon- Just Bitten in Flame. I enjoy it, but was hoping for more orange tint. This one comes with a lip balm, but I still enjoy my own.

In the previous post I was wearing Model Co. cheek and lip in the photo. It is quite a pretty rosy colour but not really red. Its very berry coloured on m lips. But it should be noted my lips are quite pink to begin with.

What are your favourite lip colours? Any lip tint suggestions?

Casual Friday

My interpretation of casual Friday:
 (My apologize for the pictures....I was late for work and then when I saw the photo I realize it was blurry and now I am wearing an over sized Nirvana t-shirt and short shorts....so you get what you get)

Vintage Ring (My grandmothers)

Small Initial Ring (from my Aunt), Skull Ring (Urban Oufitters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shirt: Aritzia

Lazy Work Day:Vintage Belt, Skirt from Urban Outfitters

 Currently Listening to: Attack in Black- Messenger Bird (Album Year By a Thousand Finger Tips)

Heat and Fitness

Several things.
It is really hot. Heat wave hot. Clothing optional. Fans on high. Its just not nice.

I haven't cooked anything in days. I am living off of salads and freezies.

But I thought I would share three things.

1.) I started running recently. I also quit smoking. The two go hand in hand. But I am in need of a few things:
New Shoes
Something to hold my iPhone
Good Socks

I am lusting after theses shoes:

Nike Free Runs 4.0

I have yet to find anything I like to hold my phone, I have an arm band but it is just not comfortable.

And socks, really this is just because I am dangerously low on socks. They seem to have all disappeared.

Any one have any running suggestions?

2.) I started pole dancing classes. IT IS AMAZING. I cannot recommend it enough. After my first class I felt amazing. I told my father and after his initial shock  (my dad is 80 by the way) he thought it was pretty cool. Frankly I could tell my father just about anything and as long as I am happy he is happy. But not only is pole amazing exercise, cardio and strength training, it is a huge confidence boost. Feeling sexy isn't something that I have every really felt and after ending my last relationship I needed to feel sexy again. I also needed to build my confidence again and this is doing the trick! So go try something new!

3.) I have one last goal to reach fitness wise and that is to sign up for the gym again. Mostly so that on really hot days I can go to the gym and run there to avoid being outside in the humidity.


What does everyone do for fitness? What are your favourite gym workouts?

Happy Thursday!

Current tunes: Elliphant and Haim have both played while I wrote this. Both are amazing.

A Case of the Mondays

I had a serious case of the Mondays on Monday. I got into work and for no reason spent 2 hours crying, everything made me cry. It wasn't pretty and by the time lunch time rolled around all of my makeup was gone and I felt deflated.
So I decided that I required wine and a good meal. I had seen this recipe on Pinterest. I had most of the ingredients in my fridge and with a quick stop for the rest and bottle of wine after work I was ready to go.

Ingredients: Kale, Asparagus (From Sundays Market Trip),Corn (also from Sunday's Market Trip), Orange, Thai Chillies and Red Onion

 New wine, and Sid (It is his table, not mine for the record) Fielding Estate Wines, Fireside White (2011)

The recipe is from Naturally Ella which is an awesome vegetarian recipe website. I made some tweaks to the recipe for my liking, adding Thai chili's to the dressing (which I doubled and used as salad dressing), red onions for a little crunch in the rolls, and kale as the greens (because who doesn't love kale!?).

 Rolls!

 With a side of corn on the cob!

There are so many variations of 'summer' or 'salad' rolls, and the possibilities are endless. I was already thinking how good this would be with some marinated bake tofu! 

Now mine are not nearly as beautiful as hers, but they sure were delicious. I used the leftovers as a salad for lunch on Tuesday. And I apologize for the picture quality, I am new to this and don't have a quality camera. Plus the light in my apartment is just awful after a 7pm.

As always, music is very important when I am cooking. Monday's playlist was punk heavy, including my favourite Against Me!, Crusades and the Holy Mountain. 

Easy Going Dinner

Yesterday night a friend of mine and I went to El Camino, a taco restaurant here in Ottawa. Neither of us had ever been and we needed to bust our El Camino cherry. We had heard many rave reviews about this place. Sadly, I have no pictures of the actual food for you, I ate it before I thought to photograph it. But you should just go.The guacamole is to die for, literally the best guac I've had, ever. I had 2 vegetarian tacos and my friend had two beef tacos. (Important to note, they are 4 dollars for a taco....). The vegetarian taco is not on the menu, but you just have to ask. It has grilled eggplant which gives a meaty texture. I couldn't tell you what else because I really didn't look I just ate. Next time I want to try the Mexican corn it sounds amazing. You can find them on Facebook and get there early, it fills up quick, there was a line up at 530 before they even opened. There is always the take out option, which is amazing.

 As it has been really hot here in Ottawa, I have been opting for easy going outfits that require minimal effort. Here is what I wore out for dinner...

Shirt from RCVA (last year), Shorts Urban Outfitters, Necklaces from a small store in Portland, Oregon called Rock & Rose, belt vintage. On days as hot as this, a shirt that is light and airy and a nice easy pair of shorts is my go too. This may be one of the few times you will see an outside work outfit of mine that isn't all black, I may have shocked my friend a little. :) Hope you are having a happy Monday!

Currently listening to: City and Colour- Thirst

Market Fresh

Sunday is my day. Sunday is the day I clean, cook, relax, read and such. I like to start Sundays by reading the newspaper, drinking my coffee and listening to CBC radio. Since I started working Monday to Friday, it has been the best part of the week.

Today I had nothing for my morning smoothie, as it is grocery day (more on that later). So it was avocados on flax bread (bought last week at the market) with orange juice, bridgehead coffee with almond milk and the Globe and Mail. Good Sunday morning. This was followed up by a trip to the byward market to pick up some fresh veggies for the week. I didn't puck up much this week as I still have some left overs. I try to alternate weeks, last week I went to Brewer Park market to pick up veggies and other stuff. I also stopped at the bakery for some fresh baked bread.

I seem to be incapable of going to the market without making a stop into Lush. I love Lush and can never say enough good things about their products and their staff. I have never been into a store where being a regular meant that you and the staff are on a first name basis and they always have time to chat. Its truly one of the best stores. When I was going through a rough time I would go in and talk with the employees and buy something to cheer myself up. Its truly a great place. They just started carry for a limited time their Gorilla perfumes. Theses are a set of perfumes that are on 'tour' to all of the lush stores. Not only are the scents amazing, but they come with a little story and the cutest little packaging. I pick up two and high recommend anyone to pick up the voice of reason. It smells a little strong at first, like a campfire, but once it settles on the skin it is amazing. Sun is a fun citrus smelling perfume. I will be returning for more!

Intro-duct-ions

Hello All! Hi am Martha. I live in Canada's Capital, Ottawa. Where much like the rest of the city, I work for the federal government. This however does not mean that I am a stick in the mud, boring, conservative, white picket fence, suburban dwelling, two kids, 1 dog, suv loving person. (this is a generalization, most people I know who work for the government are not this at all..but I digress). I live in a smallish downtown apartment, with my two cats. I have been a vegetarian for the past five years, I love cooking and baking. I love to travel. I read a variety of different kind of books. I am still studying psychology, just for fun. I play the violin and am passionate about music. This blog is to showcase what I love, food, fashion, music and other personal musings. Enjoy!