An Afternoon in Stillwater

Good evening (or should I say morning as it's past midnight here?) everyone!

Last Sunday I took a lovely day trip to Stillwater. It was quite cold (-30 with windchill!) so my friend and I didn't explore too much, but we did go inside a cute little bookstore and also stopped by Spice & Tea Co. (I snagged some Genmaicha and Bonbay Breakfast teas). It was quite fun! Because it was so cold I didn't take many pictures, but I thought I would share a few before I went to sleep tonight. 

Have you gone anywhere fun lately, even in this cold weather (or maybe you're somewhere it's warm!)?

Cheers!

Smashbox Liquid Halo Foundation

Good evening everyone!

I thought I would do a quick review of the new foundation I bought earlier this month. For a long time I was using a plain drugstore foundation, and while it was in the palest color possible it was still took dark for my complexion, and that wasn't its  only downfall. It also didn't blend in well and I felt like it was heavy on my skin. So since my roommate needed to get new foundation as well, I went with to our local Sephora and ended up buying Smashbox's Liquid Halo Foundation in Natural Vanilla. The employee I spoke to suggested it since I wasn't really sure what to get. I don't have a lot of redness or blemishes, so I didn't really need full coverage (and wouldn't want it since I want my freckles to peek through!), and Smashbox's foundation blends in like a charm. I feel like I'm not wearing anything! It's also super easy to clean off at night, and I don't feel like I've been wearing a mask all day and getting makeup over everything that touches my face. It's a bit pricey, at $42, but well-worth it for me since I've been wearing this foundation everyday. And it's SPF 15! (Which isn't too shabby, I suppose.)

What foundation(s) have you been using? Have you found one you fancy? Let me know!

Cheers!

Wild Orchids

Good afternoon everyone!

So this morning I decided to dig around in my makeup box (literally, I have no organization other than on my sinks surface and in a box) and pull out something I haven't used in awhile. I came back with a set of four crème eyeshadows from Revlon. Specifically I pulled out Revlon's Illuminance Crème Shadow in 701 Wild Orchids.

 I've had this for awhile now (and it's one of two that I own, maybe I'll try out the other one later) but I rarely use it. This is mostly because to me, crème eyeshadows are a lot of hassle and with little payoff. They're messy, difficult to apply evenly, and even though the color can be packed on for a vibrant look, in my experience it doesn't stay that way for an entire day of wear.

At first I thought that maybe I just didn't know how to apply/wear the crème eyeshadow, so I decided to look up some reviews. As it turns out, I'm not the only person who isn't a big fan of Revlon's crème eyeshadow line. As a note, I applied primer, and also ended up lightly packing on some white/pale nude powder shadow on top since I wasn't confident with just the crème.

I think in the future I'll give this quad another go, perhaps with some colored shadow on top (to make the powder color pop a bit more) but this honestly isn't my favorite.

So here's a quick pic of me with the shadow on (and yes, my baseline look is my left brow arched. I try to make them as neutral/even as possible but I always end up with my left brow arched, at least a tiny bit). You'll have to pardon my messy hair; I wanted to put on some makeup for fun, but I'm actually about to settle in for a much-needed Star Trek: TNG marathon with my SO!

Has anyone else tried the Revlon Illumiance crème shadows? What was your reaction? Do you have any tips or tricks for me? Let me know!

Enjoy your day, and cheers!

Christmas Mugs

Good evening everyone (again)!

So I decided to forego a makeup post for now, but I've got some things queued up.

In the meantime, I just had to share some awesome mugs! Every year I put in stockings (whether it be for my boyfriend or roommates) ugly Christmas mugs I get from the local thrift store. I'm really happy with this Santa mug I found for my SO (it's much better than last year's mug).

Also, this year he got me this cute lil mug that changes color when you put hot water in it! I've always wanted one of these, and it's super cute and from one of my favorite knick-knack stores (Patina).

Well, that's all folks! Any sweet Christmas mugs (or mugs in general) to share? Let me know! I also got him a cool Star Trek: TNG mug as part of his gift, but it isn't pictured here (but I might share it later!).

Cheers!

Find me on Bloglovin!

Good evening everyone, and merry Christmas!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I've now connected my blog to bloglovin - I've decided to use it to keep track of the blogs that I follow and check often. If you use it as well, feel free to follow me via bloglovin!

This is just a short little post announcing that; I may make a post a bit later about my makeup today, or I might wait until tomorrow.

Either way, cheers!

The Swing: Outfit Post

Good evening everyone!

Today I wore one of my favorite t-shirts. It has "The Swing" on it, and while I don't wear much green I think this piece of art is lovely! I also did Catching Fire eye makeup, but since we decided not to go tonight I have another opportunity to make my eyes all pretty. (: My next t-shirt to buy is "Magic Circle" - it's so pretty!

What shirts are you looking at? Do you have any stores to suggest to me?

Cheers!

December Wishlist

Good evening everyone!

Here's my December Wishlist! Since I've gotten into makeup lately, here are some items based on that.

1.Retread from Lush - My hair has been seriously damaged from dying, and I've heard great things about this product. I'll try anything if it means my hair will be silky and healthy.
2. Roots from Lush - My hair is also very fine and thin, and I would really appreciate more volume in my 'do.
3. TARTRE BB Tinted Treatment Primer - I've been trying to find a good primer, and this one looks like it could work! All of the reviews are amazing.
4. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - My skin is kinda  yellowish, so I was thinking maybe a purple-tinted primer might help even my skin tone out! But also I have fairly blemish-free skin, so I'm not too concerned.
5. MAC lipstick in Twig - I saw a swatch of this color on /r/makeupaddiction and I fell in love! If I do well on my final tomorrow, I might get it for myself as a nice little treat.

What's on your wishlist, and what do you think of mine?

Cheers!

Why do I always disappear?

Good afternoon everyone.

I realize I haven't blogged in awhile, and it makes me feel a little guilty. I really enjoy blogging; writing has always been very important to me and I like being able to share with the world (even if it is a small one) a little bit about myself. I'm not super confident in my photography, but I love it. I don't always feel pretty, but I like to share pictures of myself - it's a good reminder, to me, that I am pretty and that I should be happy with who I am.

But I think I get overwhelmed with class and life and work... Sometimes it's easier to lay on my floor and let my bunny run around/over/on top of me (yes, I have a bunny now! I should share pictures).

I promise I will try to post more, for those of you who check this out every so often. I've recently started to like makeup again (as in more than just my eyebrows), so I may share some of that.

Cheers.

Fourth Doctor Scarf

Good evening everyone! And happy Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it)!

So my SO is a big fan of Doctor Who (as I have become), and he looks an awful lot like the Fourth Doctor. So, inspired by my wonderful roommate, who made a scarf for herself last year, I started in on a scarf for my SO's 24th birthday gift. It was a long, and very hard process, but I am so proud of myself! The finished project is lovely, he likes it, and I feel very accomplished. (:

Here are some pictures - I think they came out quite well.

Cheers!

The Uncanny Review

The Uncanny by Sigmund Freud
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I mostly was interested about the article on the uncanny itself. While Freud proposes several interesting thoughts, particularly about what separates the uncanny from what is generally considered to be frightening, I find that he makes generalizations that don't account for the fact that not everyone is the world is a middle class Austrian (like he is).

View all my reviews

Scarf Update!

Just a quick update on how far I am on my scarf!

Bookcrossing Once More

Good afternoon everyone!

My internship ended a bit early today, and since Amadeus is at my dad's house currently (poor baby got neutered), I thought I would run some of the books I have waiting to be released there to the Little Free Library down the street!

In doing so, I have now registered 100 books and released 57. Isn't that awesome? One of my bucket list goals is to release 100 (and I'm sure I'll hit that number!). It feels so good to be sharing books with others. I checked in the LFL and none of the books I left last were still there! I hope the readers are enjoying them.

I left my camera at my apartment, so unfortunately I can't share any pictures (but I may post again later today for a project I am working on, so stay tuned!) but I was pretty excited and just had to share.

There's still room in the LFL, so I think I will try and cram more books in there so I don't feel so bad about having gone so long without dropping any off. One day I hope to have a Little Free Library of my own so I can share books with the world.

Speaking of bucket lists, I think I might write one up and do updates as I accomplish the things on my list! It would give me a reason to blog more and maybe it would help motivate me to do the things on the list! We'll see.

Anyway, if you want to see which books I released, check out the Bookcrossing widget to your right!

Cheers!

Hello 50 mm!

Good evening everyone!

Today I went on a little adventure and used my 50 mm lens for the first time. It was fun, but I don't feel completely confident in my use of this new piece of technology. I'm sure I will. Anyway, I thought I would share with you what I took today. Not my best pictures, but I actually do like them. I've talked enough now; take a look at my pictures!

Cheers!

New Photography!

Good afternoon everyone!

I know I haven't posted in quite some time, and I apologize for that. It's been pretty busy - I'm in my last year at Uni, I got a promotion, moved into a new apartment... And I got a new camera! That's not so much part of the business, but boy am I glad to be taking pictures again.

Last weekend my lovely SO Nick came to visit (not only to see all of us folks in Minneapolis, but also because our friends were getting married!) and we had an adventure that involved walking along the path by my apartment, exploring St. Paul campus, busing over to the Minneapolis campus and seeing the Civil Engineering building and the new CC in Coffman, and finally ending up at Annie's Parlor (one of my favorite eateries around campus).

Even though it was quite cold outside and we were sorely under-prepared for the weather, we both had a lovely time. I brought my new camera with and was able to snap a few pictures that I really like. I feel pretty rusty, since I haven't done any photography in so long, but it was wonderful to be taking pictures again.

Anyway, I think I've chatted long enough! I hope you enough the photos!

Cheers!

Wednesday Scarf Update!

I don't have much else other than an update on my scarf, so here ya go!

Here's my progress so far on my scarf!

I'm not even halfway done yet, but I am working on it! And I promise I'll get back to posting soon!

Twins Stadium/Target Field Release!

Good evening everyone!

Here's a book I released at tonight's Twin's game! It was a belated birthday gift to my father. Unfortunately, we lost, but I still had a good time. Hopefully someone will enjoy it!

Cheers!

Bookcrossing Challenge!

Good afternoon everyone! I joined a challenge on bookcrossing to leave books in interesting places, so I decided I would go to the park to see what I could find. On the way I dropped off a few more at the Little Free Library, and I took a few silly pictures.

Cheers!