Mr. Bee's Pick of the Week

Furniture for your Room!

Yesterday I purchased a couple of chairs to fill some space in my room. I only had one twin size bed, so there wasn't really anywhere for my friends to sit when they came to visit. These were a perfect solution. The types that I bought were the butterfly chair (doesn't actually look like a butterfly), and the moon chair (kinda does look like a moon actually). You can get them in a variety of colors, but the ones I got are just plain black. I thought I would keep it simple and classy. 

A futon is also a great idea. Many of my friends have these, however they can tend to be quite expensive. If you look on sites like Kijiji or Ebay then I'm sure you could find one for pretty cheap. 

Escape

When you move off to university, you tend to forget that other worlds exist outside of campus. Sometimes you don't even realize it until you leave! A great way to de-stress and escape is to get off campus! Yes, there is such thing as, "the outside world". I am fortunate enough to have my brother live in the same city as I do, so I can go to his house for supper and drinks to get away. Meal hall is great and all...(not) but there isn't much that compares to a home cooked meal. (I had tacos at my bros, it was delicious :))

 You tend to forget that things like pets exist too. They are always good company. (Especially this guy below)

It can be a bit much for some individuals to be around the same people all of the time, especially if you live in res. Something as small as taking a walk downtown and eating out for supper is enough to refresh your brain.


What I love about living in such an old city is the downtown. There are so many old historical government buildings, as well as old bridges and beautiful parks. It's perfect for escaping from the concrete and glass buildings on campus.

Clay Café

Clay Café is a little shop downtown Fredericton where you can paint different pottery pieces. It is so awesome and so much fun! You can paint things from little pumpkin faces to huge bowls and frames.  It's a great place to go with your friends or on a first date ;) (for all you guys out there who want to pretend you're creative).
There are shops like this all around the globe, they most likely are named something different mind you. Keep your eye out for them though, because they are tons of fun!

Now, the only downside is that it can be somewhat pricey. What I suggest is to just go for a fun treat! Don't think that you have to go every time you go out with your friends, or go on a date with someone because it will add up over time. When you want to treat yourself however, it is perfect because it's so much fun to do, not to mention it is quite relaxing.

:)

These are some of my pictures from the Clay Café

Mr. Bee's Pick of the Week

Christmas Lights!

Contrary to the fact that they have "Christmas" in their name, Christmas Lights are not only for the time of gift giving and turkey eating. These twinkling lights can be used all year round in places like your bedroom or dorm room! They add an awesome fairy-like essence to you room and can make it feel more homey. This is perfect for all you so called "non-creative" people because it adds an artistic element to your sweet pad without you having to do much to any work! 

Here are a few examples from my room

 

Where might you find these majestic items? Well, keeping along with the cheapness theme of this blog, I have purchased mine from my local Dollarstore. Other places where you might find them is a Walmart, Hardware Store or other department stores. Christmas lights are not generally very expensive, so no matter where you look for them, they probably won't break your bank completely in half.  

Back to School!

It's that time of year where our lives consist of book bags, essays and numbers. But hey! Fear not, because not only is school back, but I am too! I will be regularly posting tips, ideas and just random thoughts. The next few posts are going to be solely focused on all things back to school, SO... if you're ever bored or in need of some inspiration, this is the place to be! So check up, check in and check it out!
:)   

Canon Rebel T3i DSLR Camera

Oh. My. God.

I did it, I finally did it! T-minus 3 hours ago I purchased a brand new Canon T3i camera. Holy crap I am so excited!! I can now cross it off my wishlist (down below)!! Ahhh! I have been wanting this camera allllll summer and now I finally have it! This is a perfect example of how it feels when you save your money up for something that you know will be extremely rewarding. I know this edition will not be the newest camera forever, but it will last me a very, very long time and I am so excited. Get ready for a wave of new pictures and exciting looks because for the next while, all I will be doing is taking pictures!

Summer Time!

I went on vacation with my family this weekend to Summerville Beach, NS. We go every year because it is so beautiful there and we can't get enough of the beaches. My mom and I love to take pictures so we went out in the morning around the water and boast to take some pictures. It's amazing what you find when you just take some time to go for a walk and look around. Where we were was perfect scenery for picture taking and what-not. Here are some of the pictures I took while we were there: (I took way too many, but these ones were my favourite)

 Whoever doesn't like weeds, has never seen Queen Anne's Lace. 

 There were tons of inukshuks on the rocks around the water. It was a nice Canadian touch :)

 Rocks surrounding the beach

This was a rock we found. It says "to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die". Correct me if I'm wrong but I think these are lyrics from a Shins song. I thought it was so beautiful I took about 5 ba-lgdljayewfj-illion pictures of it. This one was my favourites because I was able to get one of the inukshuks behind it. How Canadian eh? A rock with a nice saying and an inukshuk beside it. What A wonderful place we live in!

This is one of the most colorful fishing boats I have seen. Wasn't as great of a picture, but hey! Still a cool boat!

Free Hugs

This is one of my absolute favourite videos because I think it is an amazing campaign! I make myself watch this video every now and then to remind myself about what really matters in life. Being kind and loving one another! It was one of my goals for the summer to own a "Free Hugs" t-shirt, and when I was at Evolve (a festival in Antigonish, NS) I finally got one!! I was so happy and in the short time that I wore it, 18 people came up to me for a hug. It was really heart warming and I wear the shirt proudly.  

Workout Without the gym!

Going to the gym costs money. To buy a membership you usually have to spend around $50 a month. That is a pretty significant amount of money and personally, I don't want to pay it. Below I have listed suggestions for how to get buff without the bucks.

• Turbo Jam: This is my personal favourite. For those of you who haven't heard of Turbo Jam, it is a workout dvd that incorperates dancing, boxing, cardio and many, many other thing. You are moving non-stop and burn up to 750 calories each time. You can purchase these dvds at stores like Walmart for only about $10. It lasts forever and you can do it anywhere in you home, residence or any other place you may live.
• P90X: I'm sure you have all heard about this one. It is a 90 day workout that will get you in the best shape of your life. There are 8 CD's in total, each with a different workout for specific muscles on your body. The only downfall is that it is extremely hard so in turn, it makes it hard to stick with. If you are not committed to working out, then these workouts would not be good to start out on.
• Women's Health: A couple of days ago I bought a Women's Health guide to working out. It is FULL of workouts you can do at home, at the gym, at the pool, anywhere! It also includes heathly meal plans and tips on how to keep motivated. It is one of the most helpful magazines I have bought in a long time and I use it everyday!
• Go for a Run...OUTSIDE: After going to the gym for a certain period of time you tend to forget or get away from the idea of running outside. I know how crappy running is, trust me I've always have a hard time trying to motivate myself to actually do it, HOWEVER when you do it is sooooo rewarding. It is the cheapest, easiest exercise you can do and we all hate it because it's hard and actually works! Going for a run outside takes virtually no preparation and about 20 mins out of your day. Really what more could you ask for. If you can motivate yourself to do it, then it will become routine, then habbit, then easy.
• Pilates/Yoga: These ones are great for an at home workout. All you really need is a yoga matt. If you don't have one a good subsitute would be either a towel or a blanket. It is mainly there to cushion your butt and back during floor exercises, so any type of padding will do.

If all else fails and you don't want to do any of the exercises above, all you have to do is GO FOR A WALK. It is such a great way to get at least a little bit of exercise if your not willing to be all hot and sweaty. It gets you blood flowing, your heart rate up, and all of that other good stuff. Plus, when you go for a walk you may run into a friend, find a cool place you've never been, or just plain clear your head of all unwanted stresses. 

"I never regret it when I do it, but I'll always regret it if I dont"

-(not sure who its by, but they are exactly right) 

Bargain of the Summer

I was so excited when I found these shopping yesterday that I HAD to tell everyone about my amazing finds.

As you may or may not have seen on my last post about "Wish Lists", you would have seen that I had combat boots and a watch on there. WELL, I was able to cross both of those of yesterday all with a trip to Walmart! Usually I don't like Walmart for things like shoes or apparel, but let me tell ya, I was throughly impressed! I found these boots at Walmart for $30 CAN. The ones that I was looking at in Aldo are $70 CAN. They look extremely similar and I am definitely willing to compromise, especially when I don't really have to!

The watch I have also been looking for, for a while. I saw one on Urban Outfitters that I really, really wanted but it would have cost tons of money with shipping and everything added in. I found my watch for less then the UO price and they look almost the exact same (With the exception of color of course).

Here I have set up a comparison to show you how alike they are:

Theirs:

Mine:

Summer Wish List

One great way to organize your spending this summer is to create a list of things you really really want. Over time (ex: the summer), you add to it and subtract from it what you really want. By the time school rolls around you will have all your money saved up and will be ready for some back to school shopping. Mind you, you do not have to save it for this time, you can save it for the middle of the summer maybe as a reward or pick-me-up to keep going. The reason it is a reward or happens only once a season is because these things are the more expensive items you've had your eye on for a long time. Personally, I like to spend in the middle of the summer because even after spending all of this money, you still get to see your bank account add up rather then go down (and stay down for the rest of the school year, assuming you don't have a job). If you are planning on having a job during the school year, then the time in which you want to spend your money is completely up to you!

Because I am obsessed with making lists for everything, I usually have a list for something year-round. This means that your wish list doesn't have to be limited to just the summer time, you can have a school wish list, winter wish list, etc. If you keep your lists it's great for when Christmas time rolls around and you have to decide what you would like as a present! It keeps you organized and makes it easier for your present giver when they are shopping.

This is my summer wish list as an example:

Sarah's Summer Wish List:

Car (I really wish...)

Really nice DSLR camera

Boots- long brown & combat

Bookbag (Urban Outfitters)

Watch

Material

Purse

I know it may not look like much, but if I were to buy these things all at once, I would be out half of my summers earnings. Buying them over a long period of time gives you the illusion that you are spending less, but in reality you are spending the same amount of money, you just don't get to see that huge chunk leave all at once. SO...what I will most likely do is spend on the top two items I really really want, then save the rest for Christmas time. I know it may seem like a long time to wait, but trust me- good things come to those who wait. (In cheap person talk, that means it might go on sale!)

Mr. Bee's Tip of the Week

ALWAYS look back.

There is a quote that says, "never look back". This is very true when you are talking about moving on from something or for metaphorical purposes, but when talking in a litteral sense, it's very untrue. It doesn't matter if you are leaving your spot at the bus stop, leaving your chair at work, or just leaving in general, you should ALWAYS look behind you to see if you forgot anything. There is nothing worse then getting home and realizing that you forgot your cell phone on the table or wallet on the chair. By looking back you always get that reassurance that nothing has been forgotten.

I know this picture is from Bob Dylan's song about not looking back, but no one needs to know that, and I thought it was still a fitting/super amazing picture.

Keeping Busy on a Budget

It's inevitable, we all get bored from time to time. Here I have created some super awesome, mind blowing solutions to your dull day problems.

1. Exercise: Ok, so I know most of you are just going to skip right by this one, but hear me out! This is a great quote I read, I don't know who it's by but I thought it was perfect. "I never regret it when I do it, but i'll always regret it when I don't." IT'S SO TRUE! Anyone who exercises (that should be everyone) knows how much motivation it takes to finally start a workout routine, but trust me it's worth it! Now, how does that apply here? Well it's not just working out to fill in time, it's how you feel after. I read another article somewhere about how after a workout you feel more energetic, more lively and more willing to do something with the rest of your day. You feel 100 ba-gillionskugfiwugekc-illion times better about yourself and it makes you actually WANT to get off the couch or desk chair and have fun! (not that you don't already have fun on the computer...)
2. Create a Hobby:  You may be thinking, "if I had a hobby I would be doing that and not reading your silly blog!", well ok, chill out! Geeze...(hehe). OK! Assuming you do not have a hobby, lets then create one! I'm sure you have heard before, "well what do you like to do?" The problem is, you don't know. SO, there are two ways to approch this: (1) Think about your favourite subject in school, life, whatever. Try and think of a mini project you can work with on along those lines. Say you like science- look up and experiment on the internet and try to recreate it, say you like music- start taking on an instrument. Maybe you like arts or writing- start a doodle journal. This is a feelance journal (way cooler then a diary) where you can either write in it, draw in it, organize your life in it, the possibilities are endless. All you have to do is open it. Another example would be if you liked gym- look up different outdoor games or make up a new one of your own! You never know, you could have just created the towns next big hit! OR: (2) do the complete opposite of your favourite subject. If your a science guy or gal, try painting/crafts/writing. If you are an artsy person, try doing an experiment, etc. It's amazing what you will try when you are bored.
3. At Home Spa: If you are sitting at home with nothing to do and no friends to call, then why not take advantage of this 'me time' and create an at home spa for yourself? All you need is your shower, nail polish, facial masks (if you don't have any they are only about $1 CAN at any drugstore or department store), soothing music (could be a movie) and a bathrobe. Take a shower, do your nails, clean your pores and you will be revitalized in no time!
4. Re-Organize Your Room: Maybe things have become a little too routine for you lately and you just need a change of scenery. Changing your room around is perfect for this type of crisis. It is so rewarding when your done and you will feel like a brand new you with a brand new room! 

Cheap Date Night Ideas

Think going out to dinner and a movie is the only way to date? Think again my friends! Below I have listed the Top Five Cheap Date Night Ideas. I am here to prove you do not need tons of money to have fun! Sometimes you just have to work with what you've got (especially when your a starving student like myself).

1. Rent a Movie: If you really must see the latest movie, then why not just rent one (or download one, but you didn't hear it from me) and stay in? My favourite thing to do is buy lots of candy from either the Dollar Store or Bulk Barn, both very cheap, and chow down. You could also have popcorn, chips or whatever you like the most. If you are daring and live close to a movie theatre you could even go up to one, buy that delicious movie theatre popcorn, then bring it right home and have your own home theatre experience! Not only do you get to eat lots of candy and popcorn, but you get to be nice and cozy next to your partner :)
2. Go for a Walk: Honestly, you never know where you might end up when you go for a walk, but that's the fun of it! You don't need to spend half an hour standing there deciding where you want to walk, just start moving. It's also great because there is nothing to fill in the silence (may be uncomfortable for some) so it forces you to get talking. You learn tons of stuff about eachother that you may not have before.
3. Go to the Beach: (Summer Time)The only cost for this would be on gas if you didn't live close to a beach. Gas is pretty expensive these days so I would suggests this more for the people who have a beach within close reach (that rhymed). If you bring a frisbee or ball to throw around it gives you just that much more to do. It also gives you a chance to impress him (or her) with your amazing athleticism, or to be cute because you are really terrible at sports. Either way they are going to fall madly in love with you. (Warning: they may not actually fall madly in love with you)
4. Snowball Fight: (Winter Time) Snowball fights are great for a night of fun because there are many things that go along with it. For instance, you get to have a snowball fight, which will most likely lead to werestling in the snow (also tons of fun), which will lead to laughing and screaming, which leads to going into a cozy house with hot chocolate. You could even rent a movie to watch while you drink your hot chocolate and try to get the feeling in your toes back. OR, if you have watched just about every movie ever made by now, you could play a board game, a card game, just talk or anything else you could possibly think of.
5. Build a Fort: This is my personal favourite. In my opinion if a guy is willing to build a fort with you and have just as much fun as you are, then he's a keeper. You can have a picnik, play games or have a sleepover! There is nothing wrong with being a kid for a night and just having plain old fun.

Mr. Bee's Tip of the Week

Buy out of Season


Why? Because everything is at least 50% off or more!
I went shopping just a couple days ago and bought the crap out of things that never go out of style, such as jeans and essential things for fall and winter. What a great time to buy! I got two pairs of jeans for no more then $8.00 CAN. WOWWWWWWWW!!
I know you may not be able to use these new and exciting clothes right now, but think of them as new school clothes, the anticipation to wear them just makes them SO much cooler when you actually get to.  

Tips for a First Date

It's amazing the realizations you have in the mornings.

So, this morning I was washing my face for the first time in a little while. I used an exfoliator because it is summer time and I burn really easily. From burning, my forehead was starting to peel and I wanted to get rid of the dead skin STAT. I pulled out my exfoliator and went to it. 700 little circular motions later, I rinsed my face and was all done. After my face and hands had dried I realized how amazingly soft my face was! I thought to myself, "wow, this would be a great first impression for a date." So, here I am telling all of you about my new discovery. 

Here comes the cheap part:

What I used was St. Ives Exfoliating Scrub. I have literally been using this for years and it has never let me down! You can find these in any department stores around the world. They work just as great as any spa type or brand name cleanser out there and it will only cost you about $7.00 Can. Seven dollars for soft skin and a great first impression to the guy of your dreams? Not too shabby. 

M.A.C Makeup

If there is one thing that I know is ok to spend top dollar for, it's makeup. My makeup of choice? M.A.C.. Their Eyeshadow is my favourite because they have so many amazing and high pigmented colors that it lasts all night long. Every time I go to bed with my makeup still on (gross I know, also probably not very good for you) it is still perfectly applied to my eyes! I wake up looking just as fabulous as I did when I went to bed. Now that is quality.





Other good brand:

• Clinique- I love these guys more for their face wash and foundation. I had a cleanser by Clinique and whenever my face broke out I knew to go straight to this because in the morning when I woke up, the breakout would be gone. Yes, it was that good. (Take that Proactive!)  

Letter Beads!

Let your childhood catch up to you because it is all coming back!

Letter beads are something you would have played with in elementary school when you made arts and craft in school. Well, whoever thought of it was a genius. I am 20 now and I still love them, I guess the kid in me never really left after all. Now, I suppose there are ways in which you could come in danger of looking tacky, but there are certainly ways to avoid it. 

The ones I have made say LOVE and Free Hugs. 

Yes I realize some may think this is a little silly, mind you, I think they are sending a good message and are just a nice reminder to always carry around with you. See, when you do it for a positive reason, there is no reason why you should be ashamed to wear them. 

I also used to have a changeable bracelet where you could put the days of the week, but after a while i got tired of changing it, so instead I would put things like "today" or "tomorrow". That way If I didn't feel like rearranging the letters, I didn't have to!

You don't have to but hippy words on it like I do, see the good thing about letter beads is that they are letters! There is an infinite amount of words you could choose. So, get creative and see what you can come up with!

Bright!

This picture is s pretty and just brightens my day. I put it up here so that hopefully it will brighten yours too. I'm not sure who the photo cred would go to, but well done haha. 

Bright, yet soft colors are always so pleasing to the eye and this picture does such a great job of it. This is what I aim for in the future of my picture taking. I want to be THIS good

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Mr. Bee's Summer Picks

My favourite article of clothing this summer? HIGH WAISTED SHORTS!
Or really high waisted anything...

It is great for all you ladies who are like me and are in danger of having muffin tops. It completely eliminates this fear and gives you mile long legs, which is also great for us shortties of the world. It's a win-win all around.

These are some of my favourite looks that I found. (It's not the price that makes the hot, it's how they did it) Rule to live by:  It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it

Now, you can find them in most stores in any mall, but why buy them full price when you dont have to? Remember the old mom jeans? Yah, so do I. Vintage store and used clothing stores alike have oodles of these and they are exactly what we are looking for. Who knew moms would be so cool someday? If your lucky you wont even have to go that far, just ask Mom! Garunteed she has something in the back of her closet that she wore when she was younger, and oh! who would have thought...you are the same size! Perfect coincidence? I think so.

Vintage Clothes? Frenchy's or Thrift Store.

If you're a Maritimer, then you most likely know what Frenchy's is. Its the same idea as the Salvation Army's Thrift Store. It is all used clothing that people donate. It's great because you get clothes in these store that are from the 80's and 90's and it's been so long now that many of these clothes are coming back in style! This is great for us because that means we don't have to pay rediculous prices for a t-shirt.