Summer Makeup

This hot weather has me seriously over wearing makeup.  Yeah, yeah, I know it's only been a few days since it's been "hot" outside.  Up until last weekend, I was wearing a cardigan to keep the chill off (Hello? Am I a grandmother??).  Well, the eighty degree days are back in full force and I believe they're here to stay.  You know what's totally not about to stay on my face?  Eyeliner.  This is maj, y'all.  I am a total eyeliner sociopath.  I'm obsessed.  Always looking for new ways to wear it, switching from a pencil, to powder, to gel, etc.  Lining the outside, lining the inside, yada, yada, yada.  I'm an eyeliner freak.  I've watched so many videos on YouTube on how to expertly apply eyeliner (among other things) that I probably could do people's makeup as a side job.  Seriously.  Some days my makeup is a hot mess, but for the most part I think I do pretty good.  (If my makeup sucks, please just send me an anonymous letter/email; OR just don't burst my bubble, k?  Thanks!)

Okay, I might be a little too drastic in saying eyeliner's completely off the table.  I've decided my look this summer will be eyeliner just on the top lid.  I love it too much to completely part with it for 3 long months.  Of course, I'll do the typical going-out smokey eye at night for special occasions (Now that I think about it, that's doubtful as well.  I'm going to be as large as a hippo and probably sweating like a whore in church (Ha! Kidding!)  Might just be best to stick to my new summer makeup regimen of "less is best."  Don't want to scare anyone.)

Anyway, I think my summer makeup basics will include: tinted moisturizer (or BB cream), a light powder to prevent the shinies, some bronzer and highlighter, eyeliner (top lid only), mascara, and of course lipstick.  I know lip gloss rules the roost in the hot days of summer, but I am a total lipstick fool.  And the less heavy eye gives me more drive to wear a bright pink lip.  And when I say bright pink, I'm totally thinking Kourtney K:

So pretty, right?  Via

Here's some of my pinspiration:

Pretty much what I'm thinking of  my summer makeup essentials.  Via

 

 

 

So effortlessly pretty.  Via

If I could afford every item in this pic, I'd buy in a sec.  My birthday is less than a month away..... ;) Via

What are your summer makeup must-haves?

~LL

One more day left!

My eyes are swollen shut this morning.  I stayed up late last night watching the Naomi Watts movie, The Impossible, and I cried through the whole movie.  If you haven't watched this movie, watch it.  It's a true story based off of a family that experienced the 2004 tsunami in Thailand.  I have a weird obsession with tsunamis (don't ask.....don't know where/when this happened) so of course I was on board to watch this movie as soon as the previews came out.  I picked it up at the Redbox yesterday, and after I got my rug-rat in the bed I watched....and cried....and cried.   Trust me- it's worth the tears. 

So, I have news about the house and it isn't good.  Doesn't look like we're getting it.  (Sad face.)  For the past two days we have gone round and round via our Realtors with this offer/that offer.  We did stand firm on our final offer which we submitted Tuesday, but the seller was not on board.  Ugh!  So disappointing and aggravating.  I was talking to Adam about it last night, and we both agreed that if someone showed up on our doorstep offering to buy our house for $10,000 cheaper than when we bought it, provided we pay the closing costs, we'd jump at the chance.  I'm guessing maybe the owners aren't in such a hurry to sell because the house is an estate??  Who knows.  Honestly, I'm disappointed but I'm okay with the current situation.  It's all in God's hands.  Maybe He has something better for us?  The old me would fight for this house tooth and nail, not praying and asking God if this is where He wants me to be.  I'm just trying to listen this time around.  I know the answers (and house) will come with a little trust and patience.

In other news....have y'all bought Mother's Day gifts?  Ideas?  Aaron Mo and I are going shopping tomorrow morning, and I have no ideas of what to get my mom and my two mother-in-laws.  All of these wonderful women are different in so many ways, but I would like to do something other than a gift card.  I would look on Pinterest, but I don't have the time/energy to put together the "ultimate Mother's Day" gift; i.e. something homemade, super-duper cutesy, and absolutely over-the-top fabulous.  Pinterest has made everyone else look pathetic in the gift department if you hand somebody a card with a (gasp!) gift card inside it.  It has to be a handmade card, in the most beautiful calligraphy imaginable, with a balloon attached, an adorable poem, and a puppy.  For reals.  I can't handle it. 

 Final thoughts:

• I have a maj crush on Deacon from Nashville.  Loving the fact that he and Rayna are finally gettin' it on.  Knockin' da boots.  Bumpin' & Grindin'.  (I told y'all......this little girl in my belly has my Pandora station permanently on early 90's R&B.  "You Remind Me of my Jeeeeeep....")
• I put on makeup for the first time all week, and I literally came back to life.  I think I was a tad depressed until I put some eyeliner and bright pink lipstick on.  Note to self: wear makeup.  Even if you're depressed.  You'll feel better.
• I cannot stop jamming out to will.i.am and the Bieb's new single, #thatPOWER.  Love it!  Me, this baby bump, and Aaron seriously had a dance party when he performed this song on Ellen. 
• I cannot stand Sabrina on General Hospital.  I know this is a random thought, but it's been on my mind and had to be said.  I think she's incredibly annoying and it's high-time for Robin to come back from the dead.
• True Blood comes back on in exactly 31 days.  I am SO ready to spend my next 3 months obsessing over ASkars and who he's dating.  Heart him.

Enjoy your beautiful day!

~LL

Is it Friday yet?

Aaron's at preschool this morning.  Hallelujah!  As much as I love being home with my favorite person in the world, Mama needs a break.  I don't know about y'all but this week has just dragged by for us.  Sunday afternoon we headed up to Kennesaw to spend time with family.  We had a wonderful time!  I noticed that afternoon Aaron started coughing, but I didn't think anything of it.  Monday the cough continued and he woke up from his nap with a low grade fever.  Monday night he woke up at 2 AM coughing with a fever of 101.8.  Bless it.  I gave him some Tylenol, got him some juice, and put him in the bed with me (poor hubs got assigned the couch).  So of course, I take Aaron to his pediatrician Tuesday morning where I'm informed that it's viral and has to run its course.  Ugh!  So after a long week of coughs, congestion, and fever it looks like we're on the up and up today.  Aaron has been fever-free for the past 18 or so hours (yay) and was able to head back to school today.  I blame the pollen.  I know allergies don't necessarily cause fever, but it seems like when the yellow stuff gets to swirling around your body reacts as if it has the flu.  Needless to say, we haven't spent much time outside since Sunday.  Ready to get back at it this weekend!

I also had a doc appointment Tuesday morning.  I got to hear that glorious heartbeat (156)!  I still have no clue what is growing in this belly.  I'm thinking it's a boy for sure.  Actually, most everybody thinks it's a boy.  We'll see soon!  My next appointment is April 25th and it's the big heart ultrasound appointment.  I'm incredibly nervous.  I feel confident that this baby is healthy, but of course there's the worry that lingers.  Praying every day!  I'm pretty sure I'll find out what I'm having at that appointment.  Eeekk!  I'm so excited!  I think it's crazy how this ultrasound will fall on Luke's due date.  April 25th.  I think that's him smiling down at me.  It blows my mind that I have a child in Heaven that I've never met.  One day I will.  But for now, I know he's my angel.  He's Aaron's angel, Adam's, and he's this unborn child's angel.  How blessed we are.

On a totally different note, are y'all watching Nashville?  I love this show.  Anyway, Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere are the big stars and they always looks fab.  The shows website has videos on how to get Hayden's look on Nashville and I (of course) love it since I'm obsessed with makeup.  Plus, Hayden is gorge so who doesn't want to know what makeup she wears?!  Anyway, watching these videos makes me want to become a full-fledged Neutrogena girl.  I've never really worn the brand's makeup, but I think once I finish my Makeup Forever foundation/powder combo I'm hitting up Walgreens for some Neutrogena goodies.  This kind've stuff thoroughly excites me, y'all!  I'll keep you posted.....

Which brings me to the question, where's my Birchbox this month??

Before I leave you, here's a little eye candy in the form of ASkars:

I heart him. Via

Happy Thursday!!

~LL

I want to be just like Zooey...

Do y'all watch New Girl?  It's mine and Adam's favorite show.  If you aren't watching it- WATCH IT!  My mom was actually the one that told me about this show over a year ago, and we haven't missed an episode since.  Zooey Deschanel is adorable.  This is coming from someone who used to think Zooey Deschanel was annoying.  Seriously- you can ask my husband.  Have you seen her Cotton commercial?

My annoyance with Zooey soon disappeared once I started watching this show.  Now?  I can't get enough of her!  I really do think that her character, Jess, is based on herself.  She just doesn't really seem to be trying that hard, if you know what I mean?  I just adore her and feel that if she lived in Macon, G-A we'd be the best of friends.  For real. 

Anyway, one of the *many* reasons I adore her is her girlish sense of style.  Her look involves lots of feminine pieces.  (i.e. dresses, leggings, tights, flats, hairbands, etc).  Here's a sample picture of Jess' wardrobe on New Girl:

I would wear every single piece.  Including the glasses. (image via)

Now, I know her wardrobe is super prissy.  But God, I can't help it.  I love it!  I kinda want to dress like her.....every day.  Thoughts?  Too much?  Adorable?

Another reason I love her?  Her hair and makeup.  (Disclaimer: this post is making me seriously miss my long, dark hair.  Dammit.)  Hence, this photo:

(image via)

 I like that she's not afraid to pair a strong eye with a colored lip without going overboard.  You see, I'm one of those that loves my eyeliner and loves my lipstick.  I've always worn both and worried (at times) that it was too much.  However, girlfriend gives a sista hope!  As this photo suggests, sometimes the eyes and lips can work together.  Lerve.

(image via)

The hair's pretty fab, too.  I've googled to see exactly how she styles that gorge mane of hers, and it seems that she uses both rollers and/or a curling iron.  My hair up in rollers = hot Shirley Temple mess.  Therefore, I'll just stick with my curling iron.

So that's it.  I let the cat out of the bag.  Zooey Deschanel/Jess Day is my ultimate girl crush.  If you watch New Girl she might be yours, too!  Here's some clips of the hilarity:

WATCH IT!!! ;)

~LL

What is Santa bringing YOU??

I cannot believe Christmas is only 5 days away.  Heck, Christmas Eve is only 4 days away and it's almost as big of a deal as Christmas day is!  I was just talking to my sister-in-law on the phone about who's bringing what to our family gathering Monday, and we both agree that it doesn't really feel like Christmas.  With all of the turmoil and devastation of last week, it's been a very difficult week for many.  Hopefully, I'll get into more of the "Christmas spirit" over the next few days.  In the meantime, I'm excited about giving (and of course, receiving).  Of course, the real reason for Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and I've been reading the Christmas story to Aaron this week so he can somewhat understand.  However, he sees Christmas presents and his eyes light up with excitement.  I can't help but be excited for him.  I'm excited, too.  I mean, what time of the year (besides your birthday) can you tell people what you want?  Sooo....without further ado, here's my ultimate wish list.  Hope I've been good this year!

The Naked 2 palette.  Dying.  Obsessed.  All those pretty colors.....all the different combinations......all the different looks....agh!  Love.it.  Ashley over at Kindredly had this on her "wants" list a few weeks back and I followed suit.  It's just too fabulous not to!  Luckily I was able to send this palette via my +Sephora app to my mother-in-law.  Fingers crossed!

 Mix No. 6 Orion Wedge Boot.  I was online shopping at DSW for Riding Boots and found these instead.  I can't resist a heel....or in this case a wedge.  The color is "cognac" so I can wear it with both brown and black....hopefully!

An ifinity scarf.  I wear a scarf as much as possible.  In fact, most every day.  Since my daily attire usually involves jeans, jeggings, or leggings, tunics or tees, and boots/flats I need something to make me feel better about myself when my biggest outing of the day is a trip to the McDonalds playground.  A'la: a scarf!  And since I basically have worn out the whole loop the scarf through the hole, tie it in a knot look, I needed something different.  That's where the infinity scarf comes in!  All you do is put it around your neck, make a figure 8, and, VOILA- a chic, new way to wear the scarf begins!  The one above is from Target.

The Clarisonic Mia 2.  I don't know what it is, but ever since I've turned 30, my body has gone into pre-puberty wack-out mode.  My hair is greasier than ever, as well as my face.  I've had more zits on my mug in the past 4 months than I've had in the past 4 years!  I've done everything: brought the mildest face wash on the market (Cetaphil) and alternated that with an apricot scrub every other day; that didn't work.  Bought the expensive Mary Kay Timewise cleanser; that didn't work.  I'm over it.  After doing my research I decided this might be the answer to all my face woes.  And yes, I've made sure Santa (AKA Adam) is giving me this as I've already ordered it for myself.  Here's to hoping and wishing it all works as planned!

Now you tell me, what's on your wish list??

~LL

Less Is More

In an attempt to keep things bipartisan (hehe) following the Presidential Debate, today I'm talking nude lips.  Yep, I never thought I'd be discussing how much I love a nude lip but I absolutely do.

I'm a lipstick girl.  Always have been.  I love my pinks, berries, roses, and sometimes reds.  I always have.  I think I've worn lipstick since I was in eighth grade....seriously.  Luckily, my 8th grade experimentation (i.e. brown lipstick- think Kim Kardashian in the KUWTK early years) happened so long ago that there's no evidence of my lapse in judgement.....I don't think there is, anyway.

Anywho, I got a text a couple of months ago from my gorge friend, Heather.  (Her and her hubby are responsible for our adorable header above.  Their company, Graceology Photography, is awesome!)  Heather knows how much I love makeup, and had texted me a picture of a nude lip combo she had purchased at CVS.  Feeling inspired, I bought my own nude combo at Target a couple of days later.

Loreal Colour Riche lipliner in Au Naturel, Loreal Colour Riche lipstick in #800 Fairest Nude, & Milani Glitzy Glamour Gloss in #50 Center Stage

It's soft and simple.  I am digging the nude lip for Fall.  Seriously.  InStyle posted a great article about the nude lip, and how pretty it can be- go check it out.  Of course, I'll always love my berries/roses/pinks, but a change can do you good.

I would post a pic, but I'm having a seriously bad hair day (am really wishing my hair would grow out but that's a whole other post for a different day). 

That's my makeup obsession of the day.  MWAH!

~LL

The Royal Edition

Last night as I was browsing through the celebrity gossip on my US Weekly iPhone app I came across this story:

"Karl Lagerfeld: Carole Middleton is "Sexier Than Her Daughters" Kate and Pippa"

The story went on to basically say how the famous designer thinks Carole Middleton is hot.  Good for her.  She is an attractive woman, and she most definitely has beautiful daughters.

The story caught my eye because Mr. Lagerfeld has been very outspoken against Pippa and the way she looks before.  You can read that story here.  It irked me to no end reading this story because Pippa is a natural beauty just like her sister.  She's not injected with so much collagen and botox that she can't move her face.  And I'm sure she probably maintains her fab bod (and rear) the healthy way, without resorting to sticking her finger down her throat and/or starving herself.  I know Karl Lagerfeld is a famous designer, but who gives him the right (especially when he looks like President Snow from the Hunger Games) to designate who's sexy or not. 

Well now Mr. Lagerfeld is backtracking on the Pippa "only should show her backside" comment.  His new "words of wisdom" are that Pippa needs better makeup- specifically eye makeup.

After reading this I decided to see for myself.  Sure, I know both Middleton sisters are very lovely.  But, I too have noticed that the Middleton girls love eye makeup- especially black eyeliner.  While the designer states that Kate can do no wrong, I decided to focus my picture search on Pippa.  And well, you can see for yourself:

Too much self-tanner (image via huffingtonpost.com)

A bit too much? (image via radaronline.com)

Okay the fake tan/orangy foundation combo is not good, I'll admit.  The bottom picture I honestly think is lovely.  Hell, maybe I have bad taste in makeup.  Yeah I don't believe in panda eyes, but I do LOVE eyeliner.  I ain't even gonna lie.
 I didn't discover eyeliner until I was 20 (I guess that's an appropriate age), and ever since then I've been a sucker.  I've tried the no eyeliner thing, the eyeliner only on the upper lash line thing, and the eyeliner halfway across the bottom thing.  I've discovered through plenty of trial and error that lining the eye all the way from top to bottom works for me, as long as I don't overdue it.  After seeing pictures where it looks like the black eyeliner is wearing me (instead of me wearing it), I've now gone completely to shadow liner.  This has involved investing in a great liner brush (I recommend Sephora's angled eyeliner brush) which you can use to apply both powder and gel eyeliner; however, I don't recommend using the same brush to do both as I've made that mistake and had to make the $14 purchase again

Maybe that is what our lovely Pippa needs.  What do you think?  I heart her.  I root for her hard.  I'm sure Kate is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, but why does she get to marry Prince William, be a Duchess, and innocently flirt with Prince Harry and his Royal hotness for the rest of her life.  I know I'm not the only one that totally thinks Pippa and Harry should hook it up.  (As a side note, can we admire how hot Harry looks in uniform?!)

Dayumm, boy (image via mirror.co.uk)

Maybe I should just move our brood to London and take over Pippa's styling.  I think that would work.  And in trade, she could show me the number of squats and lunges she does to maintain that rump.  That's totally a deal!

Pippa- call me!

~LL

Verdict

Raise your hand if you watched The X Factor last night.  (I'm waving my right hand frantically in the air right now.)  Hellur!  Absolutely loved it!  I haven't watched American Idol in years, so the only reason I was looking forward to even watching The X Factor last night was because of Brit-Brit.  Well, I really liked the  show, AND it looks like our girl might be getting her groove back.  Really, I was impressed.  Britney did not mince words, and seemed to really care about giving these contestants the honest to God truth.  Go girl!  She looked great, too.  Totally dug the glasses she wore on this day:

On the other hand, after last night I have a major girl crush on Demi Lovato.  What a cutie!  I've never really paid much attention to Demi before.  I mean, I knew she dated Joe Jonas at one point, and I knew she had punched somebody in her entourage out at one point, and then immediately went to rehab afterwards.  So, last night was the first time I watched something she was in for a period of time.......love her!!  I just thought she was so fresh-faced and adorable.  I loved the fact that she didn't wear a ton of makeup (although her eyeliner in the first part of the episode was something fierce), and had a really easy-going banter with everyone from Simon to the contestants.  After the show, I immediately went to Twitter and started following.  New fan!

I'm going to have to DVR tonight.  Glee comes back and Kate Hudson is starring as a teacher, and HELLO- she's like girl crush #1!


One last thing, have y'all heard The Bieb's new song?  Heard it for the first time last night and cannot get it out of my head.  Who said 30 wasn't the new 20?

Some days are harder than others....

Today being that day.  I woke up in a blah mood.  Overslept, had to jump out of bed, and literally only had time to wash my face and brush my teeth before Aaron got up and our morning routine began.  (FYI: I stayed up late watching Straw Dogs because my newest boyfriend happens to star in the movie.  Is this childish?  Yes.  Do I care?  No.  If someone could please come up with the airfare for a one-way ticket to Sweden that would be great.  Thanks.)  Anyhow, after trying to feed oatmeal to an almost-two-year-old (which is a pain in itself), I got us in the car, on the road, and both of us off to school.  Were my troubles over at that point?  Heck no.

Below is a list of things that have already happened today and it's not even 2:00 pm:

• Got to school, couldn't find a parking space and was 10 minutes late to class.  Classy.
• Got stuck talking to a chatty classmate and was almost late to my next class.  Why do I always make friends with the girl that has boyfriend drama?
• Got to next class and the discussion was the heart and how it works.  Fell apart and had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom and cry.  Do I know how the heart works?  Yes, I've done nothing but study a heart (my angel's heart, in fact) for the past two months.  I think I know how it works and when it doesn't work the way its supposed to.
• Went to Chick-fil-A dead-set on ordering a Chargrilled Chicken Salad.  At the last minute, ordered the number 1 combo because it's just one of those days.  At this moment feeling guilty......and sipping on some sweeeeetttttt tea.
• Came home to find that Sophie May had puked (what looks like leaves and mud) on my beige couch.  The puke was orange.  Seriously??  For all of y'all that don't know, Sophie May is my "Scheenie" (Shih tzu/ Dachshund mix) and she's a diva and a half.  

Looking at the list now, it doesn't seem that horrible.  Let's just say it's not one of my best days, K?  

 On the bright side:

• I ordered the Bare Minerals makeup kit to try again.....more like the third time.  This is the last time I will try it, and it better damn work.
• I am on book five of the Sookie Stackhouse series, and have six more to go.  I'm seriously going to go into a depression (like I did with Twilight) when the series is over.
• I'm having a Franklin and Rosemary boutique party Thursday night and I'm pumped for some hawt clothes. 
• Adam, Aaron, and I don't have to move until the end of February.  This works well in two ways: 1) It gives our house a little extra time to be on the market so if it sells we don't have to move; and 2) It gives us extra time to pack and not feel so rushed if we do have to move.
• Highlight of my day was an email from my sister's boss.  Here it is:  "Just wanted to share that Alec had a Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser for school and he raised $125 in honor of Luke Mosely... hope one day no one has to go thru what you went thru Hayley"  (Thank you so much Becky and Alec.  I hope no one has to go through this either.)  

Is 2:05 too early for a glass of Cab??

Ciao,
LL