TAG: My Makeup Story

1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup?
I have been wearing makeup since I was in middle school (probably 7th or 8th grade)...But I've only been wearing it correctly for about 6 months. I never took the time to learn technique or form. It never seemed important to me, which is funny considering how much of my time is devoted to it now through blogging, etc.

2. How did you get into makeup?
My interest in makeup came from watching my older sister over the past couple of years. The whole time she was away at college I would look at pictures she posted on her Facebook page and think how gorgeous she always looked. When she graduated and moved back home 2 years ago, I started asking questions and picking up tips here and there from her. Then, about 6 months ago, she turned me onto the beauty community online.

3. What are some of your favorite brands? 
I recently started purchasing MAC products, and love them! I also really love NARS blushes, though I don't own any of my own. For drug store makeup, I LOVE NYX. In fact, I'd have to say that NYX is my all time favorite makeup brand. I've mentioned them on my blog several times before and my feelings have definitely not changed. They offer great, great products at awesome prices and I have loved just about everything I've tried from them.

4. What does makeup mean to you?
Makeup means freedom of expression and the ability to become whoever you want. At least at a surface level.

5. If you could only wear 4 products on your face what would they be?
Foundation--because you can always double it up over problem areas in place of concealer.
Blush--because I'm very fair toned and I need color.
Mascara--because I have really long lashes but they're blonde so they're hard to see without mascara. Also, I feel like mascara can really make or break a look.
Lipgloss--because you always need something on your lips and if you find something with good pigmentation you don't need lipstick.

6. What is your favorite thing about makeup?
To me, makeup is an art form. It's a way to express yourself or how you're feeling. I love that you can literally transform your face.

7. What do you think about drugstore makeup vs high end makeup?
I don't own a lot of high end makeup. Not because I don't want to, but because I can't justify spending the money on it at this phase in my life. The majority of the makeup I own is from the drugstore and I love it. I also feel like with either type, you're going to have hits and misses. You just have to find what works for you and go with it.

8. What is one tip of advice you can give to a beginner?
Take your time and don't get frustrated if a look you're trying to recreate doesn't come out perfectly on your first try. Just like anything else you've had to learn in your life, this takes time and patience but you'll get there!

9. What is one makeup trend you never understood?
Lipstick shades 100x lighter than your natural skin tone. No, that is not a nude lip, ma'am. You look like you died...twice.

10. What do you think about the beauty community on YouTube/Blogger?
I think that it's a great place to meet new people and learn about new products, as well as  new techniques. However, like I've mentioned 100x before, there is a lot of hate and cyber bullying that occurs and I think that's truly sad. If you don't like someone, don't watch their videos or read their blog...pretty simple! Overall, I attribute a lot of what I've learned to watching videos--so I think it's great.

LIFE: 22 Things Before 23

I came across this idea from a fellow blogger named Courtney. You can check out her blog here. (:

Basically, you make a list of things you want to accomplish, or things you'd like to do, before your next birthday. My birthday just passed (May 7th) so I'm posting this a bit later than I intended to, but now is just as good as ever to concoct a "mini bucket list." So, here goes.

1. Go to Disney World. (Is this cheating? We're going on May 30th.)

2. Go to Cedar Point.

3. Re-Enroll in college.

4. Surprise Matt with a weekend getaway, even if it's close to home.

5. Find a good job that I'm happy doing.

6. Start house hunting.

7. Get Zoe fully settled in.

8. Truly surprise my sister, Lindsay, with a really cool gift. (She is a tough person to buy for and an even tougher person to surprise.)

9. Learn to shoot a gun.

10. Make a new recipe a day for one month.

11. Get a tattoo.

12. Get my nose repierced.

13. Visit Jessica in Portland.

14. Watch all of the Twilight movies in a row. (Don't judge me.)

15. Read 10 new books.

16. Go swimming at night time.

17. Learn how to fold a fitted sheet.

18. Go camping with Matt and Lindsay. Zoe can come, too. (:

19. Blindly pick a spot on the map and go there.

20. Go to a Notre Dame football game.

21. Go on a picnic with my husband. <3

22. Write something meaningful in wet cement.

I know that this is a totally random post but I thought the concept was really fun. There are so many more things I wanted to put on my list...perhaps I'll start an actual bucket list? 

If you guys do the birthday tag, link your blog below. I'd love to check them out!

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RANDOM:Social Media

Just stopping in to post my social media links! 

Unfortunately, my Facebook is private but feel free to follow me on Twitter or Instagram! I've been debating getting a Tumblr. If I do, I'll be sure to update this post! 


Instagram:LoGrath
Twitter:xoLoGrath

Keep an eye out for April Favorites, coming soon! 


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LIFE:Puppy Love

EVERY time I log into Blogger, I feel guilty for the amount of time that's elapsed since my last post. But I feel like this excuse is a good one. ;)

I have serious baby fever. There it is, I said it. It's not something I really like to talk about because everyone seems to have their own opinion on my life and I don't like to stir the pot. And while I know that many of the people in my life would be nothing but loving and supportive if I got pregnant tomorrow, there are people that would feel the need to list the 100 reasons why Matt and I are not ready to be parents. (Let me just say that many people who have had children younger than me, have turned out to be wonderful parents. Also, you don't need to OWN a home to be a Mommy. Okay, end rant.)

Matt and I have talked extensively about having children and we've decided, together, that we will have kids when the timing is right for us. It's important to us to be financially stable before we bring a child into the mix. We'd like to build up a bit of a savings account, or safety net, which is hard to do at the moment because I'm not working, maybe travel a bit more...just enjoy being newlyweds. Children are definitely in our future, maybe just not the immediate one. (This is proving to be insanely hard for me because everyone I know is having babies!!)


For months I've been drooling over pictures of puppies online and trying to convince Matt to let me fill my ridiculous baby void with a dog. It just so happened that some good friends of ours recently adopted a Puggle/English Bulldog mix that they could not longer care for. We agreed to puppy sit for a couple of days to make sure that she was compatible with us, as well as Boston, our other fur baby. We took her to the dog park and stayed up crazy late at night playing with her. When it came time for her to go home, Matt and I were both absolutely smitten. We spent the next couple of days talking about the pros and cons of adopting another animal and ultimately decided that we couldn't live without her. The following Sunday, 5 days after she went home, we picked her up and brought her back to our house to live permanently! Because she is only 4 months old, she is insanely curious and rambunctious. Having a puppy is full time job but I wouldn't trade it for anything! So, without further ado, meet our newest family member. <3

Is she the cutest, or what?! We actually need some help naming her. She is 4 months old and her previous owners named her Bailey. While Matt and I both think that name is very cute, she doesn't respond to it at all. It doesn't seem as though she knows her name so if we want to change it, now would be the opportune time. We're on the fence. It's either Bailey or Zoe. Which do you like better? Please leave your vote in the comment section below!

Thank you guys so much for being so patient with me as Matt and I adjust to this new phase of our life. I promise to try to post more frequently. 

Liebster Award

 

When I logged onto BlogSpot this afternoon, I was floored to find out that I had won my very first blog award! How humbling. I am truly so grateful to Keishy for choosing to my recommend my blog to her followers. She happens to have a wonderful blog herself and you can find it here. 

The Liebster Award, in a nut shell, is an award that one blogger can give to another if they feel as though the person should have a bigger following. From what I've read, the person you award this particular badge to must have 200 followers or less. Here are the ground rules.

1. Post the link of the giver.

2. Put your award on display! (On your blog, of course!)
3. Choose 5 blogs that you feel also deserve this award.
4. Share the great news with them by posting a message on their blog.

I put a lot of thought into who I wanted to give this award to, being sure to pick blogs that I enjoy reading myself, in hopes that you would all enjoy them as well. Without further ado, here are the winners of my Liebster Award (in no particular order)!

1. es-jaymakeup.blogspot.com

2. alittlebeautylux.blogspot.com 

3. glam-tone.blogspot.com

4. modishmichelle.com

5. aprinceandprozac.blogspot.com

Please take the time to check all of these girls out. They all have wonderful blogs. (:

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BEAUTY: Bath & Body Works, Rue21, CCO, Maurice's & Bare Escentuals Haul

I have been waiting for this trip to the outlet mall for months and I couldn't be happier with the deals that I got! While I did get quite a few clothing items, I decided to only post accessories and beauty products, as clothing is hard to photograph well. I am going to list original prices, along with what I paid so that you guys are able to see what truly awesome deals I got! That being said, let's jump right in!

Bath & Body Works

I went into Bath & Body Works with the intention of only buying "Sweet Pea" body mist. Now somebody please help me understand how I left the store with all of this, and no "Sweet Pea" body mist?! [I don't know if it's the blonde hair or the Polish heritage sometimes! Goodness.] However, as you can see, I did get two body mists--one in "Sea Island Cotton" and one in 'Pomegranate Citrus".  I prefer body mists to perfumes because they tend to have lighter smell, and they're often more affordable. These body mists originally retail for $12.50 each and I paid $3.00 for the "Sea Island Cotton," and $3.12 for the "Pomegranate Citrus." 

Also at Bath and Body Works, I picked up a shower gel in "Charmed Life." I've seen this scent at my local B&BW but never took the time to smell it. When I found it at the outlet in the 75% off bin, I decided to give it a try. It smells so great! The original price on this shower gel was $10.50 and I paid $2.62.

Sweet Pea is my favorite Bath and Body Works scent so I was super excited to find these pint sized body butters! They are the perfect size to toss in your purse or makeup bag, and even for traveling! The original price on these body butters was $6.00 and I got them both for $3.00 [$1.50 each!].

 The last thing I picked up at Bath and Body Works was this pink loofah. I was glad to find it because my loofah just fell apart and I needed a new one. Also, this shade of pink is so bright and fun! The original price on this loofah was $5.00 but I only paid $.99!

Rue21

I haven't shopped at Rue21 since I was in high school. As far as I know, there isn't one close to where I live and a lot of the clothes that they sell are a bit young for me. [That makes it sound like I'm so old! I'll be 22 in May.] Anyhow, I'm glad we wandered in because I found the most ADORABLE sunglasses ever! They are technicolor cheetah print. Oh my goodness! If you know me, you know I have a rule about buying sunglasses. I will only buy sunglasses from the Dollar Tree because I am such an accident prone person. My sunglasses always get lost or broken, or both! So I quit buying expensive lens and have been opting for a $1 pair for years. That way, when I loose or break them I won't be so upset about it! This is the first time in years that I have broken that rule! I couldn't resist. While these weren't on sale, they were still a great deal at only $5.99.

Also from Rue 21, I picked up a new perfume! When we walking into the store we were given a sample of their new perfume "Etc!" I loved the scent so much that I just had to have it! It's such a light and fruity scent--perfect for Spring and Summer. Again, this item was not on sale but I only paid $9.99.

CCO

I have to admit, out of all of the stores at the outlet mall, I was the most excited to go to the CCO! I have never been, as this is the first CCO within driving distance of where I live. Because I have just started my makeup collection, I didn't have any high end items before this trip. I ended up leaving with all MAC products, though I was definitely tempted by Bobbi Brown & Clinique. ;) Here's a look at what I got!

The first item I got from the CCO was a Mineralized Blush in "Sakura" by MAC. It is from their Quite Cute line and is limited edition so I was really excited to find it. It is a gorgeous lavender color with cool undertones. I also love the heart detail, which is a dark pink color. When mixed together, you get a medium magenta pink color. Absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE it! This blush retails for $23.00 and I picked it up for $16.25.

 The next item I picked up was also from MAC and it is the Cremesheen Lipglass in "Geo Pink." When you look at it in the tube, it comes off as a coral or orange color but when it's on your lips, it's more pink. This lipglass retails for $18.50 but I lost my receipt so I'm not entirely sure what I paid for it. I want to say around $13.00? [Sorry about that!]

 The last couple of items I picked up at the CCO were MAC Metal Eyeshadows. I picked out "Peek At You," and "Prance." They are both in the neutral family, though they do both have a lot of shimmer. "Peek At You" is a light gold color with a metallic finish. "Prance" is more of a mauve color and would work well as a highlighter. They are both very silky and pigmented. They blend nicely. I would definitely repurchase these. They retail for $19.50 each and I paid $13.75 a piece.

Maurice's 

The majority of the clothing I got on this trip was from Maurice's. The Maurice's in my area is pretty pricey but every time I go to the outlet, I get incredible deals and the staff is insanely helpful. It is one of my all-time favorite stores. If you don't have a Maurice's where you live, check out their website here. 

All of the accessories I got were 75% off,  including this adorable purse! As you can see, it's brown all over with really cute detailing on the outside pockets. The inside is lined with black. It has two separate main compartments for superb organization, as well as side pockets and a zipper pocket. While I don't typically care for tassels, I couldn't pass up this deal! The original price of this purse was $42 but I only paid $2.75!! Like I said, the purse was on sale for 75% off but they also let us stack two coupons on top of the sale. HOLYMOTHEROFGREATDEALS.

Also from Maurice's, I picked up this cute Accessory Travel Kit. I thought it would be really great for traveling with makeup. I have used it several times for overnighters since I got it, and it works perfectly. I'm able to fit everything I need, and then some, in this bag. It was originally $15.00, but was on sale for $4.99 and then an additional 75% off, plus our coupons...making it $0.75!! Unbelievable.

    

The last couple of items I picked up at Maurice's were these winter accessories. I was drawn to them because of the color and fabric. They are both so, so soft. I prefer mittens to gloves and headbands to ear muffs, so these were a great find. They were both originally $12.00, but were on sale for $4.99 each and then an additional 75% off, plus coupons, making them $0.75 each! I know Summer is coming, but for the price, I'll gladly store them until next Winter! 

Bare Escentuals  


 
I absolutely love Bare Escentuals. They were the first makeup brand that I started wearing when I was younger, and I've found that I much prefer the mineral feel over traditional liquid makeup. While the line can be a bit expensive [compared to drugstore brands], I find that it is entirely worth it. We just recently got a Bare Essentials store in our area, but the best deals can be found at the outlet mall, especially for kits, which is exactly what I got!

The first kit I got was the Champagne Toast Blendable Lip Collection. It came with a lipliner in "So Natural," a lipgloss in "Whimsy," and a lipstick in "Cat's Meow." I really like the idea behind these kits. They pair 3 lip products that will create a specific look but you have the ability to blend the colors to create multiple shades. This kit retails for $9.50 but I picked it up for $6.50.

The second kit I got was the Naturally Luminous Refreshing Color Collection. It came with a lipgloss in "Smoothie," a Big & Bright eyeliner in "Charbronze," a blush in "Miracle," a concealer brush and two eyeshadows in "Refresh" and "Restore." Finding this kit was kind of like hitting the jackpot for me because there were so many products in it that I either love, or was wanting to try. I adore the Bare Minerals lipglosses, so I was really happy to get a new shade to try. I've had been wanting to try their blushes, but hadn't gotten around to picking one up. Also, I have been wanting to try their eyeliners. I have blue eyes and they say that brown eyeliner compliments blue eyes the best, so this kit was really a great fit for me.   

I do apologize that it took me so long to post this. I know you guys have been waiting for it since I mentioned it last. I hope that you enjoyed this haul. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below! Also, I opted to not do swatches because there are so many products here. However, if you want anything swatched, just let me know and I'd be happy to do it!  

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LIFE:A Change Is Coming

Just a note--If you are offended, in any way, by religion, skip this post. It is not meant to make anyone uncomfortable, or to offend anyone.

When I was in middle school my entire life was my friends, my family and my church. I spent at least 3 days a week participating in youth group, weekend services and volunteering. The majority of the meaningful relationships I had in my life at that time were friendships I had formed with people who were just as active in the church as I was. I remember feeling so loved and so welcome, no matter what was going on in my outside life, when I walked into the church. That all changed for me with a hateful rumor my sophomore year of high school. Looking back, it's hard to remember exactly what was said. I do, however, remember going to the pastor of my youth group looking for comfort. I was essentially told to "get over it." People who had been my friends for years were no longer talking to me, leaders were looking at me in, what seemed to be, a completely different light. The church went from a place of comfort and happiness to a place of rejection and hurt. I quit going to youth group, I let longtime friendships slip through my fingers without even trying to revive them, and I stopped serving and attending in every capacity. I was checked out. It took me months to even consider going back for regular weekend services. Even when I did decide to participate on the weekends, I wasn't allowing myself to get anything from the sermons. Attending every weekend eventually turned into attending "once in a while," which turned into not attending at all. It's been 7 years now and I find myself still struggling with everything I feel I've lost. 

Because Matt was scheduled to work on Easter, we made plans to have dinner with his Mom and Stepfather the night before to celebrate the holiday. Bruce and Lavon were planning on going to the 5pm Easter service at the church and asked if we wanted to attend with them. Reluctantly, I agreed. The day of the service, I found myself trying to think of any excuse I could use to back out. As the day wore on I would think of something, decide to use it, and then feel guilty and talk myself out of it. Finally, it was 4:30pm and they were at our house to pick us up. It was too late to back out. When we got to the church, I made a B line for the auditorium. We picked our seats and waited for the service to begin. The whole time we were sitting there, I felt awkward and uncomfortable. Once the service began, all of that seemed to fall to the wayside. I was overcome with emotion. It felt so good to be apart of of a place that had fundamentally changed my entire life, even at such a young age. I left the church that evening feeling so conflicted. I knew that God was calling me to be a part of his ministry, through my church. Yet, I felt weighed down by the fact that there were, and still are, so many people at the church that made me feel so useless and unworthy. I fought with those emotions for several days but ultimately decided that I was going to try to get involved again. 


Then, something came up today that was entirely unexpected. Yet again, I let my guard down and it came back to bite me in the ass. Yet again, the betrayal is coming from someone who I've considered a good friend for a lot of years--someone I know through the church. At first, I felt hurt and sad. Now, I see it for what it truly is. Childish. I refuse to let 2 or 3 people keep me from where I'm supposed to be. Some people will never grow up...and if they want to stay in a perpetual state of childish behavior, who am I to stop them? At some point, we have to allow the past to be just that, the past. I'm going to do my best to rise above it all and focus on what is right in front of me...my family, my husband, my friends--and my future. If I can do that, the rest will fall into place. I'm not going to allow my past to define my future anymore, and neither should you.


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