My Hundredth Post!

I'm a huge makeup and hair product junkie. I don't really wear a lot of makeup in my day-to-day life, but it's fun for me to try new things, and find *the best of the best*. It can be drug store products, or brand name products--I'm not picky. So, here is my tried and true list of things I'm likin'.

Okay...admittedly, I have only owned this set of skin care products for 2 days, but I lurv it. I picked up a travel size set on a whim, and because my skin was falling apart, and it was well worth the hefty price of $35. I can already see a difference in my skin. Dermalogica is a reputable brand, and the Clean Start line was designed for teens to help them develop a regimen. My favorite product is the scrub. It's a mask and a scrub in one, and it feels tingly and works better than my standard apricot scrub. Anyway, yeah. I really like it, and even though it's only been 2 days, it's made my skin feel better than it has in a while.

I just read that the average person goes through 7 types of foundation before they find the perfect one. I'd say that's probably about accurate. :) Over the years, I've tried a bunch of drug store foundations, and decided it's best to splurge and get it from a department store. That way, it's more likely to match my skin. Some foundations are too cakey (MAC), some don't really match perfectly (Clinique), but this one is juuust right. It goes on really smooth and light, and matches perfectly. Concealer takes care of covering anything else (pimples, undereye circles).

So, here is a case where the drugstore product is equal or superior to it's pricey cousin. I recently got my hair dyed darker, 'cept it turned out almost black. So I went back, and the stylist washed my hair with bleach, and it lightened my hair up, but it also completely wrecked my hair. It felt really dry and damaged. Grrr. So, I purchased Garnier Fructis 3-Minute Undo for $4. It made my hair noticeably softer and smelled good. A couple of days later, (while getting the Clean Start kit, I was in a shopping mood, haha), I was at a Bumble & Bumble salon, and got the Creme-de-Cocoa hair mask. This mask did make my hair really soft and not as straw-like, and it smelled a little more...expensive and luxurious. I actually really like it, but there is about a $20 difference in the price-tag. So, for results that are practically the same, I'd just go with Garnier.

For a while, I was kind of obsessed with Diorshow mascara. I had never used a mascara that made my eyelashes look so long and full. BUT, I couldn't ignore the fact that it flaked like crazy and would always leave me with raccoon eyes by the end of the day. Well, Loreal Voluminous mascara is awesome. It lengthens, volumizes (duh), and doesn't flake. And, it's much cheaper. I'd go as far as saying it's better than the once beloved Diorshow.

While sitting next to my friend one day, I noticed that her lips were shiny (but not too shiny), barely tinted, and pretty looking. So, I kissed her. Just kidding. So I asked her what lip gloss she was wearing, and it turned out to be an amazing lip gloss that costs $1.72. The lip gloss pictured isn't the same color, (hers was Sheer Raspberry), but I'm pretty impressed by this cheap lipgloss. No funky smell or taste, it lasts a reasonable time, and I bet that the sheer raspberry color is universally pretty. It'd work for anyone.

Here's another splurge. Mine's lasted for over a year. It's a Nars orgasm/laguna duo. It's convenient to have a blush and bronzer in one compact, and these colors are really subtle and add just enough color to keep me from looking like a vampire. Even though vampires are totally in right now. Ha.

So, coming from a beauty product expert (ME :) Okay, maybe not), these are products I would gladly stamp my name on.

La la la...

Is anyone else out there as excited to see "Where the Wild Things Are" as I am?

This book was a major part of growing up for me. My dad would read it to Rachel and me all the time. He would open it up, smell the binding, and then have us smell it too. According to him, every book has its own unique smell.

The book is also the first book in my teaching career that I read aloud to a class. I was worried Mrs. B's kindergartner's wouldn't quite get the concept, but they did.

It's hard to believe that in a month and a half I will be taking over a first grade class. Taking Over. Um, yikes. I can't wait to see those kid's chubby faces again, though. Also, it will be nice to be completely done with classes. 6 years of full time college + working = exhaustion. I have definitely earned that degree. I'm ready to educate. :)

The other day, Rachel and I went on a semi-dinner-date with a set of twins. So now, I can cross that off my bucket list. lol. So entertaining.

Today, I'm trying to get over this crappy cold/flu. If it's swine flu, this would also be the day that I could potentially develop a bad fever. As it is, I've been trying to load up on Dayquil and stay out of the doctor's office. They don't need to see yet another flu patient.

But, in the meantime, today is all about Autumn. Carving pumpkins, listening to the new Brandi Carlile CD (LOVE her), sipping coffee, pumpkin flavored confections... <3

Mulled Cider Deliciousness

Mmmm, the smell of Mulled Cider candles is making me very, very happy right now. That, and I am flying to Vegas tonight. Yay! :)

I can't remember if I wrote this, (probably not cause I hardly write on here), but I walked into the boyfriend's house the other day to see that the dreaded plant ledge had been magically decorated by his mom. She ended up putting a vintagey clock, some vases/pottery things, and some vintage books up there. I was SO relieved not to have to decorate it.

Has anyone ever said something to you that just bugs you? When I told his grandma that I thought the plant ledge looked good, she said, "Yeah, we wanted to make it masculine, and we didn't think you would mind, because Jami (his mom) said you aren't particularly girly."

Not particularly girly? What the heck does that mean? Does my image suggest I am a tomboy? Do I have masculine qualities?

I don't know, but I have always thought of myself as pretty girly. I like lace, and ruffles, and bows, and pink, and flowers. Maybe I need to feminize my wardrobe? Wear more pink? I don't know.

Anyway, I've been kind of obsessing over that little comment. Aah!

Btw, while I'm in Vegas, my joy will be dampered by the fact that I have to memorize ALL of Africa's countries and their capitals. Yeah. That's a lot. But I will pull it off.

Color

I'm settled into my apartment in Pullman now...I'll be here for the next 10 weeks.

After that, I will be taking over my first grade classroom. Eek. This thought makes me extremely anxious. I know I will be a good teacher, but I need some confidence. I need my cooperating teacher to tell me she can see it in me. I need some validation! My last practicum teacher told me that some people are born with the gift of teaching, and some have to work for it, but she can see that I am a natural. I will just have to repeat that to myself!

I am grateful to be here in Pullman. Between work and school, I was working 7 days a week, so it feels like someone hit the PAUSE button.

My apartment is full of cozy things... blankets, mulled cider candle, my favorite tv shows, coffee, books, and a fridge full of delicious and healthy food--courtesy of Costco.

I have so much glorious time! Granted, my first day of class is tomorrow, and so that time might go down the drain...but for now, I need to focus on seeing the color in my life. No more gray...

On another note, I am going to Vegas in a few days. I'm looking forward to shopping for a few new clothes [just threw out, sorted through all the old ones], eating some good food, going to a show or two, and just enjoying a much needed break from my everyday life.

The Rachel Zoe Project is on in T-12 minutes... :)

Aint nothin' gonna bring me down.

Abominations

So, the boyfriend's house is gorgeous. There are certain things about it though, that make it very hard to decorate.



Like this plant ledge (This picture is obviously from during construction):

First of all, I had to search on google for a long time before I figured out what the heck that space cut out in the wall is. Seriously. Try googling "space cut out in the wall." It doesn't yield very many results. So, finally, I figured out that it's for plants, but here's the dilemma:

1. I (generally) dislike fake plants. The real thing is just so much better. I think too many fake plants can look tacky.

2. If I were to put real plants on that danged plant ledge, well, how am I going to water them?

This was the only picture I could find of a decent plant ledge. I like the contrast between the stark white and bright green. It looks clean and fresh.

But, it just wouldn't look the same with the paint in the boyfriend's living room. Plus, his plant ledge is humongous.

Sure, I could put baskets, or display something on it, but I'm not a basket type of girl, and I am seriously...

STUMPED.

And don't even mention the "niche" above the fireplace.

FALL

"The time has come," the Walrus said,"To talk of many things:

Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--Of cabbages--and kings--

And why the sea is boiling hot--And whether pigs have wings."



For the past couple of weeks, I've been in a 1st grade classroom. Now, the picture that WSU has painted in my little head of what teaching entails has been smashed to smithereens. The day is so full of standards and requirements and bla bla bla, that the teachers hardly have time to read the children a book! To me, reading to children is the most important thing a teacher can do.



I have been observing in the most diverse classroom. The school itself is 90.7% Hispanic. (So, I guess it's not that diverse? Depends on how you look at it.) The kids have these huge brown eyes, and cheeks that bounce up and down, and they are so so precious. So far, there is suspected domestic abuse and suspected sexual abuse in a couple of the students' homes, the students all test really low, and there are some very prominent behavior issues. One girl is even afraid of flushing toilets! Can't say I blame her. Some toilets can be very alarming, indeed. So, it is going to be a very interesting year. I wouldn't have it any other way.



So, other than school, nothing too exciting has happened. The boyfriend closed on his house, so it's been fun getting new furniture and appliances. The house is so nice that I think he/we are still kind of in shock at how lucky he was to get it! It's a brand new house, so my biggest hurdle will be warming the house up and giving it a comfortable and inviting feel. Right now, with the walls bare, it has a kind of stark feel to it. Everything is brand new and so clean. I have a feeling I'm really going to struggle with this task! I don't want to put anything in the house that will cheapen it, but I also want to be able to put anthropologie inspired things in it. Conundrum.



We are going to Vegas in a couple of weeks! This will be my 3rd time. I really don't have an interest in gambling at all, but I do want to go to a Cirque de Soleil show, eat some good food, see the Bellagio fountains, and SHOP! <--as much as a broke student can, anyway.



It actually makes me happy to be at work today. I feel like my life has been so rushed lately, it's almost good to be forced to sit! I've been trying to catch up on all things internet-related.



Other things that make me happy:

"Yoga-ta Get This" nail polish. I've been trying to try out different nail polish colors. I got a manicure yesterday with this color. The worker said it was an "interesting color choice." Hmm, I think that's kind of the same thing as calling a bad date "interesting." Anyway, I rarely get manicures because I wreck them so fast, but they make me happy.

I'm loving this plum purple for fall. I think it's such a romantic color. The fact that these shoes are velour also add to that plush and regal look. Alas, I've really had to think about shoe comfort lately. I'm on my feet all day at school, so... : (

Lastly, the boyfriend alluded to grilling up some steak tonight. It's been a long time since I've had steak, and he makes it so good. He better not let me down!

Hizzouse

I faintly recall watching Julia Child on PBS when I was a kid, and maybe that helped to spur my love/obsession with all things food. Last night I watched a 10 minute clip of her cooking, and I was intrigued. She is definitely not the polished and veneered personality that I am used to watching on Food Network. She is kind of awkward, and it seems like she trips over her words sometimes, but she is full of interesting tidbits. I think that will be my new Youtube obsession.





On the subject of homemaking (sort of), I've been having a lot of fun traveling to every furniture store in the TC with the boyfriend. I would describe my style as part contemporary, part simplistic, and part cottage chic. It's an interesting mix. I like sleek and simple lines, but with fun, comfortable, and traditional touches. Make any sense? The hardest thing to find, by far, was a decent bedset. They were either too ornate, or an ugly color of wood. I think we finally found a winner.





Oh... I found a dining set that I loved, and then the bf's mom found it on Craigslist. Steal! She bought it as a housewarming gift. Um, love.






This table definitely errs on the contemporary side of things.

Anyway, I love house shopping. I think we are waiting til we get all the furniture in the house to get any real decor. That will be a whole project in itself.

So I've been doing the South Beach diet (well, for a day anyway), and it SUCKS. My little sister is doing it, so I figured I'd support her. Of course, one of the nurses today brought in a huge box of cantaloup that she grew in her garden. I just think it's ridiculous that this diet forbids fruit. I'm dreaming of ripe and juicy peaches. It also doesn't help that I don't really like the food I'm allowed to eat. Breakfast this morning was eggs. *gag*. I'm determined to stick this out for a week at least.