Liebster Award pt.2 | Tag

I was nominated for my second Liebster Award by the lovely Ally from Ally Adores - go check her out!!

1. If you could only use one brand of makeup, which would it be?

Probably Revlon for a drugstore pick, I really love almost all their products and they don't break me out. If I'm going high end I would choose Smashbox- love their shadows!

2. Where is your dream holiday/vacation?

Definitely any sort of trip with just myself and my mom. I've always loved the idea of taking a mother-daughter trip. I'd really love to travel England and Ireland as well as the Canadian East Coast.

3. Tell us 3 great things about your life?

1. My family and friends 2. I'm incredibly blessed and I don't have to worry about much 3. I'm living in Canada's capital city, studying to be a photographer!

4. What is your favourite movie?

It totally depends on my mood. If I'm in the mood to just laugh, then anything with Adam Sandler. If I'm in a mood for action I'd go with any Mission Impossible or James Bond. The two movies I can watch anytime, no matter what my mood are Breakfast At Tiffany's and The Breakfast Club.

5. What got you into blogging?

Quite honestly, boredom. I was doing a gap year after realizing that my uni program wasn't for me. I've always loved writing and photography so it seemed like a good idea and it just turned out that I really loved it. 

6. You can only wear three makeup products on your face, what are they?

I'd have to go with concealer, brow pencil, and mascara. They're the three things I feel naked without haha.

7. What is your biggest goal in life?

Probably to have a gallery of my own prints. I think it would be so cool to have a space dedicated to my work that people would come to just to celebrate my photographs.

8. What is your favourite childhood memory?

It's hard to choose just one. I could narrow it down to any time my entire extended family came out to our camp for a celebration. We would always barbecue burgers and hot dogs, have a bonfire, and roast marshmallows for s'mores. The laughs we had and the genuinely great times we had there as a family is unforgettable.

9. What is your pet peeve?

I get really annoyed when people say that humanity is crap or that the world is going down the tubes. I believe that humanity is only as good as we make it and instead of complaining about how crappy our world is, we should do something to change it for the better.

10. If you could only buy clothes from one place on the high street, which would it be?

I'd have to say H&M. They've got such good quality clothes for really reasonable prices and I find that they always have something to suit my taste.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm going to nominate 

1. Lor

 2. Rainbow-Rose 

3. Jen

4. Bethany 

1. What is your holy grail skin care product?

2. What is your favourite food for a pick me up meal?

3. What is your go-to-hair style?

4. What is your signature scent?

5. Chocolate or vanilla?

6. If you could be any animal, what would it be?

7. What is your favourite makeup brush brand?

8. What is your favourite way to accessorize any outfit?

9. What is your favourite quote?

10. What is your favourite breakfast cereal?

Make sure you guys let me know if/when you post so I can read your answers!! :)

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Photography Equiptment and Accessories | Wish List

Now that I've been in the Photography program at Algonquin college for 2 months (where is the time going!?) I have come across a lot of new equiptment and tools that I have really fallen in love with. Some are things I would consider necessities, some are for aesthetics, some I just really want. I've created this wish list of my top 10 photography related wants. As part of the blogging community, I feel we are all at least a little bit interested in photography, so I thought I'd share the list with everyone!

I organized this list from least-most expensive. By the end the prices are really quite high and things I can't afford at this point in my life. I do plan to cross every one of these items off my list eventually as I do feel that they will really help me in my profession. 

Enjoy drooling with me over amazing photography gear!

1. Polarizer: $17.50

I have fallen in love with the magic that is a polarizer. I love the way it condenses the light, gets rid of those nasty glares on water and windows, and I especially love the way it allows the sky to look truly blue instead of washed out. 

2. Cute Strap: $24.98

It's definitely not necessary, but there's something about seeing people with camera straps, reflecting their personality and style that makes me really happy. As artists, shouldn't everything reflect ourselves? That's my justification to spend $25.00 on something that I don't need anyways haha.

3. Hot Shoe Bubble Level: $24.99

As much as I love freelance work and doing creative shoots, I also really enjoy precise and calculated photography as well; architecture, commercial still life etc. These little bubble levels are so handy to make sure that everything is lining up perfectly. Of course most tripods do have levels however, when it comes to uneven terrain these little bubble levels ensure that your focal plane is level with your subject- genius!

4. Flash Wire Trigger: $119.99

I really love the idea of doing natural habitat wildlife photography, especially at night. A flash wire trigger set is pretty well a must to get the shots!

5. Minolta VF Light Meter: $195.00

We use these at school all the time and they're so freakin' handy! Using a light meter takes the guess work out of judging proper exposures. Did you know that James Nachtwey always brings this exact light meter with him for all the work he does?

6. External Flash: $269.99

We discussed the whole idea of trip wires and flash photography in class and I fell in love with the idea of external flashes. I really really want one!!

7. Battery Grip: $299.99

An external battery grip is one of those things that I don't necessarily want as much as know I should purchase. I know it will benefit me in the long run, but to spend $300.00 on something so boring kinda sucks haha... Oh well, life of a photographer!

8. More Prime Lenses: varied prices

I'm a prime girl through and through. I understand zoom lenses have their purpose and I can appreciate a good zoom lens. That being said, prime lenses will always be my first choice- the image quality is incomparable. 

9. Mirrorless Camera: $1096.95

Now that mirrorless cameras quality has improved ten-fold, they're becoming increasingly popular in the professional realm of photography. This little guy has an 18.4MP CMOS sensor with a maximum ISO setting of 12800! It's photo output is virtually indistinguishable from DSLR, and in such a little, portable, light weight, and convenient shell- what more can you ask for?

10. Mac Desktop: $2999.00

I love my MacBook Pro, I do. But now that we've been doing photo editing dual screen with the 27" iMac, I know it's something I definitely want to invest in before I open my own photography business. Having a larger screen makes using photoshop infinitely easier and faster. I think a large desktop is a must have for anyone serious about photography.

I hope you enjoyed looking through my photography wish list! Is there anything you think I should add to it? Please do let me know!!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Body Fantasies | Product Review

I'm usually quite fussy with scents, typically preferring ones that are more high end as opposed to cheaper perfumes and body mists. That being said, I'm also a massive bargain hunter so I'm quite adventurous with trying cheaper alternatives.

I came across the Body Fantasies line in Wal-Mart and was intrigued by the packaging, the array of scents, and the low low price tag of ONLY ONE DOLLAR!! I started sniffing through the range and picked up the two I enjoyed the most; Cotton Candy and Sweet Pea. 

I must say that my personal preference for perfumes is sweet scents, so if you're more of a fan of sexy, sultry, or spicy scents then you may not like these ones!

When I first smelled Cotton Candy, I was immediately transported to a carnival. It really does smell like cotton candy! What I love most about this scent is that I expected it to smell like pure sugar, which it doesn't. It has really sexy under tones to it that make it quite a sophisticated scent.

Sweet Pea is also quite a sweet scent, but instead of smelling like dessert sweets, it is a floral scent. It's a really beautiful, fresh garden scent with a touch of brown sugar (in my mind). I've been wearing it everyday!

As far as the quality of the products go, for $1.00, they can't be beat. The smells are gorgeous, and the stay power is really good as well! I spritzed Sweet Pea on this morning before class at 7:00am and I can still smell it on myself now at 3:40pm! I really didn't expect the scent to wear so long. Beyond that it wears well too; the scent doesn't get muddy throughout the day.

All in all, I think the Body Fantasy line is fantastic! The packaging is cute, the quality of the product is really impressive, and the price tag just can't be beat!

Have you tried any scents from the Body Fantasy line? If so, let me know how you got on with them! Are there any scents you think I should try out- I'm always up for a good perfume!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn 

Tips and Tricks for An Early Start | Morning Routine

Am I the only one who feels like 8am classes just should NOT exist? What purpose do they serve in my life and education when there are so many other hours in the day that aren't 8am.

But alas, 8am classes do exist and they probably always will, so we've got to suck it up and make the most of it! I've put together a list of 5 tips/tricks that help me to sleep a little longer while still getting out the door on time, all without cutting corners!

1. Pack your things the night before

It's a pain in the butt to have to run around looking for all the things you need for your class- it's so easy to get organized the night before an early morning. What I like to do is pack my agenda, folders, notebooks, pens, highlighters, and Macbook into my backpack before going to bed. This ensures that in the morning all I have to do is grab my bag and head out the door.

2. Pre-make your meals

Making and eating breakfast in the morning can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes! I like to hack this by making my breakfast the night before: 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 1/4 raw oats, 1 tsp raw cacao powder, and a pinch of cinnamon. I mix it all up in a tupperware container and take it along with me to class. If you're in a lecture hall then you're able to eat whenever you get hungry, there usually aren't rules against food in a lecture hall. If you're in a program like mine, you won't be allowed food in the class room because of the technology. In this case, odds are you professor will provide you with a break half way through (my class is 8am-11am and we usually get a break between 9am and 9:30am) when you can eat, drink, and use the washroom. I also pre-make my lunch the night before so I'm not stuck at school having to buy something over-priced and unhealthy from the cafeteria and it doesn't add any extra time to my morning routine. The easiest way for me to pre-make my lunch is by making enough of my dinner to take along the next day!

3. Lay out clothes in advance

Choosing an outfit in the morning can be an absolute chore! I always find trying to put an outfit together in a rush frazzles me and makes the task harder. I choose 2 outfits the night before; one fancy outfit and one more casual outfit. This gives me options! When I do this I lay out everything including bra, panties, shoes, etc.

4. Perfect a go-to look
The last thing you want to have to worry about in the morning is how to tackle the task that is hair and makeup. Having a quick makeup routine for busy days is a really helpful hack. Mine includes concealer, powder foundation, blush, highlight, mascara, and filling in my brows. Hair takes me the longest to figure out in the morning- it's definitely not my forte. Because of this, I have a few quick goto hair styles for day 1, day 2, and day 3 hair that I shared in this post!

5. Wake up tech-free
Yes, this does sound daunting and impossible, but I can honestly say that avoiding all social media in the morning really helps to speed everything along! I find that I can save myself about half an hour in the mornings just by not checking social media right away! If you think about it, spending just 5 minutes catching up on each major social media platform; FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest  and Snapchat, adds up to 25 minutes. Throw YouTube into the mix and you're looking at a good chunk of time! My best advice is to keep your phone on airplane mode so you're not tempted by notifications. Get through your whole morning routine and then check social media when you're all ready for the day!

My Morning Routine for an 8am Class
5:45am: wake up, stretch in bed
6:00am: get out of bed, get glass of water
6:05am: yoga sun-salutation
6:20am: bathroom/skincare routine
6:35am: go-to hair and makeup
6:45am: get dressed
6:50am: get lunch bag from fridge and pack into school bag
7:00am: head out the door and walk to bus stop
7:20am: catch bus to school, check social media on bus
7:45am: arrive at college and head to class

I hope these 5 tips will be useful to some of you who are stuck in the 8am club! If you have any hacks I could use for my morning routine do let me know! What does your early morning consist of?

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

26. Someone You Got To Meet | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

The first person who came to my mind when thinking of something I'm very grateful I got to meet is Brandon. Brandon did the photographs for both of my cousins weddings; he truly inspired me with his photographs and is my main inspiration for becoming a photographer. I wouldn't have found my passion if it weren't for him and I am so extremely grateful that the Lord sent him into my life when he did. He is such a kind hearted man, actually taking the time out of his schedule and away from his family to teach me the basics of photography (for free I may add) so I wouldn't go away to school knowing nothing. The knowledge he gave me has helped me so much here and seeing his work online continues to inspire me. I am so grateful to have met him and I'm even more grateful that I can now consider him a mentor and a friend. I can't wait for the day he can take my wedding pictures because his work is absolutely stunning.

Both photos above belong exclusively to Brandon. 

Brandon's FaceBook page 

Brandon's website

I highly recommend checking out both links to Brandon's work- he is a truly gifted photographer.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

My Progress | Saturday Series: Fit-Spiration 6 of 6

I want to start off by saying that I realize I should have taken progress pictures wearing the same outfits all the way through, but I never thought of it back when I started my fitness journey. I also want to throw it out there that I am NOT trying to brag about my body in ANY way whatsoever. I'm posting my progress to hopefully inspire you guys and to show that if I can do it, then literally ANYONE can do it.

My journey began almost 2 years ago now. I really wanted to lose weight after realizing that I was quite self conscious about my body. I started off by simply altering my diet- less empty carbs and fatty foods and more whole grains and veggies. I was in a really bad place before starting my fitness journey; I was drinking a lot and eating really poor foods. I quit drinking all together (still haven't had a drink to this day), I cut out fast foods, and I limited myself to one "bad" food per day, which eventually turned to one "bad" food per week. I also began watching my portion size and trying to eat mindfully instead of snacking in front of the TV. By January of this year I had already seen such a remarkable difference- in just 11 months I had lost 40 pounds! I kept the weight loss going and began introducing a work out plan and by July I had lost another 15 pounds, making a total weight loss of 55 pounds and I went from a size 12 pant to a size 5. The biggest accomplishment for me wasn't necessarily the weight loss but how great I felt and how happy I was.

Over the summer I had quite a bit of free time and so began working out quite intensely. I would workout for at least an hour everyday, doing a combination of cardio and muscle building/toning. I found that I really love to walk long distances at a brisk pace, and I also really love yoga and pilates. Working out has become an absolute joy for me; it's something I really look forward to as it helps me to relax and feel happy.

This final photo I took whilst I was home this past weekend for Thanksgiving. I am maintaining my fitness despite being away at college by walking whenever I can as well as using the Sworkit app and doing yoga 3 times a week. I'm enjoying cooking healthy meals for myself with good, wholesome ingredients. Not that numbers matter in the vast scheme of things, but just as a reference if your interested my current numbers are as follows:

Weight: 108Lbs

Pant size: 2 or 3

Bust: 32"

Waist: 26"

Hips: 36"

Like I said (and will continue to say until the end of time) the numbers don't matter. They're a good gauge of progress but the important thing is how great I feel now and that I am living a healthy active lifestyle that will carry me through this life. I think a healthy lifestyle is a great thing to adopt as young as you possibly can, I think it will stick with me as long as I live. 

I hope you feel inspired by this to live a healthier, more active lifestyle. Like I said, if I can do it anyone can. It's all about making good choices and loving yourself enough to do so. If you have any questions about starting to live a healthier lifestyle or any tips you could provide me to help with my own journey leave a comment!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Thanksgiving 2015 | Photo Diary

This past weekend, myself and a couple friends from home who also moved to Ottawa made the drive back to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families. As a photography student, I, of course, documented the trip with my camera. Here it is...

Friday: The Drive Home

Saturday: The Island with the Besties & Dad's Dinner

Sunday: Photo Shoot, Mom's Dinner & Late Night Monopoly

Monday: Back to Ottawa

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn