Hello Again!

Hello world! It has been quite a while since we have spoken, and I apologize. School has taken over and well, you know how that is.

I have since made the executive decision to start doing some beauty blog posts as well as pointless ramblings. I am forever a slave to Ulta, and I love a good beauty product. So I figure what the heck, why not share them with you guys!

The first product I'm going to share is my foundation.

I've been using the Clinique Even Better foundation in that shade 01, Alabaster. I will say that I am pretty fair skinned, but not porcelain. This is the lightest shade they carry in the Even Better foundation, and it is a bit dark for me. But it blends out pretty well.

My skin is fairly dry, and can get just a bit oily in the t-zone. Other than that I did have some acne problems and with that comes acne scarring. This foundation claims to over time, perfect and reduce the appearance of dark spots, and it seems to be taking care of my acne scars!

The consistency of this foundation is quite thick, but it does blend out very easily. The coverage is absolutely gorgeous on my skin. It moisturizes where I need it, and tames the oil in other areas. It wears fairly well throughout the day without a primer.

You can find it at your Clinique counter or online for anywhere between $20-$30. It is a bit expensive for me, but my philosophy is if you're going to splurge on makeup, splurge on foundation. Think about it this way, the majority of your makeup routine is devoted to your face, right? If you take care if your skin, it will reward you. That's why I don't mind spending a bit extra on a good foundation.

Social Networking ... Not So Social?

DISCLAIMER: The following post is filled with irony. After all, it is hard to discuss social networking sites with the masses.


Facebook, Twitter, E-mail, you name it ... have all had huge effects on our social lives whether we realize it or not. 


When you have a 10 page paper due in two days, what do you do? Write your paper of course?! Pssht of course not. You spend the night planning your wedding on pinterest.


When a friend makes you angry, you confront them in person and discuss things. Yeah right. You post an obvious status about it hoping they won't notice.


When your boyfriend takes 5 minutes to text you back, you wait 10 minutes to send him a reply. Yeah, that'll show him.


When you go to the bathroom, you tweet about it. Hashtag, get a life.


We have become so consumed with social networking and the devices that come it. Now I am not totally bashing facebook and twitter. They are some of the greatest developments of our generation. We can stay in touch with distant friends and family members and meet new people. The opportunities are endless. When these tools are abused however, they serve as a hinderance to the human race.


Relationships have ended because one person isn't willing to make it "facebook official." Now please tell me. Who in the world told you that you had to get Mark Zuckerberg's approval to date someone? Hours and hours are spent inside, in front of a MacBook screen, scrolling through picture after picture of people we hardly know.


I say all this out of experience because I have definitely been a victim of social networking abuse. But I really don't think it would kill us to still utilize some of our God given social skills, and step away from the computer and iPhone. I promise they won't disappear. Instead of leaving snide, indirect txt cmnts tht look lyk thiz, take the time and actually address the person. I guarantee that you both will benefit from it. So will your grammar. 

19 Years of Wisdom

Even though I've only experienced 20 years of life thus far, I believe I have learned a lot. What good would it be to keep such knowledge to myself? None. So I will share :)

1. Don't stress the little things.
They are referred to as little things for a reason. In the grand scheme of things, they don't matter. Life goes on whether you want it to or not. Don't waste your time worrying about things you have no control over.

2. NEVER over use I love you.
I am so guilty of this. We claim to have fallen in love with someone, when it's really falling in like. Just because you get butterflies in your stomach does not mean you love a person. Over using I love you leads to a stale relationship.

3. Don't let others influence you.
If you constantly follow the crowd, it's easy to lose yourself. You are the only person that knows your true thoughts and desires. If you give up on them, you're giving up on yourself.

4. Ladies. Please. Don't act dumb.
I don't know what girls today are thinking, but guys do not find it attractive when you act like a complete retard. It's not cute. It does not make you more attractive. It gives the rest of us girls a bad reputation.

5. Listen to music.
No matter what you fancy, there is music to soothe any kind of heartbreak.

6. Take lots of pictures.
Chances are, we aren't going to remember every minute of college by the time we hit 80. Take a camera with you everywhere you go, because every moment is a kodak one.

7. Appreciate those around you.
The people in your life are obviously there for a reason. Trust me, they wouldn't just stick around for the heck of it. Everyone single one of your friends and family members has a purpose in your life, and let them know it.

8. Forget the past.
Yes we do learn from our past experiences, but that doesn't mean they need to affect our future. Keeping your mind on a past boyfriend can interfere with any future fella's. Get yourself over him, and move on.

9. If you aren't happy with something in your life, change it.
There is no use in being complacent with anything that makes you unhappy. Get rid of it, change it, do something to get it out of your life. The longer you wait, the harder it is to do.

Procrastination at its Finest

Today has probably been one of the most productive days of my life!
In a mere 12 hours, I completed the following tasks:

• Read and wrote reflections on two chapters for comm theory
• Revised my most recent news story
• Created a speech/power point on Fran Drescher
• Studied for a midterm

All of which are due tomorrow. 

I also:

• Went to my 2nd job interview for Best Buy
• Painted my nails
• And wrote this blog post

What is the reason for these achievements? Stress of course! I have found that I work best while under pressure. It seems that the majority of young adults today function the same way. We are most motivated when our time is limited. 

Most people have become complacent with last minute work, it's an unavoidable side affect of college. But why? What is so taboo about completing an assignment more than three hours before it is due? It's obvious that if you work on a paper over a period of five days, it is likely to be better developed than if you were to write a paper over a period of five hours. Starting work earlier allows for more time to refine and edit. Of course with starting earlier comes more effort, and more work. And my generation is pretty lazy.

I have learned to work so well under pressure because of my incredibly lazy habits. But in the end, these lazy habits have rewarded me with a great amount of focus, and eventually completing the task on time. So my question to you is, should we be ok with our last minute habits, or strive to become over achievers? 

Living a Happy Life

By no means do I consider myself any sort of professional counselor, but I find myself to be a fairly happy person. So why not share my secrets :)


1. Take time to smile.
So many people walk around all day with glum faces. It is absolutely amazing what a smile can do for yourself and others. After all, smiles are contagious.


2. Surround yourself with good people.
And by good people I mean people that will have a positive influence on your life. The friends we choose to surround ourselves with have a huge impact on our lives, whether we recognize it or not. 


3. Let your mind wander.
Take a little bit of time out of your day to just sit and think. Let your mind roam wherever it wants to, and follow it.


4. Accept Compliments.
Many people, including myself, feel quite awkward when receiving compliments. If someone makes a positive comment towards you, simply smile and take note of it. A little bit of a confidence booster never hurt anyone.


5. Don't let ignorance get the best of you.
Seriously. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. That's all I have to say about this one.


6. Take time to smell the roses.
I don't care how cliche this is, it's true. 


7. Say thank you.
Two simple words that let a person know they're appreciated. A sincere thank you can leave a lasting impression.


8. Take care of yourself.
Physical and emotional well being are vital components of a happy life. Treat your body right, and it will function properly. Give your mind the exercise it deserves and it will reward you.


9. Don't let your past influence your future.
Our past is our past for a reason. Don't dwell on something that happened yesterday. Whatever happened, happened, and there's no use in wasting energy on something we can't change.


10. Take pride in who you are.
There are no two people in this world that are alike. What makes you different is what makes you, you. Take time to discover and develop yourself as an individual, and embrace your unique self.




Word of the day:
pabulum
n: a suspension or solution of nutrients in a state suitable for absorption; intellectual sustenance    

Lonely Grilled Cheese

While enjoying my delectable grilled cheese at lunch today, a glance around the cafeteria really got my wheels turning. There I sat at a table, by myself. A guy sat to the table to my right, by himself. To his right was a cafeteria employee, by herself. 


Notice a pattern here? The three of us lonely grilled cheese connoisseurs were all sitting by ourselves. We occupied three separate tables, when we could have easily condensed ourselves to one.


Table conservation aside, I want to know why? Why do we insist on choosing an unoccupied table? We are humans, and in order to function as healthy humans, we need to socialize. One would think that this primitive need would even drive us to sit with strangers.


Striking up a conversation with a new acquaintance is not difficult. After all, it is how we make friends and build relationships with one another. So why are we so hesitant to do so most of the time? My question may remain unanswered. 

Singing in the Rain

Call me emo, but I love the rain.


Don't get me wrong, I do love the Carolina blue sky. But there's just something about overcast clouds that give me comfort.


I feel compelled to start dancing and singing everytime I carry my umbrella. One of those moments where you expect everyone to break out into random song and choreographed dance.


But it's a beautiful thing really, to look outside your window and watch the raindrops cascade onto the ground below. Hearing thousands of tiny drops hit the bedroom window with such gentle knocks can put anyone to sleep.


This blissful gift falling from the sky isn't always so kind. A sweet little raindrop can turn into a horrendous thunderstorm when a little bit of unstable air and humidity collide.


The tiny drops hitting windows suddenly morph into a monstrous monsoon, drenching everything in its path. Along with the flood comes angry thunder and lightning. Lighting up the night sky after every heart pounding boom.


These treacherous thunderstorms do not last forever, nor does the gentle rain. So instead of complaining about the dreary weather, throw on your rain boots and jump in some puddles.

Word of the day:


bathetic
adj: characterized by triteness or sentimentalism

Pictures and Things

In procrastination of my comm theory homework, the following post is going to include pictures of various things/places/objects that I love, because I'm feeling artsy. Enjoy.

Pen and Paper. 

I love the feeling you get when reading a piece of hand written work. It seems very stone age to write in a notebook with a ball point pen, but there's just something about your thoughts passing through your hand onto the blank lines. Filling up a notebook with doodles and thoughts is a gratifying feeling that can't be replaced.

Mascara.

Random, I know. But as cliche as it is, I believe that the eyes are a passageway to the soul. Eyes show more than most people believe. A long stare can show a person's innermost thoughts and feelings. Mascara helps accentuate a woman's eyes, and of course aids in the seducing process.

Heels.

I firmly believe that every woman should own a good pair of heels. That is all.

Books.

Good literature has a special way of transporting you to another dimension of fantasy and adventure. It can also help expand the mind. A good book can provide a release from the mundane ordinary world.

Friends.

When you find a good one, a friend is yours for life. They hold your hand through ups and downs, and show up with Ben & Jerry's when boys act stupid. Friends are a necessity to living a full and happy life.

 Glitter.

I like shiny things. I'm ADD. It makes me feel pretty.

Bagels.

I'm a New Yorker. I love a good bagel.

The Cross.

Because who else do you know that would die on a tree for you?

Word of the day:

Solecism

n: a nonstandard or ungrammatical usage, a breach of good manners or etiquette, any error, impropriety, or inconsistency.

Fashionable Footwear, or Symbolic Shoes?

Whether it's a pair of worn out flip flops, mint condition high heels, or ratty old converse, everyone has that one special pair of shoes. No matter how old, they are the shoes that will never get thrown away because of their sentimental or monetary value. For me, those special shoes are my crossword converse.

Call me crazy, but out of all of the shoes in the world, I couldn't find a shoe that describes myself and my goals in life better than these old chucks.

The crossword puzzle print is more than just a fashion statement. It actually describes my personality fairly accurately. I love crossword and other word puzzles so much mainly because I love writing. Specifically news writing. I hope to take this passion for writing, as well as a few of the words I learn from these puzzles, and turn them into a career in journalism.

The content of this shoe may describe my personality, but the colors describe one of my biggest goals in life. Black and white. The colors of elegance and class, ink on paper, and a city skyline. Specifically the skyline of New York City. I was born and raised in New York and I am a city girl at heart. Becoming a journalist in the big apple is a goal of mine, and one I hope to accomplish within my short time on this earth. It may be a bit of a stretch, but these mundane colors represent the flashing lights of my future.

I know that it sounds crazy for me to pull all of this out of a pair of sneakers. When I bought them, I definitely did not intend for them to be a metaphorical gateway to my inner thoughts and dreams. But as of today, the numbered squares and black and white pattern serve as a constant reminder of who I am, and what my future holds.

Why am I rambling about shoes you may ask? My first assignment for my public speaking class was to compose a brief speech around an object that represents our personality, goals, ambitions, etc. And now, I am sharing the speech with you all. Enjoy!

Word of the day:

Disingenuous

adj: Not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does

A Woman to Remember

Jacqueline Kennedy

A woman of poise, class, and honor. She is obviously the topic of the day. Mrs. Jackie Kennedy possessed all of the qualities that I hope to find in myself one day. Let me list a few.

• Born and raised in New York, spent early years in East Hampton
• Hired as a photographer for The Washington Times-Herald
• Wrote an autobiography
• And most importantly, she was a book editor the last 20 years of her life

Needless to say, Mrs. Kennedy had quite the track record. She completed many things throughout her life that I hope to eventually cross off my bucket list. Having a book published, living in New York, working for a newspaper, and having a beautiful family are a few examples. I mean come on, just look at that picture! She is wearing pearls and white gloves. I would do anything to be able to dress just like her. Her personality matched her refined style with ease. 

To sum it up, I admire Mrs. Kennedy for the elegant and confident woman she was. She set a very high standard for the succeeding first lady's, and all other women after her. She has all of the qualities I hope to have as a grown woman. You can call me Miss Jackie ;)

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” - Jacqueline Kennedy

      

Word of the day:

Ancilla

n: an aid to achieving or mastering something diffcult 

A Place to Ramble

Do you know how hard it is to name a blog? I have been sitting in front of my mac for at least 45 minutes, scanning the internet for any type of inspiration. What did I come up with? Something generic, which really bothers me. I am far from a dull person, and I deserve an original blog name! I'm usually good with that sort of thing. My whopping one class today must have drained all of my brain power.


Anyways, enough of my rambling for one day. I have created this blog so I have a place to vent, ramble, put down my excess thoughts, and pretty much just listen to myself type. I like the noise. I don't expect anyone to religiously follow this because seriously, what 19 year old is going to care about what happened on last nights episode of The Nanny? You can say I'm stuck in the 90's, but I love that show. Other than that, I promise to make every post as riveting as possible. I'll even throw in a word of the day for you guys. As for now, I have to go spend my hard earned money on over priced college textbooks.


Until next time,
Becca xoxo

Word of the day:
Coeval
adj: of the same or equal age, antiquity, or duration