Blog Every Day in May - The End!

Hello!

I did it!  I blogged every day in May via this challenge and wrote regular posts!  Either I have no life or I have some will power (it's the first).  So here's the final prompts:






A vivid memory:

When I was in 8th grade I was lucky enough to go on the trip to Washington DC.  It was my first time away from my parents with out a relative being around, and when we got there. I assumed the teachers would walk us around like a regular field trip.  But NO we got to decide which museums we wanted to go to and we got to walk around with our friends.  It was my first taste of freedom - and it was amazing!  I was such a goody goody that I was scared, but I also just remember vividly being amazed at what it felt like to make my own decisions.  It was a really fun and educational time - I think I absorbed more because I made the decisions of where to go.



Hoorah! Well done, you have made it through the month. How was it for you? Did you learn anything? What did you enjoy? What did you dislike? Sum it all up!

Well, I'm proud of myself for doing two challenges at once and completing it.  I also realize I really don't like talking about "life" or personal things that much and I'd rather talk about beauty!  So I'm glad to be back to my regularly scheduled programming :)


Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 30!

Hey Hey:

It's day 30! 







React to this term: Letting Go~

Ok my initial thought was Oprah and some psycho babble about living life not letting it live you.  Once again this is why I'm not a lifestyle blogger! 
But I do think letting go is important - stuff is going to happen and carrying it around just makes simple things harder.  You also just need to let go and be crazy (and what crazy is depends on the person) sometimes.  I needed to dye my hair red, and then black years ago to get it out of my system.  As a whole I think I'm pretty good at letting stuff go, but it took me a long time to learn how!

 

Who inspires you? Are they close to you? Somebody famous? Or even somebody infamous?
I'm inspired by Martha Stewart - she is hardcore.  Just even took going to jail in stride and seriously for 71 she looks AMAZING.  I met her earlier this year and she is more amazing in "real life" - she knows her stuff and the amount of things she has accomplished in her life blows my mind.
I'm inspired by my former boss Rachel - she is just an amazing person.  She handles so many thinks with grace, is an amazing business woman and knows how to have fun!  Plus she's a great mom too!
I'm also inspired by just knowing there are so many people out there everyday living much more difficult lives than I can even imagine - it makes me "shake it off" when ever the pity party creeps up on me.

And to all the bloggers I read - you all inspire me to keep working at this and make my blog more interesting and a better resource - so thank you!

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 29!

Hello!

Hope everyone is a having a good week - it has been stormy and cool here.  By the time you read this I (hopefully) will have gotten a fancy new haircut!  Pictures tomorrow if it goes well :)


Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories:



Seriously this is the first song I can remember humming to myself, and it's just so Nice!



Another one of my favs from childhood and my go to karaoke song!



This was my "getting ready" song all thru my 20's



Madonna at the SuperBowl performing a medley of hits - yes please!! That head dress - the boots - she's just IT to me.


My "newest" getting ready jam :) Gotta love some Brittany




Tell us about what you do every morning to help you get ready for the day ahead:

I do as little as possible - I am sooo not a morning person, and I don't even have to get up until about 9:15.  I just grab a quick shower, throw on my pre-determined outfit (I get it ready the night before). I put on moisturizer and sunscreen, make sure I have my phone, my make-up and my snack and head for the bus. I use the hour commute to work to "wake up" and when I get downtown I usually get a Diet Coke or a Earl Grey Tea to get my caffeine fix.  I am seriously low maintenance. I do all the hard "work" at night (face masks, peels, hair washing, plucking etc..).

What is your current "getting ready" jam?

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May!

Hello!

We are nearing the end of May!  Today I have a "post in pictures" for you!

My hidden talent - needlepoint piece framed (I gave this to my parents for their lake house)

 

Me and the man @ home

 

Pictures from the architectural boat tour of Chicago - you MUST do it if you come here!

 

My cat Earl flips his head when he's being "cute" which is like 65% of the time, but it usually gets him petted so props to him for training the humans.

 

 

My 11 year old brother (yep my parents had another kid when I was 23) I took him out for sushi because that's what cool sisters do. I have 2 other brothers as well, one is 6 years younger than me and the other is 11 years younger.

 

 

My favorite Chinese restaurant (It's in Minneapolis) I've been going there since I was 3.

 

 

I want this Dynasty "Krystal" Barbie so bad & the Alexis one too!  But not bad enough to pay $30 each.

 

And that's enough pictures...

 

 

 

What is the worst advice you have ever received?

 

I don't ask for advice a lot.  And honestly when I do, I'm just looking for more information so I can make my own decisions.  So I would say I have never really received BAD advice.  I mean I asked for it, people told me what they thought,and the decision was mine.  It's only bad advice if you just willing do whatever people advise.  I will say I have made bad decisions, but that's life.  But letting my friend cut my bangs in 7th grade is up there with seriously stupid :)

 

Jasmine 



Blog Every Day in May!

Hello:

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you so very much to al of those that have served our country


 A letter to your readers:

First and foremost - thank you soo, soo, much for reading my blog.  Your comments mean the world to me.  I started this blog for me, and now I truly do try to think what others might want to read or get more information about.  I know I don't always have the most "expensive" or "trendy" products, but I sure try to have something for you! 
 
Again, thank you, thank you for reading!





What are you good at that nobody knows about?

I am really good at needlepoint - If I was a 19th century woman I could embroider some handkercheifs like nobody's business!  I would have pillows, and seat cushions galore.  I would also probably have gone blind by 13 from lack of lighting but you win some, you lose some.

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 26

Hello:

Only 5 more Blog Every Day Posts!


Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.



Amanda Bynes latest mess - sweet wig girl! (Also check out her random missing nails...)
OMG - I love me some celebrity gossip - I just like reading the little snipets.  But Amanda Bynes is cray cray.  If you haven't heard she recently has the cops called on her for smoking weed in the lobby of her building, when the cops came to her door a bit later she supposedly ran and threw a bong out the window.  She claims she threw a vase out the window and that the cop "slapped her in the vagina".  Then she later claimed she just opened the window to get fresh air.  Now If you have seen previous tweets from her, she seems like she's not doing so good.  But I actually think this kind of behavior is more common than one would think.  I just think of all the coo-coo banana pants people the Chicago police have to deal with every day.  And who gets "slapped in the vagina?" 



Dinner party time - Who would you invite? What music is playing? What are you eating? Is there entertainment? Let your imagination go wild!

Well here's an idea of the setting:

Source: bloggerchicks.wordpress.com via Diana on Pinterest

I like dinner parties to be relatively small - so no more than 10.  And by the way I'm wearing this:

Source: fashionistatrends.com via Mary Anne on Pinterest

As for music, I think I would make a mix of hits from the 70's, 80's and 90's that help bring back some memories and spark conversation.  I would want to bring together my friends from around the country, it would be great to have them all together. 

I love this Monoply themed menu and the items on it!

So that's my party - but this most important part would be the people, we could be eating saltine crackers if the company is right :)

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 25!

Hello:






Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad):

One thing that comes to mind is when I was 12 to about 20 people would always comment "Jasmine you're so weird".  And I really got hung up on that, at that age you want to be accepted and be "normal" but I am glad I kept on being weird.  Because now people compliment me on my knowledge and "thinking out of the box" has always served me well at work and in life.  But sometimes I still think back and really wonder what was sooo "weird" ??




What are your top 5 favourite albums and why?

Now don't rip on my music taste!  And also note I'm not a big "music" fan - I enjoy the silence more than anything!

1) The Immaculate Collection - Madonna  (because I love Madonna and this is a great collection of songs)

2) Rebel Yell - Billy Idol (I just love all these songs, come on White Wedding = awesome)

3) The Phantom of the Opera (Andrew Lloyd Weber play version) feat. Sarah Brightman - I love, love Sarah Brightman's voice and "All I ask of you" is one of my all time favorite songs.

4) Out of the Blue - ELO (this was my jam as a kid!  I put on this record and would rollerskate around the basement all the time!)

5) Johnny Cash @ Folsom Prison - (I just love his voice and the circumstances of this album make it awesome as well)

Look for my glitter nail polish video post later today!

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May!

Hello!

It's May 23rd and I'm excited for a three day "weekend" in a few days - mine will be Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday! 

On to the prompts:






 Things you've learned that school won't teach you:

*How to do taxes and handle investments (Why don't they teach this?!?)

*That there will ALWAYS be a whiner, a slacker & a gossip in your work situations learn to ignore them and better yourself.

*College is overrated - you could get all D's and still have a "college" education.  I want to work with people with common sense.

* We are a global community and we better stop being so "'Merica F@ck yea" or there will be no "Merica!"

* How to relax and enjoy life :)



Tell us about the best compliment you have ever received.

Honestly, I think any compliment is the best!  But my old boss (who is an AMAZING woman, smart, pretty, financially stable, could win The Apprentice any day of the week) She told me after I left that I was really good at what I did - I don't remember her exact words but it pointed out things I take pride in and confirmed that I have valuable skills and she missed me.  So it meant a lot.

I am sorting my nail polish "collection" as we speak so I hope to have a video up soon!  The dining room table looks like a nail salon.

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May!

Hello!

I can't believe it's already May 22nd!


Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Honestly I don't like to use this blog as a platform to rant.  And to me, ranting does NOTHING to solve things, only action does.  But as I have mentioned rudeness bothers me a lot and I don't quite know how to take action against it, so I just try to be as polite and thoughtful as possible in order to bring some of that karma towards me :)  And why not?  Everyone deserves to be treated kindly.




If you could talk to your 13 year old self, what would you say?

Relax.  Stop fighting with your parents over the little things and the big things will be much easier.  Just enjoy being young, your hard work will payoff and you will get a hot boyfriend eventually :)  And a lot of guys will be jerks - so rise above, it isn't worth it.  Eventually you will be good at make-up, but you may never figure out your hair.  Remember RELAX.

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 21

Hello!

Well yesterday confirmed why I'm not a "lifestyle" blogger!  I just don't really like talking about "life" - but I guess it's a good exercise.  So onward...


A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives

How to Apply Eye Cream

Five minutes to Fabulous - Makeup

All my foundation reviews - in one!

My Primer reviews!

So please check them out if you haven't already!





If you could do anything in the world to make a living what would it be?

I have thought about this a lot - and I want to be a soap opera star!  Then I wouldn't be super famous and could retain some of my anonymity - but I would make some good money!  I could be crazy dramatic, wear fabulous outfits have my make up and hair done - what's not to like!  And soap opera stars have long careers - I could keep doing it until I was a mean old lady!  So if anyone has any connections hook me up!

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 20

Hello!

It's Monday (and my FrIdAy!) yea!!!


Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now:

It sounds dramatic but lately I've been just struggling with PEOPLE!  At work, when I run errands & when I do anything social it just seems like people are so ignorant it blows my mind.  I see people snapping their fingers at retail workers like their dogs.  At work people ask the Stupidest and I mean STUPID questions because they are too lazy to even be bothered to THINK.  People let their children act crazy. People talk on their phone so loudly on the EL (And I don't want to hear it! - No one wants to hear about how  your sisters kid...  )

Erggg.  I don't know why I've been letting it get to me but I just feel stressed by it and it's silly!  So everyone please do me and the world a favor, be thoughtful tomorrow.  If we all just try to change 1% imagine the change we could bring.

Ok now that my blood pressure went up 20 points just thinking about rude people on to the next prompt ->



Talk about something that is in the news today.
"An enormous tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs and killed at least 51 people Monday" -NBC.com News

I feel like Oklahoma City has seen it's fair share of trouble.  The infamous bombing, a previous horrific tornado in 1999, and this.  When nature strikes it's hard to be like "why?" because you know that is the way the world works and Oklahoma is in "Tornado Alley" making it much more likely that they will see this kind of storm. But I guess it still surprises and saddens me too, to know that so many people can die this day in age, it seems like we should be able to get to safety.  But nature is unpredictable and my heart goes out to everyone affected, I can't even imagine.  All the more reason to treat the Earth with respect!

And this is the most depressing post I've ever written!

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 19

Hello!

May is just flying by!  This time next month I'll be in Yellowstone roughing it!




Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them:

I have done this prompt 3 times in the last month and I have also mentioned that a lot of the blogs I had previously been reading seem to have gone "Dead" - so here's the list and I would appreciate any suggestions for new reads.



  I love Christine @ Little Red Bow -> She and I have very similar skin tones and cosmetic leanings, but she's much younger and hipper!  Her blog inspires me to try so many colors (I got Tarte Amozianian Clay blush in Tipsy because of her review) She picked out my favorite concealer and I love reading everything she posts.

Beauty Redefined by Pang -> Ok first of all she takes AMAZING pictures and constantly inspires me to do better.  Then the reviews are so well thought out and tested that you know if it's a hit or miss no need to check it out if you can't get to the store!  She has so many nail polish and eyeliner reviews it's like a library of inspiration!  And she is very creative with her cosmetic looks!

Martha @ QuickCheap & Pretty -> She inspires me to try my hand at fashion blogging, make sure I am conscious of cruelty free and vegan friendly brands and she loves to read as much as I do!   I also am inspired by the tone of her vlogs - she makes it very conversational and educational.

Mandy @ Prettymaking - does the most beautiful eye looks and swatches!  She inspired me to start a blog and is my go to for buying indie!

Kristin @ RainySunRayNails - Wow can she do some nails!  And she has some really good videos about stamping plates.




We all make up traditions that carry over year after year. What is your favorite tradition? Big or small, share the details and why you enjoy it.


This is hard.  My family has like zero traditions.  And my boyfriend and I are kind of go with the flow type people.  But we do always celebrate New Year's Eve by going to see his brother's band play.  Last year they played in Louisville, KY at the Galt House, and really enjoy getting all dressed up and going somewhere fancy :)

Jasmine

Blog Everyday in May - Day 18

Hello! 

It's Day 18 of the Blog Every Day Challenge!


Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

I remember I used to LOVE going to the library (still do!) and one time my mom took me to the downtown Minneapolis branch.  So I was like 6 or 7 and back in the day the Children's section had the Nancy Drew novels but they were off to the side in the regular stacks that where 8ft high.  (really easy for children to reach the books???)   Anywhoo I was after my Nancy Drews and I was concentrating on getting it off the high shelf, all of a sudden a homeless man with the really matted hair and very dirty came around the corner into the stacks (and honestly he was probably harmless) but I remember it scared the S#it out of me.  It was the first time I had seen someone in that state up close, and I don't think I knew exactly why he looked like that.  I remember I froze and I was so scarred he was going to "get" me.  I finally got my wits about me (I was only 6 for goodness sake!) and ran to the common area by the librarian and just told my mom I was ready to go.  I never said anything about it because I was so scared.  But it's always stuck with me as a very vivid memory.

So that's my lovely childhood story!



 

Who are your best friends and what makes them so special?

Long story short - I have moved a lot, I am old and I don't currently have any friends.


Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 17

Hello!

It's once again time for more of my thoughts on life... 




A favorite photo of yourself and why?

Ok so this is me before the MDNA concert last September - I was vogue-ing in like EVERY picture!  But this actually looks like ME to ME.  And it was such an amazing concert and I had a lot of fun so this picture also brings back happy thoughts! 

On to the prompt from Rosalilium.com

Describe or photograph your walk to work. Or journey to work if you use transport. Is it pretty or incredibly dull? 

I walk about 2 blocks to catch a bus to the El station and its not pretty along Western ave.  Lots of litter and random city store fronts once I get out of my neighborhood.  Then I take the bus a few miles south and get to the very utilitarian El stop.  But its in Germantown (more commonly known as Lincoln Square) and they have a piece of the Berlin Wall on display so that's pretty neat!

Then I ride the El downtown and there are senic views of the city along the way. There are also creepy smelly people on both the bus and El. 

Once I get downtown, its all pretty, Chicago has amazing architecture wherever you turn.

And then I work and often I see people wearing questionable outfits, especially now that it is warm.  I didn't take pictures of that.  But I also see lots of cute outfits, purses, and shoes and I ask where they got them so thats fun.

On the way home the El platform faces Trump tower so here's a view of that.

Overall, I have a very urban scenic route and though it takes an hour to go 8 miles, Im not driving so I get to enjoy it all.  :)

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 16

Hello!

Today is Day 16 of Blog Every Day in May! 




Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it:

If you read my post yesterday you know I'm not real big on saying my lot in life is difficult - because it's NOT.  But I will say there's things I need to work on!
I'm working not swearing so much - I sound so ignorant when I do it.  Instead I try to say "ah nutsy" or "oh drag".
I need to work out!  Seriously.  I used to be strong, and now stupid things wind me. 
Those are my 2 main difficulties at this time :)




What is your ideal way to pamper yourself and relax?




Ideally I would be in Las Vegas at Caesar's and wake up late go down to the Qua Spa for a facial and massage and then some shopping and dinner!  I love that it's all one stop and I barely have to leave the building :)  Seriously relaxing and indulgent!  And seriously expensive :)

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 15!

Hello!

I'm halfway thru the Blog Every Day in May Challenge times 2!

A Day in the life

                         ***Feel free to skip this as I posted about this once before!***

Ok - I get up around 9:18 (rough I know.) Also weird number because I refuse to set my alarm for an "normal" time.
Quick bath, fix hair, lotions and potions on, dressed in all black, grab purse out the door by 9:48.
On bus and Train doing make-up (yea, I'm that girl), or reading, or playing Candy Crush.
Arrive Downtown about 10:45
Check financials from yesterday, check on stock levels, check in with store team (I'm a "vendor" while in their store) Then start talking to clients that come in. 
Skincare
Skincare
Chat with other cosmetic consultants if they're "in house" that day about what's new in the world
Skincare
"You put WHAT on your face?"
Cosmetic consult
Quick, like 15 minute Lunch
Skincare
"Your face is dry because your using a cleanser meant for a 15 year old boy, and then a salicylic acid toner and no moisturizer" (this I keep in my head)
Cosmetic consult
Skincare
Leave the store around 5:30 pm and try not to go to Ulta, or Sephora or Macy's or DSW which are all within a BLOCK of where I usually work. Get back on train and think about why it always smells so strongly of urine (bleckkkkk...)
Read blogs and comment while on train (so that's why my spelling sucks, or why my sentences are weird because the darn auto correct takes over.)
Home by about 7pm, Wash face and remove all makeup and lotion and potion up for the evening. Then I have to take off all my work clothes immediately (they have touched the EL and are gross) and put on fresh "house" clothes.  I do this even when I just run errands, I can't wear something I wore "outside" inside.  It bothers me. And I KNOW I am not the only one that does this! 
Drink a Diet Coke on ice and have a light snack
Take my "pre-bedtime" nap
9:30pm wake up, do any chores I need to do, read, write blog post for the next day or take pictures, do any skincare things that are that "day's" (Glycolic peel - Sunday night, Facial hair removal - Tuesday night, Deep condition hair - Wednesday night).  I also talk to my boyfriend for a bit during this time, we are really independent.  We both are always working on something and try to spend "quality time" together on days off - on "work" nights it's very quiet around our house.
Midnight - put on hand cream, nighttime lip treatment & read for a bit and then ZZZZZZ.


On my days off I run errands for 3 hours - and then I seriously just do nothing.  I take naps, I read, I do laundry and that's about it.





What is the single most important lesson you have ever had?

It's going to sound harsh but it has served me well -
"You are NOT Special"

The sooner you stop believing you are in some way SPECIAL and your life is so different from everyone else's the more you can focus on living.  Everyone has difficult times and if you think you are special and that your life was soooo much harder think again - I guarantee there are 1 billion people without access to clean water just to begin with.  If you are so special and think you are "entitled" to people treating you a certain way, think again, you CANNOT control how other people act only yourself so stop being special and LIVE.  You are just another human on this planet and it is up to YOU to make your life happy, healthy and worthwhile. 

Now I need to go take some pictures to bring some beauty back to this blog :)

Jasmine

Blog Every Day in May - Day 14

Hello!

So far I'm doing quite well on the blog every day challenge!





Ten things that make you really happy

1) A good book
2) A nap
3) A Diet Coke on ice
4) Getting a great deal on something
5) Going camping or traveling to somewhere new
6) Make-up!
7) My cat
8) Fresh sheets on the bed
9) A sincere compliment
10) Relaxing by the seashore


And for the rosalilium.com challenge -



Share your favourite recipe. Talk about the best cocktail you've ever tasted. Or maybe share you fave restaurant experience. Lets talking about food!

My favorite "food" is anything grain based - cereal, bread, pastries, crackers.  I have a really "plain" palette.  I do enjoy food from around the world, but my favorite parts of much of it has to do with breads.  A freshly baked loaf of honey wheat bread is my favorite. 
 
As for cocktails - I don't drink very often.  It interferes with my medication and so I'm a total lightweight.  I go from one drink to puking drunk.  So no cocktails for me.
 
I will share on of my favorite recipes for dinner parties - it's an easy to make salad that everyone seems to love (and who Doesn't love caramelized pecans?)
 
Roquefort Pear Salad
 
1 head leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces

 

3 pears - peeled, cored and chopped 

                       

5 ounces Roquefort cheese, crumbled (you could use feta instead, it's easier to find

                        

1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced                                            

                       

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions  

                    

1/4 cup white sugar

                        

1/2 cup pecans 

                      

1/3 cup olive oil  

                       

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar               

                        

1 1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard                                                    

                      

1 clove garlic, chopped                                                    

                    

1/2 teaspoon salt                                  

                     

fresh ground black pepper to taste

 

 

In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 cup of sugar together with the pecans. Continue stirring gently until sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Carefully transfer nuts onto waxed paper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces.

For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper.
In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, and green onions. Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.

I just love this! 

I don't have a fancy picture of it because - it's salad!  And I don't take pictures of my food, I eat it.

Jasmine