"...you look absolutely beautiful the way you are."

“I don’t mind to look older. I don’t have this urge that so many people have that they’ve always got to look young all their lives. I think you should be the age you are and enjoy it. And I think there’s lot of people that have plastic surgery who quite honestly looked better before, so that’s just my feeling. But if you want to have it, go ahead and have it, but take a good look before you do because, just maybe, you look absolutely beautiful the way you are.”

- Grace Coddington, Creative Director at Vogue Magazine

some days...

 

cardigan, tights, and belt: Target, chambray: American Eagle, crochet skirt: F21, boots: Kenneth Cole via eBay

 

 Ah yes, the dreaded iPhone photos.  Yes, that is a bathroom I'm taking photos of myself in (don't judge).  I know the quality isn't great, but you get the gist, right?  You probably can't really tell that those tights are a deep burgundy, that the cardigan is navy, and that those boots are a rich cognac, but I assure you that they are.  Just trust me, y'all.  Some days it's seems like it'll be fine to simply take a few quick shots of myself on my way from the gym to work, but then I see what they look like.  Lesson learned.

In any case, I actually loved this outfit in all its western glory and even wanted to wear my Justin boots with it originally.  Not that wearing riding boots instead makes it much less country-fied, but I consider not wearing my cowboy boots here to be a serious exercise in restraint.  Where was that restraint this morning when I, upon dropping off my loving boyfriend at the airport, spotted the nearest Chick-fil-a and bought myself a chicken biscuit?  No idea, dear reader (s?).  Making sartorial choices is sometimes easier than gastronomical ones, I suppose.  Then again, you guys won't be seeing the photographic evidence of today's mismatched jacket/outfit situation.  

on my face.

daily makeup routine

 

After much trial and error and a heavy dose of experimentation over the past decade or so, I think I have finally settled on a daily routine with makeup.  Like what I clothe myself in, there's a nice mix of inexpensive buys with more expensive products.  Here's a breakdown:

- Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm with SPF 45

Thanks to a recent Birchbox sample, I found this BB cream.  Man, oh man, have I fallen in love with this stuff.  I like that it contains SPF, has moisturizing qualities, acts as a primer, and provides moderate coverage for my fair skin.  I've also noticed that it acts as a mattifier for the better part of the day, which is great for my super oily skin! 

 - Maybelline Cover Stick in Fair

I should probably be more discriminating with my concealer, but this one tends to do a decent job of covering my under-eye circles and masking blemishes.  I like products that can multitask, but am open to recommendations if anyone has them.

- e.l.f. Tickled Pink Blush

This stuff is dirt cheap and has just about the same pigmentation as most drugstore brands, but it doesn't break me out!  I have fairly sensitive skin, so I have to be careful about blushes.  I used to be a big fan of the Sally Hansen Carmindy line of mineral blushes, but I can't seem to find it anywhere in stores anymore, much to my chagrin.

 

- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original

For the longest time, I never truly understood the purpose of eyeshadow primer.  I should've known better, especially since I have oily, hooded eyelids.  It's a no-brainer now: I throw it on and my shadow lasts all.day.long.

 

- Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette

THIS.  This palette made me a believer in eyeshadow, y'all.  All of the shadows included truly compliment my "warm autumn" coloring, and I have found quite a few combinations with the colors included.  Also, since the pigmentation is quite concentrated, I don't have to use very much to achieve the look I want.  

 

- Rimmel Soft Kajal Eye Pencil - in Sable Brown

I love the ease with which this goes on, and it is infinitely smudgable.  Those two things should be prerequisites of any good eyeliner.  

- Ulta Kohl Eye Liner Pencil - in Plum

This is the only Ulta brand eyeliner I have, but it is the perfect plum color and truly enhances the green in my eyes.

 

- L'Oreal Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner - in Earthen Rock Brown

When I'm in the mood for a cat eye, I swipe this stuff on.  I've also heard some good things about a few Cover Girl liquid eyeliners, so I might be changing this up soon.

 

- Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara - in Blackened Brown

First of all, this stuff lives up to the hype of helping to make your lashes longer and stronger.  I've been using it for a year and my lashes have never been this long or thick.  I love the huge brush as it helps to add volume to my lashes.  

 

- Smith's Rosebud Salve

A classic and the only thing that keeps my lips soft.  Most other balms dry out my lips, but this stuff is just perfect.  I can also use it as a cuticle cream in a jam, too!

- Pur Mnerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup

I still keep this stuff on hand to throw on at the end of the day if I'm looking a bit shiny.  It's light, goes on without drying the skin, and mattifies things right away.  

Soon, I'd like to do posts on skincare and hair, so keep an eye out for those.  Also: my awesome friend/roommate Jennie will be doing a guest post soon on lipstick and lip stain, and you should all be waiting with bated breath for what she'll share with all of us! 

weekender

weekender by paleandmild 

Despite my affinity for all fall colors, sometimes I really just want to throw on several neutrals with pops of color instead of bathing myself in it all.  I actually have all of the elements posted here in my closet (in some variation or another) and would most certainly throw something like this on for a day of brunch, running errands, studying French, and/or watching my alma mater (Texas Tech University -- GUNS UP!) play.  There's just something about head to toe denim (in varying washes) and a cozy scarf that screams relaxation to me.  

Also, let me just say that up until about a year ago, I NEVER would've paired cognac boots with black.  I am not sure what changed, but I find myself doing it more and more.  Here's to mixing neutrals!