Take this pen to paper…

I am suddenly brimming over the edges with all kinds of creativity. I have a bunch of ideas for photo shoots and I even started thinking about a short story…I’ve had one in my head for a while now but I just never get around to doing anything about it. Which is my problem.

{PaperTissue}

All of the things floating in my head are fantastic (in my mind), and would be even better if they were finally born into amazing pictures to frame or pages to flip through (in a notebook, I’m not expecting anything I ever write to publish beyond the pages of this blog haha). The only problem is, I never let myself get around to it. But I want to change this. I want to stop talking to myself in the car on the way home and write these scenes down. I want to stop saying I’m going to go get props and accessories and go buy them. I know I have people to help me out and back me up and who are just as excited as I am about the things I want to do. I want to get off my butt and do it already.

I just hope I finally follow through.

Average Girl Beauty Recommendations

I am far from a glamour girl and I’m nowhere near perfect. My tastes in make up and products have changed a lot over the years. But there are some things I’ve stood by for a long time, that maybe even changed my life in a way. So why not take the time to discuss?

My skin isn’t flawless and perfect. Man, I wish. I’ve been through lots with it and luckily, it’s been doing pretty well. Over time, I can probably credit Cetaphil face wash for that. I was introduced by a dermatologist, which was interesting because many before her had prescribed me all kinds of medicated, smelly washes. This is a simple, non-irritating formula that I swear by and have been using religiously since high school. I feel like a lot of us get pissed off with our unruly breakouts and try and attack. But sometimes, all you need is a simple wash that keeps everything in order without stripping all the necessities.

I know there is a competitor but C.O. Bigelow’s Rose Salve is easier for my to obtain and I don’t use anything else. I’m not one for lip gloss and I think lipstick looks weird on me, so I’ve always been a lip balm girl. Unfortunately, the sticks tend to dry my lips out more than moisturize them. This tin lasts for a long time…I’m pretty sure I’ve been using the same one since before I graduated college. It actually makes my lips feel soft and smooth and it just makes them look and feel healthier. It may seem strange to put something scented like flowers on your lips but there is no taste and the smell is so light it disappears pretty quickly. I am a big advocate of this product. 

When it comes to makeup, less is more for me lately. When I have a lot of make up on, I don’t feel like myself. I like when my skin can shine through. I’m not perfect and sometimes heavy makeup just accentuates that. So I stick with concealers and blush. The one place I can have fun and experiment is mascara. But I almost always run to the Rimmel aisle. The mascaras are priced well and there are all kinds of formulas you can try. I go through them pretty quickly because I love loading it on. I’d recommend any one of their mascaras, but I am currently using the one above, which is the latest product.

Moisturizing  is super tough for me because I have combination skin. If I don’t moisturize enough, I get dry spots. If I use something too greasy, I am an oil slick. So finding something good was hard for me. I’ve been using this Aveeno moisturizer on and off for years now (sometimes I use something a bit creamier for colder weather) and whenever I stray, I always come crawling back. The formula is perfect for my oily streak, because it almost mattes it down. And yet, I’m still soft and smooth.

So there ya have it. I know it’s not much, but I’m pretty low-maintenance when it comes to beauty products.

Full Weekend

I have been lounging in my pajamas all day today. I haven’t done this in a long time and man, does it feel good! I must say, the weekend has been good to me. I like having activities to look forward to and fun with good people.

On Friday, I decided to drag my dad out bowling. In my early teen years, my parents would always take my sister and I to malls and restaurants and book stores out of town and long car rides where I would zone out listening to my Walkman and dreaming up book ideas. A lot has changed since then, and since we gained or lost boyfriends and new best friends and driver’s licenses and college lives. But I still enjoy going out and having fun with my family as much as possible. So we got a couple of pitchers and bowled a few games. I am obsessed with bowling, by the way. If I had a date, that would be one of the places I’d like to go…

 

Last night, I went out with my girlfriends for a hibachi dinner. I’ve only been to one once in my life, and it was probably almost a decade ago. I forgot how much fun and how tasty it is. We also went to go see the movie Nine. I’m not raving about it, but I’d love to be as sexy as Penelope Cruz.

Sundays usually make me sad. Sure, I have the whole day to lounge and relax, but even as a kid in elementary school, it was a countdown to responsibility and things that are un-fun. But, I always have the next weekend to look forward to. Technically, it will be a “long weekend.” But the problem is, I work on Saturday (for 4 hours and I’m done by 1 so it’s not biggie) so I don’t get the full effect. But I hope to fill up those few days of freedom with fun. If you know me, hollaaaaa.

On Fire

Caleb Followill’s hotness is painful for me. His voice couldn’t be any sexier, no matter what he sings about. Plus, he has amazing style and looks so good in tight jeans.

I love Kings of Leon. I love every album. I’m happy for them, that they are finally achieving success in America. However, I don’t think most of the fans realize they have more than two songs. We listen to the radio at work and I pretty much hate “Use Somebody” at this point. But that won’t keep me from being a fan. I saw them live November 2008 and it was honestly the greatest show I’ve been to, and in the Electric Factory in Philadelphia so it was up close and personal. Oh yeah…and they are freaking hot.
  And below are photos thanks to Maria during the concert!!!

{This one is probably my favorite. Just a great concert shot}

Me, my bfffffffffffffff, and my sister :) My dad came too, but he has a bad knee so he sat upstairs.

Just reminiscing…

Zombie

I am extremely exhausted. Thank goodness the week is halfway over. I just wish I had another long weekend to celebrate with. But soon enough…

Things keep happening in my life to confirm the thought “Everything happens for a reason.” And all of them are in a good way. A few days ago, I felt really boring. I’ve always been crazy and loud and fun and I started to realize that, since I work full-time now, my life is based around quiet evenings and being sleepy. I started to miss college life and feel bad that I am not as social as I once was.

But then I had a conversation that made me realize that I am so much better off this way. The friends in my life, the ones that have stayed by my side through it all and hang out with me as much as possible in the week, are practically my family. I love them very much. They’re my friends because we all get along, love the same things, and have fun times together. The people I don’t talk to much, that I maybe had a few fun bar times with…well…I don’t miss them much. I’ve let a lot of weird people into my life. We all do at some point. But I don’t need drama. I don’t need negativity. I’ve been very happy lately, with no need to complain. And I realized it’s because I have my real friends by my side.

I guess the point is, I spend a lot of time alone these days, more than I used to at school. My parents think otherwise (I still get out of the house pretty much every other day). I miss random drinking nights and apartment parties and meeting new people and I hope to have more of those in my future. But I like my anti-social moments because they teach me a lot about myself. I like learning who I want to be and the types of people I want around me.

And even though I get to see my lovely friends a lot…there are still some scattered out there, all over…I miss their faces.

Hot Mess

I amuse myself.

Boohoo.

My long weekend is coming to a close. And not only that, but all the holidays are over now. Back to working long Fridays. No more half-days. What a bummer.

I had a great weekend. However, instead of feeling well-rested, I actually feel like I might be getting some kind of cold. Maybe everything is catching up to me. I’ve been fighting it.

Friday, we ate and visited some family. My baby cousin (He’s 3 years old, so to him he has “3 fingers and 2 socks” haha) was in from Pittsburgh and we rarely get to see him. I’m amazed at how much he’s growing up and talking and being an adventurous little boy.

I also went bowling with my sister and some of her friends. I love bowling and have a lot of fun with her friends. We also watched some True Blood after. I only watched the first season because I don’t have HBO, but I forgot how much I love that show. And vampires. And most things I watch on HBO.

Yesterday was nice. I got my eyes checked and upgraded to better contacts (although it cost me an extra 35 dollars for an “evaluation” which consisted of the doctor looking at how they fit my eyes for about 30 seconds). Then, Maria and I headed to Allentown. I don’t really have the money to shop for clothes (like I need anymore…but God, do I want more) because it has been brought to my attention that I recently spent a pretty gross amount on video games. But it was nice to look around and I did grab a new pair of leggings I had been admiring for quite some time for 5 bucks. Patience pays off.

I also went out in Scranton with my dear friend Lauren. I haven’t seen her in a long time. It was kind of strange to go out to a new bar. That’s something I haven’t done in a long time. Made me realize that I’m always up for new things, I just don’t always have the resources, people, money, or transportation to do so. But I’ll let that come in time.

I’m going to try and enjoy my final day of freedom before I go back to the grind and have to work 6 days this week. BAH.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!