Thoughts on Makeup

Sorry if you don't think this topic is interesting. . . but bear with me please! 🙂

I've worn powder on my face since I was about fourteen --- I have oily skin, so the powder helps control the oil. I think the powder is barely tinted, but it's not clown white. When I turned sixteen Mom and I talked briefly about makeup but it never got anywhere, and I wasn't overly interested. Mom wears makeup but it's all natural stuff and all powders, so her look is really natural. She has face powder and blush. She tried eye shadow two or so years ago and it bothered her eyes. She's not worn any concealer, contour, lipsticks,  mascara or eyebrow stuff for a very long time (college days --- and even then I don't know if she did anything with concealer, contour, or eyebrows). Anyway, I think her choices have influenced me about what makeup is for and how to use it. 

For the girly girl who likes her sparkle like me, it's easy to go overboard with other things in life, so now that I am branching out on this limb (ha!), I'm being very careful about how I do things. I think everything makeup should be done tastefully, simply, and naturally. No hot pink or black lips for me! No bruised eyes (okay be honest, some smoky eyes look bruised)! But keep in mind that a girl can wear natural makeup and not be beautiful and modest --- because those come from the inside. And I don't need to wear it. I don't want to become "addicted" in a sense to it. I want to be able to comfortably walk out of the house without it and be myself. Makeup should not define me. 

Yesterday I got my first real makeup item --- an Almay rose gold eye shadow quad. It's really pretty, light and delicate. I haven't experimented with it yet, but it goes really well with my skin. There's a slightly darker matte, a metallic, a satin, and a glitter. I am excited to try it. I hope I can wear it tastefully and subtly. 

Wow, I actually posted twice this week! (hint: it's called spring break 😉)

Life Update

Life has been quite busy, and I haven't been a particularly steady blogging schedule. . . you probably noticed. 

School: 
I am working on my second paper for the philosophy class my Dad is teaching. It's on Marxism, in case you're curious. College Algebra is going fairly smoothly, and it's actually kind of fun when I know how to do it! :) The other subjects aren't that interesting. . . not anything to shout from the rooftops.
I am all registered for two things this upcoming semester (as a PSEO student) at a state college nearby. My sister is taking the one class, in the humanities department, with me, and then I am on the wait list for piano lessons with one of the music professors. If someone drops out, then I am 1st in line to get in. 

Travel: My Mom and I leave a week from today for NH. I do enjoy flying, and for some reason, airport food. I don't know why, it's just good. The airport in Chicago has some more uncommon places, and of course in NH there is a Dunkin Donuts in the airport! :) We come home the day before my Mom's birthday, and I already have her gift and card wrapped and ready for when we get back. Then three days later, the college class starts. So the long two days a week start, and I am actually excited for more practice time. But I do know it will be an adjustment. Oh, and somewhere in there I take the driver's licence test. . . ! 

Church: Still so encouraging, as always. I love my church and the families that make it up. :) I am pianist for Childrens' Choir again this year, so practices are still weekly, though now that I think about it, our last one is this Friday already. And of course I'm still in the adult choir, on the rotation for pianist, and violinist the other weeks. We went caroling, which I always love too, although this year we didn't do the outside residential caroling, which kind of had me sad, but I stayed warmer that way for sure! :) 

Music: Again, I return to the lovely squeal-worthy subject --- MUSIC! :) The competition is in a MONTH! Only one month away!!! Eek. It's going to be a tough one again for sure, no doubt in my mind. Part of me has resigned to second place again, and the rest of me is still fighting for first. Sometimes I feel really confident, but, as we all know, pride goeth before a fall, and so usually the next day I am glum and uncertain. Other than that, I am working on shifting with the first finger up and down two octaves on one string.  .  . 
Orchestra is on break right now, but starts again when school does. I miss it. 

Photography: Not gotten out much with my camera. I need ideas on what to take pictures of! I did do some designing, and we have a printer that can print color. I can't give too many details until after Mom's birthday! :) 

Blogging: I do have a really long post coming. . . about college. I did add the art tab, which was new and fun, and now I can add other drawings to it, which has motivated me to draw more. Other than that, I am not having much inspiration to post much. I almost posted a no-fail recipe today. Maybe some other time? 

Christmas events: Since Mom and I leave just two days after Christmas, we're not doing anything huge and big this year. But that's okay, I don't mind.

I think that about covers it! Did I leave out anything you were wanting to know about? 

A Junior

I love the detail in this picture so much! 

Whoops, I almost forgot to post today! You'll have to forgive me for the late post! Well, I guess you don't have to, but..... 😉

My Junior year of High School starts a week from today, and I'm hoping to be able to keep up with school and the blog, but I may go down to two posts a week, keeping Music Wednesdays and the Friday posts. I'll try to think of more of a theme for the Friday posts as well. They're mostly photography, I think. However, I feel the urge to keep going with the photography posts! 

With school starting I may have something interesting to write about, or share my papers here, or something. I'll have to see what the schedule holds! It may get quieter around here, but I hope the heart of the blog never stops beating! :) 

Thanks to my readers for a great summer! 

Music.... ramblings

I love music because it gives me joy; it gives me a glimpse into eternity. Music can help me in any situation, to help me express myself, to feel happy or serious. Music teaches me patience.
Music is satisfying. Performing music solo is a thrill I cannot describe. Music is something not everyone can enjoy and give, and if you can, give it to others.
My heart is always full of music, of the love of music, of the struggle with music. If you don't hear me singing or humming, you can be sure I'm listening to music. I would have the radio going always except when practicing, if I could. My family is not the same way, so I do try to respect that. I have a whole folder on the computer labeled: Music. Yep, and it's a pretty long collection.
I'm always trying to learn, to improve, and yet still enjoy. I don't want to be "broken". My own teacher was, and I know many other music students (not his) often are. If you don't like music or enjoy playing, don't. You won't put effort into it as someone who loves it would, and we can tell.


Goodness...... I hope you didn't mind reading my ramblings. Also, I need more blog post ideas. 
Got any? 

Marshall Area SCA Fighter's Practice

(Wynnie)   

 My sister is very much into the SCA , and I go along to events and make friends and take pictures. The most recent dipping into Northshield was an area fighter's practice. While not an official event, most of us were in garb. I was able to get some good pictures, which in my book is always a good thing. :)

This practice was at a local library, held outdoors of course. We got the attention of several passerby. 

Quite the anachronism here, with mundane transportation in the background.

It was hot, but thankfully there was a breeze.

Let the fighting begin! 

I really love this one! 

 One of the fighters asked for a picture for his FaceBook page, and I happily took one for him.

My sister this while was spinning wool....

And then we went and made coins!

This next picture is one end of the dies, with King Sven (also spelled Swein) Forkbeard.

My pal for the afternoon, Roscoe

This is the inscription on a friend's longbow. 

Then a friend took pictures of my sister and me.

On a fun note, ordinarily I would arrange my hair in two braids, then  wrap them in red ribbons, a period hairstyle for me. However, I recently got my 27 inch hair cut, so long braids were not an option this time. It was the first time I've tried a veil with this particular outfit but I liked the way it turned out.

 And that wraps up the pictures! Which was your favorite one? 

Sewing Projects

(My sister and me, a very long time ago, with kittens.)

I thought I should write down what all I've sewn so I can keep track, and what better place to do that than here? I only started sewing last fall.
My first sewing project was my garb for the SCA. I did a cream chemise first, to get the hang of sewing, and then tackled the red bliaut and its tricky sleeves of doom. I do like the way they turned out, although I admit the sewing could be better. I have matching ribbons for a period hair style, and a belt bag as well.

 

The next project was a very difficult one. I attempted a fitted mundane dress for myself. The princess seams seemed (pun intended) to be the straw that broke the camel's back, but I finally did finish the dress with a lot of help from a friend and my mother. I also had problems with the sleeves, but I figured out a way to fix them so it looked like it was on purpose. I have worn it twice, and before I wear it again I will add some wide lace to the bottom for some added length. I've already grown since I made it.... !

Next up were two matching dresses for sisters I know. These dresses were so fun to make, and I really like the way they turned out! They did too ;)

Then I made my Mom an apron. She does wear it every day, so I'll probably have to make her a new one in the future. 

After that I took a brief break, before tackling a dress for my sister. I do not have very good pictures of it. Anyway, it was out of my head, no printed pattern or anything. I think I could have done better, but oh well. 

After that I whipped out a jean skirt for some of the leftover denim from Mom's apron.

Next up was a baby dress. Very simple and easy.

After that I took another brief break. Then I stumbled across a sweet 3T dress pattern. So naturally....

(and sorry the pictures are not good) The dress has a pearl button closure, which turned out adorable, but braiding the embroidery thread for the loop was tedious. 

My most recent project then, was..... can you guess by now? Two matching dresses. The fabric was on sale for $1 a yard, ahem. :)

And next I am sewing a bunch of Romeo and Juliet costumes. I don't know how many, but probably between five and ten. That will keep my busy, for sure! My hope is to have them all done by a week from today. 

So that's that. Thanks for reading to the bottom! Which project was your favorite? 

Later!

The Person Behind the Blog

(Ahem, the person behind this blog)

    Oftentimes I think we blog readers forget about the person behind the blog. The person that posts and waits .... and waits.... and sometimes never gets a comment. Now, it can be a good exercise in patience and not-getting-what-I-want, but it is ever so encouraging to get a comment! It often gives us writers motivation to keep writing and improving our writing style. I've even noticed how my style has changed since I started this blog. Try reading my first post. I didn't know how to use Blogger, so it doesn't even have a title. All in all, blogging is really enjoyable, especially with a comment or two! :) 

Musings and Callings

(a fairy lost in thought)

      This post comes after quite a bit of musing and thought, on my part. In Christian circles, generally not the ones I have been raised in, there is much discussion about callings. "What is your calling in life?" "What does God want you to do?" The problem I am finding with these, however, is that the word calling has many different meanings. "How do you define calling?" I want to ask these people. Some say things like "My calling is to feed geese" or in other cases "My calling is to be a women pastor" Ummmm, yeah, I don't think that's biblical, yet you are tacking a somewhat-associated-with-the-Bible word onto it to justify it? Or to clarify it? It doesn't make sense to me. Is calling a word that used to mean one thing and now means another? Probably.
     You can read all sorts of articles on what your calling is, and take quizzes as well. It's surprising that someone who doesn't even know you knows what you'll end up doing with your life. ;) One of the first sources that came up was Oprah. No, I did not look at it. Others include Tiny Buddha, WomenLeaders, and Pick the Brain. Interesting.
     What will you say when someone asks you what your calling is? The problem, if it is one, that I am running into is that I have so many many interests in life. How to choose what to major in in college, or minor in, or get a job in, or pour my time into? Music, animals, crafts, children, orphans (kinda the same thing as children.....), graphic design, art, all of them? I really would like to go spend some time with missionaries, work with kids, orphans, the elderly, the homeless. I think my heart is too big. It may not sound like a problem, but I'm running into some! :) There is not enough time for all of them!
      Anyway, what are your thoughts on callings? Do you think you know what yours is? How did you know?