Beauty Favorites

I know this was posted in January, but I'm linking it to Kelly's Korner for her Show Us Your Life Friday - Beauty Secrets on February 11. Enjoy!!

In an effort to cover areas of my life that don't necessarily include my ever adorable son, I'm writing today about 5 of my favorite beauty related items. I've loved makeup for years, probably since I before I was allowed to wear it. After college is when I really began taking note of what I wore and how it looked/lasted/etc. I like to think I've become a bit of a connoisseur. Its nice to have the info when people need it, and I've been able to recommend products over that years that people have ended up loving. So here are some of the top things I love and have recommended over the years. Enjoy!

1. Tools

The most important item in any makeup bag are the tools you use to apply said makeup. Throughout college I was fine using my fingers (which are still good for some things) or those annoying little foam applicators that come in drugstore eyeshadows (which are truly good for nothing). I got my first brush set the Christmas after college and ever since I've been a true brush believer. Its easy to find inexpensive brushes that work well (Sonia Kashuk at Target are fabulous). Its also easy to get addicted to collecting various brushes for various purposes. My basic suggestions for beginners would be: blush, eye shadow shader, eye shadow blending, and foundation (if you use liquid). Then you can go from there!

2. Urban Decay Primer Potion/Naked Palette

This one is a twofer. I love Urban Decay for many reasons, but these two items are the main ones. I remember the first day I used Primer Potion. It was a hot Florida day and I was going to my friend's college graduation. I was so used to eye shadow creasing and fading, I figured it was par for the course. But that marvelous day my eye shadow didn't crease, didn't fade, looked absolutely fabulous all day. And I haven't looked back since. Seriously though, Primer Potion is the best eye shadow base. I will say, I haven't tried others due to Primer Potion being the absolute best. Go out and get it now. If you don't already have a tube, then why don't you make your first the mini tube in the Naked Palette. This palette is so versatile I can't quite think of anyone it would look bad on. Its not your typical boring neutrals, but its also not chock full of glitter and shimmer. I adore the consistency of Urban Decay's eye shadows, and these don't disappoint. There was an issue with distribution for a while, but from what I understand it is back in stock, although not with the eye liner shown, but with a full size eye shadow brush. Take care of my #1 and #2 in one step!

3. Makeup Tutorials

The internet is full of a lot of things, makeup tutorials being one of them. And there are a lot of bad ones out there, trust me, I've seen them

But there are a lot of good ones too. Tiffany and Marlena are two of the best ones out there. Their instructions are easy, they have fun with makeup, and their creativity level is awesome. Check them out.

4. MAC Viva Glam V

This is possibly the best lipgloss out there, colorwise. It is a fantastic neutral, that looks great dressed up or down, however you wear it. Plus the proceeds benefit MAC's AIDS fund. Its good and it helps others, can't get much better than that.

5. MAC Fix+

This is one of those products I had heard about forever, but until I used it, I couldn't have imagined needing/wanting it. But oh how I need/want it. It is a makeup setting spray, which works particularly well when you use mineral foundation, which I currently do. But it is so much more. Its refreshing, its give you a glow, and it really helps in the application of gel eye liner. Dip your brush in Fix+, dip it in the liner, apply, and there you have it. Gorgeousness, if I do say so myself.

So there are my current beauty loves. Go out and explore the world of beauty, and remember, have fun. That's the best advice I can ever give.

Read this book!

Seriously, do it now.

I know I'm a little behind the times, but I finally got my hands on The Help and I'm just sad I didn't read it sooner. What a fabulous book. I was recommending it at page 30. It totally lived up to the hype.

For those who don't know, The Help is about the intersecting lives of white women and their African American maids in 1960s Mississippi. There are three main voices in the book, 1 white and 2 African American. The author, Kathryn Stockett, managed to create three distinct, yet equally rich and complex voices that never waver throughout their different chapters. Stockett has been criticized by some for the dialect, but I was not upset or offended by it, and the way she varied it from character to character made it realistic.

The story develops over the course of a few years and I felt like we really learn about several of the characters in the book, more than just the main three, and became involved in their lives. As the story goes on, sides are definitely drawn and while its fairly (immensely) easy to pick your side, it is so thrilling to see how the dominoes fall. I'm not going to go into it anymore, read it for yourself.

Anniversary Recap and Other Stuff

Last Saturday was our 6th anniversary. Wow, 6 years, seems like the wedding was both yesterday and ages ago. How does that work? Anyway, we went to Disney and stayed at the Boardwalk. This is the first time we've ever gone away for our anniversary, and our first night in a hotel room alone since Quinn was born. Woo-hoo that's a lot!

Anyway, we got to the Boardwalk Saturday afternoon and checked in to our *upgraded* room. Our room was right over the boardwalk, ironically right in the spot I'd once pointed to and said, "Wow, those rooms must suck because of the noise". But it really wasn't bad, at least until Sunday around 8am when the boat started honking. Here is a picture of Ross on our balcony.

For those unfamiliar with the Boardwalk area of Disney, here is a picture. The back entrance of Epcot is to the right, about a 3 minute walk.
Ross and me on our balcony. Cute, I know.
The reason we went to Disney was because I made reservations for Le Cellier in Canada, back in August I think. And those reservations were at 4:15. Grandma and Grandpa we were. We went over to Epcot and tried to get on Soarin', but that was a crazy line, so we rode The Land boat ride, and then went to The Cellier. The food was fabulous, the ambiance was perfect, we had a great time. And our desserts were spectactular! We were on the Disney dining plan, so we each got a dessert, trust me, we're not usually huge pigs!!
We went back to Epcot the next day and rode Test Track. We still couldn't get on Soarin', but at least we can go back, right? Overall it was a great anniversary, very memorable. And the guy I'm married to ain't too bad either!

And if there's any question as to who we'll be rooting for this weekend, Quinn will show you.
Go BEARS!!!

And this last picture, well, its just too cute to not include.

The Best I Could Do

Lately Quinn does not want to get his picture taken. Its like pulling teeth. And then when he stands still for long enough, he always closes his eyes (Hmmmmm, wonder where he gets that (points to self)?). Today he got his hair cut and I mean cut, so I thought I'd post the before and after. Please excuse the fact that in the before he has junk all over his face and some massive redeye and that in the after he isn't wearing pants. This is the best I can do these days.

I'm digging the spikes! I didn't think that would ever be possible for him, due to his unfortunate hairline (thank you Chadwell genes for that one). But it looks good on him!

My First Video

I'm really trying to be a better blogger this year. So I thought I'd try and post a video. Oh, I'm also trying to remember to take more videos this year. This is like killing 2 birds with 1 stone. Hope it works!

2011

Hello and welcome to 2011 everyone! I hope its as good and fabulous and awesome as you want it to be. I think a year is only as good as you make it, so make it great!

I don't have any set goals at this time, just the general be a better/more appreciative/joyful person. I've come a long way this past year, and I'd like to keep that positive change going.

Oh wait, I do have 1 goal...to read 15 new books this year. I know I didn't reach my goal last year, but I did read more than 15 books total, so I think I can do it. Woo-hoo, go me (just trying to be my own cheerleader folks)!