Anniversary Excursion

AJ planned a flight to Wendover for our two year anniversary. We spent the night at the Rainbow Hotel chowing down at the buffet and enjoying a relaxing night away from home. The following day we flew up to Logan to grab a quick lunch at my favorite place, Great Harvest. I found this darling necklace on Etsy at a little shop called Gem Passion Jewelry  and had it inscribed with an A and M in commemoration of our two years together. If you'd like to read the post from our one year anniversary it can be found here.

Happy Two Years lover bum

Half Knot Half Up

 

We're back from California. I'm so sad to be back but it's always a must to roll back into normal life. 

I already can't wait until the next time we go.

Quote of the Day:

[While eating lunch with AJ]

AJ: "How much more time do we have?"

Me: "Zero."

AJ: "We didn't leave any time for nookie?"

Me: "Nookie? Time for nookie?"

AJ: "Is that the right word?"

Me: "I think so but it sounds weird."

...

AJ: "Time for bow-chicka-wow-wow..."

Side Dutch Braid: Inspired by Spencer Hastings from Pretty Little Liars

I've been in California for the past 4 days and we're leaving tonight to head home. I have absolutely been loving my time here and am so sad to be leaving so soon. I came with my mom, four siblings, and AJ. We've been staying at my uncle Kyle's home in Simi Valley going to a different mall every day, lounging poolside every morning, and going to restaurants, movies, and dipping in the jacuzzi every night. It's been such a blast; I wish I could stay here forever. I hope you have a great weekend. 

Thursday Reviews: Ulta and Maybelline Review

This Maybelline color tattoo in Pomegranate Punk is my new favorite love. I want to get it in every single color because it goes on so easily and leaves a beautiful, deep color and flawless look. I am not as convinced by the ulta eye shadows. These were my first two shadows purchased by ulta and are both beautiful colors. The sun-kissed color has to be layered on over and over to get this deep peach/coral color but I know if I put it over the Maybelline color tattoo in Fierce and Tangy it'll really help the color show through better. Originally I had bought this green shadow to try a more affordable version of this look.  I have a Stila colored pencil that would be perfect underneath the shadow. I'm hoping to do this tutorial soon because I keep putting it on the back burner.

Pink, Gold, Green Eye Makeup Tutorial

A little while ago, I put up a little post about how amazing my sister's eye makeup looked after getting it done at Sephora. It was a look I never would have thought to do on my own so I immediately wanted to try out my own version using makeup that was more wallet-friendly. This trio of colors is so flattering even though it wouldn't seem that way at first glance. I wonder how it would look using different groups of colors such as purples, midnight blues, or teals...

Looped Bubble Bun

Quote of the Day:

Mom: "Jacob your face is really sunburned"

Jacob: "I know, I put on sunscreen"

Mom: "Did you wear your rash guard?"

Jacob: "Yes"

Me: "Too bad they don't make rash guards for your face."

Chase: "You could use a ski mask."

Jacob: "If you're swimming in the pool wearing a ski mask the neighbors are gonna think you're stealing it."

------------------

[White driving around California]

Natalie: "Everyone honks here, it's so annoying!"

Mom: "In Italy, everyone honks for everything even if they're being nice and letting you merge in so just pretend everyone who honks is Italian."

Natalie: "Well then pretty much everyone here is Italian."

-------------------

Two Years

“There are four pillars to a happy marriage:

respect one another as individuals; soft answers; financial honesty; family prayer.”  

― Gordon B. Hinckley

Today marks a mere two years of marriage. Two years. Sometimes I can't believe it's already been two years. Sometimes I can't believe we actually made it two years. Marriage has been challenging. It has been eye-opening, educating, frustrating, and humbling. Marriage has taught me many things about myself, about AJ as well, but mostly about learning to endure to the end. Yet, through all the tiny struggles, it's those moments of laughter, those moments of pure bliss that make the whole thing worthwhile. The small and simple things are what remind me of why I chose him to spend the rest of my life with. He's the one who knows me better than I know myself, can calm me down after a storm, knows exactly what to say to put me in my place, can keep calm and speak reason, can be understanding and kind, yet always finds a way to make me laugh. He's the perfect one for me. One time when I asked him why he married me he said, "Because we're soul mates." 

Simple as that. 

I believe the key to a happy and successful marriage is this:

“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...” ― Gordon B. Hinckley

(That and shopping money)

Quote of the Day: 

While walking single-file through a rack of clothes at Target with AJ at the front he turns back and says to me: "You're walking into a trap."

(*Nice of him to at least warn me that the air between him and I was now contaminated, if you get my drift)

Thursday Review: Revlon, Covergirl, Sephora Products

I really like the Gel side of this eye brow duo. I don't know if I really need the gel but I recently ran out of wax in my other eyebrow kit so I usually use the powder from the other kit and finish with this gel. The pencil side of it actually makes my eyebrows really dark so I haven't really used that much. I'll have to go with a lighter blonde instead of Dark Blonde, if they have it, the next time.

Don't be fooled by the Drew Barrymore commercials. This stuff works really well as an eye primer but not so well as an eye shadow. I piled it on one day and after a few minutes it looked really dried out and cakey. Instead I apply a little on my lid, rub it in, and then top it with a brown or gold eye shadow. It really helps the color of the shadow look more rich in color.  

The two new kids on the block. I absolutely love these two products. The jumbo crayon is perfect for those weekend mornings when you don't feel like putting on any eye shadow but don't want a completely naked eye. It adds the subtlest of color while still looking natural. The shadow is a really light glittery pink. I am a sucker for pink shadows and love this color though the picture doesn't do it justice. It is a pretty loose powder and does have a lot of fallout so I have to put a tissue under my eye whenever I apply it. 

Silver and Peach Eye Tutorial

Ahhh it's only Wednesday. We're going to Disneyland next week and every morning when I wake up I wish we were leaving that day. We're driving to California and staying with my Uncle in Simi Valley. He's pretty much one of the nicest guys on the planet especially since he's letting us crash his pad for an entire week!

Two Waterfall Braids

I don't really have a video for this and I'm kind of sad about it. It's two water fall braids which I've kind of shown here and here. I really want to do a video just showing the waterfall braid but I feel bad constantly asking Sarah if she'll sit patiently for half-an-hour while I set up the camera, position the lighting, and film the process. She's been such a good sport about it when I do ask her. I really appreciate her willingness to help me out. Maybe I'll be able to get to it in the next few days. Cross your fingers. 

I have to say though, when I was putting these pics together I thought to myself, "if I could steal something and get away with it, it would definitely be Sarah's hair, hands down."