... because I could sure use a hair and make-up person!
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| Before (obviously) |
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| After (you can see my eyes!) |
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| Wardrobe is added for the final effect |
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I Should Be a Star ...
A Cinderella Kind of Day
I'm a wallflower by nature. Without makeup, I blend into the woodwork. I outline my eyes each morning with eyeliner, mascara and eyebrow pencil so that I can find my features in a mirror. But try as I might, I just don't do 'dramatic' or stage make up.
Before performing in my first ballroom dance show case, I had help from the experts at our dance studio to help me out for this event. I was told that a person should be able to see my eyes from across the room . False eyelashes and make up to accentuate the eyes are a must. Our female instructor even took time from her day to give me a lesson in applying eye make up. I have attended a class on make up application that one of the pro dancers led.
Try as I might, the most I can come up with is moderately noticeable eyes.
I have tried, tried, tried again and even tried more ... but I can't do the false eyelashes. I have taken my eye makeup and tried my best to emphasize my eyes. It seems that little applicator has a mind of its own and will not allow me to add more makeup than absolutely necessary.
Tuesday night, we were asked to come to the studio to get a picture taken for our local paper. It was the perfect chance to practise my make up application skills. I had time. I would succeed at making my eyes appear noticeable. I could do this!
Step One - eye makeup. I finally figured out why there are four different shades in my eye shadow compact. I thought it was so you had a selection. No. One color is for the brow line; second color for the lid; third color for the crease; fourth color for a dramatic emphasis at the end of the crease (now that I reread this, I realize that I was told this on my very first eye make up lesson).
First, I couldn't apply the brow line color without the darker colors bleeding through the applicator. I applied, wiped off, reapplied, wiped off this color at least four times before I 'succeeded'. The clock was ticking. I hastily applied the lid and crease color; did some fine tuning and adjusting and swabbing and then tried the fourth color for that dramatic flair. A few more swipes with the Q-tip to attempt to make my eyes match. And voila. I looked ... normal.
Step Two - false eyelashes. Even without the glue, I couldn't even come close to fitting them against my eye to see if they needed to be trimmed. Not to be deterred, I applied the glue anyway thinking that may help. Not so much. First time, the glue dried while I was counting the seconds so that it would be tacky. Second time, I succeeded in sticking the lashes somewhere in the vicinity of my eyelash line. They were off center, half glued and definitely not staying where I put them. Time was running out and I only had time to dab the glue off my lash line, reapply eye makeup on that one eye and run out the door.
Step Three - redo Step One, on one eye.
I must mention that half of my problem is that I can't see what I'm doing. Without my contact lenses, I apply eye make up by 'feel'. With my contact lenses, I am still restricted. One of my lenses is for distance; the other is for close up; my brain translates the two messages and with both eyes open, I can see. Close one of those eyes and the remaining eye can only do the function it was set out to do. Thus .. when I apply makeup to the eye that is used for close up, I am going by the blur of what my long distance vision will allow.
Add to this handicap, the fact that I was getting anxious about the time. The seconds were ticking by and I had one completely naked eye.
To make it a little more challenging, the remnants of the glue from the eyelash fiasco made the application of eyeliner impossible.
To further complicate the matter, my eyelid started twitching and I couldn't make it stop. Have you ever tried applying eyeliner with a shaky hand, a twitching eye and glue from an unsuccessful fake eyelash attempt remaining? It didn't happen.
So I hastily applied eyeshadow; threw on my gold lame wear and raced out the door. There seems to be a subconscious need for me to be running out the door without time to check my reflection when I wear gold lamé.
Okay. That is simply the makeup portion of the overall look. Then there is the hair. Oh ... the hair.
I have given up on my hair. I can't do a thing with it. I go from bad to worse. The best I can do lately, is to apply hair product to try and tame it into submission. It isn't pretty in a submissive state. There is nothing about this look that says anyone took any time to make this happen. The sad part, is that it takes two to three attempts to make it look as 'good' as I can get it. It could be worse. I could be bald. But this hair-challenge-of-the-year is such a tedious stress that it is slowly driving me crazy.
At least I have my nails! I thought my nails may not survive the latest growing out session of gel nails. I love, love, love the gel nails. I hate, hate, hate the process of growing them out. But when my real nails finally emerged again, they grew! They didn't break! They were strong and healthy again. Until ... the last few days. I broke my thumbnail on the weekend. I cracked another nail when I was dancing on Tuesday. The edges of my nails are fraying and I'm catching them on everything. My nails were letting me down when I needed them the most.
I tried to Super Glue my cracked nail back together. All I succeeded in doing was making a mess. Glue all over the table, my fingers and a little on my broken nail. The glue on my nail did not stay in one place - it was all over. I had to sand it off. Off of my nail, off of the table, off of the rest of my fingers.
Who has the energy for this?? This beautification process is aging me before my eyes. I see the stress lines multiplying before my failing eyes as I attempt to become someone I'm not.
So ... this morning, I have an appointment for make-up (and false eyelashes), nails and hair. By 1:00, I should be walking out the door, halfway to my overall Cinderella transformation. All that will be left to do, is throw on my gold lamé outfit and race off to the ball ... 'Ballroom With a Twist', that is!!
Before performing in my first ballroom dance show case, I had help from the experts at our dance studio to help me out for this event. I was told that a person should be able to see my eyes from across the room . False eyelashes and make up to accentuate the eyes are a must. Our female instructor even took time from her day to give me a lesson in applying eye make up. I have attended a class on make up application that one of the pro dancers led.
Try as I might, the most I can come up with is moderately noticeable eyes.
I have tried, tried, tried again and even tried more ... but I can't do the false eyelashes. I have taken my eye makeup and tried my best to emphasize my eyes. It seems that little applicator has a mind of its own and will not allow me to add more makeup than absolutely necessary.
Tuesday night, we were asked to come to the studio to get a picture taken for our local paper. It was the perfect chance to practise my make up application skills. I had time. I would succeed at making my eyes appear noticeable. I could do this!
Step One - eye makeup. I finally figured out why there are four different shades in my eye shadow compact. I thought it was so you had a selection. No. One color is for the brow line; second color for the lid; third color for the crease; fourth color for a dramatic emphasis at the end of the crease (now that I reread this, I realize that I was told this on my very first eye make up lesson).
First, I couldn't apply the brow line color without the darker colors bleeding through the applicator. I applied, wiped off, reapplied, wiped off this color at least four times before I 'succeeded'. The clock was ticking. I hastily applied the lid and crease color; did some fine tuning and adjusting and swabbing and then tried the fourth color for that dramatic flair. A few more swipes with the Q-tip to attempt to make my eyes match. And voila. I looked ... normal.
Step Two - false eyelashes. Even without the glue, I couldn't even come close to fitting them against my eye to see if they needed to be trimmed. Not to be deterred, I applied the glue anyway thinking that may help. Not so much. First time, the glue dried while I was counting the seconds so that it would be tacky. Second time, I succeeded in sticking the lashes somewhere in the vicinity of my eyelash line. They were off center, half glued and definitely not staying where I put them. Time was running out and I only had time to dab the glue off my lash line, reapply eye makeup on that one eye and run out the door.
Step Three - redo Step One, on one eye.
I must mention that half of my problem is that I can't see what I'm doing. Without my contact lenses, I apply eye make up by 'feel'. With my contact lenses, I am still restricted. One of my lenses is for distance; the other is for close up; my brain translates the two messages and with both eyes open, I can see. Close one of those eyes and the remaining eye can only do the function it was set out to do. Thus .. when I apply makeup to the eye that is used for close up, I am going by the blur of what my long distance vision will allow.
Add to this handicap, the fact that I was getting anxious about the time. The seconds were ticking by and I had one completely naked eye.
To make it a little more challenging, the remnants of the glue from the eyelash fiasco made the application of eyeliner impossible.
To further complicate the matter, my eyelid started twitching and I couldn't make it stop. Have you ever tried applying eyeliner with a shaky hand, a twitching eye and glue from an unsuccessful fake eyelash attempt remaining? It didn't happen.
So I hastily applied eyeshadow; threw on my gold lame wear and raced out the door. There seems to be a subconscious need for me to be running out the door without time to check my reflection when I wear gold lamé.
Okay. That is simply the makeup portion of the overall look. Then there is the hair. Oh ... the hair.
I have given up on my hair. I can't do a thing with it. I go from bad to worse. The best I can do lately, is to apply hair product to try and tame it into submission. It isn't pretty in a submissive state. There is nothing about this look that says anyone took any time to make this happen. The sad part, is that it takes two to three attempts to make it look as 'good' as I can get it. It could be worse. I could be bald. But this hair-challenge-of-the-year is such a tedious stress that it is slowly driving me crazy.
At least I have my nails! I thought my nails may not survive the latest growing out session of gel nails. I love, love, love the gel nails. I hate, hate, hate the process of growing them out. But when my real nails finally emerged again, they grew! They didn't break! They were strong and healthy again. Until ... the last few days. I broke my thumbnail on the weekend. I cracked another nail when I was dancing on Tuesday. The edges of my nails are fraying and I'm catching them on everything. My nails were letting me down when I needed them the most.
I tried to Super Glue my cracked nail back together. All I succeeded in doing was making a mess. Glue all over the table, my fingers and a little on my broken nail. The glue on my nail did not stay in one place - it was all over. I had to sand it off. Off of my nail, off of the table, off of the rest of my fingers.
Who has the energy for this?? This beautification process is aging me before my eyes. I see the stress lines multiplying before my failing eyes as I attempt to become someone I'm not.
So ... this morning, I have an appointment for make-up (and false eyelashes), nails and hair. By 1:00, I should be walking out the door, halfway to my overall Cinderella transformation. All that will be left to do, is throw on my gold lamé outfit and race off to the ball ... 'Ballroom With a Twist', that is!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Endless Possibilities ...
When I first put on my dancing shoes, I had no idea where those shoes would take me.
I not only dared to leave the house ... I dared to dance!
I danced with my instructor. I danced in our group classes. I have performed in our showcases. I have danced solo (with my instructor). I have danced as part of a group formation. I danced in a competition.
I have danced in our studio. I have danced in front of a crowd.
I dance for fun. I dance for the sport. I dance for the exercise. I dance for the challenge.
I have followed and I have lead. I hear music and my heart starts to dance!
Our group formation team will be performing in 'Ballroom With a Twist'. Last night, we were told of the possibilities of where that could take us.
Even if those possibilities don't become a reality, it is good to dream. To have hope, excitement and anticipation adds an extra sparkle to dancing!
As if dancing wasn't enough, there is more. Always more ...
Signing up for that first dance lesson was the best gift that I ever gave myself!
I not only dared to leave the house ... I dared to dance!
I danced with my instructor. I danced in our group classes. I have performed in our showcases. I have danced solo (with my instructor). I have danced as part of a group formation. I danced in a competition.
I have danced in our studio. I have danced in front of a crowd.
I dance for fun. I dance for the sport. I dance for the exercise. I dance for the challenge.
I have followed and I have lead. I hear music and my heart starts to dance!
Our group formation team will be performing in 'Ballroom With a Twist'. Last night, we were told of the possibilities of where that could take us.
Even if those possibilities don't become a reality, it is good to dream. To have hope, excitement and anticipation adds an extra sparkle to dancing!
As if dancing wasn't enough, there is more. Always more ...
Signing up for that first dance lesson was the best gift that I ever gave myself!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Living Excessively
It is exhausting to be surrounded by 'too much'.
I cleaned house this past weekend and though there is still much to be done ... I have become energized in what I have accomplished.
It's very hard to go from zero to sixty in a weekend. Did I get rid of everything I don't need? No.
I have culled through (and am still finding) the excesses of my daycare life in every nook and cranny of our home.
It is no wonder I have felt drained lately. The living room was full of my bookkeeping work. The closets, drawers and every other nook and cranny were filled with tools from my daycare days. My own personal space - closet, dressers and filing cabinet were overflowing. It has been an exhausting place to live, let alone work!
It takes time and energy to cull through the excesses of life, but the reward is in the state of mind that comes when you are nearing your goal.
My end goal is still a long way off but see how far I've come!
Yes ... I still have a long way to go. But as I look towards the future, I simply can't foresee that there will never be the sounds of youth in our home. So I'm holding onto some things ... but letting a lot go.
Life is like that. Keep what is important, get rid of the excess. And revisit what is important from time to time. We are eternally evolving and it is amazing how my inner turmoil is reflected 'behind closed doors (and drawers)'.
I think I have put myself back on a forward path this past weekend. It is time to let go and move on.
I cleaned house this past weekend and though there is still much to be done ... I have become energized in what I have accomplished.
It's very hard to go from zero to sixty in a weekend. Did I get rid of everything I don't need? No.
I have culled through (and am still finding) the excesses of my daycare life in every nook and cranny of our home.
It is no wonder I have felt drained lately. The living room was full of my bookkeeping work. The closets, drawers and every other nook and cranny were filled with tools from my daycare days. My own personal space - closet, dressers and filing cabinet were overflowing. It has been an exhausting place to live, let alone work!
It takes time and energy to cull through the excesses of life, but the reward is in the state of mind that comes when you are nearing your goal.
My end goal is still a long way off but see how far I've come!
 |
Before Now!! (note the doors that can be closed)  |
 |
After "To go"  "To stay"  |
Life is like that. Keep what is important, get rid of the excess. And revisit what is important from time to time. We are eternally evolving and it is amazing how my inner turmoil is reflected 'behind closed doors (and drawers)'.
I think I have put myself back on a forward path this past weekend. It is time to let go and move on.
Monday, October 11, 2010
On Being Happy
Today is Thanksgiving. This post should be entitled 'On Being Thankful' ...
Truly, in my mind that is what being happy (for me) boils down to. Counting blessings, focusing on what I have, appreciating my family, friends and relationships and living a life with many options.
I have been belly aching about my work a lot lately. Maybe not the actual work, but the ebbs and flows and unreliable income. As of this moment, I am putting a sock in it. Enough already!!
This is what I do have:
I thought "Wouldn't it be nice to have one pay cheque ... that I could rely on? And benefits ... and holidays ...?!?"
My knee jerk reaction to our conversation was that I am where I am meant to be right now.
For that, and so much more .... I am beyond grateful. I live a charmed life and I know it.
I'm grateful for the challenges that help me appreciate all that I have.
"Happy Thanksgiving!"
Truly, in my mind that is what being happy (for me) boils down to. Counting blessings, focusing on what I have, appreciating my family, friends and relationships and living a life with many options.
I have been belly aching about my work a lot lately. Maybe not the actual work, but the ebbs and flows and unreliable income. As of this moment, I am putting a sock in it. Enough already!!
This is what I do have:
- I have two jobs
- I have variety in my work
- I work from my home (for the most part)
- My work challenges me
- I continue to learn-as-I-go ... I love learning!
- I have flexibility to work in my hours when it works for me
- I earn an income that supports my lifestyle
- I have bosses that I admire, appreciate and enjoy
- If I had the choice, I would choose to work for these people
- Even if the perfect job fell into my lap, I would still want to work for these people
I thought "Wouldn't it be nice to have one pay cheque ... that I could rely on? And benefits ... and holidays ...?!?"
My knee jerk reaction to our conversation was that I am where I am meant to be right now.
For that, and so much more .... I am beyond grateful. I live a charmed life and I know it.
I'm grateful for the challenges that help me appreciate all that I have.
"Happy Thanksgiving!"
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Selective Thinking
"You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That's the only thing you should be trying to control."
~ Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
I went to see the movie 'Eat, Pray, Love' with a friend last night.
It is a movie where you should read the book first. It is full of such deep and provocative thoughts that it had my head spinning.
It didn't take me long to find the quote that resonated with me the most.
"Select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day."
I have been allowing myself to select the wrong thoughts lately. It is time to clean out my closet and cull out the negativity and self pity!
That is just what I'm going to do.
~ Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
I went to see the movie 'Eat, Pray, Love' with a friend last night.
It is a movie where you should read the book first. It is full of such deep and provocative thoughts that it had my head spinning.
It didn't take me long to find the quote that resonated with me the most.
"Select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day."
I have been allowing myself to select the wrong thoughts lately. It is time to clean out my closet and cull out the negativity and self pity!
That is just what I'm going to do.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Memories
If we can remember ... we are blessed.
Yes, there are some things in life that we'd rather forget. But most of those things have taught us a lesson. A lesson we need to remember.
If someone has memories to share with you ... you are blessed.
Often, it seems that we don't appreciate those memories until the teller of those tales cannot tell you any more. How often have I heard the words "We should have recorded their stories ... now it's too late"? Too often.
If you have the ability to make a record of your own history ... you are blessed.
Whether it is photographs, video, letters, emails, diaries or history recorded in any form. To have any tangible form of your life, the life of your parents, grandparents and beyond is precious.
When we look back on our lives or the lives of others, it is not material belongings and outward appearances we remember. We remember the way others made us feel. We remember the impact of friendships. We remember qualities of another person's personality.
Memories are our greatest legacy. Cherish them and make them worth remembering.
Yes, there are some things in life that we'd rather forget. But most of those things have taught us a lesson. A lesson we need to remember.
If someone has memories to share with you ... you are blessed.
Often, it seems that we don't appreciate those memories until the teller of those tales cannot tell you any more. How often have I heard the words "We should have recorded their stories ... now it's too late"? Too often.
If you have the ability to make a record of your own history ... you are blessed.
Whether it is photographs, video, letters, emails, diaries or history recorded in any form. To have any tangible form of your life, the life of your parents, grandparents and beyond is precious.
When we look back on our lives or the lives of others, it is not material belongings and outward appearances we remember. We remember the way others made us feel. We remember the impact of friendships. We remember qualities of another person's personality.
Memories are our greatest legacy. Cherish them and make them worth remembering.
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