MAC Alluring Aquatic: Lorelei Extra Dimension Eye Shadow

I told myself last month that I was going to stop buying makeup. I own to much and barely use what I have... but I caved a couple weeks ago. Once I saw the launch of the MAC's Alluring Aquatic I knew I would love it. I always need to get at least one product from MACs S/S collection because its always some beachy theme and I'm obsessed with anything that has to do with the beach. 

The first thing that always draws me into their S/S collection is the packaging which is exactly what happened here. I mean look at it! How could I resist? The collection has a beautiful metallic teal/turquoise package with textured droplets on it that resembles water. Its stunning. Even the box it came it was textured water droplet package (I admit I'm saving the box). I always fall for beautiful packaging. 

Once I got past the packaging I finally saw the product. I bought the Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Lorelei. It is described as a "golden beige". Its a light coppery-peach with warm undertones. I think this is the most perfect color for summer. I'm going to be wearing this non-stop!

Someone please tell me that I'm not the only one that falls for beautiful packaging, and its not just makeup... its anything!

A Little Hand Lettering Never Hurt Nobody

L to R: Must Be A Mermaid, tsch_lettering, Smile it's finally here, I Woke Up Like This Mug

Recently I have been really into hand lettering. I'm completely fascinated by what people can make with their hands. I am constantly searching hand lettering on pinterest and getting inspiration. I also feel like hand letting is becoming a huge deal in the design world. 

Most everything has become digital to hand letting gives a human feel to the design which seems more inviting to the viewer. More and more people are seeking a hand made aesthetic. It looks like products with hand lettering are getting more attention by consumers. 

I have made it my goal this summer to practice hand lettering. I don't really think I have great handwriting but many people have also complemented me on it, which makes me believe if I practice I will probably be able to have great looking hand lettering eventually. Next year in my final year at school I want to be able to hand letter for some of my projects so why not start practicing now! If I have any worthy final products I'll be sure to show it on my instagram and on here. 

DAY TWO 6/13 & THREE 6/14: Photographers Assistant

Day 2:

I woke up around 6:45 to make breakfast at 7:15, turns out breakfast wasn't until 7:45 so once I finally realized I just laid back in bed until breakfast. I didn't have any medicine for the day so at breakfast the photographer let me run up to the hotel gift shop to buy some medicine, he obviously could tell I wasn't feeling as well.

Once I got back I set up the computer in the office and worked a bit on editing some of the pictures we took yesterday. I then joined the photographer back at the conference and just sat around. There wasn't much need for me that day so he let me leave for about an hour and a half to rest. I went to the local rite aid to get some nose spray because I was really congested. I then went back to my room and chilled out.

We were then asked to photograph the karaoke party that night. We got to the party and no one was there! We waited around but it was hard to get the shots they wanted. Once we got out of there we went back to the office I set up and helped edit the final pictures of the day. We finished around 9:30 and I headed back to the room and went to sleep. I wanted to rest up so I would hopefully feel better and could be of more help.

Day 3:

We didn't have to wake up as early and we only had to work until 2. Well it turns out the nurses at the conference were voting most of the time we were just sitting around waiting until for the voting to be done and the award to handed out. Turns out they were running an hour behind so we had to wait even longer! The awards ended up only lasting like 15 minutes long so once that was over and we packed up our office and rushed out of there!

It felt so nice to get out of the hotel, I felt like I hadn't seen daylight in 3 days. Mind you that it was raining for the first 2 days so to have it 75 and sunny out was a nice change! I got back home and was exhausted.

I learned so much from my first time assisting a photographer. One thing that stuck out to me is when one of the production members said "you go where the money is" which I had to disagree with him. I think that you should be doing something that you love. I believe that if you're not doing something that you love you are just waisting your time. I understand the need to get paid but after doing that job I wasn't having fun. Yes, getting paid was nice but why would i want to do something I didn't enjoy doing. It was definitely and eye opener!

DAY ONE 6/12 : Photographers Assistant in DC

My moms friends husband is a photographer and asked if i would like to help assist him at a nursing conference in DC. It paid really well and I figured it would be a great way to get some experience.

I woke up a day before the shoot feeling like I was about to get a cold, sore throat... let be real, I sounded like a man. We got to the hotel a night early so we could have a meeting and discuss what he expected me to do and what needed to be done. I was feeling pretty nervous, i didn't know what to expect. I sat through the meeting just trying to soak everything in. We met with the rest of the production team and everyone was really nice! I left the meeting to go to bed because day 1 was an early morning and I figured I would need all the sleep I could get.

I woke up the next day around 6:25 and felt sicker than I did the day before. I pumped some medicine in me and went off to the first shoot. We spent the day running from room to room getting shots of general activity and important speakers. And by we I mean him... I was there to pretty much carry the equipment, and in no way am I complaining! It was just awesome to be there. Since I was a bit sick carrying bags all day did wear me out a bit.

After a couple shoots we went off to Capitol Hill to take some photographs with the nurses and the senators. We got there kinda early so there was a lot of sitting around but I needed it. Once we got the shot and met the senator (adorable old lady). We then went over to the Cannon building to meet some more nurses, turns out someone switched the times and never told us. We quickly called the person and charge and was able to make it to other nurses in the building. When we got there we had to wait a little because the senator was running a little behind in the meeting. In her waiting area there was a large chalkboard that I got to sign! I felt super special to have my name on a wall. We got a quick lunch and headed back to the conference.

Once we got back is when I started to feel uber gross, the medicine was probably wearing off. We took a couple generic shots of the awards and reception and then went back to the office to upload and edit. Luckily the photographer felt bad that I wasn't feeling well so he let me go. I went back to my room, took a quick shower and went to bed.

It was a super exhausting day and I feel terrible that I can't help more but this cold is more draining than I thought! Assisting is no joke, but I have already learned so much and its only day 1!

BIG Changes Ahead

*i apologize if this post seems all over the place. my brain is on a high of a twitter chat!*

About a week ago I rediscovered Whitney's blog. It came at the perfect time, I have been so uninspired and timid about my designs. I spent a couple hours "stalking" her blog and once I got my inspiration back I redid my portfolio website (still needs some work). During/after my second semester of classes I was ready to give up on myself, I didn't believe in myself. After I won the "gold metal" for The Real Show it really brought my confidence back up. I started to look to design blogs for inspiration and remind myself that I'm doing what I love which is how I came across Whitney's blog again. Looking at how successful her blog is and how she started up her own business really inspired me. 

Since Whitney was a huge inspiration to me i did what any normal person did, followed her on every social media network as possible. Last night she teamed up with The Creatives Club for a twitter chat using the hashtag #creativeschat and #heartarrowcritique. It was my first time joining a twitter chat and let me tell you, it was the best! First of all Whitney critiqued my blog (it was amazing to get recognized by her), second she followed me on both of her accounts, then I was tweeted and followed by the creatives club! Its just such an awesome feeling being able to connect with some awesome and creative people! 

So now for the big change. I feel like my blog has been in limbo. Its been a lifestyle, beauty and sometimes fashion blog. I have said it before that I was posting for viewers I wasn't posting for myself. Blogging was no longer fun for me. Once I focused on becoming a beauty blog, my bank account would slowly begin to emptied and I was buying products to review not because I wanted them. And as much as I love makeup I think I need to focus on posting for me and developing a brand. Which is why I'm thinking about stepping back from makeup and focusing more towards the lifestyle & design aspect of my life. I'm still going to post about makeup because lets me real, I'm obsessed. But I'm no longer going to buy things just to review them. I need to post things that make me happy, I want to blog because I love it. 

I hope you all will accept the change and still love the content I post. With it being summer I hope to post a lot more. I need to start branding my blog and I want to not be afraid what people will think about my blog. I want to get my blog out there and have people enjoy my blog and connect! I want to soon be able to join The Creatives Club. I hope you all will come on this journey with me.

ps. i would love to hear what are some of your favorite things about design blogs. i'm hoping to do a couple freebies here and there!

Etsy Finds

One of my favorite things to pass time is search through etsy. These are a few things I have next on my list to purchase. Recently I have been really inspired to create thanks to a couple blogs so I'm hoping to follow through with some of that inspiration.

Hand Illustrated Monogram Notebook by OHNORachio: i am such a scatter brain and come up with so many ideas or things i want to do at random times i need a notebook to come around with me everywhere.

Circle Leaf 2 Rubber Stamp by whitneyraepaper: i have no real rhyme or reason why i need this, i like it. i think its cute. therefore i want.

Triangle Washi Tape by PrettyTape: i'm a total washi tape hoarder. i am always trying to find different ways to use it and decorate things. i try to add different patterns to my collection when i can.

What Would Beyonce Do Gold Foil / Black Print by CharmAndGumption: as i move into my new apartment i'm looking for new prints to hang and this my friend, is actually perfect. i'm usually not a huge fan of gold but i may need to change that just so i can incorporate this into my room.