Honeymoon Haul + Wedding Bits

June 24, 20144 Comments

As some of you may or may not know, Bryan and I are going to Bali for our honeymoon. We leave on a red eye basically 24 hours after we say “I DO” and could not be more excited.

Source

We figured since we’re putting ourselves through that crazy red-eye, Hep A shots (which were a little B, btw), typhoid vaccinations, and the possibility of Bali Belly, we deserved a few odds and ends to make our stay a little more comfortable and yes, stylish.

Bry hit the mother-load at the Rack, procuring himself swim trunks, a few tee shirts and maybe the odd tank top. My trousseau shall be filled with travel-friendly (read: comfortable) and fun (read: cheap) vacation-wear. In addition was the SAS at Victoria’s Secret and a pair of falsies spotted at Sephora that I just HAD to try.

Here are the goods!

From Target:

I chose this bikini for two reasons. One, the top is push-up and two, the bottoms ARE NOT string-tie. Why doesn’t target have a 30 years + swim section?

I am usually not a fan of maxi skirts (ON ME) because I always end up feeling like they are a bit too short and I don’t think it is appropriate to “sag” your maxi skirt. This one however, I am excited to wear with, wait for it…CROP TOPS. Yes, m’friends. I shall don a crop top and bare my upper tum-tum to the world!

I decided to grab this little white pocket crop-top to pair not only with the tulip skirt but also with a pair of shorts to wear possibly over a swim suit. We shall see how I feel about it.

From T.J Maxx

There is the classiest T.J Maxx downtown Portland. You wouldn’t think it, but every time I go, I am treated to perfectly arranged clothing racks, sparkling dressing rooms and a well-stocked candle section. A + downtown T.J. A+.

Boring navy tank. I SWEAR this brand from T.J Maxx makes the softest tees and tank tops. They are always under $7.99 and I mean, you just CANNOT beat that.

Shorts like these were all over the store. And being the true Maxxinista that I am, I had to partake. Dare I say, they look a bit like pajamas but I feel like Bali will welcome this look. Plus, they have a stretchy waist band. YES please!

They had a TON of makeup brushes this time around. Some off-brands that I had never heard of, but also ones by Borghese and Models Own. I decided to grab this little blending brush because it was $2.99 and it looked decent.

Sephora & Victoria’s Secret

I spotted these at Sephora a few weeks ago and was all, “yeah right”, they cannot be real mink. Well, jury’s still out. I haven’t the slightest idea of what they are truly made of, but really, I don’t care. Just look at that crazy lash action. I think these might be a wedding-day contender, and at $10, they didn’t break the bank.

I spent a mere $13 on ALL of these goodies (gotta love that SAS). A VS Heavenly (my FAVE VS scent) body wash, Lip Plumper in Baby Pink, purse-sized Heavenly Body Mist and a nail polish in String Bikini. Don’t mind if I do!

And that’s it for my haul – check back soon for a re-cap of our awesome weekend!

Sick as a Dog

May 29, 2014June 2, 20149 Comments

Hello friends of mine!

Last weekend, I went home to Kennevick (that’s how I say it, with a V) to knock a couple items off the ol’ wedding to do list, which btw is scarily approaching. It’s like 5 weeks away y’all. SO I went home to dig out a bunch of crap leftover from my sister’s wedding, like extra tea-lights, lanterns and literally 498527 vases. And I put a random pair of Ninja Turtles little boy underwear on McDougal! (sorry so blurry)

When I got in, Megan and I went to Ulta to use coupons for what we thought was 20% off ANY one item in the store. I finally was able to nab the last tube of Bye Bye Undereye in Light and Megan found a $39 Laura Gellar set that had ALL full-size products. Yipee! Standing in the check stand and reading the fine-print I discovered the 20% off only applied to NON-prestige brands. Aka all the drugstore sh*t. AH POOP. I still got the concealer because I had a gift card and it seems this stuff is harder to find than set of real boobies on Real Housewives.

Then I helped my Mom and Barbara (my wedding planner and family friend) rifle through the garage while I had 25 sneezing fits and then resorted to a dusk mask. It got so bad that Nan sent me upstairs to wash all the vases and water pitchers she has been collecting from Goodwill for 95 cents.

We picked up a delicious Round Table pizza for dinner and breadsticks. I tell ya, those breadsticks are crackems. I could devour a box on my own NO PROB. Also, let it be stated that Round Table pizza is the best pizza.

The next day we ran more errands and I struck out at Macy’s and Famous Footwear for my wedding shoes. The alterations lady told me I need about a 1.5 inch heel and because I think kitten heels are super fug, I’m opting for a wedge which apparently is hard to find. An obligatory trip to the hell that is Wal-Mart took place and then I realized I may have judged too soon…

Then we got fro yo and they had toasted coconut and everyone was happy.

And we played rummy that night with Ben, Rachel, Meg and Nan. I overheated in my sweatshirt and did this classy party trick.

On Monday, disaster struck. My Dad is doing all the music for our wedding and needed to get a sneak-peek at the outlet situation at the venue. So we hopped in the car and made the 40 minute journey over. On the way, I went through probs like 20 Kleenex and I mean, they were SOAKED (TMI?). When we got there, I could barely even open my eyes long enough to see where I was going without a string of 3-10 catastrophic sneezes exploding from my already raw nose. Luckily, my Dad found out what he needed to and we went for lunch and candy in downtown Walla Walla. Look at this awesome bandaid I found in the car:

Tuesday I visited my sister Megan’s classroom at Keewaydin Discovery Center and played with the adorable kiddos in her room. She is such an amazing teacher and it is really fun to watch her. Lord knows that girl has some surious patience. Then I hit the road back to Portland and listened to a sappy Nicholas Sparks book on tape which Imustsay, made the drive fly by.

Bry and I had a light dinner and then went to bed for our nighttime reading hour. By 10:30 I knew something was wrong with my tum. Nausea had fully set in. Falling asleep was NOT going to be happening. So I went into the other bedroom and waited for the inevitable. Then I puked. And puked. And puked some more! By the morning, I had logged about 3 hours of sleep and weighed probably 5 pounds less. MISERY you guys.

Yesterday was spent horizontal, with a big ol’ G2 and hours of Scandal. My body was wrecked. I tried to get Bryan to cuddle and hold me for 3 hours but no luck. I know my hair smelled like the vom and despite spraying myself heavily with JoMo, I was a lost cause.

Today is looking brighter and I have some exciting posts coming up to prepare for. Tally ho!

My Bridal Shower

May 8, 201423 Comments

Hey Rumplestilskens!

Such a scary little man, Mr. Stilsken. But whatevs, it’s fun to say!

Last weekend was my first ever wedding shower. And what a shower it was. Sister Meg and my mom hit it outta the mothereffin ball-park. The affair was SO completely perfect and wonderful, that I didn’t want it to end. Seriously. Which is probably why at least 50% of the guests left half way through me opening presents…oops.

Anywho! On to the fun.

I got into the Tri and immediately went to a nail place so they could saw off my dead skin and polish my toes. I walked in and there were like 7,432 people there so I said “how long for a pedicure?” “Five miiih!” said the woman. “You pick color!”

I chose Flip-Flop Fantasy from China Glaze (duh) and settled into the chair. 25 minutes later, someone started my pedi. 5 miiih later my ASS. Oh well. I paid and tipped like a good person and then went home to start the agonizing process of getting myself ready.

1.75 hours later and I had my extensions clipped in, crazy eyelashes on and waaaay too high of wedges strapped to my feet.

Could you just DIE over how well these ‘stensions match my hurr?

Then I went upstairs and GASPED.

IT. WAS. BEEEEEEEEAUTIFUL.

First, we sat down to the most adorable “tea” luncheon ever in existence. I say tea with air quotes because while there were mis-matched teacups adorning the table, no actual tea was served. We Danielsons like to stick purely to our Crystal Lights and alcoholic bevs. Finger sandwiches, caprese bites, my aunt’s famous boyos and delicious mini-quiches were among the delicacies beautifully displayed on delicate tea stands. The cuteness was overwhelmingly faultless.

Knowing it was all for me was tough. I tried to quell any sarcastic or self-deprecating comments which usually escape my mouth when I feel awkward or un-deserving of something. It just felt so funny to have this beautiful party…for me. Like, it’s me. The girl who gets lost going to QFC and has dirty feet. The girl who ATTENDS these parties, not the one who is celebrated.

After eating, we played games. And SHUT UP if you hate games at showers. Games are the best part, especially the poopy diaper game at baby showers, that one’s the best. First we played a trivia game all about marriage, I scored a 3/15 so basically- sh*t, I’m doomed. Next, we played the “guess the celebrity couple game” – where we stared at large pictures of our fave celebs (faces blacked-out) and tried to guess their identities.

There were some REAL throwbacks, like Jessica Simps and Nick Lachey. Man, those were the days amiright!?

After that, Megan read off some questions that she had emailed Bryan and I had to guess his answer. For every wrong answer I had to chew a piece of gum. It started out great and I was NAILING IT. Then the tougher questions came and the wad grew larger and larger. I drooled. I did.

Then we had dessert! My sister Ray-Ray made the cupcakes and per usual, they were completely delectable and perfect. I mean, just feast your eyes.

There were also jelly beans, jordan almonds, petite-fours, coconut macarons, mini berry tarts, dutch mints AND these raspberry swirl sugar-coated things. I had everything, obvs.

Then we opened gifts which is really the only thing I was looking forward to (I KID. I kid) I got the best things ever in the world and everyone is too nice to me and I just felt like getting down and washing everyone’s feet like Jesus. I was that grateful.

After that, sister Amy PTFO and went into her room and locked the door to take a nap and I didn’t see her for 16 hours.

Then my good friend Graham came over and he brought wine and we caught up on tour jetés (he’s a real live dancer. like classically trained and sh*t) and talked about high school.

Then we went to dinner at Bookwalter with Bryan’s parents and I had flatbread. It was amazing food and wine and I LOVE that our parents get along so well. I wish we were all next door neighbors (no, I really do).

And that was that!

Battle of the Wedding Makeup

March 7, 201415 Comments

Today I’d like to discuss a subject which makes up about 75% of my wedding anxiety…ME.

Married, single, straight, gay, we ALL want to look like a million bucks on our wedding day. Any makeup enthusiast will agree that selecting the items I plan to smother all over my mug on the big day is a big ass decision. To some, this may sound ludicrous…”it’s just makeup!”. Others would simply leave it to a professional.

WHAAA??

I have considered both schools of thought, trying to take the “less is more” approach or maybe even hiring a MUA who will come over and airbrush my face. Two problems: 1.) Less is definitely NOT more, are you kidding me? and 2.) Our wedding is kindof a destination affair and I have ZERO connections to the beauty community in Walla Walla. And. I’m not about to entrust my face to a complete stranger who doesn’t know how to deal with my lazy eyelid and large nose!

I digress.

All of this adds up to the fact that I will be doing my own makeup on my wedding day, which will cause enough anxiety (thank GOD for Xanax). As a result, I will need to be armed and ready. With an arsenal of tried and true, bullet proof products that I can count on. Like the Marines.

Here is my proposed cavalry. *Oh, and please weigh in, in the comments!

FACE

Primer – Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum vs. Smashbox Photo Finish

The Smashbox primer I have tried before. It has that silicone feel on the skin, which I happen to like. I have heard rave reviews on the Hourglass primers and selecting this contender since it is free of SPF.

Foundation – Makeup Forever HD Foundation VS. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

The MUFE HD recruit has been selected for it’s blissfully perfect appearance on the skin and the fact that it does not break down. I haven’t tried the Estee Lauder double wear, but it is revered in the beauty community for having crazy coverage and excellent staying power as well.

Setting Powder – Bare Minerals Mineral Veil VS MAC Mineralized Skin finish Natural

Both I have tried and both, I like. I want to use a product that doesn’t completely mattify, but keeps me shine-free.

Bronzer – Benefit Hoola Bronzer VS MAC Bronzer in Give me Sun

I have used both of these bronzers. Hoola is great for sculpting and looks great with many skin tones. Give me Sun is just gorgeous and I think looks better with a bit of a tan. I will be in a very tanned state, but obviously still want my contour to look natural.

Blush – BH Cosmetics Glamorous Palette VS Mac Well-Dressed or Peaches

I have the BH Cosmetics palette and can probably achieve a nice peachy-coral glow with ease. However, although I don’t own a MAC blush, these two shades are strong contenders.

EYES

Eye Shadow – Stila In the Light Palette VS a custom MAC Palette

I LOVE my Stila palette but am very intrigued at the idea of creating my own “bridal” 4-pan MAC palette. Hmmm…

Lashes – Velour Lashes in Strike a Pose VS. Esqido Lashes in Voila Lash

I should also mention that (of course) I will be wearing eye primer, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner and mascara. I’m not an idiot.

So what do you think? Do you have any experience with any of these products?