Fast forward three years, and I upgraded to what was the sleek, incredibly thin and even better looking Motorola Krzr. It was THE phone to have. And while I had a blast with my flip phones, sharing many conversations, winky faces and “wut r u doing 2day?” texts, soon the era of smartphones came, and well frankly, my relationship with Motorola was put on the back burner.

I had a great relationship with Blackberry, before I took a bite of Apple and switched to the iPhone 5 which I’m currently using. But today I’ve been fortunate enough, thanks to Rogers, to reunite with my first cellphone love: Motorola.

The Moto X is available only at Rogers, and offers touchless control, an active display and a quick capture camera among its list of impressing features. What does that mean?
“Talk to it, and it learns your voice. With a twist of your wrist, it becomes your camera and gets the shots you’d otherwise miss and it tells you what you need to know—even when you’re not touching it.”

See for yourself:

Now I’m very much attached to my iPhone and I’ve always been an Apple person, but I’m ready to switch over and take on the 60-day Moto X Challenge (aka a challenge I’ve presented myself with where I’ll be completely dedicated to this Moto X). Change is not something I usually enjoy, but with this device, it’s one I’m welcoming with open arms and ready thumbs! I’ve only just begun to play with this new toy, but one thing’s for sure, the camera quality is stunning and I can’t wait to capture memories. I’ll definitely update you at the end of my 60-day challenge to let you know if I’ll be sticking with the Moto X or switching back to the iPhone 5.

-@Naomi_ML

The post Reunited with Motorola: Rogers Moto X appeared first on Confessions of a Twenties Girl.

Also, be sure to scroll to the bottom for a great beauty giveaway!

The “Whatever” hat, $4, Urban Planet
For the longest time I’ve wanted a winter hat/beanie like this. There’s been an increasing popularity in what I like to call “word hats” that have everything from “Ain’t no wifey” to “Rich” on them.
I’m someone who’d prefer to keep my “geek” status hidden instead of scripted on my forehead, so this “Whatever” hat was perfect for me. It also perfectly describes my mood on school days.
For Canadians you can buy this hat, for the extremely cheap price of $4 at Urban Planet, and while they only ship within Canada, others can buy other similar styles them on eBay or at Brandy Mellville.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs Eau de toilette spray, $100, Sears
No, I did not splurge on this floral smelling perfume, it was given to me by my amazing internship editor, but boy does it smell good. Described as fresh and feminine, with a playful innocence, it’s perfect for a night out or everyday wear (though I don’t think I can part with my Vera Wang princess perfume yet).

Rottweiler puppy shirt, $24, Urban Outfitters
Before you do anything else, just take five seconds to look into this puppy’s eyes.
….And now you know why I purchased this oversized tee. While roaring tigers and other animals are cool and all, nothing beats this adorable adorable pup. I also love how it’s a play on Givenchy’s famous rotweiler design.

Assorted gold jewelry, $6, Charlotte Russe
My favourite place to buy jewelry in the States would definitely be Charlotte Russe. They have the most gorgeous pieces that are in-trend for the best prices. $6 for one or 2 for $10 hello! Gold jewelry is the only thing I spend my money on (sorry silver!) so here are the three that caught my eye this visit.

Michael Kors signature hats.
Here’s the thing I have an addiction to winter accessories; hats, gloves, scarves you name it. My mother has since banned me from buying anymore items but it hasn’t stopped me from buying them for other people. These Michael Kors signature hats were a steal so I had to snatch them! Christmas is coming up after all!

Tribal Print Cardigan, $22, Papaya
Warm and thick cardigans are a must-have in my closet during the winter months. One with a bold print like this is perfect to throw on during those lazy days.

Essie No Chips Ahead top coat, and tour de finance and too too hot nail polishes, $6
I’ve been needing a new top coat, having used Essie’s To Dry For top coat, I thought I’d go with this one which is supposed to extend your manicure by ten days. I’ve yet to test to out but from all the brands I’ve tried, Essie is by far my favorite!

Studded Sleeveless blouse, $20, JCPenny

Wedge Sneakers, $70, Steve Madden
Definitely my favorite purchase, wedge sneakers have been on my to-buy list all summer and I finally found a great pair at a reasonable price! I can always count on Steve Madden. I love that they add height without making it super obvious with a giant heel.

Giveaway, FREE (if you win)
With each haul, I figured I’d grab something extra for my fabulous readers. This month, I’ve got a mini beauty prize pack that includes some awesome Halloween themed nail products!

There are three ways to enter, you only need to to do one, but for each method you get an extra entry (for a total of three entries)!

To enter:

1. Follow @Naomi_ML on twitter and tweet “I want my nails to be as scary as my costume this Halloween! Help me out @Naomi_ML! #BeautyGiveaway https://confessionsofatwentiesgirl.com/”

2. Like my brand spakin’ new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Confessions-of-a-Twenties-Girl/172271422978078 and like the post about this haul!

3. Follow this blog, post a comment on this post and tell me what’s the best thing you bought this month so far or what your favorite item from this haul is and why!

Contest open worldwide and closes October 23, 2013.

The post September/October Shopping Haul + Giveaway appeared first on Confessions of a Twenties Girl.

Now I rode this wave of nostalgia four years ago, during my last first day of high school, but this is the big league we’re talking about, the Mavericks, because after this I’ll be done with school, with paid education, forever. (At least, this is what my 20-year-old self is telling myself). Who knows, I might be 70-years-old, unsatisfied with my life, and enroll in classes to get an MBA…in procrastination of course.

Anyways, when you take the time (or in my case have too much free time and are forced to) think about this day, you truly realize how significant it is. I’m one step closer to finishing a journey I’ve been on for most of my life. Education is a gift and a blessing and something that most people in the world are not as fortunate enough to have. And while I’ve been one of those students who complain about setting an alarm, writing an essay, listening to a teacher drone on about their life, studying for a test etc., I really do appreciate it.

I can’t remember a time where I haven’t referred to myself as a student. Sure titles like, “part time sales associate” and “intern” have come and gone, but the one most consistent thing in my life has always been school.

For once, my future is unknown. I truly don’t know where I’ll be next September. Working a full-time job? Travelling the world? Living in a huge city? Still stuck at my parents house? There’s so much possibility and so much uncertainty and the thing that scares me the most is that I’m okay with it all. I’m okay with not knowing, and I’m excited to find out.

Happy last first day of school fellow university/college seniors who don’t plan on post-grad or a masters or a Ph.D like me. (Give me a break, I’m a Journalism major, and in my field experience is worth more okay!)

4-year-old me on my first day of Junior Kindergarten ready to rock the school system.

The post My last first day of school…ever. appeared first on Confessions of a Twenties Girl.

by Naomi Leanage

The bright sun and warm weather confirm that summer is finally here. With no school to keep you occupied though, boredom tends to creep up and you begin to realize that you’ve already seen every summer blockbuster movie—twice.  That’s why it’s time to replace that school to-do list with a summer bucket list.

Some of these items may just provide you with a fun time for a couple hours while others will allow you to learn and gain valuable skills that will last a lifetime, but all are guaranteed to leave you with amazing and lasting memories.

Get on TV
There’s no need to sign up for acting classes and hire an agent to make this happen. It’s as simple as signing up to be an audience member for a live show. But for those who want more than a hour of screen time, you can apply for reality show castings in your area. So get off your couch, put away that remote and experience what it’s like to be on the other side of the screen.

Start a summer business
Who says the days of having a lemonade stand are long gone? There’s no need to succumb to the usual summer jobs that usually consist of folding clothes and flipping burgers, when you can use your passions, talents and skills to make some extra cash. If you enjoy cooking, start a catering company. Is drawing and art your hobby? Design a clothing line. Your friends and family will be your guaranteed first customers and from there you can easily expand. Social media and word of mouth make it easy to find new customers, and there are many grants available, funded by the government and other companies, to help launch your business.

Write to a Pen Pal
Though communicating with friends has evolved into easy and efficient instant messaging online, there’s still something special about writing a hand written letter, and receiving one in the mail yourself. A Pen Pal gives you the opportunity to write to someone from a different country, allowing you get to learn about a different culture and make a lasting relationship. Check out penpalworld.com to find your new friend.

Enroll in a class that allows you try something
At this age, most of us have figured out what we enjoy and what we don’t like doing. Sure, our parents may have signed us up for countless classes ranging from swimming to dance to baseball when we were younger. But have we tried absolutely everything out there?  Ever wanted to move your feet with some tap shoes on? Wondered what it’s like to push a puck across the ice? Dreamed of riding a horse across the field? There may be a natural skill you haven’t discovered yet. You’ll never know unless you try.

Feed 100 homeless people
Instead of going out and purchasing 100 fast food burgers, grab your friends and take the time to create meals for the less fortunate in your area. A sandwich, a fruit, a juice box, and a cookie can be easily put together in a paper bag. Then comes the fun part; distributing it. You can do this by either going to a local homeless shelter or walking the streets yourself.

Grow your own food
A trip to the garden store is all you need to get started on this. From vegetables to fruits, there are many different items you can grow right in your own backyard. Ensure that you have the space, and also the appropriate climate, soil and rainfall. It takes time, effort and care to ensure the crops grow properly. Visit a local farm or garden to get ideas on what types of crop to grow and how to do it right.

Participate in a walk, run, race or marathon
This is a great way to get fit (because you’ll definitely have to prepare and train in advance), raise money for a worthwhile cause (from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and gather support from your family and friends. First-timers can try a 5 or 10km run while those more experienced can aim for a full 42km marathon.  Check out marathoncanada.com for a list of upcoming events throughout Canada. For those seeking more thrill and excitement, running through the muddiest trails in Toronto (The Mud Run) or being attacked by color bombs (Color Me Rad) as you try to make it to the finish line will definitely satisfy you.

As published in the Summer 2013 issue of Faze Magazine

The post The Ultimate Summer Bucket List appeared first on Confessions of a Twenties Girl.