9 moves and counting...

The ninth move for this little family is officially over, well, sorta. 

With every move into a new place comes a new list of things to find to make the house work for us. That includes new ways to organize and new routines. This means unpacking the kitchen first thing when you get in the new place, living with it for 2 weeks and deciding how it should really be organized. I'm currently in this kitchen process, again.

There are still boxes of pictures I haven't hung up on the walls yet. There is still a box of randomness sitting on my dresser waiting to either be displayed or tucked neatly away in closet to discover again in a year when we move. I can't seem to bring myself to take care of these items. They are always left at the end because I can't make decisions about them or I've just lost motivation. This time around its a loss of motivation. 

We have lived in this house for 2 weeks today and I am already over it. While the town is a little different than the last one we were in, I still can't seem to make it feel like home quite yet. Some places we have lived, it takes me 2 days and it feels perfect, these last two have been a struggle. It feels like that first move to Kentucky almost 4 years ago. 

Georgia always felt like home, from the second I stepped foot into that apartment, it just felt like ours. South Carolina was nice because we were so close to friends, even though it was short lived. For the life of me, I can't remember what Arizona felt like at the beginning, it was only 18 months ago after all. I know how I felt at times in the middle and I know how I felt at the end, but 6 months later I have a completely different view about going back to the desert.  

The last two moves have really left a toll on me. I find a lot of comfort in seeing Cardinals in the yard. I have seen a male and female cardinal in our new yard few times. 

Just now, while I am sitting here typing I look out the window to see the female sitting on the fence, then the male follows close behind her. They just sit there waiting for a few moments and then go on  their way. It seems every time I need some encouragement there they are again. I saw a couple of cardinals in our last yard too. 

The truth is everyone finds comfort in the things they want to see. Its a reminder for me that even this place can feel like home as long as I allow myself to see it that way.

A little bit of a ramble today but its just another reminder, that the adventure continues....

Life as the wife of a construction guy is never dull.

So in previous posts I have explained that we move a lot, well now I have a real life, real time example of how quickly moving can happen.

2 weeks ago in Nashville, right after we found out we were moving, again.

We have lived in this small southern town for just about 4 months, we are moving again. In just the past 2 weeks, my husband went out of town for work, and came home with a new project. Now this new project is great for his career, for our home life it made it a little stressful for a few days.

The new project is less than 2 hours from where we live now, but it is to far to commute every single day. He wanted to try and commute and stay in our current rental. I reminded him, "I don't move with  you, so I can never see you." The whole point of us moving around the last 3.5 years, is so 5 years from now we don't have to, unless we want too. (We seem to get pretty anxious to move after a year, so we could keep going.)

And just like that it was time to find a new rental home, just an hour away from where we are now. We got super lucky! We found a cute new little house quickly, and we are moving quickly, like in the next 10 days! Both, my husband and I, feel like we just unpacked here but at the same time, we weren't in love with it. 

This month of July has rapidly turned into a crazy one but this is where the tag line totally fits....

Let the adventure continue...our lives are certainly never dull and we will have plenty of stories to share later down the road.

Plus, I am trying out some new moving hacks, I'll let you all know if they help or hinder this process. We're pretty much pros at this point.

The adventure continues.....

Preparing Myself and Missy for boarding.

The last few days I have been struggling with the idea of boarding Missy while we travel for a few days. Usually, she comes with us or someone we know watches her. After all, she's my baby, I want her to be safe and with me whenever I can have her.

Missy used to be known as the great traveling puppy. My husband and I adopted Missy a month after I moved to Kentucky with him. We weren't married yet, I wasn't working or going to school for the first time in my life. She instantly became my companion. We joke that she is my dog and not his, but lets be real, everyone who has ever had a pet knows they pick one person to be theirs. 

Missy moved from Kentucky to Georgia, then South Carolina and Arizona, and now back to the south. She's lived in apartments on the first floor and the third floor, she stayed with her grandparents for awhile when my husband was in Missouri for 3 months, she had a yard with AstroTurf in Arizona. Missy has lived more places in her short 4 years than more people live in their lifetimes. 

One of her many trips to beach in Georgia.

She's made friends big and small, and is always able to hold her own with the big dogs but loves when her small friends come to visit.

Missy with her Uncle Cooper, the first time they met.

Instant best friends.

I was concerned when thinking about boarding her, she was owner surrendered in Kentucky at 12 weeks old. Someone paid to have her spayed and then brought her to the humane society for whatever reason. She is sweet as can be and was very timid when we first adopted her. I'll never understand why that person surrendered her, but I like to think it happened for a reason because I couldn't imagine moving all over without her. 

Missy adjusts to the changes we put her through so easily, which is what I have to remember while we board her. I, on the other hand, do not adjust easily to not seeing her everyday. When we realized that she was not going to be able to travel with us on this trip, I immediately started my own panic because I am overly attached to my animal. I kept asking myself if she could handle being boarded or if she was going to have terrible separation anxiety, I know I am going to. 

We live in a small town in the south that doesn't have doggy day care or anything super fancy, so I started researching veterinarians in the area. It is 2015 after all, I am a firm believer in a legitimate website, no matter how big or small the place and it should definitely have a Facebook page. So I found a handful online and made a list of the places I wanted to look at around town. Since veterinarians are our only option, it actually gave me a little more piece of mind, that if something happened they will be able to help her as soon as possible.

Then I obnoxiously annoyed my best friends and husband with the websites to get their opinions and if they agreed with the ones I was looking into. My best friend, who is the dog mom of a beagle rescue and a goofy little pug, gave me the reassurance I needed and said she would take her dogs there depending on customer service and the people.

So the next step to easing my anxiety was visiting the office.

This morning I was able to walk in and talk to all the people that work at the office, I took a tour of where they keep the dogs and see that they only boarded a few at a time. I even met the veterinarian and the vet techs.

When Missy was just a puppy we crate trained her for the first year. If we left, she was in the crate, when we were in bed, she was in her crate. She still loves her crate to this day, she doesn't use it as much anymore but if she's uncomfortable or nervous she will get in it, because she knows that is her space and she is safe. I think this is going to come in handy while she is boarded because she isn't afraid of it and knows it is a safe space.

The receptionist at the office told me I could bring anything I wanted her to have while we are gone. I can bring her beloved bed, her favorite blanket, toys, Nylabones and her food. Of course, I started thinking about all the things I think she will need and then reminded myself that she sleeps all day, even when I am with her.

Her current position while I wrote this post.

So I have decided to make a list for myself so I don't look like a total nut job bringing everything I have for her. I am definitely bringing her dog bed and her favorite blanket, I am going to limit myself to just 2 toys. Right now she is loving her Nylabone again and she could stay busy chewing on it for hours and just bringing one of her squeaker toys that she will play with alone. And I will bring enough food for her stay to keep her on the same thing so she won't be bothered by something else.

I think this is really more for me to move past my separation anxiety, than it is for her. We have moved this dog all over country, to countless new houses, she's traveled many hours in the back seat of the car. I know she doesn't love the car rides but she does it because she trusts us. I just hope she keeps trusting us but something tells me she will come back from her small vacation with more friends and smile on her face.



The adventure continues....

Summer Makeup - Tinted Moisturizer and BB Creams

My sister asked me a while back to do a blog post on tinted moisturizers or BB creams for summer. We all know when it comes to summer, you don't always want to paint on a full face of makeup because chances are its going to melt off your face at some point.  But you might still want a little bit of color to even out skin tone, add some SPF and moisturize.

I have 5 total, a few I've used for years, one I've been using for a few months, and the other 2 I picked up just to try out for this post.

From Left to Right:

1. Jergens Natural Glow Healthy Complexion - Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen for Medium to Tan Skin Tones
2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - in Sand
3. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - in Natural 05
4. Rimmel BB Cream Beauty Balm - in Light/Medium
5. Physicians Formula  Super BB - Light

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

• 2 Shades - Fair to Medium and Medium to Tan

The Jergens Natural Glow Healthy Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer I have used since high school. It has an SPF 20 and is oil free. This doesn't actually have any color but is a gradual tanner. Its nothing over the top it just adds a nice glow to your face the more you use it. I know I feel and look better with a little tan, even if its not from the sun. As I have gotten older, I am very cautious with sun exposure and coat my face and body in sunscreen. This moisturizer is nice, for when you need a little more color in your face to blend well with your body tan. However, when I first started using this moisturizer, over 10 years ago now, it was fragrance free, which I preferred. Over the last 2 years or so they have added a fragrance to it but the formula is still just as good.

I also love the Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, I have tried the original, the firming, and the 3-days to Glow, I always get the Medium to Tan shade and think it builds up nicely.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

• 15 Shades Original, 16 Shades Oil Free 

The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer I received in a Birchbox last year. The color is probably a shade too dark for me naturally but works well for me in the summer. It has SPF 20 and says "Lightweight Flawless Coverage" I definitely agree with that. Its perfect for hot summer days, either for shopping or just laying by the pool. It does provide a light amount of coverage, it will even out skin tone and add a nice glow. I think this formula can be built up a little to cover blemishes and small imperfections if you are careful. It works well with my dry skin, it says it can be used for all skin types. There is also an oil free formula, that would probably be better if you have super oily skin.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

• 10 Shades

The Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream has an SPF 30. This formula is unlike any other I have tried, gel cream is exactly what it feels like. It is super lightweight on the skin but has a nice light to medium coverage depending on how much you build it up. Its no surprise I had to try this from Bare Minerals, I just can't pass up the stuff they come out with. It works very well with my skin and doesn't make me feel like I have anything on. I did get sucked in to buying the brush that they put out with it, don't waste your money. I mean it is a nice brush but this applies best if you use your hands. Sometimes if I want to add a little more coverage with this I will use the Bare Minerals Tinted Mineral Veil.

Tinted Mineral Veil

Rimmel BB Cream Beauty Balm

• 3 Shades - Light, Light/Medium, Medium

The Rimmel BB Cream Beauty Balm says it is a 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup. It has an SPF of 25. I bought this last week to try out for this post. I am the type of person that can tell right away if I like something and am going to keep using it. I don't think I will use this again, I think it looks a little bit patchy and it is super thick. It was difficult for me to blend onto my skin with my hands. I don't love the way it feels on my skin. I think it might work better for people with oily skin, because I think the natural oils will help blend out and melt into the skin. I think the color match is perfect but there are only 3 shades so it might be hard to find a match for others. There is a new matte version as well.

Physicians Formula Super BB 

• 2 Shades - Light and Light/Medium

The Physicians Formula Super BB - All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream has an SPF 30. This was another I got last week to try out for this post. I can say I really like this one! It blends out super fast with my hands, has light coverage but you can build up a little extra coverage on blemishes or small imperfections. It doesn't cover them perfectly but does disguise them. I have been grabbing for this over my Bare Minerals all weekend. It is nice to have something to put on quickly, when I don't want to use higher end things. I have the light shade and it matches very well, with only 2 shade choices it will be hard to find one for everyone. I wore it out to dinner Friday night with a full face, sat outside in the humid southern heat and it survived. I did use setting spray but I was still surprised it was all there when we came home.

Honorable Mention: My best friend tried the Physicians Formula Argan Wear Renew BB Cream, she was looking for something that would be quick and easy for work that would provide her with a little bit of coverage. She says it feels like a light weight moisturizer with light coverage. I wanted to try it too but none of my drugstores had it.

Now typically, when I wear a tinted moisturizer, I am not looking for a whole of coverage. I just want something that will make me feel like a better version of myself. I still want my skin to look and feel like skin. If I do feel like I might need to set any of them a little to keep it from melting off because of the southern heat and humidity, I will set my t-zone area with a little Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent. This powder doesn't add color coverage but does keep things matte for quite awhile. And yes, once I found this stuff I couldn't live without it.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

I also tried the original Maybelline Dream Fresh BB, when it first came out a few years ago. It didn't agree with my skin and I broke out from it but I liked the coverage from it. I gave it to a friend with normal to oily skin and she liked it.

Hopefully, this helps your makeup bag and face get a little more summer ready! I know its already hot, humid and close to 100 degrees down here in the south, so I'm not trying to put my whole face on every single day! 

Let me know if you have another tinted moisturizer you love! I am always looking for new things to try!!!

And the adventure continues.....

Lip liners - The 90s are back!

Maybe its because I was a kid in the 90s and by the time I started wearing makeup, the thought of lip liner just seemed aging. Boy, was I wrong!

I love that trends seem to circle every 20 years or so, I think I would fit right into the 70s, bell bottoms and all! I think the same things happen with makeup trends, the 90s grunge and lip liners seem to be the big return these days.

At first, I wasn't sure how to start using lip liners in a way that lasted and worked for me. I definitely had to practice finding the best way to use them for my lips. With the help of a lip liner, I can make them look slightly plumper when I want.

My three best friends and I had a conversation a few weeks back about what lip liners are best. I don't think anyone needs to spend a lot of money on lip liners, most of the time you end up covering them up with another lip color anyway. My suggestion to my friends was finding a lip liner close to your natural lip color and you can use it with any lip color you want.

Now me being the way that I am, my biggest makeup obsession is lip products! Every time something new comes out I want to be the first one to try it! So I have spent some time collecting a few different brands and shades of lip liners. My favorite brands for lip liners are all drugstore because I don't want to spend more than $5 on one.

Jordana Easyliner for Lips 

 

Top to Bottom: Rock N' Rose, Tawny, Pink Love, Cabernet

Jordana Easyliner for Lips Retractable Lip liners are the first ones I grab for at the drugstore, you can find them at Walgreen's and Kmart for less than $3. They last a long time on the lips, the consistency is creamy and doesn't tug when applying it.

• Rock N' Rose - A nice dusty rose color, its a very natural color. Definitely, a great color for the trendy nude lip.
• Tawny - Slightly more pink than Rock N' Rose, it is a great natural lip color match. I would suggest this as one the best to use with any lip color.
• Pink Love - True pink color, great for pink lip colors or corals.
• Cabernet - Perfect vampy color for wine and dark plum colors. Great to use in the fall and winter months. I grabbed this specifically for a dark lipstick color I have.

NYX Slim Lip Pencils

Top to Bottom: Natural, Nude Pink, Pinky

NYX Slim Lip Pencils are another one of my favorites, there are so many color choices, you can find anyone you might need. And at only $3.50, you can stock up without breaking the bank. These are creamy and smooth and layer wonderfully with lipstick and glosses.

• Natural SPL 810 - is a new purchase for me but it works great with more brown nudes. Another one that could be used with any color.
• Nude Pink SPL 858 - is just that, a perfect nude pink color. Its a great natural lip color and can be used with nudes, pinks, or vampy colors.
• Pinky SPL 835 - is the perfect hot pink lip liner to go with a bright hot pink lipstick, which are some of my favorites!

Milani Color Statement Lip Liner

Color Statement Lip Liner in Spice & Anti-feathering Lipliner in Transparent

Now, I only have one Milani Color Statement lip liner but these are my very favorite formula! It feels exactly like lipstick in the form of a pencil. One of the best lip liners to wear alone. They don't make your lips feel dry at all. I also have the Anti-feathering lip liner, it primes and fills lines on your lips. I use the lip primer when I'm wearing a deep color lipstick, sometimes I put it on to use just with gloss to keep it from sliding all over my face. These are a little higher in price, depending on where you find them they can be between $4-$5, but they are well worth it.

• Spice - Perfect brownish- red color, the name describes it perfectly. It can be used to mute some colors or add extra dimension to nude colors.
• Lip primer - Keeps lips from feathering and preps lips for any color!

I have a few randoms that I bought for specific colors in my collection.

Top: Covergirl Lip Perfection in Passions.
Bottom: Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Ravish

• Covergirl Lip Perfection - Passion - This is another one that is super creamy and smooth. Feels just like lipstick in a pencil. This color a reddish pink, great for bright pink and red lipsticks. This is my most expensive lip liner around $7, its nice but I probably won't go for this first.
• Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner - Ravish - This is a dryer formula but still doesn't tug at the lips when applying. Its a nice brick red color. 

This is my whole lip liner collection, I try to take it easy on the lip liners and remind myself what I tell my friends: "You really only need one great natural color you love to wear with everything." If I had to chose one to use forever it would probably be Jordana Rock N' Rose or NYX Nude Pink.

I know, I know, that's 2 but I just can't choose one! Hopefully this helps you choose just one or a few to try!

And the adventure continues.... 

Bridesmaid Wedding Look

I spent a few weeks coming up with the perfect bridesmaid makeup for my Sister-in-law's wedding, because I have reached the point in my life that I cannot get ready quickly. I needed a look I could spend time perfecting so when it came to wedding day and I needed to get my makeup done in a pinch I was capable. It ended up working out very well, I was even able to do my little Sister-in-law and my Mother-in-law's makeup.

I also wanted a long lasting, fuss free look that I wasn't going to need to touch up through out the day. I did do a little blotting after outdoor pictures in the June humidity and heat but other than that it stayed very well. It even lasted through most of my dancing, I even have a picture to prove it. (Stay tuned to the end for the aftermath!)

If you want to see what I did, just keep reading.

This was a trial run in the natural day light. 

(#nofilter, just a window with closed curtains and the sun coming through)

At the Church, before the Ceremony with poor lighting.

Long distance shot from walking down the aisle.

Long lasting, no fuss makeup is all about the products you use. Its best to use things that work well for your personal skin type and claim they are long lasting. I have normal to dry skin, but with the heat and humidity even I can be a little bit oily. I will list the products below, in the steps that I applied them. I did my makeup at 1030 in the morning and it lasted all day, with one blot session before the reception, after that I was ready for a dance party and wasn't going to keep up my makeup. I did have to reapply lipstick but I was eating and drinking so that's pretty much a given.

After the Ceremony and outdoor pictures before the reception. A rare picture with my husband.

Before I even headed to the salon that morning, I made sure my face was freshly washed and moisturized. Plump, hydrated skin makes for the best makeup application.

1. Primer - Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer - This is the original formula in a sample size, its the primer that works best with my skin but can be used with all skin types.

I like to prime my face first and then move on the the eyes, that way I don't have to worry about eye shadow fall out.

2. Eyes - This is a process all on its own but it worked well for my eyes.

• Primer - Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer - Original Formula - It is a light skin tone color, evens out and perfects eyelids for shadow.
• Lid Color Base - Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Leather in Creamy Beige. - I use this as a base color to make the champagne color really pop on the lid and last longer.
• Lid Color - Loreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Iced Latte - This color made for a fresh open eye.

• Transition Crease Color - Urban Decay Naked Palette in Naked. - This color works best on my skin tone as a transition color from the lid colors to the eyebrow highlight color. It also helps blend out the other shadows.

• Crease and Outer V color - Lorac Pro Palette in Sable - I used this color to define the outer V and crease to give my eyes a more defined shape.
• Brow Highlight Color - Lorac Pro Palette in Cream - On almost any given day I use Cream as my brow highlight. It accents the brow without being over the top or shimmery.

• Lower Lash line - I used sable on most of the lower lash line with Iced Latte in the inner corner to keep it bright and open.
• Waterline - Rimmel Scandal Eyes in Nude - I almost always use this nude eyeliner in my waterline it makes your eyes look bigger and more awake. It also lasts through watery eyes, it was tested with tears and allergies. I also have very sensitive eyes and Rimmel products do not bother them.

There is a swatch of the liner on my hand, but as you can tell its pretty natural.

3. Foundation - Maybelline Fit Me Dewy & Smooth in 125 Nude Beige - I used my tried and true Fit Me Foundation, it matches me perfectly and gives your face a nice smooth canvas for the rest.

This is the original bottle but the formula is the same as the Dewy & Smooth. Check my favorite foundation post!

4. Brows - Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel and Loreal Brow Stylist Plumper in Medium to Dark - I do my eyebrows after my foundation to allow my foundation time to set into my skin. I use the pencil first and then set the brows with the plumper. It has small fibers in it that add volume to your brows. If you don't wash it off, it will last overnight.

5. Concealer - Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant and Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Fair - I use the Dream Lumi to help combat against dark circles first. It has a salmon tone and a thinner consistency. Then I layer the Fit Me concealer on top for coverage and highlighting purposes under the eyes, down the bridge of my nose, between my eyebrows, and on my Cupid's bow and chin.

6. Setting Powder - Rimmel Stay Matte in Translucent - I use this powder for setting my under eyes and anywhere I placed my concealer. I also used it to set my entire face for the wedding. It doesn't add color coverage but lasts for a long time. I also used this for blotting my t-zone before the reception and used it on the bride in her t-zone.

7. Contouring, Blush and Highlight

• Contour and Bronzer - Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder - I use this to lightly contour my face. I am not one for the famous Kardashian contour but since I have a round shaped face I like to give myself some cheekbones. I use it for the hallows of my cheeks, a little around my temples and under my jawline. If you place it in a triangle shape under your chin, it will help shadow a double chin too (one of my favorite tricks!). I also dust whatever is left on the brush on the sides of my nose and right under my bottom lip for some extra pout!

• Blush - Benefit Rockateur Blush - I have the Cheeky Sweet Spot Christmas blush set from Benefit but you can buy all the blushes individually. I love of all of them and think you could use any blush with this eye look. I used Rockateur for the wedding, it is a muted pink blush with a slight shimmer. It makes for a fresh, youthful face.

• Highlight - NYX Illuminator in Ritualistic - I absolutely love this stuff! I use it anywhere I placed my concealer earlier for highlighting, typically the tops of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, just above my eyebrows, my chin and right on my Cupid's bow to make my top lip a little fuller.

8. Setting Spray - Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray - I think setting spray is the shellac of makeup. It is the final step that locks everything in. On an everyday basis, I use the Urban Decay Chill Setting Spray it is cooling and hydrating. Since it was wedding day and I didn't want my makeup going in anywhere, I bought the small size of the All Nighter and it did not disappoint. I had heard great things about it but had never tried it. I might buy the full size one when I run out of this. My makeup really did last all night!

9. Mascara - Maybelline  The Colossal Volum' Express Cat Eyes and CK One Mascara in Black  - I think mascara is another personal choice but I also think that layering mascaras is the way to go. I was blessed with naturally full lashes so I can pretty much make any mascara work. However, on wedding day, I didn't want my mascara going anywhere, so I layered waterproof mascara for length and volume. I also always do my mascara after setting my makeup, so if I get some on my eyelid or cheek it removes easily without removing my makeup.

10. Lips - Liner, Lipstick and Gloss

• Lip liner - Jordana Easy Liner for Lips in Rock N' Rose - Jordana Cosmetics can be found at Walgreens and Kmart. Some of the best lipliners for $2.99.
• Lipstick - Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Chihuahua - Wet N' Wild Fergie in Fergie Daily in center of the Lip
• Gloss - NYX Plump it up Lip Plumper in Pamela - This does tingle slightly when you wear it, I don't see a whole of change, I just like the tingle and its minty.

The Too Faced Lipstick does dry matte and can be slightly drying to the lips.

I know this is a lot of steps and I do not do them every single day but it was a special occasion so I wanted to look my best. I also didn't want to be messing with it all day and it worked well for me.

And if you have read through this entire post just to see the end of the night picture....here it is....

I'm a little shiny and the picture is a little blurry but it was a beautiful wedding and a great reception. If there's music I am dancing, OK let's be real, I even dance if there isn't music!

I like to use high end products that I have but trust me there are plenty of drugstore gems out there too! Almost all of the products can be found at Ulta, except for the lipliner and Wet N' Wild lipstick I used which can be found at Walgreens.

The adventure continues....

Sometimes, you lose motivation and inspiration...

Sometimes, you lose motivation and inspiration even when its your current dream.

After my first few posts on the blog, I started getting nervous about where this was going and what I was doing. Ideas seemed to be dwindling quickly and I didn't know what to do next. I think I had spent so much time daydreaming about a lifestyle blog, that I forgot its just my life and what I want it to be.

My husband and I move a lot for his job and this last move has taken a toll on me. I knew it was going to be rough moving from a metropolitan city to the quiet south, but we had lived in the south before and I fell in love with it; I wanted to have the same experience in this new little town. To say the least, that didn't happen, it didn't feel immediately like home, like Georgia did. The move took a toll on me creatively and just in general; if you can't find away to get inspired, you certainly can't find the motivation to push through. So I decided on my own, it was time to take some time off and I shouldn't force myself into posting, I should only post what I'm truly happy with.

So fast forward a few months, we went home this past weekend for my Sister-in-law's wedding. My best friend has been pestering me for the last two months with blog post ideas and asking me where it had gone. I didn't really have an answer, besides I lost inspiration. Then this weekend it was like everything clicked again. No one would let me give up on myself. My other Sister-in-law asked me to do her makeup for the wedding, it was the first time I had ever done anyone's makeup. I usually just spend a lot of time playing with it on myself. People were impressed by her makeup and my own, I was surprised by the compliments. Everyone loves to be complimented! And it made me feel really great about myself, which sounds a little conceited, but everyone needs a little boost sometimes. I had people asking about where my blog posts were and why I had stopped posting. I couldn't believe how many people had actually been reading it and were really enjoying it.

Between, my best friend and my sister-in-law constantly asking about posts and giving me ideas to do, and the wonderful compliments I heard all weekend, I think its time to bust back into this.

Shanna's Modern Life started as a daydream almost 2 years ago and I actually made it a reality this spring. I need to remind myself when I feel like I cannot come up with something to post, its exactly what I always said it would be, a lifestyle blog, its my life!

So after all of that, I'M BACK!!!!!

Just a preview of the practice wedding makeup look! Come back for my next post with the details!

Let me know if there's anything that you guys want me to try, review, explore or answer! I am always ready for suggestions!

Sometimes, I forget that the ADVENTURE ALWAYS CONTINUES....

Fashion Friday - Everyone needs a pair of white pants!

I have been slightly under the weather lately, allergies in the south are on another level. I, also, hit some writer's block. There wasn't anything I was dying to share or anything I could think of to get my inspiration moving. Today, while I was online window shopping, you know, when you add all the things you want to your cart but don't actually order any of it. It might be something only I do, but it keeps me from spending unnecessary money.

I realized my cart was full of gray and white, which started me thinking about what I have worn the last few days. Its all gray and white. So, I figured why not share my favorite gray and white outfit ideas. At least one day every week you can find me wearing a variation of this outfit, mostly because I currently only have one gray v-neck t-shirt. I might have to go grab some more.

I try not to abide by fashion "rules", frankly I feel like if you like it wear it, who cares what other people have to say about it. I don't think anyone should save white pants for between Memorial and Labor Day. I also think everyone should have a pair of white bottoms that they feel great in, whether it be pants, crops, shorts or a skirt. I do think fabric choices come in to play for the season, but other than that go for it.

I realized today, I have white denim in shorts, crops, and flares. Basically, I have a white option for any situation and I am totally OK with that. White pants will make any tan look better and always make your bum look rounder. And lets be real, who doesn't love those things.

I put together a few outfits that include a plain gray v-neck t-shirt, mine happens to be from Target because they are my favorite, and each of my white bottoms.

Top: Mossimo V-Neck

Jacket: Old Navy Similar

Shorts: Mossimo Mid-rise Denim Shorts

Shoes: Sperry Angelfish

Jewelry: Monogram and Wedding Date Necklace, Alex and Ani Bracelets

This is the outfit you can find me in all of the time, or at least some variation of it. Its comfortable but still seems put together. It is already hot and humid in the south, so shorts are one of the things I grab for first. I can always count on being cold indoors, pretty much anywhere we go. I try to either have a cardigan with me or this jean jacket. I am, almost, positive this jean jacket is from the 6th grade but it has stuck around. Thanks for buying it, Mom!  A jean jacket is one of those items that is always good to have around. This is my first pair of Sperry's  and I have no idea how I lasted this long without them. These shoes are so comfortable and great for walking around. The jewelry is my everyday jewelry, if I cant decide what to wear I just wear this and it seems to work. It is my monogram necklace, a Stella & Dot bar necklace with my wedding date on it ( a Christmas gift from my best friend, and my Gemini bangle and my Crown bangle. These Alex and Ani bangles are always on my wrist, I think they go with everything and I got them as gifts from special people in my life so I like to wear them.

Top: See above for Link.

Jeans: Express Mid-rise Crop

Shoes: Target Mossimo Similar- Exact Match, Similar

Accesories : Target

This outfit is a little more dressed up, but these jeans from Express are ones I keep grabbing. I just recently started wearing Express jeans and I might only buy jeans from them from now on. I have reached a point in my life, where I have too much booty to be wearing low-rise jeans, I like to keep it covered. I am always trying to find the perfect style and fit in jeans. Express' mid-rise might be it, I now have 2 pairs of mid-rise in 2 different styles and I want to wear them all of the time. I think cognac accessories bring just the right amount of warmth to the cool tones of the white and gray.

Top: See above for Link

Jeans: Anne Klien Flare Similar

Shoes: Shi By Journeys (Old) Similar 

Scarf: Call It Spring (Old) Similar

This last outfit brings in my current obsession with flare jeans. I know its the 70s circling back around and I couldn't be more in love with it! Flare jeans look great on anyone with a booty, it balances the backside. I think it makes me look taller, but that could be the 4 inch heels I wear with them. I just love a flare jean with a great shoe peaking out when you are walking. I added my favorite bracelets and hoop earrings, with a cotton infinity scarf. This can easily become a wrap in case I get chilly. Nothing is better than something that can be an accessory but also has a purpose.

I think each outfit has a good basic foundation but any of the accessories can be moved around to make all kinds of options. I think its best to work with a good base that makes you feel comfortable and build on it from there. I can go from the grocery store to a night on the town with a simple accessory change and I love things like that.

Hope this gave you some spring, summer or any time of the year outfit inspiration. I like to have outfits like this for the times I don't feel like thinking about putting something together, it makes for an easy grab and go! 

What are your grab and go outfits, that make you feel like a million bucks?

The adventure continues...