WELCOME BACK, YOU

Things are going to change around here...

And I'm starting with myself. I'm all about clothes and makeup, but for a while, I wasn't using much makeup and I wasn't dressing up either (hence my absence in writing posts). My inner-diva went on sabbatical. I'm not sure if it was voluntarily, or un-voluntarily. I think it was just by default. And it happened. But I'm coming back now.

I think I was going through a phase where I felt like dressing up daily and putting on some mascara was just a waste. My reasoning was, at the end of the day, the clothes are coming off and the face becomes bare and none of those extras matter. But really, they do matter... to me they do. My whole persona is about thudding around in cray cray shoes on the daily, expanding my leather jacket collection, or being exciting to share with people my latest and greatest discovery in foundation and bronzers. That's ME!

I'm not saying that people should be extreme and should either only wear a shit-ton of makeup and over-the-top outfits, or be completely bare-faced and wear yoga gear, what I'm saying is that people need to do what makes THEM feel happy and confident about themselves.

I, personally am not exactly the poster child of au natural, it's just NOT me. However, I AM the poster child of enhancements and bringing out the best with what I have and working with it.

MY PERSONAL CHECKLIST OF ESSENTIALS TO EMBRACE YOUR INNER-DIVA & FEEL GOOD
1. Crest White Strips - Banana Chicklets as teeth are not cute. I have one slightly crooked tooth that bothers me, and it's in the front of my mouth :( argh, but I keep my teeth clean and white and make it look as good as possible. Also, invest in a spin tooth brush. It really keeps your mouth and teeth "dentist office clean." And, it's passe to brush your teeth manually these days anyways (errr, not really... that's just me being a betch)
2. Get Your Nails Done - For reals. Unkept hands and feet really bother me, and a few my friends who "get me." I once read an interview on Enrique Iglesias (in 6th grade... in Teen Bop... or J-14... or Tiger Beat perhaps) and he said that when he meets a girl, the first thing he looks at are her nails (hands and feet) because it's a sign of how well she takes care of herself. Don't do it for other people though, do it for yourself... and for the sake of not being the person people secretly talk about at a social event when you're not around. They don't HAVE TO be polished - trimmed, filed and gunk free shall suffice.
3. Subscribe to Women's Health Magazine & W Magazine - One is for your health and well-being and the other is for creative inspiration. Both are important. It's good to have balance in your life. And it's good reading material for the gym or when you're waiting to get your car serviced... :D
4. Good Music - Every month I usually make a mixed CD... a little bit of my current favorites, a little bit of my all time favorites, new discoveries and then some random things thrown in. There's not a day that goes by that I'm not listening to music. It's what helps me get by. The favorite part of my day is actually driving alone in my car to work and back home because I get to zone out and get into the groove. If I start off my day with the wrong music, my whole entire world is thrown off. A few of my all time favorites:
Deerhunter- Agoraphobia; Vox Humana
Interpol- Specialist; Public Pervert (pretty much all their music)
Radiohead- Black Star; Weird Fishes/Arpeggi 
The Strokes- Evening Sun; Soma
Amy Winehouse- Frank; Just Friends
5. Green Tea Blended Boba with Coconut Flavor from Urth Caffe- I wish I was the mayor of Urth Caffe (Beverly Dr. location) on Foursquare, but I'm not. No matter how crappy one of my days can be, I swear, if I just get a Green Tea Blended Boba with Coconut Flavor (I've gotten so many people to order it that way), suddenly the day doesn't seem so bad and I can accomplish anything. My alternative... A Regular Green Tea Blended Drink from Coffee Bean... maybe with some whip cream if I'm feeling sassy.
6. Perfume/Cologne - Eau de Parfum, NOT Eau de Toilette and none of that AXE shit. ... Eau de Parfum lasts longer and "toilette" just doesn't sound appealing anyways (sounds like "TOILET"). I have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell. I can smell anything, everything, tell you what notes there are and what something dries down to... but that's not always a good thing because that also goes for bad smelling things. I think it's important to smell good and have a signature scent.
7. Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler - Apparently they no longer sell this in the U.S. (that's what SHE said), but if you curl your lashes it makes a HUGE difference in your appearance. It gives your lashes the most perfectly even, curvacious curl to your lashes which instantly opens up your eyes. Hands down, this is the best eyelash curler because it fits the actual shape of your eye, unlike those jank kinds at drugstores. Save your $5 to buy a Mickey D's value meal... then cry about it... then sweat it out for 2 hours at the gym... then go home and eat chocolate cake and then swear that "the diet starts on Monday"... at least that's what I do.
8. Go Hiking - Or do something active and get your lazy ass outside. I've made it a point that if my friends want to hang out with me, we have to do something active. I hate going out to eat. I don't want to "go grab drinks" because I hate the taste of alcohol and realized/accepted that I'm allergic, and I just find those types of social gatherings very boring anyways. However Lala's Argentinean Grill, Versailles or Urth Caffe, or Yogurtland are an exception.
9. Go to Disneyland - Who goes to Disneyland pissed off? Who arrives to Disneyland pissed off? And who leaves Disneyland pissed off? I don't think you could ever be pissed off at the most magical place on Earth. If I could, I would go to Disneyland everyday... as long as the temperature isn't hotter than 82 degrees fahrenheit.
10. Be Yourself - This is the most important step. It's the first thing we are taught as youngsters and the rule doesn't change as you get older.

AND... the most important part on my list...

11. Wear a robe - Terry. Silk. Waffle Knit. It's all amazing. It's the most comfortable thing ever and it's literally life-changing. I just can't wear normal clothes at home. It's too constricting.

THIS IS ME. BASICALLY. PRETTY MUCH. IN A NUTSHELL.

This checklist may not apply to A LOT of people, but these are things that I like. Different strokes for different folks :)

Thank you. Now, sashay away.
(btw, I LOVE RU PAUL).

DETAILS
Face: Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation
Eyes:  L'Oreal Paris Carbon Black Intense Liquid Lineur
My Favorite Knit Sweater: From a random store on Melrose I always go to that doesn't even have a sign

Makeup by swoonLAB. Photography by Leslie Rojas