Leather and a Sweater

Hi guys,

"Leather and a Sweater", say that five times fast!  I created this look to put together two things that you don't usually see paired up.

I suppose you can wear this look day or night depending on the makeup.  The makeup I chose for the collage was a bit more of a daytime look.

Earrings: Jagger Jade

Watch: Forever New

Ring: Auriele Bidderman

Eyeshadow: Shishedo

Lipgloss: Makeup Store

Mascara: Lorac

Would you wear this look for day or for night?

Lets Chat #5: Minimalistic Beauty

Hi guys,

I was thinking of doing a post like this for a while now and decided to make it into a "Let's Chat", where I usually express my opinions.  I know a lot of you may disagree with my opinions in this post and you are entitled to your own opinions. Wow this is a super long post, so I have decided to put my points in bold (for all of you who don't like reading).

If you haven't figured out what this post is going to be about yet this post is going to be about daily makeup.  I think that daily makeup should be on the minimalistic side.  It's nice to be able to change your look up on special occasions; but on the day-to-day you should keep your makeup a bit more simple.  I think for the most part makeup, should highlight your features and not change them up.  For example, if your favorite feature is your lips why not highlight them with a nice lipstick and keep everything else on the simple side.  I feel you should choose one thing to bring out and keep everything else simple.  (I chose the two photos above to illustrate these points).  You can also go for a completely natural look and decide to go all out on special occasions; I completely understand wanting to express yourself.

Another reason you may want to keep your makeup on the natural looking side on the day to day (other than saving time and money) is the fact that you may feel good about yourself.  If you are used to wearing a full face of makeup and go all out everyday you may feel worse about yourself when you wear less.  In other words, wearing makeup is a slippery slope; the more you wear the better you look but the worse you feel when you are not wearing any.  If you don't feel this way and can sport a full face of makeup and au natural with the same confidence, God bless, you are rare! 

The last reason to be minimalistic is the fact that makeup especially foundation can clog your pores.  If you don't buy high-end brands, this is even more of a concern.  If you don't give your face time to breathe your pores may get larger to compensate for this. I know the use of foundation is a pretty touchy topic foundation for some people.  I'm an advocate for using foundation only when necessary.  If you have acne and want to cover it up, go ahead.  I know how acne can affect a person psychologically.  Just be mindful that you have to put in extra effort to remove it and clear your skin.  If you do have acne and decide to wear makeup this does not solve your problem (acne), put effort into clearing your skin and not just cover it up.  I do not have perfect skin by any stretch of the imagination and I prefer to cover up problem areas as opposed to covering my entire face.  

Bottom line: Do what makes you happy and be aware of what you are doing.  Makeup should make you feel good about yourself when you wear it and not worse when you don't.

Keep it Simple!

Hi guys,

I really love this look -and I have been sporting a similar one- for a day at school or a casual occasion because it is comfortable yet stylish.

What is your everyday look?

Let's Chat #4: Relax

Hi guys,

This week hasn't been the best and I'm glad it is over.  It was one of those weeks when you feel like nothing goes your way.  Well at least a new week is starting soon.

School or work can leave you stressed out and unable to relax.  I know sometimes I get so wired from school that I feel guilty just sitting down and relaxing, this is a terrible thing.  If you are a workaholic you need to relax before you burn out.  Think about it this way if you keep your laptop and use it everyday and just close it from time to time, it will eventually run out of battery.  You are the laptop and you need to recharge and not just rest. 

Last year in the midst of my studies I began to burn out.  I was so bitter about school work that I hated it.  I did not enjoy my classes at all, not because I do not like the topic but because I was so worn out that I no longer wanted to work.  People told me that I was too young to burn out, and I thought to myself "If that is true I can only go downhill from there", (yes I know a bit pessimistic).   In my case the burn out was the result of years of constant work and I haven't had a summer off (I'm a sophomore in college now) for as long as I can remember.   This past summer I took a break, I didn't get a Summer job or an internship.  I have to admit at first I felt guilty not doing anything for the Summer. When I went back to school I felt much happier and motivated. 

Many of you may not be able to take time off to give yourself a break but you should find bits of time to relax.  Don't feel guilty relaxing! You are a person, not a robot (even though I used the laptop metaphor earlier).

Here are some things you might want to do to help relax.  Although some of these are very obvious, sometimes I find myself staring at the wall wondering what to do, I know many other people must feel the same.

• Take a bubble bath
• Enjoy a nice walk
• Find a non-stressful hobby that lets your mind wander (example: knitting)
• Read a book (non-work/school related)
• Hang out with your friends
• Watch a movie
• Blog :)
• Cook
• Write/Draw
• Music
• Have a pampering day
• Find a new hobby.

Life can be quite a juggling act work and play are two of the things we have to juggle.  Although some people can work for what seems like forever without being stressed you need to relax every once in a while.  Even if you think you don't have the time, for fun at all, you need to find a way to stop you from burning out. 

Sunshine Blogger Award

Hi guys,

I was nominated for the Sunshine Award, (and I'm super happy about it), by Megan from     http://meganroisinn.blogspot.co.uk.  Her blog is great you should check it out. 

This award is for bloggers whose blogs you enjoy and make you smile.

Rules: Give 11 facts about yourself.  Answer 11 questions.  Make 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer.  Nominate 11 lovely blogs!  

11 facts:

1. I randomly make references to movies or shows or even songs in everyday life (when the situation calls for it).
2. I laugh a lot.  My friends think I'm crazy for laughing until I cry.
3. I am a Biology major and Neuroscience minor in college.
4. I like to knit and crochet.  I consider myself a crafty person, I love DIYs
5. I love to read and I would like to write a novel one day.
6. I love spicy food!
7. I think deeply very often.
8. I am a morning person and can get my best work done in the morning.
9. I absolutely love the beach.
10. I want to travel the world and experience different cultures.  
11. Classical music helps me study without getting frustrated.

11 Questions answered:

1) What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
      I turn on the light next to my bed to help me wake up.  Once I get up I put on my socks because my feet       are always ridiculously cold.
2) Who was the first celebrity you ever had a crush on?
      I honestly don't know
3) Can you remember the names of you very first best friends?
       Uhhh...
4) If you had to describe yourself using a food, which would you choose?
       I like this question.  I would have to go with a strawberry.
5) What is your favourite school-related memory?
      Finding out there was a snow day and school is canceled.  It's not that I hated school I just can't     think of anything I would consider a favorite.
6) What is the next book on your reading list?
       The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  I hear it's sad, so I am prepared to cry.
7) Did you give something up as a child you wish you had carried on?
       Gymnastics, it was super demanding but I wish I carried on with it for a bit longer.
8) What are your career plans?
       Research biologist
9) Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration?
       My mom.
10) Would you rather have one true love for one year, or as many great (but not in love) relationships as you could ever want for any given time? (that was a hard one to word!)
      That's a hard one but I'd go with true love for one year.  Even though I would probably reminisce   about it forever.  Why only a year?  A year is so short.
11) Is there something you want to tell anyone right now but can't??
       Not really, I'm not much of a secretive person.

My turn...

1)  Are you introspective or are you an extrovert?
2)What are you most proud of?
3) Describe yourself with a color
4) Do you have any nicknames?
5) What is your favorite food?
6) Sweet tooth or sour tooth?
7) Do you like to keep a routine or change things up?
8) What makes you laugh or smile?
9) What makes you happy?
10)Morning person or night person?
11)What is your best memory?

And the nominees are.... 

In no particular order:

1. Francesca from http://ladolcemoda7.blogspot.com/
2. Andrea from http://www.andysparkles.de 
3. Anthi from http://relocatewonderland.blogspot.com/
4. Shayne from http://www.queenofallyousee.com/
5. Janine from http://theeoptimist.blogspot.ca/
6. Doffy from http://www.whatdoffydoes.com/
7. Gabriella from http://gabriellawolf.blogspot.com/
8. Sadia from http://saidacanephotography.blogspot.com/
9. Charley from http://ramblingofabeautyblogger.blogspot.co.uk/
10. Paige from http://www.roseandpine.com/
11. Mary from http://littlefeatherstyle.blogspot.com/