Blog Every Day in May: Days 18-19 -- Childhood Memory, Fave Blogs

Day 18: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

 I have a lot of distinct memories from my childhood -- some fond, some not so much -- but one that always makes me happy is remembering Christmas morning when I was about 7 years old. We had a tradition growing up that my family and I would open our stockings on my parents' bed before we went downstairs to open presents. My parents would also have some of our presents on display as gifts from "Santa" -- usually the bigger items (which, come to think of it, doesn't make a lot of sense that Santa would get the credit for the bigger gifts when my parents had bought them!)

One item I really, really wanted that year was a big pink Lego castle. After opening my stocking, I ran downstairs and straight to my gifts and I was overjoyed to see I had received it! I started yelling, "I knew I'd get it! I knew I'd get it!" My brother got a medieval-style version. I think we played with them longer than most of our other toys, and I'm pretty sure they're still hanging around somewhere at my parents' house with all of our other Lego.

 Ah, the 90s -- best decade of Lego, yes? Unfortunately, I can't find a picture of the castle I had (the current ones are a lot different), so you'll have to trust me that it was awesome.

This was another favourite. Originally my brother's, I'd often play with it myself. (Source)

Day 19: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them

I hate choosing favourites, so I am just going to pick a few off the top of my head. Do check out my reading list though, as I love each of the blogs listed there!

1. Makeup and Beauty Blog: No doubt you've heard of it and probably follow already, but I love Karen's posts and how she adds so much personality to them. She's also a CCL (Crazy Cat Lady), so how can I not love?
2. Nouveau Cheap: One of the best resources for reviews and news on drugstore beauty products. I really appreciate G's thorough reviews. A must-follow if you enjoy drugstore products and/or you want to stick to a beauty budget!
3. Cosmetic Proof: There's always something fun to read on Jayne's blog and I especially love her empties and nail posts.
4. Beauty Reflections: The best way I can describe Tracy is "Rock Star." She has an awesome sense of humour, great style, and pale skin like me, which helps a lot in finding the best shades to wear! 
5. The Happy Sloths: So many great reviews, looks, and FOOOOD. You get two great bloggers with one blog! Jasmine is also doing the Blog Every Day in May challenge, though she is much better at it than I am and actually posts on time ;)
6. Personellietea: You have to check out Ellie's swatches and reviews! She's also doing this challenge, and love her childhood memory post.

Ok, I went one over, but I seriously could keep going on. I feel bad for not listing every blog I read! It's like listing my favourite internet cats -- I could go on forever.

You can read my previous challenge responses here and see the original challenge post here!

Blog Every Day in May: Days 16-17 -- Difficulties, Favourite Photo

Day 16: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it

 This is another difficult prompt, because my life isn't really difficult and I don't want to make it sound like I have it hard or anything. I guess the biggest challenge is dealing with depression -- it's a lot better now, but still something that affects my life. I've probably had it since I was a pre-teen but I wasn't officially diagnosed until I was 16 or 17. I've missed out on some things because of it, plus I can't really work outside home because I tend to get too overwhelmed, triggering a relapse.

It's much better now though, and I would consider myself happy. I know depressive episodes will happen again, but I'm not afraid of them anymore and I know I will get past them.

...That was heavy stuff. Moving on!

Day 17: A favorite photo of yourself and why

Photo by Seattle Dredge

At my wedding reception. I really like this photo (well, all the photos from my wedding!) because it shows off my makeup and hair. The hair was professionally done but my sister did my makeup (she's not a professional MUA but she always does a good job). Plus, it's a candid moment where I look happy and don't have a weird expression on my face. ;)  


You can read my previous challenge responses here and see the original challenge post here!

Blog Every Day in May: Day 15 -- Day in the Life

Today's (yesterday's) challenge, is well, challenging. A day in my life would probably seem pretty boring, so I skipped doing it on the proper date.

I don't think I even did this right, but here are some photos from my day today!

Day 15: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)

Summer Beauty: Coloured Eyeliner Featuring Annabelle, Nars, & More -- Pictures, Swatches

Summer is almost here. It might not feel like it in your neck of the woods, and until lately it hasn't in mine, either. But we're finally getting days in the 20s (~70s F) and it's definitely put me in a spring/summer-time mood!

One of my favourite ways to update my makeup for spring/summer is by using coloured eyeliner. It's such an easy, but gorgeous way to make your eyes pop. Plus, I hear it's on-trend, if that's something you look for!

How I generally wear it is on the upper lashline, with a neutral shadow that nearly matches my skintone to disguise any veins or redness. Add some mascara, blush or bronzer, a soft lip colour, and done! Another way to use is on the lower lashline, or by adding it above black eyeliner (double lining).

Here are some products I like for creating this look:

Pencil Eyeliner

Probably the most obvious tool to use! Many brands have eyeliner pencils in various colours, so it's really all a matter of finding the formula that's right for you. Wet 'n' Wild offers a good budget pick with their Color Icon Pencils (shown here in Green, far left, and Purple, far right). Each costs about $0.99 USD/$1.99 CAD and are available at drugstores and Walmart. The formula isn't spectacular, but the pigmentation is good and they last well enough on my lids. I think they're a great way to try out coloured liner without breaking the bank!

For a creamer, smudgier pencil, I like Stila's Kajal Eye Liner in Amethyst (show here between the ColorIcon liners). This seems to be discontinued, but can still be bought through Amazon. I found mine at Winners for $8.99 CAD or so, so I would check there if you have a store in your area (I often see Stila there, so there's a chance this pencil could show up again!)

WNW Color Icon Green, WNW Color Icon Purple, Stila Kajal Amethyst

Better view of WNW Color Icon Green and Purple

Green and Purple are both fairly easy to work with, though not as pigmented as Amethyst. You can see where excess product fell off in the swatch of Purple. I still think the WNW liners are worth spending a buck or two on if you don't have any other coloured pencils.

Eyeshadow Pencils
  
One of my favourite ways to wear coloured liner is by using eyeshadow pencils. I actually don't usually wear them for their intended purpose of eyeshadow! I find they offer better pigmentation and I like the thicker line they give. I have read some bad reviews of NARS' Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, but I didn't have a problem using Skorpios (above, far left) as an eyeliner. It's a beautiful shimmery copper which I love! (Mine suffered a bit of damage when I went to sharpen it -- apparently this one couldn't be sharpened, nor could it twist up either. It is a mini though, from the Beach Lover set. I'd expect the $24 USD/$28 CAD  full-size makes more sense.)

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils probably need no introduction. I'm (surprisingly) not that familiar with their 24/7 eyeliner pencils, but I expect these are similar. Delinquent (above, middle) is a stunning deep purple with purple sparkles, perfect for hot summer nights out or adding a bit of pizzazz (does anyone use that word anymore?) to complete your look. These shadow pencils are a bit pricy at $20 USD/$24 CAD, but might be worth it for the beautiful shades.

My most favourite of them all: Annabelle Smoothie Eye Shadow Pencil in Acaidasiac (above, far right). I could write love songs to this pencil. It is so creamy, pigmented, and long-lasting -- but the colour! One of the most perfect blues, in my opinion.  I highly, highly recommend this to anyone who loves blues. These pencils are very affordable at $8.95 CAD and are available at Canadian drugstores and Walmart. Annabelle.ca now ships within Canada and to the US!

You'll need a jumbo sharpener for both the Urban Decay and Annabelle Pencils. You should be able to find one at drugstores or you can buy UD's version. 

Annabelle Smoothie in Acaidasiac, Urban Decay 24/7 in Delinquent, NARS Soft Touch in Skorpios

The swatch doesn't do enough justice to Acaidasiac, which has more shimmer. You can see the lovely sparkles in Delinquent though, and the gorgeousness of Skorpios!

Gel Liners

Gel liners are also a great way to add a pop of colour. I love Annabelle's  SmudgePaint Creamy Gel Shadow + Liner in Plummed (above), a blackened purple suitable if you want don't want a bold shade, or prefer darker liners. The formula is creamy and easy to use, especially with the decent built-in brush in the cap. It won't break the bank either at $10.95 CAD!

Annabelle  SmudgePaint in Plummed

SmudgePaints can also be used as shadows, and I think Plummed would make a great base for a smokey eye!


You'll notice I didn't include any liquid eyeliners -- reason being, I'm pretty terrible at maneuvering them, so I haven't really bothered to try many. I know there are some great options out there, like Milani and Urban Decay!

What are your favourite types of eyeliner and brands? Do you like coloured liner? Let me know!


Products purchased myself. All opinions are my own.

Blog Every Day in May: Days 11-14 -- 10 Words, What I Miss, Apology, Happy Things

So sorry for slacking on this! I wanted to be caught up but I ended up getting a UTI on Saturday which kicked my butt into submission. I'm getting better now, so time to do the next four prompts!

Day 11: Sell yourself in 10 words or less

 Funny, strange, cat-lover, kind, stubborn... I need five more words for this?? Bad-at-selling-herself-apparently.

 

Day 12: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)

I mostly miss my cat, Oreo. She died two years ago and I still think about her every day. I got her when I was 14 and she was as close to a best friend as a pet can be. I couldn't take her when I moved in with my boyfriend (now husband) because he's allergic to cats. I did get to see her about once a week or more when I went over to my parents' house, but I really regret not being able to be with her during her last moment. I just hope she wasn't scared or lonely, and I am at least happy she was able to have a good home with lots of love, treats, and catnip toys.

RIP, Oreo. May you eat all the Temptations in Kitty Heaven.

Day 13: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.

(Source)

...and I'm sorry for repeating it now.

Day 14: Ten things that make you really happy

In no particular order:

• My husband, because he is my biggest supporter and always cheers me up.
• Cats, because they are gorgeous and cute and cuddly and funny.
• The Facebook groups I'm in and my friends from them.
• Really delicious food, especially if it's actually healthy.
• Finding a really good deal on makeup, food, or coffee!
• The tweet I got from George Takei (through my old handle, @minotaurbb).
• Jennifer Lawrence.
• Mint for clothes, accessories, shoes, and makeup!
• Those pet reunion posts that show up every now and then on Buzzfeed
• Lincoln, the former quadriplegic kitten. Look at the videos of his therapy compared to the recent ones. Such a happy recovery story! 

This kind of turned into a cats post, which is what happens when I'm not writing about beauty products. I need to go to rehab. Kitty rehab. They give you kittens there, right?

You can see the original challenge post here, and read my previous answers here!

Blog Every Day in May: Days 7-10 -- What I'm Afraid Of, Advice, Moment, Embarassing Moment

Catching up!

DAY 7: The thing(s) you're most afraid of

Death: Not so much my own, but losing others to it. I'm always afraid of some sort of accident happening, and whenever I or my husband get a phone call late at night, I expect it's to inform that someone has died/been in an accident.

Space: I am both in awe of and afraid of space. It's just so massive and we still know so little about it. I love reading about it, and I love space-based science fiction, and I'd love if there were some sort of intelligent life form out there. I think this video is great at putting the size of stars compared to our planet in perspective.

Fish: Yeah. I can look at them, I find them neat and all, but the thought of touching one? No, no, no.

Weird fish at the Toronto Zoo

DAY 8:  A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.

One of the best pieces of advice I received from a therapist: When faced with a conflict, ask yourself, "Will this matter in a week, month, year?" It really helps to put into perspective whatever trouble you're facing and to help you move on. 

 DAY 9:  A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)

Digging into one of my storage boxes for items for an upcoming post! Kudos if you can name any of these products/brands.

DAY 10: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill. 

Probably a couple weeks ago when a little bird decided to poop on my shoulder in public! I'm not sure if anyone (aside from my husband) saw, but I was still pretty mortified.

Jerk. (Source)

You can view the original challenge post here.

Blog Every Day in May: Days 4, 5, 6: Favourite Quote, Blogger Love, What I Do

Woo, continuing on with the next three days! You can read my previous answers here.

DAY 4: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it

Normally I would post something classic, but right now I am loving Janelle Monae's rap at the end of her new song, Q.U.E.E.N.:

Kudos if you read all that. Lyrics from here.

I find the song and lyrics so empowering, with a message that is much needed these days.
The rest of the song has great lyrics as well. I highly recommend you listen to it if you haven't already!

DAY 5: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member

All of you who have read my silly posts, shared your wonderful comments, and of course -- "the Cult of Nic." I won't name individuals as I'll inevitably accidentally leave out someone, but I'm sure you know who you are, and I appreciate you every day. Thank you for the support, laughs, and love.

Here, have a Nyan Cat Cake!

DAY 6: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

Well, I'm "funemployed," so I can't answer with a job anyway. What I do -- and what I want to turn into a real job -- is write this blog, test out products, and procrastinate. A lot. I can tell it takes a lot of discipline to be a professional beauty blogger! I really want to take this blog to the next level, which will require a lot of work to change my lazy habits, as well as skill level when it comes to photography, etc. I anticipate the day I can really, truly answer the question "what do you do?" with "I write a beauty blog."

The husband one is kind of right. (Source)

Click here to see the original challenge post!

Thanks for reading!