How lucky am I?

     How lucky am I? I'm very lucky. I am so blessed. So very much, because I live in a world where love and friendship exist. A world that has it's shares of troubles, that often seems scarred beyond repair. I don't know how the universe manages it, but after every inky black night, dawn breaks and the horizon gives birth to a brand new day.
     And I am allowed to step out of my house, which I am blessed to have. To step out, look up at the beautifully blue sky and let the warmth of the sun caress my face. To step out and breathe in air that for that first hour after sunrise doesn't quite smell like smog but instead smells like damp earth.
     Oh God, I am so blessed.
Love,
     Vicky

Some of my favorite things... Music (Oldies but Goodies Edition)

     Recorded music has been around for a while now... and yet the popular stations insist on only playing the hits from the past month or so, repeating songs like they have no other option. Here's a list of some happily recognizable, Karaoke-worthy songs:

• I Can't Fight this Feeling by REO Speedwagon 
• You're So Vain by Carly Simon
• Rich Girl by Hall and Oates
• Working My Way Back to You by The Spinners
• Pretty Young Things by Michael Jackson
• Tiny Dancer by Elton John
• Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
• Your Song by Elton John 
• Hurt So Good by John Mellencamp
• You've Got a Friend by James Taylor
• For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder

You probably recognize most of these, but if you don't, give 'em a listen. You won't regret it, I promise!

Love, 

       Vicky

Lavender and Pink Spring Look

 

     I know that for almost everyone, spring seems like a far-off dream amidst your snow-ridden reality... which sucks for you, I guess. As a Floridian, the cold spell we just had only dropped to 50 degrees and though that had me personally bundling up, I know that's balmy by comparison to anywhere else. Hopefully, though, this makeup tutorial will remind any northerners that there's a light at the end of your polar vortex. I promise plenty of corny, spring-themed headers, so if you're interested, keep on reading!
Step 1: Fields of Lilac
    Since we're using color in this look, doing the shadow first will ensure that we can clean up any fallout with a wipe. Take a shimmery lilac/pink shade (I used the base shade in Neutrogena's Nourishing Eye Duo in Sugar Plum) and you're going to pat this on the lid up to but not above the crease, leaving the inner corner bare. Patting it on will ensure high color pay off.
Step 2: Grey Mists
    Taking a light grey shadow (I used Maybelline's the Nudes palette), blend into the outer v of your eyes and into the crease. Blend above the crease but not too high onto the brow bone. On a smaller brush, take a darker grey. You're going to define the outer v and  crease, concentrating the color right in the crease. Blend carefully, reapplying if you lose the color.
Step 3: Fresh Faced
     Apply concealer, foundation or BB cream to taste, The defining part of the face makeup is going to be the highlight coming up in a couple of steps.
Step 4: Putting Curtains On the Windows To Your Soul
(I told you they'd be corny.) Take the grey shadow you just used and smudge it close to your lower lash line. Then, use your favorite mascara.
Step 5: Dewy Sheen
     This is my favorite part. Okay, so put on a purpley-toned nude (I used Warm Me Up by Maybelline) Then, take that lilac/pink shade and use your finger tip to tap a little bit on the center of your upper and lower lips. After that, dust it onto the high points of your cheeks. I know the picture I provided sucks, but IRL the sheen was amazing.

Love,
     Vicky

   

Things I wish I'd known in High School: Life in General Edition

1. Why so shy?
          Don't be, there's no reason for it. Yes, these are new people. But you're undoubtedly awesome, so be friendly. Who knows who you might meet?          
2. Don't slack in school.
         But that's so boooorinngg, says the entire teenage population in unison. Look, trust me, I know. but that C average isn't getting you into college. Work hard now so that later on you can do what you want without worries.
3. If they lied once, it's likely it will happen again
         There's something my mom always says: gentle as a dove, wise as a snake. Basically, don't be bitter and suspicious but don't be stupid either. The greatest indicator of future behavior is past behavior, so don't be surprised if someone repeatedly tries to deceive you. They do it because they feel they can get away with it. Be someone worthy of respect and demand it.
4. You don't have to be friends with everyone.
          ... Wait isn't that the opposite of what I usually say? What happened to "be friendly"?
Well, what I'm trying to tell you is that if you feel put down or uncomfortable around certain people, there are thousands of others in your high school that you can be friends with. The oldest friends aren't always the best.
5. Join clubs and take AP classes
              The clubs help you make friends and the AP classes add some extra points to your GPA. What's not to love? Yea, the work can be hard, but don't limit yourself. Give it a shot
6. Figure that whole studying thing out.
           What works for you? Taking notes? Index cards? Are you a visual, auditory or hands on learner? Figure it out now and you'll start learning more efficiently.
7.  Enjoy it
           No, these are not the best years of your life. Your life will be long and fruitful, you don't need to plateau after high school. However, these are four years like no other. DO EVERYTHING. TIME IS FLEETING.

Love,
     Vicky