How To Brighten Your Eyes With Makeup

Most of us line our eyes with dark liner to emphasize or deepen our lash line. Have you ever thought about using a highlighter to emphasize your actual eye? Dark colors recede on your face (think face contouring) and bright or light colors come forward. So if you want to draw your eyes out and make your eye color pop, this is an awesome trick. Especially in the day time because it's easy and not over the top.  <scroll down to see how I did it>

  I brushed on a very light shadow all over my lid, then used my Hard Candy Eye Def Metallic Shadow and swept it across my top lash line. There are many options to use-eye shadow works really well especially if you wet it first. A metallic, bronze, or blush pink are great but also use your eye color as a guide when choosing which color for best eye optimization [I just made that term up on the spot. Is it weird?].

Is this something you've tried before or would like to try? Let me know how it goes!

Mollie

Park[s] Date

While Lacye visited us, [our first family member to visit us since we were married!] she was super awesome to put up with me begging, "Will you please take pictures of me for my blog??" She's super talented and since I expect everything I do HAS to be AH-mazing, it was swell to have someone take "official" looking pictures. AKA fashion blogger worthy :P. You can see my post about Lacye's style here. She inspires me in so many ways! 

I did my sisterly NYC duties such as taking her thrifting at some favorite shops so that she could return to Arkansas and tell everyone who asks, "Where did I get this amazing blazer? During a trip to New York City visiting my bro and sis. No big deal. Oh yeah, I also picked up these rings and canvas shoes while there. Nothing MAJOR." There should be a sarcasm typeface. 

To the point, I bought both the jacket and the dress at a store in my neighborhood. Super score. Lacye said I looked like I was channeling Blair's style from Atlantic Pacific. And I nearly fell over upon hearing that statement. Who DOESN'T want to have a closet/style like Blair? I count myself a fan.

Jacket: Thrifted | Dress: Thrifted | Tee: H&M | Belt: Thrifted | Leggings: H&M | Boots: TJ Maxx | Gloves: ? Christmas present | Bag: TJ Maxx

Liebster Award

A special thanks goes to Queenly Tan for nominating me for the Liebster Award. The comment she left on this post completely made my day :). Thanks for the blog love Miss Queenly Tan! So now it is my turn to wave the magic wand and throw some fairy dust on 11 bloggers so here goes…

What is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster Awards origins are pretty much a mystery. Bloggers nominate other bloggers that have 500 or less followers. "Liebster" is German for "favorite", so this is kind of like the "favorite blog award". It's basically a "Hey, that's a sweet little blog you've got there. Here's an award!" You can't just accept the award. You have to play by the ever changing rules and pay it forward. Then you can put the award on your blog to see. 

Rules of the Liebster Award:

1. List 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.

3. Ask new 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.

4. Choose 11 bloggers with 500 or less followers to nominate.

5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award. 

6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

11 Facts About Myself: 

1. I have five brothers (we all have the same mom and dad) and am the only girl. Can you say SPOILED?

2. I LOVE milk. I drink it with pizza, mexican food, spicy things, and everything in between. My Xanga (anyone remember that social platform?) had a banner that read "I love milk". 

3. I despised college. Even more than that I despised the people who live in the past and claimed "It's the best time of your life" and "life is all downhill after college". What kind of person claims you've peaked in life before your 25th birthday? I'm gonna rock my career and the rest of my life.

4. I have ADD and ADHD which is one hefty reason why college and I were not friends. It makes for interesting life situations :)

5. As a teen/youngster I never wanted to get married and didn't care much for the idea. Guess what? I am married to a freaking amazing man who pushes me to be the best I can be. You can bet my perspective on marriage has changed.

6. I studied abroad for a semester in London, England. I still feel like I left my heart over there. NYC is an excellent band aid though. 

7. Nearly every morning I lived in London I cried because I had never experienced so much gratefulness in my heart. My heart burst in a way that I can't explain. I still thank God all the time for that life changing time. 

8. I get confused with left and right and east and west. I still try to shake hands with people using my left quite innocently believing it to be my right hand. I am full blown lefty so I blame the misunderstanding on that :P

9.  My favorite films usually involve war or violence. I generally dislike romantic comedies.

10. I have been complimented on my firm handshake by several men in random situations.

11. I think sports are boring to watch. Mention the Razorbacks and I'll probably start snoring.

11 Random Questions from Queenly Tan:

1. What do you want to be 5 years from now? A full time, professional, freelance makeup artist with a prominent reputation. 

2. What's your fashion obsession? (Is it bag?shoes?etc.) Blazers and jackets. I will never stop growing my collection of them. 

3. Favorite color? Midnight blue

4. Something you cannot live without? Mascara. I'm a light lashed lassie.

5. Best childhood memory? Any involving mine and my brother's many fort building experiences. Fort Knox was a monster.

6. Other hobbies aside from blogging? Painting! And exploring my city.

7. Straight or curly hair? I love both. Mine is straight but as my moods change I try to make my hair follow suit. Lately it's pompadour, top heavy styles.

8. Ideal man, if any? My husband :)) Witty, skinny, stylish, with a head for business and investing. 

9. Describe your personal style. It depends on which alter ego I am living out that day. Gypsy rockstar. British equestrian. Sidewalk model (NOT to be confused with street walker), a painting come to life. There are so many of us. 

10. Do you believe in 'first impression lasts'? Absolutely. That's one thing that keeps us stylists in business.

11. Motto in life? <Slaps face> "You can't be perfect, Mollie. It's a great learning experience to mess up".

And the Winners Are:

1. Kinks are the New Pink

2. Ashes of Laughter

3. Priscilla Francine Makeup

4. Style of Sam

5. Silver Lining Studio

6. Saved by Fashion

7. Nothing But a Pigeon

8. Nestled in Nostalgia

9. Vanity and Vodka

10. Lizz Aubrey

11. The Fluff Report

11 Questions for my blogger choices: 

1. What has been your most exhilarating life experience so far?

2. Do you try a trend just to try, or because you really like it?

3. What's your biggest career dream/goal?

4. How much in advance do you plan an outfit?

5. What do you do to get inspiration for a post when you don't know what to write about?

6. Who influences your style?

7. What did you wear when younger that mortifies you now?

8. Are you right-brained or left-brained?

9. What possession would you never agree to share?

10. What do you love most about your physical appearance?

11. What is the best thing that could happen if you took a risk and succeeded?

Can't wait to read your answers, ladies!

Mollie

Sister Style: Lady in a Bowler Hat

This is my amazing sister(-in-law) who came for a swell holiday visit. She has incredible style and loves to find unique pieces for her wardrobe, such as this oversized 80's jacket (found at an Upper West side thrift store). Nik and I took Lacye to Prospect Park on her last day where we shot this. And she loved the park like we hoped! I miss her tons and want her back very soon. I hope you're reading this, Lacye.  

 

This cool ring she found left marks that looked like bruises. She was starting to look like a roller derby girl :). Thanks for posing for me and allowing me to put your beautiful face on the blog!

Mollie

One Jacket Five Ways

Today marks the first of a new series on the blog, One Piece Multiple Ways. It's easy to get in a rut with clothing, especially with your favorite items. Jackets are a staple in my wardrobe and I am always looking for a new way to incorporate them into my style. 

The Challenge:  I gave myself ten minutes to put together each outfit, with no pre-planning involved. I barely changed my jewelry because I used versatile pieces to show how much wear you can get even with a pair of earrings. 

I thrifted this 40's style army green jacket recently and have been quite thrilled to give it a home in my wardrobe. [Please note the misguided strand of hair in the first image. I laughed so much that I decided to leave it there. You're welcome for the chuckle.]  

  I hope this serves as inspiration for your own closet! What is another item you would want to see styled multiple ways?

Mollie

I'm Not The Kind of Girl Who Shows My Slip

  Jacket: ? DIY by me | Dress as skirt: Target | Blouse : Banana Republic | Tights: Target |
  Sneakers: Macy's | Brooch: Thrifted | Gloves (DIY cut off fingers by me): TJ Maxx |

  Bag: TJ Maxx

Except I let my slip peek out in one of the photos [daring, I know]. Did the last photo make you giggle? I hope so! I joked, "Is this a good pose?" and proceeded to look gawky.

 My sister-in-law visited this week and took these pictures of me. She's a great photographer! She left this morning and I miiiissss her! Nik and I might pressure her to move here once college is completed. And I wouldn't feel rotten for it.

Come back, Lacye!! [There will be a post of the outfits above. She has swell style]

Pale Skin in Central Park

I couldn't think of a title (this happens with every post) so I picked the two things that popped into my head first. Clearly there's a pale face in these shots [don't get me wrong, I LOVE pale/fair/light skin. I was the bride who ran away from sunlight leading up to my wedding so that my skin would be creamy and p-a-l-e.] and rather than a "pop of color" as the saying goes, there is a pop from blinding lightness. It's great, amIright? The other deciding factor was simple since these were quickly taken in Central Park while on errands. Thanks to my husband for taking these!

  Fur hat: thrifted | Jacket: TJ Maxx | Leopard jacket: TJ Maxx | Blouse: Express |
Jeans: Zara | Boots: Nine West

Painted Face: Lichtenstein Inspired

Trenton Xavier and I wanted to do a Roy Lichtenstein shoot for months and were finally able to shoot this just weeks before my move to New York City. So thankful we got to do this!

Trenton has awesome vision and I was blown away when I saw his shots. He picked out the locations and we walked all over Dickson St and The Square to try each. The stares, whistles, waves, jaw drops and slowed down cars made it all the more fun. I truly began to feel like a cartoon character come to life.

Because this was inspired by Lichtenstein's work, I took creative liberties and mildly changed the makeup. I have teal eyebrows instead of black, and I like the modernity of white hair rather than yellow. And I played with modern textures in the clothing to give it a newer feel. My hat's off to Roy for his incredible oeuvre.