Sometimes work gets the best of me. Especially right now.
Days seems to be flying by and I can't see to get myself organized. I HATE (seriously hate) feeling like I don't have control of the situation.
Today I have to head downtown this afternoon to attend my third board meeting since I started my new job. Hopefully this one goes as well as the last two.
I'm really looking forward to this weekend.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
#13 - Develop a skincare routine
*Disclaimer - This post is in no way a paid endorsements. Products mentioned here are items I purchased myself and genuinely use daily.
It feels good to tackle some things from my 101 list.
I have a feeling that my skincare routine will never really be complete, but I realized that for the last year or so, it's been pretty consistent. Thus - a skincare routine is born.
Truthfully, my skincare routine is pretty simple. I wash my face every morning and almost every night. The only time I don't wash it at night is if I didn't do anything or wear any makeup that day. I put lotion on every time I wash it and sometimes in between. I use the Bioderma to take off my eye makeup and lipstick (recommended by Lisa Eldridge because it is not oily).
I should use the night firming cream more often, but I'm lazy and I forget easily. I know as I'm rapidly nearing 30 I should be better at it. It's good preventative application.
The Benefits eye cream says that it reduces dark circles and puffiness. I'm not sure if that's really true, but I'm still using it...every damn day.
The newest item is that trial sized bottle of Clinique Moisture Surge. My mom gave it to me from her gift bag from a recent purchase. I LOVE it. I actually enjoy putting it on at night after I wash my face. I imagine this would be a wonderful lotion in the summertime when your face is tired from being out in the sun all day. I plan to purchase a regular size of it soon.
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It feels good to tackle some things from my 101 list.
I have a feeling that my skincare routine will never really be complete, but I realized that for the last year or so, it's been pretty consistent. Thus - a skincare routine is born.
Truthfully, my skincare routine is pretty simple. I wash my face every morning and almost every night. The only time I don't wash it at night is if I didn't do anything or wear any makeup that day. I put lotion on every time I wash it and sometimes in between. I use the Bioderma to take off my eye makeup and lipstick (recommended by Lisa Eldridge because it is not oily).
I should use the night firming cream more often, but I'm lazy and I forget easily. I know as I'm rapidly nearing 30 I should be better at it. It's good preventative application.
The Benefits eye cream says that it reduces dark circles and puffiness. I'm not sure if that's really true, but I'm still using it...every damn day.
The newest item is that trial sized bottle of Clinique Moisture Surge. My mom gave it to me from her gift bag from a recent purchase. I LOVE it. I actually enjoy putting it on at night after I wash my face. I imagine this would be a wonderful lotion in the summertime when your face is tired from being out in the sun all day. I plan to purchase a regular size of it soon.
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*From left to right: Bioderma makeup remover, Olay Total Effects face wash, Olay Night Firming Cream, Clinique Moisture surge lotion, Olay Complete face lotion, Benefits It's Potent eye cream
#12 - Find my makeup must haves
*Disclaimer - This post is in no way a paid endorsements. Products mentioned here are items I purchased myself and genuinely use daily.
I know this has taken me forever. But as I've mentioned before, most of the delay was because I couldn't be bothered to take photos.
In high school and through most of college, I was not particularly interested in makeup. For as long as I can remember, my mom never used very much (and she didn't need to). She taught me to use liquid eyeliner when I was in 8th grade and that was really the extent of makeup beyond concealer and mascara.
It really wasn't until the last year that I grew more interested in it. I enjoy playing with different things (as you may be able to tell by my new lipstick interest). So over the last year and a half, I have transitioned my makeup away from all drug store purchases I use on a whim and then never again. I found a love for Benefits Cosmetics (as you will be able to see). The below summary are the products I use the most regularly. There are some eye shadows and other liners that I occasionally throw in for fun, but these are my tried and trues that I use most often.
*The pictures are thanks to Instagram.
THE FACE:
*From left to right: Maybelline Mineral Powder, Smashbox Photofinish Primer, Benefits Benetint, Benefits Stay Don't Stray, Smashbox BB Cream, Benefits Watts up! highlighter, ELF Blush, Benefits Coralista Blush, Benefits High beam highlighter
I know this has taken me forever. But as I've mentioned before, most of the delay was because I couldn't be bothered to take photos.
In high school and through most of college, I was not particularly interested in makeup. For as long as I can remember, my mom never used very much (and she didn't need to). She taught me to use liquid eyeliner when I was in 8th grade and that was really the extent of makeup beyond concealer and mascara.
It really wasn't until the last year that I grew more interested in it. I enjoy playing with different things (as you may be able to tell by my new lipstick interest). So over the last year and a half, I have transitioned my makeup away from all drug store purchases I use on a whim and then never again. I found a love for Benefits Cosmetics (as you will be able to see). The below summary are the products I use the most regularly. There are some eye shadows and other liners that I occasionally throw in for fun, but these are my tried and trues that I use most often.
*The pictures are thanks to Instagram.
THE FACE:
Probably my favorite purchase to date... Smashbox BB cream. I have under eye circles. Finding the right concealer that does a good job has been challenging and I have never been one to do foundation. Until I tried this. After hearing about it from my favorite makeup artist online, I dragged my mom to Sephora with me so I could buy it. The woman working there let me try it first with a take-home sample. I LOVED IT. It stays and does a great job of evening out my skin tone. I pretty much only use it under my eyes - and blended down my cheeks - and then around my T-zone. Covered by a mineral powder it is a light and all day coverage. SOLD.
My second favorite purchase is the Benefits products - all of them! The benetint is the post natural "flush" look you can get. Watt's up is a great highlight that you can use by itself (which I did anytime we went out in Hawaii) and the high beam is so shimmery. It's perfect in the evening.
THE EYES:
*From left to right: Benefits Cream Shadow RSVP, Clinique Lash Power Mascara, MAC Blacktrack liner, Benefits They're Real mascara, Sephora Eye crayon (similar), Benefits Magic Ink liquid liner, Benefits Cream Shadow STRUT
Eye makeup is something I am familiar with. I'm still learning about eye shadows, but give me an eye pencil, liquid liner or anything in between and I can get it done. If someone were to ask me what my "signature" look was, I would tell them it's very simple - black eyeliner and some blush. The Magic ink by Benefits is the best liquid liner I've found in a while. MAC Blacktrack is a pretty good cream liner. I'm still trying to find a good mascara, but Benefit's They're Real is pretty good so far.
THE LIPS:
*From left to right: MAC Ruby Woo, MAC lip pencil REDD, Sephora Royal Wedding, MAC Viva Glam NIKKI, Revlon Nude lipstick, ELF Runway Pink
This is more lipsticks than I have ever owned in my entire life combined until now. Ruby Woo is a great matte lipstick. The MAC Viva Glam is that bright pink shade. Honestly, looking at this pictures, I need to start wearing lipstick again. The only thing missing is my MAC Lip Primer - because for some reason, I cannot seem to find it. Looks like I'm going to have to repurchase it. It's been gone since I moved from MD.
So there it is.... my make up must haves.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Full house
You know what was fun? Being woken up at 3am when Brendan and his friends came stumbling home from whatever bar he took them out to. THEN, I was "entertained" while trying to eat breakfast before I had to head to work.
It's a miracle I was in a good mood this morning.
Not sure how I'm feeling about this outfit, but considering it's ridiculously humid at 6am, I'm going with it.
*shirt - some boutique in San Diego, skirt - JCrew, shoes - Nine West
Also, last night while I was watching TV in the living, I saw Samson wander aimlessly into my parent's bedroom. Almost an hour later, I was looking for him so I could take him outside and this is where I found him...
He was sleeping in the dark in my parent's closet.... in the way back of the closet.
My mom is sure it's because he misses her. :) I have a sneaking suspicion that this area was the coolest place in the house yesterday.
Lose It
I've posted before about my desire to lose weight again.
I did so well last year. Remember this post from back in June 2011? When I had lost 20 pounds?
Yeah.... well, let's just say that I've practically gained all of that back. Right now I would say I'm somewhere closer to the June 2010 picture than the June 2011. But I'm going to change that.
I'm going to give myself a workout plan, and STICK TO IT.
I'm also going to start monitoring what I'm eating. Last time when I was losing weight and getting into shape, my dad texted me about this app called, LoseIt.
I downloaded it but never used it.
This time, I am using it. It's only been this week, but it really does hold you more accountable about what you eat, when you see the little warning thing telling you that you are reaching the calorie limit for the day.
With the goal I set for myself, and the determination I have, I could be back to my playing weight (in college) by the time my birthday rolls around.
If that isn't motivation, I don't know what is!
I've noticed a few things that will help me this time around.
First, I tend to eat when I'm bored. Solution - Don't get bored! :) Ha, much easier said than done right? Honestly though, I'm going to push myself to find something else to do every time I get that "maybe I should eat something" feeling.
Second, I will find any excuse in the book to not work out/run. No more. I will take Samson with me if I have to. And I will see if someone can walk him one or two days a week for me, so that I can get a longer run in. Also, I will look at a gym or other activity that is going to hold me accountable to actually do it. This summer (starting in June), I will be playing in a 2's beach volleyball league. This will help.
So it's progress. I'll keep you updated as I go and if any of you join LoseIt and want to be friends, let me know!
I did so well last year. Remember this post from back in June 2011? When I had lost 20 pounds?
Yeah.... well, let's just say that I've practically gained all of that back. Right now I would say I'm somewhere closer to the June 2010 picture than the June 2011. But I'm going to change that.
I'm going to give myself a workout plan, and STICK TO IT.
I'm also going to start monitoring what I'm eating. Last time when I was losing weight and getting into shape, my dad texted me about this app called, LoseIt.
I downloaded it but never used it.
This time, I am using it. It's only been this week, but it really does hold you more accountable about what you eat, when you see the little warning thing telling you that you are reaching the calorie limit for the day.
With the goal I set for myself, and the determination I have, I could be back to my playing weight (in college) by the time my birthday rolls around.
If that isn't motivation, I don't know what is!
I've noticed a few things that will help me this time around.
First, I tend to eat when I'm bored. Solution - Don't get bored! :) Ha, much easier said than done right? Honestly though, I'm going to push myself to find something else to do every time I get that "maybe I should eat something" feeling.
Second, I will find any excuse in the book to not work out/run. No more. I will take Samson with me if I have to. And I will see if someone can walk him one or two days a week for me, so that I can get a longer run in. Also, I will look at a gym or other activity that is going to hold me accountable to actually do it. This summer (starting in June), I will be playing in a 2's beach volleyball league. This will help.
So it's progress. I'll keep you updated as I go and if any of you join LoseIt and want to be friends, let me know!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A few of my favorite things
Favorite City...
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Favorite springtime smell...
Favorite skirt...
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Favorite springtime smell...
Favorite skirt...
*sweater - JCrew, skirt - Anne Cramer, shoes - Payless, belt, Target
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
May Day
Cannot believe it is May already!
It's supposed to be in the high 60s today. April was a terrible weather month in Chicago. I hope this dreary, gloomy weather is the last of it.
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It's supposed to be in the high 60s today. April was a terrible weather month in Chicago. I hope this dreary, gloomy weather is the last of it.
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*sweater - Express (old), skirt - Jcrew, shoes - BCBG (old)
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