What happens when I go home for four days and drop off the face of the earth?

A whole lot of this....

And a whole lot of this....

Also I left my phone back home as well. So all of my other pictures are MIA for a few days...

I also wanted to take a moment today to acknowledge something incredibly important. It's Remembrance Day here in Canada, and I wore my poppy with pride! I'm so thankful for the sacrifices that were made so that I could live in literally the best country ever (sorry to all you non-Canadians, the truth hurts). What the Armed Forces do for us (in any country) is incredibly brave and honourable, and I'm so impressed and inspired by you and your family's sacrifices. To all the vets out there-- thank you.

It's about to stop being polite and start getting real up in here. Guys, I like One Direction. There. I said it. Take of it what you will, but I like them. I may even love them, I don't know. One thing I do know however is that their new single, The Story of My Life was just released along with their music video and it has all the feels. Take a gander if you don't believe me:


Being a blogger I have absolutely no problem talking about myself, and today is no exception. Today  I'm going to share the Story of My Life...
I was born way back in 1989, June 8th to be exact.
I am the only child in my family.
I have had many pets, but two significant ones in my life, KC, my family dog, and Leia, my little devious angel of a kitty.

When I was two years old, I slipped and fell in the backyard and cracked my forehead off of the steps of my neighbours' pool. I still have a scar. I also still remember portions of the day it happened.

My Nana is the most important woman in my life. She raised a family of 6 all on her own and no matter how bad of a day she's having, she's always smiling. Plus she taught me it's okay to wear PJs all day if I wanted to.

My dad is the most inspiring man I've ever met. He's overcome a whole heck of a lot, and I love him for teaching me the importance of family.

I started this blog to hold myself accountable to some of the goals I had for 2013, and had no idea I'd meet some pretty amazing people, and be so excited to write every single day.

I'm a crier. I hate to admit it, but if I'm happy, I cry. Sad? Cry. Angry? Cry. I also cry if someone else cries. It's messy.

100% lactose intolerant. It really sucks too because I also 100% love ice-cream and cheese.

As of November 2, I became a first time aunt to my bestest friend Rach's little baby boy. Yay!

I'm curious to know, what's the story of your life?

Also a HUGE thank you to Noor for giving me this idea!

Sooo I'm a bit of a tea addict... Don't believe me? Here's proof..

I counted 18 different types of tea, not including the miscellaneous teas that have a home inside the magical tea-owl..

Anyways, it's kind of a tradition of mine to sit down with a cup of tea at the end of the day and just "debrief". Meditate over the day's events, make lists, and discuss with my roommate which coach I would pick if I were ever on The Voice, (which would probably be Adam, for obvious reasons... Hubba hubba).

Today I've made myself my tea, have gotten comfy, and find myself thinking of quite a few things from today:

• I have a super cute neighbour, and Jess has suggested luring him by baking cookies. Good idea, or bad idea? 
• How much time is too much time spent on Tumblr each day?
• We really need to get curtains in our living room, because the sun is literally blinding me right now (see).
• It's been a while since I've watched a movie off of my Oscars list. I should get on that.
• I'm going to be an aunt any day now! WOO!
• If I put on a bra, does that mean I've technically "gotten dressed" for the day?
• Reading week is next week! Yay!
• I have midterms this week. Boo.
• I really need to repaint my nails...
• I wonder if there are any TV shows filming in Toronto that need extras. Where would I even look for that?
• Candy Crush ruins lives...

What do you guys do to chill out after your day?

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You ever meet someone and think, "It's happened! I've actually met the funniest person in the world!"?  Because I have! I mean, I haven't met the person per se, but I  do know them. I'm of course talking about me here. I'm "them". Me, Kate.

This blog is all about keepin' it real, and I'm about to lay some pretty heavy stuff on you guys, so here it is: I'm the funniest person I know. There. I said it. Phewf! What a weight lifted off of my shoulders! It's true though. I'm that person that tells the most off-kilter, probably lamest, dad joke-est stuff ever, and I completely crack myself up. I'm that obnoxious person that can't tell a punchline correctly because I'm already laughing about it, so the joke loses momentum and ends up not being funny at all so everyone just pity laughs. I don't care though. My motto is, if I laugh, it's funny. Simple as that.

Honestly though, I have proof that I am the funniest person I know...

Exhibit A: Ellen dances, and she's funny. So I can too.

Exhibit B: This tweet:

When I'm on the subway I bop my head around like I'm listening to music... I'm really listening to The Hobbit on audiobook though.
— Kate Brown (@kay_tea) October 1, 2013

Exhibto C: Genetics.

Les Exhibites D: This text I posted on Instagram

And this text...

I could go on, but on top of my hilarious comedic skills, I'm also very humble so I'll leave it at that.

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You ever have those moments when it seems like everything is going wrong? You know, like one crummy thing after another happens, and just when you feel like throwing your arms up and waving your white flag to surrender, a light appears at the end of the tunnel.

I recently found myself in this type of situation. I made the decision to move to Toronto over a year ago, and made sure all of my ducks were in a row before I did make the big move. I made sure to save money for school, and even line up a really great job to start as soon as I moved. I was really good paying, and it was in my career field (booyah!). Once I moved though, things just didn't work out how I had planned. I know, nothing really ever works out as planned, but this felt almost like a metaphorical bird crapped on my head. I moved and my great job I lined up was really behind with the HR stuff so I was unable to start until God-knows-when. I had spent all of my savings on my classes for school (which thankfully is super awesome and I love it), so I was broke in a new city, with no job, and no friends (yet). I quickly went out and found a temporary job to tide me over until the good job pulled through, and it seemed like it would be a really neat opportunity. A clothing store with a phenomenal discount to buy professional clothes for my other job, and it seemed like it would also be a fun place to work. Wrong. Not only did all the employees speak to me rudely and condescending, after working there for two weeks, the manager told me I needed to be branded in all their clothes by now and should be buying a new wardrobe (I had yet to be paid, so I'm sure she was asking me to harvest all the dollars off of my money tree to buy the wardrobe). No fun at all.

I'm going to keep it real with you guys, I had a moment when I thought this was all a mistake and should never have moved here. I cried and ate Nutella out of a jar and watched 13 Going on 30 and cried some more. I felt low. Real low.

Cue the light at the end of the tunnel.

I had applied to another job in the middle of the summer to a popular book store here in Canada. I had previously spent five years there before and loved working there. Since I had applied back in the summer, I figured they didn't need me and completely forgot all about it. Then I get an email over the weekend asking if I'd like to come in for an interview, to which I happily obliged, I mean, it couldn't have come at a better time! I went in yesterday for my interview and then headed to work at the dreadful job. It was even worse than before. More mean girls, and being new, I asked a lot of questions to which I was met with condescending answers. I mean, how do these people still work here?

I got home, ready to cry again, so I curled up into bed to check what wonderful emails you readers have sent me, and then I see something amazing. The hiring manager emailed me offering me the position. Already. Yay!

It's a small victory, but it's a light at the end of the tunnel, and gives me enough hope to cling on to. Toronto is good. I'm doing the right thing. Everything is going to be alright.

Have a great Wednesday, folks!

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Welcome to the first day of Blogtober! I figured we could kick the month off by getting to know each other a little but more.

Now I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I did get the idea from Karly, who did this post a couple of days ago.

11 Random Facts about Moi

1. I am near-sighted in my right eye, and have astigmatism in my left eye. Weeeeird.

2. I am an only child, who doesn't have only child syndrome. I'm not spoiled, or bratty. So there.

3. I can play a total of 4 (and a half) instruments. Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, piano, aaaand I'm learning the drums. I'm a total music nerd.

4. I love food, but I'm a horrible cook. I'm really great at crock-pot cooking though...

5. When I eat green beans, I like to eat them with my fingers, like I'm eating healthy french fries.

6. I've never been to Australia, I don't have any heritage from Australia, but I'm oddly patriotic to the land down unda.

7. Every song or album I own, I bought or was given to me. This girl doesn't pirate.

8. I used to really hate my nose. Like, considered plastic surgery hated it. Now I love it, and wouldn't dream of changing it. Funny how that works, eh?

9. I say "eh", and "dude" way too much to be taken seriously as an adult.

10. I used to have a crush on Bart Simpson when I was a child. I had issues.

11. I am an insomniac. Legitimately.

Karly also had some questions asked of her that she answered, and I'm also stealing those. So, thanks, Karly.

11 Sort-Of-Random Questions

1. What's one thing you're currently looking forward to?

My bestie’s little bundle of joy to grace us with his presence this month!

2. What is your favourite post on your blog?

Probably my very first post. It was when I made the decision I was going to make 2013 a better year than all the other ones.

  

3. Who is your best friend and why?

I would say Leia, but that would feed too much into the “cat lady” stigma I’ve created for myself. Hah. Honestly, I have 4 very close girl friends (in no particular order): Rach, Jess, Sab, and Maddie.

4. Are you a spender or a saver?

Oh man, I wish I was a saver!

5. What's your favourite joke?

I’m more of a pun-gal.

6. What's one hobby you'd like to learn but haven't?

Knitting.

7. What's your favourite part of the day?

Honestly, all of it. But I also love meal times.

8. What's your favourite dish to order at a restaurant?

Spinach dip. And nachos. And also linguine. Basically anything.

9. You have a time machine and you can go back in time and change 1 thing without negative consequences. What would it be?

Nothing. Everything happens for a reason. If I made a bad decision and had to learn from the consequences, it means I’ve learnt something. I know, cliche. I’m a fan of the cliche.

10. Who is your imaginary celebrity bestie?

J- Law

11. What's the one movie you could watch over and over again?

Star Wars. And Pitch Perfect. Aca-believe it.

So there you have it, folks! I want to get to know you guys too so go ahead and let me know 11 random facts about you, or answer the questions!

And, if you want to participate in Blogtober, let me know in the comments below so that I can include you in the week-end links! Tell me you're participating and link the button below on your blog!

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I have seen many a "Trowback Thursday" hashtag and I have to admit, I have participated in a few of those from time to time, but today I wanted to share with you guys something a little different. A little bit of the old school Kate...

Old school Kate took glamour shots with her smokin' hot mama!

She also had the cutest little elf ears and button nose...

As a child, Kate was always ready to take a picture, even when her cousins weren't.

Kate was also Peter Pan. She befriended Captain Hook for some time, but the relationship went sour when Hook tried to steal her Halloween candy. Blasted Pirates.

Kate was very into school sports. She organized her high school's annual hockey tournament against her high school's rival school. Her school won. Naturally.

Kate used to spend her spare time riding tricycles in Walmart as a brunette (she still does this, but she had to change her hair colour to avoid getting noticed).

 Finally, Kate also used to have short hair and a spray tan.

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ALSO! Guys, Starting October 1st I'll be doing something very exciting! I'm going to be blogging every single day in October! If you guys are interested in joining me, let me know so I can check out your blogs!

And if you would like to join, go ahead and add this snazzy button to your posts so I can find out who all participating!

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I'm going to be an aunt! Did I ever tell you guys that? 'Cause I'm super excited about it and can't wait for the little guy to get here!

Something I've never talked about it that I'm actually an only child, so I'll never actually be an aunt in the biological sense, but I do have some really close girlfriends, (4 to be exact). One I live with, and the other three's eggo's are preggo. Not Jess though. Thank goodness.

My best friend Rach (or Ray as I call her) is about to pop so tonight we are throwing her a very exciting baby showing (appropriately themed, "About To Pop"). Literally everything is a play-on-words for "pop". For example we are serving cake pops, Popeye's candy sticks, pop rocks, etc. It's pretty cool. I wish I could take credit for the idea but it totally wasn't.

Anyways, in celebration of the amazing little baby boy that is about to grace us with his presence, I'm posting some of my favourite bad baby pictures found on Awkward Family Photos.

Enjoy the laugh and have a great Tuesday!!

They say, "home is where the heart is." Okay, who are "they" anyways? And why do "they" have to sound so cliché? Anyways, where was I? Oh yeah, homes and hearts. It's been only a few weeks since I've officially become a full-fledged Torontonian and I can honestly say, I've never felt more at home.

Every time I'm downtown, looking at the CN Tower, or catching a train on the subway, it feels surreal to think that I'm actually here. But it's totally awesome. This weekend I decided I was going to explore my favourite area of Toronto: Yorkville. Everything you need to know about Yorkville is this, Yorkville is located within the area of Yonge and Bloor, two very large streets in the city. It's a very happenin' spot if you love to shop, dine, and feel generally metropolitan.

So while I was on my way to wine and dine with some of my family who live in the city, I decided to do the only thing a girl new to the city should do: roam.

I decided to hit up some of the shops on Yonge, and there are a lot! First off, I decided to charge my tank with a little Starbucks.

Usually I'd go for a Pumpkin Spice Latte, but today I decided to try the new Chocolate Chai Latte. Have any of you guys tried it? It's so freaking good! I think I may have a new fall fave (sorry PSL).

After I got my much needed java boost I started my quest to (window)shop. What I like about this area is that they have a mashup of different store, everything from Zara to Holt Renfrew. The strip can match anyones budget. I thought I could use a new pair of sunnies so I took my chances going into Aldo. I didn't end up finding a pair, but I did find a cute bow ring!

Another neat thing about the shops down here is that most of them allow dogs in the stores (as long as they're on a leash). One shopper brought her adorable standard poodle into the store, and he just sat and watched while she tried on shoes. It was really weird for me to see, but actually pretty cool.

If you go down some of the smaller streets off of Yonge, you'll find little shops that are unique and carry some pretty amazing one-of-a-kind stuff. Like a store that is literally called, The Cookbook store. Guess what they sell? I took a little look inside and they carry cookbooks for literally anything you'd want to cook! I know the internet has a lot of recipes, but nothing beats a good cookbook, right?

Most of the stores in Yorkville close at 6 on Saturdays, but the restaurants stay open pretty late. I got in a quite a bit of window shopping, but need to go back down to peruse the Bay and Bloor area of Yorkville (think Free People, and Anthropologie).

Hope you guys are having a fantastic weekend! I'm heading back home to visit my dad tomorrow, which I super excited about because I haven't seen him in two weeks and I miss him a lot!

I've had roommates before, some of which I had not known prior to moving in with them, and some I was actually very good friends with. My current roommate, who made the move the the big city with me is Jess. She is one of my closest friends, and until recently, I had no idea how funny she could actually be.

Jess & me in Florida a couple years ago.

Which brings me to this post. I'm thinking of having a themed post called, "Conversations with my roommate". Just quick little quips that have stuck out in my mind that week, or that months. I'm not sure how often I'll post them (it all really depends on how funny I find Jess, hah).

This all transpired when Jess said something last night while we were watching Rookie Blue that I just could not keep to myself:

Jess: What does rolling a fatty mean?
Me: It means to roll a joint.
J: Oh.
K: Why?
J: I only know the term as a nurse, which means to literally roll a fat person.

In case you didn't guess, Jess is a nursing student, and after she said that last remark I spent the next five minutes with my head between my legs trying to catch a breath in between cackles. It was completely random; I mean, why was she thinking about it? Who knows, but I had a good laugh, and I hope you guys did too!

Happy Friday!

A few weeks ago I went to a Toronto Blue Jays game for one of my friends' birthdays. I'd been to a Jays games before, but that was when I was 10, and this was the first time I've gone to one as an official Torontonian.

I had a lot of fun! I'm not much of a sports fan, but I really enjoyed being there with all of my friends (there were about 20 of us), and I got to eat a really delicious soft pretzel (probably the highlight of my day).

Anyways, here is an Instagram diary of the events.

My super pregnant friend Rach, we were celebrating her husband's birthday. Also I bought a Jays hat because I needed to celebrate my new Toronto citizenship.

Me and my friend Jess (also my new roomie!)

The bases were loaded!

All in all, as a non-sports fan, I had a really great time. We even won 4-2! Woo! What I liked about the game was that it was pretty cheap, being only twelve bucks to go, and that we were able to all talk and have a good time. I'd actually love to go again.

If you want to keep up with my adventures, follow me on Instagram and Twitter!

I love autumn. It’s my favourite season. From the beautiful weather to the changing leaves, the fashion, and the food!

As you guys know, I love lists, so I wouldn’t start this beautiful season any other way than by listing my top 5 favourite things about the fall. So here we go.

1. Scarves.

I’m a big believer in the scarf during any season (even in the cool summer nights) but it’s more practical to wear cute scarves during the fall weather. They look cute, and keep your neck warm! I own way too many scarves for my own good, but I’m constantly adding to the collection.

2. Leaves (the candle)

Photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works

Every fall, Bath & Body Works released their fall season scents, including their ever popular scent, Leaves. It is by far my favourite scent which includes notes of red apples, cinnamon, and harvest berries. I could honestly eat this candle every time I burn it.

3. Leaves (the literal kind)

One of the things I love most about living in Canada is that we get to experience all of the perks of experiencing all four seasons. One of these perks includes seeing the leaves change colours into beautiful amber and crimson. Then once they’ve reached their full life expectancy, the leaves fall to the ground, leaving us kids at heart the joy of crunching down on them as we walk to work. Honestly. who doesn’t love that crunch?

4. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Photo courtesy of Starbucks

Starbucks is actually celebrating 10 years of the PSL. It’s by far my favourite drink (perhaps because it’s only for a limited time). I can barely go a week without having this delicious drink. Think if you could bottle a pumpkin pie and put it in a coffee cup, this would be it. If you haven’t tried it, go do it now.

5. Thanksgiving

Mon famile! A few of us went on a walk last Thanksgiving which turned into a photo-op

Here in Canada we have Thanksgiving in October, which I like. It helps break up the holidays so that you see family on a more regular basis. Of course, here in Canada we don’t have Thanksgiving’s “Black Friday” but I still love the holiday on account of all the tasty food and such. Of course, I do love my family, and love spending time with them (especially now that I live in another city).

There are so many other things I love about the fall, and I’d like to know what you guys love about autumn; and if you don’t particularly like the season, which season do you love?

When I started planning out my bedroom at my new apartment there was one thing I was very certain on: I wanted a desk that was a perfect twist of bohemian eclectic, modern, and vintage. I know, what a weird combination, right? This was my first real "DIY" and I was really nervous that I would end up spending way more money than is worth spending, and that I would screw the whole thing up.

First things first, I set out on a mission to find cheap desks. I scoured garage sales, almost every Goodwill in the GTA, perused through copious Kijiji ads and I even resulted in bombarding my friends and coworkers askin if they had any old sewing desks lying around (apparently no one does these days). Finally, after searching for what felt like forever, I found the perfect desk! I paid $40 for it, which I think is a great deal considering it's solid wood.

After I purchased the desk the next step was settling on a colour. I knew I wanted to paint the desk, but I didn't want to go for the typical painted white desk; I wanted something different, yet classy. Then I found "Dinner Mint" by Behr, which I got in a satin finish. It's a beautiful light mint green, almost white, but against my grey walls, you can really pick up the green hues. While I was at Home Depot buying paint, I also picked up hardware. This was the priciest thing I purchased for the reno, ringing in all 6 knobs at 7 bucks a pop, I spent a good 50 dollars on the hardware alone (and then another $16 on the paint).

I was very pleased with the outcome. I think next time I paint furniture though I'm going to go for an oil-based paint, because latex was really hard to use consistency-wide.

Here's the finished product:

Before

After

Total price of renovation: $106. Not bad at all. In fact most desks at IKEA are about $100 and they aren't solid wood, or custom.

I enjoyed the process so much I'm already planning my next DIY!