The Liebster Award: Take 2

February 19, 20142 Comments

What appropriate timing!

Oscar Sunday coming up and I get nominated for another Liebster Award? Move over Meryl. Take a seat, Ms. Bullock. There’s an up-and-comer and she’s taking the world by storm!

Big thanks to the lovely Brandi of That Saucy Mama for the nomination.

If you care to read more about the specifics of the Liebster Award, see this post.

Here are the 11 questions I was asked to answer:

1. What made you want to start a blog?

Originally it was to document my fiance Bryan and I’s life together in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I wanted to write about our adventures in the mountains, my learning to ski, recipes and everything in between.

2. If you were given a shopping spree, in what store would you choose to use it?

OMG What a great question! So many schools of thought here. I suppose at this prudent, nesting stage in my life, it would be Restoration Hardware. BUT. The other sides of me would scream “SEPHORA!”, “BERGDORFS!” or “TAAAARRRGET!”.

3. Do you wear makeup everyday, or just on special occasions?

Errday my friends.

4. Who is your favorite band/singer/musician?

DUDE. These questions! Toughie. Dead or alive I am assuming? Honestly, my favorite music to listen to is all from Musicals and/or Disney. Does Ariel count as a musician?

5. What is the one thing, no matter how crap your day was, that can make you smile?

Several things. A cocktail. Ellen DeGeneres. My fiance. Talking to any member of my family. Sandwiches. Texting my friends ugly pictures of myself with “the claw”. Serial killer literature. Or of course, baby monkey.

6. Are you a tech junkie, or just a tech user?

USER all the way. And while we’re on the subject, let’s bring back the rotary dial!

7. If you were a lip product, what product and color would you be? (lipstick, gloss, balm…)

MAC Saint Germain lipstick. All. The. Way.

8. What is your favorite type of blog post to read/write?

I love reading mommy blogs because one day I will be a mom and I will need all the help I can get. My favorite posts to write are probably vacation re-caps, because hey, I just got back from vaca b*itches!

9. What is your go to type of outfit?

Well, this is obviously seasonal. However, right now I would have to say, Gap skinny jeans, a slightly baggy sweater, boots, a scarf and my new Tory Burch purse :). But of course, you’re never fully dressed without ~~a smile~~ diamonds.

10. Do you have a favorite meal to cook?

I get more of a kick outta baking. Namely cupcakes. I make a mean salad dressing, I suppose. And these are also a favorite of mine to make.

11. Are you a glass half full, or glass half empty person?

Half full forever. Nay, brimming! OVERFLOWING.

Dance with life, people. Dance with life!

The Lipstick Tag

February 18, 20148 Comments

FINALLY!

I tag devoted solely to lipstick, which is SUCH an important part of my life 🙂

I was tagged by the lovely and talented Heather, of Coconut and Cotton. She does great makeup reviews, OOTDs and lots more – thanks Heather!

Here are the questions:

1. How many lipsticks do you own?

Errr…ummm….probably close to 30. AND I NEED MORE.

2. What was the first lipstick you owned?

Well, the first lip product I owned dates back allll the way to 6th grade. Where I kept a menagerie of the latest from Bonne Bell stored comfortably in my pencil pouch. Favorites:

The first actual lipstick was a from a Clinque Bonus Time that my mom got, in Sweet Honey.

3. What is your favorite lipstick brand?

High end would be MAC for sure. Drugstore would be the Wet’n’Wild ones for $1.99.

4. What is your most worn lipstick?

Definitely Mac Creme Cup and Mac Viva Glam Gaga 1.

Creme Cup

Viva Glam Gaga 1

5. What is your favorite finish?

In terms of MAC, I would say Cremesheens are my go-to. Otherwise, I like a satin finish.

6. What was the last lipstick you bought?

I just bought the MAC lipsticks, from the Fantasy of Flowers collection. Check them out here.

7. How many lip products do you currently have in your bag?

Surprisingly, only seven. Here we have:

Wet’n’Wild lipstick in Think Pink, Mac Viva Glam Gaga 1, Mac Fleur D’Coral, Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Gloss in Fuchsia Sparks, Too Faced Glamour Glass in Sex Pot, Em Cosmetics Lipstick in Posh and Lancome Juicy Tubes in Simmer.

8. What is your favorite red lip color?

I usually stick to red tinted lips, because I usually end up looking like a hot mess with a true red lip. Here are my faves:

Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet (easy to wear)

Wet’n’Wild Lipstick in 24 Carrot Gold (more orangey-red)

9. How do you store your lipsticks?

I have a couple acrylic holders, as seen here:

But mostly they are just everywhere. In the car, in my coat pockets, coming out my ears, etc.

10. Which lipsticks are you currently lusting after?

SEVERAL.

Nars Schiap

YSL Rouge Volupte in No. 7 Lingerie Pink

MAC Lipstick in Pink Noveau

Lime Crime Lipstick in Coquette & Babette

And that’s it folks! I tag anyone who is reading and luuurves lipstick.

Valentines Day Do’s & Don’ts

February 13, 2014February 13, 20142 Comments

Happy February 13th kittens!

Whether you’re trying to get a guy to like you, he already kinda likes you, you’re married, or you’re old with grandkids and a face full of botox – there are certain tactics we can all follow to get our men to love us more.

And of course by “love”, I mean be nicer to us, always put the toilet seat down, buy us things and let us rent Pitch Perfect for the umpteenth time. Surface items. Not like deep, passionate, real stuff.

Be really nice to him leading up to Valentines Day. Try not to annoy him with complaints, feelings or any kind of nagging. Pretend you’re Kirsten Dunst in Mona Lisa Smile. Bat your lashes. Bring him beer. Throw an apron on for S’s and G’s.

DON’T

Go on and on about what other people’s plans are. Example, “Lisa and Rob have reservations at this sweet little cabin in the woods…it sounds sooo romantic!” He doesn’t want to hear it. Actually, he thinks Rob is kind of a douche.

ROB

Wear cute PJ’s and smell good. For me, this is abstaining from my usual saggy-butt, highwater sweats and “In Dog Beers, I’ve Only Had One!” tee shirt. Try to color coordinate. Spritz something on that smells sweet and feminine. Make a GD effort.

This is a good one

DON’T

Wear your mouth-guard and zit cream to bed. Read Jane Austen and daydream. Try to squish your boobs together while you’re at it. See diagram:

On Valentine’s Day, look pretty. This has many different interpretations. For me, its sweet, tousled barrel curls, subtle winged liner and Barbie lips.

Or just look like THIS

DON’T

Overdo it. Contrary to what we may believe, men do not like 6 pounds of makeup, teased hair, uncomfortably tight dresses which constitute strange undergarments (read: SPANX) and pointy stilettos. No goopy lipgloss neither – keep it real, girl. If you want to look like slut, look like a classy one at least.

Just a bit much.

Expect a “reasonable” token of his love. We all have our LOVE LANGUAGE, right? For some, it’s a cute greeting card. For others, it’s those ~~ridiculous~~ over sized teddy bears, chocolates, the works. You know your man. Don’t expect strawberries and champagne if he’s more a beer and take-out kinda guy. And be appreciative of what he does.

DON’T

Throw a fit if it doesn’t meet your expectations. What you are expecting from your guy can make or break this night. If you do find yourself let down, give it a day. If you’re still pissed, try a passive-aggressive approach. If that doesn’t work than you’ll have to be direct. Spell it out for him clearly, i.e “I AM MAD BECAUSE ALL WE DID WAS ORDER THE HEART-SHAPED PIZZA FROM PAPA MURPHY’S”.

Oh, and don’t get too drunk if he takes you to dinner.

Thank him. Make him feel special and loved. We want him to feel lucky to have you, which is sure to happen by using all the advice above :).

I did it!

DON’T

Make him an oversized, heart-shaped cork-board with pictures of the two of you. WTF is he going to do with this? You are wasting your time and will end up ugly-crying when you see it collecting dust in his closet months later. Instead, give him beer, whiskey, a round of golf, cute tees from J. Crew or a video game. Keep it simple.

Just say no.

And that’s it! Now scamper off and get yourself coiffed, cherie!

New Mac Lipsticks

February 11, 20148 Comments

YOU GUYS.

Rarely do I get this excited about makeup.

…okay that was a lie.

BUT SERIOUSLY. I always start wetting my pants when a new collection at Mac comes out. The Archie Girls one. The Riri one. The Christmas stuff was SO gorg. I could go hog wild. And I don’t mean that figuratively. I would actually like to roll around in Mac products. Like a pig.

But I don’t. Because that would be ~~too good to be true~~ weird. Instead, I sensibly ogle the products, remind myself not to be materialistic and think of the people staying in Sochi.

But when I see a collection like this, I simply have to partake. When I see a collection screaming, “NATALIE!! We are your favorite colors!! LOOK HOW PRETTY WE ARE!!” I simply cannot ignore. I mean, just look a’these shades:

Source

Stop it, Mac.

Even though I wanted to leave the store with a large shopper filled to the brim, I remained my prudent self. With these two lipsticks (because you see, I cannot say no to lipsticks).

As you can see, both of the lipsticks (as well as the rest of the colors) are lustre finishes. My favorite Mac lipstick formula is Cremesheen, but whatevs.

First up: Rose Lily

At first, I thought this was going to be similar to my ALL TIME HOLY GRAIL Viva Glam Gaga 1.

But sadly, it is not. The color is quite sheer, which is to be expected with a lustre. The above pictures are making the color look richer than it really is. I find I cannot build it up like I can with the Gaga lipstick (also a lustre). It’s pretty, but maybe a bit too sheer for me.

Next, Fleur D’Coral

This shade is just beautiful. It reminds me of Coquette, by Lime Crime (which I am dying for) but I don’t think it’s near as pigmented. Similar to Rose Lily, it goes on pretty sheer but I find this shade a bit easier to build up the color. I think this would be so gorgeous with tanned skin (or in my case fake tanned). It just screams spring and summer to me!

Here they are, side by side:

Sorry about my orangey lighting but it’s just me and my iPhone.

Have you tried anything new from Mac?

My Morning/Nighttime Skincare Routine

February 7, 20145 Comments

Never did I think that I would write a blog post with this title. But now that I have turned the big 3-0, taking better care of the epidermal layer has become somewhat more important.

Nice closed-mouth smile there, Nat.

Before I begin, a history…

High School

I washed my face with whatever soap my Mom bought that was on sale at the grocery store. I remember using Clean and Clear (and under control) when I had breakouts, which I STILL have faint scars from on my temples and sides of my chin. But no SPF. NO moisturizer. NO nothin’.

I liked this because it “burned”

I also tanned on the daily, reasoning that the UV rays were “drying” out any skin problems. I would actually stick my chin up as high as it could go in order to get my face closer to the top of the tanning bed. You guys, I shudder. I shudder at the thought of this.

College

In college, taking care of my skin meant, you guessed it – more tanning. Maybe the occasional purchase of a bottle of a gimicky face wash at Wal-Mart. Or those Dove Daily Facial Pillows, I thought those were THE BOMB, ya’ll.

Post College

After college, my routine of reactive face care continued. Taking off my makeup before bed? Please. I was lucky to brush the crud off my teeth, after too many Jäger shots and a 2 am Jack in the Box run.

Last Few Years

A few years ago, my priorities changed. Read: going out 4 times a week no longer sounded like fun and spending a night in with Bryan and a tub of froyo was way more appealing. It was at this point, I regularly began to actually remove my makeup before bed. More often than not, a makeup removing wipe was the weapon of choice but at least it did the trick. I started buying whatever moisturizer was on sale at the drugstore and was like, “You’re doing it Peter!”.

Then about 1 year ago, I got like, really interested in my face. Haha, that sounds so vain. But come on, 29 candles on the birthday cake and NEVER getting carded will do that to a girl. I started trying different products and trying to determine exactly what my skin needed and what my “skin concerns” were. GOD I sound like an infomercial right now.

So anyways, here’s my current line-up. Alot of it comes from my recent haul at Ulta.

Morning

Step 1: Rinse

That’s right – I don’t wash my face in the morning. My skin is dry/normal and I find that washing it twice a day is not necessary. Instead, in the morning I splash warm and cool water on my face to kind of wake me up.

Step 2: Toner and Moisturizer

I spray my face with the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater and let that set in. I follow up with the Neutrogena Rapid Wrin kle Repair Moisturizer with SPF 30 and make sure I take it down my neck and under my chin as well. This stuff has retinol so you know it’s serious. If I want something with a little tint, I will use the Origins Vitazing (great for the summer time).

Step 3: Eye Creme

Then, I apply my Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Creme in a C shape around my eye, patting it in with my ring finger. If I want something even more brightening, I will use the Origins Ginzeng Eye Creme. It isn’t as rich as the Tarte, but it gives off a beautiful pearly-pink shimmer.

Step 4: Lip Scrub

I have been using the Bubblegum Lip Scrub from Lush and I am in love. This is my first time trying any kind of lip scrub and good God – I have been missing out! It makes lipstick glide on (with no gross flakiness) and last longer. Plus, this one from Lush is basically castor sugar so I just lick off the excess. Teehee.

Step 5: Self Tanner (Occasional)

When I do use a self tanner, lately it has been the Tarte Maracuja Self Tanner. It has an olive base, as opposed to orange, which I like. I just found this one by Too Faced at T.J Maxx for $8 so I’ll also be using this.

g_70027

Nighttime

Step 1: Cleanser

I use the Purity facewash from Philosophy like so many do. It is a great, gentle face wash and I am now addicted to the subtle scent. What I love about this face wash is that it removes makeup AND cleanses the skin. I feel like I am saving a step.

Step 2: Toner and Serum

Again, it’s the Mario Badescu toner. I am dying to try Bioderma – like literally dying. Must plan another trip to Pari! Then, I put on the Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum.

Step 3: Moisturizer and Eye creme

I then use the Boots No.7 Lift and Luminate Night Cream and make sure that I get it everywhere. Then it’s the Tarte Eye Creme again.

Step 4: Lip Balm & Hand Lotion

I keep the Nivea Caramel Cream Kiss Lip Butter on my nightstand as well as the Jacqua Buttercream Frosting Body Butter (I have loved these products forever).

And that’s it! What skin care products are you loving?

January Favorites

February 5, 20142 Comments

And Happy February! Where does the time go?

As of late, I have lots of favorite things. From food, to makeup to dog breeds – I have been loving on so much these past couple of months. And oh yeah, the Seahwaks. There’s those guys, too.

Makeup

1. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

I have wanted this blush, literally, for over a year. However, Milani is sold nowhere. So when I went home for a little wedding planning, I went to the Kennewick Fred Meyer and finally found this beaut. I’m a little early for this springy, peach-colored blush but it is just SO gorg. I couldn’t help myself.

2. They’re Real! Mascara by Benefit

Only like one coat OMG

I recently tried the sample size of this mascara after receiving my Sephora birthday gift and oh lawd. Since I go through mascara faster than Justin Beiber in a drag race, I usually stick to drugstore brands. Because of this mascara, I might actually fork over the $23 for a full size tube.

3. L’oreal True Match Lumi Foundation in Soft Ivory

BY FAR the best foundation I have tried from the drugstore. Bear in mind, however, that I am on the dry to normal side and I luurve me a dewy, glowing finish on the skin.

1.) Lancome Juicy Tubes in Simmer

One of my best pals (and my cousin’s wife) Karen graciously dropped me off a bag of Lancome goodies she received in a Christmas set but couldn’t find a use for. This was just one of said goodies (I am loving them ALL, btw). Friends, if you ever have this problem I AM YOUR GIRL. The color is subtle, yet totally gorgeous and it has decent staying power for a lipgloss.

Awkward up-close me trying to show the lipgloss

Other Beauty Faves

1. Boots No. 7 Lift & Luminate Night Cream

I mentioned this night cream in a recent haul from Ulta. The consistency is quite thick and ulta-creamy…definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. I love the smell, and so far, it is keeping me super hydrated through out the night.

2. Tresemme Platinum Strength Strengthening Heat Protect Spray

What a mouthful! (TWSS) I have sworn by the Heat Tamer spray from Tresemme for over a year now. I recently ran out of the original and decided to try this formulation instead. So far, I am very impressed. I have noticed way less breakage lately and it smells REAL nice.

3.) Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner from Lush

Yes that is my computer on the edge of the tub.

Products from Lush are what dreams are made of. Or at least my dreams. The store itself is like passing through the pearly gates – aromatics fit for the Gods and friendly angels with miracle potions at the ready. It is also THE BANE OF MY ~~EXISTENCE~~ wallet. Luckily, two men from the Nash clan know a junkie when they see one and lovingly fed my addiction over Christmas with gifts cards. A recent highlight has undoubtedly been this completely necessary product.

I say that jokingly, of course because nobody NEEDS a body conditioner (or multiple magic sets…anyone?). However, I ask you, I beg you , nay – I IMPLORE you to drop the $32.95 +tax on this tub of majestical brilliance. Your skin will thank you.

Randoms

1. Downton Abbey

I’ve only been through the second episode of the new season and lemmejustsay – Mary is kindof a major beeyatch. Like how she doesn’t want to hold her baby and gets all mad at Carson? Come on, Mare.

Also, Lady Edith is gettin’ pretty. Which is nice to see, because really, she is TOTES the ugly duckling which I can unfortunately very much relate to.

Season 1 VS. Season 4

Ok maybe some things never change…

2. The Seahawks

This was my first ever season of football as a real live fan. Normally, I’m like:

But this year was different. Bryan and I faithfully watched every single game this season and rooted on those Hawks like our lives depended on it. Then the coolest thing happened: they were like, beating everybody. All the sudden I was screaming at the TV every Sunday, which I have NO business doing because other than the color of their football capri pants, I have no clue about football. Then they beat the 49’ers and this city went CRAY. Then they won the Superbowl and people went INSANE. I have never seen anything like it. SO amazing.

Tee shirts. YEAH.

Superbowl Excitement!

12th Man Nails

Frosted Brownies at Work

Amazing Present from a Friend/Co-Worker

Watching the Game at our friends the Lipes! Here we are with M.

Check out my pal, Melissa’s blog here! She rocks, basically.

And lastly, favorite gifty things I have seen whilst shopping:

Spotted at Ulta

Spotted at Z Gallerie (little macaroon trinket boxes? i die.)

Have a great hump day!

Wedding Planning Weekend

January 29, 2014January 30, 20148 Comments

Hello! And greetings to you all.

McDougal

Last weekend, Bry and I decided it was high time to do the things we haven’t had time to do because ~~of the Seahawks~~ we are so busy. As a result, his and hers trips were planned respectively. Bry scampered off into the Cascades with Jeremy to climb Rainier. And then they decided to ski down that sh*t because, yeah. They crazy.

And since our wedding is 158 days away (according to my handy-dandy wedding countdown clock) and all I’ve done is book the GD venue, I thought it wise to head east and procure the remaining 3823,234,32 items I need before The Big Day.

I arrived home in Kennewick late on Friday evening after a dry, but foggy drive over and hit the hay almost immediately. The next morning we got to work Googling polyester tablecloths to our hearts delight and calling rental companies 7 times because we kept thinking of more questions.

Unfortunately, my wedding venue is totally bare bones. Basically, I fork over a big ol’ fee and they unlock the doors and PTFO. So everything from napkins and tablecloths to wine glasses, tables and chairs is on me. I have to find someone to run the show on my end and get this: right now they don’t even have a wedding coordinator. Which means, every time I have a question I have to talk to some dude in the tasting room who doesn’t know what a peony is.

Before this weekend, I was SERIOUSLY considering eloping at the Bellagio and sending out “Oopsie we did it (and no we’re not pregnant)” cards. Everything was just a mess.

Thank God for Nan, sister Megan and sister Ray-Ray.

Immediately we talked to our caterer,who helped determine what we needed in terms of tableware. And thanks to my sister getting married last summer, she and my Mom knew what to do for tablecloths and napkins; not to mention we already own a treasure trove of lanterns, chargers, vases, birdcages and tealights.

We found some nice-looking fake flowering trees at T.J Maxx for $39.99 a piece that can sit at the ceremony site (such a maxxinsta right now). I also made the judgement call that it is PERFECTLY fine with me if we mix real and fake flowers for arrangements to save some cashola.

Inspiration

And only in the good ol’ TC will you find exotic wedding paraphernalia such as these bedazzled cowboy champagne flutes:

Then we went to Michael’s, Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabrics and bought a few fake sprigs and bud vases.

The Kennewick JoAnn Fabrics. Just, yes.

When we got home, we threw a bunch of randomness on top of a cute white charger and added some tall mercury-glass candle holders from Megan’s decoration stash – and what do you know?! We found ourselves a right-fine tablescape! Hopefully it is Sandra Lee-worthy.

Oh m’lord

So now, it’s just a matter of procuring the necessary components and the decorating portion of this shin-dig will be DONE. Praise Jesus.

On Sunday, I got up and drove back west. When I got home, I treated myself to a Lush-errific bath, vodka sodas and several million YouTube makeup videos.

All in all – a successful weekend.