Beer Belly & Beauty

Monday, August 1, 2011

Day 23 Part II: Lights, Camera, Action

Instead of taking a lot of photos on my vacation I decided I could compile a bunch of video's to make a mini movie!

-M.

Day 23: The Hunger Games

This weekend I took a vacation to Lewes, Delaware to my friends beach house. The weekend was a lovely get-a-away. During my stay, my friend introduced me to a new book series titled The Hunger Games. It is supposed to be like the new Twilight but trust me, nothing supernatural is involved. It is set in the future and the plot is based around a yearly event that takes place between the 12 Districts, that exist under the control of 'The Capitol', which is called, the Hunger Games. One boy and one girl are chosen from each District by drawing a lottery every year. The 24 are picked to participate in the Hunger Games which is a battle between all the players, or 'tributes' as they are called, to the death. The last man, or woman, standing get to go home with victory and wealth.

"The considerable strength of the novel comes in Collins’s convincingly detailed world-building and her memorably complex and fascinating heroine. In fact, by not calling attention to itself, the text disappears in the way a good font does: nothing stands between Katniss and the reader, between Panem and America."

Green, John. "Scary New World," The New York Times. November 7, 2008

The movie is scheduled to come out this up coming March and I am going to my local library to get the second book Second Fire.

-M.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Day: Orange you glad?

I love lipstick. When I was younger I remember sneaking into my moms makeup bag and trying on all her different shades and stealing the ones I liked to put on when dressing up in my room. It wasn't until prom season in high school that I was bold enough to wear red lipstick out. After that I started wearing it out at night and I would get tons of complements. I read an article from Glamour about beauty tips from women around the world.

“Always wear lipstick,” says Terry de Gunzburg, French makeup artist and creator of By Terry. “French women do not wear a lot of lip gloss; they favor lipstick, often red, and never leave their apartments without it.”

(click here to read the rest!)

This is a picture of my at this year's Fourth of July!

I have red, maroon, light pink, shimmery pink, and nude shades of lipstick. I especially love Covergirl and Revlon's lip stains! However, I was reading Cupcakes and Cashmere's blog under 'Favorites' and she listed Revlon's Moon Drops Moisture Creme Lipstick in Orange Flip as one of her favorite colors.

It is simply an awesome color and the texture is smooth and creamy but stays on all day! I tested it out today - matched my belt!

feathered headband - The Best of Everything; stripped top - H&M; orange belt - Jcrew; urban renewal cuffed Levi's denim shorts - Urban Outfitters; bag - Antique Mall; socks and shoes - my mom's closet ;)

But since these photo's didn't do the lipstick justice I snapped a few photos!

I thought my lips were a good comparison to Edwardo's beak (the name of my iPhone cover... yes, I name my phones. It's a talent)

-M.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Day 19: uuuhh hhhuuh WE WE! (in a french accent)

Today as I was checking out the few blogs I follow, Leandra Medine or more commonly known as 'The Man Repeller', posted a link for a contest. (click here to read more!) The contest consists of 4 cities around the world with 4 of the most renown bloggers who will choose one of their readers to go to Paris with them for one of the biggest fashions shows, ever. A reader will be chosen by a picture they post that best represents the style which the city they live closest to was assigned. For instance, New York was given the style of 'Preppy'. I entered this picture:

I first took each picture, taken on my iPhone, edited them one by one in the iPhone app Instagram and then added them into the app PicCollage. Headband - The Best of Everything; pearl necklace - Flag Lady; braided gold necklace - antique; button down shirt - The Gap; black blazer - The Junior League Thrift Store; tie belt - Jcrew; jean shorts - Urban Outfitters; high socks - Jcrew; black heels - Mandy's

-M.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Day 18: "They tried to make me go to rehab.."

I was scrolling through "Popular" photos rated on my photography app 'Instagram' when I saw a picture of Amy Winehouse which said 'RIP'. That night, the first song I put on at Karaoke was her most famous song 'Rehab'. I wasn't surprised, nor even remotely affected by her death. It was not until I read an article that Russell Brand wrote that it really sunk in for me. To read the entire article click here.

"When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call. The sincere hope is that the call will be from the addict themselves, telling you they’ve had enough, that they’re ready to stop, ready to try something new. Of course though, you fear the other call, the sad nocturnal chime from a friend or relative telling you it’s too late, she’s gone."

All of a sudden I started hysterically crying. I have had so many reoccurring nightmares about that phone call. All I can think of sometimes is receiving a call from my mom and her telling me that P. has either died of alcohol poisoning or suicide. It is a real fear I have. I am scared I will never see my brother again, that I will have so many unanswered questions, and never have the chance to reconstruct our relationship.

"All we can do is adapt the way we view this condition, not as a crime or a romantic affectation but as a disease that will kill. We need to review the way society treats addicts, not as criminals but as sick people in need of care."

This is a view about addiction that I was taught the first time I visited P; addicts are not bad people looking for a way to be better, they are ill seeking help healing. I know P. is sick and that he is getting the care he needs but I still have some pent up anger. I hope the next few months of sobriety and this exploration of my life will bring me the strength to forgive him and the peace I so desperately desire.

RIP Amy

-M.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Day 17: Denim Dilemma

Somehow in midst of making my dorm room a tornado when getting ready or sprinting to the laundry room to get a washer I lost a couple articles of clothing my first year at college. Including two pairs of jeans. I struggled at the end of the year with only one good pair of jeans to go out or wear to class. So I have had my eye out for jeans and been really aware of denim styles that are popular now.

Kate Moss, Eva Longoria, & Victoria Beckham showing off all shades of 70 style flare jeans.

I got a pair of Hipster Flare Jeans on sale at American Eagle

I have been admiring the bright colored denim look! While in New York I snagged a pair of nantucket red/orangish pair myself!

I am obsessed with high wasted... anything! I think they are extremely flattering on a lot of body types. I bought a pair of Cheap MondayHigh-Rised Second Skin Jeans in black and Urban Renewal Cuffed Levi's Denim Shorts.

At first I thought someone would be fashionably incompetent to think it was chic to wear an entire 'jean suit'. But the denim button down has really grown on me. First Rachel Bilson is sporting a casual look with black shorts and a denim button down. In contrast, Dolche&Gobbana paired a denim shirt with a floral skirt and belt. Denim shirts have been a little too high for my price range so I am searching Amazon.com for a more reasonable price, as I am typing this post....

-M.

Day 16: Empire State of Mind

This weekend in the Big Apple was the highlight of my summer. I was excited by all the sight-seeing, inspired by all the people, and enthused by all the adventure. My roommate K. and I ventured into Time Square, SOHO, St. Marks Place, and Central Park. Saturday night there was an opportunity to drink Four Loko's or Twisted Tea which I easily turned away because I was having way too much fun participating in Karaoke!