My Happiness Story

I have not always been a happy individual. I have had times in my life where I have been very lost and selfish. This is my story:

I was not very popular in high school and even though I was an athlete and had a lot of things going on, I was unhappy on the inside during college. I did a lot of things because they were expected of me and I wanted to make certain people proud. I knew after the first year of college that I hated being on the NCAA Equestrian team. It just wasn't for me. The things I had once loved about riding horses began to be a drill. It forced me to only look at the competitive side, rather than my love of just being with the horse and figuring things out over time. I had many problems with the team but stayed on because it was very successful. I profoundly regret this. I had moved to Texas from Arizona without knowing a soul. I am not naturally an outgoing person and making friends was difficult. I stumbled into a controlling relationship for a couple years and then after breaking up with him became friends with girls who were completely self-centered and backstabbing. I couldn't completely blame them though, because I was just as guilty for hanging out with them. And after being in an awful relationship, it kind of felt good to do whatever I wanted and be completely selfish. I had slowly become like them without even realizing it. Another important factor, was that I didn't even recognize my own unhappiness. I had become an unhappy person, without even knowing it.

When I moved back to Arizona after college, I was ready for a change: a brand new me! This was not the popular decision, my parents wanted me to stay in Texas and find a job there. But, I decided to make a change and listen to my own heart. This is much easier said than done. I was lucky enough to have a job right out of college. A gal that I had once rode horses with was opening up a fun boutique and needed help opening and running it. It was so much fun and I learned a lot. But, because I was an unhappy person still, I was always stressed, tired and negative. The owner, Sue, taught me more than just about running a business. She was a great mentor who empowered me. She was so positive and independent and really showed me to listen to myself and not care what other people think. One thing I have noticed since then is that the more I don't care what other people think, the more people want to be around me. I'm not saying, disregard other people, but the more you empower yourself and follow your heart, you give other people the power to do so and they, in turn, are drawn to you. Sue is definitely an angel that God put into my life to teach me this important lesson.

Another angel put into my life is my now husband, Omar. I was working at the boutique when we met. He was, and still is, a hair dresser in the same strip mall as the boutique I worked at. I had my hair done a few times at the salon by a girl that was in the chair beside him. Just having moved back to Arizona, I  hardly knew anyone. I was completely embarrassing and invited myself out with my hairdresser. She had mentioned she was going out that night so I gave her my number and insisted we should hang out. I knew immediately that I had been completely awkward and that she would never text me. Looking back, I realize it was the Holy Spirit pushing me to do this.  To my surprise, she did text me and we met up that night at a local bar, where he happened to be, also. I learned later that Omar had made her text me so that I would come. (That sneak!) 

Anyways, one thing led to another and a few weeks later we had started dating. With my new, shaky confidence and sense of self, it was going well. Omar was unlike anyone I had ever met. He ONLY listened to his heart and really did whatever he wanted (which I don't recommend either, but that's for another post!). He had two hotrods, lived in a fancy part of town, and was very successful with his work. I was interested, to say the least. As things moved forward, I told him that it was important to me that we go to church if we are going to be serious. Although at the time I did not go to church consistently, I knew in my heart that it was important, especially in a romantic partnership, to be on the same page religiously. It did not happen overnight, but slowly we both realized that God is an essential component to any happy and healthy relationship. We have both made important changes because of God's presence in our relationship that have transformed us for the better. 

I have other angels in my life as well, Amanda is one of them that I met in college who helped me break free of my controlling relationship and would not have a blog without. Also, my friend Lauren who I never really appreciated as much as I do now. Her individuality and courage to move all over the country to do what she loves inspires me to no end. My sister Dallas, who is never afraid to challenge me and point out areas of opportunity for me to grow. And my longest friendship with anyone is my friend Marie. We have never lived in the same state, or sometimes country, and at times we are closer than others, but without her, I would not be the person I am today. And my friend Kate: your walk with Christ has always made me want to have a relationship with him. You praying with me one time in my closet (I don't know if you remember) made me want to pray more and be closer to Him! I would like to take this moment to thank all of you for your awesomeness in my life and being there for me, even when I was selfish and didn't deserve it.

I now know that happiness starts with the decision to be happy and to make a change, even when you don't know where to start. When you begin listening to your heart, God will guide to the right choices and people to get you there.  I hope this helps someone out there not knowing what to do, and wasn't too cheesy!

xoxo Tyler 

A picture of me last week at the happiest place on earth: Disneyland! 

Get the look: Cameron Diaz in The Counselour

I may be way behind on this, but recently the hubs and I rented The Counselour with Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, and Brad Pitt. To be honest the story was just O.K. But what really kept me interested was Cameron Diaz's style! Holy smoke, her hair was to DIE for and every scene was styling perfection. 

Here are a few items to add to your wardrobe to add a little sass and edge like Cameron:

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XO Kitten

Valentine's Day Makeup Look: Sexy Rose Gold Smokey Eye

Hello! 

I've wanted to start doing makeup looks for a while now, and I figured doing a Valentine's look would be a great way to start! I basically just sat down and created this, I wanted it to be festive but still easy and wearable. I used pinks and browns and a hint of glitter (I always look for a reason to wear glitter!). 

This would be a great evening look to pair with a multitude of outfits. However, I wouldn't pair this with a red dress because you don't want too much color happening on your eyes since the red dress would be the main event. If you ARE wearing red, rock the black winged eyeliner and gold glitter liner but skip the eyeshadows. You can still do a soft medium brown eyeshadow to add definition to your crease but keep it simple. The gold glitter will still make it fun and festive without being overdone. I hope you enjoy and whether you're flying solo or have a special night planned with your love, have a fun and chocolate filled Valentine's!

Products Used:

My 10 Steps to a Flawless Valentine's Makeup Look

Step 1: Prime your eyes with an eyeshadow primer or cream shadow base. I am using MAC Painterly Paint Pot.

Step 2: Using a fluffy crease brush apply MAC Samoa Silk and MAC Arena into the crease using small circular and windshield wiper motions. Apply Arena slightly lower in the crease than Samoa Silk. The soft shimmer in Arena are going to help when we start to blend out the darker shades. You want this to be nice and blown out since we are doing a smokey eye.

Step 3: Using a smaller crease brush (I use the MAC 217) apply Brown Script onto the outer third of your eye and through the crease. You want to keep this color lower than Arena, don't get crazy blending this out too quickly. Just take your time blending back and forth.

Step 4: Using a flat shader brush apply MAC Rose pigment onto the eyelid, but don't pull it all the way out, just up to the outer third where we placed Brown Script. You can spritz a bit of Fix + onto your brush when applying this pigment, it will give it a gorgeous metallic finish! 

Note: After each step I always go back with that first fluffy crease brush with no additional product on it, and gently blend around the edges to ensure a smooth gradient of color.

Step 5: Using a pencil brush apply Ground Brown to the the outer 'V' of your eye. Remember to apply this a little at a time. Once you get the shape you want, use your smaller blending brush (MAC 217) to gently blend the edges so they are smooth and seamless. 

Step 6: Apply a black gel eyeliner of your choice. I use Inglot for a few simple reasons, its black as night, easy to use, and does NOT move. It is also affordable which is a bonus! To create your perfect wing: using your lower lash line as your guide, follow that line up as if you were extending the lower lash line. Don't pull your eye taut when drawing this first line otherwise the wing will be too flat. Next connect the wing back to your upper lash line and fill in. You want the eyeliner to be thin at the inner corner and gradually thicken as you get to the wing. 

Ta da!

Step 7: Apply the gold glitter liner to the base of the black liner, from inner corner to the edge of the wing. Keep this line thin, we want the glitter to be an accent not the main event! I also use a waterproof black pencil liner to line my upper and lower waterlines, and a black liquid liner to create a slight wing at the inner corner of the eye. This will give the eye a sexy almond shape. 

Step 8: Apply your favorite mascara (mine is the MAC 3D) to upper lashes ONLY. Next we move onto the skin! I used a pore filling primer so that the foundation goes on smooth and flawless. Next apply foundation, concealer, setting powder, bronzer (Smashbox Suntan Matte), blush (NARS Desire), and brow products. 

Step 9: After setting you under eye concealer, take Arena on a pencil brush and apply just under the lash line. Swipe the brush softly back and forth to blend. Next take Brown Script on a small flat definer brush and apply to the outer half of the lower lash line, then use the pencil brush to blend. Lastly, take Ground Brown on the same definer brush and apply to the outer third of the lower lash line, again blending softly with your pencil brush to soften the edges. We want the lower lash line to mimic the upper, a smooth gradient of dark brown at the outer corners and getting lighter as you move inwards. Apply mascara to bottom lashes.

Step 10: Apply lipstick and lipgloss! I used YSL Rouge Volupte #1 and topped it with NYX Butter Gloss in Peaches N' Cream. I wanted to keep the lips soft since the eyes are dramatic. If you don't have some of these products just find something similar, I know drugstores can have great dupes!! I also added MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade to the top of my cheekbones and cupids bow for a highlight.

Finished Makeup Look:

(Don't mind my hair, I wanted to just focus on the makeup! I will probably do some soft messy curls for my Valentine's date night)

I hope you all have wonderful week and Happy Valentine's from me and Tyson! He's my puppy Valentine : )

XOXO Amanda

Makeup Must Have: Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer Kit

Hello!! I wanted to share with you all two of my most favorite products from Bobbi Brown, her creamy Correctors and Concealer Kits. These two products used together are what Bobbi calls "the secret to the universe" and I can tell you that she just might be right. At least to the woman's universe anyway. When using the correct shades these products completely transform your face by not only correcting those pesky dark circles, but also by brightening the entire complexion. They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and this is totally true. Our eyes show our emotional, physical, and mental state, so naturally we want them to be as bright and clear as possible. 

The two single pots you see in the picture above are the Correctors. Bobbi has created 12 different shades in bisques and peaches to suit every skin tone. The bisque shade range has a salmon tint to them and the peach range has a soft orange tint. Using the basic rules of color theory Bobbi uses these to counteract dark colors that we get under our eyes. We use the bisque shades for light to medium skin tones and the peach shades for medium/olive/dark skin tones. It is necessary though to always have an artist match you, because these shades don't just have a uniform pairing. A fair skinned person may use a peach corrector rather than a bisque one if the shading under her eyes goes more bluish. Everyone is different so always have an expert evaluate your skin so they can match you to the correct shade.

The duo compact is the Concealer Kit which comes with a concealer shade and a setting powder. All the shades have a Pale Yellow setting powder except Alabaster which has a White setting powder. This powder is very finely milled because it is intended solely for the eye area and will not cake up or settle into fine lines when used properly. The concealer shades run in the same shades as Bobbi's foundations with a few exceptions. There is not a Warm Sand concealer shade like the foundation, there is however a Cool Sand concealer shade which is not as warm as the Sand concealer shade. There is also an Ivory concealer shade, but not an Ivory foundation. Bobbi made these changes because the under eye area does not have the same coloring as the rest of the face, so her concealers reflect as such. 

The Secret:

1. ALWAYS hydrate with an eye cream to prime. You only need a tiny bit, but this step is necessary in order for your concealer to apply smoothly. Your under eye area must first be hydrated just like your skin must be properly hydrated before applying foundation.

2. Apply Corrector in a triangle shape under the eye. Start at your inner corner and blend down towards the top of your cheekbone and out towards the outer corner of the eye. Don't over apply! We want to keep this area smooth and flawless so don't pack on too much, you can always dab a touch more if needed. Blend Corrector by tapping lightly with your ring finger or my favorite with a damp Beauty Blender.

3. Add Concealer (just a small amount!) over top of Corrector, I always use more Corrector than I do Concealer because the Corrector is doing the work of getting rid of the darkness and the Concealer is bringing the skin back to your natural skin tone. Blend out in the same area (down to top of cheekbone and out to outer corner of the eye).

4. Using a soft brush lightly pat the Pale Yellow setting powder over top. Don't swipe the powder or you're going to disrupt the lovely blending you just achieved. 

Voila!! You should feel more awake and brighter. I can't tell you how many women are astounded at the difference these two little products make. I will usually complete the full application on one eye first so they can see the difference and it is really amazing how much more confident and beautiful you feel just by brightening the eye area. These truly are a necessity! 

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!!

XO Amanda

Kitten's Crushes: Valentine's Day Edition

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Valentine's Day is approaching and I couldn't be more excited! I have always loved it (yes, even when I was single). To me, anything that celebrates pink, chocolates, flowers and romantic comedy movies is amaze. This spring, light pink is THE color. The Rebecca Minkoff top above (#8) is the perfect date top along with this Hermes perfume (#6) I used to wear this lovely perfume and had never received more compliments. 

For a fun day-date or going out with the girls I love the "I Love You" Wildfox jumper (#2) matched up with these fun Steve Madden Leopard flats (#3).

 No matter what you are doing, it's always nice to add a little romanticism to your home! Spruce up your kitchen or living room with beautiful silk Peonies (#4) or a cute sign on your bookshelf (#5).  

XOXO Kitten

Kitten's Crushes

Here are a few things I have been crushing on for spring!

1. Bailey 44 - Nautical stripes done right

2. T By Alexander Wang - This sweater is much brighter in person... and amazingly soft

3. Movado 'Bold' Roman Numeral Index Bracelet Watch, 39 mm - Classic and sophisticated 

4. Tory Burch 'Miller' Thong - The inner prepster in me is dying for a pair!!!

5. Wildfox does it again... need I say more?

6. Free People 'Twist and Shout' skirt- Perfect for work and going out

7. Paige 'Jimmy Jimmy' cropped skinnies- The most perfect boyfriend jean you will ever find

xoxo Kitten

New Makeup Job!

Hello! Tyler and I took a small Holiday hiatus, but we are back and will now continue posting every week like normal! I wanted to start with some exciting news, I got a job as a Bobbi Brown Makeup Artist! I'm super excited to share new things that I learn as I go, and to give you guys some info about the line! I've been working for them for about 6 weeks now and I LOVE it! Bobbi's line is so wearable and fun. What I love is what her brand stands for. Bobbi is all about enhancing women's natural beauty, period. She wants to empower women by helping them to look their best while staying true to themselves. She truly cares about her customers as well as her artists. I have only good things to say about my experience thus far.

What's even more exciting is that not only does she have an outstanding makeup line, but her skincare line is top notch as well! I love how much she stresses the importance of proper skincare, and thats where we are trained to start with each client. Too many makeup lines don't stress enough the importance of properly prepping the skin before makeup application, its ESSENTIAL.

I'll start trying to do weekly posts, all about makeup of course!! I will definitely be talking about Bobbi Brown but I am also going to talk about other brands, methods, and products as well. As much as I love Bobbi, I love so many other brands as well!! Hope you are having a great week and I look forward to what 2014 has to bring!

XO Amanda