My Art Gallery

Here I am attaching 19 pictures. They are not of the best quality because they were taken with my iPhone in not-ideal lighting. I call this my art gallery because that's what my mom says it seems like with all my paintings and pictures up around. I love art and beauty and I love to be surrounded by the things and places I adore.

On the site I originally shared these, I was able to easily sort them by room (although no one probably even knew). Descriptions for each are below.

These are metal, sepia-toned & are from Hobby Lobby. 3 of these were among the first things I bought for my first apartment. (I would've bought all 4, but they didn't have one of them, so it joined later. I forget which one that was now.) This is in my living room.

This was my first "Wine and Canvas" experience. Did this with a friend. It hangs in my laundry room, because it really didn't go with anything else I had at the time. 

This is a painting I made from a photo I saw. It is of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are so many things I see wrong with it, but it was also one of the first things I painted that was a "real thing" that turned out pretty well. 

This hangs in my bathroom. I was asked to make something with these colors for my mom for her bathroom, and didn't like this for her when I was done, so I made her something completely different and kept this for myself. 

The Pinterest melted crayon experiment. You would not believe how many people come in my apartment and ask, "Did you make that?!...Can I have it?!" 

Fun with paints. I think this took all of about 5 minutes to do and is one of my favorites. It also hangs in my bathroom. 

Ah, Grand Central Station. This was the first thing I bought for my bedroom. It was a poster on sale at Meijer! I had been looking for historical sites for my bedroom and hadn't found anything I liked, until I came across this. It started a trend.

This is also metal, sepia-toned & are from Hobby Lobby. These were also among the first things I bought for my apartment, with those NY/London/Paris/Rome things. They coordinate well which is why they are also in my living room.  

A friend bought these for me after seeing my different "places" pictures in my apartment. These are black and white "stamps" from Ikea. They are of various places around the world. I framed them and hung them also in my living room, across from those first pics. 

"I Love Lucy"!! This is so blurry, but I can't not show it. I had a calendar with these in it and when that year was over, decided to frame the pictures. In my old apartment, I had all 12 scenes framed and hung on a wall in the extra bedroom/office. These are now in my kitchen. 

See description above. Obviously this one turned out a little more clear. 

My world map. I love the world and knowing where countries are. 

These framed paintings are from Hobby Lobby as well. They fit in with my Paris theme in my entryway. I found these by accident one day and absolutely had to have them. These are one of my favorite purchases from HL. 

Fun with paint. I began this with intent, but it didn't turn out as such. Many people express their love for this, which is why I keep it displayed in my kitchen. I am not such a fan. 

Two of the newest editions to my gallery. These are another "Pinterest craft". My sister and I did these together (hers is on the left, mine is on the right). We painted the canvas then taped it, removed a couple pieces, then spray painted. Once dry, we removed all the tape. These hang in my dining room. 

My most recent purchase. This was originally bought for my sister, but then I decided I really liked it and wanted it there, above my bedroom door. On the left it says, "Live Laugh Love" then has the "Dance as though no one is watching..." quote. 

The other newest editions. These were made in a similar way, but instead of painting first, I taped first. I then painted over the tape. I waited for it to dry, then removed the tape. You see the results. These are in my bathroom. 

These are in my bedroom with the Grand Central photo. When I bought that original photo, it was as I was trying to find this Eiffel Tower print. Once I finally found that print again, I snatched it up and then came across the one on the left, which is a photo of London at night. 

My fun painting. This is an abstract tree. It is displayed on this easel in my living room. 

I can't wait to add more to my gallery, although I might need a bigger residence to do so. :) Let me know what you like!!!

Complexion Complex

I often get compliments on my complexion. That and my hair are the two biggest I receive. (That is, when I actually do something with my hair.) I have honestly had family (immediate & extended) mention frequently how "perfect" it is and how I "got so lucky." People I don't know, whether it be patients or people I pass in public, often rave about it, too. I am always taken aback by these compliments, because to me, it's unexpected and it's the skin I'm used to.

So, I thought I'd share my "secrets".

Obviously the first is that I was born with this skin. It was a gift from God with my parents' genes mixing perfectly.

Secondly, I avoid the sun like the plague! I have fair skin, so I burn easily. (Literally, if I'm in the sun for more than about 15 minutes, I get sun poisoning!) I am freckled, so it's obvious that I've spent some time in the sun when I was younger, but not now. (I played soccer for about 12 years, so I couldn't really avoid the sun then.)

If I know I'm going to be outside, I slather on high SPF face sunscreen. I also use a moisturizer (on occasion) with SPF in it.

Next, I love my products and always have. From the time I was a preteen until I was about 21, I washed at least daily with an exfoliating salicylic acid wash (such as Clean & Clear). I also used an astringent daily. These were done at separate times (one in the am, one in the pm). At that time I also moisturizer daily.

When I got a little older (around 21/22), I started using different products. I switched to a mineral makeup with SPF in it. I also started using "fancier" products. First it was Philosophy. At first it was just their simple face wash, which is very mild. I then added to that their Microdelivery Peel, which is a Vitamin-based peel. I did this once to twice a month. At about 23 I switched to Clinique's 1-2-3 line (liquid facial soap, astringent, moisturizer). This was something I would usually do daily and on occasion (based on ick-factor), twice daily. I also switched from Philosophy's Micrdelivery Peel to their Oxygen Mask. This is a milder monthly peel. At 26, I still do that Oxygen Mask, but have switched to Origin products. I love that they are more natural and also smell beautiful. I use their daily face wash with a soft round manual brush. Then I have a exfoliator that I do every other day. Also, I still use my mineral makeup (BareMinerals).

I did switch products a lot, but more for personal reasons, not because the products didn't work anymore. I feel that skin changes and skin needs change as we age, so it's best to adjust based on that. I am a huge Origins fan right now because it's affordable, fairly natural, and very mild.

My complexion is good, sure. But it doesn't come easy. I just hope it stays good as I age. I hope that all this attention will mean smoother/very gradual aging.




Questions? Ask. Ideas? Mention. I love to share my opinion.

Marriage & My "Perfect Mate"

As a coworker got married this past weekend, it runs through my mind about relationships and what's "right" for each person. Adults get married at all ages. Someone might be on their 3rd marriage by 30 while others aren't even close to their first at 35.

I have never been one to thing marriage is a must in life. In fact, I often say I may never get married and I'm ok with that. That's not to say I don't believe in marriage. I actually believe in the sanctity of it. I see so many unhappy marriages and marriages that end that I can't help but be fearful of it. If I do get married, it will be for life. (And that's a scary thought in itself!)

I have to ask, though, what is the rush to wed and the constant obsession with weddings? Have you counted the number of wedding-related shows on tv?! It's outrageous; I watch none of them. I have a couple friends who got married after our freshman year of college, much like my parents. I have others who are in their mid-twenties now and just starting to consider it or are newlywed. I respect their decisions.

I guess it's really all about finding your perfect mate and both being in the same place at the same time when it comes to that relationship. I've been told I'm hard headed & set in my ways. I admit that I am and see nothing wrong with that. A good friend even told me I am brutally honest with an odd (cruel?) sense of humor and that not everyone can deal with that. Trust me, I can attest to that. I always say that I'm still looking for that one who can deal with me how I am. Someone who accepts that I am strong, smart, and successful, but also caring, deep, and softer than I seem. I need someone who can accept that I want to watch and talk sports, but I also want to watch "girly" stuff, too. I like my freedom. I don't think people should spend every single day together. It's not healthy; it creates a bad dependence. Those guys who travel for work semi-regularly? Yes, that's perfect.

A Twitter follower shared about a story he read recently about more women taking the first step in a relationship and asking guys out. I replied that even with my gutsiness, I don't think I'd ever do that. I'm not a feminist, but I definitely think that's a man's role. It shows they're ballsy and actually want something.

Can anybody fit that mold? Everything I want plus ballsy? Let's hope so. If not, I'm good. I'll get there someday.