MY FAVES // LIPSTICK
If you rifle through my bag you're most likely to find my agenda, wallet, floss, perfume, and a handful of lipsticks. It's no surprise that I am a lover of lipstick. Growing up I thought it was way too intense and was 100% devoted to sticky lip glosses. Thankfully in my early 20s I transitioned to lipsticks and I haven't looked back.
I own a variety of colours and I'm always on the hunt for more but these 5 have been my staples the past year.
From left to right:
1. Vegas Volt by Mac- This is my favourite coral. I find it to have the perfect balance between pink and orange. I usually wear this one in the summer when I have a bit of a tan, but it's also good for spring too.
2. Sweet Succulence by Mac- I purchased this one last fall. I usually wear Mac's Nightmoth lip liner under it to make it extra dark. It's a perfect shade for fall. (Unfortunately it was limited edition BUT I linked it to Mac's Cyber which is quite similar).
3. Pink Caprice by Dior- This is my go to barbie pink. I discovered it a few years back and was so happy when I did. It's a perfect blue toned pink that I had been hunting for. The texture of Rouge Dior is super creamy, which I absolutely love. I'd buy more shades if they weren't so flipping expensive.
4. Blankety by Mac- I was looking for a new nude lipstick and I'm thankful that my friend (thanks Rachel W.) pointed me to blankety. This is the perfect nude to pair with a smokey eye and it's been my go to shade this winter.
5. Viva Glam by Mac- This is the original viva glam shade by Mac and it's a great classic brick red. I usually pair it with their Cherry liner which is a bright cherry red but I couldn't find it when I took the photos below. If you wear it on its own, it's a true brick red. Either way I love it. (Below I added a bit of Mac's Russian Red to jazz it up).
What's your go to lipstick? Let me know in the comments because I'd love to know!
smooch, smooch,
s.s.♥.
THICK & CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Some days call for classic thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies. Those days could be hard days, sad days, lonely days, happy days, cold days, warm days...who am I kidding? Almost any day could call for freshly baked thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies. This is my go to chocolate chip cookie recipe. It produces exactly what it says, thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies...nom...nom..nom.
It's Monday, you know what that calls for? Thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies. :)
xo,
s.s.♥.
SEARCHING FOR SPECS
So I'm on the hunt for new glasses. I had my first eye appointment in two years yesterday and my vision has gotten a bit worse. It's not terrible. I can get through life fine without glasses but with them, I'm able to see everything very clearly.
Now that I have my new prescription, I'm lurking a bunch of sites trying to find the perfect pair. All the glasses above are from Bonlook. I'm really digging the "bonnie & clyde" ones and I think I might go for those in a tortoise shell, what do you think?
Happy Friday! Hope you have an incredible weekend :)
xo,
s.s.♥.
SEASONS
I've been learning about seasons lately. As you know, I've started my half marathon training. It's been a little bit crazy. On Sunday I did 17.7 km in the icy rain (yeah, not ideal…spring come soon!) The good thing about the training is it gives me a lot of time to listen, think and talk to Jesus. Recently I've been working through some of Steven Furtick's sermons. Last December he did a miniseries on seasons. Wow, just wow, has God been doing a number on my heart through those messages.
Let's just get this out there…this winter season has felt very loooooong. As I've said it many times before, fall is my favourite. But (along with most of the population) I do love summer too, and spring is great with all those beautiful cherry blossoms. But winter….well, winter is dark and cold and looong. Is anyone with me on this?
Personally, the past three months have been pretty right on par with the weather. Let's just say it's been a very emotionally draining time with a lot of tears, fears and angry runs and showers (please tell me I'm not the only one who hashes the hard things out with God in the shower?) It's been yucky and at times I've been tempted to make my heart as frozen as that icy rain that beats angrily against my window.
God's been teaching me though. I've been learning that I can't choose my circumstances, but I can choose my response. I can choose to be frozen, numb and bitter OR I can choose to cling to Jesus and trust that spring is just around the corner. I can choose to trust that God is doing something in me through this season, that He knows what's up and He is producing something in me that will blossom in its time. I will dare to hope. I will declare over my life that God is faithful.
And he has been faithful. He's sent me prayer warrior mamas who pray for me. He's sent me angels who've given me mani & pedi gifts. He's sent me friends who encourage, who give me beautiful frames with God's truth in it. He's sent me people who listen. He's sent me the Holy Spirit to fill me up and move through me when I couldn't even fathom being used by him.
So I will remain in him and set my sights on the sun and trust that hope is rising. I will have spring again.
Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.
- C.S. Lewis (The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe)
So I write this post not to depress you but to encourage you that even though you can't choose your circumstances, you can choose your response. God is with you and for you and he will be faithful through this winter season. Remain in him and let his hope arise in your heart. Spring is just around the corner.
xo,
s.s.♥.
ALT SUMMIT HERE I COME!
Well friends, I've gone and done it. I was 5 minutes late for my dentist appointment yesterday morning because I was in my car registering on my phone for Alt Summit!!! I've had many inquiries already asking what the heck is Alt Summit and you may be wondering too. Well, Alt Summit is a conference for bloggers! They get sweet speakers in and they teach a variety of topics. They also have craft tables and parties at night…wooot!
It usually happens every January in Salt Lake City. I was considering going next year but then they announced a week ago that they were going to be putting it on in June and I thought, "Well, I like the sun a lot better than the snow….I should register." I chatted to James about it and he fully supports my blogging dreams (love you babe) and agreed that I should do it. So with a whole lot of nervousness and excitement I registered!
Ok let's talk about fear for a moment. Registering for this kind of scares the crap out of me because 1. I don't know a single soul who's going. 2. I've never gone to Salt Lake City and going to an unfamiliar city alone is a bit overwhelming... BUT I'm choosing to not be ruled by fear. Gassssh, fear has held me back from so much and I'm not ok with that. Joyce Meyer (cool preacher lady) says "Do it afraid" and I so agree. If you're still scared after praying and talking with good friends than just do the thing that God is asking you to afraid. Chances are the fear will melt away as you step forward in faith and realize the fact that you had nothing to worry about!
So even though I'm afraid, I'm excited to step out of my comfort zone and meet fellow bloggers from around the world. I'm excited to learn from others. And Salt Lake City actually looks really pretty, so I'm excited to explore it as well…oh man this will surely be an experience for me!!
So the ticket is purchased. Now I have to book flights (ptL for points!), find somewhere to sleep, have business cards made (because they're kind of a big deal there) and plan my outfits of course (Rachel, you know I'll be calling on you for help).
eeeeeeeeeeeep! I'm a barrel of nerves right now, thankfully I have just over three months to pray those away!
What are you doing right now that's requiring you to step out of your comfort zone? I'd love to know so I can cheer you on and maybe you can give me some tips on helping me step out of my comfort zone? :)
xo,
s.s.♥.