Wet N' Wild BB Cream Review (ft. Warm Eyes Tutorial)

My Dear Readers,

          I'm back again with another product review for you all, and this time we will be taking a look at Wet N' Wild's 8 in 1 SPF 15 BB Cream. I have tried a couple other drugstore BB creams, but so far have been unimpressed. Either they are have barely any coverage or look flakey on my skin, and I was desperate to find something with a fuller coverage that didn't irritate my dry skin. After pouring over reviews online and watching some of Tati's videos on YouTube, I decided I wanted to try out the L.A. Girl HD Pro BB Cream. I went to three diferent stores, Target, Ulta, and Wallgreenes, and none of them had what I was looking for, or even carried L.A. Girl.
          I should have just saved my money and waited till I could find a store that carried the brand, but being the impatient girl that I am, I grabbed the closest thing I could find. I usually research a product in depth before I purchase it, but when I passed the miniature section of Wet N' Wild in Wallgreenes, I remembered reading good things about their $4 foundation. They didn't have that, either! Running out of time, I grabbed the BB Cream instead, and since it was below budget I also grabbed a Color Icon Glitter Single in the color "Brass" as well because I am obsessed with gold eyes.
     

BB Cream and Brass Glitter

Squeezey Tube

Swatch

Swatch spread out 

        I knew the BB cream wasn't a good idea, and almost immediately regretted the decision. When I opened the squeeze tube in the car, I was taken aback by the strong chemical scent. I would have grabbed a diferent BB Cream if only there were more cruelty free options. I try to only purchase products that don't test on animals, and unfortunately, many of the drugstore options just aren't that great. I tried filming a video of my first impression of the products, however, I had accidentally zoomed in on my face way too far and the whole thing was a disaster. I wore it again today, and have some pros and cons to discuss.
       The picture below is my face after cleansing it with my new favorite face wash, the Simple Moisterizing Facewash (see my review here.), and applying some lotion to my skin as well as its been quite dry.

Clean Face

       I used my flat top stippling brush from the BH Cosmetics 12 pc Studded Couture Brush Set (which is on sale right now for $22 if you're interested!) to buff the BB Cream into my skin, and had a lot of trouble with it. The product went on extremely sticky, and it took me a while to smooth it out over my skin. The picture below shows the right side of my face with one layer of the BB Cream, and the left side with no product. As you can see, there really isn't that big of a difference.

Left: Nothing Right: One Layer of BB Cream

       As I attempted to build more coverage, I was disappointed to discover that it would take a lot longer for the cream to dry. The product covered redness really well, but didn't do much for the more purple discoloration under my eyes. I don't have a concealer at the moment, so I just added a little more in that area to compensate. The formula is super heavy and sticky like I said, and I was not pleased to discover that it took its time to dry. While I waited, I went ahead and did my eye makeup.

One Layer of BB Cream

Two Layers of BB Cream

      First I primed my eyes with my e.l.f. Shadow Lock Primer in Sheer, then set my base with a nude shadow from my Shaaanxo Palette from BH Cosmetics.  This lovely palette is also on sale for just $14.50 right now, such a steal! Right now for a limited time they are including a free waterproof lipliner, and the palette comes with 9 lipsticks as well as 9 gorgeous eyeshadows, too...I highly recommend you check it out!! I wish I had waited to get mine so I could try the lipliner, haha! Sticking with that same palette, I buffed a warm yellow shade into my crease as a transition shade, and to deepen the crease further, I added the burnt brick red below it. Moving onto the lid, I used a flat eyeshadow brush by Jacky and Lauren and packed a Rose Gold color all over my lid, then intensified the shadow using my ring finger. Next, I took my two transition shades on my lower lash line, blending them out nice and smokey using a flat eyeshadow brush that got fluffier at the end. To finish off the shadow, I used a pencil brush and took the shimmery highlight shade from the palette and brightened my inner corner and a little bit into the inner half of my waterline. To really tie the look together, I created a short, thick wing with my e.l.f. Intense Ink Eyeliner in Blackest Black. I forgot about my lashes for a second and did my eyebrows, shading them in with my Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Blonde and brushing my hairs through with a spoolie to create a defined arch. To complete my eyes, I used my e.l.f. Mineral Infused Mascara to coat my top and bottom lashes.

These are the products that I used...

Fancy Display of the Brushes I used

Eyeshadows I used: Matte Nude,
Shimmer Nude, Shimmer Rose Gold,
Matte Warm Yellow, Matte Burnt Brick Red

e.l.f. Matte Lip Color in Praline and Nude Lipstick

  Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in "Blonde"
Anastasia #7 Small Angled/Spoolie Brush

       By the time I had completed my eyes, I was ready to finish my face makeup, dry or not! I used my beloved e.l.f. Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky with my Jacky and Lauren Blush Brush. I wanted to keep the rest of my face pretty neutral since my eyes were fairly bold.  I found it slightly difficult to blend out my blush since my face was still slightly tacky (and remained that way throughout the day), so I skipped Bronzer because I didn't want to fight with it. Looking back now, I wish I had; I think it would have added a nice touch paired with my warm eyes.
      To highlight, I used the same eyeshadow that I placed in my inner corner. I lightly dusted it along my cheekbones, on my brow bone, down the bridge of my nose, on my cupids bow, and with whatever was left on my brush, I highlighted my forehead and chin as well. Moving on to lips, I completed the look by lining and filling them in with my e.l.f. Matte Lip Color in Praline, then patted some of the lightest nude lipstick from my Shaaanxo Palette into the center of my lips to add dimension.

Smile! :) Full Face Completed

View of the Eye Look/Different lighting example

       Even though I had plenty of issues applying the BB Cream, I actually liked how my face looked with it on. My sister complimented me later in the day, saying my skin looked "so clear". Since I usually don't wear a base, she was surprised when I told her I was wearing a BB Cream. I was definitely impressed with the buildable coverage and the naturally glowy satin finish I achieved. However, I couldn't get past the greasy feel of the product on my skin. I desperately wanted to set it with a face powder, but I don't have one. At dinner today I noticed some of it came off as orangey stains on my napkin, which was annoying. It does get points for staying power, though, as it didn't budge throughout the scorching humid weather today. If I were to rest my hand on my chin though, I feel like it would have come off on my hand because it never did fully dry. I was very careful to avoid contact with my face while wearing it.
      Even though I loved how this BB Cream made my skin look, I am not a fan of the formula and would not purchase this again. I feel like there are plenty of other bases at the drugstore that offer even better coverage and aren't so sticky and greasy on the skin, unfortunately, it's hard to find a cruelty free option. My face just felt gross, and I don't think that a pretty face is worth walking around on eggshells trying not to smudge your foundation. I could have purchased a ColourPop eyeshadow with that $6, or even 6 more little individual Wet N' Wild eyeshadows or glitter pigments! Any of those would have been much better than this sticky BB Cream.
      If you know where to find L.A. Girl in stores, please let me know in the comments! I'm open to other recommendations as well, because I just seem to have the worst luck when picking bases. I hope this post was helpful to you,

With Love,
Madeline
     

(P.S.) The Glitter pigment I picked up in Brass was lovely, in case you were wondering! It looked gorgeous underneath my Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo in Bold Gold (I know Maybelline isn't cruelty free, that cream shadow was a gift). I highly recommend Wet N' Wild eyeshadows and glitters!! I was thinking of trying the Comfort Zone palette, tell me in the comments if you think I should check it out!

Smile, it's Simple!

My Dear Readers,

          See?? I'm writing for you all again and a whole month hasn't gone by! ;) I bring you incredible news, dear readers, I have discovered a glorious new face wash. There has been a ton of hype around social media lately about Micellar Water, so when I ran out of Coconut Oil (which is a fabulous natural moisturizer and face wash that removes makeup with ease), I set out to try out the fancy water that is sweeping the nation.
          That did not happen!
          My local grocery store didn't have a single bottle of Micellar Water by ANY brand, or even Micellar wipes! However, I did see that one particular item on the shelves was still immensely popular; the  Simple Moisterizing Facewash. There was only one more bottle on the shelf, so of course I was drawn to it. Upon reading its claims, I became further intrigued. Paraben free, no harsh chemicals, hyper allergenic, and moisturizing, to start! I prayed to the cosmetic gods that this little bottle of face wash would remove all of my makeup without burning my eyes, moisterize my skin, and possibly help me out with a small patch of blackheads and whatnot across my nose. At only $7.19 (and even cheaper online!), I was more than willing to give it a chance.

          Even though I had such high expectation, I was not let down. In fact, my hopes were blown out of the water. The magical substance came out quite quick and thicker than I had anticipated, but I splashed some water on my face and started gently massaging it into my skin. I was quite nervous about putting this stuff anywhere near my eyes because it didn't say anywhere on the bottle that the substance was "makeup remover", but it didn't say "avoid contact with eyes", either. I put a little bit on my eyelids, and after a few seconds I had not experienced any sort of burning sensation, so I powered through. This (gently) removed EVERYTHING. I could not believe my squeaky clean eyes.  Did I mention how satisfying the light foaming was? The consistency and silky feel of this face wash reminded me a lot of using Coconut Oil, as it did make me look like a raccoon as my mascara and eyeliner were smeared away. I could most likely avoid this by using a cotton pad instead of just rubbing my face, but to be completely honest, looking like a total freak makes my skin care routine so much more fun to me. Unlike the stubborn Coconut Oil, this was incredibly easy to rinse off with some more splashes of warm water.

          I used barely a nickel sized amount for my whole face, and washed it twice to be sure to get my skin nice and clean after removing a full face of makeup. My skin was quite soft and smooth feeling afterwords, and looked bright and clear. The annoying little oily bumps around my nose looked better as well, which made me do a double take in the mirror. The redness had gone down some and they looked slightly less raised. Mind you, this isn't even an acne wash. It's just a wonderfully effective skin cleanser. 
          I highly reccomend you give this face wash a go; it completely surprised me and earned a deep level of respect in my book. As crazy as this sounds, I can't wait to wash my face again! I have normal to dry skin, depending on the weather and what I've been eating. Lately it's been irritated and flakey, and this lovely product made my skin look and feel refreshed and hydrated. Even if you have oily skin, don't be afraid to try a moisturizer. Drying your skin out will only irritate it further, so look for a good balance. I truly hope that this works for all of you as wonderfully as it did on me, because I think I found a new favorite.

                                                                     With love,
                                                                         Madeline

(P.S.) Happy cleansing!!

Part Two

My Dear Readers,

        I have five minutes to write and post this so it's going to be quick. I just wanted to come on here on the actual blogiversary of Adventures in Somnambulism and thank each and every one of you. I suck at posing frequently on here, and you have all blown me away with your support. I cannot believe how many people across the globe are reading my silly little blog, and it makes me want to cry with happiness. Thank you all so much.
        This year has been insane, but I've had so much fun sharing parts of it with you all. I promise to try and get back on track once we're settled (spoilers, we're moving!), so stay tuned, friends. :)
        I love you all so much. Thank you for an amazing year.
        Two minutes left...I can't believe it's been a year.

                                                         With all the love and appreciation in the world,
                                                              Madeline

So Long, Stress!

My Dear Readers,

              Summer is close at hand; you can smell it in the fragrant breeze and feel it on your skin, tingling with warmth and anticipation. If you're anything like me, you wish you could just fast forward past exams and get to the beach already! The end of the school year can be such a stressful time, more often than not you have to stuff a couple more units in your brain and review everything else on top of that, which can seem really intimidating. I got tired of feeling so overwhelmed, and decided to take charge and say so long to my stress for good. Here are the things that I've done to calm down, get organized, and stay positive during the chaos of high school and everyday life.

 

Tip One: Stop Procrastinating.

             Everyone has those days when you just can't get motivated to do anything, except maybe binge all of Parks and Rec. on Netflix. Having a set schedule and deadlines can seem daunting at first, so start waking up a little earlier and going to bed at a reasonable hour. You'll be less on edge, making it so much easier to face those tasks that you just don't want to do. Carve out a little time every day for homework and studying, and do your chores at around the same time every day. After a while, these things will become apart of your routine. Instead of forcing yourself to do them, it'll come naturally and will be much less of a big deal.

Tip Two: Take Time for Schoolwork

            It's one thing to sit down and start something, but to finish it you have to be really dedicated. I absolutely despise studying, so I used to lay on my bed so I'd at least be comfortable. Every single time I would fall right asleep and not retain any information whatsoever. With EOC's right around the corner, I decided it was high time I start studying properly. First, I set up my work space. Instead of sprawling out papers on my bed, I sat at my desk, which was cleared of all the distracting library books and paints. I got a bowl of carrots and shredded cabbage (I fancy myself a rabbit at times), a pack of four cheese crackers and an apple sauce for fuel, and filled my water bottle with, you guessed it, water! Chewing can help you stay awake, and good snacks can keep you motivated! I lit a candle, opened my window, turned on Bach's classical music to create a calming atmosphere, and I was ready to roll.
           Instead of just sitting in one place for 2 hours looking at my notes, I vigorously read over them, wielding my highlighter and flashcards, for 35 minute intervals. After that I would start to get sleepy, so I'd get up and stretch. I did a couple easy yoga poses, like the Tree Pose, Warrior, Cobra, and Child pose, to shake that stiff feeling and relax for a bit. Taking small breaks like that really helped me retain my focus, and I remembered so much more than I thought I could.
           Do this at least every other day to prepare for a test, and try to make time for reviewing your notes every afternoon for at least 2 weeks before an exam. Cramming the night before won't do you any good; after all, Rome wasn't built in a day! I also noticed that studying during the day makes a huge difference, the later you start, the more tired you'll feel and the less you'll accomplish.

Tip Three: Treat Yo Self.

 

 



            Just like it's important to take time for chores and homework, you have to make time for yourself. Every single day, do something nice for yourself as a reward for working so hard. I'm not saying ignore your duties and watch all of the Harry Potter movies, you have to find a happy balance. If you go 90 to nothing all day every day with no break, you'll get irritable and unmotivated. Have a soak in a bubble bath, read a few chapters of a good book, watch a couple YouTube videos (and I do not mean two 45 minute vlogs!). Don't time yourself or you'll feel anxious and rush through your "me-time", just sit back and relax for a while before getting back to business.

          

 

Here are some things you can do to Treat Yo Self:

• Read your favorite book, the one that always makes you smile and never gets old no matter how many times you read it.
• Read a new book, something that you wouldn't normally read. Last week I picked up To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, and was pleasantly surprised! I was expecting a cheesy cliché, and was instead sucked into the story of an optimistic girl who went to drastic measures to make sure her family was happy. While her older sister was away at college in Scotland, Lara Jean gets into some sticky situations, and has to get everything back to normal before Margot comes home for Christmas. I can't recommend this book enough, it was so funny and sweet, I found myself laughing out loud and on the edge of my seat at the same time!
• Wear something that makes you feel fabulous. Don't worry about practicality for a minute and wear some high heels or a vest and bowtie, whatever you please! People spend too much time worrying about what people think of them, and that really strangles your unique spirit. If you want to wear a tutu and a leather jacket, so be it! Whatever you wear, wear it to feel good about yourself, not to please other people.

Tip Four: Be Creative.

            You all know by now that I love to paint, and it can be a great way to escape and de-stress. It's important to find outlets for pent up emotion: be it anger, sadness or even excess positive energy! Get all the built up thoughts out on paper, canvas, clay, fabric or yarn. Its perfectly normal to be upset or excited, but moderation is key. Find a healthy way to let out all that wound up energy so you don't go bouncing off the walls or bursting into tears. Write about it, paint a tiger, sing a song, play an instrument, dance a little, bake a cake, knit a scarf, crochet a bunny,  photograph a cat, sculpt a mug with a dragon wrapped around it--whatever you do, you'll feel more relaxed afterwards.

Tip Five: Get Organized.

            As much fun as it is to make a little mess, when you're constantly surrounded by a hurricane of stuff it's easy to become stressed out. Keep your room straightened up--it doesn't have to be pristine, but the organization will create a peaceful environment. Your room should be a safe haven from inner turmoil as well as struggles with school and work. Have a few candles or incense and maybe even some fairy lights to make your room a comfortable and stress free zone. Clutter is your enemy, it can be really frustrating not knowing where anything is and might also make you feel suffocated. If your room is clean, it can be kind of a relief to walk into. It'll be easier to follow routine as well, easier to find an outfit in the morning and easier to fall asleep. It can be quite difficult to catch some Z's with a balled up sheet strangling your feet and a mountain of laundry preventing you from stretching out! Sleep is extremely important, your body can take time to "re-charge", in a way, and all those tense muscles can finally relax. 

 

Tip Six: Spend time outside!

 

             All living creatures need sunlight to survive, so get out there and live a little! I know how easy it is to be used to the controlled environment of the great indoors, but over time those who ignore Mother Nature tend to develop Hermit Syndrome and become an Introvert. Sunshine can help prevent depression, reset the biological clock (the instinct that it's time to sleep when the sun goes down), and keep you healthy. Vitamin D is not only wonderful for boosting your immune system, but spending time outside can lighten hair and sprinkle you with angel's kisses (freckles!). It seems like common sense, but it really is important to spend time outside as often as you can. Being around plants and soaking up the sun is an excellent way to de-stress, and doing yoga outside is possibly one of the most relaxing things that I know of.



            When I get anxious, worried or stressed, it sometimes feels like I have a weight on my chest and I get agitated. Meditating and doing yoga can help lift that weight and calm you down, even if you have terrible balance and zero patience like me! When I meditate, I don't sit on a mat with my middle finger and thumb touching towards the sky, trying to clear all thoughts from my head. I just sit on a regular towel in the grass, criss cross applesauce, and breathe. Closing my eyes, I inhale through my nose slooooowly, then hold the breath until I feel a tug and I can't hold it any longer. I exhale through my mouth, forming a little 'O' with my lips and forcing the air back out like I'm trying to blow a bubble. I try not to think too hard about anything when I'm doing this, just letting the thoughts flit around in my head and then leave. It's nice to not focus on anything but my breath once in a while.
            After I "meditate", I really like to do yoga. It's an amazing way to start the day off relaxed, if you wake up stressed it will only get worse throughout the day. I really love this beginner yoga routine by Boho Beautiful, it's easy enough for a beginner like me to follow and still stretches my muscles in a gentle workout. I try and drink a lot of water in-between my poses to stay hydrated.

 

 

 

 

* Don't Worry, Be happy *

 

           I hope that these tips are helpful for you all, let me know in the comments what helps you de-stress! Summer will be here before you know it, so just hang in a little longer. Good luck to everyone getting ready for exams! :)

 

                                                                                   With Love,

                                                                                         Madeline

(P.S.) I'm trying to decide whether or not to move Adventures in Somnambulism, vote on Twitter and let me know if you like Blogger or Weebly better!

 

 

March + April Favorites!

My Dear Readers,

          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!

Life Update/YouTube/Happy Easter!

My Dear Readers,

           It has been far too long. All I can say in my defense is that high school is demanding! I hope you all had a lovely Easter, I couldn't post yesterday because my entire family came to visit. it was kind of hectic, but I had so much fun hanging out with my cousins again. I got to play a song for my Grandfather on guitar (Sea of Love by Cat Power!), and we all ate a ton of cake. 

           Since we are moving soon, I've been trying to pair down and get rid of my old toys and books. My little cousin, Oona, loves baby dolls and yesterday she added a very special one to her collection. I had received a Baby Alive doll for Christmas when I was little, and played with her for yeeeeaaaars. But as I got older, she began to collect dust. Now I know that my doll is in good hands with someone who will actually play with her, and love her just as much as I did. It feels really good to donate old toys or give them to family members and see other people enjoying things that you had forgotten about. 

           On a less sappy note, I've wanted to start a YouTube channel for ages and I finally uploaded a video! I had posted a Continental Knitting Tutoial before, but I couldn't figure out how to edit it. It's really time consuming and takes about 8 years to export and upload, but I started using iMovie to put my videos together. I can't download it on my PC so I have to use my iPad or iPhone, and it takes a while. However, I really like iMovie because it's very straightforward and simple compared to Windows Movie Maker. I love the format of the app, and all the different text options. Bonus: I don't have to wait for the program to export each individual clip like on Movie Maker. 

          I have four other videos that I've been working on, and hopefully I'll be able to upload them soon. Remember all those trips I went on last Summer? Along with all the pictures, I filmed my vacation as well. I finally finished condensing the clips and doing voice overs, and soon you'll be able to tour Atalaya with me and climb an almost 200 year old lighthouse called Old Baldy! For now, you can watch this Get Ready With Me video that will take you through my basic skin care routine as well as a very simple makeup look. This is my first time doing anything makeup related, so please be kind!

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC19kvWDhvV7gxKFJAMh1MLA

 

                               Yours with Love, 

                               Madeline

          (P.S.) I'm going to be changing the look of the blog soon, so keep an eye out! 

     

North Carolina Wildlife

 

My Dear Readers,

        Hi again!! The second part in my photography series is all about critters. I live in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, and thought I'd share the beauty of mountain life with you. The following species were photographed in my own back yard, literally! 

Creepy Crawly

{Common Inch Worm}



                                                                           Lift Off
                                                           {Unknown Species of Moth)      

                                                                         Micro Duo

                                        What did the Moth say when it flew into the flower?
                                                                         Pollen Me!

                                                                       Built In Straw

                                                                             Spots

                                                                  So Long, Farewell...

                                                                             Dusty

 Bloom in the Wind

A Letter from Mother Nature

 Spinning Wheel

  {Orb Weaver}

                                                                     Beast in the Sun

 Hide and Seek

{Unknown Red Ant}

                                                                          Innocence
                                                                      {Hank the Cat}

                                                                  Boy's Best Friend
                                                                   {Hank and Max}

                                                       Now You See Me, Now You Don't

                                                                     The Watchman

                                                                        Sunbathing

                                                                   This is called Sass

                                                                       Mischievous

                                                                       The Sphinx
                                                                       {a.k.a. Pip}

                                                                    Try not to Yawn
                                                     {Pip enjoys a good rub on the nose}

                                                                         Wonderlust

                                                                       Sistine Chapel

                                               Behind every soft mitten lies a deadly claw

                                                                 Concealed in Kudzu

                                                            Wild Mountain Hare at Dusk

                                                                              Blend

Picnic in the Twigs

{Asheville Squirrel}

                                                                           Pre Leap
                                                                    {Tryon Squirrel}

                                                           Munch upon the Bird's Lunch

                                                                             Grace

Knuckles

 18th Century Bricks, This Seasons' Acorns

 Crisp Autumn Walk

 Ted says "Hi!" to the blog readers

Ye Olde Moss Stone

                                                            Who lurks in the Shadows?

                                                             Field Mouse on Concrete

                                                                       Ruffled Pigeon

                                                                    Lazy Pigeon

                                                     Asheville's Own Regal Grumpy Cat
                                                         {Crooshanks? Is it really you?}

                                                               Time to Smell the Roses

                                                                   Peace in the Shade

                                                                 It's All Rather Curious

                                                                         Intermission
                                                          {Stand from Sitting Position}

Gaze

                                                     New Friends in the Great Outdoors

 

             I apologize for the fuzzy photos of various mice and pigeons, these were taken through a window! You don't need to live in a National Park or visit the Mountains to see squirrels and birds, so take a stroll around your own neighborhood and see what you can find! I hope you're inspired to go outside from this series, even if it's just for a minute or two.

             I had a lot of fun experimenting with zoom and lighting while photographing these creatures, and am curious about any techniques and tips you might have. Tell me what you find in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube (coming soon)!!

 

                                                                                                  Yours with Love,

                                                                                                                          Madeline

 

(P.S.)

 

         I highly recommend reading The Hobbit and the Lord Of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien; I'm currently reading The Fellowship of the Ring and it's simply AMAZING.