Thursday, December 30, 2010

mac haul & updated palette

I had a Macy's gift card to spend from Christmas, so i thought i'd pop by the MAC counter to buy myself a few things!  I ended up getting three eyeshadows, to fill up my palette.  I was quite unsure as to what i should get exactly, so i referenced the "starting a MAC palette" post i did when i first got the empty palette, as well as a few Youtube gurus & i decided on these three!

L-R: Shroom, All That Glitters, Twinks
Shroom (satin finish): I figured i'd get at least one highlight shade (not the most exciting of purchases, but necessary in my opinion!), so i landed on this one.  It's not stark white, which is good - it's more of an off-white with zero sparkle, but gives a nice sheen.  I'm curious as to whether or not people use this all over the lid with something like Satin Taupe in the crease, instead of a stark white like Blanc Type.  I'll have to try it & see how it looks!
All That Glitters (veluxe pearl finish): This shadow was by far the most recommended, i'm not sure if it's because Elle (AllThatGlitters21) made it extremely well-known within the beauty community, or because it's actually a nice shade & product.  All That Glitters is a champagne color, with a kind of pink/peach reflex.  I was afraid that this would be very similar to Urban Decay's eyeshadow in Sin (which i love), but it seems a bit darker and not as frosty.  We'll see how it goes!
Twinks (veluxe pearl finish): This one isn't quite as popular as Shroom or All That Glitters, but it's still one of the more well-known shades from MAC.  I needed an outer corner/crease color, so instead of going for something like Woodwinked (i'm not a big fan of gold-browns & i think it would be too orange-y on my skintone), i chose Twinks.  Twinks is a deep brown, with plum undertones.  It's super pretty, my only concern is that it would be very dark against my super fair skin & blue eyes.  I did hear it's very easy to blend & it's kind of forgiving, so yeah.  I do have high hopes for this one, again - we'll see how it goes :)

I then spent this afternoon depotting the three eyeshadows i got so i could put them in my palette - as shown above haha.  If you're wondering how to depot your MAC shadows, here's a video tutorial - that's where i learned how to depot mine :).

Here's my MAC palette so far:
L-R: Shroom, All That Glitters, Sable, Satin Taupe, Twinks
I'm think of also getting a quad palette (holds four eyeshadows instead of this one that holds fifteen), so when i travel i can just tote that in my bag, instead of taking up some much needed space with this palette!  Both the quad and the fifteen palettes are available at MAC stores & online - not counters unfortunately - if you're wondering :)

I'm always looking for recommendations to build this palette up - what eyeshadows do you like pairing with any of the five shadows i have? ♥
PS. Thanks for the super lovely comments on my last post, you ladies are amazing :)

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

currently enjoying...

Hello everyone!  It's been a while since i had a blog post with photos that i took with my actual camera.  I suppose it's just easier to snap a few photos on a webcam and upload them straight to Blogger than it is to take the time to photograph something, upload them to my computer, fix the balance & colors and add my watermark (aka edit them), then upload them to Blogger.  I don't want my blog to turn into just photos of me in crap quality, i'd rather them be pretty photos of other things :).  I'll try harder to do that, promise!

This is just a little post on what i've been enjoying lately.  I guess it's a "five things" post, as i just noticed there are five things that i'm loving at the mo!  Oh, and another thing - i haven't mentioned this in a post yet, but i've added a "subscriptions" page at the top of my blog.  This is a list of my favorite Youtube channels - beauty & comedy/vloggers.  Definitely check it out if you have the time ♥
01. My tripod ♥.  I got this for Christmas and i have already been absolutely loving it.  The legs are flexible, so you can attach them things, or adjust the height with them, etc.  It also helps to stabilize the camera, which i have trouble doing on my own because my hands are quite shaky.  This tripod is from Amazon and was quite affordable for what it does, in my opinion.  The link to it is here!  I used this tripod to take all the photos in this post - including the one of me above.

02. My new phone - HTC EVO.  I mentioned that i got a new phone in my last post, but here it is!  It's so gorgeous haha.  Excuse the black, bulky case on it - i am such a clutz when it comes to electronics, so a case is a must if i want this phone to remain intact for more than a week!  I blurred out my location for obvious reasons.  With this phone came a data plan (my parents absolutely spoils me...), so out goes my social life & in comes my internet addiction!  This phone is brilliant, but the battery life completely sucks.  Well, we can't have it all, can we?

03. & 04.  Classy by Derek Blasberg and The Vampire Diaries.  I talked a bit about Classy in my last post as well, but i'm still enjoying it - definitely recommend it so far!  So, i have been completely addicted to Vampire Diaries lately.  I admittedly finished the entire first season within three/four days (well someone has a life!).  I watched the first like five episodes or so when they first came on TV last year, but i guess i just got busy & didn't bother catching up on them - wellllll, my sister gave me this for Christmas & i'm am addicted once again!  Such an addicting show.  Need to start watching season two ASAP!

05. Victoria's Secret Kissing in Paris Sheer Fragrance Mist.  Another Christmas gift, this one was from my mom.  She said she got it for me because of the name, since i'm going to Paris next April (so surreal to think about).  I thought it was so sweet & thoughtful of her :).  The scent is quite lovely as well, i don't have anything like it in my collection so this was such a nice addition!  It is really fresh smelling, but not floral-y or fresh-laundry smelling either.  Very, very lovely :).

Hope you're all having a lovely week.  I don't even want to think about going back to school on the third.  Also, happy new year if i don't post until then!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

christmas in phone photos

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas (if you celebrate the holiday :) filled with fun times with loved ones, lots of food, & of course gifts!  I was spoiled once again, got way more than i deserve - but i appreciate it all.  I was considering doing a 'Christmas haul'/'what i got for Christmas', but it would take a lot of time trying to photograph what i got & i don't want it to seem like i'm coming off as bragging.  Let me know if that's something you'd like to see.

Christmas Eve was just a relaxed day with the immediate family, including church, opening presents, and watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (it's a classic in our house!).  Christmas Day, we had part of my mom's side of the family over for a late lunch and conversation (and more presents).

One of my gifts from my parents was a lovely new phone.  I was between the Blackberry Bold & the HTC EVO, but ended up getting the EVO - i'm kind of glad i did!  I took some pictures on it since i got it last Wednesday, so i thought i'd share them with you all :).  I'm actually surprised by the quality of these photos!  There's two cameras on this phone, one on the back & one of the front, kind of like the iPhone 4 i suppose.  Hope you enjoy :)

 Rings i got while shopping for gifts / list of posts & videos for me to do

Presents ready to go under the tree! / gifts for two of my friends all wrapped & pretty

 Grenade by Bruno Mars <3 / oh hey Gaga! - this sticker came with the Viva Glam Gaga lipstick my sister got me :)

Pleathura of yoga DVDs my sister got me, as well as Vampire Diaries season one, & a Marie Claire subscription / trying to pick an outfit for church

 More indecision!  Ended up going with the outfit on the right, but with flats instead of the boots.

Christmas tree :) / Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex - yes, i actually asked for this game (from 2001, i might add) for Christmas!  Brings back memories haha.

 Morning bike ride / mom & dad preparing dinner for Christmas Day with the fam!

The lovely arrangement of cookies i did :D so proud haha

Finally got a Scrabble ring :) / Frank Sinatra quotation

Dairy Queen ice cream cake :)  I actually didn't eat of it (surprisingly!)

Reading for church!  Wearing Viva Glam Gaga :) / My sister & i - aren't we attractive!?

 New books!  Classy by Derek Blasberg - currently reading, so good! and How to Be An Explorer of the World by Keri Smith - totally going to take this to London & Paris with me ♥

My sister ruining my self-portrait with a plastic fork lol / Wakey, wakey!  All cosy in bed with a new pink fleece & no makeup, eep.

-

Quite sad Christmas is over!  Well, kinda - i still have to exchange gifts with my friends & i have another Christmas party to go to on New Year's Day.  Can't believe 2011 is SO close D:  Still have to figure out my plans, yikes.  All i know is that i want to wear some flashy makeup & party party party!
What are you all doing for New Year's / what did you do for Christmas?
See you all soon, xoxo

Monday, December 20, 2010

monday summary

fatty status!
♥ Well, not much to report to be honest - i've literally been in bed all day, eating brownies, watching Gossip Girl, & being kept warm by my frog-printed rice bag that my mom made me :).  (But Laura, shouldn't you be in school?)  Yes, yes i should be.  Kind of a long story, but to sum it up i guess i just didn't want to go.  I blamed lady problems for the reason i couldn't go to school today because really, who can make you go to school if you're feeling miserable?  We only have two days left of school this week (then Christmas...WOOOOO) so i suppose i can suck it up!

♥ Speaking of Gossip Girl... John Patrick Amedori (aka Aaron).  MMMM ♥.  I totally recognized him from somewhere & it wasn't until i Googled him just now that he was in Stick It!  Oooh, i love him.  Kinda wished he would've worked it out with Serena in season two..i guess Dan & Serena were just meant to be haha.

♥ Been considering semi-permanently dyeing my hair again, it would be the same color that i did last time.  I think i would miss my kinda-ombre hair though :/.  I'm also worried that if i did dye it, the color wouldn't be consistent on all my hair, since the ends are bleached.  Anyone know if it would all be the same shade of brown or if it would be lighter on the ends?  Haha :/.

♥ I've wrapped the gifts for my sisters & my dad, i just have to put something together for both my parents & go shopping for my friends!  I already have an idea of what i'm going to get them, just have to pick it up & wrap it.  I actually love wrapping gifts, some people find it a pain but i quite enjoy it!  Just put some Christmas music on and you're good to go :)

♥ Guess who's back to blogging again?!  Zoe!  Woot woot.  I think her blog was the first that i read religiously, and it's still one of my favorites.  So glad she's back (hopefully for good this time! ;)

♥ Four to follow: Aimee, Julianne, Katherine, Indah ♥

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Q+A tag

I was tagged by the super lovely Holly to do this questions and answers tag, so i thought i might as well :).  You can read her answers here!  I do enjoy doing & reading these tags, so if you do this one, link it in a comment!  Hope you enjoy my answers as well as the irrelevant (but pretty :) photos haha ♥
Click photos for credit!


1. What's your dream job?
I would love to do something art-related, whether it's making music, being a photographer, working in fashion, etc.  I can't see myself being happy if i don't have art in my life!  Although i would love working in a artsy-type of job, realistically i suppose it can't really happen.  But yeah, if i could choose it would be something along those lines.

2. What is your favorite fragrance for winter?
I admittedly don't have a single fragrance suitable for winter!  I would love something a bit warmer or spicier, but i can't be bothered to go out & search for a new perfume, haha.  Any recommendations? :)

portobello road

3. How do you take your tea/coffee?
At the moment, i actually prefer hot chocolate ♥.  I like any fruity or minty tea, and don't drink coffee - wish i could say i do!  Then i could be like one of those hipsters who always have a Starbucks cup in their hand ;)

4. What is your most important beauty secret?
Take care of your skin.  Remove your makeup, wash your face, moisturize, drink plenty of water, etc!  Can't emphasize this enough.  I slip up on this all the time, but it's definitely important!

5. If you had an all expenses paid vacation anywhere, where would you go?
Hmm, this is such a tough choice!  Maybe space?  Haha :).  There's an insane amount of places i want to go, so i'd probably pick the most expensive one!  (Laura's lame).

6. If a genie popped in your lap right now and offered you three wishes, what would they be?
-Megan Fox's or Katy Perry's figure!  Been feeling really crap about my body lately.
-A sexy boyfriend.  Nuff said?
-For my family to be happy & healthy.


7. If you could only have breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert foods for the rest of your life, which one would you pick?
In an ideal world, desserts would be healthy & i would choose that.  Or breakfast food, i LOVE breakfast food!  Waffles, mmmm.  But i suppose all those carbs would be bad for you after a while haha.  I think i would choose dinner as that has the biggest variety of food & would probably be the healthiest.

8. If you had to pick a famous person for your other half to meet, who would you choose for them?
Yo no tengo un amor :/.

9. What is your biggest makeup pet peeve?
I would have to say when really gorgeous girls pack on their makeup - they're naturally pretty, they don't need makeup!  Of course they're the drawn on eyebrows and visible foundation line, but those have all been said before.

10. If you could only wear one piece of jewelry for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If i ever get married, probably my wedding ring - haha.  But right now, i would probably pick something understated & delicate - something like this.  Just a tad bit of sparkle, dainty & timeless!


11. What one talent do you wish you had?
I think if i had to choose, it would be being funny or speaking well - if those are talents!  I wish i could just charm people, you know?  Like, being funny & making people laugh - sure i can do that, but it doesn't come naturally like it does for others!  Charisma would be lovely :)

12. The product you will continue to purchase?
Tresemme Tres Two Hold hairspray!  Love this hairspray, i'm probably on my third or fourth bottle of it already.  Holy grail product for sure :)

13. If you could look into the future, would you?  What would you want to know?
I honestly wouldn't.  I think if i knew something about my future, i'd constantly be anxious about it & worried about possibly changing it.  Maybe i'm looking to far into this haha.  I guess uncertainty is what makes life exciting?

14. Who is your biggest celebrity crush?  (Include pictures)
Oh lord, too many gorgeous men on this planet to just choose one!  Well, i guess i'll TRY to narrow it down... ;)
top L-R: Cillian Murphy, Mumford & Sons, Adam Levine
bottom L-R: Johnny Depp, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Andrew VanWyngarden

15. What made you start a blog?
Well, nothing/no one made me start a blog, i started it because i wanted to!  I discovered beauty videos on Youtube, then discovered the blogging community through that, and was inspired to start my own.  I guess i just wanted to have my own bit of the beauty blogging community, so that's when 'Big City Dreams' emerged.  And that's that really :).


Friday, December 17, 2010

christmas come early

I've been feeling really down lately (a combination of stress, hormones, and impatience), but i've received two things in the mail this past week that have helped cheer me up a bit!  My mom treated me to some Sephora goodies and i also won Amy's 100 follower giveaway, and just got her package yesterday :).  This will hopefully hold me over till Christmas!
Amy at Glamour Rouge's Giveaway Prizes

01. Awesome bedazzled nail file
02. Amy makes & sells some lovely jewelry and hairpieces on her Etsy, and gave away one of her three-strand headpiece - unfortunately my massive head is too big for it, boo :/.  I do think it would look so cute & quirky though!
03. Two L.A. Colors nail polishes - in shades Berry & Metallic Copper.  Can't wait to try these out, they look really nice.
04. MUA lip gloss in shade four & MUA eyeshadow in shade eleven pearl.  I was particularly excited for these two products, after hearing really positive reviews from Kate at Dollybowbow.  The eyeshadow actually reminds me a lot of MAC's Satin Taupe, which i love - can't wait to try these babies out!

Thanks so much again Amy :) ♥

Sephora & Walmart goodies

01. Revlon Fantasy Lengths False Lashes - 91002 Intensifying.  These are admittedly my first pair of fake (blah, hate that word) lashes, but i figured i'd get them as they were on sale at Walmart.  Excited to try these out, but i know i'll be a total failure at applying them properly!
02. Too Faced Shadow Insurance.  I'm nearly out of my Urban Decay Primer Potion and thought i'd try something new.  I do like UDPP & it works really well for me, but it's such a hassle getting all the product out (i know SO many people have the same problem), so i thought i'd try this which is said to be just as good.
03. BareMinerals Mineral Veil - original.  I was running out of this, just a repurchase!
04. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in R.S.V.P.  I'd been really curious to try out one of these creaseless cream shadows ever since i heard Gemma first rave about them.  R.S.V.P. is just a neutral shade, reminds me a lot of Urban Decay's eyeshadow in Sin, but so far i quite like it.  Probably not worth $19, but it's nice.  I've only worn this with a primer, so i'm not sure how it is on it's own, i'll try that out eventually :)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.  Eight days till Christmas!
xoxo

Monday, December 13, 2010

five things

 Five things that are making me smile at the moment ♥
01. Everything Christmas related.  Helped my mom wrap presents & tested out some of the desserts she was making yesterday - i'm getting so impatient!
02. My red cardigan.  Have been wearing this baby a ton lately, i absolutely adore it.  My grandma gave it to me as well, so it's that bit more special :)
03. PLAID.  I swear at least 100 people wear some type of plaid to school everyday - top, pajama pants (yep, people actually wear those to my school), shoes, anything.  I don't know if i'm the only one who feels this way, but there's just something about a guy in plaid that makes me melt... *sigh*
04. Pretty pink, flattering nail polish.  This color is OPI's Got a Date To-Knight & it has got to be one of my favorite shades ever.  I think it goes really well with my skin tone, and although it may not suit this season entirely, i'm considering it to be quite neutral for me as it's light & basically my skintone.
05. Cold Desert by Kings of Leon.  Probably one of my favorite songs by them, and the live version they performed at the O2 Arena in London is too good, better than the album version in my opinion.

Hope you're all having a lovely start to your week,
xoxo

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

the lennon effect

Apparently my arm/hand/whatever likes to make an appearance in all my photos!
I'd been taking a little break from eyeshadow, simply wearing liquid liner & mascara, but i've rediscovered my love for it!
top - H&M
white tank - American Eagle
shoes - Forever 21
sunglasses - thrift

01. As some of you may or may not know, today - thirty years ago - was the day John Lennon was murdered.  I wasn't aware of this until Jac Vanek tweeted about it, but i thought i'd dedicate this little outfit of the day post to him. He was an incredible artist and an inspiration to many.  He also (to my knowledge) kind of popularized the silouette of the sunglasses i'm wearing with this outfit!  The definitely don't suit me as well as they did him, but they have a great vintage feel & are a nice little tribute to him.  I'll leave you to listen to one of most well-known songs, Imagine.  Rest in Peace John ♥

02. I have YET to start my English essay!  (Speaking of The Beatles....).  I don't know why it's taking forever!  I promise i'll stop writing about this haha.  Motivation please?  Lol :).  I've recently changed the little message thing in the comments section, deff have a read before you leave a comment - it's not directed toward anyone in particular, but it's something that's been getting on my nerves lately.  I'll probably do a ranty post soon on what's been on my mind lately!

03. One of my best blogger girlies, Alexandra, made a new blog with one of her friends, definitely check it out!  Click here to have a little look :).  They've just gotten started, but so far it's an inspiration & beauty type of blog, so if that's something you're interested in, go have a clicky click!

04.  I don't know what's been up with me lately (probably hormones) but i've been drooling all over guys this entire week - even more than usual!  My friends have most likely gotten incredibly annoyed with me talking constantly about the opposite sex, but i can't help it!  There's one fella in particular but i won't bore you with that ;)

05. I was totally right about my mom surprising me with Inception btw, just as i predicted!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

currently

01. (Trying) to do homework!  Have so much to do for tomorrow & the week to come, blah not enjoyable!  Also going to my school's varsity basketball game - how American of me, hehe - in a few hours so i must get it all done, i don't want to be up all night again!  English paper is not coming along at all, some people i know are already done & just have to edit it & i'm sitting here like FML.  Usually i don't have too much trouble with English essays, i'm not sure why this one is messing me up.

02. Just started watching Misfits last night & have gotten through two episodes so far (thanks again for reccommending it to me Hannah :) & i'm actually really enjoying it!  Hannah said it was like Skins but with superpowers, and as you may know i lovelovelove Skins, so of course i had to watch this - so glad i did!  My favorite person has to be Nathan, such a cutie - Irish accents get me EVERYTIME.  And i mean come on..those eyes!  That hair!  *swoons* haha ♥

03. Inception came out on DVD/Blue Ray today (do i even need to link that beauty of a film?!).  Hoping my  mom will surprise me with it when she comes home from work - you all know i love. that. movie. if you've been reading my blog for a while.  Obsessed.

04. I got Eclipse for St. Nick yesterday & actually ended up watching it (don't ask me why haha, those films are admittedly pretty bad).  I tweeted "Taylor Lautner + a tight t-shirt, jeans, & boots = perfection" whilst watching it & i'm so proud of you guys agreeing haha - what a gorgeous homosapien.  Lol.  Maybe he's the reason i watched it?

05. Actually listening to Mozart's Requiem as i type this - i love that this is the song Kings of Leon walk out to in the beginning of their shows - if you haven't already noticed, i'm a HUGE music nerd.  And proud of it!  I think part of the reason for me being so into music & whatnot is the fact that i play violin.  Anyone else play an instrument?  I'd love to know!

06. I changed the font & kind of layout of my posts, i actually like it a lot better - i think it's more organized & just looks better.  You may or may not have noticed, just thought i'd point it out!  Let me know what you think :)

♥

Sunday, December 5, 2010

it's the little things, part two

I got quite the positive feedback on the "It's the Little Things" post i did a week or so ago, so i thought i'd show you a few additions i made to the little series (if you don't what i'm talking about, then go check that post out, it explains it!).  Aimee gave me a few lovely ideas for some drawings to do, thank you girly :).  If you have anymore ideas, i'll be sure to add them!  Hope you like what you see ♥

Currently listening to: Hedwig's Theme (LOL, such a nerd)
On a side note... I finished the fourth series of Skins today, which is the last series (or season) with the second generation cast, quite sad actually haha :/.  Anyone else a bit skeptical about the third generation cast/the new series?  Where are all the hot guys?!  Most of the girls are really pretty, but i'm shallow in the way that if the guys aren't that attractive then i the show just loses it appeal - god i'm awful haha.  I didn't think that the guys in the first two generations were too hot at first either - but they grew on me & now i absolutely love them!  I can't see that happening with the new generation though, we'll see.  Any predictions for what the new series is going to be like? :)

Also, St. Nick is tonight!  Who else still gets gifts from their parents?  Hehe, i usually just get like a gift card & some candy, but it's still a nice little teaser to Christmas.

Hope you're all having a lovely day.  Think i'm going to go procrastinate & watch Up in a bit!
xoxo