What I’m Crushing On – November 12, 2018

Many of you have been following my blog, Torontonicity, for several years, but you may not know much about me. I thought I would take the time to provide a more personal look at who I am, what some of my interests are, as well as my current favourite beauty products, foods, books, movies and places. You’ll see me posting this blog series, “What i’m Crushing On,” on a monthly basis.

I started writing online for a large media outlet while I was a mature student at the University of Toronto. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to start my own blog. I have been blogging for the past seven years, as well as freelance writing. I live in Toronto’s east end and love it here because I have easy access to the lake, as well as downtown.

Books

I love to read (my degree is in English literature), but as a self-employed person, I don’t get a lot of time to crack open a book. So I try to squeeze reading in while I can. Right now I’m reading Sodom Exit Road. It’s a novel by Amber Dawn about a young woman, a U of T drop-out, Starla, who returns home to Crystal Beach, Ontario to live with her mother. The book’s themes are sexual abuse, indigenous culture, decline of small towns, the paranormal and LGBTQ relationships. While the main plot focuses on the challenging relationship between Starla and her mother, a secondary plot tells the tale of a woman who died at the now defunct Crystal Beach Amusement Park. The spirit of the woman haunts Starla, urging her to complete one important task. It’s a real page turner with some graphic sex scenes, which I thought I’d mention in case those bother you.

TV Series

I don’t have a lot of time for TV, but one show I’m faithful to is Murdoch Mysteries. This mystery series focuses on Detective William Murdoch and his shrewd ability to solve cases. It takes place during turn-of-the-century Toronto. Full of interesting facts about past day Toronto, the latest season is presenting some really amazing plot twists. But it’s the character development and humour that I love. I can’t get enough of the bumbling Constable Henry Higgins and his ditzy and formerly wealthy wife, Ruth Newsome.

Food

My diet is a combination of Keto and vegetarian. I usually eat meat or chicken only once a week, but I do eat yogourt and eggs, as well as lots of vegetables and fruits and some nuts. I don’t eat many carbs. You’ll often see blog posts of vegetarian or Keto recipes I’ve attempted. One of my favourites is Stuffed Peppers with Spinach, Quinoa, Chickpeas and Feta.

Right now, one of my favourite drinks is Crazy D’s Soda. It’s a prebiotic soda with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no chemical preservatives. Unlike Kombucha drinks, Crazy D’s Soda is caffeine free. You can read more about it in my stocking stuffers blog.

Beauty Products

I am trying to swap out my old beauty products for green beauty products. You’ll see me posting about green beauty products on my blog. One of my current favourite beauty products is my jade roller from Province Apothecary. I am now in the routine of using it at night after I apply my serum. Jade rollers are great for reducing puffiness and firming the skin.

Another product I’m loving is my Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Siena. It’s the perfect brown-rose shade that goes with most of my fall wardrobe. I love the lasting power of this lipstick, as well at the defined look it gives your lips, so much so that I have ordered another shade.

Clothes

What I’m crushing on this fall is my new puffer coat from Hudson’s Bay. It’s by Bernardo, a brand which is also carried by Laura. It’s not too heavy, falls just above the knee and the colour is a metallic grey. I’m also loving my new Lux & Nyx Jane 1775 handbag. This ecofriendly handbag looks great with my puffer jacket. Now I don’t mind so much that the temperatures are hovering around 0°C because I get to wear my new coat.

Does any of the above ring true for you? Do you have a book, TV series, movie, beauty product of food to recommend to me? Please let me know in the comment section.

Hope you have a stellar day! Lori