Sunday, June 29, 2014

Sunday Thoughts


I often struggle with what to share on the blog. Where do I draw the line between "personal" and "TMI?" I know I'm not much of a lifestyle blogger. My posts mainly consist of outfit pictures and beauty routines with a little bit of business updates mixed in. But sometimes, I get bored with all that and want to talk about something different. Sometimes I can't get thoughts off my mind, and they aren't exactly proper dinner conversations, so I need another outlet. So here we go. Feel free to read, or feel free to wait for my next fashion post and completely disregard this post altogether. No hard feelings.

Ice Queen. A name I've been called multiple times over the years. I'm not sure who exactly was the first to dub the nickname, but whoever it was lacked creativity. Nevertheless, it's a name I've been given, and a name that just won't go away. I suppose to an extent the name is appropriate. I don't cry often, if at  all. I've never had a serious relationship, and PDA usually makes me want to throw up. Babies don't make happy; instead, they just make me uncomfortable. I don't like hugs or cuddling, and holding hands usually makes my palms clammy and gross. So I get how I could come off as a cold person to some people. Trying to pin point an exact moment that caused this personality flaw is as difficult as trying to get this name to go away completely. I can't remember just one moment, but instead, a whole string of moments. My mother says that even as a toddler, I was content just to play by myself. I've never really needed people, and I was okay with that.

Growing up, I was picked on a good bit. I went to a small private Christian school, and while some may believe the students would be nicer in that setting, that unfortunately wasn't the case. I was always too tall, or too skinny, or too ugly, or too shy. Then when high school hit, I was supposed to start growing boobs and liking boys, but I was always a little slower in that department than all my friends. I felt my friendships getting weaker and my insecurities getting stronger. I let people's words and actions get the best of me, and I allowed the world to make me hard.

In turn, I took this attitude to college, and for awhile kept most people at arm's length. I let very few people in, and those that I did, I almost always ended up regretting. I ruined a lot of could be relationships with great guys because my Tin Man complex reared his ugly head. It took me until junior year of college to realize that something needed to change. I was so negative and so bitter and so numb to the world, and I didn't want to be that way anymore. I began to claw my way out of the hole I had dug.

I'm now 23 years old, and I can honestly say I'm a very different girl than I was in the past. I'm still not 100% there, and some days I can feel myself slipping back into the shell of the person I was with my eye rolls and snarky comments, but I know it's a process. I have to grow, and I have to learn. I feel like I wasted so many years hiding what I felt and what I thought because I didn't want to be subjected to people's cruel words or rejection. But that's life. Not everyone is going to like me. Not everyone is going to want to be my friend. But that's okay. The world is a beautiful place, and I hate that it took me so long to realize it.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

My Summer Makeup Must Haves

Summer Makeup Must Haves



Disclaimer: I do not wear ALL of these products everyday in the summer. Some days I wear more, some days I wear less. It just depends on what I'm going to be doing that day.

In the summer, I don't like to wear very much makeup so I definitely keep it simple even if I'm heading off to a lunch date or to the office. I love this MAC concealer because it can be doubled as a foundation. I dab a very small amount under my eyes and on some problem areas, then I blend it out with the beauty blender to achieve that dewy finish. I set the concealer with my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Natural and sweep a small amount all over my face to keep any shininess at bay. Next I go in with my new favorite matte bronzer, Chocolate Soleil by Too Faced, and buff it under my cheekbones, along my nose, and a bit along my temples. I'm not going for the whole contoured look. More so, just a sun-kissed glow. To finish up the face, I sweep some coral blush on the apples of my cheeks. 

For the summer, I like to keep my eye look simple. I prefer eye palettes, like the Naked 3, and usually use a total of three shadows--two for a blended eye shadow look, and one for a liner. My go to combo with the Naked 3 is a sweep of the bronze color, Trick, along my lid and then I buff in the matte taupe color Limit into the crease. Lastly, I go in with the light brown shimmer color, Factory, and line my upper lid and blend whatever is left on the liner brush into my lower lash line. Next I curl my stick straight lashes with my all time favorite Sephora lash curler and apply my favorite mascara (I'm most fond of those that give a doll-like look). Lastly, I apply a lip product that doesn't dry out my lips, like the Sugar Lip Tints by fresh. I've always just used the original Rose color, but they now have a variety of colors to choose from. And that's it!

What are some of your summer makeup must haves?

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Lust List

Lust List



1. Temptu Airbrush Makeup System I've been looking into airbrush makeup machines for awhile now, and I've heard some great things about Temptu. I love the flawless, yet natural look that airbrushing offers, and I love the fact that the makeup is the only thing that touches your face. No more germy brushes!

2. Too Faced Melted Lipsticks I've tried these on in Ulta before, and they are so long lasting! I was seriously surprised. They are so pigmented, and they didn't dry my lips out at all. My favorite is the Melted Violet color. 

3. Pointed Flats I'm addicted to shoes. It's a problem. Lately, I've been loving the sleek pointed flats style. I think they look so pretty with skinny pants, shorts, dresses, practically anything. I think they add a bit of an edge to an outfit that round toed flats can't do.

4. Bold Mini Clutches I'm loving this trend! I like the small clutch in a bold print or color thing I've been seeing everywhere, and this Ted Baker clutch is gorgeous!

5. SKR Hair Extensions I just want luscious Kardashian hair! Is that too much to ask?!

6. Maxi Skirts I love, love, love maxi skirts. Maybe it's because of how comfy yet chic they can be, or maybe it's because I get lazy and don't like to shave everyday in the summer. For whatever reason, I love maxi skirts and want one in every color, print, and fabric. 

What are some things you've been lusting after lately?