Weekly Eye Candy: Jamie Dornan

The first time, I ever laid eyes on this man, was while watching Once Upon A Time. Mmm mmm Sheriff Graham Humbert aka The Huntsman.What's not to love? He's stunning, funny,talented,humble and that accent!(Got to love these Irish men) Of course he's reached mass success being Christian Grey and everyone is losing their minds, rightfully so. I also love him in The Fall with Gillian Anderson. Aside from all his acting and/or modeling, he has a lovely wife, 2 beautiful children and he's captivating..........alright well that's enough rambling from me.

Enjoy!

Swoon................

Stay Beautiful Y'all

XOXO

Emily

Being Happier

I honestly didn't know how to start this post........

Every way I tried, I hated. Didn't like, it felt fake, stupid, impersonal, the list in my head literally goes on and on. But I wanted to blog about a topic with a bit more depth and substance to it. Not that this post will have much of either of those, but we are going to try.

Getting started, I guess, I have been known......on occasion to have a shitty attitude towards things. Dare I say a spoiled brat, bitchy mentality. A lot of people in my life have confused this with being pessimistic, I'm not a pessimist, if anything I would say I'm a realist. I attempt to see things from a real point of view, and often that point of view has been  more  on the negative side than positive.

Which does confuse me at times, because I grew up happy, I had a happy childhood, I believe. I was an only child, which is where the spoiled brat comes from, I was a HUGE one and on occasion still can be. I'll be the first to tell you I'm not an easy person to live with. I'm hard headed, stubborn, strong willed, sarcastic, I like to argue. I have a short temper and I'm a little crazy.  If you don't know me, I appear very quiet, reserved, standoffish........I come off as a snob, for lack of a better observation. On the flip side of that, I'm very loyal, funny, passionate, artistic.........but only a hand full of people know this.

 Once people get to know me, their outlook of me changes. The problem there being, I'm extremely selective of who I allow myself to open up to. So very few know me as a person, most only know the woman that comes off quiet and standoffish.

Honestly this doesn't bother me, if I want you to think differently of me or I happen to care how you view me, if you view me in a negative light, I'll attempt to change it, cut and dry. Otherwise, I pay no mind to it.

There were instances in my life, events, relationships that left me feeling like I wasn't deserving of happiness. Slowly coming to terms in a sense, that there would always be this immense void, never to be filled. 

I've struggled with that for most of my adult life

However, deep down, I have this need, desire, whatever label you want to put on  it.......to be happier.

I yearn for it........

I believe we all want to be happier to some extent. Everyone's extents being smaller or larger than everyone else's. Sure we all have hidden our unhappiness at some point or another in our lives to save face. But being genially happier is what I want. I don't want to pretend to be happier then what I actually am. I just want to be that level of happy naturally. 

You have to be proactive when trying to be happier, trust me, happiness isn't going to decide to show up one day.

I had to start somewhere, my approach was simple yet has been effective.....

Going back to church, 

Reading books about fine tuning your marriage, corny as that sounds 

Being aware of how I talk to people, adjusting my tone has helped eminently.

Finding joy in small things

Being Grateful

Most importantly, learning to like/love myself

I started doing these few small things and slowly began to see my husband  take notice and steadily follow suite, and if that helps him in being happier, well that's a win-win to me. 

It's not just about me being happier either, this is going to affect my husband and my children tremendously . My being happier is going to benefit them just as much as it does me.

Like so many, I'm a work in progress. And I've learned to be okay with that.

Happiness can be found in the smallest actions, Allow yourself to be open to it 

Your journey to happiness has to start with you...........

Tip Toeing into Korean Skin Care

Hello Loves, I know I'm probably pretty late to this game, but hey! Better late than never right?

That game being Korean/Asian Skin Care

I can remember all the buzz that came with the rush of the Asian BB Cream movement a few years back and even now it's still pretty popular Then all the other makeup up companies came out with a BB Cream, then CC Cream came about and blah, blah, on and on it goes. 

With the thousands of different BB and CC Creams out there, I've heard, read, and been told that the best ones to get are the legit Asian or Korean ones. Simply because their better and have better skin care advantages. Let me be frank here, I totally get it, have you seen these Asian and Korean women? Hell, even some of the men, their skin is ridiculously flawless looking! Yes I know, in this day and age retouching is a companies best friend and no ones skin is that perfect but their skin is probably a little closer to being perfect than mine is.

Well just like the BB and CC Creams, in walks Korean/Asian Skin Care. Now before going any further let me say, I know very little about Korean/Asian skin care and I'm not in any way claiming to be an expert, so here's your warning to simmer down.

Getting back on topic.......

So.... I'm an avid YouTube watcher and I have even done a few videos (Gasp) ,whatever, and I've seen a lot of reviews and demos on the Laneige skin care brand. I t just so happens I recently ran out of some of my skin care products and since Laneige is available at target. com, I decide to order a kit to try some things out.

I purchased the Hydration Trial Kit, because I have normal to dry skin and I don't drink a lot of water like I should (I know, shame on me).  So anything with the words Skin Care and Hydration in it, I'm ALL About that life!

This is the kit

It retails on Target.com for $30 with free shipping

It comes in it's own little zip top bag, nothing fancy but functional. Good for travel.

 It includes 6 pieces:

Laneige Multi Cleanser- 30 ml/1.0 fl oz

Laneige Power Essential Skin Toner- 50 ml/1.6 fl oz

Laneige Balancing Emulsion- 50 ml/ 1.6 fl oz

Laneige Water Bank Serum- 30 ml/1.0 fl oz

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream- 20 ml/0.6 fl oz

Laneige Sleeping Mask- 20 ml/0.6 fl oz

I'd say you get a good amount of products for the price, definitely enough to try it and decide if it's worth investing more money in to.

I personally, have only used these products twice, so I can't give you an informed opinion or review about how these products preform or if I recommend them. What I can say is, so far so good.

I didn't have a reaction to them or have a crazy break out (thank you Jesus) but we will see what happens.

I'll do another post going into more detail about each of these products, their function, price ect. Also go into a bit more about Laneige as a company. Just be more informative on the topic.

I hope y'all find this post helpful, I'll see you guys next time!

Stay Beautiful Y'all

XOXO

Emily

My Every Day Beauty Go To Products!

Hello, Hello..........

LONG time, NOOOO talk, and for that I very much want to apologize. Life got a hold of me full force since October and my poor blog fell by the way side. Now that's not to say that I haven't been scribbling ideas and topics down that I want to touch on, because I have, I just haven't made it to putting them on the blog. So this is my attempt at that, I'm hoping it goes well, but we all know my motto that at time I tend to "Suck at life" but I really am going to try to get more organized and frankly just get my shit together! Because let's be real, chick needs to right!

Moving onward, routines and regiments. They are everywhere in all aspects of our lives right. Some big some small, but none the less all important on some level and that does not exclude a woman's daily beauty regiment. 

We each have our own routine, 10 minutes to hours, yes that's right I said HOURS. (I know I've been guilty of the Hour and a half getting myself together ridiculousness, as my husband so sweetly puts it HA) Doesn't matter how long and complex or short and simple, we all have one. We also all have our go to products, our ride or dies, the one's we gravitate to all day, everyday no matter what.

So let's just dive right in to my go to products for everyday!!!

                                                                                                         

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer

This moisturizer, is phenomenal! Course I've never met a gel based moisturizer that I didn't like and I have normal to dry skin. I feel that gel moisturizers really sink into my skin and hydrate my skin excellently without leaving a gross, greasy residue on top of my skin

  

Too Faced Hangover Rx

One of 3 primers I use, Too Faced Hangover Rx. It's wonderful especially if it's a day I'm not wearing a tone of makeup. It's light and that smell doesn't bother me. It has coconut water in it which is kinda an added bonus and it just leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft. Plus, my skin looks a bit better after I put it on, in my own opinion.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water

Smashbox Primer Water.  Okay when I first heard everyone chatting about this little gem, I honestly didn't understand why everyone was so taken by it. Wow it's "water" that primes your face...........what? I guess you could say I didn't get it to a certain extent. Alas though, for my birthday I caved and bought it and tried it. To say I was impressed by it, would be a complete understatement.  It still boggles my brain a little but this biz works, it primes your face and creates a really great base for your makeup to go on and it helps it stay on, so yeah #Winning!!

** Quick side note, the 21 days of beauty at Ulta beauty, the Smashbox Primer Water is a beauty steal on March 24th. It's $16 compared to the regular at $32!! So go grab it!!!

It Cosmetics CC+ Cream

Aw yes, the infamous It Cosmetics CC Cream, granting wishes since..........I don't know where I was going with that.  Funny thing, can I be honest, I didn't like this stuff when I first tried it and I was bummed beyond belief. Frankly because of how much research on did on it before buying it. Review after review, demo after demo everyone EVERYONE pimped the hell out of this shiz like it was their J.O.B. It's so full coverage, it will cover all your blemishes, it makes your skin look so flawless. Everyone was saying the same thing. 

(Except for Nicole aka Young Wild and Polished) I think she may have been one of maybe 3 people who didn't care for it.

So I bit the proverbial beauty bullet and bought this sucker and hyped it up to a level a utter absurdity

used it a few times and thought to myself, what a bunch of fuqing liars, they ALL lied!! For one it's not what I would consider "full coverage" it covers some things, don't get that wrong but full coverage? Nah! Which I get because it's a CC cream, it's not a full fledged foundation. It does cover some of your blemishes, but freckles, forget about it. They're going to show through some. Also, it has a citrus scent to it, if you're not into that. I continued to use it and  I like it now and wear it quite often. It claims to have skin care benefits, that I don't really know, but it is a good cc cream.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

What can I say about this foundation that hasn't already been said?  And not just this foundation but the concealer that goes with it, alone they meld into the skin so nicely, put them together and holy shit balls I  can't even put into words, it's magical!  I love this foundation because of how light it. It doesn't feel like you're wearing anything on your face and  I am All about that life. it sets itself to a powder finish and it doesn't look heavy but it does give a very nice amount of coverage. It's infused with peptides, so it does have some skin care benefits. it's also light reflecting. Basically this foundation makes your skin look hella awesome while you're wearing it and even after!


.



Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush

Along with the foundation above I use this brush to apply it.
It's wonderful, I use one pump per side of my face (which isn't a lot) and this brush buffs/blends the foundation in so well. I never have any of those brush lines in my foundation. The bristles are soft and pretty dense, but there is a little bit of give to them, they;re not as tightly packed as say a Sigma brush. It hasn't shed any bristles. It'd very nice brush, I highly recommend it.



Kat Von D Monarch Palette

Let me just say, Kat Von D knows her shit when it comes to quality and design! Plus she's seems like a really rad yet completely down -to- earth, approachable person, and she's dating Steve-O so what's not to love.  This palette is so versatile. It's neutral yet you can do an array of eye looks with it including shimmer and smokey.  The pigmentation alone is NUTS. The shadows are soft and blend like a dream.









Tarte's Lights Camera Lashes

I never use to be a big mascara person, no I don'y know what was wrong with me either. I love this mascara I like a lot of mascaras but this is my top one that I can't be without. I don't always use it, but best believe I ALWAYS have one on hand. It makes my lashes look full and fluttery, but doesn't make them feel hard or crispy.  It Leaves them looking soft and separated.






Benefit's Roller Lash

This one I just recently started using again. It's good, it's mascara, what can I say. I like the way it makes my lashes look. Doesn't leave them as soft feeling as the Tarte but it still does a good job. Now I have tried it with and without curling my lashes, because that's what it's whole claim is and I have to say I like it better when I curl my lashes first then apply it. That's just me and mt preference.





CK One Color Shine Lipstick in 800 Naked

ItsKeerstin turned me on to these lipsticks and I'm so glad for it because it's an amazing lipstick.  It's a shine lipstick which means it gives off some color but it has a nice shine to it so you don't need gloss if you don't want it. Also the lipstick is super moisturizing  and has a very nice feel on the lips, you know kinda  the same way Jamie Dornan would.......awww yes. Anyways the price point on it is actually not terrible either. I like more neutral/nude shades, they're more wearable with my complexion and this one is fantastic








L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick in Sheer Linen

This drug store lipstick is my ALL TIME FAVORITE neutral lipstick. The price is on point because it is drug store, but the quality reminds me a lot of the CK One lipstick. It's a nice neutral color, it doesn't feather on my lips it has a shine to it and it just feels nice to wear, it's not drying......I just love it, I always have one as a backup just in case because that's how quickly I will go through it. The obsession is real and I love it!









Buxom Full On Lip Polish in Emily

Don't know much I can say about lip gloss. It's necessary at times and the fact that this one has the same name as me well, need I say more. It's a beautiful color which comes off sheer, it's cooling/tingling on your lips and it smells like heaven. It's not sticky, and great for everyday use. It's quite lovely!









Urban Decay Setting Sprays

These are a God send, especially during the summer. I use the All Nighter and the Chill setting sprays and they do an amazing job at setting my makeup and keeping it looking fresh.  It's definitely worth the money.








Marc Jacobs Daisy- Blush

This scent.....first off I'm terrible at describing them, I'm just not that gifted. What I do know is I'm a VERY VERY scent oriented person (if that even makes sense, I hope it does) If I find a scent and I like it then it's like I'm  drawn to it. It affects my mood, it's crazy. It almost calls out to me, I can't even explain it, I'm trying to and I'm just making myself sound like a complete lunatic. I love the original Daisy by Marc Jacobs this one is just a bit more floral which I usually don't go for but this it's almost equal parts floral and fresh. It's phenomenal. Also I hate how they're limited edition, seriously Marc why do you have to be a jerk like that? I thought we were cool....Gahh



There you have it, my shortish list of all my daily go to's that I reach for every day
What are some of yours?


Stay beautiful y'all



XOXO
Emily