March is over, has been for a minute, actually! I've wanted to try "favorites" out for a while, but didn't really know what to write about. Last month, however, I really enjoyed a vast array of specific products. Here they are, I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
BEAUTY ("I DO MAKEUP THINGS!" -Emma Pickles)
I've been experimenting with makeup and style a lot lately, and these products became some of my routine staples. Many of these were featured in my Get Ready With Me Video, check it out to see them in action!
- Smokey Rose Lipstick by Palladio
- Palladio's Lip Liner pencil in Walnut (I've found that pencil eyeliners can be hard to apply, so this product is the perfect mix. It goes on easily and stays all day, yet it still has smudgy properties if you want a softer look. I had no idea lip liner could work so beautifully as an eyeliner!)
- Covergirl Smoothers 10-in-1 SPF 21 BB Cream
- Cocoa Butter (an awesome lotion--and it smells great!)
- COCONUT OIL! I know, I know, this is nothing new; but it's blown me away recently with its magic ability to remove ALLLL kinds of makeup.
- VASANTI Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator (I loved the sample so much I used it all up!)
- Marzia's Warm Cookies roll on perfume
(The perfume and Brighten Up! Rejuvenator were from December 2015's Marzia Box)
LITERATURE
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash
I have been told more than once to read To Kill A Mockingbird, but I was convinced it was an extreamly sad, boring book with such difficult vocabulary I wouldn't be able to understand it. Boy, was I wrong! This classic has quickly become a favorite of mine. The book is written in the perspective of young Scout Finch, a tomboy growing up in Alabama during the Great Depression. Centered around Scout's coming of age, historical events shape the story from the background. The majority of the book is spent with Scout and her brother uncovering the mystery of a man kept supposedly imprisoned in his own house, so I was surprised by Lee's adult undertone. While kids are going to school and reenacting picture shows, the reader sees a glimpse of the segregation and poverty that was so common in the thirties.
I have to read a book for my English class every month, and in March I fell in love with The Night Circus; in which two powerful magicians bind their children to a competition of manipulation; training them separately with extreme opposite methods. The story revolves around their magic ability as they grow older, and by reading from several different points of views and time periods, we see how their skill affects the world around them. It's a beautifully written book with incredible detail and expansive vocabulary. I'm usually a really quick reader, but this novel really challenged me! If you enjoy mystery, romance, and "magical" stories, I strongly recommend The Night Circus.
Honor Girl broke my heart. This graphic novel perfectly captures the frustration of growing up. Exploring topics of love, adventure, and great change, I could not put this book down. Maggie Thrash's memoir takes place in the South, a very un-accepting place. She takes us to her hundred year old Summer Camp, where she falls in love against her will. Struggling with her identity, Thrash finds comfort in the art of shooting rifles. However, she can't spend the entire summer on the range, and must come to face her inner quarrels and deal with bullies in the form of campers, counselors and staff, and even her parents. Don't worry, this novel is chock full of humor and smiles as well--and when it's over you'll want to pick it right back up again. 
THE ARTS
Prang Watercolors
EasyCast Clear Casting Epoxy
Silicone Molds
I have always been a creative person, and this month I've been water coloring up a storm! I have tried all kinds of paint, from expensive water color in tubes to Crayola water color cakes; but PRANG is my absolute favorite. It gives all my art a professional look due to rich pigments and smooth, effortless blending. Bonus: The brush that came with my set is beauuuutiful!
I am trying to get an Etsy Store started up, and in addition to crocheted creations, I plan on selling resin jewelry. I love EasyCast because the resin cures relatively quickly (24 hours minimum IF the resin is mixed properly!) and it doesn't smell particularly strong.
Speaking of resin, my favorite type of mold is definitely silicone. I've noticed that silicone hardens my prices quicker, leaves a harder, classier finish and is much easier to release. I LOVE this 17 mm one by pressedflowermart; it was super affordable and fabulous quality.
MUSIC
This is a little playlist of the songs that I've had on repeat this past month and into April...
Powerful Songs by Powerful Women:
• Grand Piano - Nicki Minaj
• I Lied - Nicki Minaj
• Pound the Alarm - Nicki Minaj
• All Things Go- Nicki Minaj
• Lady Patra - Iggy Azalea
• Change Your Life - Iggy Azalea
• Impossible is Nothing - Iggy Azalea
• Don't Need Y'all - Iggy Azalea
• Confidant - Demi Lovato
• Kingdom Come - Demi Lovato
• Big Girls Cry - Sia
Language Interest:
• Saint-Laurent - Cœur De Pirate
• 我的歌声里/Wǒ de gēshēng lǐ/You Exist In My Song - By Qu Wanting
My Guitar:
I've been trying to learn guitar for a while, and I know enough chords now that I can start to enjoy the instrument and not worry so much about correct shape and sound. It's so nice to just sit on my bed after a long day and play, it's very relaxing. I know that even if I never get really great at it I'll always love playing my guitar. If you've been hesitant to start playing an instrument, do it! Don't pressure yourself to be super talented, that takes time. Just enjoy it and play for yourself coz it's fun! It is for me, anyways!
(To see my acoustic cover of Sea of Love, click here!)
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that April will be as wonderful as March was! I've had so much fun making YouTube videos lately, and have a bunch of super cool blogposts planned. Comment if you have any suggestions, and thank you all so much for reading and supporting my weird little blog! <3
Love Always,
Madeline
(P.S.) Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to keep up with posts, and watch my adventures on YouTube! By the way, as I am completely fed up with Blogger, I will be moving my blog soon. I've had issues with the text and presentation of my page in the past, but it's getting ridiculous. No matter how many times I select, change and save my text to the default font, it always publishes as Arial. Raaagh!! If you know what is going on, please comment below!
