ramblings...

My hubby and I were out for dinner the other night and saw this huge bus! Check out how you have to get in it, crazy- huh? Too bad they were closed and we couldn't take a ride it would have been fun to cruz for a few minutes.

Do you know Regina Spektors music? You may have heard her song "The Call" from the Narnia sound track. I fell in love with that song when I saw the movie. I looked her music up on the Internet and I really enjoy her other stuff. She has such a unique voice and her music matches it. Check her out if you up for a new artist http://www.reginaspektor.com/ :)

-Al

I Looooooove OREO's

I love Oreo's! They are among my top favorite cookies to munch and have a glass of ice cold milk to wash it down with. Im not much of a dunker but I love to take a nice big gulp of milk after eating one or two. :) My other favorite cookie is the Pumpkin Chocolate chip- mmmm yummy! They always remind me of autumn weather, all year round. (I also wear them all year round!) LOL... What are your favorite cookies?

Paige Davis

Today at work I had the pleasure of meeting Paige Davis, spokes personality for RC Willey Home Furnishings and host on Trading Spaces reality TV series, she is as bubbly in her appearances as she is in person. (this photo wasn't staged- she actually popped in with the hand thing :)) She came to the Murray store to do a publicity meet and greet for the customers. Her book "Paige by Paige" are the chronicles about the years events with the show Trading Spaces. (the pic below actually has Ty Pennington on it- before Extreme Home makeover) Which made #4 best seller in the NY times back in 2003. She came back after a 3 year blip with TLC and is the host again. You go girl!


So a little about how I was able to meet her- I work in the Murray store for RC Willey, and I help with the floor staging. It's a physical job, but I have fun with the team I work with. We all get a long- its almost like a little family. Interior decorating wasn't what I started doing when I was hired on with RC Willey- but I have enjoyed the change of positions. I have learned a lot working in my department- but I have a long way to go in terms of designing. I took a class in HS about Interior Design but I never really got into it. My teacher wasn't the greatest- so my first real exposure to this field of work wasn't a positive one. Given the opportunity to learn from the people I work with has intrigued me to pursue some education in this career path. Not full time- but more like a hobby. :) So that's how I met Paige- working for RC Willey.

Love Al-
Saturday September 20, 2008

This picture is quite lovely- I imagine that I am sitting on the bench across from the beautiful caption-The sturctures in the back ground are both beautiful. The one on the right has aged yes- but it for that reason alone it captures the beauty of the past. Peach infused with pink floral, sits right in the middle adding a bit of a "natural" element- I love that. Iron work that is done with this scroll motif appeals to me, I would love a piece of iron work similar to this as my front door. And the main structure adds a touch of today- were still moving forward and improving our outside elements for others to enjoy.

My grandfather has an eye for beauty, always has. He loves capturing the outdoors- freezing a moment in time. He stages his home beautifully, looks as though a woman set up the whole place. This ability he does natually- he passed those traits down to his daughters and grandaughters. For that I am truely greatful.

-Al

ARE YOU QUALIFIED? style statement

So I checked out the style statement blog and I came across this post and found it so thought provoking. http://carrieanddanielle.com/are-you-qualified-authentic-career-building/ Check out the post by clicking above.


Am I qualified? To do what I love, or what I dream of pursuing? Here is your assingment:

5 reasons why your dream is outlandish or the odds are agianst you
10 passions or beliefs
5 persuasive actions that will get you what you want!

KISS MEDOCRITY GOOD BYE AND PREPARE TO MOVE TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE!





My dream job; my goals- successful Makeup Artist and Master Esthetician.
I took the challenge and here is my list:




1. Insecure
2. Little experience compared to others
3. Its not a steady paycheck or source of income- insurance?
4. Feel I need more classes, and teaching. T.here are some tecniques that I don't do well
5. Lots of competition





1. I love to learn, it's part of succeeding
2. I love beauty products, they are fun!
3. There will always be a need for every passion, it just depends on the degree and the saturation.
4. I love makeing others feel and loof thier best
5. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
6. Internal beauty completes your outer beauty
7. LOVE what you do.
8. Be Honest and Fair in all your dealings
9. Stop going to "work" and start going to your "passion"
10. Always Smile!



1. Put your self into what you love and let it show. - BE YOU!
2. Don't be afraid- forget FEAR!
3. Fake it til you make it-
4. Presentaion presentation presentation
5. Get out there- you won't suceed until you do.

Natural Beauty Defined

Beauty is defined as ethnic identity, female identity, personal identity. As well as what your role should look like in society and being who you are supposed to be. Natural beauty is variable- it's dependent on your culture; some say it's no makeup, that it's facial alterations to look like ancestors or animals for story telling, or to fill a role in society.

Although you can't stop aging- the media images in our society imply differently. Body modification can be taboo in some cultures. The body is seen as a gift or as sacred and should not be altered from what your parents or [god] gave you. Beauty is defined on how you feel when you look in the mirror or being comfortable in your own skin. It's a personal decision or out look, that can be influenced by society or culture.


As a Master Esthetician and Makeup Artist I see and hear all about what women and men want to do to improve the appearance of their skin. There are many non invasive treatments as well as many products to help with the skins overall look. They range from basic facials to intensive peels and camouflage makeup.



My definition of Beauty is what you see your self as when you achieve your goals and aspirations. I have personal belief in that. In those moments I realized who I was and saw the beauty with in. You can make the outer shell “look” like what you want, but it's what goes on inside that completes it.

When I have done a make over on someone who isn't excited or loves who they are- it doesn't matter what put on them; they still don't have the glow of someone who loves or likes who they are. It's amazing to me what I see in people as they feel better about them selves when they leave my hands. In this industry our hands our like gold- they do wonders for others- the human touch is the most healing of all remedies. I truly believe that.

Double Agent Quick Fixes

Autumn is my favorite time of year- bright colors reveal themselves, crisp mornings and evenings, Hoodie time! I don't know why, it's only been in the past few years that I really enjoy the fall weather. I wonder if it was a new start to each school year, my inner clock says it's time to start something again- hmmm....

(photo by radekaphotography.com)

I found these tips in the Sephora book, a new beauty bible. If you haven't picked one up I suggest you do for a mere $27.95. In here are some are tips I have grown up with and others are new to me- do you have any 'Double Agent Quick Fixes' ?

Toilet paper instead of blotting paper
A knife instead of a mirror to check your lipstick
Nail polish to prevent a run from spreading in your stockings
Tooth brush as an eyebrow groomer
Hair conditioner as shaveing cream
Matchbook cover as a nail file
Brow tint to cover grey hairs or as a root touch up in between visits to the colorist
Pressed or loose powder on roots of hair to absorb oil/grease
Hand lotion to fight frizzies
Cold tea bgs to depuff eyes
Olive oil on patches of ultradry skin

These I didn't find, but are my contribution to the list:
Low heat setting on your hair dryer to help break in new shoes.
Blush as an eyeshadow

MK lip primer as an eye primer

Happy Autumn- Al

Ulta

I have heard and read from fellow beauty bloggers there LOVE for Ulta. Utah finally has one of our own! (Go us!) Not to mention a Sephora as well. :) I would have to shop at the Vegas Sephora if I wanted to try the products before I purchased them- now I only have to drive minutes compared to hours!

I made it to Ulta and checked it out- and I don't know why it took us so long to get one, it's fantastic! I made a few purchases that were killer deals. Utla collection had 1$ liners and 3$ shadows- so I picked up a couple. When I first did a swatch on the back of my hand the colors were really light so I did a second swatch to intesify the color. The kohl liners are gorgeous for fall! I did a look with some of the shadows using an eyebase, they look better on the lid than they did on the back of my hand. (I will post a pic later)

4 new shadows and 3 new liners- aren't they gorgeous (?!), the price was too!

L-R shadow: Amythest, Safari, Gold Leaf, Terracotta

Liners- BlackBrown, Copper, Moss

The swatches were done 2x's- they are high metallic. Terracotta on top (orangish), Amythest bottom left, Gold leaf in middle, safari on right. Liners look similar in this photo- but they are different! L-R BlackBrown, Moss, and Copper.

Utla and Sehpora are opening another location each, in Sandy and Murray- they are both even closer than their origional locations. YEAH! Now all we need is a MAC store- not just a counter!

-Al

Happy Birthday P!NK!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY P!NK!!!

One of my favorite artists-P!NK- Her music just gets ME excited! LOVE LOVE LOVE her new song "So What!" MMM baby! If I was single and broken up with my BF- this song would be my anthem- 'were all gonna get in a fight'!! lol- Anyway, LOVED her Blue out fit (superHOT) in the MTV VMA awards show this year 2008. She did perform her hit 'So what'- and it was Fantastic! It rocked the house- (Don't know why Brittany won so many awards- must of paid off somebody!!) out of all the performances. Best show, best vocal ( besides her back up chic), best outfit, Best everything! YOU go G!RL!

So here is my attempt to do P!NK's look- I did a "pink" eyeshadow look and a "rocker P!nk". I know I don't look anthing like her and this is just a first time shot, so check it out- I'm tryin more of her looks- I will post more later.

Thanks for reading-

Al

MY SUMMER VACATION by aleca

This summer I made it my goal to at least attend 1 arts festival that happens in Utah. My luck preceded me and I went to 2! Go me! Anyway I get tons of inspiration there and LOVE to see all the beautiful and creative works of art from all over. I took a few snap shots of some of my favorite things, a few that caught my eye or peaked my interest. There a some that were just plain weird, but that's the beauty of art. It's not for just one person but a whole bunch of people.

I know I have been a little long in between posts, work and life ...blah blah blah... you know the routine. As the summer winds to a close I hoped to share these few experiences that I thoroughly enjoyed. :) Hope you do too.

This stylish moose sits out side CHLOE LANE clothing store in Park City down main street. Fashionable and creative.

This was one of my interests. I was unable to get much information about the artist, but it's creativity is thought provoking.

This wall art is creative. I thought it was a great idea ( too bad I didn't come up with it first! :). They are words and thoughts that are inspiring crafted with images that re iterate what is being said.

These two cute girls let me take a picture of their faces. I loved the art work that they had. :)

This is Photographer David J West (http://www.davidjwest.com/) I purchased two of his beautiful captions of the Western Mountains. Please check out his web sight, he is awesome! My friend Kim, her parents have a piece of his work too. It's worth it. Thanks David!

This crazy looking creature is available to guard your yard. No need for a dog. Sign reads: "BEWARE! metal skeleton ram who will chop your head off if you enter"..."BEWARE! this is my daughter's last boyfriend"... "FIRE TORCH, METAL SKULL, ME WANT YOU!" or a great Halloween yard accessory.

This is my impression of Downtown SLC UT.

This guy sounded awesome, I can't remember the instrument he played but the sound was so rhythmic. we stopped to listen for a while that day.