BEAUTY. BRAINS. BOOST

                        BEAUTY

No one wants to make-out with a piece of sandpaper. When the harsh winds try to pierce through the piled on layers and meet our soft flesh, there is one area that always suffers the most: the lips. My new favourite: Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy SPF 25 in Lemon and Chamomile. Not only is it made from natural ingredients, but it doesn't shine or stick (perfect for both men and women) and it smells unreal.

BRAINS

When it comes to cancer, education and awareness are key. October was Breast Cancer awareness month, and November Movember is prostate cancer awareness month. I always find it inspiring when I see courageous people finding a way to spread awareness and education about cancer in an engaging way. 

My friend Claudia (the beauty in yellow on the right) was featured in a documentary called 'I Don't Have Time For This.' The documentary tells the story of five Canadian women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the prime of their lives. I watched it on the W Network and was inspired by the strength of these women. It was an eye-opening look into a disease that people may assume only affects older women. The doc is now available to watch online. Check it out here: I Don't Have Time For This 

On another note, while mustaches are not my favourite facial hair accessory I let it slide during the month of November. Movember is a great cause for men to get involved with, while looking super creepy or dapper depending on the grooming. Some creative dudes I know created a video and song to create awareness about the disease. Check out: Do A Little Mo and try and donate before the month ends! 

BOOST 

These days nice gestures are easy to show electronically, whether through a text message or e-mail. I'm old school. I'm a sucker for handwritten notes or fresh flowers. One of my best friends Pell gave me a card over the weekend to celebrate my new found full-time job status. I was simply touched. Thanks girl! 

Not A Model says...  

1. Protect your lips

2. Get inspired by real stories. Donate to great causes.

3. Do something sweet and kind for someone you appreciate in your life that doesn't involve merely hitting [send]. xx 


[photo credit 1 & 2: Jack Black & W Network] 

CGIU

"The power is in your person. Nothing is going to happen to change your life unless you take action." -Dolores Huerta

Last weekend I went to the University of Miami to attend (CGIU) the Clinton Global Initiative University with three of my PR classmates. It was a three day conference where students went to different workshop and panel sessions on global issues, while brainstorming on their charity commitments.

I chose education and public health as my areas of interest, but really enjoyed attending all the panel discussions.  My favourite speakers included Robyn Allen founder of the vehicle design summit and Maude Barlow the national chairperson of the Council of Canadians. On the last day, we did a service project that included shoveling, digging and planting in the pouring rain (may I add) to help restore a lawn for homeless war veterans.

The president of the University of Miami, Donna Shalala says that real change has three ingredients:
1. A good idea 2. A great imagination and 3. A desire to make a difference.

A highlight for me was hearing former president Bill Clinton speak. When he enters a room, the energy just rises. One of my favourite quotes from him relates to charity work and trying to solve pressing issues. He states: "Your goal should be to work yourself out of a job until you are no longer needed."   

Pharrell Williams also said one of the most truthful quotes:"You are not what you say you are, it's what you do." I really took this quote to heart. There are many things I focus on, write down or speak about but I never really actually make the change. You can say you want to start a charity, volunteer or run 10K for cancer, but until you actually do something, it doesn't really become a part of you. 

I really liked how most of the people turned their passions into philanthropy. Survivor winner Ethan Zohn loved soccer, so he co-founded a grassroots soccer organization in Africa. There was a great focus on finding something you love and turning it into something that will help benefit other people. 

 

I was so grateful to have such a great group. From left to right Kat, Emily and Michelle really helped bring my spirits up this weekend. After the meeting, we brainstormed more ideas to raise money for our charity and help out in other ways like a clothing or book drive. I met students who are tackling so many issues from helping women in Tibet, to extracting natural dyes from plants to make eco- friendly clothing.

I urge everyone to get inspired and make some sort of positive change. Start planning some goals for the summer, it's never too late or too early to give back.

Today can be the day.