Friday, February 28, 2014

Being Better Prepaired

One of my biggest faults (of many) is procrastination. It is something that I have struggled with my whole life and am constantly trying to talk myself out of doing. I will wait for an "ideal" moment to start doing something or make excuses for myself as to why I won't being doing something on a particular day. "I'll start tomorrow" or "I will start on Monday since it will be the beginning of a new week" are regular justifications that go through my mind. Another big one that I am guilty of is, "when ______ happens, then I can start doing _______." Please don't tell me that I am the only one that does this.....

Well I have had some situations that presented themselves to me in the last couple of weeks that I really wish that I would have been better prepared for. I kept having that quote I see on Pinterest go through my mind, "Do something today that your future self will thank you for" and wanting to just kick myself! I definitely am not thanking my past self as of now! There are few things more frustrating than when you are doing something and knowing that you could have done a better job or been better prepared, especially when it is something you have wanted the opportunity to do for a long time.

Shouldn't our whole life purpose be trying to become the best version of ourselves? I mean, why would we want any less, right? Then why is it so hard to push ourselves sometimes? Why do some of us lack constant motivation? Well, I've had to learn the hard way (unfortunately more than once) that procrastination is no longer something that I can give in to. But it's not just the procrastination that needs to stop, comparing myself to others needs to come to an end as well....because I am pretty sure that the comparing feeds the procrastination habit.

Being afraid that you'll never measure up or fearing that you won't be as good as someone else definitely makes one more hesitant to pursue their ultimate goals... but in the end, all YOU will have is regret. So lets all do ourselves a favor and stop being afraid, stop comparing our lives to others and actually "Do something today that your future self will thank you for!"


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Jessica Durrant Obsession

Every once in awhile, I will come across things that I find so beautiful and/or inspiring that it will be all I can think about for days. Call it an obsession if you must, I am not ashamed. But long story short, I was looking through some blogs the other day and I fell upon the work of Jessica Durrant.

I have been a fan of watercolor paintings all of my life and have always thought about picking up a starter paint set for myself so I could have it as a side hobby. But as most things in my life, it turned into a thought that never materialized. However, after being so blown away by Jessica's beautiful works of art, I was inspired to start sketching again and actually picked up a paint set today! I'm so excited about it that I can hardly contain myself!

My work may not be is so nice to look at currently...but the actual motions of drawing and painting have been so therapeutic. It has been so nice to do something artistic other than on someones face. I mean, the paper isn't looking at me and asking if I know what I'm doing or if I'm sure that, that color will work well with its tone. It's not requesting what it would like me to create or asking me to turn it into silk, when it will always be paper no matter how much makeup...cough...I mean paint I use. It's just me and whatever I want it to be. It doesn't have to turn out perfect because it doesn't matter. The paper doesn't care! I just hope that I can have as much talent that Jessica probably carries in just her pinky-toe one day.

Below are some of my favorite pieces by her (Which I will all have hung in my home at some point. Over kill? I. Think. Not!), as well as links to her Etsy profile and website. Please check out her stuff and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to subscribe/follow along!













JessicaIllustration on Etsy
Jessica Durrant Website

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Simple Eye + Red Lip

Welp, I got sent home early from work today due to the blizzard. So I figured since I have so much time on my hands, I would start working on my blog again. I have a couple ideas of what I hope to turn "Simply Selena" into. But as I post more and more, I would really appreciate any comments or suggestions that you guys have to help make this blog the best it can be (i.e. better lighting, more pictures, video instead of pictures, etc). So please let me know!

For today, I thought I would start with something simple. I haven't felt the best the past couple of days and didn't want to spend too much time getting ready, so what is better than a clean eye and a bright lip?? (nothing, that's what)



I have listed all of the products used below, as well as links. Let me know if you have any questions and please subscribe if you want to keep up with future looks. Thank you!!!

FACE:
Primer - The POREfessional  by Benefit
Foundation - Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation by Josie Maran in Fair/Light
Concealer - Radiant Creamy Concealer By NARS in Vanilla
Contour - Hoola Bronzer by Benefit
Blush - Orgasm by NARS
Highlight - 'Mineralize' Skinfinish by MAC in Soft and Gentle

EYES:
Primer - Shadow Insurance by Too Faced
Eyeshadow - Naked Basics Palette by Urban Decay
  • 'W.O.S' all over eye from lash line to brow bone
  • 'Faint' on eye lide
  • 'Naked 2' in crease and blending color
  • 'Venus' brow bone highlight
Eyliner - Long-Wear Gel Eyliner by Bobbie Brown in Black Ink
Mascara - Hypnose Star Mascara by Lancome and Bottom Lash Mascara by Clinique in 01 Black

BROWS:
Brow Wiz by Anastasia Beverly Hills in Brunette
Brow Powder Due by Anastasia Beverly Hills in Brunette/Dark Brown 
Clear Brow Gel  by Anastasia Beverly Hills

LIPS:
Liner - Easyliner for Lips by Jordana in Sedona Red
Lipstick - RiRi Woo by MAC

FINISH: 
Chill Makeup Setting Spray by Urban Decay

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Free Your Shoulders!

Helloooooo! I've had a lot of people ask me where I bought these shirts. So I figured it would just be easier to post on here so I could add the links! P.s. sorry for the horrible photo quality. I obviously need a better camera...or learn how to take a descent picture, whatevs.



I have LOVED these shirts! Even though my dad and brother hate when I wear them, oh well. I seriously have them in five different colors...no joke....I don't know what is wrong with me either. I just think they are so versatile, you can wear them with everything!


 I have posted a couple links below. I know that the original website has run low on their sizes. So you can either have them email you when they get the size you want in stock again, or you can try some of the other sites that I was able to find. Let me know if you have any questions!!

The website I bought mine from www.shoptherage.com:

Straight Forward in White
Straight Forward in Lavender
Straight Forward in Mint
Straight Forward in Leopard Print

(If they don't have the size you want, you can have them email you when they get more in by clicking on the green 'notify me when available' link on the left hand side after you select your size.)

Other sites:

http://www.polyvore.com/off_shoulder_blouse/thing?id=65278271
http://www.necessaryclothing.com/tops/Tops-Blouses-Shirts/NCC10376-Perfection-Off-The-Shoulder-Top-Coral
http://www.necessaryclothing.com/tops/Tops-Blouses-Shirts/NCC10358-Perfection-Off-The-Shoulder-Top-Lime
http://www.necessaryclothing.com/tops/Tops-Blouses-Shirts/NCC09061-Perfection-Off-The-Shoulder-Top-Red
http://wanelo.com/p/2123651/perfection-off-the-shoulder-top-royal-blue-at-necessary-clothing




Friday, July 26, 2013

23 Years Young!

My 23rd birthday was yesterday and I have to admit...I was dreading it. Not because I feel like twenty-three is old, but because I am not at all where I thought I would be at this time in my life. To be completely honest, I feel like I am still 16 years old most of the time...which will probably never change (cough...peter-pan syndrome...cough cough).
But this birthday wasn't so dreadful after all! To my complete surprise, it turned out to be one of the happiest birthdays I've had in a very long time. I feel like there is a lot of change about to happen and it's making me feel super pumped! I don't know what it is, but I feel like 23 is going to a big year for me. I can feel it in my bones! So much so that I have been nothing but pure happiness the past couple of days...odd right?! I don't know....it's almost like the air around me has changed or something.
Anyways.....'nough weird talk and back to my birthday festivities! Last night, my family and I went to Sea Salt in Sugarhouse for dinner which was amazballs! If you are looking for a great, LEGIT Italian restaurant, Sea Salt is a must! (try the Lamb Shank, it is molto bene!).




After our amazing dinner, it was cake time! Of coarse with my mom knowing me as well as she does (as most mothers do) she did not get me a traditional cake. Instead, she got one of my most favorite desserts of all time. I'm talkin' my ultimate Achilles heel in the baked goods realm...that's right, salted caramel cake bites from The Sweet Tooth Fairy!! Talk about bringing out the big guns!
p.s. only one more birthday left where I will have enough cake bites per candle...guess we will just have to upgrade to two boxes once I hit a quarter :)



So, this weekend in celebration of my 23rd year of life and the improvements that I have been making, I am pampering myself (toodaloo money)! There is just something about feeling different that makes you what to look different too. I'm talkin' hair change, new wardrobe, listening to Beyonce's 'Upgrade You' all day long kinda different (minus the spending millions of dollars on diamond facials part)! I'm just sooo ready for some change :)

 I can't wait to see what this year has in store. Thank you to everyone for such a wonderful birthday! I honestly am so blessed to have the family, friends, coworkers, etc in my life. You have made the last 22 years so amazing and I don't know where I would be today without all of you!  I am one lucky 23 year old!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

And it Begins

My first blog post! I have wanted to start a blog for quite awhile, but I kept waiting for my life to become more exciting so that I would actually have fun stuff to write about. But after a couple of years of waiting, I'm still not married and I still don't have any kids. I don't have my dream house that I get to decorate however I want. I am not working at my dream job and I haven't even graduated from college yet... But then I got thinking, why would I not start a blog now? Just because I haven't met those mile stones in my life yet, doesn't mean that I don't have things worth writing about.
I am 22 years old and have only just started to become comfortable with who I am and realizing who I would like to be. I guess I was a little bit of a late bloomer in that department... I wasn't one of the lucky ones who knew exactly what direction they wanted to head in right out of high school. I was the one in a really serious relationship and thought I would just get married right out of high school and everything would work out from there. So basically I was already so wrapped up in the thought of being someones wife (at 18 years old...shesh!), that I never took the time to figure out who I was or what I really wanted. So when the relationship didn't work out, I was super bummed and lost for quite awhile. But not just because I was sad that the relationship didn't work; it was because I didn't know who to be without it. It was almost as if I was scared to figure out who I was by myself. I was terrified to become an independent person because I didn't think I would be good enough on my own. But over the past couple of years, I grew and learned a lot about myself. What also came as quite a surprise, is that I was actually starting to love who I was!
So I'm breaking the Utah blogger rule and am starting my blog pre-love, marriage or baby in the baby carriage. *gasp!* But I just figure, what better time to start a blog and share my life with people, then when I am wanting to make some positive life changes?!
So in light of my new life ambitions, I have made a couple of new mid-year resolutions. One is to become an opportunist. I have always been a big planner and the person who would talk a big game about all of the things that I want to do in my life or change about myself. But my follow through has been...well pretty much none existent. However, I have come to a place in my life where I need to either start moving in the direction that I want, or risk coasting along in my current boring life for a couple more years *gag*. Since I'm not a coasting kinda gal and much more of a 0 to 60 in 3.5 kinda lady (my driving record confirms this), I am going to start embracing and creating more opportunity in my life; for example, this blog! So get ready for many more posts to come with all the new things that are happening, and I hope you enjoy following along on my journey to become, simply Selena! <3

                                                ^^^ A work in progress ^^^