Twitter. The new Facebook?

The title begs the question for me: has Twitter replaced Facebook for us "older" generations?  I know a lot of you likely have Facebook.  Personally, I don't.  You never know who can find you on there, what people can find out, and you know those pictures are no longer owned by you once they're posted.  Scary.

I had Facebook.  Yes, I'll admit it.  When I was in university, it was our prime method of communication.  Hell, even people from high school added me.  I didn't like you then, I don't like you now.  BUT, I was always too nice to deny a friend request.  It made me feel mean to do so.  I was letting people in on my life who otherwise wouldn't have a single clue what I was up to.  This was creepy to me.

I also had friends who would, instead of calling or texting, leave me a Facebook message.  Sorry.  A few things wrong here: 

1.)  You can't be bothered to pick up the phone, but can somehow log on to your computer, type and post a message?
2.)  I don't sit in front of my computer all day.  Nor should you.  Get a life.


I made the decision to delete Facebook when I begun my career.  It was a smart move, at least for me.  As I said to myself when I hit the delete button, the important people have kept in touch.  Those that haven't?  Well I didn't really like you that much anyway.  Any cute albums on there - I get a link sent to me by my friends.  Besides, pics are all I'd really wanna see anyway.  I don't really give a rats what you're up to on a Friday night.  I have my own life.

However, I have Twitter and LOVE it.  I follow tons of people (fave bloggers included), get caught up on some ex-Facebook friends' lives, but rarely post.  Does this make me a hypocrite?  Am I hypocritical for skipping out on one wildly famous social networking site only to substitute it for another?  I don't know.  But I'm for sure more anonymous and only let people in on the moments and events in my life that I choose for them to see; no pictures posted and tagged that I wouldn't have otherwise wanted.  It's working for me so far.

What about you?  Twitter or Facebook?  Or both?


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

OMG HIGH-larious. Heidi. Montag. Spoof

This video is f'kin awesome. 

I'll admit I would love a little nip and tuck  here or there, but this spoof just makes fun of Heidi's overage on the plastic surgery in the best way possible.

Enjoy!


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Dollaz for Debt.

I think I'm doing SUPER well this month with debt repayment.  I get paid this Friday, so I can give you a more thorough update and promise I will.

I have even done something for a friend this month to make some extra cash.  No, not that.  Get your mind out of the gutter.  I have been using my beauty talent to make some dollaz.  It's not much in my pocket since I don't want to mark up the cost too much - she's a close friend and long-time "client" - but it's extra cash.  That's what I have to focus on, right??  It's only about $30.

I've also come under budget a few weeks.  This works out to roughly $30 per week, and I know it's happened for at least 2 weeks in a row.

So, rough tally of extra dollaz for debt:

$30 * 2 = $60
$30 from beauty favour = $30
wrapping loose change = $15

Total = $105

I'll keep you all posted and let you know how that goes.  This Friday I should have a better idea of where I am in terms of not only my regular payments, but my extra contributions.  I am almost 100% certain the debt will be under $2000 as of Friday.  WOOT!  2010 without a credit line balance, here I come.


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Debt. Eff.

Seriously.  This debt is consuming me.  It's not much, I know.  I think it's just because I'm nearing the final tail end of the payoff and I can taste that freedom of never making a debt payment again. 

I feel gross inside and I have a constant knot in my stomach and question EVERY SINGLE purchase. 

S wants to go to away for V-day.  It would be a cheap weekend; like accomodations under $210 each, with a voucher for food included.  I cashed in my work stock (price was dropping and I was losing money...and to think, I still work here....), so I know I have the money, and the fact that it's matched 1/3 by the company means some of it is free money.  I can afford this.  I have to let myself have a little fun, despite my trepedation and my debt payoff knot in my stomach.

Will this ever get better? Or do I have to wait until the debt is gone?


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

I am a Canadian Girl. And a MAC addict.

Yes, I love Apple computers. But that's not the Mac I'm referring to. I'm talking makeup here. I LURVE MAC. I have a Pro card, so I get 30% off. Who wouldn't take that? With the discount, it makes professional product affordable. I have a few super fave products that I use every day.

MAC Paint in Bare Canvas.  I use this on my eyes EVERY day.  It adds just a hint of shimmer to brighten up my eyes, and acts as a base if I put some eyeshadow over it.  I use it daily with just my mascara and the occasional eyeshadow overtop to beef up the look, so to speak.  It brightens me up and makes me look awake.



*image courtesy of polyvore.com

Omega eyeshadow.  Not only do I use it to put a bit of a shadow on my eye, but I use it to fill in the brows too.  Since I'm a brunette, works like a charm.  I also use it to blend when I have multiple colours on my eyes and need to blend in a bright colour to ensure harsh lines aren't visible.  So versatile.  If you have one MAC shadow in your collection, get this one. 

*image courtesy of My_Makeup_Reviews




This liquid liner is great.  I love the brush; it creates such a fine line and lasts thru EVERYTHING.

Don't let the small size fool you, it lasts about a year with almost every day use.  I want to try the eyeliner in the pot.  I will get around to that and post about it later. 


*image courtesy of polyvore.com

The BEST nude colour of all.  In my humble opinion, at least.  MAC's Blankety.  It is a great base for other lip colours (great with a gloss overtop - looks great under almost e-v-e-r-y gloss colour) and is super moisturizing.  Since it's winter here, I have to use a lip balm of some kind under it, but I'm sure I won't have to in the summer.  AMAZING.

*image courtesy of makemeheal.com





I'm not a huge fan of MAC mascara.  It doesn't do as good a job as the cheaper drugstore brands, at least for me.  This does, however, also seem to be the consensus among makeup bloggers as well.  I'm a fan of L'oreal's Collagen mascara.  I used to be a die hard Voluminous user and they've topped even Voluminous now.  I didn't think it was possible.  Amazeballs.


Anywho, a little eyeball porn for ya.  I kid, I kid.  Just a pic below that showcases my daily beauty regimen of sorts. 

In the pic I am wearing:
- MAC paint in Bare Canvas
- MAC eyeshadow in Omega for the crease and for my brows
- Stila Eye Kajal in Onyx for eyeliner (plain black, obv)
- Covergirl Lashblast Mascara in waterproof to hold a curl, with 2 coats of L'oreal Collagen on top
- I use a Shu Umera eyelash curler (SOOOOOOO worth the money.  Go buy it.  RUN. NOW!)

I should mention that yes, I'm wearing my Blankety lipcolour with Nymphette gloss overtop.  I have MAC bronzer on my face, and MAC Cream Colour Base in Fabulush (looks orange, but gives a great hue once on an olive skin tone).

To give you an idea of my specs to see if the look will work for you, I have olive skin (see above.  DUH!), brown eyes (again, pic.  DUH!), and am a brunette.  This look should work if you have similar specs.


If you like this look and want more tips, email me.  Or, if you have ideas for another makeup post, email me too.  I can also provide links to purchase the products if you want; just leave a comment and let me know.


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Great weekend.

Hi Loves,

I had a great weekend. How about you??

I spent some time with the boy (yes, same one from earlier posts). He makes me swoon! He's great so far. He's everything I've ever wanted, or so it seems. He's so much better than the ex. Like in EVERY way! We had a restful Friday night, just staying in and watching Van Wilder - love Ryan Reynolds!

Saturday was just low key. We went for Starbucks, looked at golf gear and hit up Indigo for some frugal magazine reading fo free. Love a frugal Saturday. He had to leave because he had things to attend to at home. Sad.

Tonight I went to see a show with a friend. She's my oldest and dearest friend, and I'm so grateful we're close. We've been friends for 18 years. Can you believe that? 18 years. Whoa. I'm old. What did you do this weekend???

Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Reva Flats. Come to Me.

I can't find these ANYWHERE.

I've looked high and low; to Holts and beyond.  I can find lots of Tory Burch flats, yes.  But can I find THE ones I want, NO!

I want black with silver.  Is that too much to ask?  They look just like this.   S-I-L-V-E-R.  That's what I want.  I don't wear gold.  I wear SILVER.

And you know what the worst thing is, I could've bought them at the Tory Burch store in Vegas.  My bff M bought just this same pair and I said to myself "Canadian Girl, you've spent enough already.  You don't need those".  Eff.  F**k frugality.  I want those flats. 

Alas, Tory Burch.com doesn't ship to Canada.  However, their boutiques do.  I've just had a brilliant thought bubble to phone the closest one and have them ship me the shoes in a size 8.5.  With the way the dollar is now, they're sure to cost less overall than the $236+tax Holts is trying to take me for.

I'll let you know how it goes.


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

iPhone or Blackberry?

Iphone or Blackberry.  For us techies, it’s the great debate and what divides us otherwise united forces onto two very separate fronts.  There are those of us that go for the apps and the overall cool look and functionality of the iPhone, and there are those of us that aren’t too hyped by the apps and insist on functionality, email synching and overall productivity enhancement which can arguably be provided moreso with a Blackberry than with an iPhone. 

For me, there was only one thing that separated the two when it came time to buy my smartphone: the touch screen.  I hate fingerprints.  Stupid?  Some might think so, but for me it was the deciding factor.  Yes, they show up on my Blackberry screen, but not as much as they would if I were to be touching the screen daily to access my calendar, email or music as much as I do on my Blackberry.

I am the proud owner of a Blackberry Bold 9700, which is sometimes better known as the Onyx.  It does great things.  No, it doesn’t cook me dinner or talk to me when I’m lonely, but it keeps me in order, allows me to email on the go and provides me with reliable, functional access to the internet at my fingertips.  What more could I want?  Do I really need an app that tells me where all the coffee shops or Starbucks are within a 5 km radius?  No.  I can Google that.  Do I need an app that tells me how many calories I’m eating?  No thanks.  I’d rather not know.  Overall, I just don’t see the allure.  It’s completely a preference thing for those of us that go to either camp, I think. 

I don’t run my own business, nor do I receive work emails on my phone, but I like to be able to respond to emails for my volunteer work and from friends and family as soon as possible.  The Blackberry lets me do this with ease 100% of the time (so far).  I don’t really use the apps that much, but some of them are helpful like Poynt and Urbanspoon.  They aren’t “must haves” per se, but they make my life a little easier when I’m out and not able to readily access my laptop.   

I don’t need to be able to shake my phone.  Why would you want to spend $300 on a phone and then go shaking it?  I don’t need my phone to make noises while I play games to amuse my bored self.  How old am I, six?  Get a Wii. 

All in all, I’m a Blackberry user to the death.  I will NEVER go to the darkside.  I won’t even get an iPod touch.  That’s how anal I am about the fingerprints!

But I should mention two important things:

1.)    I’m a die-hard Mac user and refuse to use PCs unless I have to

2.)    I have an iPhone looking theme on my Blackberry.  What?  I didn’t ever say that the LOOK of the apps wasn’t appealing, now did I?

Do these two factors change the fact that I love my Blackberry, no.  But does the theme make it prettier? Yes.  Pretty is good.

Here is an interesting review from jawal123.com which compares the Bold 9700 (which I have) and the iPhone side by side.  Looking at the rating criteria, a lot of it is based simply on personal preference, not overall functionality and ease of use.  To me, it’s not a 100% technically based comparison in and of itself, but for the purposes of us so called “prosumers” who are the main target market for smartphones, it seems to do the trick.  Take a look and see for yourself; I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.

So, my lovelies, iPhone or Blackberry?

 Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Blackberry Musings.

Super interesting post here, at Crackberry.com, one of my favourite and most read websites.

This has just given me an idea for a post. More on that one later. 

In the meantime, if you're a smartphone user, check out the article.  It again adds weight to the ongoing smartphone war for the iPhone and Blackberry camps.


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

If You Can Dodge a Wrench, You Can Dodge a Ball.

I've taken up dodgeball.  More as an extra-curricular get-me-out-of-the-condo sort of thing, not necessarily as a sport.

I am, however, loving it!  We play every Monday night and it's a team made up of some work colleagues and some acquaintances I've made thru those very work colleagues.

It's great exercise and my pitchin' arm really hurts!!  Last week, since we only had 2/3 girls in attendance and at least 2 have to be on the court each game, I played for the entire hour.  What a workout!  I didn't play as much last night, but it was still crazy fun and I'm loving my choice to get on up and dodge those balls.

                                                     pic from www. lazygeek.com

No, we don't have fun outfits like that.  BUT, I am thinking of using an old skool Bedazzler to make us some jerseys.  Bad idea?


*Side note: we played a team named Globo Gym last night.  I didn't make the connection that it was NOT an actual gym and instead from the movie Dodgeball until I was looking up pictures for this post.  Eff.  I'm an idiot.


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Give Me Back My Five Bucks....One of my Fave Bloggers Does It Again.

Krystal over at Give Me Back My Five Bucks (see Blog Roll for her site) did this awesome post today wherein she asked questions of her readers. 

Yours truly has left a comment...look it up to see a little more about me. 

Here's a link to the posting:  Give Me Back My Five Bucks.


Check it out!!!


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Don't Quit Yer Day Job.

So trying to be all PF geek and economical last night, I decided to give myself a mani.

O-M-G.  *Canadian Girl.  Do NOT quit your day job.  Yeah, I'll admit it's tougher to paint your own nails with a darker colour, but my nailpolish got all bubbly and gross.

I googled and figured out that it's because I didn't let the colour dry enough before painting the next coat.  Balls. 

That's the last time I try to be economical.

The colour I used is my absolute FAVE, which is called Suzy Says Da from OPI's Russion collection, I believe.

<----It's this gorgeous brown colour.  I luuurve brown.  Not black, but brown.  When you paint a few coats, it looks all black and goth and Lauren Conrad.  Love it!  Despite the job, it does look pretty sexy on my talons.

Here's a pic of the worst nail.  The bubbles are killing my OCD self.  Do I remove it and re-paint?  F**k no!  I don't have time for that.  I'll just have to live with it as long as possible.

Anyone want a manicure done by yours truly?  Didn't think so.

Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Hello. I am Canadian Girl, and I'm a Personal Finance Geek.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a total personal finance geek.  How does one become a PF geek, you ask?  The simple answer is: debt.

I have a list of blogs that I read (check the blog roll!) and among them are a few of the top PF bloggers in Canada.  They’ve been featured in the Globe and Mail, and have umpteen followers reading their musings on a daily basis.  We all live in different places, attended different schools and do different things for a living.  However, what do we all have in common: we are or were in debt and wanted to get out of it as soon as we could.  I’ve read almost every post in these blogs.  Why?  I wanted to educate myself and NEVER be in the hole again.  I wanted want my bank balance to be in the black forever.  I’ve soaked up their techniques and knowledge, and tweaked their advice to suit my own lifestyle and preference for managing my spending.  

Here’s a little breakdown of how I’ve made it work:

Comparatively speaking, I know I’m not deep in debt.  I started out with just over $13,000 and have a little left to pay off (more on that later in this post).  But it’s made me obsessed with watching my bank balance, noting all of my spending and making every penny count.  Not bad traits, I’d say.  I’ve tried not to cheap out where it counts, like for gifts and when I truly need a fun night with the girls after a long week at work, and I think I’ve done a good job overall of curbing my spending and paying down that debt vigorously.

Here I am, less than 2 years after graduating (yes, a hint at my age!) and I’ve only got $ $2,975.78 left to pay.

I’d say that’s pretty damned good.  Considering the only debt I’ll have left is my mortgage (there was no getting around that one, unfortunately) and have some savings in the bank for a trip and for any potential emergencies, I’m going to be in great shape really soon.

I’ve cut coupons, taken {almost} anything that’s free, and live on less than $400 per month.  Yes, that’s right: I live on a mere percentage of my monthly income.  Why?  So the rest can go to savings, and debt repayment.  Once that debt is clear, I’ll never have to worry about that again, and all that extra left at the end of the month can simply go into various accounts.  I think I will set them up as follows:

• Mortgage (lump sum, yearly pay-off)
• Property tax (should be less than $1,500 per year, so I can get this beefed up in no time)
• Fun
• Emergencies

Those four categories should suffice, for now at least.  I’m thinking of setting up an RRSP as well…but since I have a pension with work, I’m debating about waiting until I move to a higher tax bracket and really need the cut in taxable income.  That’s something that could be added as a 5^th account, or I’ll wait it out.  I’m sure there will be more on that later.

Based on my calculations below, I will be completely debt free in April.  Holy eff!  I didn’t anticipate that being so soon, but I’m not gonna complain.  The chart below assumes $26 per month in interest {should be less, but let’s err on the side of caution}, and $1,000 per month payoff, except for this month due to covering my puppy’s vet expenses and the leftovers from my holiday spending:

I’m going to use this as my inspiration to keep me on track and to be 100% consumer debt free less than 2 years after my university grad.  Happy 2010 to me.  This is gonna be a great year.  I can feel it in ma bones!!!!!

Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

More Money Blunders. Eff.

Just got my mortgage statement in the mail.

WTF??? 

I’ve been consistently paying the mortgage – over $500 a month – and I still have only paid off just over $460 in interest.

This is ridic. I’m moving into a box.

The cost of living will be cheaper that way.


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Epic Holiday Fail

Christmas/Holiday spending was OUT OF HAND!   

Well, not completely, but I went o-v-e-r the budge.

(*budge = budget.  Why?  Don’t know.  It just sounds cooler, ok?).

 Here’s a breakdown of the spending:

Mom - $93.80

Stocking/small gifts: $24

PJ’s (her fave – flannel nightgown that I looked everywhere for): $28

DVD (may I note that I bought her this one last year.  Time to come up with new gifts!): $13.80

Return the gift: -$13.80

Replace DVD with gorge sweater from Banana Republic: $41.80

Work - $15

Small gift for our assistants

Dad - $26.80

Sweater: $0 (this is $0 because I’d bought it for the ex, but didn’t get to give it to him.  Gorgeous Banana Republic deep green argyle…it was a sunk cost, essentially)

Book: $16.80

Gift certificate: $10

Other - $440.46

This includes holiday party wear, last minute gifts and food.  Breaking down each individual cost would not only bore you, but I’m sure I’d break down and cry.

Total spending: $576.06

Total saved before the season: $230

Surplus/Defecit: $346.06

EPIC FAIL!  Hey, Canadian Girl, note to self: start to save before the season hits next time.

How did your budgets go?  On target or way off the mark or do you just not wanna think about it?

Here’s another sorta resolution for me:  be smarter with money in 2010.  I will keep you all posted and let you know how that goes.

Meanwhile, I’m off to sob while looking at my credit card bills.  Eff.

Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Happy. For now.

Remember the dude from my birthday?  The one who I was all upset didn't text me back, and then I find out his cell was broken?

Well...we spent New Years together, which was also his bday.  Let me tell you.  It was so low-key and so much fun.  It was the best New Years I've had in a while. AAANNNNNDDDD....he called me his girlfriend! 

Now, this doesn't mean I'm losing sight of my whole lets-take-it-slow-so-we-last mentality, but I sure am happy to have someone calling me that again. 

He's super sweet, treats me so well, is affectionate, funny, a good dresser, ambitious and successful.  All the things I've been looking for.  Oh, and he's tall and athletic too.  This seems too good to be true.  Let's hope I don't fuck this one up. 

Hooray for 2010!!


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

2010: New Year, New Me

Hellllowwwwwwwwwwwww!


I'm back from my winter slumber. I have to say, I'm well rested and ready for 2010.  I had a great holiday with the fam (minus the extended fam at the actual holiday celebration, but this is neither the time nor the place to get into that icky fam shiz) and feel like I've had a vacation.  Not one of those hot, tanned, drinking your face off vacays, but I'm def ready for what 2010 throws my way.

I don't really make resolutions.  It's not that I think they're stupid, and I certainly don't knock anyone who does.  They're just not for me; I find that the trouble I have keeping them only compounds to make me feel worse about not being able to reach my goals.  So, this year, I'm doing something different.  I'm resolving one thing and one thing only: to make myself happy.  Simple, you say.  So it may seem.  But it's not that easy for me, and it's going to take a lot of time and effort to change the way I think, act, and live in order to achieve my "resolution", for lack of a better term. 

As simple as it seems, I'm going to evolve as a person this year, and make 2010 the best year for me.  I don't know what it has in store but I'm excited for what changes the year may bring.

Happy 2010 to all of you.  Any resolutions?


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl