This Week's Wrapup // Leslie Knope's Power Gaze and my The Giggle Guide Article

This week I was terrible at taking photos of my daily makeup looks, sorry!! I started with a few rough days at the beginning of the week, plus a city council meeting yesterday that I had to get all fancy for. And of course I missed out on snapping pics each morning, but I did recreate yesterday's very Leslie Knope style makeup today. Here's what I came up with:

Leslie's power gaze:

My power gaze: (had to take photos in our company's bathroom, which has it's original 1920s wallpaper still...it's very yellow)

With my demon eyes, but no editing whatsoever for these makeup capsule looks! 

Here are two more photos of my look, both with demon less eyes, yay!:

It's soooo weird taking a selfie with closed eyes! 

I think she used more gold eyeshadow that what I did. I went with a pink-ish combo. Here's my version:

Naked2 Palette by Urban Decay, worth the splurge in my opinion.


Kind of similar, right? I love Parks and Rec, so I thought it was only appropriate that I at least try to look like Leslie for a day full of Knope-ish tasks. Unfortunately, I didn't have a power suit to wear, but I still repp'ed the ladies at this all male meeting. I felt pretty good about it!


Some super exciting career news: I got hired this week to write for The Giggle Guide, and I'm very excited about it! My first article was published this week, read it HERE. I might be bouncing up and down with joy right now!! This month has been a lot of hard work but getting another writing gig definitely makes it all worth it. It's one step towards my ultimate career goal, and I'm pretty excited about it! If you are also blazing your own path, please send me an email or comment below with all your achievements this month too. Seriously, list them out and brag away! No matter how small, they are all steps in the right direction. I submitted about 30+ resumes to get one job this month, but one job is worth it. Hopefully this trend continues, fingers crossed.


As far as weekend plans go, the hubs and I have dinner plans Saturday night with some new friends (Paige, the amazing lady behind the blog Healthy Hits The Spot HERE, and her equally cool hubs), then some minor apartment prep work for a walkthrough next week by our landlord (more on that later), and some writing and yoga. Might check out a new church too. All in all, I'm looking forward to the weekend and the month being over, because that means a new budget! I might do some planning for that as well, we'll see how it goes. A book I'm looking at getting is this one HERE, How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are. Sounds like a fun twist on all the typical "being French" books out there. I'll let you know if it's a good read.


xoHM

Story 21 // The Mission

"I still can't make out what they're saying", said Jackie.

She wheeled her chair over to her left computer screen to better see the jumbled code streaming across it. Her chair got stuck a little bit in the dirt--their makeshift tech room was in a shed up in the hills overlooking the main road. The forest wrapped it up almost completely, making it a great hideout. It was abandoned save for a few squirrels that ran through the rotting walls. Jackie pressed her headphones on her ears, in a vain attempt to see if she could understand the dialog better.

"I'm picking up their location now", replied Shannon. She was looking at her radar plus typing away at her computer at the same time, trying to pinpoint the exact location of the convoy. Every so often it would get blurry, so she would have to smack it on it's side, like an old TV set with bunny ear antennas. She was also trying to break into the fire wall the convoy had set up to protect it's intel. It was imperative that she access those top secret documents without being detected. Shannon and Jackie were the best intel-spy-hacker duo on the planet, and they never failed a mission.

Although this mission threatened to break their spotless record. 

Just getting to the location was hell. Half their equipment didn't even get a signal, and their information on the convoy was slim to none. These people were basically ghosts, and Shannon and Jackie were no Ghost Adventurers.

"Wait, I think I'm finally getting a better signal", Jackie said excitedly. She wrote down what she could understand, and handed it to Shannon.

"This is perfect, I think I've almost got the documents, hang on, one more code to enter", said Shannon, her fingers flying fast over her keyboard. The last of the fire wall was breached and she finally saw the huge list of intel. There was a lot of information, more than she prepared for actually. Suddenly the alarm went off on their computer screens--

INTRUDER ALERT!

INTRUDER ALERT!

Red light drenched their screens, and both women looked towards the road to see if the convoy was headed in their direction. Suddenly the door to the shed swung open wildly---

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU KIDS TO STOP PLAYING ON MY PROPERTY!?!?! 

A very angry old man who was turing red in the face looked down at the two girls. They had been playing secret spys and constructed their "computers" out of paper. Both froze, their fingers poised over their fake keyboards. They held their breath waiting for the old man to make a move. 

Without thinking the old man grabed a paper monitor and ripped it up, then moved down the line to tear up another one. Shreds of paper went flying, and the two girls sprinted past him towards the open door. They ran as fast as they could into the woods before busting up laughing.

"Did you see his face?! That was hilarious!"

"I can't believe he got so mad!"

They slowed their pace to a walk, and talked about the next mission they wanted to pretend go on.


(This story was inspired by my childhood. I used to make paper computers and play spy all the time, bringing my "supplies" to the school playground. There was a teacher that always shouted at me to stop playing spy and to play on the play set instead. She would grab my paper computer and crumble it up. Kind of dramatic but I understand now that she just wanted me to run around and burn up some kid energy. But it was still fun trying to hide from her and go on a pretend mission.) 

Staying Positive

I usually don't like to admit when I'm wrong. Then again, I don't think anyone likes doing this very much.

But my way of thinking was all wrong. From unmotivated, stagnant, and just downright depressed, I got stuck in a rut. A big ol' rut of self doubt.

This past month though, something happened. I'm not sure if it was the fact that everything in my life kind of fell apart (mainly that my hubs didn't get this huge job opportunity that would of changed our lives forever), or that I finally can laugh at the situation instead of feel like I'm drowning in it. Or maybe I'm going crazy (trust me, I thought this at first). But I just kept on this positive attitude kind of by accident, and while it hasn't been easy, I've felt better about my daily decisions, and I've seen results because of this shift in perspective. So I'm going to jot it all down in hopes someone out there needs a boost too.

Marzee is always in weird positions, cats man.

On fitness:
For the longest time I wanted to be skinny, and I know part of this is my poor body image issue that made me skip meals in high school (I don't do this anymore). But I always think I still need some improvements. I feel pressure to stay thin from everywhere, as I'm sure every other woman does thanks to our terrible culture. I know I've mentioned Tone It Up before, but after joining their online community, I finally feel like my poor body image is solvable. Every single woman on there struggles with it, and there is always someone picking them up to tell them they are perfect the way they already are. So I decided to make this shift at the gym. I got tired of being depressed after not getting in all my cardio, or because I ate too many carbs one day and felt bloated by dinner time. I now want to be as strong as I can be. That means doing more lifting, interval training, and circuits, and less straight cardio. At first I thought I was bound to gain weight (I'm at a healthy 110lbs at 5'2", ps), but to my surprise, I started to see some muscle definition/toning instead. I now look forward to this gym time to push my strength more each day. It seems like such a simple change, and I can't believe it took me this long to do it!

On recalls:
Sometimes GM decides your car is a deathtrap. And sometimes it takes them close to 6 months to ship out replacement parts to your town, making it virtually impossible for you to drive anywhere. But the plus side? I now know the bus route by my place much better, I've saved on gas, and I've realized how much of a privilege it is to have a car in the first place. And I've made new friends with the auto repair shuttle drivers. We may or may not fist bump when we see each other now.

On beauty:
Okay, well I'm still working on this, but I do think the makeup capsule is helping. Last night I found myself much more relaxed than usual. I had hot cocoa, and just sank into my couch, it was such a good feeling! I had just cancelled my Birchbox and Ipsy accounts, and while I thought I'd be bummed, I found that I wasn't. I actually felt relieved. And I think in a really silly way it's due to me putting less stress on makeup. While I like trying new samples, I love that I'm taking a break from it all, and focusing on just the basics of my beauty routine. It's weird, but try doing a makeup capsule too and see if you feel the same way.

On career:
Taking steps towards being an independent/freelance writer has lit a fire under me! I have been so much happier every week knowing I'm trying to further my career goals rather than just plugging away at my daily boring office job. Even though the progress is slow, I'm still pushing forward. I'll write an update on this at the end of each moth if you want to check out my progress.


While this isn't everything, it's a huge part of my shift to a better attitude. I don't always have good days, I've had a couple of really bad ones actually. But for the most part, I'm feeling so much better. I also understand that I'm not dealing with anything major in my life right now, and that sometimes you need to let yourself feel sad/angry/frustrated to get through this event. But if you are just stuck in a rut like me, I hope at least one point in this post helps you.

xo HM

(Pre)Makeup Capsule Photos Fall 2014 // 001

Are you ready for the weekend? I know I am! Here are my week's worth of photos from my (pre)fall 2014 makeup capsule. I'm still fine-tuning my products, there's that crazed feeling before the deadline, kind of like packing for a trip. Will I remember everything? Most importantly though, will I like everything? Fingers crossed I don't go mad! 

These pics are Monday-Thursday, with a few close ups. You can tell the mornings I was sleepy and a little loopy. I didn't take pictures of today bc I was so hungover I looked like a dried prune. It was rough! So I thought you maybe didn't want to see that haphazardness. 

If you want a tutorial on how to do something let me know. So far, I've cut my getting ready/makeup time in half! It's so nice! But I do feel like I'm missing something. I think it's the quickness that makes me feel that way. I'll see if I can pinpoint what's bugging me. 

Weekend plans are to gym it up, do some writing, and focus on my goals. I'm still applying for writing gigs, and I'm going to rewrite my pitch this weekend too. Have a good one and I'll try to check in on Sunday. 

xo HM

Story 20 // Following the Horizon (Poem)

It's ridiculous but sad, isn't it?
Those memories of a care free time,
when responsibility seemed miles away,
like the horizon, drifting ever constantly away from you.

I remember that feeling,
but is it even accurate?
The good memories are always easier to remember...

You always have to keep going,
pushing on to the next phase,
sailing onward into another sunset.

There are storms you have to go through,
the first ones I remember vividly,
as being dark,
murky, foggy.

They were scary, I shook from head to toe.
I remember thinking this was it,
the end of me,
my little boat wouldn't make it through the night.

But, then, as dawn broke across the ocean,
the seas calmed,
the wind whistled gently once again,
and I knew I had changed.

Some of these storms make me a better person,
others are petty, stupid, frivolous.
But each one teaches me a lesson.

As I drift I wonder every once in a while where I'm going.
Oh how I'd be so grateful for a map.
I've spent too much time looking for one,
searching for some guidance on this journey.

Just where is my boat headed?
Why am I needing to go this direction?
What will happen when I finally get there?
Can I even make it there in time?

Don't think about it too much, people say.
You'll go mad, they warn.
(Sometimes I think that wouldn't be all that bad.)

Ah, to be a mad man,
the bliss of the carefree,
yet not the childlike kind acceptable to others.

I would be locked away.
No keys but padded walls,
that destination is not for me.

Some nights the seas rock my hammock.
The sickness makes it impossible,
so I escape into the abyss behind my eyelids.

After a while the storms don't bother me as much.
I trust my ship to make it through.
After all, it's been through worse.

The weathering my boat has taken,
the scars that cross it's surface,
all tell of tales of past adventures.

Tales of cannon fire,
of times of battle,
and times of sorrow.

Why not refinish my boat, you ask?
Give it a good sanding,
paint it up bright again.

I think about it,
look into it a little,
but to change how it looks would take a part of it away.
And memories can't be sanded down.

I love my boat,
scars and all,
I welcome the questions and stares.

I may never find that map,
and I can't avoid every storm,
but as long as I trust in the horizon,
I know I'm in good hands.

Makeup: Ups and Downs, Plus Makeup Capsule Product Update

You know those days when you have a really good makeup day, and you are genuinely impressed by how you managed to get your face to look that flawless? Then, the next day after that, you do a 180 and can't seem to get even the simplest of makeup basics right? Welcome to my weekend.

It was all good on Saturday. I didn't even spend that much time on makeup, mainly thanks to this new capsule. Everything stayed put, didn't need touching up, basically it all around rocked.

Then came Sunday, and it was all wrong. First, I did outdoor yoga in the morning without any makeup at all, just sunscreen. And that was a lot of fun, I highly recommend doing that whenever it's offered in your town. (Check a Lululemon in your city, they offer free Sunday yoga here in SLO). But I couldn't get my makeup right for the rest of the day. Very frustrating.

On these days I feel like nothing is working, I just keep it to the basics. Mascara, simple coverup, light blush, natural brows, and Chapstick. Nothing looks better than a natural, healthy face in my opinion. No eyeliner, shadow, or lip gloss. I was excited and a little apprehensive to try these new Chapsticks from Birchbloggers (check BB out HERE, and Chapstick out HERE). While I love a good lip balm, I unfortunately have a terrible track record with what actually works and what just sits on top on my lips. You know what I mean? The balm that just feels waxy? Well, Chapstick has definitely made me a fan. Their sticks are so perfect for moisturizing you don't even think about it. And they are huge! How awesome is that?! It's about time a lip balm was sold in a bigger tube than a tampon! Haha sorry but you know its true! ;) 

I was given two dual end Chapsticks to try (and you can sign up with Birchblogger to try out stuff too) and I have to say I like the Night and Day one better. The other one, Moisture and Renew, I only really like the Renew end. But hey, three out of four isn't bad! They are very absorbent, not at all waxy, and really do revitalize dry chapped lips. Can't beat a product that lives up to what it says on the packaging. 

Also, I'm switching my mascara choice to this one by Urban Decay after getting a sample of it in my Ipsy glam bag from August (see it HERE). It adds a ton of length without clumping. The only downside I've seen is that it kind of sweats off during the day, but it's been pretty hot here lately, and I can't complain about when it happens at the gym (whoops, I workout in makeup!). It's not everyday it does this though, and I like the product otherwise. So I'm going to try it out, and just throw on a little bit of under eye coverup on those days it needs it.

I'm dragging my feet on picking my lipgloss/lipsticks, aren't I? Sorry about that. It's been a million degrees outside so putting anything on my lips thats glossy doesn't sound fun at all. I'll get myself organized soon though, I promise. 

Have a great Tuesday! 

xo HM

*Birchbloggers did not compensate me to write this, but I did get these Chapsticks for free. I highly recommend signing up for this program if you are a blogger yourself. 

Capsule Makeup For Fall '14

You've heard of the capsule wardrobe by now I'm sure. As I mentioned last week, I am currently getting my wardrobe picks finalized, and then right in the middle of it all, I had an epiphany!! Huge lightbulb moment! What if I applied these very same rules and principles to my makeup?! Genius maybe, kinda stupid to some, but to me it sounded like the exact challenge I needed. I'm so damn tired of it taking me 20+ minutes to get my day makeup on every morning, so I'm going to capsulize my routine. It's not that I wear a ton of products at once, I just have about a million options available, and that takes time to sort through/decide on what to wear. My makeup capsule is going to involve a very small (to me) selection of makeup that I will use exclusively for each season. I'm going to not buy any makeup at all during the current season, and I'm even going to put my makeup samples from Birchbox and Ipsy on hold (or I'm going to try to anyway, need to email them about that!). I want to invest in more expensive/nicer makeup, so this will hopefully help me realize what I truly want to splurge on. My philosophy is: you can never know what you need until you get rid of the excess. Here's to hoping this works (and that I don't go crazy for eyeshadow palettes come winter!).

Here's the checklist if you want to do this too:

-One foundation or BB Creme
-One concealer (try to use a universal one if possible)
-One blush
-Bronzer (only if you need it)
-One eyeshadow palette
-One brow filler (shadow or pencil)
-One eyeliner (crayon)
-One eyeliner (liquid)
-One mascara (+ curler, I'm not really counting this as separate from mascara)
-Brushes: keep this as limited as possible, and try to get a multitasking one if you can
-Lipstick/gloss: limit to 3 options only (not including chapstick, that's more of a moisturizer to me)

-Not included: face moisturizers, SPFs, primers, smudgers, etc.

Here's my selection, with links:

(If you look closely, you can see my crappy pedicure...)

Let's see what we've got here: 

-Foundation: L'oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder in Classic Ivory HERE

-Concealer (that poor label, guess I use this a lot): Maybelline Age Rewind/Dark Circle in Light (I think, it's faded) HERE

-Blush: City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon HERE (Ipsy fave)

-Bronzer: Smashbox Bronze Lights in Warm Tan HERE

-Blush/Bronzer brush: Old, it's Smashbox (it came with the finishing powder I bought for my wedding)

-Eyebrow shadow: Smashbox Photo Op Eye Trio in Focal Point, using the brown shade obviously HERE

-Eyebrow brush: Sephora (old, similar HERE)

-Eyeshadow: Urban Decay palette Naked2 HERE (includes a double sided brush)

-Eyeshadow brushes: the one included in the palette and this one too (I don't know where I got mine but the link is to a very similar one)

-Eyeliner (Crayon): Noir Cosmetics Long Wear Eyeliner HERE one shade available only (Birchbox fave)

-Liquide Eyeliner: Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner HERE in blackest black

-*Mascara + curler: curler is old but mascara is Rimmel Scandalous Curve in black HERE

-Lipstick/gloss: TBD (I need to think about this for a little bit longer)

*This might change, I'm on the fence about it. I'll let you know what I end up with. 

Not pictured: my eyeliner crayon smudger. I love this one, but I don't love the eyeliner it's attached to. So I kept an old used up liner and continued to use the smudger. (Also, I'm being told that "smudger" isn't a word, but that's impossible since I use it just about every day, right? Is that how words work?...)

Also not pictured: this eyeshadow primer. It's a sampler packet from Urban Decay, and I would strongly suggest getting it before you buy the full product to see which one you like best. Plus each sample lasts me about 7ish wears, crazy right? I literally just got a month's worth of free primer! Samples man, I live for them! Ugh, not getting Birchbox and Ipsy is gonna be HARD!

I haven't picked my lipstick/gloss choices yet but I'll have those ready this week. I need to see what I'll realistically wear and what will go with my usual heavy eyeshadow/liner. If anyone is interested in what moisturizers and SPFs I use please let me know and I'll link ya up! 

I'm really happy about dialing down my makeup. And to be clear, I only wear makeup because it makes me happy. I go without it when I don't feel like putting it on. I don't need it in my life, I just like it. It's fun to try new looks and tricks. It's my most versatile accessory and I think of it just like that--an accessory that isn't needed but is nice to have on when you feel like it. Please keep this in mind for all my future makeup posts and for yourself as well. You are way more beautiful as yourself than with makeup on. 

Have a good night,

xo HM