Music Monday

1. Come Back Down by Greg Laswell and Sara Bareilles

2. Scream by Usher

3. Hot Blooded by Foreigner

xoxo

Swoon-Worthy Saturday: Ben Elliott

Okay, here's the deal--this guy is not that famous. In fact, the only reason that I know about him is because I spent one summer watching Hulu's "If I Can Dream" rather obsessively, and he was one of the people on the show. Originally, he wanted to be a model, but then decided to pursue acting. So...that's enough of that. Just look at him. 

xoxo

Moment of Bliss: Double Whammy!

xoxo

Music Monday

Hey guys! It's a new week! Let's get some good music to gear up.

1. Too Close by Alex Clare

2. No Faith in Brooklyn by Hoodie Allen

3. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

have a good week!

xoxo

Feel Better!

Hey guys! I’m feeling a little under the weather this week, and it has gotten me thinking about what I can do to get well. I have a few go-to practices that I do when I’m sick, and I thought I’d share them with you!

Clean Sheets/Towels: Germs LOVE sheets and towels. So, as soon as you start to feel better, change them out for clean ones! Otherwise, you will keep dousing yourself in the old, nasty germs and it will take you much longer to get better.

NeilMed: NeilMed is a lot like Neti Pots, but it is a little squirt bottle that you fill up with water that has been boiled (so that it is pathogen-free) and add a packet of what is basically salt. After you shake it up, you open your mouth wide, squirt it up one nostril, and BAM! All the nasty comes out the other. If you are squeamish, it may take some getting used to, but this thing is a miracle worker. If I was stranded on an island, this would be one of the things I made sure I had with me. I’ve noticed that, other than the whole cleaning-out-your-sinuses thing, the NeilMed also makes my skin look a TON better. I swear it! At first I was like, “there is no way” but every time I use it after not having used it for a while, I notice an improvement. When I am sick, I use it at least two times a day. I recommend doing it once a day when you are healthy.

Emergen-C Packets: These things are pretty popular, so you probably have heard of them. In case you haven’t, though, they are little packets full of powdered vitamins and minerals. You pour the contents into a glass of water, stir, and drink up! The second you start to feel sick, do this. It can keep any colds or sicknesses at bay!

Facials: I admit, I don’t do this one nearly as much as I should. No, it isn’t actually a facial, but it is similar. When my sinuses are super, super clogged, I fill a bowl with boiling water, lean over it, and put a towel around my head and the bowl so no steam will escape. This encourages mucus to leave your sinuses. Be prepared to blow your nose a lot afterwards! I recommend sitting over the bowl for 5 to 10 minutes.

Sweat it Out: This one is something I learned from my mama. She always told me that working out when you are sick can really help you feel better. It is the same principle of a sauna—you are sweating out toxins. In addition, I believe that getting your heart rate up loosens up any congestion you have and revives your immune system. Also, the increased oxygen levels in your blood due to rapid breathing increases cell turnover, meaning that your body can heal faster. Don’t do it if you are super sick and might pass out, but if you can, go for a walk or a jog next time you have a cold and you’ll notice a difference!

But what about new things? I started thinking about how my diet affects my health. We all know the truth behind “you are what you eat”, but I always liked to think that I was doing okay. I shined a light on what I eat, though, and it isn’t as healthy as I had thought.

The amount of processed food that I eat is horrendous. Even though most of what I eat is organic, the fact that at least half of it comes in a wrapper makes me feel like I am not giving my body what it needs. For lunch on weekends, it is so easy to grab a bar and a yogurt rather than actually preparing a meal. So, that is going to change. Today for lunch, for example, I will make myself a super-healthy smoothie. J

Another factor in my diet that is leading to my blah-ness is the amount of refined sugar and carbohydrates that I eat. My favorite snacks are chocolate and some sort of seemingly-healthy multigrain chips. Yeah, in comparison, I could be eating funnel cake and Doritos, but I know that I can do better. So, I am not making any ultimatums or promises, but I am going to make a strong effort to not eat those things if I can.

That’s all that I’ve got for now, but I’ll keep you posted! What are your go-to methods of staying/getting healthy?

xoxo

Swoon-Worthy Saturday: Tom Hardy

This British reformed bad boy has starred in some great films in his 34 years such as Marie Antoinette, Inception, Black Hawk Down, and The Warrior. Next up, he will star opposite Liam Neeson and Christian Bale in The Dark Knight Rises, which comes out July 20th this year (so freakin' excited!). He will play Bane, a villain with a rough past and thirst for power. He had spent much time and money trying to help less privileged people, making him not only gorgeous, but wonderful. I can't believe I haven't seen This Means War yet, which stars him and Chris Pine, another Hollywood hunk.

xoxo

Firs' Years, This Way!

Just in case I haven't made it abundantly clear, I'm obsessed with Harry Potter. Obsessed in a words-can't-even-explain, I-wish-it-was-real kind of way. So, when my friend texted me today telling me that Pottermore was accepting new users, I lost my mind for a little bit.

If you don't know what Pottermore is, it is a website created by J.K. Rowling in which people can essentially live (virtually speaking, of course) the HP life. You are walked through each chapter of each book, learning to brew potions, cast spells, and many other things. Of course, my favorite parts were getting my wand (cedar with dragon core, 13 1/4 inches, quite bendy) and being sorted (any fellow Hufflepuffs out there?).

Guys, I don't care if I'm judged for my insane attachment to any and all things Harry Potter. It is too amazing for me to feel shame!!!

So, go check out Pottermore. com! You won't regret it! Well, maybe you will, due to the back seat that everything you are supposed to be doing will take. But, this is life. For me. :)

Friend me once you sign up! I'm NimbusSky4122. :)

xoxo

Food for Thought...

I found this image on StumbleUpon, and it really struck me. Just take a minute to think about what it is saying...We are constantly trying to attain what we have come to consider "beauty", but at what price?

InStyle May Issue

Hey everyone! I thought I'd try something new today-- a magazine review! I got the May issue of InStyle in the mail today, and snapped some photos on my phone of things that stood out to me. It's like my personal picks from the magazine!

Leona Lewis is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, not to mention that her voice is mind-blowing. This photo of her, with dark hair and light pink lips, is stunning! Next, I noticed this  pink Chanel purse that Ginnifer Goodwin carried at the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscar party-- so cute! The last picture is of Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton's latest creation, Dark Shadows. Doesn't she look amazing? Plus, I can't wait to see this movie, which also stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (of course--what Tim Burton movie doesn't have them in it?).

This new Smashbox lipstick, in Be Legendary, is so hot! It looks more red in the photo than it does in the magazine, but it is gorgeous nonetheless. Next is Angelina Jolie. Her grace and beauty in this picture just took my breath away. She is always elegant, but her smooth, porcelain skin, red lips, and clean eye makeup were blog-worthy to me! Then I have a picture of my go-to perfume-- Lancome's Tresor. It's a warm, sweet scent that isn't overpowering. Perfection!

Finally, there is a page dedicated to Julie Bowen's efforts to support the Step Up Women's Network, which works to empower young women from underserved communities. I don't know if I have made this clear, but I feel extremely strongly about empowering young women in general. So, this page stood out to me and will definitely make its way to my binder of magazine tear-outs (you will meet this book one day soon :)).

stay classy!

Fancy Shmancy

Well hello there! I got to get all dolled up this weekend, and I thought that I would share the process with you guys!

The makeup I used:
- Revlon Colorstay Creme Eyeliner in 001 Black
- Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow in Cocker Spaniel
- Too Faced Full Bloom Blush in Cocoa Rose
- Too Faced Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow
- Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer in 230 Fair/Light
- The Body Shop Eyeshadow in 04 Quartz
- Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero
- Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in 015 Born With It
- Lancome Juicy Tubes Lipgloss in Pink Horizon

I started by applying the Beauty Balm and Concealer to begin with even skin tone. Next, I used the Buxom eyeshadow as a base, putting it on with my ring finger. Then, I brushed on the pink shade of the Body Shop eyeshadow on the in 2/3 of my eye and the black in the crease in on the outer third, blending afterwards. After that, I used the Revlon eyeliner and an angled eyeliner brush to paint a clean, dark line along my upper lash line, going all the way to the inner corner. On the bottom lash line, I used the Urban Decay black liner and smudged carefully. I finished up my eyes by curling my lashes and putting on a thick coat of mascara (I used Revlon Million Lashes). To finish my face, I put the Too Faced blush on the apples of my cheeks, blending up my cheekbone. Lastly, I put on a coat of the Maybelline lipstick with a layer of the Lancome lipgloss on top. Et voila!

xoxo

Music Monday

1. Payphone by Maroon 5
This song hasn't officially been released yet, but this morning I heard it on the radio, and due to my love for Maroon 5, I had to make it a part of today's MM! It will be performed on tonight's episode of The Voice, so tune in! I'm sure it will be officially released tomorrow.

2. Running On Sunshine by Jesus Jackson
What a great summer song! It gets me excited for the next few months.

3. Here Comes The Sun by the Beatles
This song is another happy summer song. Again, it helps me get through the next few weeks--I'm so ready for summer!

xoxo

Swoon-Worthy Saturday: Jason George

He played in ABC's jungle-medical drama "Off the Map" last year, and he has made himself a nice little spot as a doctor on "Grey's Anatomy". Jason George and his make-you-melt smile are this week's SWS!

xoxo

Moment of Bliss

Holy ballz. I can't. Just...oh wow.

xoxo

Music Monday

1. Rainbounce by Reptar
Reptar is a new band comprised of some young men with some wild ideas. Their songs are unlike anything I've ever heard before, and I mean that in the best way possible! You kind of feel like you are tripping when you listen to them, I won't lie, but when you get over the surreality of it all, you find yourself dancing you booty off! So fun, so unique, and so happy!

2. Brave by Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis has what can only be described as one of the best voices anyone has ever heard. She trained in operatic singing as a girl, and that powerful control still shows in her pop songs. This song is more than just a pretty voice, though--the beat and orchestration is all great, too!

3. Poster of a Girl by Metric
Metric is one of my all-time favorite bands. I have yet to hear a song by them that I don't like. This song was actually given to me a while ago on a CD by a friend, and it quickly became one of my go-to songs! Kind of dark, but still so good.

SH Real Nail Polish Strips Review

 Good Evening!
Today, I dropped by the drugstore and picked up Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Kitty, Kitty. I bought them totally on a whim, but I'm glad I did! I'll admit, it takes a while to perfect the art of application with these things, but after about three nails I had figured it out. Here's how I did it:
1) wipe down your nails with nail polish remover to get rid of any oils on your nails that might impede the strips' ability to stick.
2) choose your strip and break off the tab at the bottom. Remove the white backing and place lightly on your nail, making sure it is aligned.
3) Press the strip on, smoothing it with the smooth side of the emery board.
4) Peel off the clear strip on top of the polish off. This is by far the hardest part--I had to break out the tweezers a few times to grab a tiny corner.
5) File down the ends of your fingernail, cutting off the excess polish in the process.
6) Admire your work!

xoxo

Femininspiration: Emma Watson

I know for a fact that I am of a majority of people who have a girl crush on Emma Watson. It started for me when I saw her in the first Harry Potter movie. Granted, I didn't like Emma so much as I did Hermione--I was convinced that I could be her if I tried hard enough.

I had no luck.

Anyways, when Miss Watson blossomed so famously, I was awe-struck. Who wasn't? She was stunningly graceful, well-spoken, and beautiful. And when she cut her hair, well, my obsession grew-- I've always wanted to cut my hair like that!

But it isn't just because Emma is so chic and pretty that I chose her for this Femininspiration. She, unlike so many Hollywood celebrities, values her education. It was not a secret (although I think it was supposed to be) when she attended Brown University to major in English. Although a bit of drama ensued, she continued to pursue her higher education. She also has supported and worked with People Tree, a fair-trade clothing company. Here is Watson's description of the endeavor, taken from her website.

 "Fair Trade fashion comes from the villages – and provides a real alternative to working in a garment factory and the harsh environment of living in a slum. Fair Trade fashion is often completely handmade – 
and made of 100% natural and organic cotton – and it's a small miracle that we as consumers can participate in a process that is keeping skills and communities alive and helping them to prosper." 


So you can see why I find Emma Watson to be a fantastic role model for young women around the world. She values what is important in life--you will never hear a petty word leave her mouth. We could all take a lesson from her and try to ground ourselves a little bit!

xoxo

Swoon-Worthy Saturday: Sebastian Stan

I first saw Sebastian Stan playing Carter Baizen in "Gossip Girl", and to be honest I didn't think much of him. Then, I saw an interview with him in Elle Magazine, and my interest was sparked. Finally, I was sold when I saw "Captain America: The First Avenger". He's one of those rare guys who is both cute and handsome at the same time. Most recently, he played the Mad Hatter in (one of my favorite shows, as you know) "Once Upon A Time"-- and he did an amazing job! Anyways, enough talk...here he is!

What Doesn't Kill You...

Hey everyone! I found this image a while back and it really struck me. I always say that age-old phrase, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" 

and this really exemplifies that. I don't have a whole lot to say about it, but I just thought I would show it to you guys! I hope you find it as inspiring as I do. :)

xoxo

Moment of Bliss

xoxo

Music Monday

Hey there! Sorry that this week's MM is so late! Let's cut to the chase!

1. Your Ghost by Greg Laswell
This song is kind of depressing, but it is so evocative and emotional! I love it!

2. Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars
I love Bruno Mars--I think he has such a great voice, and all of his songs are super-catchy, this one in particular.

3. Jump by Kris Kross
This song is a total blast from the past, and it never gets old!

xoxo! have a good week!