Author: Brittany

The many times I've had to defend myself when someone says " Wow, you're wearing a lot of makeup" or "You look pretty but I love when you're makeup looks more natural"…makes me want to scream.

I think the worst is when Men or People in general, have this idea that woman wear makeup because we think we're ugly or not confident in ourselves or that we're trying to impress people. NO, and even if that was the case then who would care. I may be biased being that I'm a Makeup Artist myself, but I'm in this profession because I love the freedom of expression when I'm doing Makeup, it's fun and it intrigues me. I do my makeup for myself, some days, going full glam has to be the best part of my day, and some days, not wearing any makeup at all is the best part of my day. Every girl is different, some wear simple mascara, and some (ME) wear false lashes and a bold lip, both are OKAY, and both are beautiful. 

Makeup is a freedom of expression, something us woman do for ourselves because we love it and yeah it does make me feel like a badass confident woman, and that's cool. So I'll be over here continuing to do Makeup for Me, Myself, and I. 

Let's Be Honest…the Holidays are a great excuse to have EPIC Parties, parties that include ugly sweaters, Santa hats, fancy dresses, eggnog, champagne, etc. So why not enjoy a fun Holiday Drinking Game to make the party even more epic?

Make sure to post up the rules around the house so everyone remembers, supply permanent markers to mark cups for every drinking game sip, whoever has the most tallies at the end of the night, win a prize.

Here are the rules:

1. Drink every time someone shows up wearing Red, Green, or Santa Hat.

2. Drink every time you meet someone new.

3. Drink when asked, "So, what are you doing this Christmas, Hanukkah, etc."

4. Drink every time someone mentions our new President, Election, Politics, etc.

5. Drink for every bottle of Champagne popped.

6. Drink every time a Christmas Song comes on.

7. Drink for every girl you see wearing a choker…LOL

8. Drink every time someone suggests "Ju Ju on that Beat" or "Mannequin Challenge".

9. Drink for every new Holiday Treat you try.

10. Drink every time someone tells you "Merry Christmas!".

Drink Up, Be Safe, and Happy Holidays!.

I feel like we have all been there, being in a funk is probably one of the more negative things we experience in life and will continue to experience in the future I'm sure, I've come to realize that I think it may have been my Quarter Life Crisis.

I recently just got out of my 2-month Crisis, it may not seem long, but to me, it felt like a lifetime. Here I am 21 years of age, just graduated from College in June, spent a two-month vacation in Florida, having the time of my life and then…I move back home, and now what?.

During my Quarter Life Crisis I job searched day in and day out, I've been pretty picky I'm not going to lie, but after all, it is my career we're talking about. Every time I was bored out of my mind I thought I'd have a mental breakdown (there were a couple of times that I did). Luckily I had other creative outlets to keep me busy, which it is important to stay busy. I was broke, lonely, and most of all bored very, very bored, I kind of also felt like a loser, I've always either been working since I graduated high school or I was in class 40 hours a week, so I was at a loss. 

But never fear the Crisis End is near!, I finally broke down and found a part time job working two days a week making 200, not bad right?, I also help out with a family business, and now I have the time to focus on my career on my days off, I also just scored a Gig next week for a Zombie Makeup, it pays pretty well too, (I'm a Makeup Artist by the way).

Anyway, I'm sure you could care less about how my Quarter Life Crisis ending, but the point I'm trying to get across is that it does END, hang in there, trust me, I thought there wasn't a happy ending, but I'm young, of course there's a happy ending, and once you find that life-changing thing that gets you out of your crisis, I can guarantee you'll never feel better or happier. As one of my favorite Pixar Characters would say "Just Keep Swimming" –Dori, Finding Nemo

I know I'm only 21 years young, but I swear, the older I get the more I enjoy the little things in life, and just being content and comfortable. 

I know I've chosen the "Grandma" lifestyle when I take staying in with a bottle of wine and watching TV over going out, drinking, and getting blisters all over my feet from heels, man I hate heels. I like being in situations that I feel comfortable in, and where do I feel most comfortable?…at home, in my bed.

I literally hang out with my Parents more than I do friends, most weekends are spent going out to dinner with my parents and getting drinks, or cooking us all dinner at home, and guess what? I enjoy every second of it. It's hard to believe that at one point I dreaded hanging out with my Family on the weekend when I knew I could have been at a friends house or at a party, and now I actually prefer hanging out with them. 

I started acting like a Mother to my Sibling, my little sister is 16, and although we're not far apart, I find myself in situations where I'm being more strict with her than my Mom is, I like to think it's because I was her age not too long ago and I know what goes on, but in reality I just really care about her and worry like there's no tomorrow, how MOM of that is me???

Last but not least, I LOVE cleaning and cooking. I live for vacuuming, wiping down mirrors and counters, doing laundry and picking up messes. And there's something about cooking that relaxes me like no other. Maybe that just means I've turned into a real adult, but I'm confused as to why I enjoy it so much?…

I also play bingo a few times a month….I'll leave it at that.

College is a great time to get away from that small town you grew up in, go a little crazy, and be your own responsibility, but there’s always that “oh shit” moment when you finally graduate and have to make some tough decisions.

1. You have to move back home or you no longer have any housing help

Some of us can’t actually afford to live on our own out in the real world without having a thousand roomates and no loan helping you anymore, that means moving back in with the parents, which is something no one wants to do after having so much freedom. Hang in there kid, you’ll get out soon enough!.

2. Asking yourself at least once a day… “So, what are you gonna do now?”

The moment you graduate, you start applying to multiple jobs a day, even ones that you know would never happen and or somewhere you’d never want to work, but hey, you only do it so you don’t feel like all your hard work is going down the drain, and hoping your career isn’t on its way out either.

3. Planning your future every day

This is like real life now, you know? Do I work a lot, then quit sometime soon and travel the world? Or do I save all my money for my future wedding and kids?… And then you start to overthink everything and hope you don’t become a lonely Cat Lady.

4. The moment you realize you never have to go to School again

Knowing that you never have to go to school or do homework again, is actual Freedom with a capital F, it’s crazy that something you’ve spent 80% of your life doing just stopped and no longer exists in your life.

5. Wait…now I have to spend all those hours working

Remember those horrid hours you spent in school I was just talking about? Yeah, now you have to replace those hours with actual work if you want to survive in this world….

I've always been the girl to order a steak dinner, get In- N-Out once a week, and hot wings and nuggets were literally my obsession, that's why everyone was a little taken back when I said I wanted to try being a Pescatarian, which is a person who does not eat meat but eats fish. I made this decision when I was in Florida for 2 months, so it made it very easy to eat fish every day and not want meat whatsoever. I was strong for 3 months until I made the decision to get wings the other day, I'm now back home in California and fish isn't as readily available to me as it was when I was in Florida. 

After watching the movie Cowspiracy https://www.netflix.com/title/80033772 I became so educated on the conservation that can be potentially so important if we cut down our consumption of meat. The biggest point I'm trying to get across to others is to do some research on not only the health risks of meat but how raising livestock is one of the number one reasons America wastes so much water, (seriously, just watch the movie). Here are a few questions you might have, and here are my answers.

Why did you decide to try this lifestyle?

I'm a huge animal lover, and after doing research on the harshness that animals are put through for our own desires kind of broke my heart, I knew it would be hard being a former meat lover but I'm glad I at least tried it because it gave me a whole new perspective. I also just really wanted to try it out and see how it would effect me.

What did you get out of it?

Although I have decided to occasionally eat chicken, only when I am absolutely craving it (aka buffalo wings), I realized it's not a lifestyle for me and that's fine, but I no longer want or desire red meat, eating mostly vegetarian has made me feel so much healthier, my skin is clearer, whiter teeth, steady weight, and I never feel as bloated and tired as I used to, I have so much more of an appreciation for that lifestyle, and on the occasion I do eat chicken it will be once maybe twice a month, I know longer believe that I need it as a part of my diet every day. Of course, protein is important but there are a million other ways to get that source of protein, and I make sure I get that every day.

I hope this helped with anyone questioning the reasons behind some people's diets, and what I got out of it, this is in no shape or form trying to convince anyone to change their diet, just a shared experience.

Dear Wine,

First off, you are my literal Super Hero, here’s a few reasons why I love you.

1. I always get my daily serving of fruit, because sometimes there is no time in the day for fruit, but there’s always time for wine. 

2. I’ve come to learn that spill is a natural thing because I obviously have to carry my glass with me everywhere… “Is that a red wine stain on your carpet?” You bet it is.

3. Finding unbelievable food pairings with my favorite wines has become a hobby for me, Can I have some Wine with my cheese?.

4. I don’t feel guilty getting drunk while Wine Tasting at a Winery in the middle of the day.

5. Wine Wednesday? More like every day that ends with the letter Y.

6. Wine is always the common interest between friends and I, we can always count on chilling on the couch in our comfy clothes, and drinking Wine, lots, and lots of Wine. 

7. You are always there for me, when no one wants to hang out or talk to me you always make me feel like I’m not alone, aka there’s a million other Women on their couch with a glass in their hand watching Netflix on a Friday night. 

8. My bubble baths would not be the same if you didn’t exist.

9. You honestly go good with everything, Beer and Pasta? No thanks.

10. You just taste SO good, and I am so Thankful for your existence.

I moved out of my parents house about two months ago, the excitement to get out of my small town was unreal, I was finally chasing my dreams in Los Angeles as a makeup artist and I couldn't wait to have my own apartment and meet my roommates. And yes, it is all fine and dandy, but the stress is something I didn't see coming…

1. Do I want to go out Friday night or do I want to spend the day at the beach and get brunch on Saturday?

Yes, you know you've reached adulthood when you have to pick between two activities, because if you spend money Friday night, Lord knows you're staying in and watching movies all day Saturday and vice versa, who has money for more than one activity on the weekends? certainly not me.

2. Buying basic brands

If you were shopping back at home, you would obviously buy the big tub of Philidelphia Cream Cheese, not today sister!, I'm buying the small grocery store brand cream cheese, it's two dollars cheaper, why the hell not!?

3. Learning you're obsessed with cleaning

Back at your parents house, you never put too much effort into doing the dishes or randomly vacuuming the house, but oh man do you feel like a maid in your own home when you live on your own. After a long day, I swear I spend half of my night doing dishes, vacuuming every square inch of the apartment, making my bed and doing laundry. This is all by choice too, my apartment isn't always dirty, I just enjoy a clean space that much.

4. Cooking? Yeah, not so much…

Although I try to cook almost every night, I can't tell you how relaxing and easy it is to pop a frozen dinner in the microwave and call it a night, I've studied the frozen food isles, and man do they have some good stuff.

5. Problem Solving when something Breaks

Whenever something is broken you fix it right? Although there's a maintenance man at my apartment complex, I think it's important to problem solve and figure it out on your when something is broken (aka call your parents) and if they can't explain how to fix it good enough over the phone, you have to go ahead and call up someone to fix it, because let's be honest, you'll probably just break it even more. 

6. Appreciating and missing your hometown

Although I'm not at all far from home, I never thought I'd have the appreciation for it like I do now, compared to LA there is nothing like it, and the weekends that I get to take a drive home, visit and see my family and friends, is something I always look forward too.

Although living on your own can be a struggle sometimes, the stress is all worth it, becoming independent is one of the best feelings. 

New Year, New You?

Well, you may not be yelling your New Years Resolutions out for everyone to hear, but you can’t deny that you’ve thought of a few in your head, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Here are a few ways you can better yourself in 2016.

1. Buy something…and say Bye to something.

I’ve been taking a new approach to spending money on clothes, makeup, etc., and this is how it works. Let’s say I went to the mall and bought 3 new shirts that I couldn’t live without, so that means I’d go through my closet and pull out 3 articles of clothing that I absolutely could live without, and after that I’ll either throw it in a donation pile or garage sale pile. Whatever works for you, that way you’re not cluttering up your closet with more stuff, and you stay de-cluttered year round.

2. Using Planners, Calendars, To-Do Lists

This may not work for everyone, but I find that when I plan out my day (or week) I feel much more put together and less stressed, that way I have everything I need to do right in front of me and can cross things off one at a time. And this doesn’t mean you have to carry around your planner all the time, you can use your smart phone for a calendar to remind you of anything you have going on.

3. Eating Healthy and Exercising

This isn’t a must, but it’s always a good decision to change any bad eating habits and exercise. Going into the New Year, a lot of people tend to set high goals for themselves, but when it comes to health and exercising, it’s best to start small and slowly set bigger goals, because the second that you fail at going to the gym everyday or cutting out sweets, it’s easy to lose inspiration.

4. Find a Calming activity

This can be anything really, for those days that you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, take 15 – 30 minutes to read, color, swim, go on a bike ride, exercise, nap, anything that you find enjoyable and puts your mind at ease.

5. Read a book

Yes, books aren’t for everyone, so maybe you can dive into a new inspiring website, magazine, or podcast if you’re not the book type. Listen or read something that inspires you and helps you get in touch with yourself, I’ve recently started reading “Adventures for your Soul” by Shannon Kaiser, it’s a great self-help book that has helped me in so many ways already.

6. Get off your phone and get into the world

The only thing stopping you is you, get out of your house and off your laptops and cell phones and go do something positive and uplifting, random adventures are never something you regret. If you have a dream, go after it, there’s no better time than now.