If you were stuck on an island...

How many of you have ever been asked the question, "If you were stuck on an island, and you only had 1-2 makeup items, what would they be?" I've been asked PLENTY!! And my answer??

You will never catch me without my winged black eyeliner! Thanks to my gooorl Lauren Conrad, I have found ways to make the winged liner easy peasy (okay cheating with some q-tips). But hey!... Who doesn't use q-tips while putting their make up on?! Check out how easy it is yourself!

I use two eyeliners, one black pencil and one liquid eyeliner. Sounds a bit much, but it doesn't give me the line I want if I only use one vs. the other. Not that I'm an expert like TBD (The Beauty Department) ladies, but here's a brief run through of how I apply my eyeliner:

• I apply the pencil liner first, starting from the inner part of the eyelid close to the lashline, and end it on the other side of my eyelid. 
• Then I use the liquid liner to trace over the line I made with my pencil, but this time instead of ending at the edge of my eyelid, I wing it out, just like the video above! 
• The pencil liner makes it appear as one solid line... if I only use the liquid liner, the line is too thin and looks a bit shaky, BUT... 
• The liquid liner totes make a difference making your eyeliner bold, and it makes a great wing compared to the pencil liner.

The other thing I can't live without is my mascara!! Love me some mascara... sometimes if I'm rushed and only have time for one thing, I'll whip the mascara out (I can apply mascara far better than my eyeliner when I'm in the car!!). And of course, we all know how to apply mascara, and I don't have a routine except coating, coating, and more coating!

The best part of my eyeliner and mascara obsessions is that I don't go broke buying them! My go-to brands for years have been MAC, mark. (on the "to order" list since I last ran out), e.l.f. (who doesn't like dolla makeup?!), and more recently Maybelline. 

1. e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner (Target - $1)
2. Full 'N Soft Mascara (Target - $8.99)
3. MAC Studio Fix Lash (MAC - $15)
4. MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil (MAC - $15)

mark. Liquid Eyeliner (mark. - $6.50)

I've been looking and looking for pics you can see my eyeliner up close and personal, but I really don't have in your face BAM close pictures. So here's my bestie to fill in for me (can you tell I absolutely la la LOVE the 2nd pic, being that I posted it here too?? I think she looks so FAB in that cover!):

What are your must haves when it comes to makeup?

Don't forget to enter the big giveaway going on up in herr? 3 days left my friends, and I can't wait to see who wins the gorg wheatgrass ring!!  

Die my hair?... Do I dare?

Alright alright alright!! Having Monday off from work totally has sped up one of my fave times of the week... time to pin pin pin my life away!!

Linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple for an Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday! WOOOOP!

If you haven't noticed, I've been having some hair fever lately... I recently posted about beach waves here, and I got some great tips from you all in how to create the look with the help of some dry shampoo and a DIY wand! Now I'm thinking about color!! Do I want to die my hair for the wedding? Or do I want to keep it dark like it be now?! Decisions decisions decisions! 

Here's my top ten pins I've been swooning over (and yes... some are too bold for me, but they still make me swoon)!

:: one ::

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:: ten ::

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What have you pinned lately? Link up with Ms. Michelle and pin on!! Happy hump day frannnds!! 

It's time for a Giveaway, HEYYY!

Happy Monday Tuesday!! I swear it feels like a Monday FUNday to me, but even better that in all reality, it be Tuesday!! And better news? I'm hosting my first la la lovely Giveaway!! Remember I was waiting to hit 100 GFC followers? Welp, guess what?!?! It's on and poppin' and it's time for this giveaway to happen captain!!!!

I just want to Thank You guys so very much for taking this sweet ride of blogging with me. It's been more than I can ask for, and it continues to surpass my expectations every day. I did not anticipate all the support that I have received from you lovies, and it just puts the cherry on top!!

Without further ado, let's talk GIVEAWAY!! I am absolutely in love with Colby June's Etsy shop, and her rings are super sweet eye candy for me!! I'm reeling you in with my obsession, and giving away this adorable Silver Wheatgrass ring!

**Please note the giveaway is for the Silver Wheatgrass Ring in the 1st picture

It looks gorg when you stack the rings or paired with others (shown in the picture above). This giveaway will end next week on Monday, June 4th! I'll announce a winner on Tuesday, June 5th :)

There are various ways you can enter the raffle, and it's explained below. Ready... set... ENTER!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Happy Memorial Day... and some Secret Blog Pals

Happy Memorial Day America!! I'd like to first and foremost shout out a HUGE THANK YOU!!! to all of our soldiers who have fought for us, and who continue to fight for us! Thank you for risking your lives so that we have a life to live.... Thank you for being the bravest group of people I know... Thank you for staying positive even when you're in a foreign country!

Thank you MOM for the never ending battle you fight as an Army Reserve... Thank you MOM for going to Iraq in your year of being deployed... Thank you MOM for being able to deal with work and life during your time in the military.... Thank you MOM for the gift of life!

While today is a great celebration for our soldiers who fight the never-ending battles, it's also a time to celebrate our reveal party for the Send Something Good project!! I know I spilled the beans in the beginning of the month with what I sent my secret blogger pal Kelley at A Crooked Trail, and then spilling the beans again a few weeks ago, showing you guys what I got from Gabby at Design Muse, but today is the official day we're all revealing our pics from Send Something Good!

What a great and fun way to get more involved in the blogging world!! Loved the entire concept and idea around it all. Thanks to these lovely ladies for setting it all up... Gentri, Kaitlyn, and Kristy! They matched us up with a secret blogging pal, which we were supposed to visit their blogs on the regular and get a sense of what kind of person they are... get to know the in's and out's of what they're interested in and what they like.

I had the privilege of getting to know Ms. Kelley at A Crooked Trail... a lovellly young lady who is full of energy and life, and is quite an adventurous, which I envy!! She is happily married to the ONE, and one thing I instantly learned about these two is their love for brewery. You must check her blog out at A Crooked Trail, and discover her awesomeness out for yourself! Here are a few pics from the package I put together:

The flip side to getting to know a secret blogger was having someone getting to know you and your blog!! I was lucky enough to have a sincere and thoughtful secret blogger like Gabby from Design Muse. When I received her package, my heart pitter-pattered by seeing how thoughtful she was with just the wrapping!! She used PINK duct tape for goodness sake!! Annnnnddddd there was a box full of gifts and gold tinsel inside! LOVEEEE it!

She wrote little notes on each individually wrapped gift on PINK labels, and she really pulled out bits and pieces of my life from my blog! I felt like I was receiving a package from a family member, that's how on point she was!! Here's some of the pics so you can peep her coolness out for yourself!

Welp, I know I covered a lot in this post, but then again, you have ALL day today to read it since you're off from work and/or school, right?! Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!! Xoxoxo!

Lots to Celebrate!

TEE-GEE-EYE-EFF!! Not only is it Friday, but it's Memorial weekend.. meaning a 3-day weekend (for most) and sales sales sales!! If I get my "to-do" list accomplished this weekend, I may just find myself in I don't know... maybe... H&M!! At least that's my motivation ;)

Linking up with Ms. Lauren at From My Grey Desk, I'm counting down the five most fave things from this week for a HIGH FIVE for Friday!

:: one ::

First off the most obvious fave of this week... PHILLIP PHILLIPS winner off all AMERICAN IDOL!!! Woooooop!!!

:: two ::

Went down to the Hallmark store this week, and got some "just cause" cards (you know how happy-pants I get from stationary and doodads). Welp my happiness continued when they bagged my things in this cutie patootie bag!!

:: three ::

We had our first family portrait time.... at home... from the laptop! (and yes I wear my huge jacket in the house b/c I am 24-7 freezing!!)

 :: four ::

Thanks to you lovely fantab ladies, I was able to get some superb tips on accomplishing the beach wave look in my hurr! I shall be experimenting this weekend.. starting off with transforming my curling iron into a wand by removing the clamp!! Thanks for the responses (and compliments) from this post!

:: five ::

With this glorious long Memorial Day weekend, I shall be saving money on gas and staying home to start on my power point presentation for my final defense... time is nearing and I'm nothing but EEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!

You wonderful peeps enjoy your lovely long weekend if you haven't already had a head start! 

Also, if any of you are up to guest posting in June while I'm away getting murrrried, please email me and let me know ;) SMOOCHES!

It's a scrummy kinda' day!

Hey there... Hi there... Ho there!! Happy Thursday!!... the almost Friday mark!... and another chance to shine the light on a fellow blogger of mine!!

I'm spotlighting a scrummy dessert-making bloggette I've had a pleasure getting to know lately, Ms. Brooke from The Little Delights in Life. She's got great YouTube tutorials on cake pops, buttercream and fondant roses (my have!), Memorial Day cupcakes, and some!! Check em out here!

Brooke at The Little Delights in Life

Go check her out, and tell her LARGE MARGE SENT YA! (I guess you'll get that last line if you watched Pee Wee's Big Adventure repetitively like me!)

Also, if any of you are interested in sponsor swapping for the month of June, holler at your goooorl!! I'm also on the hunt for some of my lovely peeps to possibly do some guest posting for me while I'm gone... you know... GETTING MURRRRIED!!! Please email me if you're interested in guest posting for the second half of June! I'll also be making some changes around this bloggy blog once I finish my final defense which will be adding some features of sponsoring. Remember... I am learning as I go along in this bloggy blog world! Happy Thursday my friends!!

Pinning the blahhh bling bling bling

Time for some pinning action up in herrr!!! Linking up with the beautiful new mama-to-be Michelle at The Vintage Apple for an Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!! 

This week's pin are all about the jewels... the blah bling bling bling... the oh la la's!! 

:: one ::

I am absolutely in love with this Etsy shop, Colby June. Absolutely delicate rings!! Remember this pin? The hint towards the giveaway that is yet to happen (waiting for 100 Google followers)!

Pinned here

:: two ::

These are the cutest and simplest bracelets to make!

Pinned here

:: three ::

Love the simplicity of this ring!

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:: four ::

Stack and sheer me up!!

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:: five ::

Lovin' the bazillion bangles and envelope clutch!

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:: six ::

Pink, pearls and lace.... oh yeaaaa!

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:: seven ::

Birds chirping in my ears are exactly what I need

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Yet again, Fash Boulevard gets me googlie eyed!

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Starfish are so dainty and cayuuuute

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:: ten ::

Bestie, Lauren Conrad, is feeling my starfish love

Pinned here

What have you guys been pinning?? Happy Wednesday frannnds and don't forget to link up with The Vintage Apple today!

Stop by and WAVE to me!

Happy Tuesday peeps!! I hope the sun is shining bright wherever you are because it sho is NOT over herrrr. Cloudy skies and rain... wahhhhh!! The sunshine superb weather we had last week was just what I said it was... a tease!! OH whelp! Gotta roll with the punches, right?!?!

So wedding planning has been progressing (which I haven't been able to share with you guys since I'm not posting on MARRY Saturday any longer). Now that things are getting checked off the vendor list, I can focus on some of the FUN stuff!! Like how I'm going to wear my hair! I'm keeping it super simple... it has to be since I'm doing my own hurr! This is what I'm shooting for... the beachy waves (hence my title for this post... hehe).

Soft curls that are loose so I don't have to worry about "messying" it up! After all, all that boogying I'm about to do as the Mrs., I can't afford to be worried about my hurr falling apart, right? Or can I??

SO... when I curl my hair, I use a Hot Tools Curling Iron (zee bayyyst!), but I've been wanting to try a wand. Do you guys think that will create more of the loose look? Or stick to the curling iron???

Here are a few pics of when I curl my hair (please excuse my poor lighting)... as you can see, they're curls... not waves. So HELP!! Tell me how to get the wave goin' on ;) I've tried combing through my hair with my fingers, and still they go back to the curls.

I shall be awaiting to hear your lovely tips because I know how you gals roll!! Happy Tuesday!