My New Years Resolutions

1. Drink more water (at least 2 liters a day).
2. Choose 2 items of old/unwanted clothing to donate for every new piece of clothing purchased.
3. Learn how to crochet.
4. Organize the shit out of my room.
5. Do more yoga.

Holiday Gift Guide, Part II

The number of shopping days until Christmas has now reached the single digits! I came across a lot of other great gift items, so I made another post! Happy shopping, y'all!

For your friend that just got married: I am currently obsessed with these personalized monogram necklaces. You can order them here, or somewhere on etsy!

For your friend with a really sick sense of humor: A plush of CHLAMYDIA. Other diseases and microbes can be found here.

These Texas flag running shorts from Tyler's is a must have, regardless of where you're from.

The first two series of Misfits are the only ones anyone needs to watch. I love me some sci-fi mixed with deliciously raunchy british humor.

A screwnicorn (univcorn corkscrew), is a fun gift for your friend who loves to entertain! Who doesn't love unicorns?!?!

Love this set of retro bicycle glasses from Paper Source.

For your musician friend: This pick punch creates guitar picks from your old cards (pretty much whatever your heart desires!) - I don't know if anyone else is as bad as I am with losing guitar picks, but if you know someone who is, this may be a really great gift for them!

For your friend who indiscreetly takes their birth control pill at 10pm when their phone alarm goes out when y'all are hanging out (I have more than 3 that do this): This macaron pill box from Paper Source is really cute.

For that person in a long distance relationship: I am in love with this double case watch from Urban Outfitters - you can set the time to where you live, and where your significant other or BFF lives (assuming y'all aren't in the same time zone!)

If you missed part 1 of my holiday gift guide, you can find it here.

What's in my makeup bag?

One of my favorite things that I love to do with my girlfriends is getting ready to go out - I love chit chatting, helping out with hair and makeup, sharing tips and items, getting a second opinion on a look, and listening to music and dancing while doing it!

While my makeup bag is actually filled with many more items than the ones listed, here are my essentials favorites.

Face:

Benefit's "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer: I like this because it's super lightweight, and feels really nice on the skin. If I'm feeling too lazy to put product on my face, I'll at least put this on because it makes your skin look well hydrated and refreshed!

Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage Concealer: This is the perfect all-purpose concealer. I like that you can mix and blend the two shades to cover the different areas of your face - it's really great for covering blemishes and scars, as well as covering up any dark circles under the eyes.

Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation: This has DAMN good coverage.

elf Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal: I'm going to go ahead and admit that I AM a giant brand snob when it comes to cosmetics. While I love Benefit's High Beam highlighter, I hated the packaging. This one costs only a DOLLAR, has a similar shade, better packaging for application, and I PROMISE it's just as effective. Just make sure you try to mix/shake it when you can cause I hear it separates in the bottle, and BLEND WELL when using it!

Eyes:

Benefit's "They're Real!" Mascara: I had never understood or cared for mascara until I used this one. The first time I wore it, my mom actually did ask me if I was wearing falsies!

LORAC's  Front of the Line Pro Liquid Eyeliner: I am OBSESSED with this eyeliner. I like that it's a pen applicator, which makes it super easy to draw and fill in your cat-eye or winged eyeliner!

Sonia Kashuk Deluxe Travel Eyelash Curler: My friend Nancy introduced me to this baby - I watched her use it and was instantly fascinated with how well, quickly, and simply it worked. You will NEVER see me using a metal clamped eyelash curler ever again. It actually gets ALL of my lashes, doesn't pull on my lashes, and I mean I can talk about this eyelash curler all day, but you kind of have to use it to just KNOW.

Urban Decay's Vice Palette: There are SO MANY fun shades in the palette. Literally the sky is the limit when it comes to creating looks with this palette.

Urban Decay's Naked Palette: I own both Naked's, but I find myself using this one more for everyday looks.

Lips: 

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage - I am obsessed with this shade. I tend to wear matte textured lipsticks most often because they're long wearing, and if you prep your lips, you don't really need to worry about how it's holding up throughout the night, because at a point it kind of just becomes a bold lip stain, and it doesn't really smear.

Urban Decay's Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Punch Drunk: This is a red-orange color that is super bold, and probably not that many people can pull it off, but I love it because it screams FUN. The first time I wore it, someone stopped me and asked me what it was and where I got it from.

Cheeks:

Stila's Custom Color Blush in Pink: Looking at the color in the pan, I would have never guessed this would be the right color for me, but once applied, it's totally different! It really is a self-adjusting color, and on me it's more of a rosy coral. I like that it's soft, because I feel like a lot of my previous blushes have felt more harsh.

Benefit's Bronzer in Hoola: I'm actually not very picky about bronzer - I just know that I need it and this is what I'm currently using. Bronzer is your BEST FRIEND for contouring your cheek bones.


Now that I've shared with y'all what's in my makeup bag, what's in yours?

This made my dog throw up

If you know me personally, it is no secret that I am OBSESSED with my dog, Jobin! I thought I'd write a little bit about him and his story.

I have always adored dogs my entire life. Unfortunately, my parents were not too keen on adding a pet to their responsibilities. When I was about 4 years old, we did try once. My aunt gave our family a brown, full bred, weiner dog. One day, I had to go to the doctor because I was sick or something, and I don't remember much about the visit except that it happened and that they did some tests or something, but it ended with my parents telling me that I was allergic to dogs, which meant we couldn't keep our dog, Poochi anymore. We ended up giving our sweet dog to my cousins for Christmas, and I remember being devastated that year. Our living room was literally flooded with presents, and all the best toys (I'm pretty sure this is the year I got my Barbie convertible), and that night, I couldn't have cared because I was SO heart broken. All I did on Christmas Eve was lay face down on the couch in a poofy dress, avoiding everyone, and when my mom DID make me get up, I just sat with my face in my hands. There is photo evidence that maybe I'll indulge y'all in someday.

Halloween 2012

So how is it that a girl that is allergic to dogs is able happily live with a dog now? I want y'all to know that I have never taken allergy medicine in result of being around a dog, and that Jobin has pet dander and sheds like nobody's business. Jobin sleeps in my MY bed with me. It actually took me way longer than I want to admit to figure out that my parents lied to me about being allergic to dogs. I was 4 so obviously I believed it and had to live with it - but the following years, NOTHING has happened with my encounter with other dogs and my parents really never brought it up again. I mean I should have figured it out sooner, but I just went with it. So there's a short little story about my parents and how they're terrible and clever and how I lived a lie for most of my life.

Back when I was living in Indiana, I was probably undergoing the most mature and independent period of my life. I felt confident enough to be responsible for a dog. This was a decision that I had put a LOT of thought into. I went to a no-kill shelter, because I knew I wanted to support a place that dedicates their time to an animal no matter how long it takes for them to find a home, regardless of aesthetics, or how damaged/traumatized the animal was.

We've spent a lot of time at the vet.

I paid a visit to the the Southside Animal Shelter, not really thinking I'd find the right dog for me, but moreso to browse and take some steps forward to get the ball rolling on my decision to adopt a dog. I wasn't really sure what I was looking for, except for something that was on the smaller side so that I could carry/hold it when needed. 

Jobin's name comes from a scene in the movie, "I Love You, Man". Back at the shelter, my dog, was then known as Bixler. Bixler is the name of the street that he was picked up on the first time he was sent to the shelter. For who knows how long, Jobin had to scrounge for food and defend himself amongst other animals. Jobin is by no means aggressive, wild, or out of control, but he is very protective over his food and WILL snap if another animal comes near it. He eats everything he is fed and wants more, with the mentality that he may never be given food again.
A couple had adopted Jobin when he was taken to the shelter the first time, but they ended up taking him back to the shelter once they had a baby. Jobin stayed at the shelter again for about a month before I came to visit.

Jobin on his 7th birthday.

When I first approached Jobin's crate, I remember thinking about how cute, but funny looking he was. Jobin is half chihuahua and half pug. The first thing he did was press his entire body along the front of the crate - all he wanted was to be petted! I petted him through the crate, and then he'd turn on the other side. The lady working at the time asked me if I wanted to take him out for a little bit. I felt like things were really going fast, but all I could say was yes yes yes. We took him into a room where we could play and sit down and let him run around a little. He didn't move around much - he just wanted to sit in my lap and gnaw at a rope toy. I immediately fell in love with him because he's a total cuddler, super chill, really loving, and responded appropriately when I talked to him or asked him silly questions. I filled out the paperwork for him that day, and then got to take him home the next (February 6th. 2011).

When I took Jobin home, I was pretty lucky to find out that he was house trained, and that he adjusted to his new home very well! The fact that he didn't pee all over the house, knew some commands and tricks, made for a pretty easy transition for the both of us - him with a new home, and me being a fur mom for the first time.

There's a lot to be said about different changes Jobin has had to endured during my time with him - switching apartments, me getting in and out of relationships (it had GREATLY affected him too - he gets attached easily), then moving back to Texas (away from all of his dog friends) into a house filled with a LOT of people and a lot more space (which he adjusted to far better than I expected), having surgery, and staying behind in Houston when I left for a month. He loves the Texas sunshine, as I knew he would (he used to sunbathe by the windows ALL the time in our old apartment), he loves laying on his belly on a rug in the kitchen and watching my mom cook (my parents totally love Jobin). He is definitely a trooper, and I love him for being loyal and a constant for me when I live in such a crazy crazy world.

My adorable niece LOVES Jobin!

Jobin and I are a lot alike in that we love to cuddle, we love food, we love to lounge, we are both feisty brats, and we are happiest when others are happy with us. I LOVE working with kids because they make me feel loved and appreciated. Jobin is a dog that loves to be loved. When people are nice, kind, and loving, I am definitely wagging my metaphorical tail.

Our one-year anniversary

A few reasons why Jobin is so special:

1. He is the biggest people lover, EVER. Even though he always barks when someone's at the door, as meets or recognizes the person behind it, all he wants to do is sit in their lap! He is obsessed with my mom, and loves my friends. Whenever I leave him at the vet, he gets a LOT of brags from the staff there. (The truth is, he hates other animals and just wants to be with people!)
2. He looks like he has winged eyeliner.
3. He's a little chunky but has a tiny head.
4. He's my little cuddle bug.
5. He likes to give kisses, but on the mouth ONLY. He will never lick you anywhere else unless there's food on you!
6. Sometimes he smiles for the camera.
7. He is a chihuahua pug mix, which means he's brilliant, but super chill.
8. He is a good sport when I want to put him in clothes.
9. He can fashion his own donut bed out of a blanket. It's kind of amazing to watch.
10. He is such a big part of our family - he even thinks he has his own seat at the table.
11. Even though my niece and nephew are unintentionally a little aggressive with him, and I know he hates it, he's super forgiving.

Holiday Gift Guide

It's November 1st, which means that we have 50-something shopping days until Christmas! For those of you having trouble finding the perfect gift for the special people in your lives, I've compiled some gift ideas based on a few of my personal favorite things. Hope y'all find this helpful!

Empower Cardio Core N More 3 lb Hoop

For your friend that loves to exercise (and is seeking variety) OR For your friend who wishes they exercised more but doesn't have the time or motivation: This thing is my new obsession! This is an easy and SUPER fun way to get your exercise in while your watching TV. I bought my niece her own (regular) hula hoop so she could join along with me and she loves it.  There are variations of exercises that you can do with it to get both your strength and cardio in. You can find these at Target, and probably at some other places, but I know they have less expensive versions at Wal-Mart and K-Mart as well.

For your friend who loves to read/cry: This book will make you cry. If you haven't read yet, gift it for yourself. It's not a happy book at all, but it will give you a lot of feelings.

For your most loved, cherished, treasured, and coolest friend: Space Jam on DVD. I've ordered the 2 disc version online (from Target), but the simple/non shiny version with just the movie is available at Best Buy.

For your Cat Obsessed friend (we all have AT LEAST one): These flats from Urban Outfitters are so in right meow.

For your friend that LOVES to bake: This apron from Paper Source is owl sorts of cute! Fun/Sad story: I lusted after this apron for a year and a half before buying it for myself.

For your guy friend: Reinbeer. Googly eyes, red pom poms, and pipe cleaners. Hot glue that ho.

For that special kid in your life: It might be your own child, your best friends child, or your niece of nephew. Get them away from the TV and computer, and give them the tools they need for their own FORT KIT. Things you can include are a couple of sets of sheets, a flashlight, clamps/clothespins, rope, ties, suction cups, glowsticks, a snack, the sky is honestly the limit when it comes to forts... trust me.

For your nerdy or germaphobe friend: This Pocket Microscope (also found at Paper Source, $9.95), could come in handy. I shudder just thinking of the things you'd see at a bar or public bathroom!

For your lady relatives: Could be your mom, grandma, aunt, in-laws, boyfriends mom or sister; either way, I'm obsessed with Scentsy's flameless candle warmers and scents. There is a scentsy warmer designed for the taste of every woman, and there is a scent to match every womans sniffing pallet!

For your friend that loves arts and crafts and all things shiny: The Mini BeDazzler - so you can BeDazzle on the go. I mean... why not?

For your favorite girl: this gold skinny mini longbow necklace from kate spade is super simple, but elegant and dainty! The length of the necklace is about 28", so it hangs long; just around the boobie area.

"THE List"

Okay, I know I make a LOT of lists, but we're going to call this one THE List. I think most-all girls at some point in their life have created their list of qualities they are seeking in their ideal guy. If we're speaking honestly, I rewrite this list about every quarter of the year (it's usually prompted by me having a new crush, getting over a crush/break up, or boredom). Girls (attempt to) use "the list" as a tool to check themselves - when dating men, are they up to their standard? I've had previous thoughts before that when girls make "the list" they're asking of too much, but I think that's part of the fun, and there's a good bulk of the list that is fairly concrete - things that we won't budge on... we all have our deal breakers. I do think it's important, when making your list, that you do include the silly/random things, because those are a reminder of the things that make you happy.

Anyway, the other day one of my co-workers and I were having a discussion about guys, and she asked me what kind of guys I liked. When I answered, she gave me the most blank of stares and pretended like she never asked the question. So here I am, sharing my own personal and current list of my ideal guy.

1. Someone that is NICE and gentle, but likes to cuss.
2. A gentleman, but has a backbone. 
3. Will watch and discuss reality TV with me. At least ONE of the shows is all I'm asking for.
4. Loves kids and wants them someday/is a family man.
5. Has a career and their own place.
6. Enjoys baseball, but not the Yankees. I mean honestly, you're entitled to be a fan of any team you want, but if you don't have love for the Texas Rangers, then you're probably wrong.
7. Can grill, because I can't/don't know how to yet.
8. Is okay with giving tough love/constructive criticism, especially when I ASK for it. I can take it. I ask for advice because I NEED it, not because I want someone to say what I want to hear.
9. Is Loyal and Honest (obviously ties in with #8)
10. Is not [always] smothering, but at the least takes the time to acknowledge me and my awesomeness on a regular basis.
11. Has dark hair and kind eyes.
12. Likes to spoon/cuddle
13. Doesn't have a jealous personality.
14. Is into karaoke and very loud sing-a-longs in the car. This is crucial.
15. Will accept/acknowledge that being around me gives them a good chance that they'll get glitter on them.
16. Is a good story teller (not in a lying sense, but has a good way with words that will paint a picture in your head)
17. Knows how to fix stuff - I only know how to fix things by either hitting it or piecing it back together with a hot glue gun.
18. Is happy to see me and appreciates me - obvious.
19. Can find the humor, or make the best of, a crappy situation.
20. Has a large repertoire of accents/voices - this is essential for a lot of things that I will not disclose at this time.
21. Will indulge me when I ask dumb scenario-type questions. I do this because I care about imagination, cleverness, philosophy, and laughing.
22. Loves dogs maybe a little bit more than cats, but I'm okay with a fair balance. You just can't be a dog hater.
23. Likes dessert and baked goods because I really like baking but I can't really eat like more than one bite of it.
24. Genuinely gets along with my friends and family and I get along with his.
25. Is comfortable with themselves and will own being the person that they are (assuming that they're not a douche, and this should not be a problem if most of the above is true).

I feel like I'm not asking for a lot.... right?? Is this why I'm still single?

DIY Halloween Costumes

For all of my adult life, I've never wanted to buy a store-bought, packaged Halloween costume for the following reasons:

1. They're cheaply made - a lot of costumes have VELCRO (I hate velcro) instead of buttons or zippers, and most of the fabric is crap.
2. I have body issues, and I like to be in control of what I show off and don't. (I think this translates to: I'm okay with not wearing pants, but the twins ARE staying in)
3. I was on an extremely strict budget in college, so most of the time, things that I had already owned in my closet became part of my costume.
4. I never wanted to wear (or be) something completely identical to someone else where ever I was.
5. In college, I'd attend multiple Halloween parties on different days. Halloween was basically a two week event. I didn't want to wear the same costume at every party, and being something different was a lot more fun anyway.

What I've been over the past few years:

1. A one night stand. I actually borrowed this from my roommates friend. We made a night stand/dresser out of a box (literally cut a hole for the arms and head, and drew drawers, super glued condoms and an alarm clock), and a lampshade for a hat.
2. A sailor - I have a souvie hat from a cruise that I had went on that previous summer. All you need to pair it with is a nautical dress!
3. An Indian - I found the most amazing headdress from a dollar store. It fit well, and it was actually FULL but not too heavy. I had a brown tunic in my closet, so I wore the tunic as a dress (I don't recall wearing pants or shorts), and some brown suede boots.
4. Juno - Had a white & orange striped tank top (already in my closet), stuffed an inflatable beach ball for my belly, wore a brown jacket, and jeans with a skirt over it. I carried around a jug of sunkist, which was perfect cause I brought my own mixer to the party. Someone actually thought I was pregnant. 
5. Cowgirl - plaid shirt, daisy dukes or jeans tucked into books, and a cowboy hat. Add a lasso, or a badge or gun in a holster for some fun!
6. Lumberjack - Red/black plaid shirt and some daisy dukes and combat boots. This one was SUPER last minute. Like 10 minutes before walking out the door. 
7. Hello Kitty - I wore a red & white striped shirt underneath a denim romper with white tights. Bought Hello Kitty ears and drew Hello Kitty's yellow button nose and whiskers on my face. 
8. Hermione/Hogwarts Student - All you need is a gray/black knee length skirt, high socks with loafers, a white button up with a Gryffindor house colors tie (or whatever house you choose), and a cardigan. I got mistaken for Britney Spears this year, but whatever.
9. Pageant Queen - I'm pretty sure NONE of us got our money's worth out of our prom dresses and they're still sitting in our closets. Make your own sash, get a tiara, and a bouquet of roses. Feel free to add on extra bling to anything.

The fun of the costumes is PLAYING the part. Get props that will help you pull this off. Be mysterious, use an accent, and mimic the mannerisms that your character would do. The people that you encounter on Halloween will enjoy it.

A lot of these homemade costumes are ABSOLUTELY doable. There's nothing you can't accomplish without the help of some heavy duty glue (A hot glue gun OR E-6000 in the gray tube will be your best friends) and perusing the internet for ideas and tutorials.

So here are some ideas that I'm liking for this year:

Loofah/Soap Costume

I'm not in love with the soap costume, but I think the loofah is a lot of fun. All you need is a dress or leotard, a ton of tulle, and a rope/cord. I like the headband on the soap one because it looks like bubbles, so I'd probably add that onto the loofah and make a bracelet or something to match and accessorize. I think the perfect prop with this costume would be a bottle of bubbles and going around blowing them throughout the night!

If you're going out with a bunch of girls, be the Spice Girls, or another girl group (En Vogue, TLC,  anyone???). All the girls have a particular sense of style that is easy to match. My idea that I'm entertaining is to be the SIXTH Spice Girl.

PUMPKIN SPICE. I would totally make this same dress (minus the jack-o-lantern accessories) in an adult size. Basically this dress is made by making a very large and full tutu, so you would need a LOT of tulle. Tutu's are very easy to create and there are tons of tutorials for no-sew versions. I love the gold glitter, and there's just so many ideas I have for makeup. You can't be a Spice Girl without platforms, and I have these tan booties that give the perfect amount of height!

If you are a Wes Anderson fan, Team Zissou is the way to go. Powder blue clothes, and a red beanie.

I LOVE these. All you would need is the base color dress, do a little snipping, and then patch on the other colors. You don't even have to know how to sew - just use fabric glue!

Get a set leopard print pajamas (I'd totally use onsesies), some white gloves, white tennis shoes, wayfarer sunglasses and draw a kitty face with face crayons/make up. You can take it one step further by using an empty cheeto bag as your purse for the night. Or a full cheeto bag for a snack. Whichever.

You could definitely manipulate a skirt to look like a mustache. 

If I were to be a jellyfish, I think structurally, it would be very similar to this, but EVERYTHING would be shiny and iridescent.

Flamingo costume! All you need is about 2-3 pink boa's attached to a tank top/dress, and then pink or black leggings, a pink foam visor, and black paper glued onto the visor for the beak. There are different variations you could do for this costume, but what I like the most about it is the usage of pink boas - most dollar stores will have them in the girls toy/dress up section! I also saw another version where the body of the flamingo was made out of a tutu.

Something out of a Lisa Frank coloring book. I think the cat is the most doable - get everything you'd need to be a white cat (white dress/leotard, ears, tail), and glue on neon triangles for the "stripes". You'd need a really bright and colorful set of wings, and lots of color for makeup!

MacKayla Maroney. Get a sparkly leotard in Red/White/Blue, some windbreakers, a silver medal on purple ribbon. Put your hair in a scrunchie with a thousand snap pins, and you're good to go. This costume is ALL about the attitude of being "not impressed", and the persona of a gymnast (think about posture and how you walk!)

POISON IVY. All green clothes, red hair, and sparkly green eyebrows. You could keep it simple, or add some additional elements, like gluing leaves and such to your outfit.

Grapes. Costume is made from attaching (with tape) purple balloons (but you could be green grapes if you wanted!) to regular clothes. I think this one is fun, especially if you want to stand out. AND if you bump into people at a party or a bar... you have protection.

Everyone loves a throwback costume. All you need is a nude leotard/dress, make a jeweled tone shape (you literally can just cut a piece of paper), glue/tape it on, and get a matching colored wig, or get that spray stuff. You can use enough product to make your hair defy gravity, or wrap your hair around a water bottle on top of your head and secure it with rubber bands.

My ideal couples costume. 

Rugrats. This is another fun idea if you are going out in a group. You can make pretty much any of these by cutting up a t-shirt, and gluing/drawing/painting on the details needed.

I'm going to be upset if I don't see ONE Honey Boo Boo and Mama June (and Glitzy, the pig). Really upset. Y'all better redneckanize!