enough is enough is enough!

(I do not own this image.)

Okay...

I have been checking out tons of other blogs lately and I have been truly inspired by the outfits and fresh faces being posted up! I think it's high time that I joined them, right???!! Unfortunately, at my job we have this utterly icky dress code that only consists of the colors red, white and black.... and POLO SHIRTS! Do you all even know how mundane this can be??? So, like my title has already told you, enough is enough! I am embarking on a style challenge of my own to break out of this rut I'm in and to spark up my creativity. I only spend a portion of time at work and it shouldn't rule my chic-ness at home!

The challenge: To incorporate life and color into my makeup and outfits for the next 14 days.

I'm planning to post pictures and maybe you all can give me some feedback on how I do. By the end of this I think my need to express myself will be satisfied in addition to the creative stimulation to better hone some style skills!

Has there ever been something you wanted to challenge yourself to do? Maybe now's the time to give it a try? ;)


btw... that picture of the puppy was totally unnecessary, but it totally describes how I feel; completely exasperated, yet still cute at the same time. Lol.

make a wish...

...then blow out those candles!

Today is my mommy's birthday!

Her age???! That's for her to know and the rest of us never to find out, lol. I just wanted to take the time to wish her the best day ever!


Is anyone else out there celebrating their special day today???  ;)

L...O...T...D...

Happy Monday everyone! I trust you all are doing well??!! It has been hella crazy with the weather here... Sometimes snow flurries, then the next moment temperatures mimicking a crisp fall day??? What next?!

Anyways, today was a little uneventful. Just work and then some YouTube surfing. However, I was inspired to play with some makeup afterwards...

Wanna see???

Aren't I adorable? I love this look! I had purchased an eyeshadow trio by the Sally Hansen/Carmindy collaboration line and I thought the shadows were going to be a lot darker than this... however, I actually like the way the blue looks. It's smoky without being overpowering. I paired it with a frosty pink lip gloss and a bright candy-colored blush. When you add these ingredients together, you get an unbelivably innocent look. I could almost get away with anything, no?

Let me tell you what I used:

Face:
NYX blush in Pinky
Nars blush in Orgasm (used for shimmer/highlight)
...surprisingly no foundation or tinted moisturizer!

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Ocean Eye palette
NYC eyeliner in Black/Ebony
Almay One Coat Thickening mascara in Blackest Black
NYC Browser kit in Brunette

Lips:
Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm
NYX Goddess of the Night lip gloss in French Kiss
Lip Smacker Squeezy lip gloss in Pink Lemonade (used for minimal shine)

Some of these products sound as sweet as cotton candy! And before you even ask, yes, I am in my pajamas. I had gotten out of the shower and just went to work on this look... If you noticed, my hair is all curled up too... I was inspired by some of the short hair tutorials people had to offer and tried something new. One of my favorites referenced Selena Gomez's curly up do. I put my own spin on it and here's a closer look at what I came up with...

...from the front...

and the back.

What do you think? It seems to make me look like I have more hair... I dunno. Anyways, I just wanted to take the time to share with you. Hope you liked my look, and thank you for stopping by for a little while!


Kisses! ♥

in and out... (4)

It's my first "in and out" of the year! Here goes...


IN:

1. Working out.
I have been rediscovering the pain that comes with using a Jillian Michaels fitness DVD and she has been kicking my ass! Still, I do feel pretty good afterwards... like I really accomplished something! Lol.

2. Developing a new budget.
Hauls are so much fun, but not so hot if you still have bills left to pay! I have been working on a new personal budget in order to help me stick to spending only so much a month... I mean, how much makeup does a girl really need??! Well, a lot. But that's besides the point...

3. New goals.
I never really liked setting resolutions... You can start fresh at any time! I am aware that it just feels good going into a new year with a new idea of you, but sometimes we can't just jump into things cold turkey, no? So instead, I set goals. It's also important to write them down. That way, when you are reflecting on yourself and what you have acheived, six months or a year from now, you can really feel good to see that you conquered your challenge.

4. Self-confidence.
Okay, I've never really had a huge issue with self-confidence considering the last few posts I put up... (they're all of me!) But recently, I haven't been feeling stellar. Just not myself... and a lot of second-guessing within the last two weeks. I have decided that this is 2010 and no time to be a shrinking violet! I am who I am, and I love me! Not to be conceited, but I am pretty awesome and others should know too!


OUT:

1.Hiatus.
Really, Ari??! Two weeks??
I know that it has been a while since I posted anything, but my schedule has been crazy. My family, job, friends and bf have all needed my undivided attention. So, I am planning out a blog schedule to help myself stay on track. I appreciate my few followers and I am sorry if I have disappointed in any way with my lack of content! Thank you for continuing to take the time to stop by... that is, if you're still reading this space!

2. No personal space.
Okay, it is time to put on the big girl undies and move out! I think I have been enjoying that little area under my momma's wing so much that I have forgotten there is a time when we have to leave the nest... So one of my other goals is to do just that!

Even though I am like 20 days late (damn procratination!), are there any goals/aspirations/resolutions/dreams etc. that you want to accomplish? ;)

gimmie a head with hair!

Just dropping by to say hi!

So.... HI!!

I hope everyone had a great time over their holidays and enjoyed ringing in the new year. Me? I fell asleep and woke up 15 MINUTES after the ball dropped!!!! Total fail.... Still, I did look cute doing it. I will be back soon to share some stuff, but until then enjoy these pics of my fabulous hair! (It decided to cooperate, so I decided to commemorate the moment.)

Thanks for stopping by! ;)

you play too much!

It's been a little while since I've posted a FOTD or an OOTD...

So, why not do both in this post??!

I was playing around with some different shades after picking up an e.l.f. palette for $5 from Target. It comes with some really nice basic shades. I added a little sparkle and a pop of color and really enjoyed what I came up with! The first few pics are of how it turned out. The latter photos are of me messing around in the bathroom, trying to figure out the timer function on the camera. (No worries. You can totally lol if you want!)

Can you tell I love taking photos of myself? I didn't think so either... ;)

liar, liar. pants on fire...

(This picture is not my personal property.)

Umm... is it just me, or does this FTC mandate make us sound more and more like liars everyday???

I understand that the angle is to make sure you aren't just positively endorsing products you get for free... The public wants and need honest reviews!

Still, with that being said, for me to have to announce that "this my honest opinion", even if I got something for free, seems like we're trying too hard to come off as honest in the first place, no? How do you really know I'm telling the truth?

I guess we go off the assumption that most beauty bloggers giving their reviews on a product treat their word as their bond, and typing an honest review means more than free gifts...

Alas, what can you do when the government has spoken???