Monday, March 18, 2013

18 year anniversary (149.0) and Makeup Talk


Today is our wedding anniversary.  I have this picture on my bedside table.  It is one of my favorites from our wedding day.  I can't believe it's been 18 years already. 

I had a pretty good weekend.  We enjoyed our date night Friday (Oz was a fun movie--a bit slow in a few places, but overall very enjoyable.  If you have an IMAX theater nearby & the funds to spend, I'd recommend it. The 3D is amazing). 

Saturday I took a yoga class--I was still very sore from Thursday's weight class, and it was hard to hold poses that required strong legs.  Saturday night we went to a hockey game with the kids, and it was a lot of fun.  Sunday was church, then grocery shopping, then a bit of laundry.  I took it easy most of Sunday.  It was cold and rainy all day, so definitely a lazy day.

I handled the grey weather Saturday afternoon & Sunday pretty well, and didn't get into a funk.  I guess the increased sunlight is making a difference.  I didn't sleep well last night (cough is still there but it's much better) and it's still nasty outside, and I'm in a bit of a funk today.  I think it's a case of the Monday's.

I got several compliments on Sunday morning.  I am receiving & processing them differently this time around.  I feel more like "yes, this is who I AM" instead of "oh yes look at me! I've lost weight and aren't I special? Pour on the praise, please." 

And I DO feel like this is who I am.  Much more at peace with my body.  I don't care that it's not perfect.  I'm not dying to get to a certain weight or clothing size.  I don't care if I ever get into a size 6.  I like the clothes I have.  I feel comfortable and confident. 

I'm thankful my workout clothes fit better, and I'm even comfortable in my yoga/running pants without a big shirt covering up my backside.  That's progress!

I'm thankful I am strong and I can run and lift weights and do yoga.

I'm thankful every single time I squat down--life requires a lot of squating, and I'd rather squat than bend over at the waist to save my back--that I can get down & back up without any assistance (hands on floor/wall/chair). This is a simple thing, but when I was heavy, I couldn't do this.

I feel like I'm finally OK with food.  I will always be addicted to food--and I am not arrogant enough to think I've licked this disease, not by any means--but I'm not its slave anymore.

***
Warning--totally girly makeup talk below.  If you're not into make up, this will bore you to tears.

Saturday after yoga I went to Ulta and played with the makeup.  I'd been feeling really drab, like the colors I was using were washing out my face. With my pale skin, it's difficult to balance between looking dull with too little color and looking garish with too much color.

My friend Amy is a makeup fiend, and she gave me many recommendations on our trip to Florida.  So I had a starting point and it was easy to find what I needed without feeling overwhelmed.

I got eyeshadow, liner, and blush.

My favorite purchase is Urban Decay's Naked 2 eyeshadow pallette.  I've only every used cheap eyeshadow, choosing to spend money on good foundation, skin care, and mascara.  Oh what I've been missing!  This pallet is a perfect balance of neutrals.  I can mix up the colors on my eyes and look great in any of them.  The colors blend easily, much more so than what I'd been using before.

I couldn't wait to wake up the past two mornings so I could do my eyes. Obviously, I'm a make up fiend too.

I also got an Urban Decay eyeliner to match.  It's a bronze color, which makes my blue eyes stand out.  I'd been using a lot of black eyeliner, which I love, but I can get carried away with it and it actually makes my eyes look smaller. 

I needed a new blush color, too.  That's where it's really tricky.  I don't wear pink well.  I can't have anything too dark.  I want to look natural but still have color & brightness in my cheeks.  I have also found that powder blush is making my cheeks and skin near my eyes look crepe-y.  Tarte has a cheek stain which is basically colored wax in a stick. I got the peachy toned Tipsy.  One of the reviews I read said she'd had her stick for 7 years.  I can see why.  It takes next to nothing to get color.  It took some getting used to, but I perfected the application by day 2.  I have a natural glow, not big peach/pink cheekbones. And no dry looking skin.

Last week I needed new foundation, so I bought Tarte's BB cream in Fair from Sephora.com (yes, it was risky, but I'm almost always the lightest shade.  From the reviews I learned that the 2nd lightest shade was too dark for several women. Thankfully it was perfect).  I've been using a tinted moisturizer with loose powder over it for years.  I don't like heavy coverage and since my skin is good, I don't need it.  The BB cream feels like silk going on.  It's a bit more coverage than the tinted moisturizer, so I need very little powder, which helps reduce the dry skin look.  I also discovered that the tinted moisturizer I've been using is actually too dark.  It matched my skin tone OK, but it wasn't until I got the new BB cream that I realized the tint was a shade too dark for me and making me look more tanned than I like (at least I don't like it when I don't have a tan).

So that's the story of my makeup.  :)

3 comments:

Jill A said...

Happy Anniversary!!

I want new makeup!!! I need an updated look - I feel like my makeup just isn't cutting it anymore. At 42, the cheap stuff just isn't getting the job done! I heard someone else talking about that Naked 2 pallette also - I think it's a sign from the universe that I need to go get some. :)

Unknown said...

Happy anniversary! I have the Naked Basics palette and I love it. I also bought a Pur Minerals one that has some more daring colors, but the Nakeds are more wearable.

I love makeup talk! It's fun to hear what other people are buying.

Vickie said...

Moisurizer and lip gloss are my pals. I wear 4 different moisturizers every day (arbonne, and I have tried dropping different ones and really do need all 4).

Have not worn makeup since I stopped working (pregnant with oldest who is now 23). If I started working in an office type environment or with public, would probably go back.

I do not know if I have ever seen that wedding picture before - ? Loved it.

Glad you had a good time.

I think part of why you had such a hard time with attention the last time around is you just didn't know. Now you do know, you are prepared, you understand the big picture.

You are VERY fortunate that you understand you just need to stay away from your triggers and that it is forever, no dipping a toe back in. There are people who cycle back thru their whole lives, dragging their families with them, creating huge health problems and even bigger SO NOT happy with themselves problems.

You are very lucky. You caught it while you and your kids are still very young. This (as you have seen already) will make such a noble difference in your life. I am very proud of you.