Pale Bella Blog

Shoes

2011-09-01T22:05:00.001-05:00

Uncle Adam has fun shoes.
(my brother has Down syndrome and metal rods in his back, making tying shoes very hard. Hence, the velcro.)

Neglected blog

2011-09-01T22:04:00.002-05:00

This blog has been so neglected.
I'm thinking about just posting on Cosy Rosy Ramblings because I can barely keep up with one blog!

xx

spring cleaning my makeup

2011-02-22T16:22:00.000-06:00

Ugh. I read somewhere that if you haven't used a cosmetic product in 6 months, that you should throw it out. Obviously, not meaning mascara because I would have chucked that out after 3 months. How does one just "toss" eyeshadow or blush without thinking twice? I think this will be easy for me this time. Regardless of what happens, Faizan and I are moving out of this crappy flat into something better. I need to start spring cleaning a lot of stuff! I'm also trying to only have natural/organic products in my stash with a few exceptions.

I've also been swapping some stuff on MakeUp Alley (not lip gloss or mascara or anything that can't be easily sanitised) and getting some decent stuff. When I used to work at Sephora, we used to get a lot of gratis products which was awesome! We're not allowed to sell any of it and we probably weren't allowed to swap it, but now I can since I don't work there anymore. I'm not selling it, just swapping :) Our employee #'s were etched into the bottles or compacts.

Now... I need to start. But getting stuff done is hard with a 4 month old!

xx

baby update

2010-09-28T18:09:00.000-05:00

As of yesterday, Zayn is weighing in at 6lbs 10oz in utero. So I'm assuming he'll be over 7lbs at birth. 3 weeks away! Geez... where did the time go? He's usually very active at night/early morning, but on Sunday he wasn't and I mentioned this to the doctor (but I wasn't too concerned) and I was hooked up to fetal monitoring and sent back for a second ultrasound to check fluid levels. He's fine, his heartbeat is excellent, and he's back to his normal active self.

Tomorrow my soap nuts arrive! I can finally get started washing his clothes and cloth diapers. *gasp* Cloth diapers?! That's another post, but since I try to be green with most things, this just makes sense! :)

stila natural beauty eye shadow palette

2010-09-09T16:11:00.000-05:00

On Sunday I went to Ulta with my husband, where I walked in and right there greeting me was this:

I saw this on another blog and learned that it's an Australian exclusive (correct me if I'm wrong), but it's an American exclusive at Ulta. It was only $22! You know what else was cool? I received the Stila lip glaze in Watermelon for free (valued at $22.)

Sweet! I love this palette because it's so neutral and I like neutral :) It has 6 matte shades 7 shimmery shades. I haven't used it yet, but I will soon! :)

almost 34 weeks

2010-09-05T17:26:00.001-05:00

Excuse the wonky hair in the photo.

Today is my 2nd wedding anniversary and the hubby and I were out and about.
We bought a diaper bag at Buy Buy Baby (the one I really wanted was $119, but I'm realistic and opted for something else.) :) I went to Ulta and bought a Stila Natural Eye Palette for $22 and received a free Watermelon lip glaze with it (worth $22!) We headed to the mall and I bought some socks at GAP that were on sale, score! It's finally cooling off... and by that I mean it's 84 and will drop to the 70's at night, sweet!

I'm looking forward to my last day of work on the 12th, a week from today! I know I quite super early, but Faizan and I don't have any family here and so much needs to get done before Zayn arrives! I need to clean and sort like nobody's business. I need to find a dresser for his stuff... that would help me get organised! I would buy a used one, but we don't have SUV's to fit one into. Hmm...

Alright, will have to post some Stila pics and I really mean that. xx

blush colour suggestions needed

2010-08-27T23:40:00.001-05:00

Has it been a month since I've blogged? Oops.

Alright, so I LOVE the tv programme, Gilmore Girls (unfortunately it ended in 2007.) You may hate it, love it, or know nothing about it. That doesn't matter :) What matters is that I'm trying to find a blush colour that Alexis Bledel (she played Rory Gilmore) is wearing in the photo below. This photo is from this year, but her character wore a similar colour on the show. It's a peachy-ish shade and I like it. I also have fair skin like her and I wish I had those lovely blue eyes! Suggestions would be great :) MAC, Chanel, whatever you got... give 'em to me!

Ann Masterson was the makeup artist on the Gilmore Girls set and I wish she would have added to the makeup products mentioned on Makeup411.com. I wish that site was updated more.

Thanks! xx

MAC coming up

2010-07-25T00:04:00.001-05:00

A little MAC haul to post tomorrow... after me & my hubby's date at a bookstore :) Maybe I can convince him to go to the MAC store & see if they'll take my 6 empty e/s pots without the metal pans... I know some places accept them & some don't. Just my luck... they won't accept them & I'm kind of scared to ask! xx

Anyone else have problems with de-potted e/s pans?!

Orglamix minerals

2010-07-12T15:53:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to write about this, but have been lazy! I heard about this brand from someone on YouTube who said she really liked these products. They're available to purchase from Orglamix on Etsy.com I thought that $4.99 was a decent price for the blushers & eyeshadows that contain 1.5grams. I ordered two blushers in Anise (peach pink poppy) & Pink Pepper (pink berry.) They're not terribly shimmery or glittery, which I appreciate! I think these colours are very suitable for fair and fair-medium skin tones. Sorry about the bad lighting in the second photo!

I also ordered three eyeshadows, but received four. Cheri (the founder of Orglamix) likes to throw in extras. Or maybe it was because the colour I originally ordered, Heliotrope, wasn't available. I was sent Moonstone instead and I'm not a fan of sparkling white eyeshadow, so I haven't used it yet. Espresso was the colour I hadn't ordered, but received. It's a very nice sparkly bronze, great for the lids or crease. Obsidian is a bluish-black with a nice sheen (I'll probably line with this colour.) Cafe Au Lait is a great champagne colour & my favourite Orglamix eyeshadow (a great lid colour.) Moonstone... how I do not like thee. I swatched it on my hand (photo below) and it's a golden beige colour with glitter (I do not like glitter) :) Heliotrope is a pink champagne colour and I really wanted it! Oh, well... maybe another time.

This brand is is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates

As much as I like the colours (apart from Moonstone), sometimes working with pressed e/s are easier. You don't end up getting a lot of fall out underneath your eyes (but with a good tapping off of your e/s brush and a great eyelid primer it shouldn't be a problem.) Mineral e/s will last a long time because so little is needed for the majority of them, same with the blushers.

Cons: The packing isn't the greatest. I was tapping Obsidian into the lid to get some product out and the sifter fell out! Hello bluish-black e/s everywhere! A lot wasn't wasted, but I was kind of mad about that happening.

I do think that pressed e/s are easier to work with and travel with. I ordered the MAC pro palette eyeshadow x15 because I have a few shadows that are in pro-pans and I plan on de-potting some of the e/s from their pots. I'll have a MAC haul coming up in a few days, maybe next week once I get all my stuff. I've been swapping on Makeupalley :)

Do you like mineral eyeshadows? What are your favourite brands and colours?

stop driving recklessly

2010-07-12T14:48:00.000-05:00

Hiya! I know this isn't beauty related, but I think it's important that everyone sees this video. Stop texting while you drive. Stop talking on your mobile when you drive & this includes those Bluetooth headsets. Stop speeding & swerving in and out of lanes to pass someone (you'll crash and/or make them crash.) Watch out for pedestrians!

Unsafe Driving

yellow nails... a big no?

2010-07-04T00:46:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry, but is it me or do other people find yellow nail polish to be odd? I mean, we go through life trying to avoid yellow nails (& teeth, although mine aren't as sparkly as they used to be) and here women are buying yellow. I don't think I love it... and I don't like "white out" nails. Maybe I'm not trendy enough :)

Thoughts? :)

& I must post my reviews and photos soon! I'm sorry... there has been an issue with our Internet connection, but I think it's been resolved. A happy 4th of July to my "fellow Americans", be safe and have fun! I will be working tomorrow (really, who's going to shop for makeup tomorrow?!)

xoxo

Post(s) tomorrow

2010-06-30T23:08:00.000-05:00

My blogging nook has been cleared for writing :) Expect a few tomorrow.

A lot of people on YouTube (and bloggers) are talking about this Revlon PhotoReady foundation and I am curious about it. However, it's been ages since I've slathered a chemical filled foundation on my face and I'm not sure I would dig it. I really love Gerda Spillmann Bio-Fond cream foundation (and customer service is fabulous! I wore this for my wedding and sometimes I wonder why I forget to get this out and use it!) More on this product later! Another time to write about the foundations that I really like...

Do you wear any? What do you like?

blogs's new 'do'

2010-06-22T23:53:00.000-05:00

I discovered you can still use the old templates! Woohoo! Man, did I freak out about the new designs or what? Special thanks to my husband for helping me... well, pretty much doing it all (except the colours & The Pale Bella header.) *kiss* *kiss*

For tomorrow...

♥ Orglamix eyeshadow & blush
♥ Sephora Pure eyeliner & mascara
♥ Lucas Papaw ointment

Have any of you tried these products?

stupid blogger had to change templates...

2010-06-22T13:51:00.002-05:00

I'm in the process of revamping The Pale Bella.

Clearly, this isn't what I wanted... grr... I hate when things change. I'm not template or CSS savvy. Faizan says he will help when he gets home, woohoo! I received two makeup/skincare parcels that I'm wanting to write about... lets hope this gets sorted out tonight!

xx

I won on Twitter :)

2010-06-02T23:07:00.001-05:00

Tonight on Twitter there was a "Green Party" hosted by @Gloss, @sophieuliano and @tartecosmetics. I didn't know they were giving away goodies. The hashtag was #glossgreen and you could ask "green" questions and Sophie would answer back as best she could. Happy to report that I got three tweets back, woo! I also won her new (autographed) book Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive and More Beautiful Products courtesy of @Gloss. I was SO excited to see that they tweeted my name. I never win anything. And this is something I'm truly passionately about!

Check out Sophie Uliano's new book at Gorgeously Green (she also has two other books, her first book Gorgeously Green was on the New York Times best seller list.)

Naturally Thinking

2010-05-30T19:32:00.002-05:00

http://www.naturallythinking.co.uk/ is my favourite place to buy some natural/organic face products. I love the floral waters! I first heard about it from this lovely person, AlissaEvelyn (this is her YouTube video featuring Naturally Thinking: Naturally Thinking: Make Your Own Beauty) I've purchased the Lavender & Rose water and a few glass bottles and jars. I've also purchased an exfoliator that I thought was okay. Unfortunately at the time, NaturallyThinking is unable to send e-mails to AOL, Hotmail, Googlemail, & Gmail! I am so bummed because I need to purchase some French green clay and more floral waters. They aren't expensive either!

I did find another website, Mountain Rose Herbs, that does sell French green clay. But NaturallyThinking has more carrier oils to choose from... and floral waters. What am I to do? :) I think I shall try Mountain Rose Herbs, maybe?

Well, I'll decide by tonight because I need to order it by tonight. There is a Harry Potter marathon happening on ABC Family! So, I'm watching it and eating some delicious Indian food (not curry.)

Do you use any floral waters or masks?

UPDATE: I did place an order with Mountain Rose Herbs. I did find a Rose & Lavender Hydrosol (floral water.) I also ordered some soy wax tea lights (I love burning essential oils to make my home smell cosy!) So excited to receive my products!

hair cut!

2010-02-06T14:52:00.001-06:00

dear tonya jones,

i love you. you are a hair genius. you made me feel pretty again. my hair flows and bounces and looks shiny! i never thought i would see the shiny, bouncy, flow again. i thought we were broken up for good. we're not! hurrah! tonya thinned out my hair (especially in the front because it was bulky.) i had layers in the back, but not the front from the previous cut (say HUH?) my hubby loves it. i love it. my head loves it.

my hair is clearly damaged. but, it's getting better. i need to drive to Atlanta because i want to purchase some Morrocan Hair Oil products and not one salon in this state carries it yet. i also want to drive to Atlanta for a weekend getaway and get a facial at Jurlique (because i believe there is a spa there...) a keratin treatment was recommended for me today by cynthia (who washed my hair) and tonya. it costs $350 and takes about 3 hours. it is supposed to make hair shiny, straight, frizz-free and fabulous. but i just Googled reviews and i found horrifying stories. i don't think i'll go through with it because it's ridiculously expensive! $350 x 3 = $1050 a year?! no. no, thank you. i use some awesome Phyto products that help keep it straight and from falling out :)

so, i thought about getting some highlights, but as i look at my photo above... i'm not so sure what i want to do! i kind of love having red (ginger) in my hair, but clearly it fades fast. i don't want to get a darker colour because i'm so fair. maybe some fun red highlights? i thought about blonde-ish, but like i said... i'm not sure. what do YOU think?

thanks for reading... ♥ m a r y

hair cut on saturday...

2010-02-01T10:33:00.000-06:00

two nights ago Mein Mann and i had a date. it was very cold walking around Whole Foods and around the area. i decided to be brave and walk into this salon that i've heard v. good things about. i was scared (because you know if it's good OR heard it's good), you wonder if the people who work there are snobby. we walked in and was instantly greeted by this sweet young (late 20's/early 30's) lady named Taylor! she wasn't fake friendly, but really nice and genuine and i told her i wanted to make an appointment to get my haircut and that i had never been to this salon, but heard good things about it. she said the salon used was taken over by a new owner, who came from Richard Joseph Salon (wowzers... that salon is v. upscale in a wealthy area) and she is now the owner. i had mentioned how i needed to get my hair fixed because i was unhappy with it, etc. she told be about the different stylists and the prices. i decided to go ahead with the owner/master stylist because she's experienced. i won't tell you the price... i also want to get highlights next week. Mein Mann didn't freak about the price, i think he thought the colour was included,but i told him it wasn't and he said, "oh, okay. how much does a haircut usually cost?" i told him it was a $45 difference and he was fine. *phew* i think he's fine with it because he know my hair is AWFUL.

my appointment is at 10:15a.m. on Saturday... SO 'escited' and nervous. someone told me i should get blunt fringe because i have a small forehead (hey now...), but we shall see what Tonya Jones has to say! it's funny that her last name is Jones, it must be a sign that this good (we all know i love Bridget Jones.) i'm afraid of the highlights cost, but maybe we'll do a colour and a few highlights? i don't know... it's for the sake of my hair!

i'm expecting two parcels this week! organic and natural makeup from Nvey Eco, Suki and Lily Lolo. v. excited about this. it's time to go through makeup and all the skincare products i have and toss what i don't use... that's always difficult. but it's also good to do! i love ordering face floral water and french green clay from Naturally Thinking. but i have a while before i run out of my products, hurrah!

so, tell me... have YOU ever had any bad haircuts? experiences? i can't even begin to tell you about my hair and the past few years! it's been v. bad, then good, then bad. *sigh* thanks for reading. have a lovely day, xx - m a r y

second blog: Rosehill Cottage

2010-01-31T21:17:00.000-06:00

i have decided to create another blog for things around my home, my cottage inspirations, nature, vintage-ness etc :) please check it out and/or follow me (and my home) at Rosehill Cottage. i'm v. excited because i can keep organic makeup/skincare/fashion and my home stuff separate and more organised. and this new year i need to become more organised :) for now, my blogs will look the same. The Pale Bella may get a new header, but i have to figure that out...

so excited for a new month that starts on a monday! time to get in shape and time to get organised. oh, i saw fantastic mr. fox at the dollar theatre tonight (v. cute!) tomorrow, i am going back to watch 'coco before chanel' by myself. i've been dying to see it! and now i can, for $1 :) below: chanel, year 1920

too bad chanel uses fur, otherwise i would REALLY love the clothes. but i think fur for fashion is cruel, just my opinion. i have a few chanel cosmetics that i really love, but i've switched over to buying mostly natural/organic makeup BUT if i really love something from chanel, i will buy it :) will post photos tomorrow and write in new blog too. thanks lovelies for reading. xx

but I don't want to go among mad people.

2010-01-30T00:32:00.001-06:00

"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.

"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."

"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.

"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."

v. excited about this movie... directed by tim burton.

speaking of being mad, my laptop (michelangelo) went mad yesterday! he made himself sick with a serious virus! i don't know what happened, so if i had to stop following you and then re-start that's why. i never did figure out the source of sickness. my hubby has never seen anything so bad (and he has his PhD in computer science) and took him a few hours to get it deleted. michelangelo was frozen and i was frozen with guilt and grief. where did i visit that was sickly? the scanning took a few hours and i was panicked. we're better today, so i'm taking things slowly. oh a happier hill...

had a lovely time with my slovenian friend today. i took her to whole foods where we drank cafe latte's and ate delicious pumpkin cheesecake pastries. we took a stroll around the area and discovered an underground walking tunnel to avoid crossing the street with cars zoom-zoom-zooming. we then treated ourselves to frozen yogurt (not quite as yummy as pink berry.) we walked back through the tunnel (i almost felt like we should have ended up in another place like alice) to shop at whole foods. i treated myself to alba botanica coconut shampoo and mango conditioner (would have re-purchased the coconut conditioner, but it was not available.) was a good day. always have lovely chats with her.

i think on monday i shall go to a paint store and buy some environmentally friendly paint so i can repaint a dresser i bought at a thrift store. i think i will paint it a mustard yellow colour, but with some gold in it. i might take my friend heather along because she's artistic and v. good with colours. i already have awesome knobs on it from anthropologie. they have lots of cute owl things... knobs, switch plates, hooks and doorstops! i want them all. but it will have to wait. so many things to get done before february 25th...

i'm happy monday is february 1st. a new week. a new month. this is perfect for me. thanks for stopping by rosehill cottage ♥

bridget jones, fuckwittage & other things

2010-01-27T00:12:00.000-06:00

i love reading bridget jones's diary 1 and 2. i love watching the movies. i'm definitely not a smug married and sometimes i think it would be fun to a Singleton in London. and i love the word fuckwittage. it's one of my favourite swear words. i was talking to a friend of mine yesterday and she has a new boyfriend and he beeped in while we're chatting. she takes it (of course) and tells me he's walking over to her apartment in a few minutes. so we ended up not having any girl time via phone.

would love to have a mr. darcy (fitzwillliam or mark) in my make-believe life. sexy top human rights barrister, yes please (my husband knows i love him [him being my hubby] oodles!) i can easily pretend to exist in bridget jones's world. the battle of the weight. i don't smoke or drink excessively. i wish my gay friend lived closer (i was the one who moved out of state.) i miss having my gal pals from back home (love the ones i made here.) i just fucking love bridget jones. so, onto other topics. conan o'brien.

yes. i'm a conan o'brien fan. i think he's funny, sexy, and he's Irish, v. smart (Harvard educated.) i think it's crap what happened to him and his tonight show. i was so sad on friday that i ordered myself some Lily Lolo makeup and brushes (Lily Lolo is in England.) i also went to Whole Foods and bought a $43 bottle of Chateau Montelena chardonnay wine (as seen in the movie Bottle Shock starring the sexy Alan Rickman.) this wine is so delicious and i was happily tipsy and sad while watching Conan's last episode of The Tonight Show. what makeup did i order?! let me tell you:

blusher: sweet fig
lipgloss: apricot smack
eyeshadows: cream soda & four leaf clover
makeup brushes: eyeliner and blush
samples (that you can buy): juicy peach, clementine, & ooh la la (all 3 are blushes), blondie (foundation), and flawless matte finishing powder.

my hubby tells my yesterday that makeup.com is having its 60% off sale. HUH?! the stuff i really wanted was already out of stock, but i did get to purchase a Nvey Eco eye palette that i've wanted for a long time. i also purchased a Suki lip palette. these brands are both natural and organic (certified.) woohoo! this cheers me up! now... i need items to decorate my flat.

i want it to be cosy and to have a chic cottage feel (i've mentioned this before, sorry.) i like my header, but i would like to throw in some dark teal, mustard, and burnt orange colours too. yeah? dottie angel's spring fling post is amazing. i love the pop of colour. i'm going to buy pillow covers from Etsy (if i can find pillows to fit them) and i would love to shop around vintage stores (if i can find any nearby) for picture frames so i can repaint them. my mum has posted the sheets of paper today, so i should get them by friday or saturday. i think these are a few i bought, but i don't remember! i would also like to find a stool and a round side table with three legs. sheets of paper i think i've bought...

golden cherry nature explore pom pom and there was one more... i think it may have birds on it. i think i shall buy some of the map sheets. super fun :) i just need to find frames and i think i can do it with reasonable fees. i just want to feel "at home" by spring. i have so much clutter, it's really quite ridiculous. i can't imagine bringing a kid into this chaos :)

i really had other things to blog about, but i forgot... :( i also need to create my blog space in the guest bedroom. i need a two week holiday where i can just clean and organise and decorate. i'm very happy about my makeup arriving! and i think i shall get blonde highlights in my hair, it's fun being red, but it's a lot of work and it fades quickly... wish i was a natural redhead. ooo... blog is repetitive. sorry.

thanks for reading. cheers! xx

things on my 'to do list'

2010-01-17T00:58:00.002-06:00

where do i start?

* clean out space for washer/dryer because i'll be the proud first owner of a washer and dryer (woohoo, now i feel like an adult!)

* take books and dvd's out of boxes and place onto white shelf that is being moved from the w/d space (thought hubby and i were going to move... not the case.)

* move black shelf from dining room to guest bedroom, as it looks out of place in dining room and will serve better purpose elsewhere.

* clean out guest bedroom and organise because it is one hot mess!

* re-arrange furniture in lounge, though may be hard because of two sofa's and fireplace (do not want to block fireplace... trying to sell one sofa so we can purchase another chair.)

* re-paint dresser found at thrift store... needs to have warm colour so can be a cosy cottage feel (see header for meaning. would love to buy more awesome pieces for storage if able to.)

* find frames to fit the sheets of paper for artwork on walls... might be difficult.

* must get lounge, dining room, kitchen, guest bathroom, and guest bedroom cleaned before february 25th (as it is hubby's 30th birthday and am having friends over.)

* deep clean apartment before spring so can feel refreshed and not so frustrated (hubby needs to help.) ikea trip is a must!

* hire help (not likely.)

* cannot afford to hire help, so will drink lots of chardonnay whilst listening to great music and clean myself (maybe convince a friend or two to help since they've offered before...)

* panic (and not at the disco.)

who has great organisational skills?

xx

i adore her style... michelle williams.

2010-01-15T23:12:00.001-06:00

i adore michelle williams. i think she is adorable and i love her style. it's simple, fun, and trendy. her daughter, matilda, always looks cute too :) (can you believe that heath ledger's two year death anniversary will be on january 22nd?) so, so sad. i really hate looking at paparazzi photos because i feel like i'm invading their privacy. i just look at her cute clothes, but i apologise regardless of my reason. so pretty much, i'm just posting photos.

i like that she can wear the same shoes over and over and use the same bag. seriously, who cares?! and i personally loved her pixie cut. i love the ruby red lips with her canary yellow vera wang dress. i also like her hair colour which makes me want to change mine... to have some fun blonde colour. why not?! as much as it is fun colouring my hair dark, i do feel like it ages me (and who wants to look older?) i'm not interested in going shorter because i have curly/wavy hair and it would be impossible to straighten pixie hair every day. but i am interested in getting fringe. i feel a change coming... :)

sorry... sidetracked. i love michelle's blue dress, very anthropologie-ish. i like the tan boots paired with the black miltary jacket with leggings and that adorable dress peeping out. i love the men's shirt tucked into the shorts with a fun casual tote bag. i happen to like plaid and sandles. i bloody love it all.

what celebrity inspires you?

items i love, in my lounge.

2010-01-13T13:34:00.001-06:00

i like owls. i don't buy every owl item i see because it has to speak to me (not literally) and has to be charming and has to fit in with my other owls. i don't have many owls in my collection due to that reason, but that's good! it's hard to find good owl items too. i have an owl leather bag that i love and that i over paid for. i bought it at a small store for $115 (with tax) and i found the exact same bag on etsy for $68 +$10 shipping. what?! i bought one for my aunt (who happened to love my owl bag) because she also likes owls and has a collection and it was the last bag left on etsy. but the seller lied and said it could not be bought in stores because it was "hand made." hand made my arse! liar! but i haven't said anything... yet. i just don't want the person lying about the 'made in china' bag that you can't buy in stores. thoughts? it's made in china because the sticker never lies :)

there is this awesome antique store a few miles away from where i live where i had purchased an eiffel tower. the top half comes off so a tea light candle can be inserted. i love it. i fell in love with it and had to have it. i love the eiffel tower, but again... i don't buy any eiffel tower item for the sake of it being the eiffel tower. my header is taken from a photo still from the movie 'the holiday' (which i love!) i love that iris' cottage is cosy and not tacky cottage living. so i can't have modern pieces for things i love, i could, but why?! :) i love vintage (and i like 'modern' vintage... vintage looking without being vintage, but it can't be rubbish looking.)

and a few other owls that i have...

the owl duo was found in a thrift store for 59 cents (why don't we have a 'cents' sign on computers here?) apparently, foam craft was popular. it's from 1981 (3 years later i was born.)

this owl lamp was found at a thrift store and i bought it for $24.99. i wasn't sure if i was going to love it, but i do!

this owl candle was recently purchased at target for $4.99. i should have bought the ivory coloured one too, but i didn't. i have no intentions of burning it! why would anyone?!

i bought these leather rose bracelets and use them as curtain tie-backs. they were $10 each at the same store where i purchased my owl bag. i need to buy a few more, but that can wait. they snap easily, which is perfect so you're not fumbling with trying to tie it closed and making sure they're all even. i happen to love roses (tulips are my favourite flowers) and these weren't rubbish looking roses. and iris' cottage was named 'rosehill cottage' in the movie... adorable :)

i'm looking to purchase some vintage frames for four sheets of paper i purchased at broadway paper in milwaukee and i wonder if i can find some large enough? any suggestions? maybe i could look on etsy or ebay...

thanks for reading and following (if you do) :) xx

love and other disasters

2010-01-11T23:17:00.002-06:00

a day off for me, yippee! it worked out perfectly because i was sick this morning and i am feeling better, but this was 'surfing the crimson wave' related (i adore that line from clueless.) no pity, please. i haven't had cramps so bad in years, but it is OK now :)

last night my hubby and i watched lost in austen, a four -part 2008 british television series. i really, really liked it! i love pride & prejudice (one of my favourite books.) um, where has elliot cowan been all my life?! i'm happy that his role, mr. darcy, was his first that i've seen. he's so, so cute... reminds me a bit of heath ledger. i thought lost in austen was good and plan on watching it again, i always miss things when watching films. i love netflix *applause*

i decided that since i wasn't feeling great and had to make a tampon run to cvs (pharmacy in the states), i would be lazy and watch a movie. i didn't wear my pajamas to cvs (i thought about it) however, when i arrived home i immediately changed back into them. i decided to watch love and other disasters because i typed elliot's name into the search. i enjoyed this film. brittany murphy's character was super cute! and now i feel like changing my hair and buying new makeup (i can't help it.) chanel has this pretty new radiant glow highlighting powder but i don't think i'll buy it. i can buy 3 new end tables from ikea for $60 and my flat really needs those. also, since i'm more into natural ingredients/organic makeup, chanel doesn't make the cut. don't think for a second that i'm not using my chanel eyeshadow quads anymore (i'm just using them up!) i wish they would add some fun, vibrant colours into the quads... what's with the neutrals?! i've been seeing them in the fashion/beauty magazines *sigh* well, now for spring it's about the pink or coral lips. eeeeekkk.

i was also excited today because three magazines came in the post! lucky, glamour, and real simple :) i love lucky magazine (a pair of boots that i own are in the magazine... clark's desert boots and they're so comfortable! i want a pair in brown suede. i found these boots (don't laugh at me, hehe) because robert pattinson was wearing them in a photoshoot and i fell in love with these boots. i googled high and low looking for what brand it could have been. they looked european and i started googling european shoe brands that i thought they could be. success!

sorry it's not more interesting today. i need to shop for some new makeup soon :) i love lily lolo's mineral eyeshadow (from england.) however, i need to concentrate on making my flat more cosy and my hubby turns 30 in february and i want to have a grown-up get together at our place (loads to get done and much to be cleaned) with home cooked meals and desserts and i need to buy him a nice prezzie. i'm thinking a bottle of creed fragrance, he ran out of his green irish tweed.

xx

am i a sickly? (+ other adventures)

2010-01-09T01:15:00.007-06:00

uh-oh. there is a tickle in my throat. i cannot talk for long periods of time without coughing. nose is running (insert cheesy nose running joke here.)

sickly. definitely a sickly.

i drank green tea from starbucks today (& i didn't enjoy contributing because i would rather buy from local cafe's, but i don't know my way around here yet...) & it made me gag. it was disgusting & i usually like green tea. i usually drink mint tea, but they were out... bah humbug! there was a homeless man who kept talking loudly & then he would shout. "big city living." i've been throwing down organic mint tea with organic honey trying to soothe my distressed throat. if i don't have a ricola throat drop in my mouth, i'm coughing. i always giggle because i think of those ricola commercials ("riiicoooolaaaa!") i have my humidifier on & i love the smell of menthol. i can breathe better, but it's doing nothing for my cough.

i spent time with tjaša today (first time by ourselves, 2nd time 'round.) her husband is currently working on his PhD at university & is doing work. my hubby got his PhD 2 years ago, so they met via a professor (who is an awesome guy.) they're only here until june :( that makes me sad. we had fun today... our mini adventure follows...

today was quite an eventful day. i hung out with tjaša after we left the museum we drove to an area called 5 points south. we encountered a man asking for directions to this homeless shelter i have only heard of & felt bad i couldn't direct him to it. he then asked if we could help him get there *hint money hint* i told him we're sorry we're unable, but the market on the corner might be able to help. he leaves & we continue walking & another man approaches, but thankfully doesn't stop us. i saw the two men talking near an alley when we crossed the street to get our coffee/tea. good teamwork guys, working together... sneaky pete's!

target was our next stop, followed by sally beauty supply for tjaša because her hair got tangled so badly :( we found a detangler for her. i really enjoyed her company today :) definitely a great day. i love having friends from different countries (& she likes makeup too!)

still editing

2010-01-05T23:40:00.005-06:00

i'm still trying to edit this blog with colours, photos, fonts, etc.

*sigh*

i just forgot that my hot organic mint tea with organic honey is no longer hot! so, i'm going to re-heat it & go to bed & read bridget jones's diary :) i love that book (& the movie too.) i'm going to try & get my blog edited to my liking on thursday or friday, depending on my plans... :) goodnight & stay warm! i love the cold weather!

photos of my new hair colour...

the 1st is when i arrived home after my flight. i was so tired, but happy to be home! see the red?! the 2nd photo doesn't really show the red.

x

new hair colour!

2009-12-15T01:20:00.001-06:00

My hair is being coloured for free tomorrow at the Aveda Institute! My co-worker and friend, Jessica, will be colouring my hair. I love having red in my hair, it plays up my pale skin that I love so much :) I realise that I cannot be as red at Bonnie Wright because it would be difficult to get the light red, but also lots of up keep! I had searched "celebrities with red hair" earlier and I found this one actress with red hair, but had no idea who she was. I feel like an idiot, but it was Emma Stone (Zombieland!)

I had to post her photo on Facebook asking people if they who she was, haha. But with redheads... I've noticed that their hair can look different shades in premiere photos (due to flashing cameras and shadows, etc.) I also love this hair colour that is Bonnie's... also loving that gloss she's wearing.

Look at the different colour, but she's at the same event (below)...

I'll stick to the darker reds because I think it will suit me. It was a toss up between reddish/brown or brown, but a pretty brown... like Zooey Deschanel or Kristen Stewart (cover on Allure.) Decisions, decisions... but I've made mine. I will post photos tomorrow. Now... I need to find a good eyebrow colour *sigh* Any ideas? I heard Lancome has a pretty colour called Chantaigne... but it's not natural. I have a great Lily Lolo mineral eyeshadow that's called Mudpie... we'll see what I can do with it. I just hate having my brown eyebrows show through.

Marcus Foster w/ Blue Roses

2009-12-13T21:28:00.000-06:00

Last night was awesome. My husband, my friend (Kristin), and I drove to Nashville to see Marcus Foster and Blue Roses perform. Wow. I first heard of Marcus three weeks ago when I typed, "Rob Pattinson singing" in YouTube. I love Rob's voice and guitar playing skills. When I found a cover he sang called, "I Was Broken" written by Marcus Foster... wow. Rob Pattinson - "I Was Broken" cover ,-- check it out.

Marcus and Laura and Sadie (the lovely ladies who are Blue Roses) are all from England. Marcus was in the states over the summer, but came back for another tour. It was held at a smoke-free bar and grill :) Blue Roses sing 'I Am Leaving.' I met Laura and Sadie after their performance and got them to autograph my cd. I feel weird about asking people like that for their autograph, but I am socially awkward. It's a great cd and I love the artwork of a lighthouse. I think I may blow it up and frame it actually... I think that's legal.

It was loads of fun to be in Nashville. I also heard Eric Paslay & Emily West sing and play guitar. Good times. Good voices. It makes me want to take guitar lessons so badly and get my Wurlitzer piano moved to where I live... maybe someday soon.

grey days and the mane event

2009-12-03T13:51:00.000-06:00

Has anyone seen the film, Julie & Julia? I saw it at the dollar cinema on Sunday and I liked it. I wonder if I could sit through an episode of Julia Child cooking on tv, due to her voice. No judgement, it's definitely unique. Meryl Streep was great (but it is Meryl Streep.) I think I may have to find a video on YouTube of Julia Child, I'd rather listen to her then Fran Drescher :)

Julie Powell decides to start a blog about cooking her way through a Julia Child cook book. I was inspired to blog more often then I do. I was also inspired to cook delicious meals, the latter hasn't worked out so well. The whole boning a duck and throwing a lobster in boiling water (so sad) made me cringe a little. It's a good thing I'm not a big meat eater, I should really become a vegetarian. I think it would be good for me, healthier. Vegan? No way, I love cheese way too much. You can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but you can't take Wisconsin out of this girl.

I came across this amazing article via Twitter from @revolution_girl (they tweeted about Organic Spa Magazine) Check out the The Mane Event and doesn't it make you want to buy new hair products? I want to! I'm currently using a shampoo from California Baby which is quite nice and gentle. I'm getting my hair coloured for free from The Aveda Institute in December and I will use Giovanni Brazenly Brunette products. It's not too expensive and doesn't strip your hair dry. It also smells yummy, a lot of people won't use products because of the smell. These products are available at Whole Foods and Target. But I may have to explore some shampoo's from the The Mane Event article. Suki products are amazing (I love the sensitive cleansing bar and the exfoliate foaming cleanser.) I haven't tried the hair products yet, but I will get around to it.

I will blog about brands and their products that I have used. I'm trying to figure out how I will keep this all organised. I should take a class... is there a Blogging 101? I also can't wait to post products that will work for pale complexions. Bonnie Wright, Kristen Stewart, and Cate Blanchett are big inspirations for me (beautiful pale complexions and their eyes are light, kind of mesmerising for me.) I know it sounds odd, seeing it typed out, but look into their eyes. Well, maybe I just get it :) I also wish I had Kristen Stewart's makeup artist (whom I think is Jillian Dempsey most of the time.) I love her in smokey eyes!

I am enjoying this grey day. The overcast, drizzling weather makes me so happy. I have to be outside walking, listening to music. I really do belong in Seattle...

testing

2009-11-24T22:02:00.002-06:00

I'm just testing out the layout and colours.