beauty |

I had such a great productive weekend! I love when that happens. Even though the winter is really starting to wear on me and everyone else in Chicago, spring and summer are right around the corner (I just know it!). Let’s see. I have really been having a blast at the gym – I know right I hate to be one of ‘those’ people, but since I’ve regularly ventured back at the beginning of the year, I have seen major changes in toning. I haven’t lost anymore weight, but I can definitely tell that the gym has begun to tone everything. I’m obsessed with before and afters so here’s one of my lifestyle/physical change from July 2013 to March 2014. 7 Months.

Before July 2013 at 195. After March 2014 at 160.

Then I have been dying to try this small Chicago Diner chain since I moved here, but no one ever wants to go. Saturday after my run, I decided just to check it out myself and I am so happy I did! The Golden Nugget reminded me of the diners that I grew up eating in with my grandma and grandpa. I got the Steak Omelette which was just perfect. I know Chicago has any kind of eatery you could imagine, but I’m cheap as hell and sometimes picky as in I have specific cravings so this place will do just fine by me in the future.

Then came the time to touch up my hair – I had been getting it done, but things changed so I’m back in the saddle with my cheveux. I think it came out well. There is a slight dark band about two inches out I’ll have to address since a bleach shampoo cap didn’t even touch it, but overall I revived the red perfectly.

on the left before, middle during/post bleach cap, right the finished product.

Then I went ahead and started my chest plate.

Just kidding – obviously they are fake tattoos!

Then because I’m becoming the queen of cheapskates I went to Aldi, Five Below, and a clothes shop Discovery. I’m going to start shopping only at thrift store here in the near future, because I’m over new-consuming, but my final hoorah at Discovery was great! I got two more tanks not pictured for a total of $27 so a week’s worth of new tops/a dress. Not too shabby.

Then of course…..

Sigh. Monday. Blerg.

xxx
GFK

So if you read my post about my Professional-ish Opinion about certain products I use, you will know I am a big supporter of MAC Cosmetics. I did some further digging after my last post and while I’ll agree their products are in no way organic or natural, the company itself stands firmly behind messages of gender equality and animal equality. That being said, we can move on – because it is fact. (Just to firmly cement that – I wrote a Master’s Thesis on Estee Lauder Companies…)

So since my hair color change, the makeup colors I had, were just not working. I felt like Poison Ivy if I wore any auqas or greens and like a glowing warm light if I wore my usual copper eye shadows.

NO!

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A few weeks ago when I purchased my original Paint Pot, I signed up for the special launch event for Antonio Lopez’s MAC makeup collection.

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This entailed me getting my makeup done by one the of the lovely girls at MAC and then the ability to purchase from the new collection before it sells out. (Because it is going to go fast.) I had the amazing Stella do my makeup – if you live in Chicago and need a little makeover or just want to stop into MAC go to this one in Lincoln Park and ask for her – she is FAB. I had so much fun getting a new look and it is PERFECT. I would have never thought to pair the new set Stella picked out for me and I am in love with it.

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Anyways – let’s look at photos of my face with new Antonio Lopez Collection on it.

Several shots of the new colors the top/bottom left are done by Stella and I love them for a great evening/date/night out look. The ones on the top/bottom right and center are more day looks and I LOVE THEM. The new line really compliments my power drill as I was making myself a CRAFT ROOM (listen that post is coming up!).

My current set-up. The Antonio compact, my pro-compact for 16 shadows (of which 13 are poison ivy/warm glo causing), the new Pro Paint Pots (AMAZING), Face and Body Foundation in Ghostface Knitter White, then eyeliner and misc brushes.

It may seem like a lot for makeup, but it’s honestly a simple and very flattering look for me and my new red do! Thanks Stella at MAC! 🙂

beauty

Weekend Photo BLAST.

Let’s look at my face – MAC makeover.