Welcome!

I figured that the best way to start this blog would be with a note about why I'm doing this in the first place, and what to expect!

This is all about my passion for-- and journey through-- makeup, fashion, hair, and nails.

When I hit college and started modeling, I had a few goals: I wanted to master makeup, hair, and fashion. Historically, I'd been awful at all three. Here's me before learning about anything:

2005

My standard uniform was pulled-back hair, hoop earrings, and a hockey T-shirt. I never did anything with my hair; no product, no flat-irons, nothing. My closet was full of boring solids, I owned one purple Lancome eyeshadow palette, and lipstick was foreign to me. My nails were never painted because I bit them all the time.

Eventually, I mastered makeup-- and did it so well that I managed a Sephora (where I was required to stop biting my nails to make them look presentable!) and started my own makeup artistry business. I learned a little bit about hair; I was forced to, as I chopped off my hair after my wedding to donate to Locks of Love.

2009

Still, I didn't know how to put together an outfit, and my thick and unruly hair left a little to be desired... especially as it began to grow out again.

In 2010, my husband and I decided to try for kids, which required me to undergo a course of hormones and medication changes which wreaked havoc on my body. I went from 125 pounds to 180 in a flash. My size 6 jeans didn't fit any longer; I was wearing a size 16 instead. The hormone therapy was unsuccessful; my treatment had rewarded me with no child, severe depression and 55 extra pounds which I couldn't seem to shed no matter how much I exercised and dieted.

By 2013, I was down to 170 and still didn't like what I saw in the mirror. So I went back to my three goals. I started to branch out in my fashion choices, thanks to my best friend Josie, who taught me the miracle of leggings under dresses and the beauty of floral prints. I discovered Polyvore, and spent half the summer cataloguing my closet and creating outfits. And I learned how to dress for my new body shape. This all helped me to gain back a little self-confidence.

2013

So, what can you expect from this blog? My ongoing journey as I discover new things about fashion, hair, makeup, and nails. Outfit pictures. Polyvore sets. Pictures of my nail art. Rants about fat days and cheers when I feel good about myself. Thoughts on body image and Photoshop. DIY fashion and beauty projects I want to try. My adventures in making my own clothes. And, since I'm a Language Arts teacher, a hockey fanatic, and a self-proclaimed nerd, you'll probably see a little of that sneak in here and there, too. :)

My aim is to do a post per day; some days they might be tiny, other days they might be long. It depends upon how many hockey games are going on and how many papers I have to grade. ;)

Welcome again; I hope you enjoy your stay!