Holy Grail 2014 and Style I am loving

ENTERTAINMENT

The Walking Dead

I am totally obsessed with this show. I have watched it from the very beginning and have watched every single episode more than once :)

So of course I had to grab myself an iPhone case to represent this. I so have this image in a rubber case.



AMERICAN HORROR STORY



So far my favorite has been the first one with the haunted house. However I also really liked the coven one. I had mixed feelings about the asylum and the current show but I still feel the need to watch them all. I kind of like the idea of the different characters and different story lines for each season.

THE HUNGER GAMES CATCHING FIRE

So I liked the first Hunger Games but I wasn't obsessed with it. Now I must watch them all. This is one of those movies that I want to own. 

LIFE AND STYLE

MY PLANNER

Pippenwyks planner. The outside leather is super soft. I love my little monster. He has totally helped me keep my life organized as of late. 

IPHONE 5S

Yes I have been loving my iPhone. I don't use it the way it should be used. But I love that I can watch you tube videos and Netflix on my phone. Plus I love the picture taking capabilities.
note: I still love the blackberry phones.
HAIRCLIP

ElizabellaDesign

I love these hair stick type things. I tried giving them to my sisters but I think they must be more me. These hold my hair really well and I just love the look.

Below are items that I don't necessarily own but this is mainly my style. Sadly I don't get to wear the look all the time because of my job, but during down time I would totally sport this look.
the first three items are all from sheinside.

GRAPHIC TEES



http://www.sheinside.com/
I love this top. The person reminds me of my sisters a little bit. Maybe not the hoops but definitely the hair and face.

CARDIGANS



I totally wear cardigans like this all the time.

EMBELLISHED SHORTS

 she inside

 HRH collection

I love the slightly embellished shorts or velvet shorts. (black ones)

BOOTS
Chelsea style boots

or lace up

or buckled

Ankle booties   (see more cut out boots)

I would totally layer the look with jewelry that can be layered.
LAYERED JEWELRY

pyrrha talisman

I totally love this talisman. There are tons of different designs but I love the look. It looks so effortless and totally me. I would layer this with other pendants like my star of David and my cat's paw print. Love the idea of putting this with longer chains like the image below. 

Tsojewelry

I love this etsy jeweler. I purchased a bangle from them a while ago and the bangle really feels like quality. Plus I can be subtle about my obsession with my TV shows. I am wearing the bangle below. 

 

 Layering my rings too.
AWESOME BAG

 JUNGLETRIBE BAG


BEAUTY

I have been keeping it super low key lately. Love to wing just the outer edge of my eye. Pardon my eyebrows. I have ignored them.

 Bite beauty matte lip crayon in Cognac. I don't color in my whole lips with the color but I like to just line the bottom of my lip and then use Dior's balm to layer over it. Yes I am a sucker for packaging.

Stila convertible lip color in poppy

I am still loving this. I use it on my lips and cheeks. Definitely a holy grail beauty item.


So that is it for now. At work I tend to do the same makeup look but paired with a dress worn with a cardigan and flats. I am way girly at the office.

Since I mentioned it, below is my style at the office. (I am like two different people!)

http://www.eshakti.com/

I tend to wear dresses like this one from eshakti. I wear it with flats like the ones below and a cardigan.

These office flats are a little bit. I have to stuff them but they are really comfy and cute. 

love ring worn with a mix of bracelets. I also like to wear the ring with a bangle my mom gave me. I don't have a photo of it because I don't feel like lugging out my jewelry box at the moment. But it is gorgeous and sparkles. I am like a raccoon and love sparkly things.

If I managed to be out during the day I have been loving my pink shades. They stay on my face and I feel super fancy when I wear them.

So long for now!:)

May Favorites

Hello Everyone (Kathryn)

So I felt like doing a monthly favorite of items I have been loving for beauty, fashion and jewelry.
Some of the items here I do not actually own but just happen to think are awesome.

ENTERTAINMENT

Yeah I have become a little bit obsessed. Here are a couple of channels that I have simply been obsessing over lately.

CreepsMcPasta

mallory1712

grav3yardgirl

christinamgong

Alli

A Model Recommends

Jeff Elliott

iNinjaNotes

IReadCreepyPastas

hrhcollection

beautyklove

CTFxC

gossmakeupartist

LipstickLady518

Latest obsession has to be with Creepy pastas. Ugh!!! I have started listening to these before bed at night. Probably not the best idea. I should listen in the morning instead. Also I am using the Ninja study guide by Jeff Elliott for my CPA review and I am really liking it. Most of my fav subscriptions are to beauty and fashion channels. Above are just some of my favorites. They are not in any real order though. I was just copying and pasting.

BEAUTY

Love the Chanel Illusion Dombre in New Moon. I believe this is the second shade above. I find that while it is an awesome color for parties I can actually pull it off at work if I put a very small amount on and almost wear it as a liner instead. I do not line the entire eye, just the outer corner. I wear it with no other eye makeup or just mascara and it definitely packs a punch.

My second fav is Chanel Allure Lipstick in Farouche. (Hope I am spelling this correctly) I got this because of Mallory (above). I love her style, makeup picks and her personality is super awesome. This particular lipstick is definitely high end but I wear it to work often. The color just makes me look pulled together, even if I wear no other makeup.

FASHION

Top: Miu Miu, Kate wallet, Love ring, Double finger ring

Ok so I have had a couple of these items forever but just pulled them out. I never could match the gorgeous bracelet with anything until I pulled out my double finger gold ring. It looks super awesome together and I found it looks awesome with my plain wedding band. Instantly gives my outfit some girly edge.

I do have a love and hate feeling about this kate spade wallet. See I own a kate spade bag which is perfect but this wallet is a mix. I love all the sparkle and the look however functionality is not so great. I have a hard time pulling any of my cards out because it is so tightly sewn in. This is in a way a good thing because 1. I can't take my credit cards out so I cant buy anything, 2. it keeps all my money and cards securely in the wallet so it doesnt fall out. I had a really nice Vera Bradley wallet before but it started tearing apart and everything would fall out into my bag. I almost feel like maybe I just need a zip around wallet.

My love ring I recently got in Monterrey with Kathryn. All three of us sisters have this ring. I love how simple it is and it is really comfortable to wear. I almost wish I had it in silver too.

Below are some fashion items that I am liking but do now actually own.

I keep seeing these Fendi shades in magazines. I absolutely love them. Wish they didn't cost of fortune but I figure if I put them on here it will feel like I own them. I actually have been wearing a nice pair of Kaos by Kardashian shades. They aren't as glamorous but they look great and are comfy to wear. I put them into real use after having Lasik eye surgery,

HAIR

I love this Henri Bendel cherry ball hair tie. I own a gold one that looks similar but not nearly as pretty and sparkly, Actually mine does not sparkle at all but it has the same pull style.

 Broadway Bow Claw. I adore this completely. It looks like it would hold my hair up completely. It also reminds me of this gorgeous clip I used to own but then it broke. It did last me for many years though. I still didn't throw it away though because it is so beautiful.

CLOTHING

Urban Outfitters lace shorts. I am actually liking lace shorts in general. Not all lace shorts though I tend to like the ones with more of a trim of lace. I feel like they are taking casual and making it a little bit girly and dressy. I think it would look great with just a simple T shirt.



HOME

This last item is something I have been sleeping with since I have been sleeping away from my husband. After listening to the creepy pastas makes him a necessity.

It's Rick Grimes!!! Yeah for some reason I find him comforting to sleep with. He also works great as a pillow. :) 

Now I am making myself a little sleepy. Think I'll take a cat nap. 

Luxury lipsticks

This post will be devoted deliciously luxurious lipsticks. They are not in any sort of order,

• Bobbi Brown- Italian Rose and Blue Rasberry $24

 This is a great lipstick. I own this in Italian Rose and it is the perfect nude color for me. It is actually a pinkish color but I have tan skin. I love how it doesn't leave this awful sticky slimy residue or awful wring around the lips after long hours.

• Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Sheer Candy, Glossy balm crystal balm in Tangy Mandarine $32             This feels silky and slippery on the lips. I love this bright orange shade, it stains my lips nicely and lasts through eating and drinking. I just wish it also came in other colors like richer pink or nude. I also find that the different colors have different wear times. I have this in the sweet fig shade but it wears off quickly. 
  
  • Tom Ford in Coco Ravish $48
  This is the most expensive but so amazing. I also like the following shades. Deep Mink, Pink Dusk, and Black Orchid. These can be used as lipsticks and blushers:) But this is truly a splurge. 

review on week

So this is going to be a quick review on my meals for the week.

Monday
gave up and ate wings from wingstop. But during the day I just ate oatmeal.

Tuesday
Made caprese burgers

very very very bad. The pesto sauce tasted awful
The recipe asks me to mix salt and pepper into the burger. This was really really bad. The burgers were overcooked and super salty. I hated them. I will stick to how I ordinarily make burgers and my bison burgers. 

Had oatmeal and granola bar for lunch


Wed
Chicken pasta with mascarpone penne sauce. This could have been good. Unfortunately I lacked the correct portions of ingredients and overcooked the pasta. If I had cooked it right it might be ok. Did not taste good this week though.

bagel lunch

Thursday
Spaghetti and baked meatballs with the leanest ground beef over 90% lean. I also used trader joe's marinara. I discovered I do not like trader joe marinara. Very very bad. I will be sticking to ragu or prego from now on. The meatballs were good. I mixed in garlic and shallots into each ball. I like the idea of making meatballs like this. I am getting the portion size down too, we had no leftovers from last night.

Lunch
specialty sandwich

Friday

I will be having oatmeal granola for lunch.

Option 1
cook sausage fried rice at home (using bison sausage.)

Option 2
whatever george wants.

Saturday
uknown

Sunday
chicken with kale sauce
and kale salad

Meals for the week

So at work I am pretty much just eating oatmeal, and fruit. Its just easiest to pack and doesn't require me to drive anywhere and also cuts down on my lunch hour.

Errands for this week
1. return or exchange mirror at costco
2. shop around for vacuum cleaner
3. laundry
4. clean rooms
5. put up hook for my aprons in the kitchen
6. find out about CPA reqs and how much I need to get. (Already sent email, so waiting for response.)

Since I have a lot to do and am still recovering from being sick. I will need to plan on the meals for this week and go to the grocery store today.
* represents items I already have at home


Monday
lemon chicken penne

• penne pasta *
• chicken breast
• lemon *
• marscapone or olive oil*
• chives
• salt and pepper*
• Dukkah*

Tuesday
Spaghetti and meatball (bake meatballs)

• Trader joe marinara
• lowest fat ground beef
• chives
• garlic cloves
• tomatoes
• spaghetti or angel hair pasta*

Wed
bison burgers

• bison burger*
• ciabatta bread
• tomatoes
• garlic

Thursday or soup and ciabatta (depends on how we are feeling)
chicken wraps

• black beans, corn mix
• tortilla
• cooked and shredded chicken breast
• cooked brown rice
• green onion and cilantro chopped
• seasoning
• shredded cheese
• garlic

side carrots, small salads with everything

Best Beauty Brands (BBB)

According to me.

This post will temporarily be without photos. I am taking a quick break from work so I will have to upload photos later. I just found some new favorite lippies and wanted to keep a record of my old favs. I am seriously considering on stocking up on some of my old favs since I have sadly had to say goodbye to many favorite discontinued items.

So here are some of my favorite brands when it comes to beauty and the products I would not choose to live without.

Dior
Dior Addict Lip Glow
This was a tough one. It was down to the lip glow and the lip balm. I chose the Glow because I have already ran out of one and purchased a second. It gives my lips a nice shade of pink without feeling thick on my lips. The only downside is the slighly bubble gummy scent. Plus I adore the packaging.

YSL
Volupte Sheer Candy
This is a new favorite. I do find that the different colors have different wear lengths. The Tangy Tangerine shade will last through eating a big burrito, while the Fig shade will fade quicker. They all feel like silk on the lips and don't leave a strange ring around the mouth. I think the orange shade is more worth the money because of the staying power. Also the packaging is pretty, not as cool as Dior though.

Chanel
I don't have a top one in this category. I tend to like the majority of their products from skincare to makeup. I am not a huge fan of the glossimers but I tend to favor this brand anyways.

Tarte
Lip Surgence
I really like these. Super moisturizing, great crayon like packaging. I find these super handy and the color is amazing when I want a great berry or a nice pink. Staying power is pretty decent for a glossy balm.

Josie Moran
Argan Oil
Yes I love the Argan oil. I tend to like the majority of her products from the hair stuff to the stick balms. I do not however care for the pot balms or most of her glosses. I found them too thin. The oil itself is amazing though. I put it on my hair, face and body. I have had to repurchase a new bottle, and am considering splurging on the jumbo size in the future.

Wen
Pumpkin replenishing mist
I actually like both pumpkin and tea tree. I will definitely be repurchasing more replenishing mists. I would not consider myself a "wen" girl since I use shampoo still. I find the actual cleansing conditioner to be OK. I did not get the excellent results they rave about. I do love the replenishing mists. If I haven't had a chance to wash my hair, this helps. I spray it on my face when I need a pick me up or am running out the door. Best stuff ever, hands down:)

Cadaulie
Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid SPF 15 PA++

and
Firming concentrate
This is a tie. I love love love the day perfecting fluid. I got this as a 500 point perk before from Sephora. I am still using it and will have to find it for cheaper in the future. My skin is amazing from this. I also love the scent. Ditto with the firming concentrate.

Jurlique
Day Cream
I tend to use this at night. I like the thick cream and it works great on my elbows and chest too.

Signature Club A
Essentials Creme for face and eye
This is more of a daily moisturizer for me. It absorbs in my skin really fast. Love love it.

Lush Cosmetics
Soft Coer
Sorry if I spelled that wrong. I love the smell of this massage bar. I feel really pretty when I wear this. Definitely repurchased it and savored every bit.

Thi Cosmetics
Cream shadow in Soy and Lipgloss in Lan
I am super sad that both of these are now discontinued and I can't find it anywhere:(

Clarins
Hydraquench lip (old white package version)
Luckily I purchased an extra one, so I won't run out anytime soon. Still searching for more so I can really stock up. Love the way it feels on my lips, love the look of the golden lip balm when I squirt it out of the tube. Love the way it smells, love this product.

and

Lip firming contour cream
Awesome lip miracle worker. I think my lip color is actually slightly pinker.

Goals

I have decided to make some work/school and personal goals. I realize that it is not new years but I think this is as good a time as any.

Personal

1. Begin purging out house of things I don't want. This week I plan on going through the kitchen and my bedroom. I will throw away things I consider garbage, and donate or sell things that are worth selling or keeping. I will stash these things in my bedroom corner. If the items do not sell within two weeks I will donate or give them away. I plan on completing the purge by Christmas.

2. Research Lasik surgery and choose a doctor by end of November. Visit my eyedoctor during the month of September.

3. Add to my excercise regimen. I currently do some excercise at lunch and when I wake up in the morning. I will now do a min of 15 minutes of jumping before I make dinner and end my days with another 15 minutes of weight excercises before bed. Thursdays I will continue my zumba class. Next year I may join a dance class at a nearby studio. (this depends on cost) I am only committing to 15 minutes for the time being. I am hoping to up this to half an hour and then 45 minutes.

4. Keeping a log of what I eat and also not feeling guilty about what I eat. I think keeping track of what I eat will at least help me gage how much I am eating. So when I eat something that is junk I can at least keep most of what I eat, healthy,  and grooming myself (especially face) I want to make sure I at least take care of my  upper lip and eyebrows on a regular basis and not just when there is an event coming up. This also means taking care of my hair and skin.

5. I want to begin keeping my bathroom tub very clean. I know I will be moving but I want to continue to allow myself relaxation during the weekend or on friday nights by taking bubble baths or soaks.

6. Keeping better track of my finances. I will create a spreadsheet and keep tabs on by bills similar to the way I keep tabs on recurring bills at work.

7. Vacuuming and getting rid of fleas. This means making sure Mouse has his flea medicine too. George can help me with this one.

I am going to keep it at these seven goals for now. I will begin now after I list my work/school goals.

 

Work/School

1. Begin studying for CPA exam at the beginning of the year.
2. Complete three remaining Courses.
3. Speak to Marla about CPA exam and studying for it in January.
4. Study clients at the end of each work day and during billing projects. Get to know the clients better.
5. Create consistency between clients.
6. Keeping my office space clean.
7. Creating a better school schedule. (not leaving stuff till the weekends)

Food Diary

Breakfast: Wheat bagel (I think) and plain cream cheese. 
Snack: Orange
Lunch:
Dinner: