Beauty School

If there is one question consistently on the petite person's mind it has got to be: how do I portray myself in a way that conveys my actual age (i.e not 12 years old.)

Now I'm going to preface this straight off by saying that I am by no means a "beauty person." I didn't put on so much as a swipe of mascara until my junior year of high-school. We're talking curly hair thrown back in a braid, hoodie, jeans, out the door at the last possible second kind of routine. 

Then after a really quite awful sophomore year, I discovered something magical. Going into my day feeling pulled together and pretty did wonders for my self confidence. With the right shade of lip gloss and a good blow out-I suddenly believed I could conquer the world. 

Flash forward 4 years and I am probably, by most standards, considered a high maintenance girl. My showers take about 45 minutes and I won't even go to the gym without makeup.

                                          

I certainly don't look like I spend a ton of time on my appearance and that's the way I like it. For me it's more been about finding out exactly what colors and textures of products work with my skin tone-and I have been meticulous with my standards. I want to look exactly like myself except the me who is on her top game-refreshed, bright eyed and ready to attack.

You may notice that some of these products are on the pricier side but I can honestly say-that for me each of them has no substitution.

Makeup Forever HD Foundation

The MakeUp Forever HD foundation is literally a godsend that glides seamlessly over my skin, leaving my complexion looking like it must have looked when I was 5.

 Blinc Mascara in Dark Brown

I'm supremely lazy still at heart so I adore the Blinc mascara purely for how easy it comes off. Just apply hot water to your lashes and the little fibers come right off no hassle. I will say though that if you are looking for volume versus length, this is not the mascara for you.

MAC Mineralize Concealer 

I am chronically sleep deprived (hello 5am practice) so dark circle coverage is a must and there is nothing that works quite as well as MAC Mineralize Concealer. It's like fairy dust that magically makes your skin glowy and bright.

Neutral Territory 2 by Clinique 

I adore a palette and Neutral Territory 2 by Clinique is by far my favorite. There is literally not one single bad color out of the 8. You know its a good palette when every color is completely used up by the time it hits the bin. The super chic mirrored packaging is only a bonus.

I never thought that one of the longer posts I would write would be about beauty products and yet here it is. But hey, I believe whatever gets you out the door in the morning with a spring in your step feeling capable, and confident should be celebrated.

I've got my Love to Keep me Warm

                                            

I'm ridiculously excited to have this post to share with you all :) 15 years from the last time I was able to convince anyone to match with me, while walking through LL Bean in Allentown, Pennsylvania a Christmas miracle happened. After coming upon a rack of fabulous Scotch plaid flannels me, my sister and all my cousins decided we had to have it. We even found it in the mens department for Patrick. 

We can all attest first hand that the flannel is super comfy and versatile. I was terrified that I would look like an undersized lumber jack but in fact, it is just form fitted enough that I don't drown and instead look sporty and effortless. 

I love seeing how the 6 of us styled the shirt-but I think we agree that the best part of the whole look is our genuine smiles. 

Thanks LL Bean for this adorable family moment- and I am sorry to any PA prepsters who tried to buy this shirt after New Years...we totally bought out the store of any size that wasn't a LG or XL.

PS. I also own everything in the above LL Bean shopping list with the exception of the tote. The petite sizing in the fisherman knit and the vest are spot on (although the sweater runs a little short, so keep that in mind.) I wear an XXS in the sweater and the flannel and an XS in the vest (it doesn't come in XXS but is adjustable.)