iPhone diary- weekend edition

 

this weekend was sure a busy one. 

 

Andrew's band played a mini-show, where I met this darling little five year old (above.) She officially declared me as her best friend.

 

Favorite season is in full swing.

 

 

On Sunday, we trekked a few hours westward for his neice's birthday party. (Also: you see that giant stuffed rabbit staring menacingly at me from the back seat? Some bunny is watching you...)

 

 

Hanging with the family. I'm clutching a waterbottle because it was actually warmer than the air outside. It's using your resources.

 

 

And THIS, my friends, is the world's hottest pepper. Named Bhut Jolokia, aka "The Ghost Chile," it is a native of India and has been officially deemed the world's hottest pepper by the Guinness Book of World Records. Andrew's brother came across some and let us take one home. We've watched many YouTube videos to see the reactions, and let me tell you, they are scary. Terrifying, even. But we tasted small, microscopic slivers of the skin and you FEEL it! Apparently, the burn intensifies as time goes on, and lasts for over an hour. We're going to try big-boy bites soon. I'll provide you with plenty of documentation of the hilarity (and horror) when Whitney & Andrew take the ghost chile challenge!

 

Are we insane?

 

Probably.

girlish nonsense

I have a confession: I almost never read my e-mail for my blog-linked e-mail account. Most of it is from Twitter and Daytrotter, and though I love you both, I don't pay much attention. So today, in the sea of Twitter-Daytrotter-Twitter-Gap-Twitter subject lines, I was no less than stunned to see the subject heading "blog request!"

I have never gotten an e-mail from a reader. Frankly, I didn't think I had any readers at all. But just as my hope of receiving a reader's message finally faded, I found one from about 3 weeks ago (remember: I never check that account.) I won't spill the message verbatim, but I was so incredibly touched by this reader in Canada. She said very sweet things, but asked if I would do a post about my make-up routine. I never considered donig one of these. I have no problem with other bloggers doing so; in fact, I love reading those posts. But this kind Canadian reader asked for honest opinions about what I use, like, would promote, and would toss. So why not! I mean, I like make-up. I use it. And as my first (and probably final) request, I figure I should honor her wishes.

FACE:

For starters, I use Origins Stay Tuned foundation. From what research I've done, it's vegan & cruelty-free (but someone e-mail me if otherwise!) It's also full-coverage without being cakey. Because, I'm sorry, cakey face is disgusting on everyone.

I then use Bare Minerals Matte SPF 15 foundation powder. I apply it sparingly and lightly. It stays on longer than the regular foundation powder, but since it's matte, too much is a bad thing.

To apply the Bare Minerals, I use Alicia Silverstone's EcoTools make-up brush. I got the kit at Target, and it is 100% animal hair and cruelty free. Not only that, but they're fantastic brushes.

For cheeks, I like Beauty Without Cruelty's Satin Finish Blusher in Rosetta. You can order it on Amazon for under $8.

ps: Rosetta  is a great year-round shade. Always peachy.

EYES:

I start with MAC Painterly Pot to prime for shadow. You can use so little and get so much from it.

 I like to stick with neutrals and browns on the eyes. Some of lid favorites are MAC's Phloof and Urban Decay's Cherry. 



Cherry

For the crease, I use MAC's Mulch or Urban Decay's Darkhorse. Both are brown with a little shimmer.



For the brow bone, I use a non-shimmer cream color, like Urban Decay's Foxy.



My go-to eyeliner is always a black/kohl. Tarte has a fantastic vegan liner: Aqua-Gel Liner in black. 



And for mascara, I LOVE Urban Decay's Lush Lash Mascara. 



I use all vegan products (as you probably guessed), but I also pick these for quality. All of the above are great quality, and you will get your money's worth.

I hope you enjoyed this! 



cat bounce

this little surprise was waiting on my Blogger dashboard. courtesty of a cup of jo, I would love to present you with CAT BOUNCE.

 

 

I'm not a crazy cat lady (at least, not yet.) but there is something that makes me laugh about this recent cat humor phenomenon. and cat bounce is no exception. 



iPhone diary

hello! here is a little hodge-podge of the happenings around here from the past week...

above: the mister & I trekked to Asheville, North Carolina last weekend.

North Carolina in autumn.

if you ever find yourself in this city, PLEASE stop by Laughing Seed on Wall Street.

I dove into some vegan pakoras.

yum.

above: Andrew makes a ridiculous pesto pizza. so I let him to the hard stuff (like, you know, cooking)

while I played with dipkin on the floor.

can you love a hamster? because I sure do.

above: there is nearly nothing better than my best friend, Janie, coming home. imagine my surprise, upon pulling into her driveway, to see a giant purple cow (below).  

 

I've grown really attached to the new house guest.

above: he's a peach.

and last but not least, from my sister-in-law's instagram, my youngest nephew starring in the cutest

fall photo you will see all season...

Baby Q, you are a doll!

au revoir!

text-cel

 

(courtesy of david cho)

 

Screen-shot of Nelly's video for "Dilemma" showing Kelly Rowland texting in Excel.

I am so amused right now.

things i love thursday

i haven't done one of these posts in a long time! now that the blogging is back in business, i figured it's probably time to bring TILT back. enough ramble, i'm diving straight into the things making me smile this beautiful autumn Thursday.

 

andrew brought my favorite fall drink to me this morning (soy chai tea latte)-such a lovely and sweet surprise! it definitely got my day started off on the right foot /

 

 

this dress from target! it's from the kirna zabete for target collection. it's darling-i had to scoop it up / the little chipmunk couple that runs around the parking lot in the mornings / roasted sweet potatoes for a late night dinner (though technically it was at 12:06 AM...super early breakfast?) / my halloween costume! i'll let you guys in on the secret:

 

 

(via pinterest)

 

 

my job-i feel like one of the lucky ones who can honestly say i enjoy what i do and where i do it. it's a wonderful store with wonderful people and i am learning more about marketing and design there than anywhere else i've been "taught." / lime twisted Seagram's and tonic / ancient aliens - i know i'm letting my nerd flag fly on this one. but andrew and i have become obsessed with the show! it's on netflix, for goodness sake. and giorgio tsoukalos is hysterical. especially the memes.

 

 

source

 

the countdown to fall break / new planners / a clean and running car / finding a good parking space on campus / friendly people who hold the door open for you and don't laugh because your books are topping over / my papaw's 83rd birthday is this month! / this print from artist koyuki inagakiis:

 

 

 

gimme!

 

surviving triple-test week / phone chatting with my mom / blazer weather / apple chips / mornings

 

 

there's probably more that i will think of later, but unfortunately school is calling, and i must answer.

 

Until next time!

 





pop pop portraits

helena randall creates adorable portraits and posts them on her blog (found here- also visit for all photo credits.) i can't help but share some of my favorites.

 

 

 

too cute. makes me want to crack open an old sketch book and get to work.

bye-bye :)

october 2nd

it's officially October, which means the already exhausted cries of "I LOVE FALL!" haven't even reached their peak yet. hold on tight, kids. i have a theory that once fall break arrives for the fellow collegiates out there, the already low pumpkin spice syrup supply at Starbucks will have completely been obliterated.

 

(source: the green straw)

 

 

now before you write me off completely for this surge of seasonal cynicism, you should know this: i, too, love fall. love it. adore it. cherish it, relish it, and count down to October 1st (my definition of the first day of fall.) okay, now that you don't want to call me a cynic, i suppose you could tell me i'm being a slight bit hypocritical. why rant about those who love fall when you just admitted to worshipping the season yourself? truth be told, the cries of fall fondness are like the tacky Christmas sweater phenomenon in December, or the white-button-up-khaki-shorts-family-portrait-on-the-beach tradition in June. i have done both, and frankly don't have an issue with either (except for khaki shorts on the beach...i cannot bring myself to ever put on a pair of those again.) it just seems that exlaiming how much we love fall has become cliche, almost over done. but you know something? i like it.

 

 

fall is fantastic! go ahead, lump me in with the girls pinterest-ing their fingers to the bone with pictures of chunky sweaters and boots and crafty pumpkins. because i'm one of them, too! fall is like a rebirth. like one of my favorite authors once said,

 

 

 

(source: vizual bandit image above and images below)

 

 

 

...and i couldn't agree more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lastly, i feel i need to leave you with a pretty accurate depiction of how fall makes me feel:

 

 



 

(source: twisted sifter)

 

how cute is this little guy?!?

i am with you, happy hamster!

 

 

happy fall!