Let's get real, shall we?

This makeup video is amazing.  If you've ever suffered from acne or a generally poor complexion, or if you've ever had an insecurity, this is both educational and inspiring.  How brave, to put yourself and your biggest insecurity out for the internet to judge.

As someone who has acne-prone skin, there's a point of acceptance in life that you will only leave the house with full foundation on.  And it fucking SUCKS.  You don't get to do the natural, effortless, "I only need mascara and lip gloss" routine.  Instead, you get the "oh my GOD, there's too much natural lighting here" or "I wonder if they'll judge me for wearing makeup at the cabin" or "gee, I hope my disguise doesn't melt off my face by the end of the workday/date/party."

It's not like other body insecurities that you can cover with clothing -- unless a burqa is your thing -- because it's really hard to hide your face and people are so judgmental about it!  Do you judge if you see a girl in a long sleeve shirt?  Perhaps she's got a major complex about giggly arms. (Or jiggly... yeah that's it.) Believe me, I wish I could get away with a bikini's amount of makeup, but the burqa-coverage is how it's gotta be.

So add that to my list -- what are your insecurities?

A common theme amongst MN bloggers today.....

Snow sucks.  It totally fucking sucks.  And yes, we are all OVER IT. 

You know what else I'm over?  Living in my current place.  My car was broken into on Sunday night and the $30 worth of stuff they took was apparently worth the $226 cost to replace my window, and the additional damage to my door frame.  Add this to the two snow emergency tows and accompanying parking tickets and the not-budgeted-for-category "things happening outside" has cost us a good chunk of change.

Then there's a small.... very, very small.... issue of not having enough space.  We have plenty of stuff, and a big creepy basement to stash it in, but that will give the stalker/serial killers something to hide behind (TOO MUCH CRIMINAL MINDS).  Plus, it makes stuff smell basementy and cramming your stuff into a hole just makes your piles grow and makes you use LESS of it.  AKA hoarding (but I NEED those candy wrapperssss!!!).

Not-so-lastly (and this is kind of ridiculous), my bathroom leaves a little something to be desired.  Or a big something.  Made of whatever - grandiose granite or mediocre formica.  I'm talking a countertop here, folks.  A pedestal sink is no way to a woman's heart, let me tell you what.  Especially if said woman could fill an entire room with her beauty junkie habit.  And boyyyyy could she ever.  But we're back to me.  So there's this sink with no counter, and an inset medicine cabinet for a mirror that, if standing up straight, displays from my chin to my chest.  This doesn't exactly serve me well when it comes to getting ready "from the chin up," if you will.  "How then" you ask, "do you look so amazing every day, K?"  Very good question.  I wake up looking gorgeous, pull on some pants and head out the door.  Apparently topless.  No no, you see I've made some creative arrangements..... my hair stuff (it's a tower) sits atop my husband's dresser in our "guestroom" (videogame room), and my makeup is displayed prominently at our dining table.  But not the whole table.  Only half.  (That makes it better, right?)

And there, folks, you have an honest-to-goodness CRISIS.  Won't you please help those in need?  Kidding, that link goes to the Red Cross.  Please be generous, as the earthquake/tsunami (actual crisis) has caused millions of very vain people to be without bathroom counters to put their makeup and hair products on (and who are now extra crabby because they don't look as pretty).  And for the non-vain people too.  Give $10 extra if you laughed.

That's all, folks.  Thanks for keeping me on your Google Reader after like 234 months of not posting.

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I clicked it. I've officially applied to Spalon Montage. Woot!

After the passing of the first 19 weeks of school, I've decided it's time to get serious about my job hunting. So I came home, finished tidying up my resume, thoughtfully prepared my online application and poof! I'm done!

When considering where I might find myself come licensure and graduation, a few factors have come to mind:

1. I'd like to stay central - no Blaine, no Maple Grove, no Apple Valley (NO!) for me. I need to stay in the Minneapolis area, or at least the first tier suburbs. I think. Brian works in NE Minneapolis these days, and we'll be looking for a home (NOT in Apple Valley (sorry dad)), and settling down somewhere between our two places of employment, so the thought of being "commuters" really isn't our scene.

2. I want to be a generalist - I don't want to have to choose between cutting and color/chemical services. As a stylist, especially a new stylist, I want to really hone both sets of skills and be able to provide for my client's every hair need. Besides - we're not doctors, people. Physicians specialize because they have to learn [-------- this much --------] information about their specialty. I'm pretty sure I can handle the amount of information I need to know about both hair color/chem and cutting.

3. I'm really seeking a professional, high quality vibe. At this point in school, and at this point in life, I feel like I've really put in some good work, and that I kind of deserve to work in that sort of environment. And I'm not the kind of person to eff-up and find herself on Tabitha, so I've got that going for me.....

4. I enjoy the marriage of spa and salon atmospheres. I think that hair services can be very theraputic, relaxing and rejuvenating, and fit well into that ideaology. It also comes back to the idea of a one-stop-shop for all your beauty pampering needs.

5. I hope for the kind of place that attracts a regular clientele - aka NOT a hotel salon. While that idea sounds fun, I really want to have the kind of career where I see people all week long that I look forward to catching up with, and many of whom I could consider my friends. I want to hear updates on life, babies, relationships, jobs, travels, etc. and I don't want to have to small talk my way through the days.

What salon or type of salon do you frequent? I'm all ears!

So, this one time... in beauty school....

(Please notice my attempt at increased frequency. Or then again maybe don't notice so I don't feel obligated to keep it up!)

I know plenty of people that I talk to these days want to hear my tales of beauty school: what we learn about, what we master, where we are now, when we take clients, etc. It's fun to share, because honestly I never knew these things either before starting school! So, here are some fun facts:

What we learn
hair cutting, coloring, chemical services (perms and relaxers), makeup application, facial cleansing and waxing, nails (natural and artificial)

How the program works
We start out 100% classroom and complete 8-week cycles. Every 8 weeks we move up a step and a new class starts at the beginning: The Circle of Life. The program lasts as long as it takes us to fulfill our required 1550 hours of Cosmo school to become licensed (plus exams) -- there are, however, attendance requirements set by the school so it shouldn't take anyone more than a year to complete unless they take a leave of absence or something. I am "scheduled" to be done on August 24th, but due to planned absences (aka: weddings) hope to be done just a few days after. Will definitely be done by August 31st.

Learning
So far, at week.... 14?...we've covered just about everything. As we learn various techniques, we have a "model day" where we bring in a real person to work on - these have happened over the past 7 Saturdays that we've been in school. Starting at 15 weeks, we take our first paying client (if you're keeping track, that's NEXT WEEK), but still have classroom time 1-2 days a week to keep up on "other" skills that we don't always get to practice on the clinic floor.

How to be a client
Why, what a great question! I'm so glad you asked!! ;-) To be a client of mine, just follow these steps:
1. Call Aveda to make an appointment, sometime within my hours (Tu-Sat from 8:30-5pm)
2. Text/email/FB me to let me know when and for what you're coming so I can get you on MY calendar
3. When you check in that day, say you'd like to request Katrina M #67636 -- I will have notified my instructors that I have a request coming in, so magic should occur :-)

Life lessons at Aveda
1. I wish I had done this 9 years ago instead of waiting
2. ...BUT, I'm very glad not to be 18 and doing this, because those kids just don't appreciate it the same way as we "old folks" do
3. Cosmetologists / cosmo students are not the most intelligent people one might find in the world

And so so so much more.

That's all I have to say for now - lots of other things to talk about and discuss, so hopefully I get readers again soon. And a shoutout to Kelley who happened to check and comment on my anticipated return :-)

Why hello again, 18. And hey there, 27.

My skin is breaking out like MAD this past week!!! Horomones are apparently fluctuating, and I think I'm wearing my fair food on my face.... :-/ BOO! It's definitely a hinderance on my birthday week joy. I feel like a slimey greaseball and I HATE that feeling. Add that on to the warmer temps and lack of A/C at home and suddenly I'm a sweaty slimey greaseball. Yay me.

So, I've been debating what kind of present I might want from my hubby. Essentially, since we're getting tight on funds before school and since we share all funds he just asks what I want and gets it for me! I'm 50% "yay present!" and 50% "ehh that money could be better utilized..."

This is what I was touching on last post when I said that I'm caught between practicality and frivolity.... do I get something practical like comfy nice black close-toed shoes that I'll wear daily for school? Or something more fun like the home decor items that I'd picked out from Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware? OR, I could go entirely practical and tell him to transfer $100 to savings and skip the gift stuff altogether.

What might these two things have to do with one another? I ventured to Sephora tonight in the hopes of utilizing my 10% off Beauty Insider VIB coupon, spending my $20 giftcard (thanks to the Rohnes) and finding some sort of skin product that would make me feel fab. Well, wouldn't you know there was an Esthetician from MD Skincare right there in the store :-) I walked away with this cleanser and this peel system thanks to my lovely husband and his birthday gift to me -- shopping :-)

Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes!!

THE update:

I signed my life away at Aveda the other day. Oooooo!!! It's very very exciting and very TERRRIFYING at the same time. I'm thrilled at the prospect of getting a formal education in something that's been a long-time passion, but also scared at all the risk involved in delving into a new industry, especially one as fickle and inconsistent as beauty.

A few things:

I have to wear all black all the time: full-length pants, solid black tops and close-toed shoes. This means my wardrobe needs some serious updating. I have two pairs of black pants - one that's a little tight (ehhh) and one that's 3" too long on the leg (regulars are way short and talls are too long...). I have maybe two solid black tops that will suffice. And as for pairs of shoes - there's ONE I could last in all day. OY. I forsee a couple of bucks being spent on clothes to last me my 11 months of school. Huzzah.

I messaged my stylist, Kim at Cole's Salon Eagan Station, via Facebook and told her the good news. I also asked if she had any names I could contact to inquire about potential jobs upon graduation.... WELL, Kim said that Nikki (a girl I went to HS with who has worked reception at Coles for years) had mentioned me to their manager, as had Kim, so now the manager is all excited to meet me! I haven't even STARTED school yet, and I'm already desirable. What an awesome feeling!!!

OK, that's all for now!

It's time.

"I just feel like I have so much to say but no good place to share it. Oh wait, that blog thing...."

HEY, friends! It's me :-)

Bet you've stopped reading.

Well, things have been really busy. Really frickin busy. Between twice weekly softball games, trying to find a new place to live, visitors, showers, friends, clients, and family stuff, my head is kind of spinning!

The best bet for me is always an outline format. Eliminates that whole extra complication of transitions....

1. The pool is still fucking closed. Softball friend Taylor just moved to the Burlington and can see the progress (whereas my place doesn't have a view). Let's just say that there isn't any. I'm seriously furious and it's definitely caused a big hit to my emotional health.... it's the absolute foundation of my happiness in the summer months and now every nice day I get serious pangs of anxiety feeling like I should be out, by water, somewhere. Hey doc, I need a boost in my SSRI dosage.... yep.

But is there anything I can do about it? It was estimated to be finished by, well, yesterday, and clearly isn't anywhere close. I wish I could get a discounted rent, but I'm afraid to ask....

2. Business is good. Not referring to my day job, obviously. Although that's fine as well. I've booked a number of clients and just did two last week. I'm thinking of starting a separate blog through my makeup website detailing some of my work with the clients and such. Kind of make it a bit more personal and make the potentials and even those that I've already booked feel a little more "in" on the inner-most workings of the arteeest.

So, here's the schedule:
June 23rd -- did a boudoir session, super fun! I love doing these because of the extra "va va voom" factor. Everyone wants to vamp it up.

June 27th -- bride + others. Bride looked exactly like Kendra from Girls Next Door (except 35 and not annoying). Gorgeous!! Did her 15 year old daughter, and her 70 year old mother(s), so there was a good range.

July 11th -- another boudoir shoot shot by pal photographer "Callie V."
July 25th -- bride + others
August 8th -- bride + others
August 15th -- Erin's wedding!! Bride, mother, bridesmaids, self...
August 22nd -- Ashley's wedding to my cousin Mike!! Bride, bridesmaids....
September 12th -- Lisa's wedding!! Not sure of who....
September 26th -- Cretin Derham Hall homecoming girls
October 9th -- bride + others
October 17th -- bride + others

Then I start school on October 20th.... holy cow!

3. Softball is going -- and I have the MOTHER of all bruises on my right thigh. It's literally larger than my hand. It's about 6" in diameter. A fast hit, low-flying ball took a hop off the ground and nailed me. Yeeeowtch!

We WERE doing great until we had a game cancelled -- we've tanked ever since.

4. That's all I can manage for right now.... because otherwise I'll get distracted and never finish.

Hope you've enjoyed!

My New Website!

After discovering that my lovely friend Erin had linked my blog as my website in her wedding "vendors" listing, I decided it was time to toss something together.

Two days later and I have this:

KM makeup services

As I said, it's not a full-fledged work, and some pieces are missing, but should work well for all intents and purposes at this point in the process. I'm enjoying getting together a collection of photos of my work -- it's so fun to look back and remember those moments shared with friends.

Please let me know your thoughts and criticisms! And thanks to those that have already helped make it better :-)

xoxo,
KTM

Another Saturday, Another Gorgeous Bride!

This past Saturday, I had the privilege once again of doing makeup for a bride on her wedding day. What a fun experience this is! It brings me so much joy and fulfillment to make someone look and feel beautiful, especially on such an important day while surrounded by CAMERAS!

Saturday's bride, Jen, was so sweet and had such great features to work with. A beautiful bride, that's for sure. She has the most gorgeous green eyes with caramel brown in the center and holy schamoly lashes! I'll hopefully have pictures to share soon.

Some day in the near future, I'm going to create an online photo album of befores and afters of all sorts of friends, brides, etc. So look forward to that!!

Thank you, North Carolina....

...for not being a total fry in the Miss USA competition last night, unlike your friends Miss Arizona and Miss California.

The top 5 went into the Q&A segment. The first questions were easy and the second were more difficult, such as the questions asked of Arizona and California....

Miss Arizona: Keenan Thompson, celebrity pageant judge, asked if the USA should have healthcare coverage as a right of citizenship.

I can't find a quote, but she essentially dodged the question entirely, talking about politics and how she doesn't get into those arguements or something. It was weird.

Miss California: Perez Hilton, celebrity pageant judge, asked what her thoughts were on legalizing gay marriage in the US.

Her response: "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

Which of course was met with mixed reactions from the crowd -- some certainly booed but others, being they were in Texas, cheered. It was really quite appauling.

First of all, NO. People can't choose same-sex marriage. That's the point of the question. (And WTF is opposite marriage??)

I understand that you feel in your church that marriage should be between a man and a woman - no government will force churches to start marrying gays. BUT, from a legal right perspective, don't you think the courts can allow them to marry?

Oh, and honey you may want to watch your back. There are plenty of gays in the pageant circuit, likely including but not limited to: your stylist, your hair dresser, your makeup artist, the pageant producers, etc. Not to mention the fact that you represent CALIFORNIA and they'll likely have a bit of backlash for you..... Good luck with that.

Camera Ready: A Product Spotlight AND Technique Tutorial!

There are so many people who just don't seem to get it when it comes to mascara and curling eyelashes. I find lashes to be a fairly important feature when it comes to makeup. Like the icing on the cake.... Cue blog post.

I consider myself to be a bit of a LASH MASTER. You can tell me how you have short, stubby or really thin lashes, but somehow I'll still make you look like this ----->

What's that you say? You don't WANT to look like you're wearing feathers on your eyelids? Oh come on. Incase of dusting emergencies!! Eeew.

Alright fine. I'll tone it down a bit for you.

There are three important aspects to fab lashes: curling the lashes, mascara and application technique. Let's delve into all three, shall we?


CURLING

Most men and makeup-challenged women will look at an eyelash curler and see a medieval torturing device. BE NOT AFRAID. If 12 year-olds can do it, so can you.

The tool of choice: The shu uemura. It is, as their site states, emblematic.

Curling should be done before any eye makeup is applied. Open the curler, position the silver top bar right down along the lash line and against the lid, take a few seconds to make sure all the lashes are in between and then press together. This spot on the lashes is where you want the most bend, as it will make your lashes appear longer from straight on.

BUT, don't stop there! Move the curler out a bit on the lashes and pinch them there gently, move it out a little further and pinch there too. Look closely at your eyelashes, though, as you don't want the tips to be pointing back towards the lids. That indicates you've curled too much at the midpoints.


MASCARA

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to mascara. I, for one, can't wear anything but waterproof. I can't explain it, but NON waterproof makes my pre-curled lashes straighten back out. Frustration ensues. So, I don't fight it and stick to the WP formulas.

While it's difficult to find that one kind that works well on everyone, I think I may have found a contender or two....

#1 Budget Fave: CoverGirl Lash Blast - While I tire of the "Fat tube = FAT lashes!" concept, I absolutely love this stuff - both the formula and the brush. (Although it's a bit TOO fat at the end for those little lashes.)

#2 Splurge Fave: Chanel Inimitable - Ahhhh perfection. For a mere $29 a tube, it can be yours. :::pauses::: My thoughts exactly.

APPLICATION

For many mascaras, a brand new tube means too much product comes out on the brush. A quick swipe through a piece of paper, paper towel or rough (so as not to leave lint) tissue/toilet paper should solve those goopy messy woes of a new tube.

Wiggle the brush side to side at the roots of the lashes to get the bristles in between them. Move the brush outward, continuing a little of the side-t0-side to get a good coating. Add a couple more swipes to complete the first coat.

After you've finished up the "first coat," it's important to take this moment to separate your lashes while they're still tacky from the mascara.

I SWEAR by metal eyelash combs a la the one at right by Sonia Kashuk (Target!). Nothing works better to really get in there, separate the lashes, get rid of gobs and make them look feathery.

Once you've done some separating, you can apply another coat. Annnnnd again, grab your comb and separate. This repetition will build up the thickness of the lashes while maintaining the separation.

Voila. Hope this brings you to a new level of lashiness.

I rock.

Would you take a look at this? I mean, granted some credit can be given to Dan, Candy and GOD, but the makeup.... all me, baby. And can you believe how gorgeous she is???

Doing makeup for weddings is on the top of my list of things that make me happy. There's nothing greater than making a bride feel AMAZING on her wedding day. And when I step away and watch them look at themselves in a mirror, that's one of my favorite moments. Or when they turn to their mother, best friends, etc. and they all bask in her glow and rave about her beauty, I know I've made it happen for that bride. One of the UTMOST important thing about any woman's wedding day is that she feel stunning, radiant and gorgeous.

My process for preparing for the day always involves finding out more about the bride's usual makeup, what she wants to accentuate, her trouble spots, and a photo helps too. Every woman who wears makeup has their "it" things, whether it be flawless looking, non-oily skin, lots of bronzer, mascara mascara mascara, beautifully blushed cheeks or a pension for heavy eyeliner. Taking those into consideration immediately puts her at ease to know someone is going to give the same time and attention to those as she would for a special occasion.

I literally study these things and the photo(s) before the big day. I try to determine bone structure, how to best accentuate the eyes, skin tones and texture, eye color, etc. When asking for photos, I always ask for a picture that she feels she looks gorgeous in. That helps me to determine how she wants to look in photos. If she's 50lbs thinner in the picture, I'll be sure to contour her better. If she's got a nice glowing summer tan, I'm looking for where her face tans.

The point of all this? I love to do wedding day makeup and I'm fucking awesome at it. That's my point.

(But secretly, it still intimidates me just a little!)

Camera Ready: Technique Tutorial

Contouring with makeup is the concept in which you use light and dark shades to bring forward certain parts and visually "sculpt" your face. Many people will use contouring techniques when putting on eyeshadow and liner, but don't realize that the same principles apply to the rest of the face (and even the body!). The use of contouring technique can make a woman look thinner, naturally gorgeous and modelesque (um, where do I sign up??).

In recent years, the use of highlighters has become more popular, but it's a much broader concept than a little shimmer on the cheeks; it's the combination of highlight and strategic bronzer application (preferrably one without any shimmer; it's okay on the cheeks, but gets to be overload on the whole face) that work in tandem to achieve all that was promised above.

Recently, I spotlighted two favorites - Benefit's High Beam and "10" - that I use regularly in my contouring routine. The example picture below will look similar to that, but more like a kid's facepainting book!

I know, I know... ;-)

The use of highlight and "lowlight" will differ from face to face, but this is a general idea of how to apply. Some noteworthy considerations include bone structure and face shape. For example, you don't want to highlight a very thin nose as above, because it will only make it appear thinner.

And there you have it - gorgeousness! Need more detail? Just email me!

xoxo

KTM

"Making It" In Makeup

While pondering my future career aspirations over the past few weeks and the issues surrounding my start with Aveda, I've found myself considering the option to start doing makeup for weddings as often as I possibly can. Sounds like fun, but there are a few factors to consider:

1. It'd take a great deal of investment to get my makeup kit to a semi-professional level. We're talking hundreds of dollars. More foundation colors & types, more powder colors, eye shadows, brushes, etc.

2. Who even knows WHEN I'll start school, but I'd be hesitant to make any bookings for fall, as I would feel terrible having to cancel.

3. I can imagine that it'll be extremely difficult to get business. Not to mention the fact that I'll be essentially on hiatus from it for the entire duration of Aveda, so once I get to the point that I do have some word of mouth advertisement, I'll be in school an unable to take clients.

4. I know I need to do hair, as a career in makeup is not exactly a sustainable idea. And in order to do that, I need an education and licensure, so it's not like once I get into the groove of special occasion makeup that I can do that 100%. I also really enjoy hair as well, and look forward to delving into that skill a bit further.

All in all, I'm just having a really difficult time trying to map out the road between the here and now and the beginning of my new career.

Until then, I fully plan to start work on a portfolio of makeup looks using some friends as model.... who wants to volunteer??

xoxo

KTM

Camera Ready: A Product Spotlight

Makeup Forever - HD Powder

Use: A fine, flawless (translucent) finishing powder

I sometimes wish Sephora would stop giving me the deluxe free samples that I'm continually earning (via purchase points). It inevitably gets me hooked on another product....

Such was the case with the HD Powder - a sample that I'm now hooked on. Thank you Sephora, here's my paycheck.

The point behind the product is the illusion of flawlessness (sign me up!!). It's completely invisible, but gives a "soft focus" or "airbrushed" appearance to the skin. I also love the way it sets everything and makes my pores disappear (!!!).

I'd previously tried something similar with Bare Escentuals "Mineral Veil," but feel this product is more sophisticated. The powder is light as air, a bit finer, and feels like a dream.

It's used as a setting powder after you're finished with everything else. At first, you'll feel like your face looks a bit more pale and dry, but this is because it intially will take away any "sheen" to the skin. After a bit, it will settle in and look more natural. Powders applied on top of this will likely not stick.

The "highlighter" products I mentioned in the last Camera Ready post are a bit toned down after my application of this powder, but I don't find that to be a nuisance. I think it balances out quite well between plain and "highlighted" and eventually gives a perfect finish.

Lastly, I am especially keen on this product because I have an oilier complexion. I love the light powdery feel of it. For those with dry skin, I do feel it will still work well, but remember to keep your face exfoliated and hydrated (to maintain the moisture barrier between your insides and the environment) and you should still reap the benefits!

xoxo

KTM

Camera Ready: A Product Spotlight

Lucky you, it's a twofer!

Benefit Cosmetics - High Beam

Use: a lovely pink highlighting cream

Benefit Cosmetics - "10"

Use: a perfect combo of highlighter and bronzer to bring out cheekbones

Combine these products and watch your cheekbones scream "Hi! I'm GORGEOUS!"

The High Beam cream is a beautiful flattering pink to illuminate your "high points." Highlighter is necessary to add dimension to the face, making you look like you're rockin' some killer God-given bone structure. Most of us are not so lucky. The cream blends well over liquid foundation, but doesn't work quite as well over powder. And a little goes a long way! Blend smartly -- don't get it into the wrong zones or it will lose the cheekbone-y effects.

Grab the "10" powder, sweep the brush across the stripes and don't blend the two colors together. Run the brush along the cheekbone with the pink on top and the bronze below. Rather than a "straight line" do more of a Nike swoosh arcing along the roundness of the apple of the cheek.

Here's best-practice application, visually speaking --

High Beam cream


"10" Powder


I'm not lying when I tell you that I'm obsessed with these products.

xoxo

KTM

I think I hear God laughing.

I'm trying to plan for my future. Many of you know I'm in the process of enrolling at the Aveda Institute for a cosmetology program. WELL, apparently my social calendar is just TOO BUSY for me to start school.

Aveda has a really strict attendance policy. All of which is completely understandable. It's an 11-month program, has the MN cosmetologist licensure requirements to adhere to and therefore only allows 77.5 hours of absence. Not a huge deal over the course of a year, especially considering that there are appropriate holiday breaks and a "mid year sanity break."

The issue comes into play when one learns that only 26 of those missed hours can be on Saturdays. That's 3 days and 2 hours total..... I now have FIVE weddings (assuming an invite to my cousin's wedding, date in August yet to be confirmed) between March 28th and September 12th.

I was hoping to start school on March 10th: get my schooling done, get into the job, eventually start having babies. This now means that I will have to either a) delay my start date until OCTOBER 20th -that's a grad date of Sept 2010- or the unlikely b) miss some weddings.

Oh, and the other super great piece is that if you go over those amounts they've pre-determined, you're termed from the program without appeal.

GOD, I should have done this 5 years ago.

xoxo

KTM

It's unfair, really.

They say like attracts like. I think I want to hold tightly to this motto and never let it go.

After completing a recent (visual) (non-formal) survey, I've discovered that I have really really ridiculously good looking friends. Oh, and they're smart, funny, talented and successful, too. I could use the term fabulous, but it really doesn't do them justice. They're stunning; they're amazing.

So.... in consideration of my new motto listed above, does this make me amazing by association? It's okay if it does. Because either I AM amazing, or my friends really aren't as smart as I may have implied to have a less-than-amazing friend like me around.

I mean it though - they truly are great people. They've accomplished great things (pharmacist, law student, new mommy, improv comedian), they look wonderful and have great style, and they are all just the most sweet, genuine, and wonderful people. The men that love them should consider themselves extremely lucky.

And to those other fortunate men out there that have yet to find their way to my incredible single friends, don't be intimidated by their beauty and fantasticalness, but also don't fuck up ;-)

xoxo
KTM

Camera-Ready: A product spotlight

M.A.C Brush #187 - Dual Fibre Brush

Use: applying foundation, bronzer, blush, highlighter, finishing powder

I absolutely love this brush. I use it daily for foundation and if it didn't have the residue from the liquid foundation on it, I would really like to use it with my finishing powder as well. I'm considering buying a second smaller version for this purpose.

I wasn't exactly sure about it's use when I saw it in stores; there were little blurbs about what it's meant for, but I still didn't entirely understand. Sephora has this type of brush and described it in stores to "blend face products - wet or dry - into the skin for a flawless finish." But.... how exactly?

Pick up your product on the white nylon fibers and stipple (dot) on, then blend in with circular motions. You can do as little or as much coverage as you prefer.

Ahhh, perfection!

KTM

Blush, yes, but ART? Not even close.

Our girls weekend at Grand View Lodge was fabulous! We started with 8 and welcomed a 9th with the help of some circular Patron shots and a little Lamaze technique. Don't ask. We had plenty of food, booze, and a whole crapload of fun.

In the wee small hours of Sunday morning, a personal moment of bliss and brilliance occured (shear genius?). While we were going for vintage-sleepover and brushing each other's hair, the wonderfully crazy Kathryn decided to begin teasing dear Andrea's hair. From that chaos, I found a dose of clarity.

We ended up competing in a "tease off" -- while I could not compete with the "organic" and "primitive" effect that her "front-combing" technique provided, my "modern" styles did win in the structure and vision departments. It's pretty frickin' avant garde, if I do say so myself.

If a little hairspray, a brush and a few bobby pins can result in these creations, what could I do with the proper training and tools at my fingertips? My mouth waters at the prospect.


Aubrey -- Spartan soldier helmet?



Kathryn -- Roman warrior princess?

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Somewhat similarly, I've been catching Lifetime's reality show BLUSH -- a makeup artist spin on the Project Runway idea. While I do believe the artists to have true talent and occasional inspiration, I find myself disappointed on a weekly basis! These people are commissioned to create art, and they perform so POORLY, it just makes me fume.

For example: one of this week's challenges was to makeover twins into a "good twin/evil twin" look. FAIL.
















The only difference I see is a little extra darkish eyeshadow, some liner and some ratted hair (I wonder if the hair stylist "front combed" it). Really? That's "evil??" If I had been a contestant on the show, I would have gone a bit crazy. Here's a tip - if the theme is something dramatic like 'evil,' maybe that's a good indicator to take the concept outside the box and the eyeshadow outside the lines. Yes? Yes. My other idea was to make the "evil" twin look angelic on the outside and the "good" twin wear the dramatic makeup -- OMG, I would totally win this show.

And Andrea, if you're reading this: go buy new makeup brushes. ;-)

Peace, love and a Shu Uemura,

KTM