Crazy, Beautiful Life

It has been so long since I've blogged that I barely remember how! (Not really...) So many things have happened since my last post.

• Saw Kings of Leon
• Went to Six Flags
• Moved the boyfriend into his new apartment
• Got a job (what what!)

So, I'll start with the concert... The music was awesome! They sounded great, just as good live as in the studio! However, I let other peoples' actions affect how I felt and it nearly ruined the concert for me. Explanation: Gil and I got to Lakewood early so that we could get some decent spots to sit on the lawn. We did, our friends showed up and everything was fine. Then the show started and these guys decided it was okay to pile in right in front of me. Being that I am only 5'3, this was really uncool. I couldn't see anything AND these guys were totally obnoxious. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, some very, very intoxicated chick throws up directly behind us. Oh my gosh, it was awful. Had to move my things which included a blanket, jacket and my very large purse. Now we were trapped. Jerks in front of us and vomit behind us. Ugh... I tried to ignore it and enjoy the show, but I just couldn't. Then, a few days later I saw on Twitter that KOL cancelled the remainder of their tour. So, after hearing that I was glad that I at least GOT a show. I guess it took that for me to be thankful that I finally got to see one of my favorite current bands! Maybe next time I'll remember that!

We also were fortunate enough to go with my boyfriend's sister and her husband to Six Flags for half price! We had been wanting to go all summer but it never worked out... Then Autumn texted Gil and told him that we could get tickets for $25 since Josh, Autumn's husband, would be taking his youth group. This was the perfect way to get to go! And we would get to see Autumn and Josh before Gil started classes! We were so excited and woke up early to get to Atlanta. It seemed to be a beautiful day but later it rained which shut down some rides, but we waited under cover in line for bumper cars. I wasn't really looking forward to it but once we got to the front of the line, I decided that I would drive my own car. Great decision! I had so much fun and it made the rain and the LONG line not seem so bad! Overall Six Flags was fun and we were really glad that we got to go and also that we got to see A & J.

We actually moved Gil before we went to Six Flags I believe. It was a hot, hot, hot day in Athens, Ga. Oh my... It was tough going into an un-air conditioned apartment from a stifling parking lot... But we got it done! Gil is all moved in and we love his new place! While we were moving his things, I was thinking of the weekends I would spend there with him and the fun things we would do and even the days when we are lazy and just watch TV but are thankful because we are together. This made it much easier to accept that he would be going back so soon and I wouldn't see him nearly as often.

So! The biggest news of all! I got a new JOB! At the cutest place in Milledgeville! I am so thankful that a friend works there and helped me get the job because I love it! I don't dread going to work at all! Its a fun place and is fairly laid back so it's not stressful... Right now. I know it will be much different once business picks up but for now, its just right (since I am learning the ins-and-outs). This coming week is going to be tough because I'll be working 5 days straight but that is so I can be prepared for next Tuesday. Next Tuesday will be my first day on my own... Now that is a little stressful. But I know after this week I'll be ready. Just keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me! (I'll update you on how I'm doing at work as often as I can.)

Also, a few fun things... I got some new Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips yesterday! Applied them last night and they are SO cute! Black and white flowers! If you check out my Facebook, there is a picture in my Mobile Uploads album. Also, Gil and I went on a date last night that was much needed and lots of fun! We went to Cheddar's for dinner and the service was wonderful and food came out so quickly! Almost too quickly if that's even possible! Although it seemed the food barely had time to cook, it was delicious! Then we went to see Crazy, Stupid, Love and it was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed it and Gil and I laughed nearly the entire time! It was absolutely the right pick!

There is a quick update of my life since my last post, sooooo long ago! I'll try to be better from now on! Don't give up on me!

Happy Blogging,
Hannah

Natural Beauty

I am a huge fan of makeup, which should come as no surprise to you. But I take care of myself to make sure I look okay underneath it as well. Makeup always looks best when it appears natural which means wearing as little as possible. To be able to do this, you must take care of your face. Daily. Not every other day, not every third day. Every. Single. Day. But, not to fear! It can be easy and you get used to it rather quickly. (Especially once you begin seeing results!)

First things first. ALWAYS remove makeup! Do not wait until the next morning. By then it will have been rubbed by pillows and clogged your pores for much much much too long. I use makeup remover sheets, the off-brand, and use one to remove eye makeup and a quick run over the face and a second to get any that may have been left behind from the first.

Also, find a good facial cleanser to use each time you shower. I, personally, don't use mine anymore often than that so that my skin does not dry out. However, do make sure to use it on a regular basis. I use Neutrogena Visibly Even Foaming Cleanser. It has a slightly gritty texture so it exfoliates the skin as you cleanse. I have tried other facial cleansers but this has been my favorite.

I still have breakouts sometimes, which for me are not bad... Maybe a bump or two. So I have found a product that I apply to any that I see after washing my face before bed and let it work overnight. I use Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10. It is amazing!

Lastly, just before I go to sleep I apply a chapstick so that my lips will be soft, moist and smooth for any lipgloss/stick I want to wear the next day. I tend to have very dry lips and a hefty helping of Carmex really works wonders for me. (Tip: This also gives your lips a shine without adding color so I sometimes wear it during the day for a subtle look!)

For the rest of your body:

Apply lotion after each shower. Especially after shaving. This will keep skin from drying out and will make it appear much more healthy. Make sure to not skip out on feet! They get the most wear and tear and need love too! I apply a good amount of lotion and then put on socks to keep the lotion from coming off. I typically do this before bed and the socks keep the lotion from coming off on my sheets. If you apply lotion during the day, still wear socks until you are sure the lotion has completely soaked in. If you are applying lotion this often, it should keep your hands in good shape as well. Make sure to rub the lotion around each nail. This will keep cuticles from peeling so your nails stay looking salon perfect!

Every now and then exfoliate your whole body in the shower. I find that doing this once a week keeps my skin much smoother and helps me to have better results when shaving. But, if you do it too often it can cause irritation so be careful! Especially if you have sensitive skin!

Also, don't fall slack on grooming. Make sure that your eyebrows are tweezed in between waxes. Make sure hair is well conditioned. Dry hair is NOT pretty hair no matter how you style it. Anything else you know you need to do, just DO it! It will make you feel so much better afterwards! Totally worth the extra time.

-Hannah

Trends I Want to Try

Some new trends that I wan't to check out are...

Hair feathers. I think these are totally cute and I think they would definitely fit A. my personality and B. go with my wardrobe. If you haven't heard of them, they are thin feathers that come in a variety of colors from neutrals to neon! They are attached to your hair and are washable and can be styled just like your natural hair. That means they can be dried, straightened and curled! I think this is totally awesome! You can get one for a subtle look or many, if you're that courageous. They last for many weeks so at about $20 they are absolutely worth the money!

Light brown hair. I decided to get some heavy highlights last spring and I've kept them throughout the summer. I've decided I want to get back to my natural color but I would like to keep it a little lighter for the remainder of the summer. So, I thought that I would like to have a light brown J-Lo look and work my way back to my natural very-dark-brown. Concerns: I have a red undertone to my hair and I don't want to end up with a light red rather than a light brown and I do not want the color to wash me out. Luckily I have an awesome aunt who does my hair and I know she will be honest with me about what my hair can and cannot do. 

Ombre nails. I just saw a photo of Lauren Conrad with "ombre" nails. Meaning, her nails were painted a variety of colors within the same shade. For instance, white to powder blue to aqua to navy... Get it? So, I think this look is kind of cool and I would consider doing it but I can't help but wonder... How does this look with different outfits? I mean, I know that you don't necessarily have to match your nail polish to your clothes but this is such a bold look that I wonder if it would clash with a bold, say, print? 

Liquid eyeliner. I have some amazing black MAC liquid eyeliner that I have only used 3 times since I got it. I have very thick eyelashes (cry me a river, I know...) so I have trouble applying the liner close to my lash line. I watched a video that explained how to apply and I had more luck. Since the one time after watching the video I haven't tried it again. I want to get better so that I will use it more often. It is such a classy, smooth, clean look and I love it! 

If and when I try these different things, I'll update you and give you my tips! 

Happy Blogging!

DIY Wednesday

I really dig messy hair and luckily, I can pull it off. One of my favorite summer trends is beachy waves. So not willing to spend money on whats basically salt water, I decided to look into a do-it-yourself beach spray. Here is the recipe I used. I got it on Glamour.com and after my first use was feeling that it was more of a DIWhydidIdothis type thing. But, as I tweaked not only the amount of ingredients but also the way I applied it, I realized this was a pretty good little spray. So far what I've done is combine water, sea salt, conditioner and gel in a bottle. After my first try, my hair was a little frizzy so I decided to add some more hair gel. (I must admit that I didn't really do any measuring when mixing my ingredients.) After adding additional gel, I found that my hair was less frizzy but still very natural looking. I have put this salty concoction on wet hair, dry hair, damp hair... But what I noticed is that my hair tends to be flat at the root, which I definitely do not like! I did notice that the next day, however, my hair had much more body. Next time I long for beachy waves while living in middle Georgia, I'll apply the salt spray to damp hair the day before and hopefully the next day I'll look like a beach goddess! I do suggest applying a good hairspray as well just to give your waves some hold. If you are anything like me, meaning if you have enough hair on your head for TWO people, your hair will be very heavy and pull the wave and body out as the day goes on.

*Also, if you are in a hurry and need to blow dry your hair rather than let it air dry ABSOLUTELY use a diffuser! This will prevent any excess frizz. I suggest using a Hot Sock because it fits any blow dryer you may be using. Good luck Bloggers!

Love and Happy Blogging,
Hannah

Intrinsically Me

Here are a few things that will help you in understanding who I am. Silly things that shed a little light on my boho/eclectic/funky vibe:

• My tiny Kin phone with zebra print case
• My funky colored nail polish 
• Messy hair
• Toe ring from SSI
• Giant t-shirts
• Anything monogrammed (And, I know that may make you think of a soccer mom more than a boho chick, but I just can't shake my love of monograms)
• My very extensive CD collection which ranges from Patsy Cline to Mariah Carey to The Commadores to The Black Crowes to Audioslave to John Mayer
• My owl necklace
• Makeup 
• Although I do not love them, my freckles. I just can't imagine myself without 'em...
• My gentle giant black lab, Sunny-- Just his name is very me
• My Twitter background
• And of course, my BLOG!

These are just a few of the things that I love! Hope provides a little insight into who the "Girl in the World" is!

Love and Happy Blogging, 

Hannah