I love discovering new make up tips!

And I just discovered that Carmindy from TLC’s What Not to Wear has a website with all kinds of wonderful make up and budget-saving tips! I signed up to receive them by email… so I should be just gorgeous in no time at all. wink.

a few of Carmindy’s tips:

eyes Always apply a highlight shade under the eyebrow and in the tear duct area. This creates at an open, bright-eyed look. Highlight shades include: light pink, white, vanilla, gold, iridescent, and champagne.

blush Splurge on brushes. Blending is so important when using eye shadows and having good brushes makes all the difference. I buy some of my faves at art supply stores as well as makeup shops.

lips

Small lips–Avoid wearing dark colors; they make lips look smaller. Choose light or bright shades of lipstick or gloss with shimmer that catches the light for a magnifying effect. Big lips–Stay away from glossing the whole lip. Apply a little in the center on top and bottom, and then blend with your fingertip across the lips for shine that doesn’t overpower your face.

whiter teeth–Brush teeth with a little baking soda. Then choose lip colors in cool tones for an icy-white smile.

Money Saving Tips If you have a drawer full of half-used lipsticks, don’t throw them away and buy more. Take a pillbox and dig out the lipstick colors and put them in each square. You’ll have a great carrying case and palette to create new colors like the pros do.

~When your mascara is dry and not applying well, run it under hot water for 5 minutes. Good as new.

*Hollywood Makeover Tool at InStyle*

If you’ve got time to play, and you’re pondering your wedding day hair and make up style… check this fun tool out. Upload your own photo or use one of their models. Scroll through your fave Hollywood starlets and try on their make up and dos. I had fun playing with the color, highlights and low-lights.

What’s your favorite make up tip? Where did you learn it from?

Happy Friday!

image source: flickr

“Nautical Dreams” Wedding Invitation, Table Number Cards by MagnetStreet Weddings, blue rose ring via etsy, cobalt blue glasses and hydrangea vase & boutonniere via  brides.com

I wonder how many engaged couples spend time carefully considering what they want and need in a spouse…their commonalities in relation to their personalities, morals and values. And then communicate these desires to each other~ well before the wedding day.

We get married with the intention that it’s for life!

Yet, that looming high divorce rate. {sigh}

To quote from the book What I Wish I’d Known before I Got Married, author Kay Coles James writes, “Yet, the reality is that marriage is probably the most dynamic and challenging of all human relationships.”

In other words, it’s not easy.  So, seek wisdom. Seek advice from wise people.

Again quoting {cause Kay is one wise woman} “Communication is the glue that holds everything in human relationships together. It binds our hearts and souls to one another; it gives breath to the covenant we jointly make; it is our operating language, connecting us to our past, making the present possible, and envisioning the future. The goal of marital communication is intimacy. Sex may be intended for physical and emotional intimacy but communication is intended to promote relationship intimacy. Ultimately this is important to women and men because the relationships are not independent of one another. Great communication promotes great intimacy, which promotes great sex.”

Quoting from Kay again,

“The engagement period is not just for planning the event; it is also for thinking through what it means to be married and, specifically, what it means to be married to this individual.”

Check it out… Below are 2 lists of qualities that men and women want from each other. My mentor friend {who is graciously sharing these lists encourages the women she mentors to write out the qualities they want in their future spouse}… thus the compilation. The second list was written by a man with the same intent. Read through their lists… add or take away. I hope you find it a helpful guide and an avenue of communication for great intimacy. And even if you’re already married… there’s no time like the present to start communicating those heart’s desires.  Make Your Own List!

Qualities that Women Want in a Man

• Leadership
• Takes initiative
• Jealous
• Wants to provide and take care of me
• Sexual purity
• Big dreams and motivation
• Passionate/enthusiasm
• Treasures me (gentleness)
• Handsome in my eyes and I’m beautiful in his
• Desires God above all else
• Not afraid or ashamed to worship God or discuss the Bible
• Good sense of humor
• Righteous anger
• Intelligent
• Strong
• Good listener
• Adventurous
• Entrepreneurial
• Manly!
• Loves & respects others
• Charismatic
• Integrity – High personal standards/expectations
• Chivalrous/Gentleman
• Street smart
• Self-control
• Challenges me
• Friends with my family
• Winks
• Loves kids
• Open relationship with his parents, respects them – Treats his mom well!!
• My spiritual leader and mentor
• Challenges me intellectually and spiritually
• High level of social intelligence
• Articulate
• Many interests – not a one-dimensional personality
• Smiles easily
• Will try just about anything … once
• Not a picky eater
• Treats all women kindly whether they’re pretty or not
• Merciful
• Financially disciplined
• Generous
• Enjoys life
• Has at least one close male friend
• My parents like him a lot
• Loves music – open to different types of music
• Not afraid to look foolish or lose at something
• Kind to animals
• Tries to drive safely
• Courteous
• Respects my need for sleep
• Takes care of stuff – like car, home, clothes, equipment
• Has a soft voice – doesn’t yell
• I like hearing his voice
• Thankful
• Strong work ethic
• I respect him
• I trust him with my life
• I cannot (I’m not able to) boss him around
• He likes to think about the “why” of things
• Likes me to dress well
• Likes a neat and clean home, but is reasonable in his expectations
• He cannot be a pack-rat
• Believes in and practices tithing
• He is liked and respected by his co-workers and his boss
• Equally comfortable in jeans or suit (or white buck-suede boots!
• Equally comfortable at concert or football game
• Integrity – he doesn’t have a secret life on the side
• Thinks I’m smart
• Believes i’m worth listening to
• Likes the way I am and look
• I have his undivided attention when I really need it
• He’s feisty!
• He’s a challenge
• Affectionate
• Likes to wear cologne, but not too much
• Honest
• Not cruel with his words
• Not quick tempered
• Does not drink excessively
• Does not swear
• Does note tell inappropriate stories or jokes
• Trustworthy
• Dependable
• Not macho
• Not in touch with his feminine side!
• Not easily offended
• Not a “pouter”
• Loves my parents
• Likes me to have friends and talk with them
• Totally committed and faithful to our relationship
• Takes seriously his role as husband and provider
• Member of and involved in our church
• Able to say he’s sorry when appropriate
• Keeps his shoes shined
• Keeps his fingernails clean and neat
• Good grooming habits
• Can mingle comfortably at my work events
• I’m proud of him
• He speaks kindly of me when he’s around other people – even when I’m not around
• He is on my side
• He let’s me be the homemaker
• He’s got a sparkle in his eyes
• There’s electricity
• He is “easy” on other people
• Not judgmental

Qualities that Men want in a Woman

• What I am looking for
• Good sense of humor
• Witty
• In shape, as in takes care of her body
• Smart
• Fun
• Goal Orientated
• POSITIVE
• Psychologically stable/balanced
• No baggage
• Good communicator
• Good listener
• Can be empathetic/sympathetic but strong (I don’t need someone to cry for me when I’m not even that sad lol)
• Street smart, logical, down to earth
• Mature but hasn’t lost her inner child
• Confident
• Girly, not high maintenance, but is not afraid to get dirty… I like to play in the dirt
• Sexy
• Stylish.. but more simple.. doesn’t need to have the high end clothing to look good.
• Supportive
• Ready for commitment/long relationship
• Loyal
• Respectful
• Can get along with my friends and family
• Has her own friends and has a good relationship with her family
• Faithful
• Simple
• Someone I can show off
• Good mingle r
• Knows how to argue fairly, and how to apologize
• Affectionate/Passionate
• Likes dogs
• Not Clingy
• More Extroverted than Introverted

Recommended Resources:

~What I Wish I’d Known before I Got Married! by Kay Coles James {Keepin’ it Real}

~TWO BOOKS: For Women Only AND For Men Only by Shaunti Feldhahn

~Love and Respect: The love she most desires and the respect he desperately needs by Emerson Eggerichs

Let me know your thoughts!

I was drawn to the neutrals last night…  And how these looks~ reminiscent of classic Hollywood glam could so easily be found in bridal fashion today.  Be sure to let me know what you think!

Congratulations to Sandra Bullock Best Actress!

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. I’m so glad she won. Loved her form fitting gown with the gold-lace bodice and simple train.

Sandra Bullock {photo by Alberto Rodriguez} Marchesa

The Queen looked SOOOO lovely! Everything about her look… perfect… the jeweled embellishments… the single strap.

Queen Latifah {photo by Steve Granitz}

How amazing did Cameron look in her strapless beaded Oscar dress? Oh. My.

Cameron Diaz {photo by Jason Merritt} Oscar De La Renta

Simple. Classic. Beautiful. Kate wears them all…

Kate Winslet {photo by Alberto Rodriguez} Yves Saint Laurent

Say Chanel… and I’m there. While I do love the Grecian feel to this dress {and I may get a little flack for this} I don’t think Sarah rocked it … but this silhouette is lovely!

Sarah Jessica Parker {photo by Alberto Rodriguez} Chanel

Demi just seems to get more stunning~ literally by the minute! Very fun. Very flirty.

Demi Moore {photo by John Shearer} Versace silk organza

Although I’ve heard otherwise~ I thought Anna looked fabulous in her strapless draping gown with the front slit. Gave her a vintage look I found becoming for her features…

Anna Kendrick {photo by Alberto Rodriguez} Elie Saab

Props to the guys t00! They looked hot HOT as well!

The very gorgeous… Lenny and Zoe Kravitz

What were your favorites from the red carpet and the Oscars 2010?