Inspiration

Coming to you live from Cloud 9! I've landed in Houston, TX, and am in the company of friends, Traci Overstreet, Meagan "Clam" Herrin, and Allison Sullivan. Times are good! Mother's Day was spent with family over a lovely dinner. My flights today went smooth, and I had a good cosmetic magazine to pour over. Got started putting together a syllabus for the upcoming makeup artistry madness I'll be instructing during the merry month of June. There was plenty of time to sleep between flights, and there's plenty of fun to look forward to in the days ahead. In the midst of it all, inspiration.

THIS GUY

This picture cracked me the crap up. I don't know about you. Hilarious, really, but I also noticed the picture's description. "Have passion in everything you do! Even if it's just brushing your teeth!" This reminded of something. Not long ago, I scooped up one of my old Writer magazines. (Yeah, so I wanted to be an English major once upon a time.) What did I find? A quote from science fiction writer, Orson Scott Card.

"Your career is not your life. All good work is worthy, and fame is whimsically bestowed. Those who bestow fame are rarely fair or wise in how they bestow it." He encourages us not to be the best, "because being the best is not up to you." Being good matters most. "Being 'good' is entirely up to you, regardless of how others see you."

First of all, Orson Scott Card. I haven't read them myself, but have heard nothing but good reviews regarding his books. I've also had the honor of meeting him in person at a writers' convention. He has a brilliant mindset, made obvious by his quotation and upstanding personality. Fame isn't everything--least of all, something we can control. I know Orson's a writer, but this idea can be applied to all walks of life.

I use to be obsessed with "fame," aka: popularity. I think everyone can say they've dreamed about it once or twice. Who wouldn't like their name in lights? This turned into a pretty self-destructive thing over time. I didn't have a Hollywood star out of high school for some reason. But what hat are these names drawn from? Who picks them out and lights them up? Fame is granted through unpredictable acts of fate. Crazy. So, is it worth it? Nah.

Be yourself. If there's one thing I've learned, it's how to be myself and do what I want. Everyone has their own opinion, so what's the point of following their rules when you can make your own? We can't let fame and fortune--nice as it would be--overshadow what's important: that you love what you do. I've seen one too many people forget that.

Off the soap box. Promise not to get deep on you often, but hey, we've all got something that drives us. About time I shared my something with you. Thanks for listening.

NOW GO BRUSH YOUR TEETH!!!

. . . after checking out knixman on Instagram.
And Orson Scott Card's quotations in The Writer magazine, Guide to Fiction Writing.

"GOD, THAT'S DISGUSTING!!"

Another eventful day! The photoshoot with photographer, Kiersta Rhodes of Kiersta Rhodes Photography, was incredible--as expected! Working with her as a makeup artist, I have always admired her talent and ability to command the scene. This girl knows what she's doing. She gives excellent direction and strives for perfection. Knowing this, I was confident being placed on the other side of the camera. Modeling's bomb. Almost as fun as Kiersta.

Not your average laundry day.

You'll be seeing some serious updating within the next couple of weeks. (Plenty to keep your eyes occupied while I'm off in Texas land.) We did different looks at two different locations, three outfit changes. Kiersta's captain of an adorable studio apartment, but we hit up a laundromat first. Such a crazy-retro place. It was dingy, low-end, isolated, home to average joes and random school desks; smelled like cardboard. Love at first sight. This place was perfect. I sported some color for this one, Superman style. Fitting for a certain, super, up-coming film.

After doofing about like childish hooligans for about an hour, we mobbed back over to Kiersta's for some classy boudoir. Totally different atmosphere and feel behind these pics--feminine beauty and all that loveliness. Can't wait for edits!

By then, we were starvin' Marvins. After much deliberation, we headed to J. Wong's Asian Bistro, down the street. Delicious to the max here, people. I love Asian food. This place was top-notch, quiet. We had a scrum-diddly-umptious lunch, then called it a day. What a day!

Came home to a sick kitty and an hour to get ready for work. Tomorrow's day off has been replaced with taking kitty-kins to the vet. Poor little trooper's had his share of bladder problems and is at it again. Here's to hoping it's nothing serious.

But we're ending tonight on a happier note: I got the biggest kick out of a grandma taking her granddaughters shopping. They were much too young to be perusing Macy's cosmetics, but Granny didn't say a thing. Not until one of the youngsters plucked up the brightest pink lipstick she could wrap her gooby fist around, and told Grammy she wanted it.

"GOD, THAT'S DISGUSTING!! You put that back!" Grandma was very precise.

Lancome; Baum in Love, 100 Rose In Love - Baby Pink
The most disgusting shade in the world. Grandma says so.

Just a few more days 'til I hop the plane to Texas! You won't be seeing much artistic splendor on this end 'til I get back. I've got a fairytale boudoir shoot with photographer, RaShea Drake, that might come to pass tomorrow last-minute, but no promises. Like I said, very last-minute. It would be a nice added bonus. I'll just have to be extra artsy-fartsy and photogenic in Texas to make up for it.

Check, Check, Check

The mental check list just keeps getting longer. I've got one more photoshoot and Mother's Day to look forward to before an amazing two-week trip to Houston, Texas! Busy times, but I'm looking forward to them. Hard to be stressed out when I'm going to have a friggin' blast!

So, the photoshoot: Funny thing about this one, I'll be in front of the camera again. It's not every day I wind up being a model, but well, things happen and I like to help a brother out--or in this case, a sister. My ding-darling friend and absolutely wonderful photographer, Keirsta Rhodes, of Kiersta Rhodes Photography, needed someone on the plus-size for a little boudoir. It wouldn't be the first time I've popped up in underpants, so I figured I'd pitch in. Anything for her. I know she'll make me look gorgeous! Photographer, Tom Sparks, tried it out. I can't wait to see what Kiersta pulls off.

How'd we do?

Mother's Day is around the corner. I'll be visiting the folks, of course, but then I hop a plane to Houston! Can't wait! It's gonna be girls' night out for two weeks straight, and jam-packed with good times. Finally got myself a new phone, too, so I'll be able to document things a bit better for the online life. Unfortunately, this means photoshoots are going to have to go on hold for a while. Doesn't mean I won't be playing with makeup, sillies. You'll just have to settle for uploads in the meantime.

Simply beautiful.

My MUA Facebook page got some updates! Results are in for the candy photoshoot with photographer, Torsten Bangerter, and model, Connie Walker. Photographer, Sarah Miller, has also pulled out a few pics from our shoot with models, Mikee Vargas and Cheyanne West. Above is a sneak-peak. We got some great shots and there are more on the way. Let us know what you think!

My makeup artistry class in June has turned into a fine bunch of faces. The supplies list has been drawn up and there's still plenty of time to enroll. I haven't scrounged a place to host this shin-dig yet, but that's going to depend on how many people decide to join anyway. A rough guesstimate mid-vacation would be nice, prior to my return. I'd love to have to rent out a stadium.

News from Macy's: Lancome gift is in full swing as of today! Clinique is gearing up for an adorable purchase with purchase, and Estee Lauder will be starting their summer gift, early June. These are great times to visit cosmetic counters. The deals are killer!

Keep up, kids. I've got plenty of excitement to look forward to, and you should, too!

What the Skittles?!

Survival of the fittest! Wow! The last few days, as expected, are a blur. Sorry I missed out on a post yesterday. But, hey! Now I've got loads to talk about!

At last, the weekend photoshoots are complete, and we await the results. What an adventure! Instead of waiting 'til the crack of dawn to drive to Spanish Fork, I mobbed down there after work for some serious slumber partying. I may or may not have been pretty excited. Riotous antics, ghost stories and a trip to Walmart later, photographer, Sarah Miller, and I crashed at about 4am. Three hours of sleep, then we were up and att'em to greet the girls. Life is awesome!!

Cheyanne West and Mikki Vargas were our lovely models for the waking hour exploits. Beautiful girls! So silly and wide-eyed. I adored meeting these rambunctious goof-balls today. They're both so precious and talented. Too many giggles!

Very professional.

Spanish Fork Canyon has so many pretty spots to pick from. I've had my eye on some "magic trees," when I pass through the area, but they didn't work out as well as we hoped. The trees were nice. The ground around them wasn't. Never fear! A magic tree all its own wasn't far off. Overcast skies were on our side for gorgeous weather and even better lighting. No major malfunctions and amazing pictures to look forward to! Love it when things go right!

Magic in the making!

Work and the real world snatched Sarah away around noon. The original idea was for dear hairstylist, Alexis Anderson, to give my hair an overhaul after joining us for this shoot, but her life just got too darn obnoxious! Poor thing. Better luck next time. Really, this worked out for the best in the end, cause Candyland had a curfew.

It's like candy homocide!

Connie Walker was another fine face I had the pleasure meeting today! Model extraordinaire for the day's second shoot with photographer, Torsten Bangerter, we were able to get her candy on just in time for her to scamper off and play with family members. Not that we weren't having our share of playtime. Skittle titties and Selena Gomez. Whaaat?! (Sorry, kids. Personal jokes.)

Connie's a blast! Girl found her inner two-year-old/stripper, and gave us some really lolli-poppin' pictures! And, yeah! Torsten's already cranked out the above gem for us! Success? Why yes, I do believe so. I've conquered my irrational dislike for the candy cliche. Connie rocked it! I already can't wait to work with this fine spe-ci-mine again. She's a keeper.

On a side-note, hair was done by me for a switch. How'd I do? Not too shabby? Might have to wait out some more pictures. Reserve judgement!

That wrapped it up, folks. It's been a full day, and more successful than I could have hoped. I can't believe how much fun we all had! What more, I found inspiration in an auto-repair sign:

Thanks, Dean's.

A nice thought to end on. I think we've all been there.

Full Weekend

Gearing up for two photoshoots this weekend! From the crack of dawn, 'til who knows what hour of the evening, I'll be working cosmetic wonders. About time I had a decent day off. Today was all technical to-do's--groceries, laundry, blah-blah-blah. That's what happens when you work too many days in a row. Things pile up. Glad photoshoots is one of them.

So, what's in store for Sunday? First off, we've got a woodsy, simplistic, story-bookish theme going on in Spanish Fork Canyon, UT. Somewhere between Where the Wild Things Are and The Wicker Man is where our photoshoot's gonna sit. If we can get it half as awesome as the concept pics, we'll be sittin' pretty. About 3 - 4 models, a couple of hours; Sarah Miller backing the camera and (possibly) Alexis Anderson throwing hair together. I think we're golden.

Might go a little something like this...

Next up, I'll be hitting the chop-shop. Alexis will get right back to work doing hair, giving mine the touch-up of the century. I change my mind too fast for my own good. Born brunette, bleached it white, now I'm ready for red. Clairol didn't do the trick. I'll let Alexis wave her magic wand. Afterward, I'm Torsten Bangerter's in Candyland. 

Candy shoots. I know, I know. I've had my rants and raves about how hard it is for me to appreciate them. I find anything candy-themed and sugar-coated cliche beyond words. I blame Katy Perry's, California Girls, music video. Say "candy" and "photoshoot" in the same sentence, all I see is bubbly blue hair and peppermint boobs on cotton candy clouds. Not original; but, just like all cliches, can surprise on occasion. Here's to stepping up to the plate and putting money where my mouth is. Bring on the candy! This won't be the first time, either.

The one with Torsten's a strictly cutsie, classic candy shoot, but I've got more artistic things in mind for the future. Creating a crazy-original candy shoot is now a mission. Watch. I'll be the next one to lolli-pop out a candy shoot series that blows the bubblegum out of people's minds. Time to kick it in the gumballs!

. . . Yeah, no more puns.

Fun things on the horizon! Definitely looking forward to good times.

Check out the rest of the concept pictures from this amazing shoot by Spindle Photography.

Lancome Gift and Other Must-Haves

 So many products, so little time. There are too many exciting things I've been drooling over to let slide anymore. Seasonal gifts, for example:

Don't miss out!

Pre-selling now and starting May 7th, Lancome at Macy's begins their gift with purchase. This is a pretty sweet deal, ladies and gents. Instead of the usual, spend-a-certain-amount, receive your gift; purchase any two items, and the gift is yours! We're talking an $88 - $105 value at a price you have some serious flexibility to determine!

Another, wonderfully unusual thing about this gift is the amount of choices you get to make. Lancome's infamous for giving you options, but this season they've out-done themselves. 99.9% of this gift is customizable, with a choice between two facial serums, three eye creams, two eyeshadow pallets, two mascaras and two handbags. Also included is a Bi-Facil cleanser. This is quality makeup and something I'll be looking into.

Now, if you're like me, you're one to pinch pennies. Lancome may not be your first choice financially. That's what keeps me from their counter half the time. Being employed with Lancome competitor, Estee Lauder, might have something to do with it, too, but that doesn't mean I don't like to dip my toes in the Lancome pool. I love to experiment, believe in an open mind and venturing out when it comes to product. This is a killer deal, and great chance to explore what Lancome has to offer. I'm in!

In other news--if you're even more like me--you worship the living crap out of MAC lipsticks. They're my go-to when I need lip color that lasts. So what's the latest craze? Pop-stars already dominate the cosmetic, media and pop-culture worlds. Their lipsticks are making headlines.

"Red lipstick all on da paper!!! #RiRiWoo #SOLDOUT #3HOURS #lookatyou #nowlookatus," was Rhianna's enthusiastic Tweet today when her MAC lipstick, RiRi Woo, sold out only three hours after it was released online. Rhianna reportedly insisted during the product's development that, "the color be suitable for every skin tone." I'm already dying to smother my lips in this cosmetic gold. 

Damnit, I blinked!

Until June, we'll just have to settle for Niki Minaj. I'm not a fan of her or her music, but the rapper's Viva Glam pink topped MAC lipstick charts in April. Niki Tweeted so herself:

"#1 selling Viva Glam lipstick of all time. . . thank u for supporting a good cause. mmmuuuaaahhh! ! ! !" The good cause she's talking about, is the 100% of profits made from sales being given to the MAC AIDS fund, designated to helping those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. A beautiful cause. Too bad I don't find Niki near as breath-taking as her product.

Why, Niki?

I can't deny, Niki's pink is a pink for me. I'm familiar with Viva Glam, owning their Viva Glam II. Its adaptability to different skin tones makes it one of my favorite nude colors. It's creamy, long-lasting and comfortable. Niki, no. Her lipstick, sure. Right after I snag RiRi Woo. 

Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper and Ricki Martin have also been names in the Viva Glam line. They won't be the first or last superstars to get their faces plastered along-side makeup products. Hayley Williams, lead singer of the rock band, Paramour, joined the MAC team on April 9th with a fitting collection of orange products that I've got my eye on.

Yum.

That about wraps up my shopping list. (Well, okay. It's a start.) If nothing else, I hope this has been insightful. I like hearing what's out there; even if it's just by word of mouth. Let us know if you snag any of these things before I do. I love reviews, too!

Attention, Class

Well, kids, it's finally happened. For some time, I've considered putting myself out there, sharing basic, affordable and mad makeup skills. So, guess what? It's class time!

Starting June 5th, I'll be teaching a makeup artistry class. Application, color theory, product knowledge, skin care--the basics. Everything you need to know to get started and refine your look. In the Salt Lake City, UT area and think you might be interested? Click HERE.

This isn't the only project I have in mind during merry month of May. Lean in close. I've got a top-secret, under-wraps artistic film project--codename: O.R.--in the works; coming to you live within the next few months. I'm pretty darn passionate about it. The thought hasn't hit paper yet, but is alive in my mind and itching to get out. My personal deadline is the end of summer. It's gonna be big. Keep an eye out for updates.

Moving day is also on the horizon. For those who don't know, I live in what I affectionately call, "Le Ghetto." Mice, cockroaches--this place has the works. That's what happens when you follow your artistic dreams on a whim and pocket change. Never fear! Money's been put down on an adorable new place, I'm just waiting for vacancy. I've got a lot of selling to do in the meantime. I'd like to get rid of a few hand-me-downs and what-nots before the big move.

A class to prep for, work, moving day, photoshoots, and somewhere in the madness: VACATION. Houston, TX, here I come! As of May 13th, I'll be hopping a plane to the big 'ole state for some much-needed girl time. Traci, the TRACINATOR, is hosting one hell of a party, with myself, her bestiest bestie, Allison; and our Floridian bestie, Meagan, meeting in the middle. The internet is a wonderful place to make friends, but distance is a drag.

In other news, dear readers, I'm exhausted. Take things one day at a time. I sure will.