About
My name is Mikayla! I'm a 22 year old University Graduate with a passion for all things beauty. I stumbled into the online beauty community a year ago and have been obsessed with youtube videos and blogs ever since. After watching hundreds of videos over the past year I figured it was about time I joined the community and posted my own thoughts in my own little space. I'm also recently graduated, unemployed and headed for college in September.I really enjoy all things beauty, and I really like telling my friends what I think about products so writing them down just felt natural. To me, make up isn't something that you wear to make yourself look prettier, it's something you do on yourself for yourself. It has the power to give you strength to tackle a rough day, the courage to find your inner confidence and sparkle like every girl is meant too.
Other than beauty, I love fashion. Beauty and Fashion are the keys to my heart, along with a great deal. I'm all about a decent deal, and budget shopping is my favourite.
I can't wait to start this journey with the internet and all of you!
Disclaimer
Just a general disclaimer:I am not a professional makeup artist, I am completely self taught, any posts on beauty products are purely personal opinion and should not be taken as fact.
Beauty items shown on this blog are purchased by myself, or as a gift from family members.
Any and all reviews on products are based on my opinions alone.
Tag Week: TMI Tag!
Labels: newblogger, tagweek, tmi, tmitag
1. What are you wearing?
I am just hanging out on a sunday night, so I'm wearing my mom's Relay for Life Shirt, it's the yellow cancer survivor one and I love wearing it because I'm so proud of my mom for winning her battle, and it is really comfy and reminds me of her. I am also wearing these purple short pj shorts from garage, I got them like 4 years ago.
2. Ever been in love?
I thought so, at the time. But no.
3. Ever had a terrible Breakup?
Any break up is terrible, they suck, it hurts, when the breakup is mixed in with some SERIOUS drama it makes it just a tiny bit worse, but 4 years later, I'm a stronger happier person because of it, and I learned not to let myself be walked over for the sake of having a boyfriend.
4. How tall are you?
I am 5'7.5" but I think it rounds closer to 5'8"
5. how much do you weigh?
I weigh approximately 150 pounds.
6. any tattoos?
I have three tattoos
- "All Was Well" I have tattooed on my ribs, it was not the best place to get a first tattoo and the well is a little blurry, it follows one rib bone and was right on my bra line (which is why I think it blurred). I plan on eventually getting it touched up.. but that would require some "courage". I was 19
- 6 birds on my shoulder, representing each member of my family and the 2 identical twins I was the fraternal triplet too, I have them on my shoulder to feel their presence, and have my family united, as well as feeling like I'm never alone. I was 20
-"Toujours" tattooed on my left wrist. My sister and I got them together, she has the same one. Growing up my mom always said at times we may not like eachother but we always had each other. Toujours in French means always, and the heart obviously symbolizes love. I was 21
7. any piercings?
I have my ears (I got them when I was 6 weeks old) my Tragus (I was 18) and my belly button (I was 15)
8. OTP?
Chuck and Blair, Chandler and Monica
9. Favourite show?
Gossip Girl, Friends, Reign, Untold Stories of the ER (Keeping up with Kardashians.. may be on that list too...)
10. favourite bands?
All time: Mumford and Sons, Metallica
Currently: 5 Seconds of Summer, Zac Brown Band
11. something you miss?
My family living in the same province, my sister and I live in Ontario, our parent's live 4 provinces away (3,300 kms) in B.C., Days before unlimited wifi, when you had to talk to people..
12. favourite song?
All time: At the Beginning- Donna Lewis and Richard Marx or When you say nothing at all- Allison Krauss, or Nothing else matters- Metallica.
Currently: Feel the Love- Hoodie Allen, She Looks so perfect- 5 Seconds of Summer, Sing- Ed Sheeran
13. how old are you?
The ripe old age of 22.
14. zodiac sign?
Aries, or a Monkey in the Chinese zodiac
15. quality you look for in a partner?
kindness- no one likes a meanie pants all the time, kindness love and compassion
drive- Wanting to do something, anything with your life. Not being complacent,
16. favourite quote?
"All was well"- the last sentence of harry potter- a reminder that in the end everything works out
"Don't cry because it's over- smile because it happened"Dr. Seuss- I've moved around, and made and lost friends, and this is what my mom always told me, not to be upset but be happy that I at least had it.
17. favourite actor?
Robert Downey Jr., Jennifer Lawrence
18. favourite colour?
Purple. It has always been purple. Red and Grey are a nice combination though.
19. loud music or soft?
If I'm trying to sleep soft, If I don't want to talk to anyone loud, in the car, always loud (it masks my terrible singing)
20. where do you go when you're sad?
my bed. Curl up into a ball and mentally work my way through it.
21. how long does it take you to shower?
Anywhere between 10-25 minutes.
22. how long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
20-1.5 hours. Depending on how fresh I start.
23. ever been in a physical fight?
Nope. I'd loose
24. turn on?
Passion, I don't mean like physical passion, I mean the passionate twinkle in their eye when they talk about something they truly care about.
25. turn off?
Being too opinionated.
26. the reason i joined youtube? (In my case.. started a blog?)
I now live with my grandparents, pretty bored, and want to talk about what I love.
27. fears?
Spiders, Anxiety and feeling lonely.
28. last thing that made you cry?
John Green's "The Fault in our stars" I required about half a box of kleenex for that one.
29. last time you said you loved someone?
2 minutes ago when I was talking on the phone with my mom, right before we hung up. We said it in French too, Je T'aime
30. meaning behind your youtube name? (in my case.. blog name?)
I wanted to play off the whole "Southern Belle" saying, except Canada is a Northern country, so Northern is the opposite of southern, but related to my geographical location. My family carries strong ties to the french language so I thought of something that meant belle in french, which really belle in french means beauty, beautiful or pretty. Belle was taken however, so I picked joli which is a synonym for belle, and thus northernjoli was born.
31. last book you read?
John Green's "The Fault in our Stars"
32. the book you're currently reading?
Philippa Gregory's "Lady of the Rivers" which is a historical fiction novel
33. last show you watched?
Game of Thrones, it's sunday night. Sunday night is not complete without Game of Thrones
34. last person you talked to?
My mom on the phone, and my Nana asking if the lava cake she bought me was yummy (it was!)
35. the relationship between you and the last person you texted?
My dad.. he texted me "May the Fourth be with you".. he think he's cool.. he is.
36. favourite food?
Cheese, Chocolate.. :)
37. place you want to visit?
London England, or Ireland to find my family's clans.
38. last place you were?
Peterborough Ontario, visiting some of my old friends, it was my adopted nephews (my best friend's sons) 3rd birthday, and Kay-Ya had to be there, so she was.
39. do you have a crush?
On a real person: not really.. on a fictional character? Yeah.. Augustus Waters melts my heart. Or Jon Sneeew. (Snow) cause Kit Harrington wowza
40. last time you kissed someone?
A person other then like family? October I guess.. Oh god that's embarrassing.
41. last time you were insulted?
20 minutes ago, when my mom dad and sister were arguing over who had to talk to me on the phone.. It better have been a joke.
42. favourite flavour of sweet?
Chocolate.. or sour things. LOVE anything sour- because I have underdeveloped sour taste buds and I love seeing people be like "why aren't you freaking out, that's so sour"
43. what instruments do you play?
I about as far from musically talented as it gets. I tried Piano once.
44. favourite piece of jewelry?
My pandora bracelets, my daughters pride ring and my pandora summer ring (It's a Japanese Cherry Blossom)
45. last sport you played?
Uuuuummmm.. Ninja's with my friends 3 year old. It's about as taxing as a sport. Right?
46. last song you sang?
Feel the Love- Hoodie Allen, Somebody loves you- Betty Who or Love on Top- Beyonce.
47. favourite chat up line?
"How you doin'?" in the Joey voice.
48. have you ever used it?
Absolutely not. Unless I'm 100% joking around.
49. last time you hung out with someone?
Yesterday, the bestie, and the old work crew for some froyo before my bus ride, and then the old roomie and other bestie in Toronto while I waited for my next bus.
50. who should answer these questions next?
The entire World. I want all the Too Much Information about EVERYONE.
Tag Week: The Fashion Tag!
Labels: fashion, fashiontag, newblogger, tagweek
1. How would you describe your style?
This question actually stumped me. I guess I would describe my style as uniquely mine? I like a lot of different things, and wear a number of different styles in a week. So maybe just drifting? Always changing?
2. What are your wardrobe staples?
My wardrobe staples are leggings, jeggings, cardigans, chiffon shirts and tank tops.
3. What is the most expensive item in your closet?
My lululemon limited edition sweater. The pattern on it is beautiful and I cannot ever part with it.
4. Who is your favourite designer?
Victoria Beckham. Her style is just so classy, I love absolutely all of her designs.
5. What is your favourite store?
Stitches. Canada has this chain of stores that operate under a parent company that also carry the same brands and styles for other stores under their umbrella. Stitches, Urban Planet and a couple others carry StreetWear Society, which has different designs depending on the store you go to. The quality of their clothes is fantastic and the price is amazing. It is possible to go into a store and spend $100 and get numerous outfits, or even staple items. I almost exclusively shop there.
6. Who is your "fashion role model"?
Emma Watson and Kate Middleton. Emma's style is always evolving, and I love everything she wears. Kate Middleton is just so elegant and put together, and I love that she re-wears things, and alters things to suit her. Both of their styles are the perfect mix of class and trendy.
7. What is your favourite way to style your hair?
I have naturally curly hair, so I love straightening, or curling with a curling wand or straightener.
8. What is your go-to slash emergency outfit?
Black leggings, Oversized shirt, Kimono style cardigan, hair in a top knot and booties. Looks put together enough to pass, but not so much work that you have to think about it.
9. What trend would you like most to come back and stay?
GAH, I have no idea, I don't really follow trends, I go to a store and pick what I like.. I guess layering with tank tops and shirts. That trend should never ever die, I wear it too much. Like tanks under shirts, all the time?
10. What do you always have on?
Tank tops. I'm large chested, and tank tops have become a security blanket for me. I wear them under LITERALLY everything. It prevents shirts from stretching or sagging around my chest, and provides more length, as most shirts loose a bit on me.
11. What is your most prized possession in your closet?
My Blue Suede Shoes. I got them from walmart and they were not expensive by any means, but they have a bit of sentimental meaning to them. My grandpa (I call him poppy) loves Elvis and that type of music and we were joking one time about him and I getting matching blue suede shoes, and then I was at walmart and saw these heels and I had to buy them, and now I cannot part with them.
12. Who influenced you to start writing about fashion?
Niomi Smart, Tanya Burr and Zoella. All three of these ladies have such impecible style and their blogs are my favourites. From the moment I discovered their blogs I knew I wanted to start writing as well.
13. What is your favourite fabric?
Chiffon. It's breathable, especially for the summer time. It flows well enough from my body that I'm not self conscious wearing shirts made out of it. I think it's a really forgiving fabric that especially in high-low (I call them mullet) skirts and dresses it looks classy and understated all at once.
14. Who is your favourite model?
I do not follow fashion enough to know models and all that jazz, I do love Miranda Kerr, she's gorgeous and her style is fantastic.
15. What would you spend $1000 on?
Christian Louboutins hands down. No thinking required. Once I'm all done school and have a career I plan on buying at least a pair.
16. Is fashion in your blood?
Not particularly. My mom and sister love shopping and dressing up, and since I was a young girl I've always cared about how I dressed. As a kid I refused to wear pants (so I'm told). I loved dressing up, and still do!
Tag Week: Closet Confidential
Labels: closetconfidentialtag, fashion, newblogger, tagweek
1. what is the oldest item in your closet?
The oldest item in my closet would be this limited edition sweater from lululemon. I got it because I had achieved the honour roll average my parents pushed for (in highschool I was ALWAYS like 1 or 2 percent off, so they told me if I got the average they would buy me anything I wanted from lululemon). Lululemon is this high end activewear company that originates in Vancouver Canada. Their clothes are slightly expensive, but the quality is unreal. The pair of pants I bought 7 years ago are still going strong! I absolutely adore the pattern, and I don't think I will ever get rid of it.
2. what is the newest item in your closet?
The newest item is this dress from Modcloth that I literally got in the mail on friday (when this post should have gone up.. oops!). I got this dress for my upcoming University Convocation, and the pattern on the bottom half of the dress is so springy- and so classy. The style of the dress itself is perfect for the occasion, and I literally spent days scouring the internet for the perfect dress. It fits perfectly (the reviews section on any item is so handy for picking sizes etc.) I was really nervous about ordering online because I am quite large chested and dresses always make me look funny, or either too tight in certain areas and baggy in others. It fits like a glove and I CANNOT wait to wear it for Graduation!
3. what is the most expensive item in your closet?
The most expensive item in my closet is the same lululemon sweater. They retail for $100, and are so worth it!
4. what is the cheapest/ most affordable item?
The cheapest most affordable item in my closet is this highlighter pink sheer top I got from Bootlegger for their nothing over 10 dollars sale. So I believe it was around the 10 dollar mark but not more than that. This is the most affordable item in my closet.
5. what was the biggest bargain?
The biggest bargain I can think of are these tank tops from Stitches, I got two of them recently for $9 for both. Many of their tank tops are around $5-10 and the quality of them is really great.
6. what was the biggest waste of money?
The biggest waste of money.. hmm, I don't think I have one. Nope, I don't. I recently moved and did a large purge of all of my clothes and stuff, and got rid of anything that I didn't like of was a big waste of money by donating it. Anything and everything in my closet is exactly worth every nickel (Canada doesn't have pennies).
bonus: show us your three favourite items right now
My Three Favourite Items are:
1. Mint green blazer. I got the blazer from Stitches for $25, and I love pairing it with black jeggings and a grey shirt.
2. Stitches Kimono cardigan- by far one of the best $20 purchases I have ever made, and probably the best purchase from my beloved Stitches. It's this wonderful kimono style sweater with adorable button details on the side, the pattern is very on trend, and it works for all year round, depending on the shirt under neath and the outfit.
3. Vancouver Canucks Sweater- My parents currently live in Vancouver, and it's the first time we have lived near an NHL team, this sweater is a mens XL and it's great for sitting around the house, I definitely wore this writing my final papers, curled up in hermit mode, power writing.
Well, that's it for this Tag, check back for the next one in Tag Week!
Tag Week: Beauty Blogger Tag!
Labels: beauty, beautybloggertag, fashion, introducing me, newblogger, tagweek
1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
My hair is naturally curly, frizzy and thick. When I was really young it was very blonde and very curly. When I was about 12 it would dry into more wavy hair.. (Which right now I would kill for). I got a perm when I was 13 (my mom convinced me!!) and it in some weird way triggered my curls again.. and now 9 years later it is still ridiculously curly..
2. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon? 
This is my hair without product and air dried.
I like buying nail polish and changing it up once a week or so, and if I am going to spend the money on something professional I will wear it until it's a chipped mess. Because of my previous job, like I answered in the last question, I wasn't able to wear a lot of nail polish, but now that I'm unemployed.. (only upside is nail polish wearing!!) I'm changing my nails at least once a week.
6. Do you polish your toes in the winter or just the summer?
I paint my toes year round. I really hate socks, even in the winter, they constrict my toes and it weirds me out, so in the winter I love having a pop of colour in the winter. In the summer obviously flip flops look great with your nails painted.. so I have to do it then too.
7. How long does it take for you to put on makeup?
To do a complete, everyday style makeup look I can get my whole face done in under 20 minutes (4am wake ups for Tim Horton's really helped me perfect it). If I'm doing my makeup for a special occasion it takes me closer to half an hour probably. I put a lot of consideration into my makeup if it is for a special occasion and I will probably have it already figured it out and tried it out once or twice. That really eliminates the hassle and the trial and error on the day of.
8. What do you do first face or eyes?
If I am working with pigments of colours that I know have a lot of fall out I will start with my eyes. If I am just getting ready and using something simple, like my Naked Palette I start with my face for a nice even canvas, as well as being able to more accurately set up my under eyes and around my eyes for eyeshadow.
9. Do you collect makeup or just buy what you need?
Collecting makeup is something I enjoy, but I typically start off a shopping trip buying what I need. I keep a list in my phone of things I need a backup of, or something I am running out of. Under that list I keep my wishlist. I buy things off my wishlist if I am shopping and it is on sale or if I am feeling like a pick me up or something. Usually I buy what I need, I could try to justify needing everything in my collection if I really had too.
10.How often do you wear false eyelashes?
Here is just the beginning to my list/wishlist 
This is a typical makeup day for me 
Going Away Party
Labels: friends, goodtimes, life, newblogger, spring
So in honour of my last day, a bunch of the craziest most amazing loving people I know went out for dinner and a very reserved night on the town (this was not the case at all). Since we are all over the age of 19 (in Canada that's the legal age) we went out and did a little bit of a bar hop, we only went to two so more like a skip. These people are a mixture of older friends from working at Timmies for the last two and a half years, and some are people that just started and quickly made their way into our little clique.
It was wonderful having these people who I care so much about go out with me for a great night, there was no drama, just a bunch of laughs and memory making. For me especially it was so important to go out with them, because with school winding down I need to focus on exams and some final papers, so it was the last chance I have and also because we used to go out all the time together (summer is more of our time, winter everyone wants to stay inside!)
So here are a bunch of selfies from the night, taken in some horrible lighting. But either way, these people rock and I love them all so so so much. 
This is my bestie, surprisingly we have been friends for 2 years and this is our first photo together. 
For some reason I love pictures of selfies being taken! 
Minty Green
Labels: beauty, fashion, mint, newblogger, spring, whati'mwearing
Blazer: StreetWear Society, Tank: Garage Necklace: Urban Planet 