Bluebell at Leaves in the Spring left me this question today….

Why did you start blogging?

And that’s a damn good question!  

I know back with LiveJournals were really popular, I had a LJ and kept up with my friends from high school that way the first few years of college.  It was really just a way for all of us moody, angry kids, in our post-goth (yeah, I wore black nail polish.  And I’m ok with that.) “I still don’t know who I am” self-importance, to let out our oh-so-important musings about how unfair life is, or how cool we are, or how uncool someone else is.  

But blogging morphed, I suppose, about 5 years ago.  At the time I managed my own blog on my now husbands webspace.  I wrote all my code, made my own backgrounds, and changed it up regularly.  The maintenance was too much for a college kid working two jobs, so I let that go.  But, I was really coming into my own at that time, and I think blogging was my way of putting my thoughts out there.  

So, I’ve always thought that blogging was a little bit self-important.  And I still feel that my while my blog isn’t so much about me trying to find my place anymore, it’s still a little self-important. A year ago I definitely was searching for my “something else” so to speak.  Now, I’m really happy and content with where I am, and where my life seems to be going.  So my blog is no longer about finding myself.  

I guess the answer is “because all the cool kids did it”!

Quicker than I ever could have thought possible!

What are you most hoping to do/see while you’re here in Minne NEXT WEEK?!

I’m most hoping to see a little of Minne/St.Paul – interesting hip neighborhoods?  Perhaps a trendy local restaurant?  I would LOVE to see the campus of your alma mater!  I think I can go on and on.  I’d also really love to see the Mary Tyler Moore statue by Macy’s downtown….

I honestly don’t care.  I’m your bitch while we’re there!  Show me the places you love and that are important to your life.  

It never fails.  When I’m at work, or when I’m driving or somewhere I can absolutely not write for a few minutes, I have incredible inspiration for blog posts, or anything really.  

But when I’m home, like now, and want to blog, I can’t seem to find any inspiration at all.  

So, I’m copying Lily over there and I’m going to open this up for all y’all to ask me questions.  I know I don’t have that many readers, but at this point I would REALLY love some blog-fodder.  

So, ask away.  Anything you wanted ever wanted to know about Michelle, ask it.  I’m game.

Those three things go together well, don’t they?  

Here’s a few little updates for everyone.  Sorry I haven’t been keeping up so well!

• I’m coming to terms with the issues that have caused me to delve into the philosophical world of ethics, and I will be soon beginning a series of posts on ethics, morality, and what it means to be “good”.  
• The Mascara Project is super fun, and I’m loving it!  
• This time next weekend I will be 1200 miles away from home, in Minneapolis MN with my wonderful cousins at a bachelorette party for one of them.  I’m SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED.  You have no idea.
• I’m getting my hair cut and COLORED this week.  I haven’t colored my hair in 5 years now (minus the pink for halloween this past year).  I’m so excited, and have no idea how drastic it will be.  I’m keeping the cut I have now – I am IN LOVE with it.  Fun and cute, and so super simple to style every day….

It seems that every Independence Day post that I make has the same message.  

Our Founding Fathers were sacrificing their lives and the lives of their families for the cause they so strongly believed in.  The war for Independence had not been won, each of them would have been charged with treason against the Crown of England, and they would have probably been drawn and quartered.  If you don’t know what that is, you should look it up.  It’s pretty freaking gruesome.  

The risks those men (and women of course) took during those few years were greater than any of us could ever imagine.  We should take a moment today and reflect upon how grateful we should all be to our Founding Fathers for creating a nation built on the enlightenment principles of life, liberty and property.  (or the pursuit of happiness, it depends on who you’re reading!)

Our war for independence started a worldwide movement to create governments that uphold the values of the people, not just the select very few.  Notice how I didn’t necessarily say “democracy”.  Their dream was for governments suited to the people they served.

 

Anyway, I’m thankful to our Founding Fathers, and their supporters, and grateful for their sacrifices and risks to ensure our freedoms.

 

nekkid eyeball!

 

Maybelline Colossal in Glam Black

Maybelline Colossal in Glam Black

Maybelline Colossal in Glam Black

 

 

1. Color payoff.  Maybelline’s Colossal Mascara in Glam Black is pretty black.  Definitely better than some I’ve tried.  
2. Lengthening.  This mascara doesn’t lengthen as well as some, but it’s claims are mostly volume related.  The packaging claims “9x the volume”.  
3. Thickening/Volumizing.  The “9x” volume claim may not be realistic.  I’m not convinced that it really is 9 times the amount of lashes than without mascara.  But it’s not bad.  
4. Crumbling/Flaking.  I will not tolerate flaking and crumbling in a mascara.  Unacceptable.  So yesterday, while wearing Colossal around all day, there were several times that flakes would fall into my eye and cause it to water and also cause me to have to root around in the eye and make the flake get off of the eyeball.  This ticked me off.  This is a huge ding against this product, in my opinion.
5. Smudging.  Other than a little bit of color directly underneath my bottom lash line, there wasn’t much smudging to be seen.    

Overall I found this formula to be a pretty decent drugstore-brand mascara.  It provided a good amount of volume, but nothing incredibly dramatic.  The color payoff was true to it’s name (though I’m not sure what “glam black” is really supposed to mean anyway), and the formula held up pretty well to watery eyes.  There are two huge downsides to this particular mascara in my opinion.  The first is that the formula crumbled and flaked throughout the day, and the second is the fact there is absolutely no excuse for eye products with fragrance added.  And there’s no reason for the fragrance to linger for a few hours after application.  I should NOT be able to smell my eyelashes.  And all fragrance is to be a known eye-irritant.  

I give this product a 3 out of 5.  I feel very strongly about the fragrance and the crumbles!

Today, in the great tradition of classical learning and thinking that I like to think that I’m a part of, I was taught by a silly little SBUX customer the meaning of the word “medium”.  

Before today I believe that I was unaware of the true meaning of the word “medium”.  I suppose I was just kidding myself, believing that it was just a meaningless word that meant nothing – a miniscule moniker arbitrarily chosen by suits in a boardroom deciding which words customers might associate with high-fallootin’ and special…

But, I was horribly wrong.  

While making drinks today, and listening to the next drink being ordered so I’d have a good handle on what I needed next, I listened to a girl order a drink from my fellow barista, L.  

L asks, “What size did you want your mocha crappucino?”  

Ditzy blond girl says assertively, “I guess the medium one.  Yeah.  Not the big, and not the little, but the medium one.”

Oh!  Lightbulbs go off in my brain!  For the first time it’s been made clear to me that the medium isn’t small, and isn’t big either.  It’s in “the middle”!  In between the big and the small!  Oh my god.  This ditzy blonde girl has made me a better barista, and  a better person, for taking the time out of her day, and mine, to explain to me the meaning of the word “medium” in regards to size.  

Bless her little heart

I put my old stand by mascara, L’Oreal Voluminous Full Definition Mascara in Blackest Black to the test for my first installment of The Mascara Project.  

Since sometime last fall, when Ulta had a  buy one get one free sale on L’oreal mascara and eye products, I bought two of these because they were highly recommended by Paula Begoun.  I have been consistently pleased with the results from this mascara.  

So, without further ado, here is my first Mascara Project review! 

 

OMG my nekkid eye!

 

OMG my other nekkid eye!

 

 

 

1. Color Payoff – I think this “blackest black” claim is pretty close to the color left on lashes. 
2. Lengthening.  I think this products’ lengthening capabilities are pretty exceptional.  My lashes are already long, they’re just quite blonde, but I like the extra long lash look.  Check out the difference between my nekkid eye and with the mascara. 
3. Thickening/Volumizing.  I’m pretty impressed with the quality of results with this mascara.  I think it adds bulk to my lashes, giving a very full effect, but without clumping much.  Like with all mascaras, if you don’t wipe off globs from the wand, and you take too long between swipes on the lashes, you’ll get spider lashes.  But with careful application, I hardly ever get ugly clumps.
4. Crumbling/Flaking – unlike many mascaras I’ve tried in the past from the drugstore brands, this one doesn’t flake or crumble easily.  In fact, in all the days I’ve used it, I haven’t come across any major flaking or crumbling.  I’ll have proof in a picture in a moment.
5. Smudging.  I live in a hostile mascara environment.  It’s hot, humid, and my little valley is full of lovely allergenic pollens.  It rains frequently in the afternoons for a little bit.  So, my eyes water, my face is sweaty and there’s always a chance of some showers.  So, proof of this mascaras staying power, without being a “waterproof” formula….  here are pictures of my mascara after 8 hours of work and a decently long nap.  Mascara was applied around 4:30 a.m., and these pictures were taken between 4:30  and 5 p.m. the same day, after working a full shift at SBUX and then coming home, doing laundry and taking a nice nap with the cats.  

 

I'm wearing Bare Study Paintpot my MAC on my lids, and Studio Finish Concealer by MAC under my eyes, incase anyone was curious

So, that’s me after 8 hours of work, little or no sleep the night before (being sick sucks!), congested and fresh out of a nap.  Check out that mascara… Impressive, no?  

So, overall, I really love this mascara.  My only issue (not really a problem) is that sometimes in the morning, I find mascara smudges under my eyes, even after using a good makeup remover the night before.  That sucks a bit, but it’s something I’m willing to deal with for a great and affordable mascara.  

I’m going to give this mascara a 4.5 out of 5.  I’m hesitant to give a perfect score just yet.

Mascara is my #1 must-have item for everyday.  Some days I feel just fine with mascara as my only makeup for the whole day.  Others, not so much.  But I do not leave the house without mascara.  

I have collected several different mascara samples, freebies and B1G1 mascaras over the last little while, and I plan on trying out each one of these mascaras that I have, and doing a review on them.  Here on the blog.  I will be testing a few things specifically…

1. Color payoff.  Is the color true to it’s name?  It better not say “black” and come out looking grey like Urban Decay’s Big Fattie mascara.  
2. Lengthening.  This isnt a huge concern of mine.  I’ve been blessed with long lashes.  But I definitely appreciate good lengthening qualities in a mascara.
3. Thickening/Volumizing.  Since I have the length, I want massive volume.  Massive.  I have high expectations and will not waver.
4. Crumbling/Flaking.  Does the product crumble or flake throughout wear?  I don’t expect miracles, but mascara should last awhile without crumbling, drying out and flaking all over my eyes.  Like a girl needs extra darkening under her eyes…
5. Smudging.  I don’t expect miracles with this either.  I’m a realist!  But, I don’t want my mascara to smudge the instant my poor allergy-ridden eyes get a little watery or I have to rub a little around the edges.  

I do have high expectations, but I don’t believe they’re unreasonable.  So, here’s just a post to let y’all know what’s up and coming!  The reviews will have pictures, up close pictures of my eyeballs (and lashes)!

Thanks to some lovely bloggers, I got a code to the MAC Cosmetics Friends and Family sale this week.  25% off of things that have been on my list for awhile – yes please!  I stayed under what I had budgeted to spend, even with 2 day shipping (hey, regular shipping was free and 2 day only $5!), and I’m so excited to get some new things to replace cheap products.  I tried doing research and getting drugstore brand dupes of the colors that I wanted, but that doesn’t work out.  I can definitely tell the difference in quality, finish and staying power.  I swear, I’m not a makeup snob!

So, Bonnaroo.  Yes please.  I love you, Bonnaroo.  And now we’re local celebrities.  Check out our article in our local paper about our nice digs while there.  Had a friggin’ blast.  Dancing all night to Paul Oakenfold, then dancing for a good bit of the night to NIN has me quite sore, but it was sooooo worth it.  I miss Alex already.  I hate that she’s so far away.

My friend Holly has turned me on to Southern Savers.  With this nice little website I’ve been able to spot some good deals.  And working CVS and their Extra Care Bucks to get cheap and/or free things!  Today I spent $20 on Aveeno products (lotion, and some exfoliator – things I needed), got $10 back in ECBs.  Then, bought some lip gloss and powder by Maybelline at B1G1, and Mascara at Buy 1 get 1 half off, and used a coupon.  So, I spent about $30 on about $45 worth of stuff from CVS.  I haven’t had the time to really get into this coupon/CVSing thing yet, but so far in the last few weeks I’ve been able to save about $30 with coupons and ECBs.