Are You Drinking Enough Water?

I'll be the first to admit that I rarely drink the recommended 8 glasses per day, but these new studies may encourage me to make this a strict regimen. Everybody probably knows that drinking water is good for you, but did you have any idea that it can help reverse the signs of aging? It's true! Researchers in the UK have found that drinking plenty of water can help moisturize and cleanse your skin. Still not convinced? Try drinking the recommended cups of water for a week or two, and see if you ever go back to expensive creams again.

Besides the fact that water helps the appearance of your skin, it also aids in weight loss. Drinking water, especially ice cold water, burns between 17 and 25 calories per glass. Get your 8 glasses, and you've burned well over 160 calories! Starting tomorrow, I'm making a point to swap out my daily diet coke for a few extra glasses of water. Think you'll give this a try?

Style Obsession: Faux Fur Coat

The moment I came across this picture on FabSugar, I fell in love with Sienna Miller's effortlessly chic ensemble. Needless to say, I just had to find myself a short faux fur jacket. This was definitely easier said than done, since most of the options available are way over my current budget. But after some serious digging, I managed to find this piece from Nordstrom for only $78!! I was so thrilled; it was all I could do not to purchase it immediately.

It's a relatively new addition to the website, but there is already a review from someone raving about this jacket. A 5-star rating and a $78 price tag... you almost can't go wrong!

Rain Gear

On such a dreary, rainy day, sometimes you need to look elsewhere for ways to brighten your mood. Instead of checking the forecast and shuddering at the thought of "100% chance of precipitation," I have several proven ways to prepare yourself for just these occasions. Instead of dreading the rain, embrace it with a few key rain accessories! This way, you will be excited for the chance to show off your fun umbrella or chic rain coat. Just be sure to be prepared; there's nothing worse than running through puddles hoping that your brand new pumps might be waterproof. Here are a few of my favorite affordable accessories for rain- I hope they lift your spirits like they do mine!

DKNY ($98.90) Urban Outfitters ($88)

JCrew L.L. Bean ($149)

Banana Republic ($69.50)

Best Time to Exercise

Do you ever set your alarm super early so that you can hit the gym before work? I know I've tried, albeit unsuccessfully a few times, and I just end up hitting the snooze button. The one time I did make it to the gym by 6 am, I was too tired to make my early wake-up worthwhile. So I did a a little research to see if there was any correlation between when you work out and how well you perform. As it turns out, this is a pretty widely-debated topic, especially among competitive athletes.

According to a recent article published in the Globe and Mail, athletes have proven to be more powerful around 6 pm. A 30-second cycling test showed that levels were lowest at 6 am and increased steadily until they peaked at 6 in the evening. Although this 6 o'clock peak differs from athlete to athlete, it seems that the late evening is the optimal time for your best performance.

But if you're just looking for a jump-start to your day, an early morning work out may be the right option for you. As long as you're not compromising sleep, a morning gym session will release endorphins and stir blood sugar levels to boost your alertness and energy. Having trouble focusing early in the morning? Swap your extra cup of coffee for a natural boost of endorphins and see if you can make a routine out of early morning workouts.

How Well Did You Budget Your Weekend?

Even if you've got your weekday routine down to a science, maintaining that strict budget through the weekends can be pretty tough. Sometime it seems that the only way to save money is to hole yourself up at home. But this is far from the truth! There are plenty of budget-friends ways to enjoy the weekend without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips from SavvySugar, in addition to a few of my own.

1. Pay with Cash. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I still find myself making purchases with my debit card that I later come to realize may have been a hasty decision. Taking cash out at the beginning of your weekend, say Friday at 5 pm once you leave work, allows you to budget exactly how much you want to spend once Sunday evening rolls around. Also, paying with cash makes you think twice about your purchases.

2. Instead of going out, invite friends over. Going to bars in Toronto can really add up. Between two cab rides, pricey drinks, and cover charges, you can end up spending around $100 on just one night. Instead, try having friends over for cards or a movie night. This way, people can bring their own bottle of wine or favorite drink, and everyone can save money.

3. Search out free activities. With this great fall weather, there are no excuses for not taking advantage of everything this season has to offer. Try apple-picking or hiking, even just a walk in the local park will do.

So if you're feeling a bit regretful about this past weekend, try a few of these tips and see how much fun you can have without breaking the bank! Let me know if you have any more tips of your own to share.

Would You Buy These?

After seeing the new Dr. Scholl's Fast Flats commercial during my "Say Yes to the Dress" marathon, I was finally tempted to check them out. I'll admit, even before putting some thought into the new product, I was already having flashbacks of nights out when I kicked off my heels in pain. Who can possibly wear 5-inch heels all night long? Not me, and I have no shame in admitting that.

So just how successful are these new Fast Flats? Dr. Scholl's Facebook page already has over 36,000 dedicated fans. And at such an affordable price (these foldable flats ring in at only $12.99) you can't go wrong! Product reviews seem to agree. The only "bad" thing buyers have had to say so far is that they wish these flats came in more colors! If you try these out for yourself, let me know what you think.

Cooking in Season

This beautiful fall season isn't just about knee-high boots and chunky knit sweaters, it's the perfect time to explore your local farmer's market. Apples, butternut squash, pears, and sweet potatoes are all in season, and who doesn't love a home-made apple pie? Need a little extra motivation to change to change your grocery shopping routine? Take a cue from the world's First Ladies, who recently visited a Pocantico Hills, NY farm to teach children the benefits of healthy, local eating. This upstate New York farm is dedicated to reconnecting people with the food they eat, and it even offers cooking classes in its 3-star organic restaurant, Blue Hill.

So if you're ready to explore some new fall recipes, check out Cooking Light's fresh, fun ideas to make the most of this season. My favorite recipe of all is definitely the Butternut Squash Lasagna. The prep time can make this dish a bit more difficult to plan ahead for, but believe me, it's totally worth the end result. In a bit of a rush? Peel and cut the butternut squash the night before and place in the fridge until ready to bake.

Forever21 Fall Picks

Have you checked out the new apparel at Forever21? I'm just dying to try these pieces on! Here are a few of my favorites so far. Let me know what you think!

Sheer Chiffon Top ($32) Hooded Cargo Jacket ($37.80)

Solid Woven Dress ($13.50) Classic Cardigan ($17.80)

Lace Floral Tights ($5.50)

It's Boot Season!

Hilary Duff was recently spotted sporting a pair of thigh-high Burberry platform boots while strolling through the streets of LA. So, if it's boot season in LA... then it is certainly boot season in Toronto. Finally! I'm so excited to dig out my over-the-knee boots from last year, and I'm contemplating investing in a couple more- I still can't choose just which ones yet.

Military, lace-up, and thigh-highs are all super trendy right now. Which ones are you eager to try for this Fall season?

Do You Use Artificial Sweeteners?

I was in the middle of pouring my routine morning cup of coffee at work, when someone gasped at my choice of Splenda over natural sugar. "Don't you know that's bad for you?" he asked casually. I was a bit startled at first, whether it was the abruptness of his comment, or the fact that I hadn't yet had my coffee, I am not too sure. But I responded by explaining to him my belief that the risk of diabetes in today's society is far more concerning than a speculation that artificial sweeteners may be bad for you, later. My argument must not have been too convincing, because he urged me to google aspartame once I returned to my desk.

So what exactly is the big deal with these sweeteners? A little research of my own turned up a wealth of information. To put this all into perspective, the average can of a diet soda contains 180 mg of aspartame. About 50 percent of these 180 mg will be broken down into phenylalanine during digestion. Therefore, you would need to consume well over 20 cans if diet soda to even come close to the FDA's safe level of consumption. But after sorting through all the tests and data, most studies have concluded that no normal amount of artificial sweeteners can lead to any serious side effects.

But just how convinced are you that a daily dose of artificial sweeteners is safe? After all, everybody thought cigarettes were ok at first...

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Fashion icon Olivia Palermo has just recently announced a new modeling campaign for Mango, but this time she's sharing the camera with boyfriend Johannes Huebl. I am an adoring fan of her trend-setting style and eye for detail, so you can only imagine my excitement for this news. (And come on, aren't they just the perfect couple, like the next Victoria and David Beckham?) But the idea of working alongside a romantic partner can have the potential to seem more troublesome than glamourous.

Would you ever sign on to work with your beau, whether it was a modeling gig or a class project? I'd love to hear your stories! As for this project, I can only assume by the happy picture that there are no signs of stress between the two of them.

Add some Spice to your Routine Dinner

In honor of Elle Magazine's 21 Days to a More Youthful You, I've decided to share with you one of the tips I found especially helpful. Day 4: Prepare Your Own Food explores the benefits of cooking your meals at home versus eating out at restaurants. Besides the obvious harm to your budget, eating out can also result in a few extra pounds. According to Kathy Kaehler, personal trainer to Julia Roberts, planning out your meals at home can encourage more healthful eating habits. More importantly, focusing on preparing and cooking meals everyday distracts you from mindless snacking that occurs between meals.

So for dinner last night, I decided on whole wheat penne pasta with roasted red peppers and a spicy Arrabbiata sauce. To take the spiciness level up a notch, I added some hot pepper cream. Unlike pestos and other pasta sauce options, this pepper cream is lower in calories at only 50 per 2 Tablespoons. And believe me, 2 Tablespoons is plenty of heat for the two servings I prepared! I almost had to add more marinara to compensate. Next time you decide to create your go-to pasta dish, try something different like this hot pepper cream to add a new dimension to the standard tomato and basil.

Bargain Burberry

When I first spotted this Burberry shearling aviator jacket in their Autumn/Winter 2010 ad campaign, it was love at first sight. But with the hefty $3,595 price tag, the love was not exactly mutual. I began calculating just how many paychecks I would have to save up, and I was so disappointed that I decided to search for an alternative.

Finally, my prayers were answered when I spotted this new jacket from H&M. For just $34.95, it has the same aviator-chic appeal but without the fear of me coming up short on the next rent (or three or four). More importantly, I can assure you that you will sleep soundly knowing that no animals were harmed in the making of this jacket.

If you're dying to try out a new trend, be it a shearling aviator jacket or cargo skinny pants, stores like H&M and Forever21 are a great place to start. Once you find a piece you love, then you can begin to invest in the real thing (or just stick to bargain one!).

5 Favorite Nail Lacquers for Fall

One of my favorite ways to embrace fall's chilly weather is swapping out summer's bright pink and coral polishes for fall's moodier browns and burgundies. If you're looking for a little inspiration, check out Essie's new Fall 2010 Collection and OPI's Fall/Winter line entitled Swiss. Or, see if my 5 Favorite Picks get you in the fall spirit.

Little Brown Dress Girl Talk William Tell Me About OPI

Steel-ing the Scene My Private Jet

If you aren't in the mood for a manicure and a Pumpkin Spice latte, I don't know what else will do the trick!

Office Attire

Since beginning my new job last week, I have been flirting with the definition of "business casual." Do I have to wear dressy slacks every day, or can I switch it up with a nice pair of black leggings? And, are button-up tops a must, or can I brighten up my look with a floral blouse? There are so many grey areas!

One topic I'm dying to discuss is shoes. My first full week in the office, I kept it strictly business with dressy flats or pumps. But recently, I've been hoping to get some use out of my open-toe pumps before the cold weather sets in. So I'd love to hear what you think about this:

Can peep-toe pumps be considered office appropriate?

:) Fun and flirty
:( Will your co-workers take you seriously?

:) Professional and safe
:( Boring?

Should you be switching your latte to soy?

vs.

For the past few weeks I've been experimenting with several different soy milk products. I had been told by some friends that soy is much better for you, but I wasn't convinced until I did a little research for myself. How much do you know about soy milk? Check out some of these sites for yourself.

The main reasoning behind switching to soy is that cow's milk contains saturated fats (found in all animal products) that may be linked to higher levels of cholesterol. Some proponents of soy milk claim that it can even help to lower your cholesterol. Sounds pretty good, right? I'm still skeptical, but for now, I'm definitely enjoying my Silk light vanilla.

Sleep-Deprived

Late nights and early mornings have really taken a toll on me come Friday morning. After trying out numerous products, the one that I'm absolutely in love with is a concealer poweder by BareMinerals. It's a lifesaver!

What tricks do you use when you're lacking some zzz's??

Fitness Gear

When your motivation to hit the gym starts to fade, do you ever turn to purchasing some new gear to get you going again? I'll admit, I've been there before and found myself trying on all the new apparel at lululemon. But it sure works! Have you ever turned to shopping for your inspiration...maybe even a new pair of sneakers?

Are you a 20 Something?

As a going-away present before my move to Toronto, a friend of mine left me with a copy of the 20 Something Manifesto. For those of you who are hearing about this for the first time, it's a self-help book packed full of advice about living and being happy with life in your 20's. Even if you're fully satisfied, hearing real stories from people going through the same life-changing experiences is something I think everybody should enjoy. Want to know what Christine Hessler refers to as an "Expectation Hangover"? Check it out and let me know what you think! I bet you'll love it from the start.

5 Fall Fashions Under $100

Eager to trade your flip-flops for over-the-knee boots? Me too! I've pulled together 5 of the top trends to help you get into Fall Fashion without breaking the bank.

1. Military Jacket (Piperlime) $92

2. Combat Booties (Urban Outfitters) $68

3. Vintage Lace (Nordstrom) $78

4. Jeggings (Gap) $69

5. Cozy Cardigans (JCrew) $89

Hope these frugal finds get you excited for fall fashion! What are you excited about this season?