Hello Loves!
I hope you all had a great weekend and that Monday took it easy on you. Here are some random recent pics that I couldn’t figure out where to post:
My final project in makeup school :). I had to turn my friend into an Anime doll:
Here it is in full cartoon effect:
The bride I glammed up in November:
(my favorite, lol!)
Mod eyes I created:
My makeup for ISSE in Long Beach:
What have you all been up to?
<3V
Hello Beauties!
I hope you’ve all had a great weekend :). Mine has been pretty relaxing, thankfully. I have a girls trip to Vegas next weekend, so I’m saving my energy and money for then lol. Makeup school is coming along beautifully, I really love the classes and my instructor, Susie. We’ve covered basic foundation, transitioned into contouring, learned about eyebrows, and we’ve just started working on eyeshadow technique/styles.
One of the hardest things about this class is learning new ways to apply makeup. After years and years of playing with cosmetics and more recent freelance work, I’ve developed my own way of doing everything, so I’ve had a though time trying to relearn what I thought I already knew. I want to get the most out of this experience and Susie’s has asked that we try doing things her way; she taught MAC makeup artists for 10 years and has a lot of experience in the industry, so I know I have a lot to learn from her and feel really thankful to have gotten her as my instructor. I’ve been feeling like a righty trying to write with their left hand, but it’s coming along, and it’s also opened my eyes to new ways of looking at light and color. I’ll be posting some of my homework and practice looks to track my progress throughout the course. Here’s a quick look I put together yesterday using her basic eyeshadow placement/application technique.
What have you all been up to this weekend?
Happy Sunday Beauties!
The bf took me on a lovely date yesterday to a historic restaurant called The Sycamore Inn located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, along Route 66. We spent 3 hours there enjoying the amazing food, drinks, and atmosphere. I highly recommend visiting this place if you’re nearby, it’s beautiful, and the inside reminds me of a place that Don Draper from Mad Men would have a cocktail in after work :-).
We started off with drinks and appetizers on their porch area:
A classic Cosmo and a Creamsickle.
The Sycamore Bellini made with vodka, peach schnapps, and champagne. This was my favorite drink of the night and will be my wedding drink someday lol.
House flat bread with creme fraiche, wood smoked bacon, gruyere, and caramelized onion. I can’t even properly express how delicious this was. I want to eat this all day, every day.
The bf and I :-).
Then we moved into the lounge/bar area for dinner. I forgot to take a picture, but it’s dimly lit, with dark furniture, and they have Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and big band music playing. It feels really cozy and romantic.
Green tea martini. Sooo good, but sooo strong lol.
We thought the lounge looked so Mad Men-esque, that the bf ordered an Old Fashioned. If you haven’t had one before, let me tell you, it will put hair on your chest lol.
Danny had the prime rib french dip.
I had the steak burger. OMG, best burger of my life! Do you see the tiny ketchup bottle? Hilariously cute.
This was one of the best dinner dates I’ve ever had, and wouldn’t change anything about it. Thank you for taking me, BF! Xoxo!
If you would like to visit, here’s the direct link to their site: http://www.thesycamoreinn.com/
Here are some pics of the eye makeup I wore out :-):
Products used: Original UDPP, Urban Decay Strip e/s all over lid and along lower lashes, MAC Black Tied e/s along outer corners, MAC Mylar e/s as a highlight, Ulta mineral e/s in snow as an inner corner highlight, Revlon Colorstay liquid liner, Revlon Colorstay pencil liner, and Covergirl LashBlast Mascara.
I hope you’re all having a lovely weekend!
<3V
Happy Friday!
We made it :-D. The past week at work almost broke me, it was so stressful! I found myself on the verge of one of those at my desk meltdowns a few times, but it’s all over and I’m feeling fabulous on this beautiful Friday. Instead of listing all of the things that went wrong this week, I’m going to focus on the great stuff that’s in my life. Here’s a little list of things that make me happy right now:
-Drop Dead Diva. This show has cracked me up and I couldn’t get through the first two seasons fast enough. At the end of my stressful days, I was able to come home and relax/laugh while watching the show.
-Bright nail polish. Seems silly, right? Well, it might be, but a bright mani always makes me feel better. Check out the color I’m wearing today: Turned Up Turquoise by China Glaze. GORGEOUS!
(Pardon the blurry pic, I had to take it with my phone.)
-Worn in jeans. You know, the ones that have molded to all of your curves and feel like home when you put them on? Wearing a pair today :-).
-Sunny days.
-Best friend to email/text about anything. I would go insane without Shannon.
-Good music! I’m in a country mood right now. All over fun and upbeat songs right now.
-Limon Lays chips. If you haven’t had them, do so, asap! They’re tangy/savory little bits of heaven.
-Random acts of kindness.
-Complements from strangers. Especially in the morning.
-My lovely readers. I look forward to all of your comments and emails, they make my day ;-).
What are you thankful for today?
Have a beautiful weekend dolls!
<3V
Hello Beauties,
I hope you’ve all been doing well! Thank you for the kind comments and emails regarding my last post. It’s been a tough week, but I’m hoping for the best. I can’t really explain what happened, but I can say that one of my family members reached out for help and we had to get together to offer them support. Although this week took a lot of of me and the rest of my family, we’re hoping that this is the start of a recovery and a better future for all of us.
My bff, Shan, invited me to go wine tasting with her mom and her mom’s friends this past Saturday and I welcomed the opportunity to get away for a day. We went to wine country in Temecula, California, and had a wonderful day! If you’re in the area, I highly recommend taking the drive and spending the day out there. Most of the wineries charge anywhere from $10-$15 for 6 tastings and you get to take home the glasses as souvenirs. Check out the pics:
Starting off the day: Shan’s cat, Jewel, “posed” for pictures and fell in love with my shoes lol.
Hope you enjoyed the pictures! If you want more info on Temecula’s Wine Country, check out http://www.temeculawines.org/.
I’m hoping that this week is easier to handle and I will get back into the beauty blogging rhythm. Thank you again for the sweet comments and emails!
<3V
Happy Tuesday Babes :-),
Is it just me, or is this week already dragging on? I think I need to win the lotto and be on permanent luxurious vacation accompanied by my bff…cute cabana boys included somewhere in there.
If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I love smokey eyes with dramatic liner and lots of mascara. Although I love dramatic makeup, I don’t quite have it in me to get up extra early and put all that effort in Monday-Friday. I have to be up at 6 am to get ready for work and would rather sleep in an extra 20 minutes (or sneak a Starbucks run) than figure out an eyeshadow color combo for the day.
Over the years, I’ve mastered a simple makeup look that I can do in ten minutes flat with only the products in the makeup bag I carry in my purse. I thought I’d share what I carry with me and what my makeup looks like normally. Check it out and let me know what you think!
This is a makeup bag that one of my aunts gave me. I remember the day she got the bag because we got to the Chanel counter and she told the sales woman, “Stop me when I get to $500.” I just about died of jealousy. Someday…someday I will do that too lol.
Here’s how my makeup looks every day:
Products Used:
-Timebalm concealer, MSFN, Well Dressed, Espresso, Revlon liner, Lashblash mascara, and Ample Pink Gloss.
What’s in your makeup bag?
<3V
Hi Lovelies :-),
I hope you’re all having an amazing week! Happy Friday! I’ve been relaxing so much during my week off, it’s amazing and much needed. Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining my best friend, her mom, and a few friends for wine tasting in Temecula (located in Southern California). We went to four wineries and had about 25 different kinds of wines, it was a good day lol. Here’s the eye of the day from yesterday along with some pics of the trip:
Products Used:
UDPP in Sin all over the lid.
MAC Mulch on lid just past the crease.
MAC Teddy eye pencil along lower lashes and set with Mulch; also used on wanterline.
Revlon Colorstay Liquid liner along upper lashes.
Covergirl Lashblast mascara.
The view from the first Winery we went to. The day was beautiful, but sooo cold!
Loved my polish, it’s China Glaze’s Peace on Earth.
Our view during the first tasting.
Shan loving wine lol.
The view from the driveway of the second winery, it was on a hill.
Amazing! I fell in love with the scenery.
LOL! I took too long with pictures and Shan needed to find the little girls room.
Happy Bff’s :-).
What are you all up to tonight?
<3V
Happy Sunday Beauties!
I’m in my pj’s this morning having leftover tamales that my mom made for Thanksgiving and getting ready to watch a movie with my little sister. My Sunday morning ritual includes reading blogs; I caught a really cool blog entry from Amelia at Sound Bites. Seriously, you have to check out her blog; she’s a great writer and absolutely hilarious on Twitter :-). Her entry today listed the times she feels the prettiest, so I thought I’d give it a try.
I feel prettiest when…
1. I’m laughing with my girlfriends.
2. I’m in a hoodie, skinny jeans, and my old white Vans.
3. I wake up with voluminous hair lol.
4. I’m slow dancing with someone.
5. I’m in a well fitted dress and heels.
6. I first finish straightening my hair.
7. I remember that I have my mother’s hands.
8. I’m doing other people’s makeup.
9. I have no makeup on at the beach.
10. I’m cooking.
11. I get asked for my number.
12. I’m told I’m pretty by someone that doesn’t have to say it!
13. I’m reading, curled up on the couch in a comfy sweater.
14. When I am woken up by the sun hitting my face.
15. I’m cooking with my mom and sisters.
16. I’m dancing with my girls.
17. I’m learning about something I love.
18. I’m listening to my grandma and aunts tell stories.
19. I have a new item of clothing on.
20. I wear black lace.
21. I’m holding a new baby in the family.
22. I’ve cleaned my room and everything is in order.
23. I’ve had a couple of drinks, lol!
24. I do something for a good cause.
25. I stand up for what I believe in, even if it’s not what everyone agrees with.
26. I get an A in class.
27. I stick up for people I love.
28. Someone is playing with my hair.
29. I feel loved as I am, no matter how I look.
30. I get great comments and emails from my readers :-).
When do you feel prettiest? Let me know in the comments!
<3V
Last weekend, celebrating birthdays :-).
Happy Wednesday Babes!
I recently discovered an amazing blog by Miss Amelia Pontes called Sound Bites and loved her posts on lessons learned and faves, so I borrowed the idea for my blog. Happy reading!
~Lessons Learned~
-You have to listen to both your heart and your head, a balance is needed to make good decisions. I’m trying to find the happy place between both right now.
-It really takes losing things/people to realize how valuable they were to you sometimes; I’m working on appreciating my blessings while I have them.
-Music is better acoustic. 🙂
-Going to bed late and saying six hours of sleep is enough is a big fat lie.
-You find out who your real friends are when the sh!t hits the fan and they stick around.
~Favorites~
-Sara Bareilles’ Kaleidascope Heart album. OMG. I am head over heels in love with the lyrics and her voice. Say You’re Sorry and Hold my Heart are on replay :-).
-Express v-neck ribbed sweaters. I got it in red, royal blue, and black. They go perfectly with heels, flats, and boots.
-My best friend. I’m so thankful that she’s around. We just get each other :-D.
-Lamb by Christopher Moore. In my top 5 favorite books; absolutely hilarious!
-Short nails! I got rid of my acrylics and I’m thrilled with my short, manicured, dark polished nails. Wearing Material Girl by Essie this week!
Tell me your lessons learned this week and your faves! Hope your week is coming along fabulously :-D.
<3V
Calamari.
nessalovesmakeup.com 