I Advocate Glamour

Tonight, I'd like to write about things I've observed and how I feel about them.

I believe:

I have RARELY worn any sort of Yoga Pants out of the house. 

I've NEVER worn yoga pants to school. 

I never have worn a crop top.

Sure, I don't blow dry my hair nearly as much as I'd like to.

Sure, I have shirts that show off the cleavage.

Sure, I don't wear makeup every day. 

Sure, I am sometimes too tired to wash my face before I go to bed. 

Yep, I eat carbs.

Yep, I love spa days at home in soft pajamas and fuzzy socks.

YEP.  Pretty sure I'm not perfect. 

BUT.

I do make an effort to be presentable and respectful to those around me.  Personally, I can't stand the crop tops with the high cut shorts that show the bottom of people's butt cheeks walking down the hall at school.  

I don't like seeing other people's mid-riffs in the middle of the grocery store.  

I don't like seeing holes in your shorts that show everything you're wearing underneath them. (what's the point of wearing shorts then?)

I don't like seeing people who wear clothes that look more like a sausage casing than a properly fitted outfit.  Or at least something more "flattering" to their shape.

 People have lost the sense of "for everything, there is a time and a place."  That includes what you wear! 

Crop tops and booty shorts? Fine at the beach, unacceptable nearly every where else!

Role models people! Find good ones! 

Some of my own:

My Grandma (Basically everything)

Hilary Duff  (One of the Disney Stars who hasn't gone crazy!)

Kate Middleton (Style, grace, charity, confidence, discipline and acceptance!)

Dita Von Teese (acceptance of self, style, confidence, discipline, etc.)

I know it's hard to want to put actual clothes on instead of having a PJ day at home.  I really do! But once you shower, blow dry that hair, and get dressed, you're ready to take on the world! {PJ days on occasion are acceptable :P }

Today, I got up, did just that, threw on some heels, and went to the drugstore and a quick stop at the grocery store! Sure, I got a few looks for dressing up {not yoga pants, not a t-shirt} and the sound of heels in a grocery store. It used to be the norm to dress up every day, regardless of what you had planned.  Now, people think they don't have to.

We went from women wearing dresses and an apron while cleaning the house to what we have today!

For inspiration on this, click here and here.  

I believe in glamour.  This isn't having the perfect body or complexion.  This is having self confidence.  Accepting your own body and personality. Respecting yourself and others enough to be modest.  Having the tact to be presentable.  Knowing yourself. Holding yourself to a standard of grace, not perfection. 

What can I do, you might ask? This is what I did!

I made an inspiration book! I started it a few years ago when I was house sitting and catching up on all of the magazines I had. I grabbed a spiral notebook, tape, a pen & markers, and started going through them! I cut out anything that inspired me to live life better, help me find things that bring out the best in me, or anything I'd want to remember in the future.  

This is what it looks like:

Some of my favorite tips:

Always put on sunscreen!

Don't eat in front of the T.V. when possible

If Britney Spears can get through 2007, you can get through today.

Never underestimate the power of a well fitted bra.

Cheap face blotter that works: toilet seat cover!

When you've found a perfect product, stick with it!

Before shaving, exfoliate for a closer shave.

This all starts with forming good habits!

Click Me for inspiration on starting good habits!

I believe routine is a necessary thing for everyone in the mornings! Here's a fun little video from 1937:

With that said, this next part is a little about my own routine.

How I start my morning: 

-Shower and use face wash {I use DG Grapefruit Scrub. Only $5 people! Glamour does not have to be expensive!}

-Brush teeth! Floss! Mouthwash!

-Deodorant is a must!

-Put on moisturizer! My face gets dry during the cold months, so normally my moisturizer changes with the weather.  During the summer, I find mine at Feel Rite, a coconut milk based one that doesn't make my face shiny (It even has sunscreen in it!)  Currently, I'm using Cetaphil, which is amazing! I use this on my face and neck, and leaves a nice glow-y look.

I've found that a routine keeps me looking healthy, keeps breakouts to a minimum, and one happy wife! I do other things, like get my eyebrows, lip, etc. waxed at European Wax Center {no unibrow for me!}, get a haircut at least twice a year, and when I have some spare funds, go for a mani/pedi to relax.  Or, I'll just have a spa day at home, do my toes, nails, watch Casablanca or something of the like, and give myself a facial.  I've found an amazing product from Sephora called GlamGlow. Best thing ever! It does everything it says on the label after one use!!!

Love the stuff.  Expensive, but totally worth it!

{That's why I only use it when I really really need to... make it last!}

I rarely do a full blown makeup look - I think simple is elegant and does the job.  

I think that a red lipstick is a confidence booster, and I normally carry one during any event I'm at.  I like CoverGirl Tempt Seduction for the Fall, along with Hot. {Normally at any drug store}  I've heard good reviews about NYX's Monte Carlo - might be giving that a try in the future!

I've personally found that I prefer the look of a gel eye liner than a pencil.  It takes a lot of practice - I still sometimes struggle to get both sides to match! Rather blurry below, but it's Maybelline Lasting Drama in Black. {You can get it at nearly any drug store, I think I got mine from Wal Mart}

Next, I use a black mascara from Ulta: Plush Drama.  I've been blessed with long eye lashes, and this really helps make my eyes pop.{I managed to buy this for $5! I'm a sucker for coupons and sales}

Lastly, to top off my simple, elegant look is fragrance! Smelling nice is a wonderful thing! {especially after some of the smells you get exposed to in EMS...} It can linger after you walk away from a group of people when you're headed to get a glass of wine or out on a date will leave you memorable! {Just don't over do it! Sometimes it can be too overwhelming.  Spray 1 to 3 times in the air, and walk into it, don't spray it on you! Perfume is not supposed to be sprayed directly on things!}  I use Sexy Little Things Noir from Victoria's Secret.  With smells of amber, vanilla, blackberry, jasmine, and others, I LOVE it! 

And that's all... Sweet, simple, to the point, and it can be completed in under 20 minutes. 

Please enjoy life and pamper yourself, even if it's taking a bubble bath wearing a tiara! 

What are your thoughts??

Let me know!

xoxoxo

Back to School Update

Well, we are back at the grind, I'm at Hilbert again this semester and Alex started Paramedic school! {He's going to be one awesome prehospital care provider!}

Lets see... What has been going on??

I JOINED THE JUNIOR LEAGUE!!!

I started class back at the end of August, and now I'm learning how to speak and read a little Irish! How cool is that?!?

I'm officially taking the last required math class of my life. :)

I feel old in my Honors class... when we debate, all the Freshmen argue points that only someone with no real world/life experience would say... Like "If people living in the city would only move into the north towns or southern tier, their life would be so much better."  Um, yeah, but.. a) do they have the funds to make the move? b) How safe would our own towns become? c) Do they want to move out of their rut? etc.... Maybe I'm a little jaded from working EMS in the city, but I've seen my fair share of people I definitely do not want living near me. 

I signed up for a Sunrise Swim class through Continuing Education with my friend Kelly! Can't wait to get back in the water :) {even though I have to be up by 5:30 to be in the pool by 6:15!}

I've gone back to basics.... writing in a journal! {but no one can ever read it. ever! :)}  I've missed having something to write all my random thoughts in.  It really helps me organize my thoughts and calms me down.

Criminal Minds. Once Upon a Time Season 3. House.  All. On. Netflix.

I've taken up listening to AM radio, specifically 930 on the way into school every morning for both a news update and the weather.  Today, they were talking about the city of Buffalo and their ideas of adding gondolas and cable cars in the city. Not quite sure how I feel about this.  

Don't get me wrong, I love me my Tim Hortons, but recently I've had a few stops in Starbucks... Heaven.  And I get to read the New York Times as an added bonus.

October brings many different activities, including 2 weddings, Grandparents and Uncle staying with Alex and me for one weekend, looking at Buff State for Graduate School, Sunrise Swim, a Walking Challenge, hopefully a ride along with our friend Jamie, Rocky Horror, and Halloween!!!

We have a lot going on, but I'm determined to still have some fun!

I'll try to be on here a bit more, I know there will be a lot to share these upcoming months! {No, I'm not pregnant!}

xoxoxo