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Sunday, May 1, 2011

I Haven't Met You Yet

The past few weeks have been filled with friend and family gatherings. Per usual, the question is always asked of me, "Do you have a boyfriend?" Or when I was at a recent wedding, "When are you getting married?" Of course, the answer to these questions are a) I don't know or b) Someday soon, I hope.

I feel at 22 (ok, almost 23) that marriage is something that should not be remotely on my radar. I really do not feel like I am ready for that right now. I have a lot of other things (namely, career) that are taking precedent (as, I feel, it should). However, as I continue to see my friends and relatives with their significant others, I wonder who I'll end up with.

I lay in bed and wonder about him a lot. What will he look like? Will he have brown hair and blue eyes? Or red hair and green eyes? What's his favorite food? Does he like seafood? Is he allergic to peanuts? Have I already met him or is he still a complete mystery to me?

Will he like my family? Does he own cats? Where did he go to school? What stirs his soul? Art? Music? Money? Where will I meet him? At a hole-in-the-wall bar over cheap beers? Or through mutual friends on a summer evening under the stars? How old is he? 23? 25? 28?

How tall is he? Do I need to wear a pair of three inch heels to kiss him? What stations are preset in his car? Country? Rock? Jazz? Is he a bed hog? Does he prefer a firm or soft mattress? Does he need a TV to fall asleep or total quiet?

In any case, I hope he is wonderful and compassionate and funny and strong. I hope he is supportive and a good kisser and happy. I hope we complete each other. I hope we can dream and play and laugh together. I hope and wish and pray that he understands me...that we understand each other. And that together we make the most of this crazy life. In essence, I just hope we find each other.

So you, whoever, wherever you are, I'm here. And I'm not hiding. I'm not hiding, so please, seek me soon.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Love is?

In my twenty odd years on this planet, I’ve learned many things.

Like how to properly apply liquid eyeliner, craft a stellar press release, and cook a perfectly browned grilled cheese sandwich. I’ve also learned a lot about love. After all, love and relationships are the inspiration behind hit boy band songs, the reason why Tiffany, Hallmark, and Godvia make millions, and when you reach a certain age, the question on everyone’s lips at Thanksgiving dinner.

In my humble opinion, love is...
-Leaning in for a bear hug even if I'm sniffly and contagious.
-Knowing exactly how I like my coffee...and leaving a cup on my nightstand in the morning.
-Being on my team but having the balls to tell me when I'm doing stupid shit.
-Letting me listen (and sing loud and obnoxiously) to Taylor Swift, Britney Spears and/or 98 Degrees on road trips.
-Spending (and enjoying) time with my family.
-Helping me over puddles, so as not to get my favorite flats wet and dirty.
-Continuing to crawl into bed and fall asleep with me even when I a) snore like a buzz-saw b) wear zit cream on my face c) steal all the covers and possibly kick you, hard (sorry) in my sleep
-Not complaining when you find out that I started leaving a box of tampons under your bathroom sink.
-Sharing the last bite of cheesecake.
-Agreeing to be the one to hold the cat when we clean his ears, so he bites your hand and not mine.
-An impromptu bouquet of wildflowers on the kitchen table you picked from the front yard (or neighbors yard).

...To be continued.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Spring Wish List

This cold, dreary weather is making me yearn for spring. I can't conjure up sunshine, so a fun beauty post will have to do :) I have been browsing Sephora like a madwoman and here is my Spring Beauty Wishlist.

1) Bumble and Bumble Hair Products: Sephora just started carrying this legendary haircare line. I have been researching products, trying to decide what I want to purchase. So far, it's a toss up between these...



-Surf Spray: When I was scrunching my hair during the summer, I desperately looked for this product. I craved "sexy, sun-dried, wind blown" looking hair and that is what the product promises to deliver. I will be purchasing this come summer care free, wavy locks.



-Gentle Shampoo/Super Rich Conditioner: I admit, I have not been very nice to my hair lately. I have permed it, colored it, and styled it with heat on a regular basis. My strands are dry and lackluster. This shampoo/conditioner combo is supposed to restore damaged/chemically treated hair. Currently, I'm using Redken's Color Stay shampoo and conditioner, and I am not pleased with the results. One one hand, my color stayed pretty true though the condition of my hair has not improved. Hoping Bumble and Bumble is better.



2) Philosophy Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer: Once summer is here, I switch from foundation to tinted moisturizer. I like the lighter feeling a tinted moisturizer provides in the heat. I am a fan of Hope in a Jar (a Philosophy cult moisturizer), so I have high hopes for the tinted moisturizer. Plus, this has sunscreen built in. I do see one con already - the $38 price tag. :Cringe: Looks like I'll be saving my pennies for this product.



3) Smashbox Limitless Beauty Collection: I have been drooling over this collection since my Ulta catalog showed up last week. This set is sold exclusively at Ulta and features a bevvy of long lasting products (primer, blush, eye liner, eye shadow palette, and lipgloss). The eyeshadow palette is what I'm most excited about. The shades are gorgeous neutrals that I am dying to play with.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

March Makeup Haul

I have decided to post a makeup haul blog. Anyone who knows me understands that I have an unnatural obsession with all things makeup. I love reading reviews on products and watching Youtube tutorials (how else are you supposed to achieve the perfect smokey eye?).

So, here are the products I've been loving lately(and spending the majority of my paycheck on - seriously though, it's a problem).


1) Clinique Advanced Concealer: I have tried a lot of concealers (currently there are four in my makeup bag) but this is my favorite by far. Why? Because it covers everything and has ridiculous staying power. I am notorious for picking my pimples to the point of scabs (TMI, I know). This stuff covers them all day long. I pat it on with a brush and add a dusting of translucent powder and VOILA! my pimple looks less nasty. However, word of warning: apply sparingly or else it can get cakey.



2) Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in 'Warm Me Up': I bought this lipstick because InStyle did an article about makeup shades that flatter all skin tones, and this was one of them (FYI: the fact that I bought this lipstick is PR in action, my friends. InStyle - a third party source - endorsed this, and I purchased it. That was your PR lesson for the day. You're welcome). The color is a better, prettier version of your own natural lip color. The formula is hydrating and works perfectly with my new lip pencil (Clinique's Defining Liner for Lips in Nudey).



3) Lush Ocean Salt Scrub - Lush is a Canadian company that specializes in "fresh handmade cosmetics." The only store in the area is in Philadelphia, so when I was visiting a few weeks ago, I made sure to stop in. The scrub is an aqua blue color and is gentle enough to use on your face and body. It smells divine - a mix between a margarita and a tropical paradise - and is made with all natural ingredients. I use it twice a week and love how soft and smooth my skin feels.



4) Two Faced Shadow Insurance: This is eyeshadow primer...or liquid amazing-ness, whatever. People often scoff at the need for primer, however, if you want your shadow to stay and not crease, this is essential. Plus, this stuff is for real. My shadow and liner stayed picture perfect through a muggy, soggy subway commute. I arrived looking like I just crawled out of a sewer grate...though my eye makeup was still fabulous.



5) Hard Candy Baked Eye Shadow Duo in 'High Maintenance': Hard Candy used to be sold in speciality stores, but is now exclusively at Wal Mart. This eyeshadow duo is a combination of two metallic-y brown and copper shades. The lighter color shadow instantly warms up the face, and the darker color smokes out the creases beautifully. The duo is perfect for daytime - not too harsh and gives the perfect hint of shimmer.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Dating Conundrum

I am known as a fairly impatient person. And when I saw "fairly," I mean "ridiculously."

Because of my impatient nature, I have always made things happen for myself. Why? Simply because I cannot wait for someone or something else to put things into motion for me. Thus far, my "go getter" attitude has faired well for me in all aspects of my life except one...my love life.

In our society, women are told to wait and be pursued. Social norms tell us that we cannot be the "pursue-ie." Let me tell you, that is a hard pill for me to swallow. In my life, I go after everything - jobs, friends, that great deal on a pair of peep toe pumps, and...men.

My dating life bears the brunt of this frustration. Things are generally fine and dandy until I decide to make me real feelings known. Why? Because I don't like waiting! If you like me and I like you then why the hell do we have to play games? Let's move forward.

On the other hand, if I like you and you don't like me and that kiss was just the result of one too many gin martinis, just tell me, so I can move on with my life. Let's not waste each others' time. This seems logical, yes? Well, whenever I consider testing this logic, I am told to sit and wait it out because men like the thrill of the chase. I feel this is the same logic that makes men drive in circles for hours and not stop and ask for directions. And that never turns out well, now does it?

Am I going to have to sit around - stalled on the freeway of love - forever? I don't think I buy the whole "wait for your prince to come" nonsense. If I waited to take the "bull by the horns" in every other aspect of my life, I'd be shit out of luck. So I ask you, dear readers, what's a girl to do?

Monday, February 7, 2011

I Got A Bad Case Of The (Winter) Blues

I have a bad case of the winter blues (winter blahs?).

The weather outside is beyond frightful. It's dark and cold. And slipping on ice and falling repeatedly on your ass just makes a bad situation worse (and a lot more painful). All I want to do is sleep through January until April. I think my body is going into hibernation.

I can't concentrate. I'm blue (literally and figuratively...forget gloves in 10 degree weather and see what color your hands turn). I'm just not a happy camper. I especially dislike this because I am usually a pretty damn powerful ray of sunshine, which could be due to my sunny demeanor or the excessive amount of caffeine I drink in one day. In any case, it is not like me to feel out of it.

If anyone has any cures for the winter blues/blahs, please share. If I were in Philly, I would go to Max Brenner (look it up) and drown my sorrows in copious mugs of thick, rich hot cocoa and gorge myself on bon bons (seriously, they have them there).

However, I am not in Philly and a cup of Swiss Miss and a handful of Hershey Kisses just isn't cutting it for me. The moral of this story...send sunny weather...and Godiva...lots of Godiva.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Bad Boys

I have a lot of wonderful single guy friends. Last week, we got to talking about the saying, "nice guys finish last." The first thing I think when I hear about that statement is 'bullshit.' However, when I sat down and thought about, I realized there could be some logic to that statement.

I, and probably 99.9% of other women, have fallen prey to the 'bad boy.' The 'bad boy' comes in a few different forms.

a) The stereotypical bad boy: This is the guy with the badass attitude (he may or may night drive a motorcycle). He lives by his own rules. He says what he thinks. You find his honesty refreshing not to mention his disdain for the rules of society is kind of sexy. He plays hard, so you fall harder. SBB is fun...until he ultimately disappears. SBB can't be tamed. He loves 'em and leaves 'em. You swear you won't be one of 'em, however, you always get hurt in the end.

b) The nice guy with bad boy tendencies: This guy is a sweetheart on the outside. He is charming. He is flirty. He is seemingly everything you're looking for in a guy...that is, until he doesn't call...or text. NGWBBT plays games. He can always somehow always seem to slip back into the picture. Why? Because he has never really hurt you. Therefore, you continue to crush on him. Per usual, he continuously screws you over.

So why do we as women continue to gravitate towards men who we know are going to hurt us? This is especially confusing to all those nice guys out there (and they do exist, we just seem to overlook them). They watch us get taken advantage of time and time again. They sit there and listen to us bitch and moan about the shitty guys in our lives. Yet, they never get a chance. Ok, I get it nice guys. You do get the short end of the stick.

Yet, as I type this, I know that will probably pass over a potentially nice guy for a bad boy. Part of me understands this and part of me does not. I think bad boys have this aura of mystery that nice guys don't have. Women sense that. It attracts us. Though at the end of the day, we really don't want to be with an asshole...we want to be with you nice guy!

After all that typing, I still don't have a solid conclusion on this ongoing dating dilemma. Maybe someone needs to invent a bad boy antidote. Maybe the spell breaks with age. Maybe I need a good smack to the senses. While I ponder, listen to Carrie Underwood. She gets it.