Makeup Shopping...

Just a really quick random thought of mine...

How often do you shop for makeup?

Whether you work or live off the wealth of another, (no judgment here, I'll proudly do the same once the opportunity presents itself - hint hint - to someone named ANDY), how often would you say you go to the store to specifically purchase beauty products?

If I could, I'd shop every two weeks when I get paid. BUT since I'm married and my husband is metro (likes to "take care" of himself and shop too), I'd have to be fair and expect him to purchase something too. Which basically means, pay days would really be called broke days.

I don't shop high end products but we all know when you get enough products in your cart (even if it's "low end"), things will add up.

And besides having a YouTube beauty channel where it is naturally expected that one should be introducing beauty products and keeping up to date with the latest and greatest...

I just can't keep up with some of these girls on YouTube!

Kind of a downer when I am trying to shoot a makeup look and I find that I am always reaching for the same products. Or when it comes to the "monthly favorites" type of video, I am really close to running out of things to say are my favorite without sounding like a broken record.

But maybe that's something I should be keeping to myself. 

I mean, I don't need you getting all down and distracted during my videos and start to watch my videos to see just how much I use the same products over and over...

That would make me cry.

Well, not literally. I'd probably just slap myself.

That would be more deserving after posting something like this.

You know what? Maybe I should just delete this right now and act like I never uttered these disgraceful words.

No one would know and I can continue my YouTube beauty channel and just fake it till I make it.

Yeah, that sounds like a wiser choice.

But knowing myself, I'm just going to keep typing and then press PUBLISH...

Families are like brownies...

Ever feel like people just want you to go away?

To the point where they will play dead?

Or just straight out diss you by ignoring you right in front of your face?

Oh, yeah, me neither...

Ok, so this is me totally over exaggerating pictures of my family.

But I feel like that sometimes, you know.

And I know it's not hormones, people.

Even family can be down right rude.

But at least I know I can be rude right back to them and we'll be cool by sundown.

Explanation: Actually, the first picture is of my brother in law who is trying to hide his soon-to-be-famous face. He claims he won't give out any "freebies" before stardom strikes, not even us lowly family members.

The second picture is of my nephew, Junior. I just caught him in mid dying mode during an epic battle as Bumblebee the Transformer.

And last but certainly never least, is a picture of my parents. 

But unlike the pictures above them... they really were ignoring me. 

Explanation: We were waiting in the car for my grandpa, whom we were going to take to breakfast, and I was chit chatting away, looking out the window, when I noticed I wasn't getting any answers to my rhetorical questions. I turn around and lo and behold there they were, completely consumed by their smart phones. I decided to address this rude behavior and you know what my dad answers (while never even bothering to look up from his phone)?

"You're the one that got us hooked on these evil devices"

My mouth dropped open at that point.

Seriously, is time running backwards or something? Did I miss the memo that said kids are the new adults in town? Did my DAD just say I , his child, got him hooked on a device he considers to be so evil that even he himself cannot keep away from???

Hmm. Interesting.

Wonder if that'll work with his bank account. Muahaha!!!

Just  kidding.

Anywho, this is just my little blog of randomness. A look, really, into my oh so glamorous life and how I interact with those I most despise dislike loathe fear? tolerate LOVE.

That took a minute. hee hee

P.S. And if you want to know the cryptic ending to this blog title, it goes a little something like this...


"Families are like brownies... mostly sweet with a few nuts."

Until next time...

My humble return to blogging...

Geez Louise!!! It's been a hot minute since I last blogged.

And dare I point out that one of my last blogs stated to be prepared for the whirlwind of blogging I was going to do because of the holidays coming up??? 

I know, I know...

Liar Liar Pants On Fire

 So my reason for being so out of character is because the week right before Thanksgiving, I found out I am pregnant!!!

 Craziness, I know.

That was November 19th and I was about a few days away from being 2 months pregnant. 

Talk about not knowing your own body...

But since then I have been so completely exhausted that all my free time has been spent sleeping. No time for YouTube videos, not time for exercise (pff, like I really did that anyways) and certainly no time to blog.

The only thing that I could possibly do was sleep. I seriously wouldn't even want to watch TV or movies, nothing! Just peace and quiet so I could sleep.

Pretty rough time, I should say.

So, to make up for my blogging discrepancies, I decided to start where I left off. Which I believe was Thanksgiving. But before I blog about that I should back up a little more and talk about the Breaking Dawn party I attended with my bestie, Rachel.

It was at a friend of a friend's house named, Amy! :) And she had her backyard decorated for the event. I have to say the table decor was nice but did remind me a little more of how I'd decorate if I was throwing a Twilight party not a Breaking Dawn party.

To me, the epitome of a Breaking Dawn party would be to decorate the place like you were at an outdoor wedding. So lots of white, green, brown and flowers.

She decorated with red, black and candles. 

Not bad, but not exactly Breaking Dawn. Needless to say, it was nice to go to a party that someone else was throwing and the fact that it was celebrating Breaking Dawn was even better. So no complaints here.

BELOW: Here is a picture of the food (which was DELISH!!!)

BELOW: A pic of my dessert plate. hee hee

So as the bestie, Rachel, and I were enjoying the food and trying to mingle jingle, you can kind of tell the night was winding down.

For those of you that don't know. I, myself, have thrown a Twilight and a New Moon party, so I know a thing or two about themed parties. But the difference to this party and the ones I've thrown is that this is a pre-Breaking Dawn party and the parties I've thrown were thrown long after the movies came out (and even the DVD's actually).

So in my parties, I have a few games that we play and win prizes for, we eat, and then we play the movie and that gives anyone an opportunity to head home or just wind down.

Since this party was a pre-Breaking Dawn party, it was obvious the girls were there to eat and hang out till the midnight showing of Breaking Dawn. So no games and no winding down.

Rachel and I weren't planning on going to the midnight release showing - since we both had work the next day - so we were like the ones who were thinking, hmm, should we leave now, then?

To make an already long story not as long... we decided to thank the host graciously for inviting us and then proceeded to head to the nearest Starbucks to hang out by ourselves and warm up (it was a cold night for a backyard party).

BELOW: Rachel, moi, and Rachel's cousin, Janey (who invited us to her friend, Amy's, Breaking Dawn party)

And that's it, folks!!! Overall, it was a great party to be invited to. 

Thanks Amy! Thanks Janey! Thanks Rachel!

 Until then...

Breaking Dawn Paaaartaaay

So last night I met up with my bestie, Rachel in Buena Park to go to a Breaking Dawn party.

Let's back up a bit...

I've thrown 3 themed parties before.

A Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse party.

And I was very much planning a party for Breaking Dawn as well, but let's just say that things have been a little "ruff" financially. So when my best friend, Rachel, mentioned that her friend invited her to go a Breaking Dawn party and that I was welcome to come too (since I'm kind of known like that), my hopes were up.

I could get my Breaking Dawn on and wouldn't have to worry about planning, hosting, serving, etc.

So, Buena Park, here I come!

Anywho, we both arrived at the same time (whew) and the house was sooo pretty and well decorated (for a house, not a party). We were ooo-ing and ahhh-ing.

And then she directs us to the back yard.

We are in the middle of November, y'all. Even for California, that's kind of not what I had in mind.

But I have to say, once we entered the backyard (which was also followed by some more ooo's and ahhh's) we came upon this reallllly pretty set up of elaborate black chargers, red candles, fog rolling over the table, and lights hung all over...

Purty nice set up.

So since it was outside in the dark, my pictures aren't that fab, but you'll still get the ambiance of the party.

Needless to say, this party definitely wasn't like the ones I've planned (filled with music, games, prizes, and a WARM environment), but it was nice nevertheless.

And I had to realize that they threw this party solely for the purpose of getting together before going out to see the midnight release of Breaking Dawn. So having a dinner only event made sense. The real party was happening at midnight.

Since I had to work the next day and so did Rachel, we graciously thanked the hostess and Rachel's friend for inviting us and proceeding to drive to the nearest Starbucks for a hot cup of joe - or Pumpkin Spice - whatev. 

We talked and laughed and got warm and lovely before saying our true goodbyes and getting some rest.

ABOVE: Meet the bestie! Rachel

Hopefully tonight, I will convince the hubz to see Breaking Dawn with me (since my dinner/movie plans with Rachel and my sister were cancelled), and join the legions of TwiHards everywhere in getting my Twilight on.

Until next time...

Whaaaat?

THANKSGIVING. IS. NEXT. WEEK.

Yeah, I know, right?

It's like when something just sneaks up on you and you know you could totally lose it because you are sooo unprepared.

Has that ever happened to you?

Yeah, me neither.

Actually, I'm one of those overly organized people who has a desktop calender/planner, a personal planner and also utilizes the calender on her mobile phone.

Yeah, I'm one of those girls.

You see,I'm controlling, I just like to plan things and makes sure they go accordingly. Cuz, DUH, no one makes plans and then hopes they come together. You plan it, you make sure it happens. The End.

So on top of Thanksgiving sneaking coming up next week, I also have a Breaking Dawn party to attend tomorrow night, then actually go see Breaking Dawn the following night [with the hubz, my bestie, Rachel, and her hubby and also my sister, Angelina, and her hubby].

Wait, I'm not done.

THEN on Saturday is my nephew, Luke's, 6th birthday party and THEN on Sunday is my mother's birthday.

Whew! 

Are you still with me?

Oh and one last thing, I need to film 3 YouTube videos within those last 3 days mentioned above. (Since I work full time and only have daylight filming hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).

Yippee.

Don't get me wrong. All of these activities and to do items are completely wanted and are looked forward to. I just need to "plan" a little for it all. 

I am writing this to warn you of my upcoming explosion of blogging overload.

I mean, I get pretty down, on outings and the holidays, when it comes to taking pictures. So much so that towards the end of the day, I'm usually taking pictures of turned faces and the palms of people's hands.

I know, who doesn't want their own personal paparazzi, right? And I don't charge (not yet) for my awesomeness.

So be prepared.

You've been warned.

Until next time...

I have failed you, Team Jacob...

Let's just say that my "Editorial Wolf Lover" look, didn't go quite as planned.

I mean, I got the look and taped it. But after viewing it, and showing the "all supportive" hubz, I realized it was just not at all what I was going for and decided to save myself the ridicule on YouTube - since I'm the next Michelle Phan - and forego my editorial Take A Pic! Thursday look.

Instead, you're gonna see an e.l.f. Haul.

Like my YouTube channel couldn't get any more predictable.

This was exactly what I didn't want my channel to amount to. A sort of bragging beauty channel, if you will, where all I ever post are the beauty products I've bought and how much I just LOVE them... and nothing else... No teaching, no experimenting, no nothing...

I want to run a BEAUTY channel not a vanity channel.

I know, I know, you're probably thinking:

Stop feeling all sentimental, like a littlie, and re-film a new look, dummy.

But it's not that easy...

The only time I am at home while the sun is still shining is during the weekends. Thus, the weekend is my filming time.

So in order to make a new video for this Thursday, I'd have to film one during the week when I get home from work and by that time it's already dark.

See? I bet now you're thinking what I've been thinking since Sunday night.

Foochie, this stinks a big one.

So like I mentioned below, I'll have to forego my "editorial" look and just post a haul video instead. 

Hope you don't unsubscribe from me?

But to let you know that I didn't just totally fall apart and start deleting all my video takes and photos of my "Wolf Lover" look, I saved a few photos that I thought was decent enough to expose here in blog land.

So please refrain from the harsh criticism and laughs. 

Andy already did enough of that on Sunday when this was being filmed and photographed.

ABOVE: I know this photograph looks a little weird, but it's the camera app I used on my phone. Supposed to make the photo look "vintage".

Vintage, my booty, it just added a speck of orange on my nose!!!

ABOVE: Here you can kinda see the shading I was trying to achieve on my face. In my opinion, the only down side was you couldn't tell how ridiculously huge and teased my hair was.

It was pretty ridiculously exaggerated. And I loved it.

And that is what threw Andy off - more than the wolf eye makeup - and thus, had him laughing at me.

So I decided to be the mature one and scream at the top of my lungs.

"THIS IS EDITORIAL, Andy, and besides, what does a BOY know about editorial??? 
Hey! You watch ANTM with me, you should know these things look ridiculous in real life!!!"


So even though I have failed...

At least I tried, right?

Like it or not, this is to all you Team Jacob fans out there!!!

Aaaaooooo! (wolf howl)

Hi, my name is Amy and I am a Dystopian Lover

Ok, so I just finished reading The Death Cure by James Dashner. 

And WOW. I Loved It!!!

This is perhaps one of my favorite series besides Twilight (I know, I know) and the Hunger Games.

All my questions were answered and everything wrapped up nicely. But the best part about the whole thing was the "Top Secret Documents" that were located in the back of the book. This explained soooo much on how everything started and came to be... I was so surprised at how well this author wrapped the series up.

I would definitely highly suggest this series to anyone.

For those of you that are into the whole romance aspect of books, be warned, this series contains hardly, if any at all, romantic scenes. The entire book is through a teenage boy's perspective, trying to save the world or figure out what's going on, so you know the last thing on his mind is to look for love.

(sigh) I know. So much different than how us girls would approach life in a dystopian society.

Anywho, after reading this and a few books (which I'll mention below) I've been finding out that I totally favor and am attracted to books with a dystopian theme. If you are not familiar with that type of genre. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia on what dystopian themed books revolve around:

"Ideas and works about dystopian societies often explore the concept of humans abusing technology and humans individually and collectively coping, or not being able to properly cope with technology that has progressed far more rapidly than humanity's spiritual evolution. Dystopian societies are often imagined as police states, with unlimited power over the citizens".

I don't know why I am so attracted to books and movies with this theme. I have to admit I am a bit of a control freak myself.

Hmmm, maybe that's why.

Deep down I am a sinister human being and, given the chance, I'd totally love to control the society around me.

Nah. The only thing I want to control is my husband. And we all know that's never going to happen.

Believe me, I've tried in many ways to control him to no avail... I've even resorted to tying him down so I could drill him on how I'd like for him to act.

Oh, come now. Give me some credit here. You and I both know I'm sooo not like that. Obvs.

I only wish and dream and hope and cry endlessly for the day when he will bend to my will.

Ok, moving on...

So far the books I've read, that are considered "dystopian", and have been great (in my opinion) are:

Bumped by Megan McCafferty (super hilarious book!)

Matched by Ally Condie (I just ordered the 2nd book, Crossed. So excited!!!)

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins (even though it's coming from a girls perspective, like the Death Cure, it hardly contains any romance)

The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfield (I'm currently reading the 2nd book, The Pretties)

So if you haven't read any of these and are quite fond of reading. I highly suggest you head out to your local library or book store and check these out! I don't think you'll be disappointed. 

Until next time...

I'll be Team Jacob, but only for this video...

Ok, let's get this over with.

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Whether you like the series or not . Whether you are a female or male. Whether you think all this hoopla is addicting or ridiculous.

You have chosen a team.

Consciously or not. You've chosen.

Trust.

Example: The other day I was excitedly telling the hubz about this Breaking Dawn party my friend invited me to. And while I was in the middle of explaining a few outfit options, he starts rolling his eyes. So i stopped talking and asked him what his problemo was. Because I know he doesn't mind me rambling off. He loves it when I do that.

You know what he responded?

And I quote "Jacob is dumb. Doesn't the wolves do some imprint thing to girls that means they are forever or something? Bella is not even that pretty. They better put more fight scenes in or I'm not going with you".

Yup. He said that. And you know what he meant by all that?

He's Team Jacob. Obvs.

I mean, why else would he care and get upset about Jacob's undying pursuit of Bella??? Heeelllo, he totally cares about Jacob's love life.

As for me, I am Team Edward all the way, baby. His unwavering devotion to Bella is so attractive, it sucks. (Pun not intended).

After reading any part that is Edward, without fail, I simultaneously sigh and look over at the hubz with a sudden need to slap him. It's reality, people.

Moving on...

So tomorrow after work (can I get a hip hip horray for half day Fridays!) I'm going to be filming an editorial video for my YouTube beauty channel that is based off the Breaking Dawn Part 1 Movie, which comes out November 18th. Yippee!

And since Halloween has passed (and not to mention I'm not a big fan of the "holiday" itself), I didn't want to make a Team Edward/vampire type of look, as I'm sure a lot of people might think I'm posting a late Halloween tutorial.

So I'm going to be Team Jacob, but only for this video...

When I say I'm doing a editorial video for Team Jacob, I'm sure the first thing that comes to mind is this:

 As much as some might argue that this could be editorial. I beg to differ.

I was thinking more along the lines of this:

And this:

So who, knows what I'll come up with. Only tomorrow will tell!!!

Hey, follow me on Twitter for updates and sneak peaks on my videos so you won't always get teasers like this here blog. Muahaha.

Until next time...

San Juan Capistrano Mission

Andy and I bought some tickets to the San Juan Capistrano Mission (in San Juan Capistrano, CA). It's the only mission located in Orange County. 

And, boy, let me tell you. It was ga-hor-geous!

From the outside, it doesn't look like it'd be big by any means...but it totally was. We were both amazed at how much was in there.

I, of course, was snapping way at pictures, while Andy was happily listening to his audio tour device. A total win win situation.

That is, until I started getting on his nerves by asking repeatedly, "Can you press Pause and take a pic of me, like, right now?" and, "Ooo! Wait, freeze in that position, I think I have a great shot!!!"

By the look on his face, you'd think I just asked him to show me his chonies and pose like the saints... Sheesh.

ABOVE: I have to say Andy actually got his art on with this picture... Usually when I ask for a picture of myself, he just rolls his eyes, grabs the camera, points and shoots. No countdown, no warning that my hair is all astray, just point and shoot. The picture above is one of his finer moments.

 ABOVE: Inside of this church, Andy was sooooo excited to recognize some of the symbols on the ornaments, walls, etc. that he's read and seen documentaries on. I love how excited he gets when he explains history to me.

ABOVE: We are not catholic, but this was too good of a picture not to take and then post. I love the deep shadowy look this picture gives off. So artsy fartsy.

ABOVE: Another good take from Mr. Andreas... Or maybe I just love pictures of myself...Hmm. :)

ABOVE: I have to say, I got down in this photo!!! Although, I do have to give the credit to my retro camera app I have on my phone that took this picture from being boring and making me look all professional... Apps these days are Ah-mazing. Seriously.

ABOVE: Again, another good pic Andy took.

ABOVE: A shot of Andy on his hand dandy audio tour  walking through what was once the main church building.

ABOVE: Annnnnd, me just being my random self and posting a picture of my feet.

We really liked touring this mission. It's too bad this is the only one in Orange County. To serenely tour the mission, it took us about 2 hours... And this included me bugging Andy alllll along the way to stop and take like a bazillion pictures.We definitely are going to check out other missions in California (most are along the coast). You should too!

Until next time...

Tides of Change...Again

Last night as I lay in bed, I decided to check the status of my YouTube channel that I started not too long ago. I wanted to see who my newest subscriber was.

Note: With every single new subbie, it feels like getting a vote for Prom Queen!!! I get pretty giddy with excitement and feelings of acceptance to the point of jumping up on my bed and giving the hubz a pageant wave to show him how loved I feel.

So after telling him that I got my 7th subbie - yup!!! SEVENTH SUBBIE y'all!!!

Move over, Michelle Phan!!! hahaha

Anywho, the oh so supporting hubz decided to ask me how many videos I've uploaded and I responded coolly, " Seven". you know, no biggie.

And then you know what he did?

He stopped playing his online poker game and gave me the world's most surprised look.

As if he actually couldn't believe that I've made AND uploaded SEVEN VIDEOS on YouTube.

How shocking!

So surprise turned into interest and he said he was going to watch my videos. I nervously handed over my phone so he could watch and proceeded to wait in silence (he was listening with headphones) and decided to critique myself harshly- since I know that that is what was about to happen - might as well prepare myself, right?

But to my pleasant surprise, he told me he thought I evoked the same amount of confidence as the other guru's I follow on YouTube! (For those of you wondering, yeah, he watches the beauty videos with me when he's bored and I am ignoring him).

And then he had a few suggestions for me, which motivated me to write this blog today.

He said he thinks that I need to have a POV (point of view) that will attract and hold subscribers attention. I proceeded to tell him that my POV was "low end chic", because I feel a lot of the girls on YouTube who are good (in my opinion) tend to focus almost all of their reviews, hauls, tutorials, etc. on high end brand makeup. And I know A TON of girls who can't afford that. So that's where I got the motivation to start my channel.

The hubz then made a good point: I still need a general layout or theme in my channel to get others to actually look forward to my videos... Kind of like a set expectation from my channel.

So that really made me think...

What if I created a personal schedule for myself to make 3 videos a week (ambitious, I know) but I would rotate every other week with themed videos.

Let me explain by just showing you my schedule I'm hoping to adopt and maintain:

1st & 3rd week

Make It! Monday - featuring DIY tutorials on everything beauty related

Whatev! Wednesday - featuring anything and everything that you probably wouldn't be able to make into a weekly video such as Hauls, Monthly Fav's, Announcements, etc...

Fabulous Friday - featuring makeup tutorials for going out, events, occasions, etc... (wearable looks)

2nd & 4th week

Tell Me About It! Tuesday - featuring products reviews and explanations on product uses.

Take a Pic! Thursday - featuring makeup tutorial looks that are more artsy and theatrical that you probably wouldn't exactly go out in public with but would be great looks to document by taking pictures of yourself. (beauty shots)

Such a Steal! Saturday - featuring cheap beauty finds worth mentioning.

So whatcha think???

I think it's fabulous and am soooo excited and motivated to get this schedule going.

P.S. What do you think about my front bangs??? I thought I needed a little change and also decided my forehead could use a break from the spotlight.

Until next time...