The November Grateful Challenge! Part 1

Living the hustle and bustle of life makes it easy to forget our many blessings. We get caught up in life and we do really forget to stop and smell the roses.

I've decided to take part in the November Grateful Challenge! The November Grateful Challenge (or 30 Day Grateful Challenge, whichever or whatever you want to call it) is about taking the time to recognize what you are grateful for each day in November.

I will do weekly compilations instead as they give me an opportunity to really reflect on the past week instead of rushing to post something daily. It's just easier for me. You may choose your own execution! :)

Let's begin! :)

1. Welcome to the world, Baby J. You came two weeks early!  I am so happy you're healthy and that you gave your mom (one of my closest friends from high school) an easy time with the delivery! :) You are immensely loved <3

2. I came across this photo last week on Pinterest. Just looking at this little guy makes me happy. I had dinner  and went shopping with Ben last night and I must say, this is how he makes me feel :) (*Cue the cheesy "awwww"s)

(Original picture source: unknown)

3. This Mickey/Minnie Mouse hooded sweatshirt from Uniqlo. It's just a sweater you may say, but there's so many things about it that make me feel so happy and blessed!

a) It was on sale from $29.90 to $19.90! 

b) Who doesn't love Mickey and Minnie?? 

c) I write a lot about my little nephew. He loves Mickey whom he calls "Baka" (I'm not sure how he got that! LOL). I knew that him seeing me in this sweater would make him oh so happy! A smile and sparkle in his eye are things that warm my heart immensely. 

(Here's a mini sneak peak of my hair chop! Read why I did it here)

What are you are grateful for this week?

<3<3<3

Im Cabaret, Au Cabaret, To Cabaret!

Last Saturday, I watched a live showing of my favorite musical ever - CABARET! 

My English teacher in high school was very theatrical. I am so thankful she introduced the 1972 movie version with Liza Minnelli to us. I fell in love and it's been one of most favorite productions of anything of all time!! 

If you like musicals, Cabaret is definitely one to check out if you haven't heard of it already. Don't be fooled though. Musicals typically sound "happy." This is a dark musical but with many lessons to be learned!

It takes place in Berlin right before the Nazis come to power. It highlights social and political issues that still parallel today's societal issues. I am not going to give a full synopsis of the film or preach about social issues. I'm not trying to make a political or social statement.

In a nutshell, it is a drama of love, lust, passion, political and social dismay, avoiding reality, change and acceptance.

The movie is amazing, but seeing it live in front of me was 10x more absolutely amazing. Still, no one (in my book) can beat out the voices of Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, but the live cast is still very talented. Their voices were powerful. Their acting moving. I got goosebumps on several occasions and even teared up a few times. 

GAHHH...Pardon me, I'm totally gushing. I just really really really love this musical if I haven't made it clear already. I love it so much I am seeing it again in two weeks and possibly a third time. Obsessed, I know. I just really adore talent and a classic!

WHAT I WORE:

I apologize. This is a very sloppy "What I Wore" as I just didn't have much time to take better photos. I took this while waiting for my curling iron to heat up.

Cabaret is very out there in fashion. At least for the women, it's flashy, it's raunchy, it's edgy, it's gaudy. After all, it is a cabaret. When I think of Cabaret, I think of the color schemes black, white and red which is what I went for.

Let's use our imagination!

I wore these black and white vertically striped leggings with a black floral print. I wore a black short sleeved peplum top. My shoes of choice were black booties with a small heel. 

As for hair, I had it curly and big (which deflated in about an hour, lol). My eyes were a dramatic black wing with heavy mascara. And lastly, I wore a bright red lip.

Black red nails inspired from a picture I saw on Pinterest. It never looks like the picture! :( Close enough, I suppose.

My friend and I dressed in the spirit of Cabaret. We walked in only to stick out like a fish out of water. We were the youngest ones there (everyone else was a lot older - like gray-haired older - and in casual clothes). Compared to these folks, my friend and I looked like we really belonged to the Cabaret.

Oh well, I guess I shall consider myself an old soul.

Enjoy

<3<3<3

Nails of the Week(s): Mini Gallery

Lately, I've felt as though I've been losing my mojo in doing my nails. I'm running out of ideas and haven't been inspired by any nails posts that I've seen. Still, life must carry on and I cannot leave my nails bare during the week so I do my nails anyway.

Below are my nails that I thought were picture worthy:

 Here are my most recent nail design and the design that I currently have on as I type this (hey hey!). On my left hand: Royal blue with a silver dot in the center to resemble a stone. It happened to match my blouse at work :D  Right hand: Mermaid green, pearl white accent with a rosary. I was not having a good week and wanted to wear my "faith" close to me

 I saw this design on Pinterest. I used a nail art pen which made mimicking the fade of the model brush stroke impossible. Then I have just simple flowers on my left.

I am actually quite proud of this one. I mixed a dark taupe brown with white to get a lighter taupe. I used a toothpick to pile on the dots.

I hope this shows you that you don't have to be amazing at doing your nails. Practice makes it easier. But at the end of the day, if doing your nails makes you happy, do itttttttt

<3<3<3

Nails of the Week: Pinspired Spots

I am sure I mentioned this in previous blog posts, but I will say it again and again. 

I LOVE doing my nails. Like LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE.

It's so relaxing, definitely a form of self-care. 

My nails of the week is "Pinspired." It comes from an image I saw on Pinterest (which is in the top left corner). I love it.

Products used:
Base coat: Revlon Multi care Base + Top Coat
Wet n Wild: 201C Wet Cement
Sinful Colors: 300 Easy going

I mixed the Wet Cement and Easy Going to obtain a grayish brown color.  I wanted a Fall color, but did not want to go as dark as the Wet Cement on its own. Wet Cement is a beautiful color independently, but I wanted something softer and daintier. 

I can't emphasize that I LOVE doing my nails. I'm always interested in designs to mimic and be inspired by.

Please share links of your own artwork! I would love to see them!

<3<3<3