January Favorites

In 2014, I really wanted to develop new skills and find new hobbies. I know it sounds a little silly, but I've become so interested in make up, and it's almost completely Jaclyn's fault. I love her to death, and I'm pretty sure we're soulmate best friends. I wanted to incorporate a little bit of this new "hobby" into my blog, and I'm excited to share monthly favorite products - not necessarily new products from that month, but the products I find myself reaching for day after day - new or old. So without further ado:

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray | I was always a little skeptical about a makeup setting spray, because I wasn't sure it was worth the money, but I was getting so sick of my make up wearing off after a few hours! It was like I hadn't even put any make up on, and it drove me crazy! I got this spray based on a recommendation from JH (Jaclyn), except I chose all-nighter, whereas she uses Chill. I'm more oily/combination and she is dry. I didn't need anything hydrating, and all-nighter spoke to me, seeing as I was looking specifically for staying power. Stuff works, girl. It's worth every penny, and I just found out they sell a travel size. This is basically the same concept as hairspray, except it's for your face. It even smells like hairspray. It goes on really light, it's not sticky at all, and it dries fast. I love that I can come home from work, look in the mirror, and not even have to touch up my make up before going on to a different activity. It lasts all day. I love it. It doesn't go on shiny, the smell doesn't stick around, and you can't feel it on your face. It's perfect. I don't love the bottle it comes in, because it gets so dirty so fast, but whatever.

Bare Minerals Well-Cared For Conditioning Shampoo for Makeup Brushes | I didn't always fully understand the importance of washing your makeup brushes, but have you ever done it? It makes me want to gag when I see all the product that washes out, and using a clean makeup brush makes a huge difference when you're applying your makeup. I got this shampoo in my starter kit from bare minerals and I use it 3-4 times per month. It doesn't wear your brushes out, it doesn't ruin the quality of them, and it gets everything out! It's very gentle and super easy to use. 

Revlon Matte Lipstick - "Pink Pout" | Because I am "new" to the makeup scene, I have yet to splurge on a brand name lipstick (but I have my eye on quite a few of them), but that's not to say that I'm not totally satisfied with my drugstore options. I have been so surprised at the quality of formula in lipsticks by Maybelline and Revlon, and own several from both! This color is like the nude of pink shades. It goes with everything, and because it's matte, it isn't too… distracting? I don't know. I'm still a little wary of bright attention-getting shades, but this one is subtle and always looks so good. The formula is so creamy and goes on so smooth.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - "Fair Claire" | I mentioned in a previous post that I had been using Maybelline's dream touch lumi highlighting concealer, and that I thought it might be the reason why I was looking/feeling more oily than usual, and once I switched to the Fit Me, I realized I was right! This concealer comes out on a wand like a lip gloss, and applies so evenly. The coverage is medium, and it does crease a little on me, but if I set it with powder, it usually holds up fine. It does the job, but honestly, I'm holding out for Mac Pro Longwear!

Bare Minerals Warmth | I've been using this bronzer for 2 or 3 years now and I don't think I could ever use anything else! I really love the entire bare minerals line, and this powder is no exception. I love how pigmented it is, because a little goes a very long way. I love that it gives me the control to decide how dark or contoured I want to be. It's so seamless. You can't beat it! The color of this bronzer is really intimidating, but once you get used to using it, you know exactly how much you need and how to apply it to get the color you want.

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner - "Blackest Black" | Another JH recommendation (which I'm sure a lot of these will be until I start to feel more comfortable shopping for myself, haha). I was so nervous about using a gel liner. It was so intimidating to me, and it looked really intense. I have only been lining my top lids for maybe 2 years now, and I'm horrible at it! I had been using a pencil or coal and it just wasn't lasting, and it was so hard to use! Now, I use an angled eyeliner brush, and this pot of gel liner, and it goes on in one swipe almost perfectly. It is so much easier to apply than a pencil, and the color and thickness of the line is much more consistent. Stuff can be messy, and sometimes it smudges if I do a wing or cat eye, but I'm working on it! I think it's my fault, not the liner's. 

While I Was Out

we all need a good internet hiatus every once in awhile to stay sane, and once I got going on this anti-instagram/facebook/blogging thing, I just sort of ran with it, and it lasted a lot longer then I initially intended. instead of giving excuses and talking about how sick of social media i was/am, we'll just skip it. we've all been there. it's not new news... but here's a little bit about what i've been up to since, uh... 3 weeks ago when I last posted... ha.

+ devin started yet another semester at school. this time, with only 4 classes, which will make for smoother sailing this time, compared to his 19 credits of crazy last semester. slowly but surely, we're getting to the end! i've gotta give this guy major credit though: full time work, full time school, full time husband, and still manages to do tons of fun stuff, and stay so insanely happy. i don't know how he does it.

 + another fabulous performance at urban lounge by our dear joshua james. i talked about how his music makes me feel before, but he's just a very invested, passionate musician, and it's fun to watch. this time, we took some friends. it was crowded and i don't like drunk people, but i'd do it for joshua james again and again.

+ loooooots of family time. time with my sisters, espcially. devin and i sporadically drove up to ogden to watch playoffs with kelli and sean. and by that, i mean kelli and i cooked and baked and painted our nails and talked while sean and devin watched football, and zero and cooper ran amuck. it was great.

+ a few weeks before that, devin and i met up with kayla and zac and the four of us took a train up to ogden for a fondue party at kelli and sean's. i'm telling you, all the hanging out with my siblings lately has been chicken soup for my soul. they are my people.

+ i've been helping chloe and amanda plan a birthday party for ben, who turns ONE YEAR OLD on the 7th! that's so crazy, it's just breaking my heart. i truly, truly feel like he just barely got here and now he's already this toddler that's moments away from walking and talking and it just kills me! where did baby blue go?! anyway. we did a little shopping and planning and ended our night at chili's where we each drank a handful of diet cokes and we ordered nothing but their most indulgent appetizers and i'm sure we looked like the most hormonal group of women, it was hilarious.

+ i took kayla to salt lake and we got manicures and then ate at gourmandise. i think it's an unspoken tradition to get once last pamper before you have a baby, and i wanted to make sure kayla didn't miss out! we always have a lot of fun together, but if that baby doesn't come soon, i'm going to lose my mind! her due date was yesterday!

 

+ devin ended up getting me into OR for the last day of the show. we walked around and marveled at all the booths and all the new products and devin did a ton of networking and we even got some cool free stuff, and also a few awesome deals as companies began to sell their booth inventory! devin is such an outdoor nerd, he was in heaven at the show, and i couldn't help but get a little giddy myself. it got me so motivated to climb hard, and i'm more ready than ever to start our summer goal of hiking 10 peaks on the wasatch front!

 

+ lunch at kobe sushi on the weekend: new favorite place. devin is successfully getting me to like sushi, even though so far i only like the playboy roll, and the vegas roll, depending on where we are. i'm a huge sucker for miso soup, though! i can't believe i'm starting to like sushi. i never thought this would happen. Kobe knows what they're doing and the owner, Mike has become friends with devin. we love sitting at the sushi bar to chat with him and watch him make all the rolls. rumor has it their ramen is AMAZING.

+  we drove to the new gym. devin just had to make one quick phone call, and we were in! there was nobody there, because it was the weekend, but we got through the fence, snuck in past the drop clothes, donned some hard hats, and devin gave me the grand tour! i'm telling you, this gym is going to be absolutely amazing. it's going to mean a lot of great things for the climbing community in utah and i'm so excited that devin gets to be a part of it! even though the gym still has a long ways to go before opening, it's so cool to watch it come together and get to see the behind the scenes work and all the effort being put into making this world class facility. once this gym is complete, it will be the largest indoor climbing gym in utah!

+ errand running, a little apartment searching, house cleaning, craft projects, pizza ordering...

 

+ on sunday, we were asked to meet with a member of the bishopric before church and were ecstatic to get new callings: primary teachers for the sunbeams! we've both noticed a huge difference between having an active sunday calling, and a calling that doesn't require much, especially at church on sundays. we have so much more motivation to be at church when we have responsibilities there, and we are both huge suckers for those toddler aged kids, so we are anxious to get started with the 3 year olds next week!

+ the rest of sunday was visiting teachers, skyping with one of devin's converts in Massachusetts, a visit from the EQP and ending the night with white chicken chili, no-bake cookies, and the new documentary "Mitt"

inventory | 01

Making: birthday party decorations for the sweetest boy who's breaking my heart with how big he is (one next week! ONE!?)

Cooking: comfort food. white chicken chili. baked pasta. no-bake cookies. 

Drinking: copious amounts of diet coke.

Reading: people magazine (i know.).on the list, though: the book thief, gone girl, and my regular dose of TKAM.

Wanting: another puppy. and some fresh snow.

Looking: at the gorgeous mountain views from our church building, 10 of which we plan to summit this year.

Playing: "polka dots" with Addison on my phone every time I see her.

Wasting: countless tennis balls by giving them to cooper. he demolishes them so fast.

Sewing: pillow covers. soon. i hope.

Wishing: we could move sooner. i'm anxious for change.

Enjoying: the sounds of my house when the tv isn't on and devin and i are doin' our own thing.

Waiting: for my sister's baby girl to finally make her appearance (due date is tomorrow)

Liking: straight hair. nice to switch it up after exclusively styling it with loose curls for months.

Wondering: what this year will mean for my little family.

Loving: taylor swift's wonderstruck perfume. i know, but trust me.

Hoping: jaclyn figures out that we're best friends soon, because I know it's meant to be.

Marveling: at Devin's ability to surprise me with new skills I never knew he had.

Needing: a good snuggle from Coop, and a mcdonald's diet coke (no, nothing else will do)

Smelling: fresh brewed coffee and paint fumes... (guess where I am?! haha)

Wearing: leather leggings. this is happening.

Following: other cars too closely when they drive under the speed limit 

Noticing: how quickly i can get ready when i hit snooze a few too many times

Knowing: exactly what I want to make for dinner, and it's only 10:00am.

Thinking: i'll go blonde for awhile, why not.

Feeling: content with where I'm at right now.

Bookmarknig: coffee table books. i want some.

Opening: my first birch box package this week (hopefully!)

Giggling: with excitement over our new church calling: primary teachers for the sunbeams!

Katie, Lately

 

arrived at my little sister's house for sunday dinner and was greeted by this wreath that's as big as my car

 

you can always tell what type of day i'm having by how i did my hair

 

when i came home and saw all this snow a few weeks ago, my first thought was that cooper would love it. and then i snapped this photo because once he got back there, it would get totally ruined.

 

devin and i took family photos a few weeks ago for the family of the couple who's wedding we met at! it was so great to see them and catch up and meet their family! 

 

as much as i'm glad to not live in utah valley anymore, i do still love it. and it's gorgeous as ever.

 

oh my gosh, this dog and his penguin. cooper always grows so attached to his toys and always totes them around so carefully for awhile before chewing them up. i've caught him cuddling with this penguin so many times, it's adorable.

 

more cuddling

 

greatest new treat. confession: i bought it for the packaging, but i'm going back for more because it tasted so good! 

when i found edible glitter in the baking aisle, i couldn't leave without it.

 

that glitter went directly onto macarons to give to family and friends for christmas. how cute are these?!

 

a few of my co workers all got together and made us a big breakfast on christmas eve since we were working the first half of the day.

 

the cutest packaging for those macarons

 

i'm telling you, he does it all the time.

 

i've been horribly sick for over a week now, and this guy is the best buddy to hang out with at home. i entertain myself by practicing his tricks.

 

devin got me another feral watch! i love these things! merry christmas to me.

 

after a double date with devin's parents for sushi, we ended the night at their house watching the game, and i snuggled my baby girl, Addi by the fire while we waited for her parents to show up.

 

i can't even begin to tell you how excited i am to have art on our walls that isn't wedding photos

devin's mom regularly has drumsticks for dessert, and i had never liked them before that, but now i'm buying them at the grocery store myself because i can't stay away!

2014 | Do All Things With Love

I've never been great at making resolutions, and it's usually because I'm too indecisive to know what I want to do or accomplish that far ahead of time. For 2014, I am going to try a different approach. I've picked this saying as my "mantra" if you will, for the entire year. I really want to focus on being a good person, on all accounts. 2013 was sort of a plateau year for Devin and I, but we already know that 2014 will be big. I designed a few buttons, so feel free to add it to your own blog if you'd like! I'm anxious to see where this year takes us!