I Challenge You....

To an Instagram October Photo Challenge!

Pretty easy just snap one picture a day and post it on your Instagram starting on October 1st! Since sometimes it is hard to pick what picture you want to take I'm giving you a list! Lets do this....

1. Selfie                            17. Book
2. Fall Leaves                       18. In My Cup
3. Favorite quote                    19. OOTD
4. Cozy                              20. Something Funny
5. Dinner                            21. Crush
6. Listening to...                   22. Makes you happy
7. Sky                               23. Black & White
8. Family                            24. Decorations
9. Pets                              25. Recipe
10. Thanksgiving                     26. Crisp
11. Shoes                            27. Halloween Candy
12. Something warm                   28. Halloween Pumpkins
13. Nature                           29. Spooky
14. Made you smile                   30. Halloween Throwback
15. Front Porch                      31. Halloween
16. Your view

You can follow me @brittanylea on Instagram to see what I'm posting and fingers crossed keeping up with my own challenge! Leave me your Instagram names so I can follow your challenge too! Best of luck!

Sports...What I Watch

Yes, I was reaching for something to write about today and I was coming up with not much and then it hit me! SPORTS! I know I do not seem like the sports watching girl but I am with certain sports. No, sorry it does not include football. This summer I jumped on the bandwagon for volleyball but I don't know how much that is going to stick since it is not a widely popular sport over here in Canada. I did really enjoy it though, it is fun, very fast pace sport! 

But onto the sports I actually watch. There is two and they both include ice, Curling and Hockey! Canadian pastimes! I have been a hockey fan all my life, I have been a fan of the Ottawa Senators for years even though the players who got me liking the team have retired or been traded (Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Speeza) I have a soft spot for my Senators and I probably always will. Hockey is something I can have on in the background while I'm doing something else and it can also turn me into a raving lunatic! Yes, I have been known to yell at the tv and to stop myself from swearing too much I make very noises instead. Anyone who has watched an important game with me with know this as true. I also have rivalry with my father who loves the Montreal Canadiens, that is never going to change and it is really just fun I will cheer for anyone but Montreal!





Now curling, I started liking that more in 2008, my parents always liked it and watched it but I was never into it. Well, and maybe I shouldn't admit to this but John Morris and Ben Hebert got me liking curling. At the time they played for Team Kevin Martin. Curling is a WAY more difficult sport to play than most people think, the amount of technique and skill you need to have to make the shots that they do is insane. I think I enjoy curling more now then even hockey. Normally if curling is on I will sit down and actually watch it. This season my team is Kevin Koe because my favorite team last season is no more Team Pat Simmons. I'm still a tad devastated that they parted ways but that is life in the curling world.


Are you into sports? What is your favorite sport to watch?

My Playlist: Top 10 Songs I'm Loving Right Now

I normally always have music playing! (I'm listening to Hamilton right now as I type this) And if you know me you know my taste varies! I decided to make a list of my top 10 songs for right now. Now, just to let you know this does not mean they are current songs by the latest chart topping artists, they are just what I'm listening to right now. I hope you either know the songs and like them too or find something new you want to listen to!

1. Hamilton The Musical Soundtrack - okay this isn't one song but the whole darn thing is so good you can't just pick one song from the soundtrack! My day isn't complete without some Hamilton in it.
2. Sanctuary - Markus Feehily - Beautiful voice and song. Mark was in the former boyband Westlife and his voice is one of my favorites.
3. Dope - Fifth Harmony - just a fun song, it was basically my summer jam.
4. Move Your Body - Sia - The best dancing/cleaning song.
5. You Can't Make This Up - Blake Shelton - We all know how much I love Blake so that is enough for me and this song is just a good one.
6. Fall In Love Again - Patrick Leham - just a nice song I came across awhile back.
7. Don't Touch My Radio - Jana Kramer - Fun country song!
8. I Don't Dance - Lee Bice - another nice country song
9. If We're Not Back in Love by Monday - Merle Haggard - I love Merle
10. Bitter - Emily West - I love her voice and this is just a good break up song!

As you can tell my music taste is all over the play and really this doesn't totally cover everything! What are you listening to right now?

My Happy List

25 Things that Make Me Happy!

• family
• friends
• fur-babies

• music
• warm summer days
• cold snowy winter nights
• cute note books with sayings on them
• a great red lipstick
• the perfect highlight
• a nice compliment
• books that make you want to finish them in one sitting
• September issues of Vogue
• chats that last all night long
• a great meal with better company
• baby noises
• travel
• beaches
  
• drives to nowhere 
• ice cream dates in the summer
• hot chocolate dates in the winter 
• perfect ending for a series finale
• laughing until you cry
• doing hair
• discovering new things
• life

Just a list of a few things that make me happy. What makes you happy? Make a list! Just making the list of things that make you happy will make you happy because you get to think of all the things that make you happy. Let me know what makes you happy in the comments or link your blog in the comments.

Happy Living everyone!

Beauty Review: Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation

Unless you have been living under a rock you have probably heard about the new Urban Decay foundation (also yes I only really mean the make up lover not everyone will have heard about this!). I have to say as soon as I heard about this I wanted it because I love me a good matte foundation which I have to say I haven't found that many great ones. For my skin type being on the oily side I don't need anything that is dewy because that normally just makes me look like an oil slick. When I was in Sephora couple of weeks ago I decided to get a sample because it is not cheap foundation so I decided just in case I did not like I would go with a sample to start, so here are my thoughts...

It is FULL COVERAGE! You do not to build this foundation up, if you do you're going to look like you have a cake face and no one wants that. Now, because it is so full coverage make sure you take the time to actually find your correct shade, get one the reps to help if you're having a hard time. Also, know this foundation oxizides meaning it is going to go a bit darker. Keep this in mind when you are choosing your shade. Right now because I have a tan I ended up with shade 4.5 but I think maybe 4 would be better when I'm not tanned. It is actually a totally matte foundation but it isn't flat which is good because you do not want that. It is oil free which I love too because again I do not need anymore oil in my t zone!

For application it is a thicker consistency and I have found that I like using a brush better than a beauty blender/sponge. I just like that is seems to go on more flawlessly with the brush. I did have enough in the sample to get 3 uses so I did try both ways. I will say I do pat a damp beauty blender over my face once I have finished with the brush to give the finish a more air brushed look. I think it blends well and goes on smoothly.

The wear ability of this foundation is great. I do not find it heavy or cakey feeling which was something I was worried about especially with it being full coverage and matte. I love the fact that I honestly do not have to powder a lot through out the day. I probably powered once all day and normally I do it a lot more especially in the summer months. It is really matte and it keeps me matte!

Ladies and Gents, if your type is dry I do not believe you're going to like this at all. Also, if you have a lot of texture on your skin you also might dislike this. If you're like me and are on the oily side I think you should try this! It is a very nice product!

It is $49.00 Canadian at Sephora which yes it is on the pricey side but I like it enough that it will be my next higher end foundation buy. If you're not looking to spend that much Nicole Guerriero says that L'Oréal's Infallible foundation is a close dupe. I think I might check it out too or if you have what are your thoughts on it?

Have you tried this foundation yet? Are you loving it if you did and if not why? Let a girl know!

Crafts = Fall?

September brings back to school and basically the start of fall even though fall does not really start until closer to the end of September. Also even though I have been out of close for a bit now the school year marks a new year for me. I know a lot of you are the same and I have to say that September/Fall always marks the true beginning of my crafting season.

Now, I will say I do some crafting all year round but honestly you will rarely find me crafting in the summer! The odd rainy day maybe but even then probably not. End of August start of September, I will creep down to my craft area clean and re-organize, maybe even toss some ideas around for Christmas cards. Middle of September press your ear to the door and you might even hear some Christmas tunes playing as I turn those card ideas into actually Christmas cards. There is just something cozy to me about crafting in the fall/winter. Crafting is probably my main hobby and at one point in my life I probably would have said I wasn't crafty and never would be! Who knew a couple forced scrapbooking classes would have changed that? Thanks to Danielle for that, I totally enjoyed it so no complaints from me.


Also, I think for me all the crafting that I do is based on things that are happening in the fall and winter. I do Christmas cards, I make fall wreaths so all of this involves the cozy months. Yes, October through March are my cozy months. Normally, you're not going to get cozy on a humid July night but on wintery December night that is exactly you would find me doing. If you know me you know I don't really like socks but give me a pair of slippers any day in my cozy months! I think crafting in my cozy months come about because I'm inside more I'm not out at the beach or by the pool. Is anyone else like this? Fall comes and you're all about crafting and cooking and baking? Honestly, this is me I get very domestic when fall hits! Please tell me I'm not the only one?

What are your favorite crafts? Have you always been crafty? Let me know.

Happy Wednesday Loves

Fall Preview: TV Edition

With the fall coming, we have the return of out favorite TV shows and new shows to become addicted too! I have been seeing some commercials and I have to say I think there might be some shows this year I'm quite looking forward to. Last year I did not really get into anything new which is kind of sad but I didn't take the time to get into anything new to be honest, I dvr'ed my faves and that was it. This fall television season I hope to keep up something new!

First lets talk about my returning favorites...

Criminal Minds: We all know I have such a love for Criminal Minds and with all the drama surrounding it I'm wondering how that are going to handle everything. With the departure of Derek Morgan and now Aaron Hotchner I'm getting nervous on what will happen with the show and will it survive to live another season after this one and honestly I think they might be the end. On a happier note they have annoced that Paget Brewster will be coming back to show for more than one guest appearance! If you take away Morgan you have to bring back Prentiss! Prentiss and Morgan just exude badass-ness! Anyways, I'm always going to be a fan so bring on another season even if it crushes me with no Morgan or Hotch! (Season 12 starts September 28th on CBS)

How to Get Away with Murder: I love this show! I don't think I have really talked about it on here because I have been basically absent on the blog since this show started. If you're not watching it, you should be! It is full of suspense, scandal and sheer insanity! I have been a fan since the first episode and I cannot wait until the new season starts! I have even gotten my mother hooked. I'm hoping she watches the rest of the second season before the third one starts so I have someone to talk to it about. The storylines of this show are what keeps me coming back for more because they are basically insane but they just pull you in and you have to keep watching! I will sometimes not watch for a few weeks just so I can binge watch and not have to wait for the next week! This is why I wish everything was on Netflix but the whole waiting a year for another season just would be too much for me with this show! (Season 3 starts September 22nd on ABC)

Gilmore Girls: I'm so excited for this revival! I watched this religiously every Tuesday night! Funny fact I could not stand Rory but it was still my favorite show! Yes, I know she was one of the main characters but she just irked me! I have been trying to get into a new series on Netflix but I feel like I'm going to re-watch Gilmore Girls but this revival starts instead! I'm excited to see where the characters are now and what they have been up to since the show ended. I'm also pleased that basically the whole cast is back! It would have been the same if some of them were left out. Were you a Luke and Lorelai fan? Dean, Jess or Logan? Oh gosh yes I'm so excited to watch this! (Revival starts November 25th on Netflix)


This Is Us: I don't know a lot about this show but from the commercials I have seen I want to watch this show when it starts. Also, no I wasn't really a Jess girl so I'm not just wanting to watch this because of Milo Ventimiglia. This show looks your everyday people working through life which I think will make for a good show. Some people are hoping it will replace Parenthood for them which I sadly have not watched yet but again that always seemed like a real life show. High hopes for this one! (Season 1 starts September 20th on NBC)

There you have it the shows I'm looking forward to watch this fall TV season! What shows are you looking forward to? Old or new ones? Let me know!

Back to Blogging..Yes...No...Maybe

Hello strangers! I know and no I'm not going to make any excuses for why I have not been blogging. I will tell you it became too much of a chore and when I do not find blogging fun, I can't make myself write something or even come up with a good idea for something to write. Yes, that is kind of an excuse but whatever it is what it is.

I have been planning my comeback for awhile now actually, which means I have scheduled posts ready to go! Heck if you want to know the truth this is a scheduled post I wrote up back in early August! By the time you're reading this I will probably be working on Christmas posts (which you know are my favorites)! Actually, this is coming beginning of September so I will probably be working on some DIY Fall/Halloween stuff. But none the less I'm planning and working on it so you should at least have posts to read until November!

Also, I'm looking for someone to help me with my layout! I'm crap at all that stuff but I would like a bit of a spruce up here, if you or someone you know if willing to help me out for a reasonable price let me know.

And now just to get back into the swing of things I found this About Me questionnaire over at A Little Bit of Emily so check her out after you finish here :) Onto the questions...

1. Are you named after anyone? Yup, my mother loves Rod Stewart and once he was married to a woman named Britt Eklund and so the story goes my name came from there. I'm happy they went with Brittany too because the other name in the running was Chantal and I just don't think I'm a Chantal.


2. When was the last time you cried? Since, this is a scheduled posted I can't really answer this with good accuracy, but I cry a lot because I watch dog rescue videos and they ALWAYS make me cry. Yes, I know I should stop watching them but I just can't help it.


3. Do you have kids? No


4. Will you ever bungee-jump? I can say with almost 100% certainty this will never happen!


5. What's your favorite cereal? I don't eat cereal that much but I enjoy Honey nut Cheerios and Fruit Loops ;)


6. What's the first thing you notice about people? Their hair, I'm a hairstylist I will always notice hair first. Also, even if you have nice hair I will be thinking about what else we could do with your hair in my head.

7. What is your eye color? Green most days but sometimes they look blue.


8. Scary movie or happy endings? I don't like scary movies but I do not need a movie to have a happy ending to like it.


9. Favorite scents? Oh lord so many, anything that smells like Christmas, lavender, lilacs, fresh cut grass, lemon and tea etc etc


10. Summer or winter? Both for different reasons! Summer because I LOVE the weather, sun, swimming, being outside and the long sunny days. Winter because you can be cozy and snuggly, wear layers and slippers, drink hot drinks and CHRISTMAS!

11. What's the furthest you've ever been from home? London, England

12. Do you have any special talents? Nope!

13. Where were you born? Nova Scotia

14. What are you hobbies? blogging (duh), crafting, baking/cooking, watching youTube videos, make up, spending time with family and friends.

15. Do you have any pets? Yup! 2 dogs Gus and Jagger, they make my heart happy :)

16. Favorite movie? Dirty Dancing

Back to planning more posts!
Happy Living!

Britt

PS Posts will be coming to you on Mondays and Wednesdays!