Monday, January 7, 2013

Make-up Brush Essentials

 
Which make-up brushes are essential?  There are so many out there... Which ones do you really need?  Even I can get lost in Sephora just gazing at the plethora of brushes they have!!
 
I've established what I would call a "starter kit."  The must haves I use every day.  Of course, after I took this picture, I started thinking of more...  But I'll try to stay on task.
 
 


1) Kabuki brush
Use for applying pressed and loose foundation.

2) Blush brush
Use for applying blush and bronzer.

3) Eye blender
Use for applying your hilighter color in eye shadows.

4) Eye base
Use for applying all over color to your lids.

5) Angled eye
Use the pointy end for applying your darker color in your crease.  This brush is very versatile.  For years it was the only brush I used for shadow!  Use the flat end to apply your base color.  Use the pointy end for your darker shadow in your crease, and then use the pointy end again in your hilight color.  The drawbacks with using it for all three things is residual shadow, the eye base brush is wider and easier to use for applying base color and the eye blender brush is focalized for applying the hilight.  Easier application with the specific brushes  but you can wing it with just the angled eye in a pinch.

6) Dual brow
Use with brow powder to fill in your brows.

7) Smudge brush
Use this with your darkest eye shadow and smudge it over your eyeliner.  It blends your eyeliner, keeps it from being a harsh line, and ties it in with your eyeshadow. 

If you use liquid foundation, I highly recommend a foundation brush (not pictured).  For starters, I can't stand getting foundation on my hands.  Using a brush allows your to smooth out your foundation and also to not waste it.

For applying concealer, a camouflage brush or precision camouflage is a must (also not pictured.) Sort of the same as with a foundation brush, it allows for smooth application and precise application. 

Contact me to purchase brushes.  Which brush is your favorite?

Monday, December 31, 2012

Perfect Eyebrows Now!


The elusive perfect eyebrow.


Yes, it can be yours!  First you need to tweeze, wax, thread, etc your brows into shape.  If you do not feel comfortable tweezing yourself, turn to a professional!!  Better yet, if you don't know one, pick someone with amazing brows and ask who waxes theirs.

Now, just waxing alone is not all you need to do.  As you can see from my puny eyebrow, it's got a thinning spot and we need to fix that!
 
 
 
You need the right tools.  Dual brow brush and brow powder.  Mine is gloMinerals in taupe. 





















Brush the powder over your eyebrow and fill in your brow.

It's that easy!!



Saturday, December 1, 2012

So you don't like Starbucks, now what?

I know, I know, I can't believe it either, but yes it is true.  Some people don't like Starbucks.

But there is hope, an aha moment, a light at the end of the tunnel.

In my infinite wisdom, I think if you don't like Starbucks, then you just haven't had the amazing drink that calls to you, that sings to your tastebuds, that begs you to come back so you can become a Starbucks Gold Card Member in record breaking time!!

First, let me assure you, I was not always a coffee lover.  Yes, it is my confession, and much to my mother's dismay, I would not drink coffee with her.  As I approach my 40th (woot woot!!!) birthday, I think back on birthdays growing up and I promise you every year she would set a steaming mug of joe in front of me with an expectant look in her eye.  "Today?  You'll start drinking coffee with me?  Please?  You'll love it!"  I did not.  Not even a little.  And I'm not kidding, every year she begged me to start drinking coffee with her.  Bless her heart...

But now I have seen the error of my ways, my wayward heart has found it's home, or my tastebuds have anyway!!

First, because all the cool kids are doing it, you need to download the Starbucks app.  Get yourself a Starbucks gift card to get started.  You register the card on the app and then you can use either the app on your phone or your card to pay when you go to Starbucks!!  After every 12 visits, you get a free drink or food item of your choice.  

It's so easy, even a caveman could do it...

What, you think this menu is confusing?  grande... venti... frappuccino?

Oh and I have to throw this out there.  Don't get their hot chocolate.  Sorry Starbucks...  It tastes like a wet shoe.  How they can achieve perfection in so many areas and yet fail at America's staple, pure unadulterated Hot Chocolate?  It is truly a mystery.

Back to the menu...

Small=Tall
Medium=Grande
Large=Venti

See?  That's not so hard! 

Espresso=Hot coffee flavored with yumminess
Frappuccino=Frozen coffee yumminess

For either of those, just choose your poison.  Iced coffee drinks are also super yummy.  Didn't know I liked them til someone brought me one and I fell in love...

If you've never had a Starbucks you liked, I suggest you start with a White Mocha.  Good hot, cold, or as a frappuccino.  From there try the Salted Caramel Mocha (my happy place, it's like grown up Hot Chocolate (not Starbucks hot chocolate but like super fabulousness Hot Chocolate, like Starbucks wished their hot chocolate was like)).  Next if you like pumpkin, I suggest the Pumpkin Spice Latte.  My friend, Terri, said don't get that bad boy cold, first of all it's orange.  We just don't need to know we're drinking orange cold coffee. 

If you get something at Starbucks that you don't like, they will happily make you something else.  Their customer service is (normally) unparalled.  Just one of the reasons I keep going back.  Have to say, I like it when people are nice...

But what if you just can't stand coffee and nothing but nothing is going to change your mind? 

It's all good.  Have a Caramel Apple Spice!  Liquid caramel apple pie rolling down your throat.  It's so delicious, it's sinful. 

How about something yummy to eat?

Is this cookie not precious?  And it is so delicious!!! 

How about some hot wonderfulness?

The oatmeal is good.  Not great, not bad.  It would be better if they would give me some butter and brown sugar (they do have brown sugar) and maple syrup.  I'm like Elf, I love syrup!

We, my whole family, adore the Bacon, Egg, and Gouda breakfast sandwich.  It is awesome!!!  They also have lots of treats in their bakery case.

Which Starbuck's drink is your favorite?

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Fabu! The BEST Gift Shop

Wow.

Well, I have found my "go-to" for gifts store...

 
My, I need a little "happy-for-me" store...


My "everything" store!  My "great stuff" store!


It's Fabu in West Nashville and it is da bomb dot com!


Not much to look at on the outside...  But don't let this appearance fool you!


Jewelry, Purses, Clothes, Scarves, Wall Art, Wall Hangings, Candles, Shoes, Boots...


Gifts, ooh they gift wrap too, Home Decor, Christmas Ornaments, Christmas Decorations...


Baby Gifts, Silly Gifts, Awesome Cards, And On And On!!!

 
You will love it, I promise!
 
 
P.S. My love language is gifts.  My birthday is December 6.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Cutest Business Cards Evah

 
'nuff said.
 
So, this isn't the best pic.  They don't have the dark outline.  It's just sitting on my desk.
 
Ok, but on to the important stuff. 
 
moo.com has what they call prinfinity.  Ooh aah...
 
 
 
So each business card can have a different picture!!!   So stinkin' cool!!! 
 
The quality of the card stock is amazing too.  Thick and fabulous feeling.  My cards were done using my Facebook Page.  So for each different image, I had to upload a new cover photo.  That sorta stinks because of course every time you upload a new cover photo, that gets published to Facebook.
 
All of my different designs.  The last one is the backside.
 
  But I love, love, love the Facebook layout on the front of the card!
And I love not having all that info that I always thought was pertinent.  I mean really, all anyone needs is your number and your email anymore. 
So these cards are amazing.  Go to moo.com to get yours!
 

Saturday, November 10, 2012

gloMinerals Ballerina Eyeshadow Trio Tutorial

I love this trio!  When you need a fresh, clean look, this is the trio to go to.



  First, always start with eye primer.  Today I used Urban Decay's.




I also love gloMinerals Under Eye Primer ($24).  If I forget to use it, I can immediately tell!  It brightens your undereye area and reduces wrinkles.

Start with the lightest pink color and use the base brush and apply it to your entire eyelid.

Next use the angled eye brush and apply the gray color to your accent area.  It's so important to use the angled eye brush and blend, blend, blend!

Use your texture brush and apply the darkest pink to the base of your eyelid, just above your lashes. 

I love using my gloMicro Precision Eye Pencil in brown.  Apply it thicker at the outer corners and taper it in to about 1/2 across your eye.

Curl your eyelashes.  This is for real.  Curled eyelashes make you appear awake and your eyes appear larger.  Don't just curl them once.  Do it several times until you have your desired result!  Click here for my mascara tutorial.

Apply your mascara and voila!  Super beautiful eyes.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Rosepepper Cantina

For super yummy Mexican, head to East Nashville!  Rosepepper Cantina has a great atmosphere, is fun, and delicious!  


www.lenorabeam.com


Love, love, love their margaritas, fajitas, chips and salsas (they bring 3 different salsas!), buffalo white cheese dip, the list goes on and on! 



www.lenorabeam.com

East Nashville is such a great little area.  Lots of fabulous places right near each other!  We love going out there. 



Head over to Jeni's for some ice cream if you have room for dessert!