How is this for irony? The day after I commit myself to follow-through I schedule out my post for the day and it doesn't go up. Well, if anyone has any info on how I can make Blogger stick to the schedule I give it, I'd love to know. At any rate, you'll be in for a treat today as I'll be posting not one but two installments of this next series.

Today I bring you my top 5 favourites from my face, eyes and lips collections. Without rambling too much, let crack on. If I've already given a review on the product, just follow the link to get the details! Let me know if you would like to see more detail on any of the products I've given my stamp of approval below.  

Stay Flawless. Perfection in a foundation if I've ever seen one. Read more about why I love it here. Lately I've been mixing it in with a bit of my favourite moisturizer to lighten the coverage and it has still been working flawlessly.

Milani Multitasker. This was my staple in the summer. Coverage without being heavy. Matte but not flat. It can be used as a foundation or setting powder if you use a light hand. The only con I would say is the absolutely massive packaging. The product itself is lovely. 

Benefit Coralista. A cult classic in the beauty world, and for good reason. I never used to be a real blush person, but I've reached for this almost everyday since I got it. A tinsy bit of shimmer and the perfect corally colour really brightens up my fair complexion. Winter or Summer this one is a winner. 

Coastal Scents cover quad in Medium. I recently re-fell in love with this product. Talk about a multitasker. Four shades means that it works for me all year round, and not only for concealing. The formula is creamy but not sticky, it dries to a perfect finish. Love love love.

Garnier RollerBall. I think I will own this for forever and ever Amen. Not the heaviest coverage (though if you let it sit for a minute before blending it helps) but good enough for me. It feels light and lovely and you can read more about it here.

Jordana Best Lash Extreme. I can't buy this in Canada, but every time I've been across the boarder this year I've picked up at least one tube of this mascara. So cheap, yet so good. The formula does thicken up quite a bit, but if you clean up your brush a bit it can do magical things to your eyelashes.

Original Naked Palette. An oldie but a goodie, I used this nearly every day this year in some capacity. I originally had the Naked 2 on my wish list this year, but ended up taking it off when I shared it with my family because I really don't think I need it. I love the original that much. 

Satin Taupe. The single eyeshadow of my dreams. Normally I go for warmer colours (aka the Naked palette) but when I'm looking to do a more smokey type of look this has been my go-to. My boyfriend also loves whenever I wear it so that makes it an automatic favourite.

Jordana Easy Liner. Jordana just hit it out of the park for me this year. I have both black and brown now, and the brown became and instant favourite that made its way into my everyday routine. I used to hate doing liquid liner, but it is not only easy to remove (I used to line my waterline every day and wake up with raccoon eyes no matter how well I cleaned my face) but super flattering and not too harsh for everyday.

Maybelline Colour Tattoos. The lazy-girl's miracle product to looking put together. I now have 4 different colours and love them better than my MAC Paint Pots. Now if only they would make any of the matte beige offerings permanent.

EOS Lip Balm in Honeydew and The Body Shop Honeymainia Lip Balm. I am a lip balm girl at heart. I can't tell you how many I must have lying around in my life, but these two were the ones that made the greatest impression on me in 2013. EOS balms have been around for years, but I realized recently that they are what I use on the most regular basis. The Honeymainia Balm slipped in at the last moment as a Christmas goodie. The smell of it is just divine, and I've been keeping it by my bed and applying it every night before hitting the hay.

Bourjois Chubby Stick in Peach on the Beach. This is possibly the most gorgeous colour I've ever owned. Not too bright, not too overly shiney, just plain beautiful. It looks like a summer colour, but I've been wearing it recently too as shake up of the traditional darker winter look.

NYX Matte Lip Cream in Tokyo. The formula on this one is the most important part. I'm not a super glossy lip fan, but I suffer from chronically dry lips and this is one of the lip colour products I can stand wearing because it doesn't make me look like I'm withering up.

NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick. Again a last minute favourite, but I got this as part of the Sephora Super Stars kit and it was instantly joined the rest of my carry along products so I think that says something.

I'm going to start this out by being completely honest. I have a track record of being terrible with perseverance. I'm the kind of person that gets really excited to start something, but then loses steam along the way and lets things fall by the wayside. So I think it's safe to say that traditional "resolutions" don't fly with me.

However.

Everyone needs something to strive towards. While the physical date of January 1st shouldn't be the only motivating factor, wanting to better yourself isn't something that should be brushed off as a cheesy by-product of the end of the holidays. If you are looking for some inspiration, Lara Casey does an incredible series on setting real meaningful goals.

This year, I have decided to focus on follow-through.

Instead of rhyming off a long list of things I want to accomplish, I want to spend my energy on focus and commitment, making small achievable goals along the way. I've learned through work that you are only likely to achieve all your goals if you only make 1-3. And so, my overarching goals for the year: one for me, and one for anyone else.

1. Not to take for granted any of my blessings. Use my creative energy it to finish something every week.

2. Pay it forward. Focus on giving back as much as I have been given. Do one thing for someone else every day.

And that is that! So far I'm doing pretty good, but that's how it always starts out doesn't it. What are your goals for 2014?

Welcome to 2014 on TVIB! Kicking off the new year I'll be bringing you a new post every day for the first week of 2014. I hope you enjoy ringing in the new year with me!

 

It seems somewhat cliche, but I do think it is important to reminisce every so often so that you don't lose sight of what makes up the important moments in your life. When it comes to reflecting on the past year, I must say, thank the Lord for Instagram. The modern day photobook has allowed me to bring you this compilation of some of the most memorable things for me in the past year. 2013 was definitely a year of milestones for me, which can't exactly be captured on film, but here is a glimpse of what my life has looked like over the past 12 months. If you would like to see more of the bits and clips of my day to day life, you can go on over and follow me on instagram to keep up to date!

NYE 2012 // Canadian winter wonderland // spring (yes, spring) at the cottage // Muskoka flooding // gloious spring // anniversary/birthday blooms // summer walks with my favourite boys // my bff returns from Israel // crazy rain storm in Toronto // perfect cottage weekend with my besties // hanging with the dolphins in Estero Bay // most incredible sunsets in Fort Meyers // apple picking // SAE Foundation sends kids in Zimbabwe to school // turkey time with my family // my brother's second album release // crazy ice storm takes out the tree in my backyard..and my power // welcome to my family Christmas.

I hope you all had an incredible 2013 and a fabulous New Year's Eve. See you tomorrow!