“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world”

When it comes to sweets, I remain loyal to my favourite few. I will go out of my way to get Macarons, make Cheesecake runs. Throw in some Froyo from time to time.

I wouldn't say I'm a huge ice cream gal. Ice cream and I have a different sort of relationship. It's something I wouldn't actively seek out, unless tempted with Haagen Dazs or Magnum during hot summers. 

Earnest Ice Cream, window, ©France S 

"There is beauty in simplicity"

When it comes to makeup, less is more. I've never been the girl with a vanity overflowing with makeup and serums but instead stick prefer to the basics. This makes everything simpler in the mornings when my pillow holds more appeal than rooting around in a crowded makeup drawer looking for lost pencils.

Keep reading after the jump for my list of go-to beauty essentials.

“I’m so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers.” – L.M. Montgomery

And I couldn’t agree more. I’m obsessed with autumn and café culture: interesting people, festive beverages, and sitting in a snug corner working on assignments.

Photo from flavorhunter.com

Personally, I find it insanely difficult to stay at home during this beautiful season. I’m not sure whether it’s the crisp air, the changing leaves, or the fact that I can finally break out my cozy knits again. But there’s just something about autumn that makes me overly excited to get bundled up and head out with my books to spend an evening tucked away in a favorite café.  And since I’m constantly chasing deadlines, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect coffee shop where I can actually focus long enough to get some work done. I find that a lot of Vancouver’s so-called “study spots” get either overwhelmingly busy, or are just too pretentious to handle. But so far this season, I’ve discovered a couple gems in Vancouver (and in Victoria for my fellow Islanders). So, if you’re looking for cute spot to get some solid studying in, here are a few of my new favorites: 

“ The right hairstyle can make a plain woman beautiful and a beautiful woman unforgettable” – Sophia Loren

  

Photo Hill’s of Kerrisdale

The best accessory a girl can wear is her hair, so it is important to know how to wear it. I absolutely love the haute bun look.  Nothing screams fall fashion more than a chunky sweater and a big, round bun on your head. If you are looking for an alternative to a basic topknot, this braid bun is effortless and perfect for this fall.

"Notice that Autumn is more the season of the Soul than of Nature."

Yaletown from Charleston Park, ©France S 

One of my favourite evening views of Vancouver resides in Charleson Park, where a section of the False Creek Seawall can be found. There are a few ways to get here, but I personally choose to do it by strolling across a footbridge, with an entrance on 7th and Laurel Street. Though the daytime view is something in itself, the evening view is definitely much more promising.