Pardon My Dust

I have convinced Darin to revamp my blog!  I need something fresher, cleaner, and more fun funner.  Don't worry if the blog looks crazy-- give it a week or so.  I am itching to get some new outfits posts up for you, but in the meantime, enjoy this resemblance of Gabriel to an obscure Arrested Development character.

Much love!

(Do you follow me on Instagram yet?)

Julep DD Creme & Concealer: 1st Impressions and Review

Hi everyone!  I received my June Julep Maven box yesterday and I couldn't wait to show you the brand spankin' new paraben-free DD Creme and Concealer within it.  The box costs $19.99 each month with the option to skip, which I haven't done as much as I'd like to admit.  Sigh.  Considering that Julep sells both products for about $30 each, I wanted to jump on this limited time offer.  (Julep sells primarily 5-free nail polish, but I have placed myself on a temporary ban from that addictive stuff.)

On to the (untouched) photos! Bare face:

 With DD Creme in the color medium, which has a great consistency.
Thick with some tack to it, moisturizing, and comfortable on the skin.

With DD Creme and Concealer in the color light:

I LIKE IT!  It calms down my hyper-pigmentation, evens my skin tone, and gives me a nice glow.  But... and this is a BIG butt... both tubes seem to be about half-full, especially the already teensy tube of concealer.  It seriously feels like I might have five more uses out of that dinky thing.  I would consider purchasing the DD Creme again, but not the concealer, as its lasting power was not impressive on my bigger blemishes.  Also, $30?  No frank you.  

Here's the three photos together so that you can get the full effect.  The only room for text was on my glorious five-head. 

What say you?  

If you would like to try Julep and get addicted to pretty mail and beauty products, use my link and enter in the code 6053817 to get your first box gratis.  Have an awesome day, everyone!

Just a Sample

Hi everyone!  As you know, I've been a junior high youth minister for almost two years.  Last night at youth group, I had the kids write a welcome letter to our brand spankin' new archbishop, Archbishop Alexander Sample.  The letters ranged from the sweet:

to the exuberant:

 to the typical:

 to the cajoling: 

to the unintentionally offensive:

to the unbelievably awesome:

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did.  I wish I could see the look on the Archbishop's face when he reads these!  Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

Maybelline Vivid Lipstick Swatches

You can rock a bright lip.  Even if you don't think you can, you can.  

YES, YOU.  DO IT NOW.

The Maybelline Vivids Lipstick line is incredible; 

I love everything about it from the price to the payoff.

Pop of Cherry:

 Hot Plum:

 Shocking Coral:

 Vibrant Mandarin:

 Vivid Rose:

 Brazen Berry:

Lip Wiping:

This post is sponsored by my lips. 

Which one is your favorite?

The Things I Do For You

Cardigan and dress: Forever 21

Tights: c/o We Love Colors

Shoes: Goodwill

Freezing rain: c/o Oregon

And look, you can punch through the pockets! 

(Just say no to cheap wool sweaters.)

It was cold.  It was rainy.  I was not warm enough.  Despite my happy appearance, I was resentful that a day this cold did not warrant snow.  Thank goodness for friends who notice this and drop off fresh bakery cookies on your doorstep:

 I hope that you are warm and dry wherever you are!

Creature Comforts

 Sweater dress, necklace, hat: H&M

Tights: c/o We Love Colors

Frye boots: Craigslist

Sometimes you just have to be comfortable.  It pains me to admit that my four-inch heel days may be behind me.  Oh son of mine, why did your inhabitation of my womb make my feet hurt so much, even to this day?  You will pay, Gabriel.  I don't know how or when, but you will pay.  It might be today.  It might be years from now in this vein:
Anyway, I am glad these old (heels-less) boots found their way into my closet.  It wasn't until later in the day that Darin told me there was a gaping hole in my beloved navy We Love Colors tights.  Which begs the question: How long was I walking around town with a skank-hole on my thigh?  This situation reminded me of when my high-school friend revealed (in the presence of others) that I had 'an accident' the day before in school, but she was too embarrassed to tell me.  Still haven't recovered from that one.  (Hey, why blog if you  don't overshare your pubescent traumas?)

I am off to a viewing of my favorite Shakespeare play: A Midsummer Night's Dream!  Anyone have a favorite play, Shakespeare or otherwise that I need to view/read?

About Face: Raspberry Reflection

The title of this post happens to be the name of one of my favorite Maybelline lip gloss, which I am not wearing in the following pictures. It still seemed appropriate, as I want to showcase two of my favorite beauty products: berry lipstick and a shimmery highlight on the cheekbones.

I kept the eyes easy and neutral thanks to Maybelline's Color Tattoo in "Bad to the Bronze" and Urban Decay's "Buck" in the crease.  Lorac's eyeshadow in "Enlighten" is simply amazing for the inner corner of the eyes to brighten them up!  Gosh, I love that shadow; it looks dull in the pan but once it's popped on the eye it looks gorgeous.  To compensate for the simple eyes, I made my lashes a teensy spidery; I like that sometimes.

If I were a Revlon lipstick, I would be this one: Fuschia Fusion.  Application is smooth, flawless, beautiful.  I get compliments whenever I wear this.  The glowy nature of my cheeks comes from TheBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer.  This powder can be overdone quite easily, so I make sure to barely apply it.  I think the combination of raspberry lips and dewy face is quite lovely.  I wore versions of this look almost every day last spring and summer.  LOVE.