The Great #Selfie Debate

Word: Selfie

Definition:  A picture that you've taken of yourself that is planned to be uploaded to social media.  You can typically see your arm holding the camera and you're either doing a #duckface or trying to look in a different direction other than the camera.  After minutes of taking several pics and spending more time than necessary editing them, you share them with the world!

 Taking a car selfie.  Don't worry- I was parked.  I think?

I'd like to say that I don't really care about what people think of me.  But when it comes to selfies...I'll admit, I get a little cautious.  It's pretty easy for people to think that when someone shares a selfie numerous times throughout the week and yes, even the day, that they're completely self absorbed and conceited. But is that always true?  What does someone's selfie really say about them?  Below I'm going to be sharing some selfies that I have on my phone and at the end of this post, I will tell you how many of them I have actually uploaded to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.  :-)

I was waiting at a bus stop and my hubby and I were taking pics.  I sneaked one of myself and yes, I know I'm showing too much cleave...again.  But what can I say?  It's inevitable with breasts of my size.

I feel like there are different types of girls that post selfies:

1. The truly narcissistic and self-centered girls.  

These chicks like to pose while wearing skimpy gym clothes, revealing tops, or hardly anything at all.  They're looking for shock value and want attention from guys, but you know who else?  They want attention from the girls too.  They do this as a slight competitive thing and it's almost like peacocking.  If you don't know what that means, either go to Urban Dictionary or watch 17 Again.

Snapping a selfie while at a dim sum restaurant.  Classy.

2. The girls who need a self esteem boost.  

They're feeling "ugly", "depressed", or "down" and need some ego stroking from others.  They put a pic of themselves out there where they know they look good, but try to display this false modesty in order to fish for compliments.  Or they really just have low self esteem and need reassurance from others of their beauty and good looks.

3.  The girls who just feel good about themselves and want you to know it...and they're kind of inspiring you to feel the same about yourself.

I have to say that I can't really hate on these girls because in a weird way there's a mix of a background of story going on here.  On one hand, they know they look great in the pic and they hope others think so too.  But then on the other hand, they're confident in themselves enough to put a picture of themselves out there in the first place and they really don't care what people will say or think.  They are fully aware that there are gonna be some haters, but there are also gonna be some lovers.  So no matter the outcome, they're just doing their thing.

And again while at a Thai restaurant.  The way I see it, it's usually a 50/50 split between taking pics of myself or the food.

So which girl am I?  Well, as promised, I'm gonna tell you how many of these selfies I've actually posted on social media and shared with friends and people I barely know: none.*  These are all pics that I just have on my phone from days where I felt good and wanted to save the memory.  Now, take that for what you will, but I guess I'm working on my #selfiegame, because I'm officially posting them all here!  So no matter what people throw back at you, you just keep doin' you girl.

Annnnnd one more for the road.

What I look like right now as I'm typing this.

Love.  Peace.  And buttermilk biscuits.

*Disclaimer: On my new Instagram account, beautybynadiamitchell, I go #selfie crazy, but as far as my personal accounts go, I'll give you a nickle for every #selfie you can spot.  ;-)

How to Dress for Your Next Job Interview

As someone who has been on SEVERAL job interviews and has actually even had jobs that involved interviewing applicants, I'd like to think that I've picked up on a few things.  Below are just some suggestions that I have found helpful when it comes to dress and grooming- and this is coming from the perspective of both sides of the desk.

1.  Hygiene.

It is important to properly bathe and wash your hair, so please do not replace a real shower with gallons of perfume or cologne.  Just. Don't.  We don't want to smell your presence after you've been gone for an hour.

2.  Hair.

When I see someone come in with super tightly curled, heavily sprayed hair, my mind immediately starts thinking, "Gurl.  Calm down."  It's always best to err on the side of more natural looking waves or straight hair.  I will say though, that buns are a big turn off.  I have no idea why- they just are.  Pony tails pass.

3.  Clothing.

It's been said that you want to dress for the job that you're applying for.  My husband has mainly worked in construction and he honestly has shown up to his interviews with dirty work boots and jeans and landed the job!  Of course, I have always made him at least comb his hair.

I on the other hand, have always had office jobs, so I like to wear a skirt or dress pants with a flowy top and cardigan (it's kind of my uniform).  Beware of bright colors like red, yellow, or orange- they can be distracting and aren't always super flattering under fluorescent lights.  You can never go wrong with black, grey, navy, or white.  If you choose to have some color, definitely just go with a splash, such as in an accessory, which brings me to my next tip...

4.  Accessories.

Job interviews are not the time to be showing off your new statement necklace or stilettos.  Again, you want to appear put together and classy, and even though these items are trendy and can dress up an outfit, you should just wait until you land the job, get a vibe for how others dress, and then give those sparkly gems a go.  ;-)

5.  Makeup.

Smoky eyes are for da club.  Now, you can certainly do a very neutral version of this look, but leave all of the dramatic stuff for another time.  Go easy on the blush and bronzer and please...no fake lashes!  Be careful to not draw on your eyeliner too thick, but don't be afraid to have fun with a discreet cat eye.

6.  Nails.

I feel like a lot of women forget this one!  As a DIY-home-manicure type of girl, I would say that I have my nails painted about 3 1/2 weeks out of the month.  When it comes to special events, church, and yes, work, I prefer for my nails to look fresh and fully polished.  When prepping for a sit down interview, go with softer, more neutral colors such as cream, white, or even blush.  AVOID RED.  Yes, it's a pretty shade, but it comes off  super strong and high maintenance when you're interviewing.  

If you're not the nail polish type, then please cut, trim, file, and buff those puppies.  And if you're feeling a little dangerous, brush on a clear polish or nail strengthener for a little something extra.  :-) 

7.  Your handbag.

I personally feel like the purse you carry says a lot about your personality.  It's true that not everyone cares about handbags and is as emotionally invested in them as I am, BUT STILL.  If you're applying to a company that has a high level of professionalism, go for a sleek, structured tote.  If the job is going to be in a more business casual setting, you could go with a satchel or maybe even a cross body bag.  Big note on the cross body though: don't actually wear it across your body.  Just let it hang from one shoulder so that you don't come off as too informal or even worse, make us all wait while you struggle to get the bag off when it's caught on your earring or something.

Now go get 'em tiger.

Love.  Peace.  And buttermilk biscuits.

I'm on YouTube!!

BIG NEWS you guys! I have started a YouTube channel!!  I just made it a week ago and I'm so nervous about it.  But I'm also super stoked!!  You can find me under Nadia Mitchell.  :-)

Ignore my ridiculous face snapshot on my video.  haha

I've also started a new Instagram account under the name: beautybynadiamitchell.

I've decided that I'm gonna go crazy with selfies and duck faces on this IG and I don't have to worry about what my friends and family will think of it.  :-P

I guess my idea for my channel is pretty much the same for this blog, but in a weird way, I feel like talking into a camera by myself is a little easier than writing everything down and uploading photos.  Huh.  I'm definitely trying to get the hang of it and I know it's going to be a little bumpy at first, but I'm really hoping I can stick with it and be successful at it.

One of the reasons why I wanted to do this is because out of the more popular beauty vloggers and the ones that I follow, I really don't see anyone like me.  And isn't that part of what this is about?  When we go onto YouTube and we're looking up beauty hauls or tutorials, isn't it that much better when we look at the screen and kind of see our own reflection?  I know that I feel more inclined to listen and be interested when I can relate. Not just to the products that she's talking about, but also to how she looks, the color foundation that she wears, or the same beauty mistakes and issues that she runs into.  So...instead of scouring around YouTube trying to find someone more like me, I just decided what the heck?!  WHY NOT ME?!

By today's standards, I am considered plus size- I wear anything from a size 14-16 and usually XL to XXL in tops.  But you know what I find weird?  When I look up plus size beauty gurus on the web, I don't find women that are shaped like me- they're usually a good 4 sizes bigger than I am!

Another thing that I run into is that these women either 1) have money, so they can afford the good stuff or 2) write articles or do videos for a living.  When considering these two factors, I just feel such a disconnect.  You've heard me say it many times and I'll do it again- I. AM. POOR.  There are some weeks where I literally have to count the dollars in my bank account or where I have to choose between getting pads or food and you know what?  I'm not gonna lie- sometimes it's completely my own fault. But my main point is that I don't live in a nice house or a super cool city flat and can afford to do beauty hauls every month.  I don't have an amazing job or endorsement with a beauty line and just spend my days gushing over the latest and prettiest products.  When I say I am a normal girl, I mean, I AM a normal girl.  I live paycheck to paycheck, buy fancy things when they're on super sale, and live for the moments where I can splurge $20 bucks on skincare products from the drugstore and if I'm really good, SEPHORA.  So I want to reach those kinds of girls. I want to be a bit of inspiration for those ladies who feel me on this.

The second reason as to why I started a YouTube channel is because I'm tired of working.  Now before you want to cyber-slap me, hear me out.  I'm tired of working to just pay the bills.  I'm tired of working for someone else who obviously has way more money than I do.  I'm tired of not doing something that I'm passionate about.  And most of all, I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself and I want to start feeling proud of myself.

Makeup and all things beauty is my thing and I'm not ashamed of it.  Some may think that I'm shallow and superficial or that I have no substance, but you know what I say?  I don't care.  I love these things and I see that people who started from nothing have been able to make a career out of this.  Some people have even had major opportunities thrown at them- meet and greets, their own beauty and clothing lines, and gracing the covers of magazines!  Now, I'm saying that I'm looking for fame...but if I'm going to work, I finally want to work at something that I love.

Alright, alright.  I'm gonna cut this short because now I feel like I'm just ranting and that is not cute.  So all in all, I hope you guys check out my new YouTube channel and if you like it, please subscribe!  And please follow me on Instagram for all those awkward selfies and weird pics.

Love.  Peace.  And buttermilk biscuits!

Ulta Haul

OH. MY. GOSH.  I can't even tell you how long it's been since I've done an Ulta haul...I'm such a happy little girl right now!!

If you didn't already know, I'm big on making "beauty wish lists".  Since I'm poor folk, I can't always hit up Ulta and buy the whole left side of the store.  #inmydreams  Soooo, when I know I'm going to run out of a product or just heard of something cool that I want to try out, I add it to a little list that I keep on my phone.  When I get around to it and happen to be able to splurge on some beauty items, I just refer to my handy little list! And today was definitely my day- I got some awesome deals! So here are some cute things that I've been wanting and finally got to buy...

The first thing I knew I really wanted were these two masks from Freeman Beauty.  I first heard of them on YouTube and how they were super effective and came at a HUGE deal- they're only $3.99!!  AND today they were buy 1, get 1 free!! SCORE.

I'm so excited to try them and will definitely do a review here soon!

The next thing I stocked up on were my Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation Powders.  I hit pan on my current one, so I knew I needed to pick one of these up...except, I got 2 because it was buy 1 get 1 half off!  Love it!

I wear this in shade Nude Beige and I've said it before- these are definitely a holy grail product!

Another item that I restocked was my Urban Decay Makeup Setting Spray.

I decided to get the travel size one because I think Urban Decay may have raised their prices on these guys a little bit.  When I bought my first one (which was like, last summer!), I remember it being around $24 or something, but today I saw they were $30!!  I was like nuh uh!  So I opted for the travel size one, which only came in at $14.99.  That was a lot nicer on my wallet.  This'll be my first time using the All Night formula, since I'm used to the Oil Control one, but I've heard this one works even better, so I'm stoked!

Annnnd one more item that's always a staple in my vanity- makeup removing wipes!

To be honest, I'm not super partial to a brand, but I have used Burts Bees a few times and I do like them.  My last ones that I just ran out of were from Olay and the one before I think was from the brand Simple.  So I'm really just kind of all over the place when it comes to wipes, but I do look for the following:

1. Best price point.

2. Gentle on my skin.

3. At least 30 wipes.

Sometimes I will spend a little more on a different brand if I know it has a super gentle formula or if it's for sensitive skin.  I feel like those kinds of products are worth the extra $0.75 cents.  :-)

Now, the last couple of beauty products that I bought today were actually from Bartells, but I wanted to share, so I'm just going to sneak these guys in...

I'm sure you already know that a hot lip color this season is definitely a red-orange hue or a red-coral shade.  I've never been one who's been great with lipsticks, but lately I've been wanting to get out of my comfort zone a little and try something new!  

The packaging.

A closer look!

Presenting NYX's Matte Lipstick in shade Indie Flick!  Now, I know that because of my camera's flash, it looks a little tangerine-ish, but I promise that it's definitely more of a red-orange color.  If you scroll up, you can see I'm wearing in my opening pic.  :-)

Lastly, I got this super pretty minty shade of nail polish from Essie called Fashion Playground (too cute):

It does look a little gray because of my flash, but again, the true color is more of a mint.  :-)

And that about does it!! What products have you girls been crushing on?  What is your must-have for Spring?  Let me know in the comments below!

Love.  Peace.  Buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

My Everyday Accessories

My taste in jewelry has changed so much over the years.  When I was in middle school, I LOVED bracelets.  I definitely went through a phase.  Then I got to high school and it was all about big earrings- dangly, hoops, colorful, you name it!  Nowadays, my style has gotten a lot more minimal, classic, and honestly...kinda boring.  haha  I would love to venture out of my box more, but sometimes I feel like I just can't be bothered by too many accessories.  I know what I like and I'm not making any excuses for it!

All of the things I've included in this post I pretty much wear just about every single day.  I consider them my favorites and part of my wardrobe staples!

The first piece of jewelry I never leave the house without is my wedding ring.

Okay, okay.  I know my ring is big and it's kind of ridiculous.  And I know it looks like Princess Diana's wedding ring. But guess what?  I kind of don't care. :-)  I absolutely love it and it's my most prized possession.  I don't have a ton of valuable jewels (all of the ones I have are thanks to my grandmother tee-hee), so I take special care of this baby and try to be careful with it.  The main stone is a 3 carat blue sapphire and it's surrounded by white sapphires.  The band is made of white gold and it fits my finger perfectly.  The hubby definitely did good.

My next accessory is actually another ring!

This ring is from my grandmother and is originally from Cambodia, my heritage.  The stones are all blue sapphires (clearly it's kind of my thing) and they're set in a 24k gold band.  I wear this ring on my right hand, on the middle finger.  I absolutely love this piece!

Up next, are my earrings!

I have two piercings on both of my ears and I wear these little guys every day.  The one on the left was actually a gift from my husband.  It's a small diamond set in white gold and I wear it on the outer hole.  The one on the right I purchased from American Eagle for like $5 bucks and wear it on the main hole. I feel like these earrings are easy, simple, and classic.  You can never go wrong with some sparkly studs!  You can definitely dress them up or down and they go with everything.

Now, for my absolute favorite accessory (all of these are my favorites, but I REALLY love this), my Michael Kors watch!

I actually don't have the model number, but the band is the classic tortoise shell and then gold hardware.  The face of the watch is surrounded by crystals and gold accents.  I've never been much of a watch girl, but MK watches have been becoming a huge staple all around, and my hubby gifted this to me for our last year's anniversary...AND I LOVE IT!!

And lastly, when I want to add a little something extra to my everyday accessories, I slide on my cranberry-colored Coach bracelet and my champagne colored, beaded bracelet.

The Coach bracelet has gold plated studs all around it and is made of high quality leather.  I've had it for about a year now and it's really held up!  The beaded bracelet belonged to my mother and I love how pretty it is with its simplicity.  The beads are just strung on an elastic band and it fits loosely on my wrist.  I like to wear these two on my left wrist with my watch.

Annnnd that wraps up my favorite accessories blog post!  Let me know what your favorite jewelry pieces are and how you like to incorporate them into your wardrobe!

Love.  Peace  And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

My Current Favorite Things!

Alright gals!  Brows are a hot topic these days and Anastasia Beverly Hills could not be flying off the shelves any faster!  And you can definitely count me as a fan because I cannot get enough of the Dipbrow Pomade in shade Ebony.  :-)

This stuff is basically magic in a pot and has become a major beauty staple.  It's smudge-free and waterproof and is perfect for humid weather and oily skin.  I will admit, one night I violated beauty rule #1 and didn't wash my face (I know, I know) and I woke up the next morning with eyeliner and mascara everywhere...but you know what looked damn good??  MY BROWS.  They were still totally filled in and sculpted and I could not have been more pleasantly surprised.

As you know, I have black hair and thought that whatever color I use in to fill in my brows, it should be lighter and more of an ash color.  When I saw that the pomade line really didn't have anything that matched that shade, I initially started with the color Chocolate...NOPE.  Black haired girls, do NOT use Chocolate.  BUUUUT, since Sephora had the 15% off sale, you can't find this stuff anywhere, so I've been stuck having reddish-brown brows!!  #firstworldproblems  Fortunately, the Sephora near me happened to have a couple of the Ebony in stock the other day, so you best bet your hiney I was down there immediately and swapped mine out!

I'm not sure if you can tell from the pic, but the Ebony is almost a really dark brown...I was nervous that it was going to come out black since nobody wants chola brows- unless you're a chola of course.  Don't worry, I'm not hatin'!  :-P

Now if you're going to camp out and wait for Sephora to restock up on these puppies, then definitely make sure you're picking up the Mini Duo Angled/Spooley Brush to go with!

I could not apply the pomade without this pretty tool.  The brush end is really thin, but it's firm and precise, which is exactly what your want! Use the spooley end to brush out your brow hairs first and use the brush to outline and fill in.  Then use the spooley again to blend everything in!

Me using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

Love.  Peace.  And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

What's in My Bag?

My first ever "What's in My Bag?"!!

People say that you can tell a lot about a lady by the contents of her purse...well!  Let's see what mine says about me...  :-)

The Bag:

This Michael Kors Jet-Set Large Tote Travel is my favorite tote that I have (okaaaay, so I only have two...haha).  I first bought it because at the time, I worked in a very professional office environment and wanted a handbag that would would match my power-persona.  It's clean, functonal, durable, and practical.  Even though I have a different job, I still use this tote frequently and know that it will be a staple for a long time.

1. Wallet.  An essential.

2. Coin purse.  Also an essential.

3. Chewy Bar. To prevent a case of the hangries.

4. Makeup bag. For all of those little touch ups throughout the day.

5. Cuticle cream.  My cuticles get so dry, so we gotta keep those puppies moisturized.

6. Hand lotion.  Same deal here.

7. Purell.  I'm a bit of a hand sanitizer freak.

8. Bus transfers. You know you live in the city when you have more bus transfers than dollars in your bag.

9. Trader Joe's receipt.  TJ's.  Good stuff.

10. Movie tickets for Captain America.  UH-MAZING.

11. Important papers from work. Every working lady knows something about this!

12. Compact mirrors. I don't normally have two, but hey, why not.

13. Mints.  Bad breath is one of my biggest pet peeves- have a mint please!

14. Cute pair of sunnies.  Living in Seattle, you never know when a ray of sunlight might peek through!

So I guess we can conclude that I'm a beauty loving, city girl who doesn't go anywhere with my handbag essentials!

Love. Peace. And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

Drugstore Primer Comparison

I am definitely a believer in primer.

Since I've adjusted my makeup spending to a budget, you know I'm always looking for awesome stuff at the drugstore.  Buuuuuut SOMEBODY got a new job, so Sephora- I'm coming back for you baby!!  In the meantime, I thought I'd share my three favorite primers that can be found at your local Bartells, Rite Aid, or Walgreens.

Everyday use:

Maybelline's Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is a pretty basic formula that gets the job done.  It's light weight, mess-free, and the packaging is just too darn cute.  I like to use this primer on a daily basis with my normal makeup routine.  I find it definitely helps to prolong my foundation wear and creates a blurring affect.

For those special occasions:

L'oreal's Miracle Blur has been getting a lot of spotlight lately- and for good reason.  This primer is seriously good stuff!  It smooths out any fine lines, your pores, and creates a smooth canvas for your makeup.  I like to use this when I'm going to a party, on a date night with my hubby, or just whenever I'm looking for a little more umph.  Trust me- you'll see the difference.

For anytime you want:

L'oreal offers up another great primer in the Magic LUMI Light Infusing Primer.  This product is not only meant to help prolong your makeup wear, but to create a glow or luminescence to your face.  You can honestly wear this year round depending on your skin type.  I would say that if you have oily skin, it might not be recommended to use this during the warmer months, just because you will already have a dewiness to you. 

Love. Peace. And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

Love It or Leave It? Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation

Remember how excited I was to try this foundation?!  Well, now I can tell you my informed opinion of this product with my latest Love It or Leave It!

Pros:

1. Great coverage.
2. Easy to use.
3. A little goes a long way.
4. Love the packaging- unique and clean.
5. Great price point.

Cons:

1. Settles into fine lines.
2. Isn't long-wearing.
3. Makes my face look really dry.

Verdict:  LEAVE IT.

I'm usually not too picky about my makeup settling into my fine lines because I can normally fix it with a little smoothing and touch up magic. BUT, when wearing this foundation, my husband literally said to me, and I quote, "YOUR FACE IS CRACKING."  OK.  First off, my husband is a guy's guy.  He really doesn't know the difference between mascara and brow gel (which, let's be honest, is there really that much of a diff??) and could care less!  So for him to actually notice what I did with my makeup and to have negative feedback is HUGE.  I tried this product for almost a week and let me tell you- he was right!  The makeup was settling into my smile lines big time and making my face look uber dehydrated. So, as much as I wanted to love this product, it's a leave it for me.

Love.  Peace.  And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

Young, Fun, &...Married?

Remember the days when husbands would go off to work with their briefcases and come home to a smiling wife wearing an apron with food ready on the table?  No?  Yeah, me either.

This day in age, few people really believe in marriage.  Some think it's just an old tradition or it's just an outdated custom.  We used to believe in gender stereotypes where the man works the 9-5 job and provides for his household, meanwhile the woman is home cooking and cleaning and raising the children.  However, I'm 24 years old and have been married for 3 years and my marriage has never been like this. And really, whose is?!  Obviously I'm no expert, but I wanted to share some of the ways that I've been able to stay on this crazy roller coaster and maybe even offer some inspiration to the rest of you young folks who are married and in love!

1. TALKING IS A GOOD THING.

When was the last time that you talked to your spouse?  Like, really talked?  Not just asking them what they want for dinner or if they have any laundry they want you throw in.  Try asking them if they're happy with where they're at in life.  Ask them if they're satisfied with their career.  Ask them what kind of superhero they would want to be.  'Cause let's be honest- we want to ask the questions people want to know the answers to.  :-)  And remember, he's supposed to be your best friend- now talk to him like he is.

2. HAVE FUN TOGETHER.

When was the last time you and the hubs went dancing or out to a bar?  Have you ever gone skinny dipping together or went and stole a stop sign?!  I'm not saying you need to go out and do illegal things, but hey, the idea is to HAVE FUN!  Enjoy being together.  Date nights are great, but just make sure they don't become routine and boring.  

Me and the Man at an 80s party.

3.  SHARE THE REMOTE.

OK.  I love me some 90210, Kardashians, and The Office.  When it is my time to watch TV, you best leave me alone.  Buuuuuut every now and then I have to let my hubby watch his nature shows and airplane documentaries because healthy relationships are all about compromise, right?!  :-P  But in all honesty, you don't have to like the same shows as eachother, but you do have to learn to share and let your other half enjoy what they like as well.  And what's even better is that he might pretend to not watch 90210 with you while he's sitting next to you on the couch.

4.  BE HONEST.

No matter what it is.  Whether it's about going over your shopping budget, that you ate the last cookie, or that you threw away his hideous torn up sweater that he's had for years.  Honesty really is the best policy.  Now, exercising good judgement and using your perception definitely come into play here.  You don't just want to confront your spouse and blurt out whatever's on your mind- think of the way your're saying it, the timing, and how they're going to feel.  Be considerate and loving and honest with them and yourself.

5.  LOOK FOR THE GOOD.

Let's be real- marriage and relationships in general are never a rose without thorns.  The question is, are you going to focus on the flower or the thorns?  The beautiful thing about being in a committed relationship is that you're teaching yourself how to fall in love over and over.  You have to choose to look for the good and the positive things and be happy and content with that and learn to maintain that love.

At the Seahawks Superbowl Victory Parade.

6.  DO YOUR OWN THING.

Do you like getting your nails done, but your husband doesn't (yes, there are men who get a mani/pedi combo and there ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT)?  Do you like going to the movies, but your man can't stand it?  Do you like DIY projects, but he has no idea what all that glitter is for?  Newsflash:  That's OK!  It's completely fine for you to do your own thing.  You two do not need to do everything together.  In fact, it's healthy to have your "me time" and relax.  Do things that you enjoy and love.  And be OK with your husband doing the same.  But just remember, you want to have a fine balance of doing things independently and doing activities together.

7.  WATCH YOUR MOUTH.

You know what I can't stand?  A wife who undermines and disrespects her husband...especially in front of others. Sure, there are going to be things that bug the crap out of you- his dirty socks everywhere, his tendency to collect glasses of water on his bedside, or his amazing gift to make every conversation and situation awkward around people.  Wait.  Where was I going with this??  haha, But still, don't start making jokes at his expense or disrespect him in front of your friends.  Have his back.  Be his biggest cheerleader.  Don't spend happy hour after happy hour complaining about him to your girlfriends. It's OK to vent, but it's another thing to make your husband out to be a monster, when really, you're just complaining and are refusing to do anything to change the situation.

8.  GO AFTER YOUR DREAMS...& HIS!

Don't feel like you have to put your goals on hold- it is possible to achieve what you want and for your spouse to do the same.  The key is to work together, be flexible, and be realistic.  Your man isn't just a pretty guy who is forever obligated to hold your purse while you kick butt and take names- he has goals and ambition too.  Support him with his journey in finding out what he wants and who he wants to be and he will do the same for you.

9.  FORGIVE, FORGET, & ADMIT YOU WERE WRONG.

Humility is not my strong suit and I have to make an extra effort to apologize for something that I've done.  But can I tell you something?  The more you do it, the easier it gets.  Now, that doesn't mean it becomes less sincere each time you do it.  Rather, by making good practice of apologizing and taking the heat when necessary, you're promoting peace within the marriage.  None of us are perfect and we need to start accepting the blame and accountability for our own mistakes and learn to truly let go of things.

The hubby looking dapper.

Love. Peace. And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

Makeup Organization

When it comes to storing your makeup, there are a lot of options.  You might first think of what is most practical- how much storage do I need?  How much space is it going to take up? Do I want my makeup on my vanity, in the bathroom, on my dresser? There's so much to consider!

Personally, I like to have all of my makeup on my bathroom counter.  It's easy for me to access and I like having everything on display so it's easy to find what I need.  I just bought an acrylic tray from Caboodles.com, that was actually being sold at Target.  It was originally $19.99 and I got it on sale for $13.98!  I couldn't get home fast enough to try it out!

 My whole makeup collection is now neatly organized.

I use the top left partition for my foundations and other compacts.

The narrow holders are great for my makeup brushes.

The narrow holders in the front are perfect for my mascaras, eyeliners, and brow wiz.

The left bottom compartment is being used for my eyeshadow pallets and blushes.

I use the last section for my concealers, primers, and any other small miscellaneous items.

I absolutely love this "Object of Desire Tray" from Caboodles and highly recommend it to anyone looking for some pretty organization for their makeup collection!

Love. Peace. And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

Love It or Leave It? Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue

Time for your next roundup of Love It or Leave It!

Maybelline introduced the Dr. Rescue line from their Baby Lips lip balms to offer a medicated option for dry and sore lips.

Mine in shade Coral Crave.

Pros:

1. Lips feel super soft!

2. Smells great!

3. Easy to use!

4. Cute packaging!

5. Awesome price point!

Cons:

1. Leaves an odd white, filmy build up on your lips after a while.

Verdict:  LIKE IT!  :-P  This product is very cute and you can purchase it from just about any drugstore, which is great. It's nice quality and makes your lips feel soft, but I will be honest...it's not my favorite.  I do like it and use it often, so my verdict is go try it out and see if you like it!

Love.  Peace.  And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

Mini Drugstore Haul

Sooooo today I got a $40 tip...and naturally I spent it like any other girl would.

My first purchase is something that I have been wanting for a while now and was really going back and forth on whether I should get it.

The L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector is a fairly newer skin care product in the drugstore market. It serves as a day and night cream designed to refine fine lines, uneven texture, and pores.  I've heard a lot about this on YouTube and how it's a great drugstore moisturizer option, so I wanted to try it out!  

I've already used once since I got home tonight and my first impressions are:

- Smells great

- Skin feels really soft after application

- Really smooth and thicker consistency

- Pretty packaging

I look forward to using this product a lot more and will have to keep you posted!

The next product I'm excited about is the Garnier BB Cream (Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector).  I've really been on the hunt for an easy to use BB Cream, so I'm super stoked about this.  Again, this is another beauty product that I've done a lot of research on with YouTube.  Tons of people have professed that this is the BEST drugstore BB Cream, so it's been on my to-buy list for a while.  :-)

It promises 5 different things:

1. Reduce wrinkles

2. Firm skin

3. Even skin tone

4. 24HR hydration

5. Serves as sunscreen protection

I'm really interest in evening my skin tone, so we'll see how this baby works!

And the last thing I bought today is super special!!  I have been wanting to try the new Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation for for-EVER!  

I'm intrigued with the packaging because I like the idea of just being able to squeeze out my foundation instead of using a pump or pouring it out of a bottle (a la L'Oreal True Match).  I'm going to try it in the shade True Beige (it was the only one that Bartells had in the beige family, so I wanted to give it a shot).  I've heard that this foundation gives a great matte finish and that a little goes a long way, so I'm really stoked to get to using this!

Love.  Peace.  And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia

A Post Dedicated to My Mom

These past few weeks have been nothing short of being surreal.  I've been debating on whether to make this post or not, since I like to use this blog for fun topics.  And I can't exactly consider discussing the passing of my mother as FUN.  However, I started to think about my little motto that I have up on the top of this blog: Lifestyle. Beauty. Keepin it real.  I wanted to stay true to the "keeping it real" portion...this blog really is just about me talking about things that I'm interested in and I really try not to take it too seriously and just want to have fun with it.

But I want to keep it real and talk about things that actually matter.  I don't want to come off as some superficial brat who only cares about hair, makeup, and purses.  Now don't get me wrong- I love all of those things and I certainly don't bother myself too much with what people think of me.  :-)  But I love my family, flaws and all, and just want to put it out there. So this post is dedicated to one family member in particular- my mom.

She's playing with a dog she was dog-sitting.

When I was 8 years old, I moved in with my aunt (my dad's little sister) and uncle.  It was a very stressful and confusing time for me.  I came from a pretty broken household with having bounced back and forth between split parents and spending time living in a children's home.  My father had just been sent to prison and my mother was busy with other things going on in her life.  My aunt took me in and began the long journey of raising me.  This certainly wasn't an easy adjustment for everyone- my aunt had a 2 year old daughter of her own and her husband didn't really know me that well and perhaps wasn't even for having me live with them.  Regardless, I continued to live them until I was 11 when I briefly moved back in with mom, but that didn't end up working out, so back to my aunt and uncle's I went.

My aunt and uncle.

My aunt and I used to have a great relationship.  When I was younger, we used to have "dates" when we would go out for dinner and a movie or go shopping.  I remember one time when we were driving back home, I confided in her about how I felt fat and was embarrassed about my body.  I was 10 years old and was a size 8 in women's.  She tried to comfort me in telling me that I was beautiful and psst- here's a secret: Mariah Carey was also a size 8.  Now that I'm 24, I WISH I was a size 8. haha  Throughout this time, our relationship grew stronger and I began to not need my birth mother.  My aunt was becoming my real mom.

As I got older, I started to go through a lot of growing pains.  Lying, keeping things from my parents, seeing boys that they didn't approve of, and trying to gain my independence.  You see, my aunt was amazing- she was very intelligent and incredibly well-read.  She was an artist...but she was also critical, hard, and quick to cast her judgement. A lot of the times when I wanted to talk about something, she would shut me down and make feel like an idiot.  So I began to do the only thing that I could think of that would be easier- shut her out. I started to push her away and stopped communicating with her.  I figured that I'd rather just not talk to her than have to deal with arguing with her.  I didn't want to fight with her anymore.  And most of all, I didn't want to be reminded of how much she was disappointed in me.  I know my aunt loved me, but I was just making it really hard for her to do so.

We went through this estranged relationship for a few years with scarce ups and lot of downs.  We really didn't start spending time with one another until a couple of years ago, when she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.

About a year ago, she had surgery to remove all visible signs of cancer and we thought she had finally beat this thing.  But we were wrong.  Her cancer had never really left, but instead disguised itself and clung to her body with a vengeance.  She started to lose so much weight and began bulging in her belly with fluids that she had to get regularly drained.  She began to look like a lollipop- a round head stuck on a thin stick.

I wish I could say that I was there holding her hand every step of the way, but I can't, simply because I wasn't.  I'm married now with a husband who has Epilepsy and a brain tumor.  A lot of my energy goes to him and to supporting my small family.  Now that's no excuse for my absence at a lot of doctor's appointments for my aunt, but I certainly did the best that I could to be there for her.  I visited her at the hospital when I could and made sure to spend time with my family as much as possible.  I got updates from my cousins and uncle and followed her Facebook and social media accounts to get the latest news on how she was doing.

As time passed, her condition began to worsen.  She couldn't eat anything.  She was in constant pain.  She just wasn't herself anymore.  On the day that she passed away, I had to leave the house for a couple of hours for an important meeting with my congregation.  I had the privilege of being an Auxilary Pioneer and had the opportunity to attend a Pioneer Meeting with the Circuit Overseer.*  As I was sitting there in the meeting, my mind began to drift and I started to think about how the very first Pioneer Meeting I attended was when I was a teenager and was with my aunt.  I started to fully realize a big reason as to why I was auxilary pioneering: I was doing it for my aunt because I wanted her to be proud of me.  Of course, that isn't the sole reason as to why I was taking part in this amazing privilege, but it certainly put things into perspective.

My aunt was a wonderful, awe-inspiring individual.  She was crazy, loud, and funny.  She always went to bat for me and tried to protect me.  She taught me how to be a fighter and to be passionate about something. She taught me good manners and to have respect for others.  She emphasized how no man is an island...no one can do it on their own.  Even though the last days of our relationship weren't perhaps ideal, I truly believe one thing: we both knew how much we loved eachother and how the past is in the past.  All we have to look forward to is what's to come.

The last two visits that I made at the hospital to see her were a week before she passed away.  One of the things that she said that she wanted for me was to just be an honest person and to be happy.  She said, "Nadia, make peace with your mom."  I replied, "I don't need to, because you're my mom."  Then the last thing that she asked from me was to move in with my family because she felt that it would good for the kids to have me there to support them.  So here I sit, in my new living room in the mother-in-law apartment of my family's house, trying to be honest in this blog post and deal with my real feelings, and trying to be happy with my life.

To support my family with their struggle of paying medical bills and to cope with our new reality, please visit impermanency.org for more information.

Love. Peace. And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia


*My family and I are Jehovah's Witnesses and attend a Kingdom Hall. An Auxilary Pioneer is a baptized Christian who volunteers 50 hours a month in the Bible education work that we do.  A Pioneer Meeting is simply a meeting to gather encouragement from the Scriptures and to learn how we can improve our teaching skills. A Circuit Overseer is an appointed person who oversees a group of congregations and makes regular visits to review progress being made and to provide Bible-based instruction.

Portland Trip & Shopping Haul!

Last weekend my siblings and I made a last minute getaway trip down to P-Town and had a blast!

We started off our crazy weekend with a late night visit to my favorite restaurant le Bistro Montage for some good ol' comfort food.  This place has such a great ambiance and the Spold Mac is da bomb diggity!

Since we used to live in Portland, we wanted to do our two favorite things:  go to Elephant Park and shop shop shop on NW 23rd!

Me, my sister, and half my cousins who were there with us!

Elephant Park is located right in the hills of the Japanese Rose Garden...and it. is. AMAZING.  I swear- playgrounds become way more fun as you get older!  haha  We had so much fun playing Chinese Tag and running around on the jungle gym!

After the park, we hit up NW Portland (where we used to live and my FAVE part of the town) for a little retail therapy. 23rd is just a whole street where there are boutiques, fun shops, and food.  I picked up a few things, trying to take advantage of the NO SALES TAX bonus, and was so stoked with what I got.

First stop was the LUSH store.  For more details, check out my post on the Mask of Magnaminty!

Next stop was my absolute favorite store 3 Monkeys where I picked up a cute jewelry dish for $8 bucks! This boutique is known for cute clothes, pretty accessories, and great little knick knacks for such a great deal. 

After a couple of other stores, I definitely made some damage at H&M and picked up some basics that I've needing.  Below are a couple of mini skirts that I got on a 2 for $10 deal!

I also found a couple of basic tanks and flowy shirts (not pictured).  My wardrobe definitely needed a few foundation pieces, so I'm really happy that we made a stop in this store!

My last big stop was at Urban Outfitters where I picked up some cute sunnies and FINALLY got my hands on some butter glosses from NYX!

 I love the look of tortoise shell and LOVE LOVE the slight cat eye.

I've hear so much about NYX's butter glosses and just haven't had any spare change to pick some up, but now I have joined the club and I am loving it!  Urban Outfitters is selling them in a 3-pack for $10, so go get some!  My favorite is definitely Apple Strudel.  :-)  I'm finding that Creme Brule is a bit frosty on my lips, so I'm looking forward to trying some bold colors.

And last, but certainly not least, I got a new...COACH HANDBAG!  Not that I need anymore, but I have to admit- this one was actually a gift from my grandmother and I've literally been using it everyday since.

We ended our quick and fun trip spending time with family and had a great night!

Love.  Peace.  And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia