Quoted on The Fashion Spot

I was quoted in The Fashion Spot's "Top 10 Bridal Beauty Dos and Don'ts."  Enjoy!

Life

So since my last post, I learned that I was pregnant (about a week after that), was tired for a good year, and now my daughter will be seven months old in two days.  There's no need for me to tell you how much of a blogging slacker I've been because...well, you know.  But I'm here now, and that's what matters, so let's try not to live in the past, eh?  What I'm working on now is achieving balance, finding a good PK3 class for my now seven(ish) month old daughter, and trying to eventually make my great escape from the corporate world.  On most days I'm motivated by the very real vision of a freelance writing career and the spare time to chaperone field trips, be the Class Mom and bake cupcakes for elementary school holiday parties.  On some days I'm more distracted than motivated.  But my love for my baby, her future, and a better life for everyone sharing my mailing address make me pull up my big girl drawls (just before wedgie status) and put some of my dreams/fears on paper (or save them in a Word document for organization's sake), and then make moves on the list.  Making moves...

Faith

So I'm horrible, but in case you didn't know already...

Al and I were "featured" in the March 2011 issue of Conde Nast's Brides magazine.  I'm proud of our little picture, my heartfelt story, and gracing the pages of Vogue('s cousin). :-)

The Close-up

Our wedding photographer blogged about us.  See some shots of our big day.  Shout out to Poteat Image Consulting.  Enjoy!

Product Testers

I saw an ad today to be a product tester for a line of natural products.  If people got paid for that (some do, I understand), I just might do that for a living.  Free lotion forever?  Me likey.  Sure this is a modest blog right now because I consistently suck (and inconsistently post), but will you five followers of this blog please go and tell those creative folks who are launching their own line of whatevers?  You will multiply, one day.  I love products.  Can you tell?

New Favorite Product (for the day): Be Natural Callus Eliminator

Two weeks ago, I had the worst pedicure of my life, I am certain of it. BUT...during my one moment of pedi delight (yes, only one) I discovered a new product. The man doing my pedicure put gloves on and rubbed a clear, gel-like substance on my feet, then put my tootsies in plastic for about four minutes. Well when he got to scrubbin' with the pumice stone, skin flaked off that I didn't know was there. I DEMANDED (I can do that) to see the bottle. They told me that it's sold at Sally's, but only in a small size. They also told me that it's only for professional use. PUAH! They musn't know to whom they direct their warning label! I don't condone unsafe use of cosmetics, but I AM the one who used professional grade bleach in high school (pretty much black hair to blond streaks) and Sally Hansen "waxed" at home (that's enough for its own post).  I have to say, once it's been on for a few minutes, it does smell like Nair (activated), so please use with caution.

So since next week is my birthday and I want the pros to pamper me then, I picked some up today and gave myself a pedi. Same thing, more crud than expected, effortlessly scrubbed away. Love it.

Image courtesy of SallyBeauty.com, $13.49 (And worth every penny.  Y'all know it's hard to keep crust at bay constantly!)

Praise the Lord...

I got that wack Photobook error off my page.  If you don't know someone who can hook your page design up, be plain Jane/Janelle until you find someone who can do it and not leave their mark all over your blog.  Photobook sucks!

So...

I guess it's once a year that I get the writing bug and I claim I'm going to keep up with this. Deep, deep down in my heart I really do want to. Lots has happened since my last post. (Was it really back in 2008???) That's horrible. But please don't judge me, I have lots to say, I just have to sort out my thoughts lol.

Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer

As I awakened to the sound of horses stampeding the side of the house (the wind), I thought about the winter and all its accompaniments, like excessively dry skin, hat and earmuff hair, and just enough snow on the ground to extend the commute from work by two hours. But then I think about the better qualities of winter, like finding a lotion that beats those dry skin blues like Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer. I purchased this because there was a three-pack at Sam's Club, but I'm in love. It is NOT greasy and has a very pleasant smell. I don't look like I need another coat after smoothing this over my skin. Okay I can't lie, my skin is dry in the summer too, so I will be stockpiling this one. It's a keeper!

Beauty Tip: Steaming

My favorite part of a professional facial is the steaming (I fall asleep every time). Steaming deep cleans the skin, brings impurities to the surface, and improves circulation. Time and money don't always allow for a spa appointment, so steaming can be incorporated into your home skin care routine. Before steaming, I like to mask. Lately I have been using Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask. (Thanks for the recommendation, Kelley!) While the mask is drying, take a medium-sized pot and boil some water. After the mask dries and you've wiped it off with a warm washcloth, it is time to steam! You can use plain water, or if you like, you can use lemon slices (rub the slices on your face, then squeeze the rest of the juice in the water and drop the lemon in) or essential oils. I have used both, but the essential oils aren't as messy. Be careful with the oils, as I used eucalyptus oil the last time and cleared up sinus issues I hadn't even gotten yet! Lavender oil is fine, too. (If you use too much oil, pour some of the water out and refill.) Cover your head with a towel and sit over the steaming pot for about ten minutes with your eyes closed. Then cleanse, tone, and moisturize for your skin type. Do this once or twice a week and I promise you will see results. Have fun!

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

I have to be honest. Prior to reading this book, the only thing I bothered to know about Bobbi Brown was that Nordstrom carries her line and that she spells her name with an "i". But pretty much any book about makeup makes me happy. I purchased "Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual" at the recommendation of Kelley D. at The Makeup Loft and I must say that it was a smart purchase. Miss Bobbi simplifies the daunting task of basic makeup application for the inexperienced. She also provides the history of makeup as it dates back to 500,000 B.C. (What women AND men did for beauty!) Bobbi unselfishly tells of her experience and growth through the years. She also provides an account of the people who helped to make the beauty industry what it is today...some names unfamiliar to me, but I'm definitely planning to conduct additional research. I haven't done much extra-curricular reading since 2005 (pre-MBA), but I am off to a really good start! I'm inspired. Time to find a face now!

I'm not quite sure where this is going...

Okay, so I started this blog as an assignment for a class I took for work. It was fun, and I got great response from it...and haven't posted since. Because of recent harassment and threats to my well-being, I'm picking this back up. I'm not quite sure what this is going to be. Is this going to be focused strictly on makeup? Music? Fashion? Events? I'm not sure. But as I start to post/pay this ransom over my head I'm sure it will come together...or not. Please excuse the "blahness" that will be this blog until I get used to posting pictures and animations and stuff again. Now get off my back Toya!

Oh, Omahyra!

Omahyra Mota--born in 1984, this chick is a BABY! But I'd give myself five Indian rug burns (remember those) to have her face in my book. Her attitude is raw, schoolboy, skateboard, dirtbike punk. I love it!

Things That Make Me Want To Lick My Arm

Flower by Kenzo

Oh, my goodness! Flower has made the poppy my new favorite flower, and I don't even know what a poppy looks like! Oh, guess that's a poppy on the box. Hints of violet, vanilla, and rose, mmm mmm yummy! Says the description on Sephora's website, It's a flower in the city. (That's me.)

Carol's Daughter Almond Cookie Sea Salt Body Scrub

Very long name indeed, but all I know is that I don't need lotion when I use it, and I smell divine! It is sooooooo extra moisturizing, and I adore products that multitask. You can order from Lisa's site here. (Lisa is Carol's daughter.)

FaceMode (not to be confused with Face First, tee hee)

Kelley Epps! I swear, if I hear another "Knottie" whine about how she is booked on their wedding day I will SCREAM! But no, really, I LOVE Kelley, and you will too! She is the hand behind FaceMode and FaceMode Brides, and is all the rage in the Washington, DC area. Her work is frequently featured in The Knot magazine, and she doesn't even advertise with them. HA! $150 a month my baby toe!

I know Kelley personally, and she's one of the most unselfish makeup artists I know, always willing to help "noobs" like myself out. (Noob: a new(er) makeup artist. Kelley's been doing this for like 100 years.) I may be a bit biased, but so what...I'm her facemode.com cover model! Oh yeah, and here's some of her bridal work too, lol. See more of that at facemodebrides.com.

Mary Keeps Your Work "Camera Ready"

Any budding makeup artist who has done just a fraction of their research knows who Mary Erickson is. Her online store, Camera Ready Cosmetics, has the necessary makeup supplies to keep your kit fully stocked. Her store offerings are based on first-hand experience with the products, and you should expect nothing but quality products and service when you order. Mary answers product questions in a timely fashion...always. You may want to set yourself a dollar limit before visiting because you CAN go crazy! See what I mean at http://www.camerareadycosmetics.com/.

Mary is an enterpriser, she is! She also keeps images "camera ready" with her makeup artistry and fashion styling abilities. I don't want to fill the page with her client list, so why don't you see it for yourself?