by dollcosmetics | Sep 8, 2014 | Lifestyle
Can you feel the change in the air? The change in season? The longing to wear warmer more snuggly clothes? IIIIIIIII do!!!! Isn’t the seasons changing such a wonderful gift? It gives us variety, change, hope and excitement. For me, the Autumn season is by FAR my favorite but the shortest season here in Utah. But GLORIOUSLY beautiful none the less and I get to decorate for Halloween!!!!! Oh be still my little beating heart! These beautiful images were taken by the amazing
Niki Martins. This woman has an eye and I’m so glad because, believe it or not, staged photos are NOT my forte and I always feel uncomfortable. Put my with friends and tell us to be goofy? GOT it! Messing around with the boys? Okay! Even being dorky on camera for you guys during tutorials, paaaaassable. But staged? My eye starts twitching LOL!!! All the same, I am so happy to be a voice that a few of you want to listen to. I hope that I make some of you smile, chortle even if you feel so inclined. I’m glad to be a voice for more curvy girls…especially the J-Lo part ;D. Take the weather of today and feel joy in the changing season. Hugs!!!
Trying to “own” that butt of mine ;D
Until next time!!!
Sweater: H&M
Pants: NY&Co
Headband: Forever 21
Lips color: MAC Girl About Town
Shoes: Maurices
by dollcosmetics | Sep 5, 2014 | Lifestyle
Can we go back in time? Just a little? My dad was my hero growing up. He knew EvErYtHiNg about anything. He was sooooo strong and I loved what he loved. He loved to read. I remember going into his “library”, which was basically many long bookshelves against a wall in the living room, and wondering what was inside each book. There were fat ones, thinner ones that almost got lost in between the bigger novels. There were colorful books and some that looked so old that they might crumble if you tried to touch them. I remember he would read to us and it seemed to transport him to another world. He had so much hero magic in him that he was able to take us right along with him on his adventures. The scriptures, Lord Of the Rings, the Hobbit, C.S. Lewis’ classics, the Wizard of Oz Books, Anne Of Green Gables and so many more. I remember he bought me the Little House On the Prairie books and I couldn’t have been more excited to be starting my very OWN library! I, too, had a bookshelf in my room and tried to fill it just like he had done with his.
My father gave me my love of reading.
I will be EVER grateful for such a tremendous gift. Even now, if I meet someone that doesn’t looooove to curl up with a book on a cool autumn day, or a rainy day, a snowy day, a HOT day for that matter my heart hurts for them. Picky eaters are made and so are lovers of books. My boys and I have read the Hobbit and will start the Lord Of the Rings just as soon as we have Harry Potter out of our systems. We are on the fourth book and since they haven’t seen that movie they hang on every word, curled up in their beds as their mother creates voices and accents for each character. I pray those boys will feel my love for the written word and will pass it on to their children.
BACK TO PRESENT TIMES!!!!!!
I joined a book club….no, that’s doesn’t quite cover it. I joined an adventure, an experience! I have never before belonged to a book club before and for that reason I had nooooo idea what to expect. I had no preconceived thoughts or expectations. Sure, I heard their description of throwing extravagant parties but I was in no way prepared for what was to come. The first thing I was blown away by was the overall order before I even CAME to the meeting. There is a hostess, a moderator, a book blogger, a fashion blogger doing “looks from books”. There is a FB & IG page, a blog, they tweet!!! There is an evite invitation that is sent days before the meeting where you can rsvp and sign up for food to bring. We read Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha series and were celebrating the thrid book “Ruin &Rising”. I was so excited for a Russian “esque” book having lived there for a few years. I signed up for the drink and counted down the days. Ladies, these girls do NOT mess around and I am SO excited to be apart of their group. Get ready for some amazing pics cuz they decorated, brought loads of delicious food from the book and they DRESSED UP!!!!! I was in HEAVEN!!!
The food was absolutely to DIE for. Roasted chicken, vereniki, pickled beets with goat cheese (YUM!), Russian black bread with THE yummiest homemade garlic butter I have EvEr tasted, cakes, fruit, caramel drizzled cream puffs, mushrooms baked in cream, stuffed eggs, and cauliflower with potatoes. ARE YOU DROOLING????
The mirrors are a big part of the books and the sun flares were just icing on the cake. Twinkle lights, gold encrusted fruit, candles and linens in gold were draped everywhere.
Our “Sun Summoner” (and moderator) looked absolutely perfect in every detail! She made her crown and wore makeup pinned by the author on Pinterest. And speaking of the author……WE SKYPED WITH HER!!!!!! It was so amazing for Leigh Bardugo, herself to make time for us. To answer all of the burning questions everyone had, to giggle, share her own thoughts on the characters and other books we have read. I was just so blown away but her amazing detailed answers to everything that was asked. Find her on IG under the name LBardugo
At the end I was given this darling card (reminiscent of the cards in the back of our elementary school library books) to tell me details of the books for the year, who’s home and various other details. Are you dying of perfection???? I am, and what a way to go! We will be reading “The Haunting Of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson next. Feel free to read along and email me your thoughts! Till next time (insert us all singing the Reading Rainbow theme song here).
by dollcosmetics | Aug 18, 2014 | Lifestyle
I’ve always been one that was excited about “back to school time”. Back home in California it was always in September so we had the Fall to look forward to. I loved the crunch of the leaves, the hustle and noises of kids rushing to school. The laughter, the excitement of what teacher you got and who would be in your class. I loved the carnivals, the new school clothes, the new supplies (I was and still am a sucker for all office supplies and the colors associated with said topic). Now that I am a mom, I have mixed feelings about school starting. I’ve not ever been a mom to cry when they leave and miss them the whole day. I am usually there in the classroom helping out, then taking a few days a week for myself. The thing I am nervous about is making sure they behave themselves as gentlemen, hoping that I have taught them well enough to stand up for “the little guy”. To choose the right wherever they are, to be active in participating during class time, ya know, normal mom hopes. I thought it would be only appropriate to have a back to school shoot! Here are a few of my favs from the amazingly talented
Niki Martins Photography.
Niki is amazing and I love that she captured these gorgeous mountains that I look out of my window to see everyday. Utah is such a beautiful place to live!!! Love my lake, love my mountains.
Outfit Deets:
Skirt: small boutique in Jackson Hole but re-constructed by Holly Sundstrom
Tie:
Tie One On (First one I purchased just for me! I usually steal from the hubs or the kids LOL)
Makeup Deets:
Lashes: Demi Whispies in black by Ardell
Shadow: MAC Bamboo & Handwritten in crease, Shroom on brow bone
Lips: Laura Mercier Sugar Violet Lip Stain
by dollcosmetics | Aug 4, 2014 | Decorating, Family, Home, Lifestyle
When sweet little B told me he wanted to be Superman for his birthday I was blown back, literally. I think I was crouching down to hear his ideas, he sat on my unstable lap and I fell…..but had TONS of ideas hit me all at once that THAT could have been the reason too!!! Oh the ideas for all of the things they would do, eat, learn etc. I think he told me this at the beginning of June and by mid July I was ready to throw him the best super hero bash that I could muster. Both of the boys have about a bazillion dress up clothes (very manly) so their costumes were taken care of. Mine? I can’t ever get a super hero girl costume that isn’t smutty and totally immodest, so I knew I would have to use existing clothes and just modify them a touch. The boys were more than willing to help me so I had them draw, then cut out white stars for my skirt. I made the cuffs out of tin foil and this amazing headband (Pinterest inspired) out of thick sheets of felt and an obliging headband. I LOVE how it all came together!!!
We decided to have all the kids come as super heroes and told them to be ready for training. First we had a laser course set up in the basement (genius idea on my part since I didn’t want the upper levels of the house to get trashed). They needed to rescue poor, defenseless animals and bring them back to safety.
I love this pic of my oldest. It looks like he’s got awesome dance moves he’s bustin out LOL!!!
The animals brought back to safety!!! And for being such good rescuers, each hero got a Superhero Sucker =).
Next, each hero needed to work on their x-ray vision by seeing how close they could pin on Superman’s cape. This was super fun since all of them got pretty dizzy lol.
When the kids were done with their suckers, we went out for a refresher course…flight school! Each kid (I only chose a few of the nine kids that were there so I wouldn’t have a nine page post)
I seriously loved these and was pretty impressed with some of their poses =D. My oldest really wanted to be a trainer for one of the rotations and I told him what I had planned and that he could do whatever he wanted that we hadn’t already done. He was SO excited to be Captain America and thought the best thing he could do would be to teach them how to throw his shield. The back of these boxes are pretty random but this kid colored paper to make them look like bricks on the front so kids could bash through them with the shield!!! Genius….and SO bugged I didn’t get a pic of the front! But here are some of the more awesome throws after he taught them some tricks =).
The evil mastermind that has been threatening our fair city seemed to have snuck in during this last activity and planted BOMBS all over the grass!!! Luckily as soon as I told the heroes about this, they were ON it and squashed all of them in NO time!!!
After all water balloons….I mean, bombs were safely squashed we thought we might take a break……until……
The evil villain has been SPOTTED!!!! Aaaaaaand he may have borrowed things from the hostess he didn’t ask for (insert me blushing that nine innocent children are about to see my husband in MY unmentionables!!!!)
He came out of nowhere and challenged all the super heroes!
Little did he know that I had already armed our heroes with all they would need to take him down.
And were they EVER ready for the challenge!!!
Down villain, DOWN!!!
Birthday boy’s turn.
With the villain defeated, in jail and the city safe again, it was time to take a much needed rest and replenish with some yummy refreshments.
Invisible Punch will always give you a boost of electrolytes (and not be sticky lol).
B’s fav snack is Cheetos so I knew this was a must. I printed out comic pages on our printer, made funnels and filled them with said snack.
Kryptonite Krispies were a hit! Even Superman was able to eat these since I mixed up the ingredients a bit to leave out Kryptonite =).
Cake colors were picked out by the birthday boy so, of course, it was blue frosting, red cake mix and sprinkles with the same colors.
Love that curl in the front!
Here are a few more extras from the party including set up, goodie bags, presents and a mini photo booth set up for everyone to pose! We had such a good time and can’t wait for further adventures next year!
To make decorating more manageable, I sectioned off a smaller part of the basement and started making my faux buildings.
These were all around the basement and looked like the skyline of Gotham City =).
Had a few of these hanging from the ceiling with fishing line.
Love how these goody bags turned out. SO much fun to make!!!
by dollcosmetics | Aug 3, 2014 | Lifestyle
Okay, so maybe she isn’t cake, and her name isn’t Whippy (it’s Becki) but she is the next best thing! She’s an amazing makeup artist, hairstylist, fashionista. Her Instagram account is just riddled with beautiful images of her, her clients and her darling family. She was working with a site called Brickyard Buffalo and was modeling some different pieces she loved. As soon as I saw this sheer skirt I.Was.Dying!!!!!! She shows how to wear it over a bathing suit but also suggested wearing it over a high wasted pencil skirt…..WHAT???? Well, it was caaaaalling my name, so naturally I had to get over to said site and order it FAST before it went out of stock. At least that’s how I explained it to the hubs because if Becki is wearing it and says she loves it, it will fly off the cyber shelves (and they did btw). I was SO tickled to order mine and when it came I had gotten in super late from doing makeup that whole day for a wedding shoot. It was dark, few lights were on but the light above a certain “I just got delivered today” package was no light my house was providing. It was heavenly and it was radiant. I knew what the package was before I even looked at the label….MY SKIRT!!!!!! I tore into the bag and angels began to sing. I couldn’t wait to put it on and wear it out to the pool, church that sunday, to Walmart (keepin it real). I posted the package on IG and Whippy Cake Becki girl herSELF made a comment that I had to model it…..well WHO am I to disappoint Becki??? I figured this would be the perfect way to model since it had already been tried and tested and would add a wee bit of humor to the mix =D. Hope she likes it! Ladies, this skirt is amazing and I love it! Runs very small so I didn’t breathe for most of the shoot but after I get my girl Holly to work her magic, it will fit perfectly!!! Here are a few more shots from the day, taken by the amazing Niki from Niki Martins Photography.
And by the way I am obSESSED with my newest lipstick from MAC called Relentlessly Red. I adORE the shade and the matte sheen.
Headband: Forever21
Swimsuit: Target
by dollcosmetics | Aug 1, 2014 | Lifestyle
Sooooo I’m not over these vests yet. So that means I’m going to still wear it till I’m done. Anyone have a problem with this, ha! May I also liberate you? No matter what fashion dictates, if a style looks good on you and you like it, then wear the HECK out of it, yes? Notice the two ideas needing to be combined. IF it looks good on you and IF you like it. Don’t wear something that’s in fashion if you haaaate it. Shouldn’t you have a love affair with your clothes? Get giddy when you pull it out to wear it? Hint: the answer to that is yes ;). I have known for quite some time that I have some legs on me that are framed just so, so that short shorts will NEVER look good on me! I don’t care if they come back and are SUPER popular every five years. I WILL not wear them (sometimes it takes a good friend to tell you the truth about what you are looking like…or camp leaders in my case =/). Capris will always be my best bet when it is warmer or the more fitted Bermuda shorts. If circle skirts come and go I will STILL be wearing them because they accentuate my smallest feature then bell out to cover what I don’t love. Just remember, low riding jeans are never a good idea if you have serious muffin tops. And if you don’t have said tops, then don’t wear your jeans so tight as to create them. Even if you wear an undershirt, if your rolls are protruding all over, go up a size. Size never should matter (unless its a good indicator of not being healthy) but how your garment FITS is everything. Wear colors that make you happy and don’t make you look washed out. Lean on a friends advise that you trust to be honest AND kind! With that said, I hop down off my soap box and leave you with this final thought. Be bold, have fun and never take yourselves too seriously with fashion. I don’t know half the time what I’m doing but I looooove still doin it =). Peace and love beauties!
by dollcosmetics | Jul 26, 2014 | Lifestyle
So I have been obsessed with Brooke from Politely Posh (directly overhead) for a while now and JuMpEd at the chance to have her dress me pretty! The first time she did was at the Amara Spa event and I just felt so pretty in what she picked out for me. Head to toe rock princess was I ; ). Today was sophistication with a touch of LEATHER! That’s right, I said it, leather! I always get a little nervous around that material but I trust Brooke not to steer me wrong.
These shoes from Forever 21!!! Wish I could steal them and put them in my closet…but alas they are too big for me….STOP LOOKING SO CLOSELY NOW! lol
She is so much fun to work with and always makes you feel so beautiful…and giggly lol.
Outfit deets:
Grey top: Forever 21
B&W sheer striped top: Forever 21
Black leather skirt: Nordstrom
Bracelet: Forever 21
Shoes to die for: Forever 21
White purse: Forever 21
by dollcosmetics | Jul 24, 2014 | Lifestyle
Okay, so maybe not a suuuuper long story but it aint short and I love detail! I felt like today was a “share a funny story” kind of throw back Thursday and I have a doozy for ya. I served a mission for my church back in 2002 and was called to the beautiful land of Siberia. Miss it every. single. day. Mostly the people I met there that still have half of my heart {sigh}. Anyway…ONTO the story!!!! We had just gotten a new senior couple to our lovely city of Omsk. They were from Fresno, California, retired, and just as darling as darling could be. Well, their son and his family decided to visit them out there and our little district (of about 6 missionaries) decided to take them out for a day and show them the city. We arranged for all of us to take a large boat ride on a river that encircled Omsk. It was such a hot summer season and our mission president’s wife had told all of the sister missionaries that we could forgo wearing nylons for the rest of the hot months. It was heavenly to not feel so hot and sticky (TMI but I’m painting a picture here!).
Well, something I had noticed, in the mother land, was that sooooo many pictures of young children (you know, like the ones our mothers used to get of us at a Sears portrait studio?) had them sitting with a monkey, or a camel, or some other strange yet interesting, exotic animal. I was baffled, I was stunned, I was intrigued, IIIIIIII wanted a picture with an animal!!!! Most missionaries would even talk about getting a coveted monkey picture. It blinded us, consumed us, we had to HAVE one! LOL I had already been out on my mission for a year and a few months so time was running short (I promise it wasn’t the only thing I thought about, we were pretty busy lol). All of a sudden, on this fated day, I looked over to see a man, with a box, and a camera and…..GASP…..a MONKEY!!!!! I couldn’t contain myself, I was so excited! I was going to be taking home a somewhat awkward picture of me and a monkey! Be still my little heart lol. I am, however with a large group of people and needing to be understanding…….so I blurt out,”A MONKEY!!!! Can I pleeeaaase go get a picture with it???” At this point I’m sure I’m doing some version of the potty dance. Once the other missionaries explained to the family the weird obsession, they laughed and consented. My heart was beating so fast. Not only because I was going to realize a dream, albeit not long lived, but because I remembered at that moment how not good I am with animals. They actually kind of freak me out, yes all of them.
*Let’s pause ever so quickly to my OOTD. I’m not wearing nylons and I have on the most bouncy, elastic, light weight skirt on due to the heat. Okay, continue…*
As I approach the man and ask if I can have a picture with this cute animal (which I had only seen from behind), said animal whips around as if he knows I am talking about him GAH!!!!! It has a snout thing on it’s face, his arms are long and whispy, not cute and cuddly and his EYES, his eyes have a menacing look about them. I should have turned back, any normal person would have but I was blinded BLINDED I tell you! Had to have the picture!!!! It comes closer in slightly skiddish movements as if it is preparing to pounce but surely this trained animal wouldn’t…….
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH
When animals attaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!! It LEAPS at my ankles…suspecting to find a banana? My wallet? FLESH??? I scream and do a ninja hop thing (it was really skilled looking) but this monkey is not backing down. It grabs the bottom of my skirt to climb up and gauge my eyes out, naturally. Let’s all remember the skirt I was wearing. You know the fabric. So he grabs the bottom and starts scurrying up to EAT me but as he scrambled he’s not getting ANYwhere! He is like one of those cartoons where they are running exceptionally fast whilst staying in ONE place. My SKIRT however is moving like you wouldn’t believe….in a very WRONG direction!!!! I am surrounded by people, Russians, Americans, fellow missionaries, this poor senior couple and their family IN MY UNDERWEAR. I am screaming, the man that owns the monkey is barking at it (in monkey language? It didn’t sound Russian), the Elders (boy missionaries) aren’t sure WHAT to do, the son, his wife and father turn out of politeness, the senior wife is trying to cover me saying,”Oh sweetie, oh sweetie.” and that’s when the slow motion began. I am standing there, in all of my glory while people scramble around me (still in slow motion). The monkey’s fur flying everywhere creating a soft blurry haze. The owner is knocking into passersby with all of his equipment as he’s calling the monkey’s name. Elder’s mouths open slowly in shock not knowing what to do.
Shoot me now.
Back to fast motion. The monkey is contained but it still is twitching his hands toward me as if he hasn’t fulfilled his wrath. The owner is nodding his apologies, the family has turned back around and the elders mouths are closed, but their minds are full. I’m still, very still. How do you reCOVER from something like that??? I start rocking back and forth on my heels, sheepishly smiling and offer a nervous chuckle. It feels like an eternity passes before one sweet elder offers to hold the monkey while I stand for my picture. Yes, after ALL of that I still want my picture. The elder hold it, I hold my skirt and the photographer tells us to hold each other….insert missionary rules here that keep us from complying. As Elder VanZyverden is trying to explain this, as the monkey is still watching me, as I’m holding my skirt, the picture is snapped. It’s a memory never forgotten and captured on film. And he still made me pay 5 rubles for it.
by dollcosmetics | Jul 21, 2014 | Lifestyle
Holy crazy Summer Batman!!! Love these pics of me and my sweet boys we took for B’s super hero party. It was one of many parties I’ve thrown this season. I made my “POW” headband and these two sweet boys drew and cut out the stars I have on my skirt. And don’t they look so muscular and brave? =)
I have done more this Summer with family, business, friends etc than I have probably all of last year! Just as a little teaser, I am going to be the face of a new personal care line that I am SO excited to share with you!!! More to come on that ; ). It has been rewarding to grow and stretch so much but I hate the fact that I am not doing as many makeup tutorials (which I heart like crazy!). I am still wanting to do a Maleficent look…I know, get with it Jen, that was so ten minutes ago…but I still WANT to!!!!! And as much as I love my computer, it is a little cumbersome and bulky. Can’t take it everywhere….but what I CAN and DO take everywhere is my phone. Honestly I think I may need counseling on how to leave it at home every now and then ha! The reason I say this though is because I am posting all the TIME on Instagram. So if you are needing a little “Jen fix” you can find me there at classycozmetics. I do a lot of fashion (for the pear shaped girl),
makeup (duh lol),
crazy theatre antics
Blogger events
and thoughts, thoughts, thoughts.
Be sure to follow me there so you can keep up with all of the fun and hear about fun events going on. I would love to meet you! I would love to see what you are up to and learn more about you and your lives. Come and join me!
