Looks a little different in here, doesn't it? I had a bit of a moment the other day and decided that I wanted to redesign the blog in hopes that maybe the spring colours will bring the spring weather to Toronto. It's been too freaking cold and I'm completely over it. My skin is dry, my lips are chapped, and I never want to leave the apartment. Anyways, I'm totally digging the new design, so hopefully it stays for a while.

Speaking of the cold, if there's one thing that really warms me up during this weather is a nice, hot, relaxing bath. It's my current obsession.

I went downtown the other day and stocked up on some Lush products so that I could indulge a little, and since I'm a horrible blogger, I crumbled up my bubble bar and bath melt before I thought to take a picture.. Alas, I shall just have to make do.

I bought two items, Rose Jam Bubbleroon and Floating Island Bath Melt, and then miser them into a bit of a concoction. It smelled amazing!

Rose Jam Bubbleroon is a little bubble bar that books like a french macaron. It smells of roses and Lush says that it also has a hint of coconut "icing". It smells sweet and super creamy.

The Floating Island Bath Melt was something I had never tried before. The girl at the store told me it's basically like bathing in lotion, which for someone who's skin looks like the bark of a tree, I was totally up for. She didn't lie. It was so soft and creamy, and smelled like sandalwood.

The combo of the rose and the sandalwood was solo yummy. I definitely recommend it. My skin feels and smells amazing. What's even better is that the scent actually lingers on the skin for more than just an hour, so my bedding always ends up smelling of bubble bath.

Yesterday I introduced you all to Odd One Out's new Twitter. What I didn't mention is that one of the reasons I had waited so long to create a Twitter for the blog, was because I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to keep the name of the blog. I mean, what if I wanted something different? What if I had some sort of blog-name epiphany and I couldn't change it because I would be stuck in some weird, internet purgatory?

So then I started thinking about why I named the blog Odd One Out in the first place, and after that, I decided I'd keep it.

So, why am I named Odd One Out?

When I first started the blog last year, I was sick of failed attempts at New Years resolutions, so I thought I would change it up in 2013. I made a list of goals, and in order to keep myself accountable, I started the blog. You can read all about it in my very first blog post ever.

In the post I mentioned that I love odd numbers; nobody likes odd numbers. No one likes to be the third wheel, no one likes to go to an amusement park with an odd number of people because then someone always has to be the lone ranger on a ride, and who wants just one, single sock? I like to root for the underdog, and odd numbers are the underdog.

From there it just kind of evolved into this. I'm the first person to admit I'm a bit of an odd ball, and more often than not, feel like the "odd one out" in situations, but instead of getting down about it, I chose to embrace it.

That's why I kept the name. We're all a little odd, but on here, we're somehow not the odd one out. How cool is that?

Tootlepip!

And don't forget to follow @OddOneOutBlog on Twitter!

Say whaaaat? Odd One Out finally has it's very own twitter account! Make sure to follow for more!

— Kate Brown (@OddOneOutBlog) February 24, 2014

Good news! I have finally taken the time to streamline some things with Odd One Out, and with that, comes a brand new Twitter! If you are currently following me on my old Twitter account, it will still remain active, but will no longer be associated with Odd One Out. I will be using it as a personal Twitter that I can share with friends and family. Feel free to continue following me on there, since we're all friends here, but my new Twitter account will be 100% associated with the blog.

I've done this so that I can still keep some of my blog anonymity. I know it's weird, but I like having this space away from my non-bloggie chums and my family, and since a lot of them have me on Twitter, it's a lot easier for them to come across this little space of mine, and it kind of freaks me out a little. I'm always afraid to tweet at you guys, or share my posts, because I like having this space as a free-for-all where I can write about anything and not be afraid about said non-bloggie chums reading it and taking it out of context, or getting upset about something I wrote, or heaven forbid, like it and then tell everyone else. I know, I'm a crazy person. I blame the cat.

Anyways, I hope you guys are on the same page as me... because without further adieu, I give you...

@OddOneOutBlog

FOLLOW FOLLOW FOLLOW!

Last night while I was repressing the urge to punch my super in the face... I was also flipping through the channels and stumbled upon a little gem on AMC... Ben Affleck circa 2001. Also known as Pearl Harbour. I mean, Josh Hartnett was a dream boat too, but dang, Ben, those eyes though...

Here's 5 Reasons Why Ben Affleck's still got it:

1. His luscious hair. Okay, so maybe he's had a little help in this department, but still. I would run my fingers through that any day!

Yup. Luscious.

2. He's totally in love with his wife. I mean, of course I'm bummed he's off limits (because we totally had a chance before). But it's actually incredible cool to see a man who's totally smitten with his wife. Little known fact: Jen was also in Pearl Harbour. Fancy that.

3. He's Batman. Even if you don't find him all that attractive (what's wrong with you?), you can't deny that his sex appeal skyrocketed by like 10898643 percent when he was announced to be the next Batman. Seriously.

4. He is actually really talented. This dude ain't no one-trick pony. Not only is he literally one of the best actors in Hollywood, he's also an award winning writer, producer and director. Whaaat?

5. That whole Jimmy Kimmel/ Matt Damon thing. It just never gets old. Especially when actually philanthropy is involved...

Looks like u from here, Jimmy. All 4 charity? RT @jimmykimmel: Ben did you see what your "friend" Matt faxed us? NSFW pic.twitter.com/E6MfltxI2R
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) February 15, 2014

Keep at it, Ben! You're like a fine wine, and in another 13 years I'm sure you will be one sexy senior!

One thing I really love about blogging is the sense of community that it brings. Seriously, I have some pretty cool friends that I've met through blogging, and they are the most sincere, kind, and hilarious people.

So I've been thinking lately, how can I continue to grow (and see you grow) and be a part of this amazing community? And then it came to me: guest posts! I want to get to know more of you guys, and I want my other readers to get to know you guys, and what better way to allow y'all to bond, than to tell them a little bit about yourself. Which brings me to my big announcement...

I WANT YOU! (on my blog)

Yes, you! I want you to be one of my featured guest bloggers, and the best part? It's totally free!

What to the what? Yes! I mean, I'd totally be into writing a guest post on your blog too if you were into it, but if not, that's totally cool too! I just really want to get to know you all, and I'd love for our readers to get to know each other too.

I'm going to have my guest posts every Tuesday, and as the guest blogger, you will be able to use my little odd spot to tell us about yourself, to get something off of your chest, or even post your favourite recipe (because you guys know I can't cook to save my life...).  Don't know what to say? That's okay too! You could just answer a Q & A that I make for you! The world is your oyster.

So, are you in? If you are, send me an email and let me know! I'm starting this March, and I can't wait to get this ball rolling!


Image sizource.

Here in the Great White North (or maybe just in Ontario) it is Family Day long weekend.

Family Day long weekend? What the heck is that? Baaaasically it was a holiday created by the government because they felt we needed an extra stat holiday somewhere in between New Years and Easter. It's essentially called Family Day in the hopes that families will use this day to spend with each other. So whether today you are celebrating Family Day or not, I'm going to show you how to enjoy Family Day.

1. Prep yo'self by giving yourself an at-home haircut.

Yeah, I did that. I don't know why, and I'm now missing about four inches of my hair, but it looks pretty darn good. If I don't say so myself. Which I just did. So there.

2. Go Outside.

Or don't. Whatever.

3. Play board games. Whip out Clue or Monopoly and watch the fists fly! Nothing says loving family like a little competition, and in my family, there's always bloodshed.

4. Take a picture to commemorate the day!

Pictures or it didn't happen.

5. Eat. You've heard the expression, "there's nothing like Grandma's cooking". In my family, it's my aunt Kathleen's cooking, and her chilli is dangerous, man.

6. Watch the Winter Olympics. I'm Canadian, so it's practically sacrilege if you don't want the Winter Olympics. Our slogan this year is literally #WeAreWinter. I'm not even kidding.

Anyways, there's no better way to spend time with each other like cheering on you're country!

7. Go to a movie. So maybe you don't really like to talk to your family... go see a movie. You're guaranteed a good two and a half hours of no-talk time, and you still have the right to say you spent the afternoon together. Win-win.

8. Just don't. Don't feel like doing anything today? You'd rather just spend your extra day off laying in bed and eating? Okay, I won't judge. I mean, that's basically what I'm doing today..

Basically.

I hope you guys are having a fantastic Family Day/ Monday!

And if you're not already, follow me on Instagram!


Sources// 2 & 6

Today's Valentine's Day, and you know what that means, luuurve is in the air! Ah, l'amour. It's the kind of thing that gives you those warm and fuzzy feelings; you know the kind I mean, everything you see is done so with rose-coloured glasses, and you're totally cool with it. Now, I'm a single gal, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate those warm and fuzzies (even if my glasses are just my normal prescription). So I got to thinking, what is something that I love that leaves me feeling all warm and fuzzy?

My answer: tea of course!

Y'all know I love my tea. In fact, if I were to count how many canisters of tea I currently have in my cupboard I'd be well over 20.

There's just something about tea that I really genuinely love. I drink it when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm tired, when I'm ready to vent. It's just one of those things, you know? And there's a flavour for just about anything you're into, including getting into the mood for luuurve.

So while all you couples are out enjoying a romantic evening tonight, I'll be enjoying a nice cuppa with Leia, and you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Valentine's Day!

(And in case I don't say it enough, I really love all of you!)

If any of you follow me on Tumblr, you'll know that I belong to a lot of fandoms, so reading a book about a girl's obsession with a certain Harry-Potter-esque fandom was something I simply could not resist.

Fangirl is a popular YA novel about a girl named Cath who writes fan fiction for a fictional series called Simon Snow (imagine HP, but with vampires). Cath has just started her first year of college, and is having a hard time adjusting without her twin sister Wren, who's decided she wants to do college on her own, without having Cath attached to her hip.

It's essentially a coming-of-age, as Cath sort of finds herself as an individual, and learns to accept herself as more than just a fangirl. She meets new friends like her edgy roommate, Reagan, and Levi, a super cute guy she reads her fan fiction aloud to. She also learns to cope with her dad's bipolar disorder.

It's a really cute, light read that does deal with some heavy stuff. Certainly easy to get through. I also love that Rainbow can write a fierce female character being okay with her insecurities. I mean, not every girl who writes fan fiction and wears glasses is a cool hipster chick, and she recognizes that. Cath is definitely relatable to anyone who's ever nerd-ed out on something, or felt a little bit like the new kid in school.

Another cool thing I really liked about the book, was that each chapter was introduced by either an excerpt of Simon Snow, or an excerpt of Cath's Simon Snow fan fiction, Carry On. By the end of the book, I was actually really into Simon Snow and Carry On.

Not what I would normally read, but it was super fun to get into. There were some minor things that I didn't like about the plot, (like how Cath's professor gave her a whole extra semester to write her story.. I mean, when does that ever happen?) but I found everything else really enjoyable, and it brought me back to when I was a teenager writing fanfics about my favourite books.

That being said, I'm giving Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell:

Four out of five stars!

If you wanna read Fangirl, check out The Book Depository to buy a discounted copy, or if you're into listening to your books (like Levi is in Fangirl) then check out Audible.com. Your first book is free!

Want to know what I'm reading next? Check me out on Goodreads!

Hello all my wonderful readers!

Have you always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer? Well now that dream can come true! The ModCloth Make The Cut program is a recurring design contest that invites the ModCloth Community to design garments, graphics, or fabric prints. Its main purpose is to further their mission of democratizing fashion by producing clothing designed by community members.

I'm always incredibly hesitant to do sponsored posts, but I love ModCloth a whole heck of a lot, and I thought this was such a great opportunity to get you guys into using your creativity! I know for a fact a lot of you guys have a rad sense of style, so now is your chance to become a designer at ModCloth!

You're probably asking me now, "but Kate, you're absolutely mental! How can a become a designer at ModCloth?" Well, skeptical reader, it's pretty easy...

Entrants will design a new print for a private label dress silhouette that is already being produced! Contestants have two weeks to submit designs. After the submission period, the ModCloth Creative Team will narrow down the submissions to 20, which will be sent to the guest judge, Amanda Needham, Costume Designer for Portlandia. After Amanda has chosen the 10 finalists, they will be posted on the Be The Buyer page for voting. There will be a week for the Community to vote, then ModCloth will contact the winner and update the contest announcement with the big news!

How cool is that? I would love it if one of my readers got this amazing opportunity, so hurry and submit your entry! The contest is live now! Remember, the end of submission period is Friday 02/14/14. Launch voting is Monday 03/03/14 and end of voting is Monday 03/10/14.

The winner announced on ModCloth Blog (winner will be contacted personally) will be Wednesday 3/12/14!

Send your entry in now! Good luck and godspeed!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Graphic novels.

The first word that comes to mind when I say that is "nerd". And while I'm all for embracing my inner nerd, the kind of nerd that I always think of is the pretentious know-it-all that couldn't possibly fathom the thought of a girl being into graphic novels unless it were for a boy, or to look super "cool". Am I wrong?

Regardless, I've taken a bit of an interest to graphic novels as of late. Y'all know I love to read, so it only felt right to expand my literary bubble to something more than just words on a page (though I do love those words dearly). I've never read a graphic novel before, though I've spend many an afternoon as a kid devouring comic books, but they aren't quite the same.

"They aren't?" you might be saying. Not quite. A comic book is essentially a magazine. It have a number of volumes, and is released on a regular time schedule, consisting of only short stories that usually continue on with each volume (so you wouldn't necessarily find out if Spiderman caught the green goblin by the end of that comic, you'd have to wait for the next issue to see what happens next) while a graphic novel is essentially exactly how it sounds. It is a full story with a beginning, middle, and end, paired with illustrations that are commonly seen in comic books. That of course isn't to say that a graphic novel can't continue in a series.

Being that I've never read a graphic novel before, the graphic novel I've chosen to take my graphic novel virginity is...

I'm about 1/4 through it, and I'm already making lists of all the other ones I want to read...

I never thought I'd be the type of person that would like graphic novels, but I really dig them.

Have you guys read any graphic novels? What are your thoughts on them?

Follow me on Goodreads to see what else I'm reading!