Ramblin' Ann

Bang!

2011-10-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

I can't help myself from running my fingers through my hair, it's all lovely, and smooth, and split-endless. Normally I can recall when I had my last haircut, but I honestly can't this time. That's how long I let my mane turn into a mess... thank goodness it's finally tamed! I decided to get some bangs, since I find they add a little coziness in the fall, if that makes any sense...

I always seem to have a rotation when it comes to my hairstyle. Cut bangs come fall, decide to grow them out when the weather hints at spring, and repeat. If hair gets too long after a few years, or I get bored... chop it all off! Right now I've been working at growing my hair out, and it has definitely reached that awkward grow-out stage. Not only that, but my hairdresser commented on how my hair texture has changed! I used to have stick-straight hair, but now it's gotten a little wavier, which is what I always wished for. I can let it air dry now without it looking like a limp rag! :)

Also something I picked up yesterday that I have been loving, is Archipelago's Lavender Hand Creme. I've been keeping an eye out for a hand cream, since my hands have been looking not so lovely lately. I'm picky when it comes to hand creams since I don't like greasy formulas (I like to be able to open doors, thank you very much), and usually don't like fragrant ones. But I saw "lavender" on the label, and had to try it. My Grandparents used to have a cattle ranch, and my Grandma always had an abundance of lavender in her garden. Whenever I smell the stuff, it always brings me back to summers spent there. I love it. Lavender is open air, sunshine, and love... according to my books.

This stuff is lightweight, but you know your skin is getting some love. I'll admit the main reason I adore it so much is because of the scent, but I'm also very pleased with how it's performing as my new hand cream. The fragrance is not overwhelming, so overall I think it's a great product. My hands are looking muuuch better now :)

Chai Tea and Cozy Scarves

2011-10-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

All day today at work, customers kept commenting on how chilly it is. Yes, we're getting into the heart of fall, which means I'm upping my level of consumption in chai tea (funny how I used to hate the stuff) and tomato soup! Not together though... The lovely part about fall is calculating how many layers of clothes you can throw on without becoming too toasty. Can I get away with saying that deciding what to wear for the day is indeed a science? ;)

Dress - GAP

Cardigan - Express

Scarf - H&M

Boots - Target

This scarf is my favorite, since I can wear it with literally everything. Not too busy of a pattern to distract from the outfit, but just enough to add some interest and depth. I'm surprised it's lasted this long with all the abuse it receives.

What item of clothing are you wearing to death right now?

Hope you're having a fantastic day!

-Ann

New Fringe

2011-10-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

Maybe it was the freedom. I didn't spend any time on, or near a computer...It was summer for goodness sakes! I went a bit AWOL, but hey, now that schoolsback in session, you'll find me on here a lot more doing my best to avoidstudying ;) I missed blogging, I have to admit. I missed reading my favorite blogsand finding fun new ones to love. But I'm back, and there's nothing you can doabout it!

As hard as it's been adjusting to the fact that summer is over (yes... it'sbeen over for quite some time, but I'm trying my best to get out of denial,okay?!), I do love the opportunity to bring out the sweaters and layer on theclothes. Today I had a midterm for my operations and management class, and I'mthinking I did pretty well. I wasn't entirely motivated to put together astylish outfit, due to being up late studying. I did, however, want to show offmy new boots.

These guys are a bit of a challenge to style, I gotta say. They also may notbe flattering for my oh so muscular calves, but I don't care, I like them...and I'm going to wear them! Since they're a bit busy, I decided to tone down onthe rest of the outfit so the focus could be on these lovelies. I'm alsowearing another love of my life, my bomber jacket I got from Forever21. If youtake a look at all my jackets right now, you'll definitely notice each one hasa military inspiration. That’s a trend I will keep with me for the rest of mylife.

Boots - Minnetonka

Jacket - Forever21

Jeans - LOGG from H&M

Shirt - GAP

Blood Orange

2011-06-09T23:11:00.000-07:00

Why hello there! It's been awhile hasn't it? Yes... I've been a bit lacking in the post department lately, but since I'm done, done, DONE with school for the summer, you'll be seeing a lot more of me! You're just going to have to deal with that, okay? Good.

I went downtown today to meet up with a friend for lunch, but then somehow found myself in Sephora... I've been wanting to find an orange/coral lip color for a while, so I started to look around for one to work on my skin tone. I was at the Stila section when a lady came up to me, pulled out a lipstick and said, "This would look amazing on you, why don't we try this out on you?" Little did she know I was actually eying that color, so I happily agreed!

The lighting in these photos does not do the color justice. I need to get my regular camera repaired so I can get some actual good photos up soon! The lip color is a bit more of a florescent orange than how it comes out in the pictures. It is such a beautiful shade, and the orange gives a bold lip a fun twist.

The color is Outrageous by Stila, and it comes to a matte finish when applied. It's a bit drying after a few hours, but it seriously stayed on all day. I had the color put on around 2 o'clock, and took those photos around 8:00 without ever retouching. I had dinner too... so yes, that's one tough lip color! I feel like this color would be flattering for so many different skin tones; it would be perfectly gorgeous on someone with tanned skin and just looks stunning against a pale canvas (hey... that's me!).

I'm very happy with this purchase, and I think this is such a fitting shade for summer... tan or no tan! Stila has become one of my favorite brands, winning me over with their lip stains and cream blushes. Now I have a new favorite to add to the list!

Any favorite summer purchases you've made recently?

-Ann

Easy to Love Blushes

2011-05-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

I was never much of a fan of blushes, or even lipstick really. I don't have the best skin, and I felt like wearing either one only made blemishes more noticeable. However, now that my skin is actually (ever so slowly) starting to work with me, I've been opened up to a whole new world of makeup options!

If I ever wore a blush, it was a power blush. I didn't like creams or stains since it meant I had to rub it into my skin, thus messing with my foundation or concealer, no thank you. Over the last year or so I've started to pick up cream blushes and stains, and they have quickly become a staple in my makeup routine.

I think there is nothing better than rosy cheeks, pink or red lips and a dab of mascara. I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite blushes at the moment so I hope you enjoy!

On a side note... my poor camera is going through some issues right now, and until that gets sorted out, I'm going to have to work with my old friend. Sorry for the sub-par quality of photos!

My favorite "fun" blush would probably be Stila's Petunia. I think the perfect way to describe the shade would be bubblegum pink. It is extremely pigmented, and you need only the tiniest bit to get a nice glow. I love how it also doubles as a lip color as well, it's not sticky, yet you don't need a million layers to get the color you see. It's just the perfect color for when you want to feel super girly and cute :)

Stila's Peony I like to use when I want some color on my cheeks, but not an overly pink wash. I don't like to wear that much bronzer because I just haven't found a shade that I can get away with for my skin tone. However, Peony is a nice rosy brown that works perfectly when I'm using golden or brown eye shadows, or I just want a more subdued face. Also, it’s a nice lip color to use for is slightly nude look.

For the longest time I wanted to try Benefit's Benetint. Lip stains are my favorite thing, and I again liked the idea of using a product as a cheek and lip stain. As you can tell, I love my light and bright pinks, so I thought Benetint would be a good addition. I found a little sample pack that included Benetint, and Posietint as well, which made it extremely hard for me to resist. So I picked it up, and was very excited to try it out. It looks scary in the bottle, but believe me, it's not as scary when you actually use it! Posietint is a little closer to a gel consistency compared to Benetint. Just put a few drops on your cheeks, rub it in, and you’ll have an absolutely lovely fresh face!

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin (20) was my first cream blush. I love the silky texture, it lasts very long, however… it's a bit too glittery for me. I normally just wear this for the evening, so under those circumstances, I think it does a lovely job!

Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Blend in Fresh (20) is a good powder for a drugstore company. It's not extremely pigmented, so you have to layer it on a bit if you want noticeably rosy cheeks. If you're having your makeup focus on the eyes or lips, this would be a great option for a blush. I've kind of forgotten about it lately... but I'll have to put it back into use!

The Tarte blushes I think are the easiest to apply of all these blushes. You can apply directly from the tube, use your fingers, or use a brush. They aren't extremely long lasting, but they're such a nice color, that I'll excuse that for now. They also have the nicest scent... fittingly, a very, very tarte fragrance. I've about used up one of my miniatures, and I might just have to plan on buying a replacement.

Well I hope I didn't bore you. If I left out any information you'd like to know about any of the products, just let me know and I'd be happy to answer! I just didn't want to make you read a novel... although it's pretty close to that already. :)

What blushes have you fallen in love with or wish to try out?

-Ann

Where'd you go?

2011-05-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Time goes by too quickly. Well, unless you actually want it to go by quickly, then it won't. Time can be a meanie like that. Today is Wednesday, but it feels like Monday. And all last week felt like Friday, except for when it finally was Friday. Again Time, not appreciating the confusion! Here's just a quick post of what I wore today. The weather took revenge on me, and started pouring down. Well hello there boots and cozy, comfy clothes!

I promise tomorrow I'll do something fun with my makeup! I've just been doing posts about my clothes, and I gotta keep you on your toes a little!

This jacket from H&M is another one of my loves. It's green, it awesome, and I wear it with everything!

Jacket - H&M

Vest - Forever21

Jeans - GAP

Top - J. Crew

Boots - Frye

Today I was told twice by two different people that I had an attitude. Not the bad drama kind, but the spunky kind. Perhaps it was something I ate, but it's funny when you have one of those days where you're able to come up with quick little one liners to throw people off. Today is a day where I guess I wanted to surprise poor, unsuspecting souls. I tell ya, you better watch yourself... or you just might be next!

Boy, I'm sure acting strange, sorry friends.

I hope you're having a fantastic week though! :)

-Ann

Weekend of Fun

2011-05-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

Well Blogger just threw me off there a little! I hope you've all been doing well the past few days. I've been super busy with work, celebrating my Mom's birthday, and hanging out with some good friends. Yesterday started out sunny enough, and luckily we had my Mom's birthday celebration early in the day since later on it started pouring with no end in sight.

I also went to a MLS game last night and ooooh my goodness... Soccer fans are insane! Honestly, it's not my favorite sport, I've tried very hard to like it and to stay open-minded in the past, but I just have not been able to put it down as one of my favorite sports. However, the fans are downright entertaining (maybe because they realize they need to do something to make the game more interesting?... I kid, I kid!). I made sure not to make any snarky remarks about the sport or team (for fear of death), but I really did enjoy the atmosphere overall! I would never take a child to a MLS game since they'd probably come out of the stadium with a completely new vocabulary and knowledge of obscene hand gestures. But I had a ton of fun and enjoyed doing something I normally never would have done had the opportunity not arose. I mean, how can you turn down a free ticket and a chance to see an old friend? It was a fun night, and a much needed break from the normal routine of school and work!

Here's what I wore out to lunch with my family to celebrate my Mom's birthday :)

Cardigan - Old Navy

Skirt - Mimi Chica

Tank Top - H&M

Heels - Anne Klein

Belt - H&M

Watch - Sophie

Foundation - Laura Mercier in Porcelain

Eye Liner - Tarte emphasEYES in Bronze

Eye Shadows - Stila in Chloe; Wheat; & Golightly

Blush - Stila in Petunia

Mascara - Lights, Camera, and Lashes! in Black

Sport was being crazy and running around with me in the backyard. :) I am so obsessed with that little guy that I don't care if you think I am, indeed, a crazy cat lady!

My friend and I decided to opt for the two seats that were a row back from getting soaked in the rain, while the courageous boys stuck it out in their seats under the pouring rain. You see, that is one reason why I love basketball, you don't have to worry about the elements no matter if you're a fan or player ;)

-Ann

Lazy Days

2011-05-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I have been the laziest girl in the world the past week or two, or at least it feels like it! Maybe it’s because I've been focusing too much of my time on work, and find myself needing to catch up on my studies. Anyhow, I'm not too happy with that and need to find some motivation quick. Laziness has somehow also found its way into my makeup routine and attire, but I shall overcome! I have a feeling that for the next month I'll need to kick my butt into another gear to finish off the school year well. But the weather is getting better, and I'm finding it harder and harder to concentrate on those textbooks. Accounting is more of a fall and winter subject if you ask me, since it's so much easier to stay stuck inside and force yourself to crack the books and crunch the numbers.

One thing I love about the sun coming out more often? I don't have to wear boots at all times! Which it turns out, opens up a gazillion new options of what I can wear for the day. Thank you spring, I appreciate you. You let me wear my nude pumps which I have fallen in love with. Isn't it so nice to have a pair of shoes you can literally wear with anything? Well, I wouldn't quite suggest wearing them with sweats... but if that floats your boat, by all means!

Blouse - H&M

Leggings - H&M

Tank Top - H&M

Watch - Sophie

Shoes - Mix no. 6

Belt - Forever21

What items of clothing have you been excited to wear now that the weather is taking a turn for the best?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T20:37:00.000-07:00

First off, I do want to start off thanking my lovely mom for what she has done in my life. I am so lucky to not just have a mom, but a best friend, and being able to spend so much time with her is such a blessing. She's one of those moms that causes everything to become magically done, and never asks or hints for any recognition. She is the hardest working mom I know; and to constantly be dealing with the drama and messes from all her family members, while working a full week... is nothing short of remarkable. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such a kind, loving, generous and good mom, and she deserves far more than just one day of gratitude!

Today was a nice and relaxing Sunday, just what they should be right? We had brunch at my Grandma's and finished off the day with a family dinner at home. Here's my quick OOTD. I absolutely love this tank top I was given (from my mom, of course!). It came from Target, has the pretty pattern ever, and is super comfy all around! I adore the mixture of stripes with floral, and silk with jersey. I don't like hiding it behind a cardigan, but with the ever-changing weather, I decided to throw on this military inspired cardi to balance out the girliness of the floral.

Tank Top - Target

Carigan - Nordstroms

Jeans - H&M

Sandals - Bandolino

I hope you all had a great day with your moms, and I wish you the best start to the new week!

How did you spend your Mother's Day?

Five Things About Me

2011-05-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

It's always inspiring to see what other ladies are posting on their blogs when it comes to fashion and makeup, however, it's those personal touches that draw me in; getting to learn about a life being lived hundreds, or even thousands of miles away from me. Even if the blogger is completely different from my personality, it's always fun to read about what they love and what they think defines them. I just want to share with you a few things that I consider to be a big part of my life, and I also thought that this would be a way for you to get to know me! Got your reading glasses on? Good.

I'm proud to be an American:

Cheesy much? I know... But it is so very true! I am a history buff, especially when it comes to American history (and if I can get even more specific, the settling of the west). It's so fun to see how a country or people have progressed throughout their time, and exploring history allows you to be grateful for the sacrifices given by those who lived before you. Of course we have our issues, but the mere fact that we have people arguing all the time is great! Everyone gets to have their say, and thank goodness we can say what we want. One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Thomas Jefferson when he said, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." America certainly consists of an interesting lot, and while I'm positive that there are many, many people who see us as jerks... I'm not ashamed to say I'm an American. We got a great group of people over here, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I want to live out in Montana or Wyoming:

Like I said earlier, my favorite period in history is the settling of the west. If you look through my library you'll see that I have a ridiculous amount of books about the Wild West, cowboys and Indians. I want nothing more than to live in the middle of nowhere, to enjoy the big sky, with the Rockies out in the distance. I've lived on the West Coast all my life, and while it would be hard to say goodbye to the ocean, I cannot wait for the day when I finish school and get the chance to move out of the city into no man’s land. I always get a lot of comments on how I'll be bored to death out there, but I know I'll manage perfectly well. :)

Cowboy boots are my most precious article of clothing:

Kind of a no-brainer after reading the last section right? It’s my way of reminding me where my heart belongs as I wander around the city. I'm wearing these puppies to death; but at least with cowboy boots, the more worn they are, the more character they got. Although, this summer, I might just have to keep an eye out for another pair to add to the collect for my birthday....

I play basketball, AKA I’m a sports nut:

Basketball has been one of the biggest parts in my life ever since I started playing way back in 3rd grade. When I think back to high school, I think about it in relation to basketball; it was my life and everything came second. I'm not a tall girl at all, so what I lacked in height I had to make up for elsewhere. I think a lot of my personality and character can be credited to what I dealt with throughout basketball. It really was more than just a way to get exercise, and a lot of my friendships to this day, either began, or were strengthened, through the game. I don't like drama, nor do I have an attitude, but if you meet me on the court... don't mess. ;) Basketball has been my gateway drug to my addiction with hockey and baseball, although I think I also have my older brother to blame for my love affair with all sports (except for soccer <- am I American or something?). So while I'll try not to bore you with endless sports talk, I just want to give you fair warning!

I want to travel to Scotland:

One of the first things I want to do when I graduate from college is travel to Scotland. I got some Scottish blood in me and it's always been a thing we've embraced on my mother’s side of the family. It was the first place my mother traveled to outside of North America when she graduated from college, so perhaps I want to turn it into a family tradition. I would love to visit the village my Great-Grandfather came from, and I just think it seems like a laid-back country nestled in some beautiful landscapes! And while I'm over there I think I just might have to visit Ireland and England as well :)

Hope you have a great day, and a good rest of the weekend!

-Ann

Current Favorite Accessories

2011-05-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! This week has speed by like crazy, but I hope you're all ready to have a great weekend. Lately I've been having a lot of fun with my accessories, namely earrings, and decided it would be fun to show you my favorites from the month of April. Is it strange that it's going to be summer in a little over a month? Yes. This weather has done such a great job of keeping me in the winter mentality!

Forever21

Stephan & Co

Carole Inc.

Rachel

Sophie

Sport decided to keep me company while I was studying by drinking out of his favorite mug ;)

This mug is made by CM Shop. I just think it's the cutest thing ever, and it makes me smile every morning.

So if you couldn't tell before, yes, I really do like turquoise. It's the best color for summer, although I like to wear it as much as I possibly can! Green is actually my favorite color, but I think turquoise is just perfect when it comes to jewelry, especially when you're taste runs towards earthy colors and shapes. I definitely tend towards the antiqued silver, copper, and gold in my collection... but every once in a while I just gotta throw in a classic sparkly diamond (okay... diamond lookalike! I'm not that rich, nor can I tell the difference.). I love silver, although I used to hate it when I was a little kid. But I've realized that it looks much better on me than gold, not that I limit myself to only silver! Funny how much our tastes can change over the years.

On that topic... I think Anna did a great job of explaining what looks best on each skin tone in one of her recent posts: Anna Saccone: How To Wear Gold/Silver (feat. JewelMint) If you haven't followed her blog or channel... go take a look!

I hope you all have a great weekend, and for those celebrating Mother's Day, enjoy!

-Ann

Cause for Celebration

2011-05-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my training for work today and passed with flying colors! I felt like giving myself a little treat to celebrate, which resulted in hopping into H&M and getting myself a new dress and purse. Okay, it may have had to do more with the fact that H&M was directly across from my bus stop and I had a few minutes to spend, as well as a few dollars... but since both items were so cute, and a good bargain, I justified myself with cause for celebration. ;)

I feel like it'll be awhile until I'm able to wear this dress because of the thin material, but I'm crazy, and decided to throw it on now so I could share my purchase with you guys! It's super comfortable since the material is a sheer cotton, and I just love how it drapes. I feel like I've posted nothing but skirts and dresses, but I did challenge myself to start wearing them more often, so here's to me actually following through with a resolution!

Dress - H&M

Clutch - H&M

Shoes – Forever21

This dress is a bit different for me since I usually gravitate towards floral prints or solids. I thought this would be a fun little change while still playing it safe with the neutral colors. I don't have very many animal or tribal prints, but there have certainly been many pieces in stores that have caught my eye this season.

What have been some of your favorite trends to try out this spring and summer?

Sugar High

2011-05-03T21:30:00.000-07:00

My mom has been visiting with my sister and her family over the last two weeks, and while I am extremely grateful that she gets to spend time with her little grandbabies, I will be sooooo happy to welcome her back home tomorrow night. Although I've been getting along very well with my dad over this time, no mom means no good groceries... mainly desserts.

Hi I’m Ann. I have a huge sweet tooth.

When I came home from training for my new job... I had the biggest craving for something sweet! You have no idea, I'm being serious here. And there was absolutely NOTHING in the house! I was about ready to drive out to the nearest grocery store to raid their bakery, ice cream and candy supplies. Me being the lazy bum I am, that's saying a lot. However I opted to not waste gas money and walked to the neighborhood Starbucks. I'm not the biggest fan of Starbucks, I don't really have anything against the company, I just hadn't been very pleased with the orders I received in the past. That just shows how desperate I was though. Once I arrived there, I got two slices of iced lemon pound cake and the new Mocha Coconut Frap (which was actually sooooo amazing! (I love coconut)). I am now currently suffering from the sugar and caffeine. I even had a hard workout just now, but I'm still pretty darn hyper.

Since I was at training all day and wearing plain professional attire, I thought I wouldn't have anything cute to share today... but I decided to put on something quick before heading to Starbucks. I think with the cardigan I'm wearing, you can see I'm being inspired by candy since it does remind me a bit of a lollipop.

If there was a Candy Anonymous, my friends and family would force me to attend...

Cardigan - Forever21

Tank top - H&M

Skirt - GAP

Watch - Sophie

Necklace - Forever21

Shoes - H&M

Last Summer...

2011-05-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

School is killing me; so nothing has me wishing more than these next five weeks to speed on by. Spring quarter is always the most difficult because it's rare that I have something other on my mind than summer activities. Last summer I spent as many weekends as I could outside exploring. Many of the excursions ended up in Washington State, a beautiful place full of diverse landscapes. Ocean, mountains, forests, lakes and plains; they really aren't missing much in the nature department. Here are some of my favorite hikes that I took, and hopefully this summer I'll have many more adventures to share with you. :)

Hannegan Pass near Mount Baker

Hannegan Pass

Almost at the end of Hannegan Pass - the snow was a welcome treat on such a hot day!

Snoqualmie area

Nearby Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade Foothills

Beginning of our hike to Source Lake.

Isn't that little vest cute? My dad got it for me, and let's just say I will never run short of pockets when hiking!

Almost to Source Lake

This view was from where the old Milwaukee Railroad used to run through during the 50s.

Only 2,119 miles to get to Chicago!

The way up to Serene Lake

Serene Lake - Seeing as that it was pouring down rain on the way up there,

we were ready for a little peace when we reached the top and it delivered!

Well there ya go! Hope you enjoyed that little snippet of my summer and Washington State. I can't wait til the summer starts, I bet you couldn't tell! What kind of activities and trips are you planning for this summer?

-Ann

Simple Sunday

2011-05-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hope you're all having a lovely and restful Sunday! The sun is shining and everything is beaaauuutiful! What am I doing today? Studying. But the sun does make it a little easier.... to some degree... maybe.

Here's what I wore out to lunch with my Grandma and friends after church. Gotta start bringing out the dresses since the weather is hopefully taking a turn for the better!

Dress - H&M

Jacket - Ann Taylor

Boots - Frye

And here's an up close of my makeup for the day...

The shadows I used came from the Benefit "Her Name is Glowla" set which I got last Christmas,

and they aren't kind enough to say what colors they were on the packaging. :(

Foundation - Laura Mercier in Porcelain

Blush - Benefit in Coralista

Mascara - Badgal Lash

Lip Balm - Wet n' Wild Natural Blend in no. 104

Eyeliner - Urban Decay in Bourbon

How are you enjoying the sun today? And if you don't have any... don't give up hope! It'll be there before you know it :)

-Ann

Wayfarer Dreaming

2011-04-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

Is it really Friday already?! These past few weeks have gone by so insanely fast, I really just want to take a break and relax by doing nothing. But sadly, I won't be able to so for another month until school ends... :( Until then, I'll just imagine I'm at my family's cabin and seeing this:

Ahhh... that made me feel a little better. It's been awhile since I've seen such a lovely sunset since there are a bit too many trees around my house obstructing any chance for me to see a sunset!

Foundation - Neutrogena SkinClearning oil-free makeup in Classic Ivory 10
Eye Shadows - MAC in Parrot and Warm Chill

Lipstick – Revlon in Soft Nude 070

Mascara - Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion in Brown

Blush – Tarte in The Prettiest Pink

Turquoise overkill? Nah... I absolutely love the color of MAC's Warm Chill. It's seriously a color I could stare at for hours in admiration. A light dusting leaves a golden sheen, but layer it on to get a beautiful sea foam. I thought it'd be fun to pair it with the ridiculously bright Parrot, and then I topped it all off with a layer of Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion.

How about that royal wedding? I wish I could have stayed up late to watch the ceremony; however, I did not want to be a wreck at work! The dress Kate picked was simply gorgeous, and I thought it was a great mixture of vintage detailing with a modern twist.

I think I'm going to go and watch some wedding highlights now...

Have a lovely day!

-Ann

Color Me Happy!

2011-04-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

One thing that I don't entirely appreciate about spring is how the mornings are cold and chilly, but as soon as I get out of my classes in the afternoon, it's sunny and warm. Spring definitely requires a lot of layers, and I think scarves are a great way to add a bit of warmth when needed during this fickle weather.

Scarf - Forever21

Pants & Top - Old Navy

Flats - H&M

Belt - H&M

I just love the contrast between these two vivid colors, and decided to try out a new way of wearing the scarf by having it belted at the waist. When I came home from my classes, my dad looked at me with a funny expression and asked, "What's that outfit? It that what's in style now?" Thanks Dad... However, when I was getting a cup of tea from a cafe, the barista said to me, "You look fashionable!" So mixed reviews with this little outfit, but I'm just going to keep in mind that my dad isn't someone I should exactly rely on when it comes to fashion advice. ;)

Lips - Maybelline Colorsensational in Cranberry Crush 65

Neutrogena MoistureShine in Peach Sorbet 15

Foundation - Laura Mercier in Porcelain

Mascara - Sephora Lash Stretcher in Black

Today I went for a bright cranberry red lip and only mascara on the lashes. I love the texture of the Neutrogena MoistureShine. Alone it gives a sheer peachy color, or you can layer it on for a little more oomph (it even has SPF 20!). I first started with filling out my lips with the Maybelline lip stain to get the base, and topped it all off with the MoisterShine. I love lip stains because I won't have to worry about what my lips look like in a few hours, I'm lazy like that... However, this brand happens to be quite drying, but that's perfectly okay since the Neutrogena lipstick does double duty in the form of a lip balm as well!

What are some of your favorite lipsticks for this spring? I think I need to add a few to my collection, any suggestions?…

-Ann

FOTD and a few things I adore

2011-04-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to have a little fun with my eyeliner. Perhaps someday I will work my nerve up to extending the wings to a fun cat-eye. However, I'll need a little more practice before taking that step!

Since I was putting the focus on my eyes today, I didn't want to scare everyone off with a bold lip color and instead opted for a nude shade. Until recently, I really didn't wear much in the way of lipstick of lip gloss, but now I'm starting to see what I've been missing out on! I picked up Soft Nude by Revlon a few weeks ago, and I've been pretty happy with how it turns out on my pale skin tone.

Foundation – Laura Mercier in Porcelain

Concealer – Benefit Boi-ing in 01

Lipstick – Revlon in Soft Nude 070

Blush – Tarte in The Prettiest Pink

Mascara – Sephora Lash Stretcher in Black

Eyeliner - L’Oreal Liner Intense in Carbon Black

I'm just going to cut right to the chase; if you want to know anything about me... you'll soon find that I am completely obsessed with turquoise. I love Native American inspired jewelry, and when you combine turquoise with silver or copper, you'll most likely see me in a state of infatuation.

Cuff - Random trading post in New Mexico from many, many years ago.

Earrings (right) - Forever21

Earrings (left) - DIY

Another thing I love? Old stuff. Well... mainly when it comes to fashion of the 40s and 50s. For some reason this photo made me think of something coming from the early 40s, besides the fact that it's black and white ;) But they sure knew how to pick styles to flatter the female shape!

And my most beloved possession on earth! This is Sport, and he's about three years old. When we got him from the shelter, his name was Herbie the Love Bug. I wasn't too keen of the name at first, and after trying name after name, Sport just stuck around. I completely understand why they called him Herbie since he is such a little love bug, but Sport certainly fits his spunky personality. Did I mention I'm a crazy cat lady? Because I am. Absolutely love dogs!... But kitties will always be close to my heart :)

Any fashion or pet obsessions of yours that you want to voice out to the world? I know you got one...

Have a fanntastic one!

-Ann

Laughing in the open air, have yourself another dream.

2011-04-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

I've had Brandon Flowers' solo album, Flamingo, on non-stop for the last few weeks. If you're a fan of The Killers, you definitely should enjoy it. And if not, go listen to Only the Young and Crossfire for something a little different! I think this music video he did with Charlez Theron is absolutely hilarious…

This morning when I got up, I opened the blinds to see a lovely rainy day... I guess where I come from, you have to get used to all these gray days. However, I just want the later part of spring to show up and for the sun to show its shy face! Maybe I'm secretly wishing for school to draw to a quick close, but sunshine sure does make the day pass by quickly!

Nonetheless, I will not let the gray skies get me down, and in direct rebellion of the weather, I'm wearing a skirt today. I'll give you a little peak of what I decided to do with my makeup today. I went for an overall simple look, with a focus on rosy cheeks and golden-yellow eyes. Summer must be on my mind...

Foundation - Neutrogena SkinClearning oil-free makeup in Classic Ivory 10

Eye Shadows - Stila in Chloe all over the lid

Stila in Lamé as the highlighter and inner corner

Mascara – Cover Girl Lash Blast Length in Brown

Blush - Stila Petunia

Concealer - MAC Studio Finish in NW 20

Hello World!

2011-04-25T23:33:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name's Ann. I'm new around here, but I'd love to get to know you! I love fashion, makeup and all that lovely girly stuff, but please don't be upset at me if I occasionally run off on a tangent. My mind constantly gets flooded with new thoughts and ideas, and I've been having this inkling to share them with someone... and that someone happens to be you! I love mountains, coastlines, rivers and plains; and spend way too much time indoors for work and school, when I would much rather be outdoors breathing the fresh air! My goal with this blog is to find the beauty in any situation, even the most ordinary tasks I find myself doing. Thanks for taking the time to visit my little corner of the blogosphere, and I will always welcome feedback on any of my ramblins. :)

Have a good one!

-Ann