Bare Face Truths

Makeup melting....

One of the most terrifying things for a woman to think about, and even worse, experience.

I am what you would call a "makeup enthusiast", I absolutely LOVE playing with makeup. Creating looks, trying new products and brands, doing my friends' makeup, as well as learning the tips and tricks to a perfect application.

One of the things that I am secretly passionate about is the endurance of makeup, trying to make it last when you really need it to! I don't know about you, but I am not a fan of my mascara smearing, concealer caking, and lipstick fading.

Thankfully I have learned some sneaky ways of how to improve the lasting power of your makeup, especially during the summer.

Tip #1: Wear less. Your pores need some lovin', they need to breathe, and by putting on a full face of makeup every day is not summer-proof. Only dab the concealer/foundation where you need it. I personally use a tiny brush and stipple the problem area and then blend it into the skin so that it looks airbrushed. You want to give the illusion that you have perfect skin, not a fully matte complexion.

Tip #2: If you are going somewhere important and or are getting married and you want your makeup to last, invest in a finishing spray. These beauties will be your savior. Promise. It acts as a barrier between your face and the atmosphere around you, preventing your makeup from budging or going anywhere. I highly recommend Urban Decay's "All Nighter", or if you have very oily skin then you might want to get Urban Decay's "De Slick".

Tip #3: Baby your skin. Use a gentle cleanser rather than a harsh one, because you don't want to constantly strip your face of the natural oils that it produces that keeps it healthy. Apply masks that will help keep it moisturized, especially DIY ones that contain oatmeal and plain yogurt. Apply moisturizer afterwards. Your skin will love you for this.

Tip #4: I don't know about you but my face breaks out more in the summer than in the winter. I have pretty good skin but the occasional pimple is never a fun time, and I have found that if you use organic sea salt mixed with warm water on the area, the pimple will dry up faster than if you use a treatment. It's like that time you went to the ocean and went swimming, and later that day your skin looks amazing? Yeah, exactly like that! Boil down the salt into some water, dip a cloth into the mixture once it's warm and safe enough for your skin, and apply it over your face. It's a holy grail. DO NOT USE TABLE SALT, THAT HAS UNWANTED CHEMICALS IN IT THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO PUT ON YOUR FACE! USE ONLY ORGANIC SEA SALT!!!

Tip #5: Was your brushes more often, I can't stress this enough. Just do it. Your face will thank you for it and you will get less break outs!

Less is more my beauties. Keep it simple, keep it natural, keep is chic. And for goodness sake keep people guessing, it's much more fun that way!

~Piper

Surviving Your Twenties

Folks, it's time we had that heart to heart, tete a tete, mano a mano.

I have been present on this planet for twenty one years and there are a few things I have learned that I not only practice, but also preach.

Being in your twenties means you are caught in that bizarre in-between stage of not yet ready to be an adult and also having to constantly think about the "whats" "ifs" "ands" or "buts" of your future, as well as yourself.

A couple tid-bits and odds and ends that I have learned:

Be your harshest critic, to an extent. It's okay to challenge yourself and try to become the best version of yourself, but sometimes we all get carried away and feel that nothing is good enough. Breathe. Take a step back. Then remind yourself that progress sometimes comes in baby steps. We live in a fast paced world, and sometimes we need to slow down and then catch up again.

Drink lots of tea. The stats about corn syrup and soda consumption leading to diseases and obesity are scaring me. So in order to get my caffeine fix with more health benefits, I have converted to being a tea enthusiast. Sometimes we just need to be a little more British, ya know? Pinkies up my friend!

Eat lots of pasta. I don't think I have to explain this one. Just twirl and slurp.

Learn how to keep your own secrets. I know this is a hard one, but people can't keep secrets. They just don't. Unless you want your friends to know everything about your private life and your business, produce a key and lock it. Keep it safe.

Take long walks when you're frustrated. Exercise will be one of your biggest stress relievers and will actually help you sort things out in your head, as though you are creating imaginary organized folders for the annoying thoughts inside your brain. Talk to yourself if necessary. Only you know your heart and head the best. It's okay to consult with yourself, even if it's out loud.

Stay positive. Compliment a stranger every day. Do something rewarding. Buy ice cream.

If it's too good to be true, it probably is.

Put on some red lipstick (or any bright color of your choice) and wear your sunglasses for days you are lazy, not wanting to wear makeup, or taking a quick trip to the grocery store. It's say's "classy" yet "gloriously mysterious" and "simple".

Boys are not Disney princes. They are creatures that have to be understood and respected and loved. Find one that does the same for you. If he does like to watch Disney movies, have a party!

Know your limits.


Be patient. Good things come to those who wait, right? While waiting you can bake some cookies, and they will be amazing.

There will always be good, great, awkward, and on occasion dark parts to your life. Your twenties are definitely something to be explored. Cherish it. Love it. And savor it. When there are clouds, look for that silver lining. You are learning day by day just as I am.

Go for it.

Don't think twice.

Good luck!

~Piper

8 Things You Should Smile About

Today I decided that I would put the world under a microscope and analyze "what" exactly makes me smile. A lot of them are things that I don't consciously know will prompt a grin or a hearty chuckle, nevertheless, it was fun to make these discoveries, and perhaps they will inspire you to look closely at the simplest things that make you happy:

1. Looking out your window and seeing that glorious golden orb that emits light and heat, especially after it hasn't shown its face in a while. It was definitely one of those Thumbelina moments, "once there was the sun...."

2. Putting on lipstick. It's such a simple and therapeutic thing. Voila! Instant confidence booster! Seriously, makeup does wonders on the soul, even if it's just gliding on a touch of lipstick. Seriously ladies, if there's one thing you need in your makeup bag, it's a good solid romantic red shade that will stop a man in his tracks.

3. Toast with peanut butter and honey. Don't wrinkle your nose like that. It's seriously a wonderful snack for when you are craving something sweet and gooey and heart warming. It's like drinking a warm cup of tea or receiving a hug, warm and inviting.

4. Making random and odd noises to accompany whatever task you are trying to accomplish. I don't know about you, but I am a big fan of making funny squeaks and squeals and snorts. I am also a big fan of wiggling. I could be doing homework and I would be wiggling and making purring noises just to appease the silence on my room.

5. That moment you realize that you have one last KitKat bar hiding at the bottom of your chocolate stash. Yeah.

6. Filling out your calendar. Being organized is my thing. I hate not being able to see what is happening next week, because I might forget something or miss something completely. Plus, doodling all over the calendar with the dry-erase marker is half the fun.

7. Looking through your jewelry box. It's like reacquainting yourself with old friends. Especially when you open all the lockets, trying to remember if it holds sweet secrets or not.

8. Walking past someone who is wearing a very subtle cologne and or perfume. It's always fun trying to guess what brand it might be, and or what that particular scent reminds you of.

Smile today my gentle readers! And discover why! :)

~Piper

Unplug

You know what's sad?

Walking down the street and seeing everyone around you with ear buds in listening to the music on their fancy-schmancy iPods and iPhones, while texting frivolously as though it is a matter of life and death, or having a conversation on the phone while exclaiming OMG and LULZ, or even sitting outside with their laptops skyping people from far-away places and don't blink for a few solid hours.

Seriously people?

I know that we are technologically advancing faster than we can blink, and the gadgets are all new and exciting, and our materialistic society condemns us if we do not possess these things and integrate them into everything we do in our daily lives. But come now!

I dare you, yes YOU, to unplug yourself today. Challenge yourself. Detach yourself from your television, laptop, cellphone, music player, ipad, ANYTHING that requires your undivided attention and causes your brain to melt out of your ears. Just push it all away for an hour.

That's right, and hour. Think you can handle it?

I super duper double dog dare you.

"But Piper, whatever shall I do with my life?!" Well inquisitive and desperate reader, let me tell you all the wonderful things that you can do, and what people HAVE done before all of this technology butted in.

Take a leisurely walk, pick up a book (A book? What's that?), actually meet up with a friend and talk to them face to face (le gasp!), have an in-depth conversation over a cup of coffee, go on a spontaneous date with your loved one, play with your pet(s), be a cool parent and play hide-and-seek with your kids, something.

Encourage others to do so too! I promise that the hour will pay off, and will actually be beneficial for you. Slowly ween yourself off of the ideological notion that the people living inside your cell phone need to talk to you all the time. They can wait. Life can wait. So sit back, relax, and simply enjoy the silence of no annoyingly humming computer of keyboard clicking.

Take some photographs, paint a picture, do a workout, bake some celebratory cookies.

Go for it! Especially the cookies, everybody loves cookies.

I'll be unplugging for an hour as well today, I think my dusty "Pride & Prejudice" needs a little lovin'.

Be strong, you can do this, and remember, no peeking! Not for an hour.

Good luck! :)

~Piper

A Single Pearl

Death is one of the scariest concepts we can ponder, witness, and eventually experience.

It is a big part of the human condition to fear what we naturally do not understand and cannot control or prevent. We forget that we do not live forever despite our best intentions to be healthy and invest in anti-aging products. What we forget is that it is also natural.

Dieing is a part of life. The greatest paradox known to mankind.

Just this week alone I have lost two fantastic beings, one being a pet (my betta fish Castle) as well as a parent of a very close friend. I can't say I ever met them, but I do know that they were a huge part of my friend's life, someone to look up to, someone to love, someone who was a really great father.

It's strange how much we come to appreciate life when it is lost. If anything, it's moments like these where we become more human, more aware of how precious and transient life is.

I only hope that you, whoever you are, take a moment to really appreciate everything you have. Every breath. Every heartbeat. Every muscle movement. Every feeling. And every smile.

I know...pretty deep. But I thought it would be a good way of getting my jumbled thoughts out to people who would read and listen and absorb.

Absorb away my little sponges of wisdom!

~Piper

The Perks To Being Short

That's right folks, today we are going to discuss the pros to being short. Because when you are walking down the street and it seems that you are living in a world of tall, skinny, Victoria's Secret models, your confidence can easily be deflated.

Never fear! For I have a couple contagious ideas that you can think to yourself as you pass those long-legged beauties on the sidewalk. I am 5"2 and 110lbs on a good day, so I feel your pain about being short and being the butt of countless height jokes.

Here are my ever-so-clever thoughts on the matter:

1.) You can wear heels and not tower over your significant other. Believe you me, guys do not (usually) like having women being taller than them. So if that doesn't give your debit card a reason to be ridiculously happy while walking through the shoe isle, I don't know what is.

2.) Should the opportunity present itself, you are the most difficult person to find in a game of "hide and go seek". You are small, compact, and will surprise your friends with the spaces you squeeze into. Trust me, you will own this game. Which can then become a great bragging right at a party that you can tell your friends, "did you know that in a game of hide and go seek I fit into the drawer of my dresser? Can you do that? No? Shame."

3.) You receive the best piggy back rides. Some guys have the upper body strength to carry you around on their backs as though you weighed nothing but a feather. Others, not so much. Guys get tired after a while. But if you are a tiny person, they will give you a piggy back ride lasting for quite some time. Seriously, go out and try this.

4.) Think of yourself as a Hobbit. That's right. A middle-earth mystical being that carried the ring into the very depths of Mordor to rid of the most evil inanimate object known to man. Plus, you can eat as much lembas bread as you want! Take that!

5.) Ever heard of the saying, "less is more"? Well, apply that to your stature and make it a clever retort to anyone who is poking fun at you. Works like a charm.

Aside from the fact that stature really doesn't matter and that you are beautiful no matter your height, it can sometimes get to you if you are having one of those "iffy" days where you just want to eat chocolate and keep people away from you. It happens. And when it does, think about the list above and maybe you'll crack a smile, give a giggle, and impress your friends.

Remember ladies, if you can properly walk in heels, apply lipstick like a pro, and bake something absolutely delicious, you are already off-the-charts beautiful.

Be your beautiful self and occasionally impress someone with those snazzy heels you have hiding in your closet. If not, rock the flats, because being short is awesome! Go get 'em tiger!

~Piper

Care for a slice?

My apartment smells like a symphony of cinnamon, sugar, and butter, yumm.

That's right, as I am leisurely enjoying the rest of my Spring Break to the fullest, I am baking Joy The Baker's "cinnamon sugar pull apart bread" and relishing in each gooey and decadent slice. It's like bread, but multiplied by a thousand "oh my lord where has this been all my life?!'s"

I have also been browsing Netflix for some much-needed comedy, so far, watching Bill Engvall is my favorite. I am also going to watch Pride & Prejudice in order to fulfill some strong womanly desire to see that love truly conquers all and that men once wore the most smashing attires....le sigh.

It is also sunny outside today, which does wonders for a pale complexion as well as boosting the dopamine levels in the brain, which equals pure happiness!

I implore you to go outside and enjoy the lovely weather (if you have it), if not, curl up with a nice book and and maybe some of this bread I baked (seriously, you should make this recipe).

Being a woman is awesome on days like this, because you feel extremely accomplished when you have painted your nails, baked something delicious, and have drooled over the works of the brilliant Jane Austen.

Well played vacation, well played.

Now, on to more activities that shall melt my brain cells!

To my fellow readers, take some "me" time today and just relax, it does the body wonders and you feel like a new person when you just take a couple breathless moments to really live and be lazy for a change.

Much love

~Piper

Truffles and Sniffles

I figured out a clever way to smash double stuff oreos into oblivion. Instead of driving my roommates insane with my excited chocolate truffle making, I put the entire bag of oreos into a grocery bag, then put that bag into another one, and then stomped away. Works like a dream.

I made cookies and cream truffles. I tempered chocolate in a microwave. And they are DELICIOUS. I am very proud of my homemade alternative to expensive Valentine's Day chocolates. They were well praised. :)

Also I woke up this morning with a heavy cold. I did not even see it coming, if anything it was the epitome of an "unwelcome guest". I have been fuzzy-brained and sniffling all day. This is not to be born. I have a very important date this saturday where I will be all dolled up and fitted into a dress and having my hair done. Ladies, you will understand me when I say that this cold is not going to ruin my Cinderella night. So, like the reasonable college student that I am, I have been drinking orange juice and taking my vitamins and just keeping warm and snuggly all day long so that I can make a speedy recovery for being in heels and dancing this weekend! Cross your fingers and wish this Disney Princess luck so that her nose isn't all swelled up and red for the ball!

Stay happy and healthy, and indulge in all those chocolates your loved one got you yesterday, I know I am!

If you do not have a loved one this year, go and raid the chocolate isle today, seriously, why are you still reading this? Go and get your discount chocolate!

~Piper

Something simple and clever

Hello Hello Hello there my fine and dandy readers!

T'is the time of year where we are all stuffed with countless sugary goods and spending time with loved ones and family and friends. I simply wished to peek my nose in here and wish you all a very Merry Christmas, hoping that Santa paid you all a visit and delivered many goodies! Since Christmas has already come and gone, I am also here to wish you all a Happy New Year! Start making your resolutions now, 2012 is sneaking up on us!

Once school starts and we all hit the ground running, I shall be back in business with (hopefully) semi-regular updates and hilarious stories to share. I am gathering them as we speak!

So stay happy and healthy, bake many tasty things, share stories, give hugs and kisses, and last but not least raise your glasses of bubbly and toast this fine year of 2011!

Cheers!

~Piper

"I shall bottle your tears and sell them to the Gypsies!"

T'is the season of perpetual hope, a sudden love of the color red, as well as cashmere sweaters and hot chocolate.

There is nothing quite like finishing finals week off with a bang, that moment where all of your studying and mad essay writing skills pay off nicely and all you can do now is to watch the movies: "My Fair Lady", Disney's "Hercules", "The Parent Trap", as well as "Pride & Prejudice" all in one sitting.

Whilst doing so, I embarked upon a glorious journey of painting my nails, sipping hot chai tea, and creating a perfect snuggle corner on our couch and enveloping myself within my trusty micro-fleece blanket.

I shall also have you know, that every inch of our apartment is decorated in the spirit of Christmas. Everything is strung with lights and randomly-perched Santa-Clauses and several advent calendars scattered throughout the kitchen. Needless to say, one can never have enough chocolate.

But seriously, now that finals are over and one semester has successfully come to a speedy conclusion, Christmas break is here at last! Plans are being put into action and I cannot wait for homemade cookies, gift exchanges, snow, seasonal songs, as well as time spent with the family and my loved one. All such beautiful things will illuminate the end of this year and make it a spectacular one! Unfurling a new and beautiful year filled with opportunities and fantastic experiences!

I look forward to all that is yet to come, I cannot tell you how excited I am for it all! I hope you all are just as anxious, regardless of what seasonal holiday you celebrate this time of year. :)

Be sure and catch some snowflakes on your tongue for me! The Peanuts always stated they taste like sugar, let's put that fact to the test now shall we?

~Piper