Currently Coveting

August 11, 2014August 11, 20141 Comment

Materialism at it’s worst, guys. I KNOW. But just indulge me 🙂

The list below is compiled of things I have taken a hard liking to over the past couple of months. It’s a bit longer than normal because I haven’t bought anything lately due to lack of job, trips to Potbelly and a teensy dent I put in the Jeep. Oopsa’ daisies!

Mac Blushes!!

I went to the Mac on NW 23rd here in Portland and had a swatchfest. I had ’em all up and down my arm like a lunatic and determined these shades MUST be mine.

Petal Power Mineralized Blush $27

Check out the new Mac mineralized packaging! I saw Sam Schuerman talk about the beauty of this blush and HAD to see for myself. I am currently REALLY digging blushes that can basically double as highlights, much like my current favorite blush which is Luminoso by Milani. This shade is an absolutely gorgeous pink with goldy undertones. Mamma want.

Sunbasque Powder Blush $22

Photo Cred

Sunbasque is a color I have heard tons about and I finally experienced it’s radiant splendor. It is definitely more of a mauvy, bronzed color with that shimmer I have grown obsessed with.

Margin Powder Blush $22

Photo Cred

To me, margin might be the perfect summer blush of all time. It is rose gold (reminiscent of Benefit’s boxed blush in Rockateur) but MUCH more glowy. It has brownish peach undertones and would PERF with my skin tone right now or with a slammin self tan.

Springsheen Powder Blush $22

Photo Cred

Springsheen. Oh, springsheen. How lovely and coral and perfect and luminous you are. Do you guys see why I need all these blushes? They are all SO me and wonderfully life-changing.

Other Stuff

Benefit Push Up Liner $24

I have never been a fan of gel liners. Back in the good ol’ days, I had Mac’s blacktrack and it completely dried out on me after like 8 months and I was PISSED. I have tried other drugstore brands since then and they’re okay but I always find myself migrating back to my liquids or pencils because it’s just too much work to lug out the pot AND the brush (not lazy at all, here). But then Benefit released this and my distaste for gel liner has been thoughtfully redacted. No need for a brush! No dried-up product! I need this in my life.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Body Butter $48

$48 body lotion necessitates a lengthy explanation, so allow me to deconstruct…

Alright gals. Body lotion 101 is in session. You all know I struggle with a couple of agonizing skin disorders. One being my keratosis pilaris otherwise known as chicken skin or those tiny bumps we sometimes get on the backs of our arms and legs. The other being my acute paleness. NOW. Ingredients such as glycerin and mineral oil upset the chicken skin, as the ingredients are not good for the root cause of these bumps – a hard build-up of keratin which plugs up the hair follicle.

Additionally, ingredients such as alcohol and mineral oil actually STRIP the color off of a self-tanned body. Which is NO BUENO.

So, in congruence with these obstacles – I have been on the hunt for skin lotions and butters devoid of these ingredients. And lemmetellya, there aren’t many. Organic or natural brands may not contain alcohol but then they mostly ALL have glycerin and mineral oil.

My discovery is this – Josie Maran body butter. It is free of alcohol, mineral oil and has only a small amount of “natural vegetable glycerin”.

PRAISE THE LORD allelujah! I will happily fork over this ungodly sum for a bit of skin relief – oh yes, I will.

Alex and Ani Bracelets $28 (approx.)

Let me explain. I have always wanted a charm bracelet. However, I am just not a fan of the Pandora line or the tradition charm bracelets that get all bulky. These bangles from Alex and Ani I find to be quite cute as you can stack them up and wear a bunch at a time. They come in all different styles and metals and I want a million of them.

Maybelline Hip Eyeshadow Duo in Electrified $5

Photo Cred

Kristin Gehm mentioned this duo on one of her recent videos and I need it. Unfortunately it is not available anywhere! If anyone finds this line of eyeshadows anywhere please let me know!

TIGI Bedhead Oh Bee Hive! Dry Shampoo $20

My sister’s GF Shannon used this on me when she did my hair for our wedding and I am IN LOVE. It smells amazing and I found the result to be smooth and natural. I usually opt for drugstore dry shampoos but this might just make me a convert.

Benefit Maybe Baby Perfume $32

This perfume is everything to me. It has the same scent as my beloved Bathina Oil Mist from Benefit. An ultra-feminine, sweet, floral scent that makes feel like the ballerina I wish I were.

And that’s it! What have YOU been coveting??

Summer Glamping

August 7, 20144 Comments

Hey pudding pops!

All I can say is thank God Bryan and I purchased THIS last summer:

Since it’s first appearance last 4th of July, our two-man island of fun has srsly been our BFF. The three musketeers, we are. And when the hot Portland sun is pouring through the windows in our AC-less apartment all I wanna do is cannonballs all. day. long.

A few weekends ago, Bryan and I packed up the Jeep and headed east for a little overnighter in the desert. After striking out at THREE different campsites, we finally nabbed one on the river at Peach Beach, which sounds like a cocktail.

We sprang out of the car, inflated the RR (River Run), dumped a six-bomb of BLLs and a river drink for moi in the COOLER and set sail. I also applied m’trusty 70 SPF because my mamma didn’t raise no fool. We floated until lunch time and then I had the PB&J Bry so lovingly made for me with potato chips. We went through almost an entire gallon of water too. I always talk about our dranks, but we DO drink tons of H20 as well.

After the afternoon session we had covered all relevant topics; how we want to parent our offspring someday, which is truly the best of the 3 Ninjas series and obviously we played last meal.

At Peach Beach no campfires were allowed (SONOFA) so our dinner was puuurty sad. We boiled water for hot dogs and then roasted mallows for s’mores over the tiny flame of the Jet Boil. It was a little pathetic but it worked.

Then we watched about an hour of Wolf of Wall Street (told you it was glamping) in the tent and fell asleep. The next day we headed home to get some errands done but decided to head back the very next weekend. Can you tell we had fun?

The next weekend, we headed the same direction but decided to make it a day trip. And this time, we weren’t lazy bums. We ended up doing a 6 mile hike along the Deschutes River and I LOVVVVED it (yes it was totally flat). We hiked up a bit and then back to our car along the old railroad trail which was beautiful but long.

We got back and immediately got RR in the water. A ranger explained to us that we were free to float along a stretch of the river all the way to the Columbia if we wanted. Things started out innocently enough until I suggested we paddle over and take a little tributary (that’s what I was calling it, but, LIKE I KNOW what a tributary is). As soon as we paddled over, poor RR was going through rapids, skidding over huge river rocks and Bryan and I were swirling around out of control. Things only got worse as we made our way down – it was so narrow, rocky and full of rapids that we were totally freaked. I was getting shoved into trees and foliage full of gross spider webs. I was screaming and being dramatic per usual.

Then Bryan was a prince. He got OUT of RR and pulled us back against the rapids. He was literally IN the water, pulling hard against the rocks and he basically ruined his swim trunks in the process. When we finally got back to the calm water, I made us do 25 tick checks and cleaned all the debris off RR. I had a few sips of wine from my wine cube and everything was all better. We ended up tying ourselves to a rock and spending the day lounging in the waist-deep water and catching some rays. Another eventful day out on the riv!

Wrong way, genius

Also, what is more surprising: That football season starts in just WEEKS or that I actually care?

July Favorites

August 4, 20141 Comment

Oh hiya!!

Another month of summer down and one more to go. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! I don’t want it to get cold outside! I’m not ready! I have so much more to do, so many creeks to float and sea-salt hair sprays to try! Where HAS the time gone?

After a certain point – one would think I’d run out of monthly faves BUT I HAVEN’T so yeeeeehaw!

Hair

1. Shimmer Lights Shampoo

This one’s a doozy. And quite the throwback, I might add. The smell alone will indicate it’s origins from probably the 1950’s. It smells straight-up OLD LADY but it performs like a champ. It is crazy purple and is a God’s send for bright blondes. The purple cancels out and tones any brassiness and brightens my blonde hues. It is however, very drying, so you gotta be careful with how long it stays on.

2. Big Sexy Get Layered Hairspray

I got this stuff in my 2014 Allure Summer Beauty Box (which I MUST do a post on, btw) and I am in love. It is BY FAR the best hairspray I have tried for teasing, building volume and holding curl. The product comes out in a SUPER FINE mist and the formula is incredibly quick-drying. I may be a convert to this stuff from my long-time fave Tressemme Tres 2.

Makeup

1. It Cosmetics Celebration Illumination Foundation

This powder just miiiiight have changed my life. Bold, I know. When I combine this with my Napoleon Perdis Boudior Mist Foundation it’s like PERFECTION. Doll skin, I tell you! For everyday, I buff this over my t-zone after applying foundation. I also take the ELF small concealer brush and dust a good amount under my eyes, over the top of my holy grail under eye concealer Bye Bye Undereye by It Cosmetics. So far this line has really impressed me, the CC cream is great, and these two products are amazing as well. Go get you some!

2. Bare Minerals Lasting Line Eyeliner

This pencil eyeliner was the only one I brought to Bali with me and it performed wonderfully. The color is decently pigmented and it glides on like a dream. I found the staying power to be pretty good even in the humid Bali heat!

Misc

1. Dawn Hand Renewal + Olay Peaches and Almond Dish Soap

I know. I’m writing about gd DISH SOAP. But this stuff is different. Because it has the Oil of Olay ingredient, it truly makes my hands feel so much more moisturized than just regular dish soap. And the smell? OMGeeee it actually makes me WANT to do dishes. Well, not really but kindof.

2. Outshine Popsicles

Popsicle consumption has been relentless in this house. I’m averaging just under a box every three days and lemmetellya – I can’t stop. These ones by Dreyers have been my absolute favorite. Esp the texture, I’m a texture girl.

3. Chasing Life on ABC Family

NOBODY LAUGH. I love this show and it’s exactly what you’d expect. Girl has cancer. Keeps it a secret from her family. Sexual tension. Overbearing mother. Bisexual sister. You get it. One of the characters is Cappie from another former favorite ABC Family show, Greek! Ah, love him.

K that’s all folks. Off to watch Dance Moms.

Bare Minerals “I Do” Set Review

August 1, 20142 Comments

Backatcha today with another makeup review!

Man, I have missed makeup. I’ve missed talking about it, putting it on, buying it and everything in between. This summer + not working + going to Bali = ALOT of no-makeup days for this girl.

I am ready for m’war paint. SO ready.

This set was graciously given to me by my sis Rachel J right before our wedding ceremony. She certainly knows the way to my heart!

This is the case and it is SO adorbs – feast your eyes on the tiffany-blue lining!

I have to admit I have already used two of the products inside, which is why the one on the left looks dirty…sorry! Here we have:

Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara (Full sized)
Ready Eyeshadow 2.0 in the Inspiration (Full sized)
Ready Touch-Up Veil
Ready Blush in The One
Mini Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready
Lasting Line Long-Wearing Eye Liner (Full sized)

I haven’t tried this puppy yet, but I am really excited to! I have been wanting to try a waterproof prestige one and this will fit the bill perfectly.

This duo in The Inspiration has two beautiful colors, which are beautiful on their own or worn together. Muse is a very light frosted pink, which is a bit chalky but works fine over a primer. Passion is a gorgeous deep plum with a hint of gold micro-glitter. This color packs a bit more of a punch and is beautiful in the outer corners and smoked out a little.

I am SO excited to have the touch-up veil in my purse. I already know I love the Bare Minerals Mineral Veil so I am sure this pressed version will work like a charm!

Oh lawd, I LOVE me some Bare Minerals blush! I am already a fan of the mineralized ones, but this color in The One looks very lovely. I would say this color is a rose pink with a luminous finish.

The color of the mini lipstick in Get Ready is like a “your lips but better” shade for me. I think it will look lovely as an easy, everyday shade.

The Lasting Liner in Blackest Black is awesome! It was the only liner I brought with me to Bali and it stays put (even in the heat!), really pigmented and most importantly, doesn’t irritate my eyes!

And that concludes the kit! Let me know if anyone wants to see a look using all of these products, I would be happy to do so 🙂

Inspirational Blogger Award!

July 30, 2014August 1, 20141 Comment

I wouldn’t go so far as to say I am inspirational…

Unless you find it inspiring how much I love cotton candy and blush.

A big, giant, scary-sized hug to Sarah of Our Detroit Wedding for the nom, I truly appreciate it. Sarah is planning a wedding of her own and girlfriend is PREPARED. I wish I were half as creative or driven as she is, when it came to my own nuptials. Go girl.

In terms of rules, I must acknowledge the person who nominated me (check!), list 7 facts about myself and nominate 10 peeps. Honestly though, every time I follow directions and actually nominate 10 others, I never hear back. So I will just be keeping this award all about me!

7 Random Facts About Me

1. I am obsessed with period films (NO. Not movies about surfin’ the crimson wave). You know, the ones set in Britain, usually starring Colin Firth or Hugh Grant or BOTH. Where there’s family turmoil, affairs of the heart and most importantly, good ol’ fashioned romance. A time when holding hands and going for a stroll through the gah-dens was favorable. A world devoid of twerking, sexting and half-inch inseam, high-waisted acid washed shorts.

Favorites Include:

Marie Antionette (obvi)

Sense & Sensibility

Pride & Prejudice

2. I have recurring anxiety dreams (you know the ones) where I am late to my volleyball game and I don’t have my uniform or ankle braces or shoes or spandex and have to borrow everything. If you have ever played a team sport, you know how much it sucked when you forgot something and had to borrow. You were “that” girl.

3. I hate Canadian Geese. They are right above reptiles in my book.

4. I have always wanted to be able to “shoot the duck”. You know this move if you ever attended a Skate Night during elementary school. All the cool kids could shoot that mothereffin duck.

5. I recently purchased a Kitchen Aid in the color Ice and it is the crown jewel in our home.

6. The bottoms of my feet are perpetually dirty. Maybe it’s an Eastern Washington thing, or maybe because it’s the fact that I don’t like to wear shoes when I go outside to get the mail…

7. I just finished the book,”The Paris Wife” and I am now completely obsessed with Ernest Hemingway (or Hem, as I know refer to him). He had four wives, was a raging alcoholic and liked to fight people but for whatever reason I find the man to be intoxicating. Go figure.

All for now! Have a great hump day little fishies!

We’re BaaACK!

July 22, 20142 Comments

Did ya miss me!?

The weddin’ day! Called for this face.

I certainly missed all the dozens of you. Things have just been flat-out strange since our return not 48 hours ago. As evidenced here, I have:

Eaten 6-10 GIANT bowls of cereal with delicious almond milk – a meal I have been missing very badly these past couple’a weeks.
Had just HORRIFIC jet-lag and slept until 3:21 PM today, mind you – we went to bed at 8 PM last night.
Realized I do not want to see another dish consisting of chicken and rice for a long, long time.
Been irrationally scared there might be a lizard stowaway in my suitcase.
Transferred all our h-moon pics to my laptop and realized I was shiny in EVERY GD one. Aw poop!

But first things first, the wedding:

Cliché as it sounds, it went by just SO fast. Logistically, everything went swimmingly – the caterers made food which people ate, alcoholic bevs were consumed, music pulsed, etc, etc. SO glad I didn’t allow myself to become fixated on any small details – in fact, I take pride in the fact. Devoid of such Pinterest-inspired frivolities, I quickly realized something I had not before considered – NOBODY GIVES A SH*T. Feed em’, water ’em. Show ’em a little romance and badda-bing-badda-boom. You’ve got yerself a right fine little wedding. SHUCKS!

For the remainder of this week (which I have been sleeping away so far) will be spent chronicling our h-moon adventures in Bali.

Plenty more where THIS comes from. heh

And then, you guessed it! I will of course be writing about THE BIG DAY down to every bud vase, glass of Veuve and twist of the curling iron.

closed-mouth smile for the win

So stay tuned little fishies, stay tuned!

Great Expectations

June 29, 20144 Comments

As I sit here at my kitchen table strewn with lists, RSVP cards, seating charts and yes, even our wedding bands, I can’t help but analyze it all. A week away from “the big day” and what does it all really mean? Never an over-thinker, I am a bit surprised at my brain’s way of processing all that has happened over the past few months.

A big move, unemployment, wedding showers with gifts, friends and family. Mixed feelings about choices we’ve made, from my wedding dress to our honeymoon destination. It all piles up in my brain and I am left overwhelmed, with greasy hair and still in my pajamas at 2 o’clock. I sit questioning myself, for it has been me and me alone who has made these decisions.

It was my sister (and best friend) Rachel who reminded me the other day to snap out of my state of worry. “You’re marrying Bryan,” she said. “‘That’s all that matters.”

OH YEAH.

And so. It is with great joy and a brand new HELLS-YES attitude with which I forge into the next 9 or so days. So what, if half the people we invited said NO? Who cares if my boobs don’t quite fill out my dress? Who have I ever been to really care what others think?

I love my friends. I love my family. I want them to feel welcomed and loved. In fact, I want love to permeate the evening . A lovely affair, filled with food, wine, dancing and hopefully Toto’s “Africa”. A night where my Dad turns me around the dance floor and my Mom does “the shopping cart” with pride. Where someone jumps in the pool. And someone’s crying (because there is ALWAYS someone crying at these things, you know).

I have done great thus far at keeping my eyes on the prize and NOT getting caught up in stupid details so many brides might lose their sh*t over. But sometimes, I falter. Something creeps in and festers away in my mind until I am left a perpetual ball of nerves. It is people like Rachel, like Holly, like my Mom and Bry’s Mom and my sisters to keep my head outta the gutter and right where it should be. Firmly planted atop my shoulders, looking straight ahead at a life I am fortunate to have and a man who is silly enough to love me.

And that, my friends is what it’s all about.

Well, and candy. It’s also about candy.