November Favorites

I canNOT believe it's already almost December. It's blowing my mind, you guys. I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. Now it's time for some things I've been loving this month. It's been a good month for new products!


1. Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara

I decided to try this mascara out after liking it's look in a Youtube video, and I was not disappointed. I'm in love with how lengthening and soft it makes my lashes look. Side note: I thought for a long time that I was unhappy with every mascara I tried on my left eye. This month I figured out it's my eyelashes, not the mascara. My left eye is seriously whack in terms of what my eyelashes do. 

2. Olay Fresh Effects Cleansing Wipes

I picked these up after running out of my favorite Forever 21 ones. I've been presently surprised. These are wet enough for me, and they're soft, but they're also slightly textured which means they have excellent scrubbing power for getting rid of waterproof stuff. I'm actually enjoying trying out a bunch of different brands of these.

3. Clean & Clear Spot Treatment

I've found I tend to become immune to acne spot treatments pretty easily, so I end up with new ones every time I run out. This one is doing well. The only complaint I have is that doesn't play nicely with my moisturizer. No matter which order I put them on it, the spot treatment beads up and rubs off. Annoying, but not impossible to deal with.

4. Peace, Love, and Juicy Couture perfume

After lusting over this perfume for more than a year, I finally caved and bought myself a bottle at TJMaxx. I'm so in love with this perfume. It's different, and I like that. It's rich and kind of bohemian, and I love it for the cooler weather. Still feminine, but musky and unique. 

5. Wet 'n Wild Comfort Zone Palette

I've kind of rediscovered this palette recently, and I really just think it's perfect. I don't use the right side at all, but I've been using the left side pretty much non stop for the past few weeks. The colors are pigmented, but easily blended and just a beautiful, natural look. Definitely one of the best that I own.

What products are you guys loving? Have anything special on your wish list for Christmas?

The best way out is through

I've been planning on doing a Thanksgiving post for a while now, but I didn't want to do the standard "Things I'm Thankful For" post because while I am incredibly thankful for my friends, family, job, and a million other things, that's really cliche, and I ain't about that life.
So instead, I decided to talk about the hard times this year. Things I've been through that, while they were hard and painful and stressful to go through, I'm thankful for. As someone who's been living with anxiety for 16 years now, I've learned that the hard times teach to you to appreciate the good times even more.

1.Saying goodbye to my dog, Amber

In April, I had to say goodbye to my best friend. She was 16 and a couple of months before had started to go downhill. The day my mom came home and told me she had cancer was the day we said "no more." Amber was a very special dog. She was a rescue and had been severely abused before she came to us and it took her a long time to trust people again. But you know what? She did. This dog, who had probably been kicked and hit and frightened so badly that she bit off a piece of her own tongue, learned to trust and love people again.
So while, yes, I did have to say goodbye to my best friend, who I would've done anything for and who would've done anything for me, I learned that sometimes it's better to let go. The way I see it, she had already been through enough hurt from people that hated her. How could I be any better if I let her suffer when I love her so much? It was an honor to be there when she left this world and surround her with all the love that I had and still have for her.

2. Breaking up with Chris

From the time that I met Chris, I knew that he would be really special in my life. We dated for six months, and in that time he taught me so much about appreciating every second you have with people. Chris has Multiple Sclerosis. I learned this on our fourth date, when I ended up taking him to the ER and sitting with him for eight hours. I was ignorant about what that really meant, so I spent some time researching. MS is scary. It can be fine or it can be awful or it can be somewhere in between. Chris has to inject himself with drugs every Friday. Those drugs leave him feeling tired and weak during the weekend. But he didn't let that stop him. We still hung out, went on walks, saw movies, went to baseball games, and anything else we wanted to do. I really admired Chris for how strong he was during those times. His family and friends meant everything to him, and he would be damned before he let his condition get in the way of that.
But Chris taught me something else too. We broke up at the end of May when I left for the summer because we decided together that it would be best for both of us. We continued to talk and act as if we were dating, however, and everything imploded a month later. Chris had been cheated on multiple times, and although I assured him that I wasn't and would never, he had a hard time believing that. We got into a huge fight (the first and last one we ever had) that ended everything, and we both said some pretty awful things during that fight. Something else was said, too. During that fight, he told me that he loved me. And wouldn't you know it, I loved him too. It was too late for that to matter, of course, but the thing is, I knew that during our relationship. I knew that he loved me, and I knew that I loved him. Yet neither of us said it until it was too late.
So while that fight was awful and terrible, it was a really good lesson in telling people what they mean to you before it's too late. I'm not sure it would've changed how this specific situation turned out, but at least he would've known.

3. Taking a career risk

Over the summer, I did a lot of thinking. I thought about what I wanted out of life and the path I saw myself on, and I decided that maybe what I was doing wasn't what I wanted to be doing. What a terrifying thought after I just graduated from school and spent three and a half years dedicating myself to this art. The head of Theater at Monmouth offered me a marketing internship. The only problem was that I'd already signed a contract with a theater in Florida for the next year. But I didn't want to go. I had a choice to make: break my contract, potentially ruining any future relationship with this theater or go to Florida and be doing something I wasn't sure I wanted for a year.
I agonized over this decision, let me tell you. I talked to my mom, my best friend, my roommates, my TD from college, and pretty much anyone I could to get input and feedback. And eventually, I decided that my future was more important than this one bridge I might be burning. So I broke my contract, and I stayed here. And I regret nothing.

In the words of Robert Frost, "The best way out is always through."

You'll get through the hard times, and, if you're lucky, you'll learn from them. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

OPI Nail Envy Review

Happy Sunday, friends!

Today, I'd like to talk a little about OPI's Nail Envy. I know I did a mini review in my October favorites, but I need to sing this product's praises a little more!

Ever since I fell into my polish craze back in the spring, my nails have been very unhappy with me. Especially, for whatever reason, my index fingers. I would take polish off at the end of the week and they would peel horribly. And instead of addressing the problem, I just kept applying polish over it, which, in turn, would flake off at the tips where my nails were peeling.

I don't have great nails to begin with. I bit them until I got to college, so they're very ridged and bumpy. I was using a base coat, but it was a cheap one I found at the drugstore. Finally, I turned to one of my swap groups on Facebook for advice. Someone recommended this product, and I still had money on my Ulta gift card, so I picked up the Sensitive and Peeling Nails formula and immediately put it on.

And you guys, it's seriously amazing. It's been probably about two months since I started using it. I put two coats under every manicure, and continue to put it on top of the polish every other day during the week. My nails were so much better immediately, but as I've used it more, the peeling has completely disappeared. Sure, they still have problems, but peeling is not one of them. It's pretty amazing!

I'm so impressed that I'm planning on buying my mom the Thin and Brittle formula for Christmas because she's always complaining about her nails breaking. Hopefully she'll have the same amazing experience I've had!

The Get to Know Me Tag

Happy Sunday!

I've been super busy lately, so today is just a quick tag blog. It's the Get to Know Me Tag, and it just provides a little insight into who I am! I found this over at Pink Porcelain.

How old are you?

I turned 23 in August

What is your middle name?

My middle name is Anne

What nationality are you?

American

What do you do for a living? 

Currently I'm the Marketing Intern at the Theater at Monmouth in Maine

If you could visit anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

I've already been to Italy (Venice, Florence, and Rome) which I've been in love with since 6th grade. I think next on my list is probably Ireland.

What is your favourite place to shop for clothing?

My stuff kind of varies. And it also depends on what kind of clothing I'm shopping for. Banana Republic and Loft are excellent for work appropriate clothes, and I love Lucky jeans.

What shoe size are you?

I usually run 7.5-8

How tall are you?

I'm 5'7"

What is your favourite colour?

 Orange. Blue/Green/Black for wearing 

Have you got any siblings?

Yes, I have an older sister

Do you have any pets?

My dad has three cats at home.

Do you have any children?

Not right now. Not for a while.

Favourite make up brand?

This is tough because I use so many different ones. Covergirl or Maybelline.

What do you do in your free time?

I spend a lot of time on the internet. Playing Facebook games, watching Youtube videos, reading and writing blogs. I also like to read and watch TV.

Do you leave the house without make up?

Occasionally. Usually it's just my "lazy routine" though - BB cream, eyebrows, mascara, and blush.

Favourite season?

Fall, hands down. I love the leaves changing and the cool weather. Though I'll always have a special place in my heart for when it's snowing.

Do you still live with your parents?

Technically, I guess. They are the only permanent places of residence I have currently.

What's your favourite movie?

I love The Breakfast Club, A Beautiful Mind, and Titanic. Lots of others, but those are the main ones.

Favourite food?

Pretty much any filled pasta dish. Or meatball subs.

Tent or Hotel?

Both have their places. I'd probably pick a swanky hotel over camping, though.

Favourite Youtube channel?

I can't pick just one! My favorites are: emilynoel83, eleventhgorgeous, missglamorazzi, leighannsays, rachhloves, vlogbrothers, kingsley, tyleroakley. So many good channels.

Hope you guys learned something! If you do this tag, be sure to let me know!

November 2013 Ipsy Bag

Hey guys!

Today I'm very excited to show you my ipsy for November because I'm really excited about everything in it!

So let's take a look at what I got! We got six products this month instead of the usual 5. 

Be A Bombshell Lip Crayon in Shameless

I was a little worried about this when I first pulled it out of the box, but then I swatched it, and I was afraid no more! A beautiful berry color, perfect for fall, and not too scary for those of you (like me) who are afraid of a bold lip.

Starlooks Eyeliner in Topaz

I wasn't super excited about the last Starlooks eyeliner I received, but after seeing the color of this one, I'm loving it a lot. Such a beautiful silver and really soft and creamy for a pencil eyeliner.

Pixi Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched

I think the packaging on this is so cute. I don't use bronzer, but this one looks light enough that it might just work with my paper white skin.

BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Eyeshadow in Eclipse

 

When I first opened this, I thought it was going to be really dark, but I was surprised by how purple it shows up. It's a beautiful color, and not so pigmented that I'll have any trouble working with it. The two swatches are without primer (left) and with primer (right).

Em Michelle Phan Waterliner in Teal Tease

 

The bonus product was an em Michelle Phan (creator of Ipsy) product. I got this waterliner, and although I don't think I'll be using it as a waterliner because my eyes are too small for waterlining, I'll definitely use it! It's not exactly teal, more dark blue than anything, but it's a beautiful color and doesn't budge once you've put it on.

Nailtini in Champagne

This is probably the product I'm most excited about this month because a) I love me some nail polish and b) it's such a pretty color! I'm starting to fall in love with rose gold, and I think this is just the most beautiful color. 

So that's it! I'm really looking forward to trying all these products this month and getting back to you with my reviews! Do you guys get ipsy? Do you love this month's bag as much as I do?

PS Don't forget to check out my guest post over on Catching Cody K!

[Guest Post] Lessons I Learned from Being in a Production

As you guys know, I signed up to be part of a Guest Post Swap a while back. Today, I bring you my partner: Cody from Catching Cody Doll. She's here to talk a little bit about her theater experience in a local production of Pocahontas.

Take it away, Cody!

---

I can’t remember how or why I was involved with my local theater, Titusville Playhouse, but one summer I was taken every day for a month to try out and learn a production. The play was Pocahontas. I thought it would be neat to share some lessons I learned.

You make friends

Granted it wasn’t forever friends, but we all liked each other. We all were together in this show no matter what.

If you forget your lines it’s okay

We had about 4 to 6 shows. I did fine for all of them but one. The last one I forgot one or two of my lines. And you know what? Nothing happened. My cast figured I forgot and said it for me. It didn’t come out bad or weird and worked great. So really forgetting isn’t that bad.

If you don’t get a main part it’s okay

You bet I went out for Pocahontas and a few other major roles. I didn’t get them. I was pretty sad about it, but as I learned my lines I realized that being cast in a main part meant two things. The first was that being a main character means many many more lines to remember. Whew. Second I would be on stage more, meaning I would be seen constantly and therefore it would be harder to goof. This kinda contradicts the last statement but oh well.

If you don’t get casted there are still things for you to do

Yup, I learned all about stage hands and costume and makeup. My school plays were all put on by the drama teacher, and she already had everything she need done. When I signed up for this Pot I learned a lot about building sets and changing sense.

You might sing

Some roles might have singing, especially main ones. Luckily, I was too shy in the audition to sing and therefore didn’t make any part, but it was still scary, and I am glad I didn’t sing out.

Disney Lies

Yup. You didn’t know that? Well when I was in Pocahontas, they told us the real story. I wasn’t that upset because I don’t really like that Disney story, but it did make me wonder about the rest of the Disney stories…So now you have been warned.

---

You can check out Cody's blog here and follow her on Twitter here.

Bigfoot, and Nessie, and the Mothman, oh my!

Happy Monday everyone!

I've had so many things to talk about lately, that this kind of got lost, but I definitely want to share it!

A while back, I noticed Groupon had a two-for-one deal on tickets to the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland. I a) thought that was awesome and b) didn't even know that existed, much less so close to me! I bought it, figuring I'd deal with the whole "who was going to go with me" issue later.

Well, not this past weekend, but the weekend before that I got to go!

Honestly, I was a little disappointed.

The museum was not big, two rooms about the size of your average hotel room, and the things in it just weren't that interesting. I've watched documentaries on Netflix that had more information than this museum had. It was kind of disappointing because it had the potential to be so cool! Oh well. The pictures I got were the coolest part. I just wish the information had been more interesting.

On a different note, I've realized that I've kind of quit talking about work lately. It's still going well, but I feel like I'm always reporting the same thing: website, next show, random etc. projects. Though this happened a few weeks back while I was going through the production history stuff:

 See the third name from the bottom? Yes, that's THE Patrick Dempsey. This one:

He was here! At my little theater. Sometimes my job is just too cool. Theater brings people together, y'all. Have a good weekend. =)

Black Radiance Shine Control Primer Review

Hello there!

Today I bring you a review on the primer I've been using for the past month or so. It's the Black Radiance Complexion Perfection Shine Control Primer. That's a mouthful!

For those of you who don't know, Black Radiance is a cosmetics line intended for women of color that can be found at select Walgreens. I first tried an eight-pan eyeshadow palette and a mascara which I immediately fell in love with. One of the nice things about this line being made for women of color is that the eyeshadows and such are ridiculously pigmented. 

If you read my blog on a consistent basis, you'll know that I recently ran out of my HG primer, and was looking for a drugstore product to replace it. I tried the Boots No. 7 Mattifying Primer but I absolutely hated it. Eventually I ran across Nouveau Cheap's review of the Black Radiance primer. She absolutely raved about it, and it wasn't too expensive, so I went on the hunt.

And, of course, none of the Walgreens in Maine carry Black Radiance. Thankfully, I found a very nice woman in one of my swap groups who bought the primer and sent it to me.

I really like this primer a lot. It does an awesome job at keeping me almost completely shine free (though not lately..but I think that's my moisturizer more than the primer), and I rarely have to use powder before 2 pm or so. That's 6 hours of wear with little to no shine! The other thing is that when I do have shine, it's usually only around my nose which is a big deal for me.

If you're looking for a cheap drugstore mattifying primer, I'd highly suggest this one. A little goes a long way (I use about a pea size amount every day) and it really does keep me matte for a long time. 

Confession time: It's better than my HG primer.

Does that change my opinion on my HG primer? No. Does that make me want to use it less? No. 

But it does keep me matte longer than my HG primer does. Even if it doesn't smell like pomegranates.

Things I Don't Love Thursday Link Up

Hi guys!

Today I'm linking up with Melissa Swenson's Things I Don't Love Thursday!





This is pretty self-explanatory. Stuff that I am just not about recently. So without further ado, here's what I'm currently not loving!

Nosy family members
Without going into the whole big long story, last week I received an envelope from my grandmother. Inside was an article on living with mental illness. I have an anxiety disorder. I've been living with it for 16 years now, and I'm pretty adept at dealing with it. I've had some set backs, of course, but now that I'm on medication, I can handle myself. So when I received this article, I was honestly pretty angry. Some of you may think it's sweet that my grandmother cares so much, but it's not like that. She consistently tries to act like she knows more about what I'm going through than she does, and I'm sick of it. Unsolicited advice is not something I go for, especially when it's unwarranted.

People who feel entitled
I don't mind working in the box office, I really don't. What I mind is when people think they deserve special treatment for one reason or another. We have a policy, and at the end of every phone call, I say, "Just so you know, all tickets are final sale; there are no refunds or exchanges." But I don't feel like people listen. I had a woman call up and order tickets last Wednesday. On Thursday, she called and said they had a conflict and needed to change their tickets. I politely told her we had a no refund, no exchange policy. Her response? "But I just called yesterday." ....did I say it was a no refund, no exchange policy unless you call back the next day? No. It's our policy, period. Granted, if someone has died or you're in the hospital, that's a different thing, and we'll happily exchange your tickets for another show. But not because you can't be bothered to check your calendar before you buy tickets. Go to any other theater, their policy is the same.

I honestly thought I would never stop talking on this post, but those are the only two things that have been really bugging me recently.

What aren't you loving lately?

Nail of the Week 11/3 & 11/10

Greetings, friends!

It's time for my Nail of the Week! And yes, it's a little too summery for the weather we've been having there. Let me explain:

I'm hugely compulsive about my nail polish. I legitimately have a list of my untried nail polishes in order (for the most part) of when I acquired them. I wear them in that order unless there's a special occasion or I need to move the order for the next point. I also alternate so I'm making sure I'm not wearing two warm, two cold, or two neutral colors back to back.

Over the summer, I got totally off track, so I'm a little behind on my summer colors, and I'm just now getting to this color. Next week I'll get to my fall colors. I don't have nearly as many of those, so by Christmas I will be into winter colors.

Yes, I realize this makes me crazy. I don't care!

For last week's NOTW I'm wearing Julep's Courteney which I believe I got in my October Maven Box. I accented a little with Kiss Nail Art stickers. I actually love the girly simplicity of this look. I feel like I need to start embellishing a little. I'm getting bored with one color looks.

This week I'm wearing Julep's Nan which is a really nice dusty red (and hey! It matches my bed!) I generally shy away from having RED nails, but I like that this is faded enough that I feel comfortable. Plus, it's great for fall! Excuse my short nails, I got a little excited with the clippers. I am really impressed by this color. I feel like sometimes Julep polishes are hit and miss formula-wise, but this one is amazing. It could be a one coater (though I'm wearing two) and it just goes on so smoothly. My nails tend to be very ridged and bumpy from years of biting them (especially my thumbnail on my left hand) and you can't even see it under this polish! I wish I had more nail to show off this beautiful color. Definitely a thumbs up from me!

And lonely is healing if you make it

I come to you today on a more sombre note than I usually do. I've been going through a rough patch lately. Between dating issues, the weather changing, and the people I love being far away, I haven't been feeling very happy.

I'm lonely.

Now, I'm a severe introvert, so part of my isolation is self-induced. But part of it isn't. Part of me likes sitting in my room with my books and my internet. And part of me is screaming, drowning, reaching for any small human connection. Phone calls and Skype dates are one thing. But I miss the sitting next to someone. The hugs, the ripples of laughter that bounce off each other, the comfortable silences. Sometimes I feel so lost I don't know what to do with myself. I sit on my bed, not wanting to read, not wanting to putter around the internet, not wanting to do anything, but feeling like I'm going to explode if I stay alone one more minute.

I'm not afraid to be alone, really I'm not. I conquered that fear long ago. I can happily go eat lunch, see a movie, shop for clothes by myself. But sometimes I don't want to. Sometimes I just want to not be alone.


I found this video a while back, and I think it's a good perspective on being alone. Society makes it out to be this awful thing, but it doesn't have to be.

 But I'm not just alone anymore. I'm lonely.

September-October Ipsy Reviews

It's time for another round of Ipsy reviews! I don't have too many things I can fully report on, since I end up trading some things away or I haven't gotten around to using them yet, but I can tell you about some products!

La Fresh Face Cleansing Wipes

I really like these! They smell good (though I don't know what "refreshing scent" means), and I think they do a good job removing makeup. I've been using them a lot when I travel because the 10-wipe pack is the perfect size for that. I wish I had more, but I probably won't repurchase. 

Cailyn Lip Balm in Big Apple

I was excited about this product because I saw so many people talk about how "wearable" a red it was. I was disappointed by it. For something that calls itself a balm, it's not moisturizing at all, and I didn't think the red looked good on me at all. I only used it once, and I wish I had swapped it instead.

Elizabeth Mott's It's So Big mascara

I've been using this for the past month now, and though I like it, I'm not in love with it. I don't know if it's my lashes or the way I apply, but my left eye always seems to clump badly. My right eye will look great, and my left eye will look spidery and weird. I bought a new mascara this weekend, so this one will be going away soon.

Starlooks Kohl Liner in Obsidian

I've only used this once, but I thought it worked pretty well. I tend to go toward non-pencil eyeliner, so this won't ever be a staple for me, but it worked well in my waterline and came off very black.

Nyx eyeshadow in Walnut

This isn't the color I got in my Ipsy, but Nyx was replacing them for free in the color of your choice, and this is the one I got! I love it a lot. It's beautiful and wears really well. You can see a swatch of it here. I'll definitely look into more Nyx shadows in the future.

Summer's in our basement now

Can anyone else not believe it's November already? I realized while writing a letter to a friend today that I'm only here for another month and a half before I'm furloughed for two months. That's so crazy! And while I'm excited about getting to spend some time in Baltimore with my mom and sister and Florida with my dad and best friend, I'm a little sad that I won't be here for two months. For whatever reason, I love this crazy little town.

The Twelfth Night tour is officially over and the cast has all left. On Halloween one of the board members invited us all over to her house for dinner, and that was a lot of fun. She totally loves Halloween, and she had some of the cutest decorations!

It's been quiet for me lately. Last weekend I saw Gravity with my guy, and spent most of Saturday and Sunday catching up on life stuff. It was nice to relax some (and get an extra hour of sleep!) after my crazy weekend the previous week. I gotta keep reading, reading, reading to make my 50 book challenge goal! I'll be so mad if I get to book 49 and don't make it, so I'm reading like a mad man!

Very few things better than this

Before I know it, Mike will be here and we'll be working on our next show! Hopefully we can get the new website up before we're off for two months!

I hope everyone is having a good week! Anyone else doing the 50 Book Challenge? Are you done yet?

Chaotic Goddess Post Swap

Hey guys!

I have something a little different for you today. I'm really excited because I was accepted into the Chaotic Goddess Post Swap!



Basically, I'll be partnered up with another blogger who will read my blog, learn about me, and then write a guest post for me that fits in with my blog! In turn, I'll do the same for her! I've never had a guest poster, so I'm really looking forward to this!

Are you a blogger who wants to join the swap? You can find all the information here: Chaotic Goddess Guest Swap Post Signups

Look for a guest post by November 21! And when I find out all the details, I'll let you guys know where you can find my guest post too!