28 and Feelin' Great!

A couple of big things went down over the past couple days (and then I bought some makeup);

I turned 28;

HOLY MACKEREL! It feels good, it feels great! I like being this age. I like being older and I think for me, the journey will only get better, or at least that's what I'm hoping for. I'm enjoying gaining a bit of wisdom along the way and having different opportunities and experiences to look forward to. For the first time, perhaps ever, I worked on my birthday. I normally was always able to weasel my way out of it, but this year was different. While it's a fact I couldn't pass on the cash, I also wanted to surround myself with my work crew. They've become such an important aspect of my life, as I work with them each day the ones I share the most laughs with. You all know how it goes; your work friends have the ability to know you on such a different level and I really value that aspect of the relationship. I also have a lot of spectacular regulars that I've become well-acquainted with by now, and some of them stopped by for my birthday with a small gift in hand, and others were there just for the sake of being there, and I got to say hi and pass on a little birthday cheer. The best birthday gift is being around those who bring you joy, who fill your life with that much more purpose, those are the faces I want to see, those people are the ones I want to celebrate with. 

Scofflaw;

Oh, what a lucky duck I was. It was my choice for dinner (birthday brat). While there are SO many places I want to go, sometimes you just want to go somewhere you love and are familiar with. There's little room for error on such days, and I knew Scofflaw wouldn't disappoint. A friend highly recommended this place to me over a year ago, and last night, it was my 5th time heading to the swanky gin joint and every time it hits the mark. I'm a huge fan of their "Swizzle" series. It's always a tropical-based tiki drinks, finely tuned with things I typically really go for in cocktails; coconut, lime, & pineapple. Any one of those three items listed in a drink will typically result in me ordering one. HOWEVER, last night was all about kicking it off with a Red Snapper. I needed to settle the score with my Bloody Mary craving, it was simply just too far ahead in the game and I had to get my fix before it totally took me over. In all honesty, you really cannot go wrong with any drink you order; they are all made extremely well and while each one is unique, they each taste superb. 

The kick of that drink was fantastic. The perfect amount of spice, and while there was no garnish (duh, it was a Tuesday night), it was exactly what I needed. The vibe was there and that's all that matters. But you best believe I followed it up with not one, but two Swizzle #15's.

Me with my Red Snapper!

Besides having on-point drinks, Scofflaw has a bangin' menu; it's chocked full of goodies at extremely reasonable prices. Mixing, Matching, Pairing, & Sharing is the name of the game at Scofflaw. Charcuterie, kale salad, braised short ribs, liver mousse, and of course, a cheeseburger, will all be found on their menu, along with plenty of other things to fill in the gaps. The environment is unique and the vibe is always a good one. Head over there when you get the chance and head into the back room.

Lollapalooza line-up announced;

Ay yi yi. This day has the ability to make me or break me. I get so anxious around Lolla lineup/ticket time that I hardly know what to do with myself. Last year's line-up blew it out of the water, almost every act was someone I wanted to check out or was an act I needed to see. I didn't know what to expect this year. Once the headliners had crept out into public knowledge, I was thirsty for this festival. I LOVE Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, & Red Hot Chili Peppers, but I couldn't come up with who else would round this fest out. While up early for work, I took a peak at the dropped announcement this morning and just kind of went "huh, alright."

I wasn't that stoked about it, and while I would absolutely be tickled pink by the opportunity to see Radiohead again, I couldn't justify spending $120 on another time around. While there are other artists I could see that day, sometimes I just prefer the venue show, and perhaps that will be my chance to check out pre-shows/after shows when they roll through. Same with Red Hot Chili Peppers. Would I love to see them? Hell yeah, but not for $120. What I DID do was get a Sunday ticket so I can groove my little heart out to LCD Soundsystem - that to me was extremely worth it. Also, Flume?! That was another artist I was pretty hyped on who also happens to be playing on Sunday, along with Haim. Hell yeah!

I'm almost relieved. I was a bit stressed about making the money work. I'm glad that the line-up isn't all I wanted it to be this year, because frankly, now's not the time to be spending money on festivals or be filled with sorrows over missing killer acts. I am very glad I get to enjoy the glory for a day, there's a lot to look forward to.

The mini makeup haul;

I'm not going to act like this is suddenly a make-up blog, but you get the idea.

1) Physician's Formula mineral wear 2) Maybelline BB cream 3) Essence XXXLShine 15 True Love 4) Essence liquid lipstick 5) Essence black gel eyeliner 6) Maybelline Pumped Up! Colossal Mascara 

For makeup and me, it's been a journey. Needless to say, it was pretty vital that I hit Ulta in March for double points, the $10 off coupon, and of course, to get the freebie gift (Benefit roller ball mascara #blessed). I was also equipped with $30 in gift cards. It was the perfect time to reload on a few things that had been running low, plus, you know, birthday treats.

While I always go with Physician's Formula powder, my other items have an ability to shift. I like trying out new products and brands, and today I was extremely curious about Essence. Keep in mind I've been seeing this brand for a long time, but for whatever reason, at that particular moment, it piqued my interest. So much so that when an employee came by, I asked her about it and raided her brain of everything she knew about the line. What it boiled down to was that the brand had actually gotten some great feedback from users, but certain items were more reliable than others (so I figured). 

Based on appearance only, it seems as if it's branded similar to a Korean makeup company- very cute and unique packaging, but they're not, they're based out of Europe.What I really wanted to know if their products were cheap (like, really cheap) because they was shitty or cheap because sometimes you just get lucky and can come across great products that aren't marked up. I like to take a gander and see where certain things are made. XXXLShine is made in Germany, as where the liquid lipstick is made in Italy, which holds some validity. Essence even has little ingredient guides for their products off to the side, which is always nice to have on hand. I am looking forward to seeing how these items play out.

I've tried a lot of different brands at this point, and sometimes for certain items, I just keep coming back to the "mass product" side of the store. While I do believe there are certain things worth paying more for, there are a handful of things you can get in this area of the store. This time around, I wanted to get the most bang for my buck, whilst getting the best quality at that price range. A lot of time was spent at Ulta, comparing different products and shades, which was nice versus just making impulse buys, because that is so easy to do in such an environment. I'm happy with my new stash, but don't look for a review anytime soon, unless it's some life-changing shit.

All in all, this has been a great start to the week. I've got a couple tunes up my sleeve to get out to you guys next time. Get out there and do something awesome! TG

The Art of Make-Up // Lessons Learned

Finally. A chance to sit down and write about this topic that's been bouncing around in my head for the past year. Yeah, it's make-up related, okay, well it's only about make-up, but it's the journey that I've been on with it that makes it seem worthy of talking about. As of right now, I would consider myself a pretty big fan of make-up. I wear it every day, I get way too excited about new palettes, and hell, even old palettes, and it's something that always has the ability to vary depending on the day and the mood. If you would have pulled me aside, say, I don't know, 12 months ago and asked me where I stood on make-up, there probably would have been no definitive answer. Sure, I wore it and had a pretty good selection of random drug-store products from the past years, with a few higher-end GWPs my mom would pass on to me, but I hadn't come to appreciate it yet.

This makes me think of the time where my dad took me out shopping when I was in the eighth grade and I wanted to browse around Sephora. He let me have one of those whole make-over deals where they make you look all natural even though they use 15 different things, and was so sweet and bought me most of the things she used on me. This was a rare event for my dad and I. First enough to be out shopping, and then him footing the bill for this make-up regime that would hopefully make me look a bit better. I brought all this stuff home and hardly used it. However, I realized its worth, kept it over the years, and made sure to dabble in it over time. I was never one for taking longer to get ready than really necessary. I always tried to have my outfits picked out in advance and my makeup kept to the same products in order to necessitate pretty much the same look each day. I also never really understood how someone could spend so much money on something like make-up. I always kind of stuck to that whole you-can-get-more-for-less when it came to buying new stuff and always stayed within conventional brands. I loved the idea of toying with outrageous colors and looks, but could never quite get it right and it always seemed a bit intimidating. Oh, I'm sorry, I mean really intimidating. 

I was never really "shown" how to do my make-up. Okay, I probably was, and my mom is reading this with her head in her hands because I can't remember the time she taught me the proper way to apply blush. I did however spend a large amount of time sporting a decent bit when I was a kid,due to skating competitions, but I wasn't a make-up prodigy at a young age...or at any age really. I mean, I cared about how I looked and I did my face up well for having the tools at hand that I did. Now it's a bit of a different story.

Cue up to last February, ha, actually, a year ago TODAY, where I got recruited to work at Ulta. The three current managers had pranced into my restaurant where they were greeted by me, their hostess. There I was, chatting them up whilst seating them, and upon the ring-out, they had asked me if I was interested in a position.

This is actually me on THAT day last year.

This was the very thing I was wearing. I was in support

of the Ravens who had won the Superbowl the night before,

and was wearing as much purple and gold as I could muster.

I mean, I knew how to do my make-up, I had

the cat-eye going in this picture, but it just seems like a forgery now...

I had taken them up on their offer and was kind of over-the-moon about the whole thing. First off, I will say, that I was recruited for sure on my personality. I connected really well with this group of gals. It definitely was not for my skills in the application department. So I started working there and I could tell there was a lot to learn. A LOT. Like I said, I had never really CARED about HOW make-up was applied, I just went for it and hoped for the best. I had such a small clue about what thing was better than the other, and how a different brush could make a world of difference. I asked the girls so many questions about products, especially during 28 Days of Beauty and other campaigns with large sales on certain items, and ended up building up my inventory beautifully. I got some great items for some great prices, and I even got things that I had no real idea what they were for, but found out how to use them, and became attached. We had a lovely little discount there and such a rad group of girls who knew their stuff when it came to all things beauty. It was such an awesome experience to be thrown into an environment like that, where people come to you for questions and opinions. You're forced to learn it really quick and get your recommendations straight. What you always end up learning in life, some things at different points depending on the product at hand, is that you're going to have to pay more for quality. Quality often does not come cheap and requires a bit of investing and brand loyalty. Did I feel bad recommending the $22 mascara over the $8? No, because you're going to use less at a time and be happier with your turnout. It's hard to say that though, because even though I KNOW high-end products and cosmetics have a better turnout, it can be hard to justify spending certain amounts on certain items. It's about knowing what products are worth the money, and what products can be supplemented. I became attached to quite a few brands over the course of working there, specifically Urban Decay, Benefit, LORAC, and Smashbox. I recommended these brands often and tried to learn as much as I could about various products. Even for the six months I did work at Ulta, I still couldn't fully nail it, I still wasn't fully armed with a proper make-up stash.

What was funny, was that even though I bought so much when I worked there, ever since I've left, I've been able to buy more, even without my discount. When my transfer fell through when I moved and I came to terms with the fact that I'd no longer be an Ulta girl, I still found myself turning to that store when it came to my beauty needs. I had fallen in love with the aspect of high-end makeup, bright colors, contouring, brush sets, palettes, and of course, $22 mascara. Some real stellar coupons came my way, gift cards from Christmas, and of course a small influx of money, which led to some real awesome purchases over the past couple months. With what I'm currently equipped with, and having my experiences working at Ulta and recommending products and inspiring beauty, I honesty feel I have such a large appreciation for make-up. I know, that sounds exceptionally lame, but hear me out.

An artist sits down at an easel and pulls out brushes and paints, and lays them out around them. Depending on the mood or the vision for that day, they'll pick up a brush, dabble it in color, and begin to create. They'll grab another brush and accent whatever it is they've just applied to the page, and they'll continually build and add on and modify. This is what putting on make-up feels like each day for me, and for so many other people. The options seem endless, the looks you can create have little limit. The brushes you choose to use will create the effect, and how you wish to apply it can make all the difference. It's fascinating to me how much I learned in the past year about something I've been doing for the past 12 years. There are certain things you realize you simply do not need, but you also discover those products that make your life just that much better. People constantly knock make-up as something one uses to cover up true personality or call it a form of deception. Many are there for the expression, accentuation, and art aspects. For years I did my make-up in such a boring way to satisfy the fact I was wearing it and getting by. Now that I have the tools and the means, I'm given so many more options.

 The daily mashup: Napoleon Perdis Primer, Neutrogena or Benefit foundation, Physician's Formula minearl powder, Hoola Bronzer by Benefit, High Beam by Benefit, Erase Paste by Benefit, LORAC eye primer, Inika loose powder, Laura Gellar baked marble eyeshadow, Smashbox Sparks wondervision palette, & NYX brow powder.

I ordered this mother of all brush sets on BHCosmetics. I initially got it to add in a few brushes

as gifts, and then took my functioning brushes and added them in with the set and kept the rest of them.

Ahh. My mascara/eye liner bag. This is chocked full of goodies. My mom scored me this set;

that allowed me to boost up on certain products. Smashbox, CK One, and Benefit

have to make some of the best mascaras and I'm stoked they were all in this kit.

 I use the liquid liner by LORAC and I think it's just the bee's knees.

I love it and it was such a remarkable change switching from Revlon to Front of The Line in terms of look and application ability. I honestly shuffle between mascara all the time because I have so many

lurking in the bag. I absolutely adore colored lashes, so I have purple, turquoise, and blue mascara all on lock, but green mascara would be pretty righteous as well...

Confessions of a Concealaholic was also another must-have for me.

It came equipped with a mini primer and erase paste that I use often. I love

this concealer and recommend it for sure.

Stila's self-adjusting blush is Coral is pretty rad and always a part of the daily game.

....yeah I dropped it. :(

 The choices! Some days are harder than others on trying to pick a look to go for. These palettes pretty much sum-up what you need to have in terms of shadow colors. I adore these palettes and recommend them any chance I get. Lorac Glo-Getter & Pro Palette, Urban Decay's Naked 3, Vice 2, and Ammo Palette. Smashbox's Wondervision Mega palette. They all have awesome pigment and a great range of colors within each palette, which makes them all pretty worthy of owning.

Here's some recent & decent shots that show off the make-up.

  

So all-in-all, the whole process felt like a journey. Not having any clue and wanting to spend very little time on these things transformed into me being able to recommend products and likely spend up to 25+ minutes on my makeup. I'm just glad that I had motivation that gave me that opportunity to learn more about something that seemed so frivolous before. It's time well spent; it does dive right into that artistic tone and gives you the freedom to accentuate and create what you'd like upon your face. It's not deception, it's an art form.

x x

No turkey on turkeyday! :)

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

I did. It was exactly what I wanted--Intimate with a splash of loudness & memories.

Eric and I had dinner at this parents and it was great because

most of the dishes were vegetarian.

This made things easy. I hate making a fuss.

It's a big bonus when it's accommodated for, especially on a big food day like Thanksgiving.

It was odd--my parents didn't do anything fancy for Thanksgiving.

It was the first year there was nothing planned.

So after we had dinner we scooped up Meredith and headed over to one of our

best friends houses.

We hadn't seen Erin in a good 2+ years. We had great catchup time & got a lot of laughs.

Her whole family was there so it was buzzing with a good holiday spirit.

(Which I'm a huge fan of)

I've been close to that family for a long time & it's always good to see them.

I am also glad I brought Eric over (and I'm grateful that he came with!)

It's important to me for him to know my friends.

I know that's a tad annoying, but different friends bring out different sides.

I guess its like he meets my friends and a different side of me.

That's not so bad.

So basically leading up to and after all this Thanksgiving hoopla we just took it easy.

Eric got an Xbox which allocated a large amount of time in front of the TV.

I really had no complaints about this. The thing that sucks is that I suck at this game.

I'm getting better though, I have to admit.

But I have a long way to go on this. The most I could get out of 50 was 30 something.

OH well. We also played some Puzzle Fighter HD & some old school Paperboy.

We got Season 4 of How I Met Your Mother.

Someone told me this is our generation of 'Friends'.

It is and I really like it. We watched a lot of it.

New episode on tomorrow :)

Gosh what a relaxing week.

I do not want to go back to reality of school, work, and just daily life.

This past week was like a well needed vacation in a very familiar environment.

No doubt- it would have been GREAT to get away, but I needed the rest.

I was thankful for the similarity. No one likes to be sick someplace new.

Right?? I just like being in the comfort of things I know when my heads all iffy.

I made some good purchases. Friday I was feeling a tad bit better.

Eric and I slept in till 12:30pm and made fun of all the people who got up at 4 am.

We hate big crowds anywhere.

Let alone the thought of people trying to fight them at crazy hours in the morning.

You know I used to be able to get right up at all hours of the morning.

Now I really enjoy getting up late.

Although the earlier you get up the more you accomplish.

Anywho...

I needed to make a trip to Oakbrook.

I didn't enjoy the thought of going to a huge shopping center on Black Friday but...

I was reading Allure the night before (ha ha rhyme!) ;) and...

I saw this beauty in an ad;

A huge makeup kit at Sephora for only $48. It's a "$400" value. I don't know if that is true..

but I can't see anyone plowing through this kit immediately

...unless you do makeup for a living.

It includes eyeshadow, lip gloss, blush, lip liner, eye liner, and brushes.

It's just too good. Plus it's all organized in perfect little color families.

Makes it easier for blending.

It feels like I'm a 2 year old that got a makeup kit.

I'm so excited about it and just want to use everything.

Don't worry--I don't think it looks like a 2 year old applied it ;)

I always liked unique eye makeup

this gives me the perfect excuse to do it more often.

This thing is so cheap! Get it if you have the spare cash!

I also made a stop into Lush where I got

I'm always curious about moisturizer.

I never use it but I always feel like my skin could be better.

However--I breakout easily when it comes to face products.

This is made with lavender, orange flowers, and tiger lilies.

Among other things...

All natural things get me going. Plus it's not tested on animals.

I like how soft my skin is, but am not sure how the pores are taking to it.

A few more days shall reveal its true self.

Although I am dying to get back to lush to get this;

The best hand cream ever.

...

Unfortunately I have to get back to real life.

School tomorrow. I do not think I have work.

I hope I do not have it.

However, I look forward to going back Tuesday.

I just have a lot I want to do tomorrow.

Sorry for the long post.

I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing week and Thanksgiving!