A few weeks ago I did a little blog post unearthing both fun and not-so-fun facts about myself. Well, as promised, I’m going to answer more of your questions in this post from all your Instagram comments. As hard as it is to believe I’m not a raging narcissist who can’t stop sharing and talking about herself. It took me almost two years to put a photograph of myself up on my old blog — I used to be extremely shy and self-conscious. That has definitely lessened over the years. Now I have the opposite problem. Sometimes I think I’m too confident and obnoxious in certain situations like when a waitress gives the last table with an umbrella away to a group of cyclists when we had a newborn baby with us who needed to sit in the shade, and we were there first and she knew we were waiting for it. #truestory #thisweekend
Anyway, if having a friend with a baby has taught me anything – people don’t care if you have a kid or if you fall flat on your face in the subway station with dozens of people around, they step over your body like roadkill (another true story). This city can be as cold as ice sometimes. But not you guys! I have the best followers in the world – seriously. You guys are so supportive and leave me the sweetest comments. I love learning about who’s on the other side of this screen, reading my crazy prose and laughing out loud to all (or most of) my jokes.
Thanks for always being there!!!! In return, I’m going to try my best to answer all your questions right here, right now!
@faith.malia: When did you start blogging? I’m making a blog myself and I really like yours!
J: I started blogging in 2009 while I was still in grad school. I thought it would be fun to blog about an upcoming trip 7-week vacation to the Amalfi Coast. When I came back to Toronto, I graduated and took a break from school. I just continued blogging more and more. Then I saw other people were blogging about fashion, beauty, and travel, too, so I thought – hey, this might be something I can do? Good luck with your blog! It’s a lot of hard work but so so so rewarding.
@thatswhatsupblogger: Why do you get to travel so much? Do you like it?? Xo
J: I get to travel usually because of work. Many brands invite media on press trips to have an immersive experience with their brand culture and products. For example, the most recent one I did was Fogo Island with Cadillac. Other times, because I cover a lot of travel content, I work directly with tourism boards like I did for Mexico and Dubai. Those are fun, too, because you get to experience the entire location and a variety of brands, experiences, restaurants. I also love to travel for personal – my boyfriend and I have family all over the world – so we take the opportunity to visit them and then shoot outfits while we are there. I typically travel 2-3 times a month.
@dustincarrington: If you were a cupcake, which flavor would you be?
J: Vanilla with vanilla icing.
@dentellefleurs: What annoys you the most in life?
J: Ignorance. In all its forms and permeations. And injustice. I’m very principled (maybe cuz my name is Justine, which means: the just one). Injustice makes me see red.
@kristineeinang: What’s your must-have fashion piece?
J: Girl, I’m saving my pennies for a Kelly bag.
@andrewcameron: How are you always killing it? Tips please
J: Tips on how to kill it: work hard, do yoga, cook for your man, depend on nobody, be an independent woman, spend your own dollars, make your own dollars, wake up like this, wake up like that. Drink wine at dinner and basically emulate Ina Garten whenever possible. And oh yeah, squat.
@juliamateian: What’s your dream destination?
J: My dream destination is Spain. I’ve never been and I would give anything to spend a month there just touring all the cities having my Vicky Cristina Barcelona moment.
@katmagicphoto: Your fitness and diet habits – would be interesting to hear about that.
J: I love working out. I’ve always done some kind of physical activity my whole life. I used to dance. Now I do lots of yoga, I love boxing and barre. I hate high intensity crossfit-type workouts. I can’t run anymore after my knee injury two years ago – it hurts too much and I don’t like doing it. I walk a lot. I try to walk everywhere. Take the stairs. As for diet – I don’t eat sugar and I don’t eat fruit (because I don’t like either). I do eat carbs. I love pasta, pizza and bread. But it’s all about portion sizing and balance. I drink wine and champagne. I don’t drink hard liquor anymore. I eat lots of greens and fresh vegetables. I love fish, poultry and meat in moderation. For me, it’s just balance. No junk food (only on special occasions). You are what you eat! I don’t drink anything but water, coffee, tea and wine. No juices, no soft drinks. Nothing processed. Balance, balance, balance. I’ve never dieted in my life. I just eat healthy 80% of the time.
@styled_by_seven: Roughly how many pictures per shoot do you take before getting the perfect photo?
J: Typically we shoot about 100-200 pictures per shoot. Um, we usually get a good photograph within the first 10 shots.
@velvetandvino: Did you grow up in Italy?
J: Well, I was born and raised in Toronto but if you ever watch Bertolucci’s The Dreamers when Isabelle says, “I entered this world on the Champs Élysées, 1959” and then it cuts to Godard’s Breathless? She’s talking about a figurative birth. She became who she is and truly saw her existence the first time she saw that scene in Breathless when Jean Seberg is selling the New York Herald Tribune on the Champs. Ok not to get all art school on you but I truly feel like that about the first time I went to Italy (and every time I go). Italy has shaped so much of my personality, values and aesthetic sensibility. I feel very lucky to have that European understanding of style, food, family, and life.
Now enjoy some outfit pics and be sure to leave a comment if you have any more questions for me!
xoxo
J
I love your kicks, girl!! Right up my alley.
Your answers were so sincere and relatable. Lovely post! I look forward to more.
YAAAS! I forgot about them and recently brought them back into circulation lol.
Glad you liked it!!! Have an amazing day and thanks for stopping by the bloggaroo!
xoxo J
Love this look! Cool and casual.
Thanks for sharing.
|| D I A N A ||
http://www.TheNeonFactor.com
Yay now I know how to piss you off (JOKINNNNNNN)
LOL you’re neither ignorant or unjust. That’s why we’re buds. xoxo J