Kensington Market

This weekend, I picked out a different part of downtown to explore. After hearing so much about the Kensington Market, this became my Sunday destination. For those of you not familiar with Toronto, Kensington Market is a cultural mecca boasting everything from local produce and baked goods to hand-made apparel and accessories. And the best part about wandering the streets around Kensington Avenue? It's a budget-friendly activity!

If you have the time, wander outside the blocked-off market area and check out the stores of Toronto's Chinatown. I was very impressed with the fresh market produce. Not only did I get the feeling that my vegetables were just picked, but the prices were unbeatable! This may even become a weekly routine for me.

Want to see more picture from Kensington Market? Check out the Photos section of my blog.

Sale Alert- Old Navy Coats

So let me begin by saying that I've never really been a big fan of Old Navy stores; I've always preferred its sister stores like Gap and Banana Republic. Since all their sites are linked, I decided to peek at some of the apparel. As it turns out, Only Navy coats are up to 50% off this week! And to tell you the truth, I can't see a huge difference from the other brands' coats. Check out this wool-blend trench coat for only $69.50. At this price, I'm seriously considering making a trip to see the coats for myself! The fur collar is even detachable, so it can go from weekend casual to weekday business wear.

Another one that caught my eye is this cotton faux-fur hooded anorak for only $60. I'm still debating between the green and khaki color... What do you think?

Have you purchased a coat from Old Navy before? Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Hair Appointment: Save or Splurge?

After a few weeks of trying to hide my emerging roots and split ends, I think it's time to face the fact that I need to make a hair appointment. Normally, this isn't a date I dread. But since I'm not in California anymore, I have to find myself a new hairdresser!

Because I'm also on a tight budget, I decided to look up some hair salon schools in the Toronto area. Students and recent grads are faced with getting a certain number of hours before they can become qualified, so they offer up their services for a reduced rate. I've heard this is a great way to save money on a hair cut, but I'm still a bit nervous trusting my hair to someone with such little experience.

What do you think about letting a recent graduate cut and color your hair? Do you think the risk is work the reduced rate?

Style Obsession: Kitten Heels

It's been a couple months now that I've been a full-time working girl, but there's still one thing I can't master: How in the world am I supposed to last all day in high heels? Yesterday, I was on my feet all day and practically crawled into my apartment by 6 o'clock. Is this pain really necessary? All through college, I managed with flats or small wedge boots. The only time I had to brace myself for painful shoes was when I went out dancing with friends. Even then, at least you can always kick off your heels. I don't think walking around barefoot in the office is socially acceptable, even if it is casual Friday.

So what's a girl to do? Embrace a less painful shoe, if course! I recently came across this Vogue article featuring trendy kitten heels for this Winter season. A low heel accented by a bow or bursting with a bright pop of color is the perfect accessory for the trendy lady-like look. Don't suffer any longer! Invest in a smaller heel and give your feet a rest.

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

After a day of exploring downtown Toronto, I wanted to treat myself to a yummy dessert to top off my relaxing weekend. With several overripe bananas, I immediately flipped open my recipe book to my favorite Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins. I've explored lightening up this recipe with Splenda instead of sugar, or yogurt instead of butter, but tonight I went the traditional route. I did use whole wheat flour, and they do have banana in them, so I'm still going to call them healthy! Follow along if you want to try these at home!

• First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Combine the sugar, egg and butter in a large mixing bowl
• Add mashed bananas and milk
• Add dry ingredients, making sure you don't overmix the dough
• Fold in chocolate chips. (Note: I love to add cinnamon and nutmeg to these muffins to give them an extra Fall feel)
• Reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake 15-20 minutes.
• Enjoy!!

On the Go? Try Dry Shampoo

For days that you oversleep, have to rush from the gym, or simply don't have the time to wash your hair, try dry shampoo! Never heard of it? Dry shampoo, either in a spray can or tube form, removes excess oil and dirt without having to take the time to wash. It's also great if you have fine or oily hair and need a little help to get you through to your next wash. Since I try to wash my hair about every other day (this helps to keep hair healthy and prevent it from drying out) I use dry shampoo in between washes.

There are many different options when it comes to choosing, and it really just depends on your price point. I picked out Tresemme's Dry Shampoo in a spray can form, since it was on sale for about $3.99, and I love it! Another one I recommend is Oscar Blandi's Dry Shampoo for $19. It's certainly more pricey than the first option, but you will definitely notice the difference.

Tresemme $3.99 or Oscar Blandi $9

Halloween Costumes: The Crash-Course

Since Halloween is just around the corner, and I'm sure I'm not the only person who has yet to find a costume, let's talk about costume ideas! Each year I've always found myself struggling to come up with an idea at the last minute. Hopefully, I've left my procrastinating days behind me in college where they belong. So if you're still scrounging for ideas, follow these steps and I'm sure you'll get inspired!

1. Skimpy or not?

This is by far the biggest debate about the Halloween. Every girl's costume can pretty much be classified as either too revealing or not. From my experience, if you go the route of a revealing costume, beware of other girls taking note. Not that I have anything against this kind of costume, you just have to be ready to defend yourself. So start by asking yourself this question, and then continue on to the next step.

2. Group or single?

Once you've decided about your costume standards, you will also have to figure out whether you want to dress in a group or go your own path. With this choice, I have no real preference. I've done group costumes and single costumes and both are really fun! Group costumes have the benefit of being able to work with your friends on the planning and will at least guarantee you all time together to start your night. But if your group splits up during the night, will you be devastated? Single costumes offer individuality, of course, and a chance to stand out from other people. But if all your friends are dressing in a group, will you feel left out?

3. Original or typical?

There's nothing wrong with wanting to dress as something that has been done time and time again, like Minnie Mouse or a nurse. But if you don't bring anything new to the idea, it can get a bit boring. Coming up with a never-been-seen before costume will certainly garner lots of attention, but it's much easier said than done! You can brainstorm for hours and enter "halloween costume ideas" into Google as many times as you like, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. What do you do now? Sleep on it! The right costume idea won't come to you in an instant. Give it some time, and even ask around to see what you're friends are doing.

I hope these tips are helpful in your Halloween hunt! Have any great ideas? Feel free to share, and maybe you'll inspire someone else.

The Cash-Only Diet

Good news for those of us watching our weight! And let's be honest, who isn't at least conscious of calories these days? One method that has just been proven to be effective in reducing impulsive eating is to pay with cash at the grocery store. (It seems like a no-brainer once you think about it.) Paying with cash instead of a debit or credit card makes you much more aware of your purchases and the total cost. With this in mind, grabbing junk food off the shelves becomes easier to resist. After all, if you don't buy the chips and the cookies and the Ben & Jerry's half-baked ice cream (for example), you won't be eating them!

Also, try to take the time to plan out a few meals for the next week and make a list of the ingredients you will need. Shopping with a list helps you stick to the necessities, and sadly this rarely includes Ben & Jerry's. So save your wallet and your waistline, try going cash-only at the grocery store.

How to wear a Sweater Dress

Now that the temperature is beginning to drop, my wardrobe priorities are shifting from appearance to functionality. This means out with the peep-toes and in with the booties, it means layering, and it also means more pants and less skirts. But you don't have to live in pants every day from now on.

Sweater dresses are the best way to embrace the cold weather and show off your fall hosiery. Just be careful with the fit- you definitely don't want your sweater dress to appear frumpy. And it doesn't have to be a thick, itchy, turtleneck either. Play with different designs, like a color that pops or rugby stripes. Or, go for a revealing back like this Urban Outfitters dress. Belting a looser fit is my favorite way to accessorize- it shows off your waistline without looking like you're trying too hard. What do you think?

Body Issue

ESPN just released its coveted Body Issue, featuring many of the world's best athletes in the buff. When I first heard about this issue, I have to admit I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Is this for real? Is it "right"? You get the idea. But after viewing some of the final pictures and the behind the scenes video, my emotions were narrowed to just pure amazement. What I thought could have been an exploitation of women's (and men's) bodies, turned out to be a tasteful display of athleticism and beauty. Take a minute to listen to the video and you will see that these women are so proud of their bodies and the muscles that make them who they are- professional athletes. And the best part was hearing the nervous giggles and laughter coming from each athlete as they stripped down. It really drove home the idea that these people are, well, people after all.

So once you get the chance to see the final images and the ESPN video, let me know if you get the same impression. I would love to hear what you think about the Body Issue.

What's Your Shopping Style?

You can tell a lot about a girl by the way she shops. After reading this article by Christine Muhlke in the NYTimes, I started to think about how absurd this story would seem to some of my friends who view shopping as more of a chore than an experience. But the bottom line is that every girl has her own style. Here are a couple shopping categories I find most revealing about a girl's personality.

1. Does she fly solo or only shop in groups?

This, in my opinion, reveals how independent someone is. I admit that I love shopping with my friends, but I usually end up paving my own path and cruising along at my own speed. Certainly, I am better off sneaking away from the group if I have some serious shopping to do. On the other hand, those that prefer to shop with at least one other person tend to seek a second opinion. This is a great option as well, but I have been known to ask for an opinion only to revert back to my own if I don't agree.

2. Does she plan out every purchase or shop impulsively?

Although I try to do some researching online before making a purchase, I've certainly fallen victim to a few impulse buys. Do I regret them? Of course not! That's what return policies are for, after all. Either way, girls who stroll down the street after work and are pulled into a store with a beautiful window display are certainly more free-spirited than "the planners." I am very envious of these girls, because I can never justify a big purchase if I don't actually need it. (needs and wants are two totally different categories fyi!)

What other shopping styles have you noticed? Let me know what you think your shopping style says about you!

Polished Prep

I can never get enough of the polished, preppy look this fall (or any season to be honest). Not born and raised in the upper east side? Don't fret. You don't have to live on the east coast or go to a private school to pull this look off flawlessly; you just need a few key items to bring out your inner preppy self. For your staple items, invest in a quality crisp white blouse. Every girl should own one! Then, go for a structured bag and a pair of loafers or moccasins. These three pieces will instantly prep up any outfit! Check out these picks, and let me know what you think.

Madewell ($45) Urban Outfitters ($58) JCrew ($58)

Gap ($98) Zara ($69.90) Urban Outfitters ($58)

Career Dilemma

Recently, one of the questions that keeps coming up among my friends is "Are you happy with your job?" So let's get this straight. Most of my friends are in their young 20's and have just graduated or are getting ready to graduate. This question of being happy with our jobs is realistically based on about a few months of experience so far. It's safe to say that we might not know yet if this is the job we want to make a career out of.

Despite our inexperience in the "real world," some of my friends have already begun to express concern that they might not be fully satisfied with their chosen career path. My instinctive response is to blurt out, "Just give it more time!" Secondly, this is your very first job (internships not included). Nobody says you have to stick with this job that recruited you right out of school. Finally, and maybe most importantly, be thankful you have a job. So many schools this year reported another decrease in employed grads from 2009, which was considered a slump as well.

This summer, while I was still sending out about 3 resumes a day, I came across plenty of advice columns trying to help recent grads make sense of their past 4 years of hard work. The biggest debate was this: Do you take the first job offer, or do you hold out for your dream job? In a shaky economy, this is quite a gamble. Considering that most people move around about 4 or 5 times before settling into a career, I don't see a problem in taking the first good job that comes your way. You don't want to be too proud too miss out on a job that can turn into a learning experience or resume-builder. But if nothing comes along, volunteering is always an option- just don't get complacent sitting at home!

What do you think about this dilemma? Have you found yourself in a similar situation?

Slimming Down Pays Off

Men, as it turns out, aren't the only ones whose appearance may dictate their salary. (You've heard that taller men earn a significant amount more than average sized men, right?) A new article from the Wall Street Journal claims that the thinner the woman, the more she will earn. The inverse is also true, since women who are obese not only are penalized with lower salaries, but they also face tougher challenges in climbing the career ladder.

So how does a man's weight effect his salary? It turns out that men receive higher pay the more pounds they put on. This is true until a man reaches obesity, then the salary declines. In addition, thin men are treated the same way as heavier women, they too are payed less.

The idea that body image stereotypes transcend even our workplace now is astounding to me. Do you see this trend in your office?

Day-to-Night Fall Dresses

Fall is the best time to make use of day-to-night dresses. Mastering the art of layering is the key to this effortless look. How do you start? Find a dress that's versatile. It helps if it works with tights, a vest, a cardigan or all three! My favorite fall dresses have floral print, like this Patterson J. Kincaid option from Shopbop. During the day, it works with boots and tights. For a night out, dress it up with a belt and matching pumps. Here are some options all under $80, so you have some room to invest in matching layers as well!

Shopbop ($64) Forever21 ($22.80)

Shopbop ($59.50) Forever21 ($22.80)

Urban Outfitters ($78)

Stress Management

The one thing I've been thinking about since I left my apartment this morning is stress, so I'm sure you can just imagine the kind of day I've had. It began with me almost being late for work. I was already in the car but just had to run back upstairs because I was pretty sure I had left the curling iron on. Not really a big deal right? Well I surely couldn't have focused at work knowing that my bathroom just might be on fire that moment.

Anyway, it got me thinking about just how bad stress is for your health and what it does to your body in the long run. It turns out, those that are more prone to stress are at risk for several health problems down the road. And I say "those that are prone to stress" because I know first-hand that two people can be in the same exact situation, while only one stresses out (fyi: I have a twin sister, and I am definitely more prone to stress!). For example, an article from the National Post points out that women with high levels of stress tend to weigh more than those with average levels of stress. This is due to the stress hormone called cortisol, which is released during "fight-or-flight" situations. Unfortunately, cortisol also primes the body to store food as fat, leading to larger mid-sections in women over time.

Sounds pretty bad, right? Well, unfortunately, it can get even worse. High-stress situations can cause people to gravitate toward unhealthy food choices. And while the body is preparing to store these calories as fat, resorting to comfort food is not what you want to do.

The best advice I can give to you is to learn how to deal with this stress! If stress is work-related, make sure to leave everything at work. Don't come home and brood over your bad day. In addition, find ways to vent. I prefer working out or baking cookies to take my mind off a lousy day. But exercising is probably the best way to lower stress. Need some inspiration? Try yoga or sign up for a group class.

I hope this helps you the next time you have a rough day!

Career-Minded

I think I've just found the best website for work apparel! It's always been difficult to find business-casual clothing that doesn't cost me my entire paycheck, and WardrobeDiaries.com is definitely the answer. A spin-off from the creators of frugal-fashionistas.com, this blog offers a new outfit for each day of the (work) week. It's a pretty new site with only just a few posts, but my favorite item so far has to be the black crop pants from Gap for only $49.50. Go ahead an check it out- let me know what you think!

Weight Management Myths

Myth: Late-night snacking leads to weight gain

I hope you're as excited as I am to hear that this myth is officially false! The British Medical Journal recently put this falsehood to rest with the results published in their online journal. The study pointed out that this belief stems from mere correlation (not causation) from findings that obese people tend to eat more later in the day. Maintaining a healthy weight depends purely on the amount of calories take in each day, not on the clock.

Another food myth involves breakfast. How many times have you heard that people who eat a balanced breakfast weigh less than those who skip? (Special K commercials, anyone?) While this is true, it can be misleading. This doesn't mean that just eating breakfast will make you lose weight. The finding comes from the fact that people who plan their meals and put effort into eating mindfully weigh less as a result of their efforts. Skipping breakfast tends to make people overeat for their next meals. This is what leads to weight gain. So if you plan balanced meals throughout the day, don't feel so guilty next time you indulge in a late-night snack!

Winter Coats

I don't know about you, but every time winter rolls around, I feel the need to invest in another coat. Whether or not this is truly necessary, I can't help but to begin searching out my options. So I've pulled together some of my favorite trends for this winter, just in case you're in the same mindset as me! Keep in mind the benefit of purchasing something timeless, like this red coat by Jessica Simpson. Red is surely in now, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere in the near future... (hint: great buy!)

Camel Hues

Topshop

Leopard Print

French Connection

Military Details

Forever21

Classic Red

Nordstrom

Cape

Urban Outfitters

Sale Alert!

Check out these fabulous fall sales:

Bluefly- up to 70% off fall designs
Nine West- 30% off regular priced items
Forever21- up to 75% off fall clearance
Banana Republic- up to 40% off fall items

Healthy Snacks

Healthy snacking between balanced meals is the key to maintaining a balanced diet. I know, I know, "healthy" and "snacks" can seem impossible to put together in one sentence. But the easiest way to make this happen is to plan ahead. Whether you're at work all day or studying in the library, bring along some of these well-portioned snacks so that you're not faced with a last-minute purchase when the cravings kick in.

1. Fruits and Veggies- these are love in calories and perfect for between meals. On the go? Grab something more durable like a banana or carrot sticks so that you can just toss them in your purse. If you have access to a fridge at work, bring along some hummus dip for your veggies. Hummus is low in calories, often only 30 calories per 2 tablespoons, and adds some extra flavor to your veggies!

2. Nuts- they are high in protein and will certainly give you that extra boost of energy you need. Spice it up with a trail mix including almonds, raisins, and peanuts. Just be sure to avoid salted varieties, and keep in mind that nuts are high in fat (although it is the healthy unsaturated fat).

3. Granola Bars- try to find bars that provide a balance of protein, carbs, and fats. Luna bars might just be my favorite, especially since they keep coming out with amazing new flavors that I never get sick of. Packing 180 calories per bar, they offer 4 grams of fat, 27 grams of carbs, and 10 grams of protein, not to mention 24 vitamins and minerals.

Give these balanced snacks a try, and see how they stifle your junk food cravings!