Japan

Its been a while since I have updated my blog, its probably a good idea too because I'm living in a different country now. My husband was offered a job to teach as an ALT (Alternate Language Teacher) in Japan. He moved to Shiga Prefecture in March of this year. I was going to join him in August with our dogs. However, in June Matthew told me he was hurting around his neck and went to the local hospital. He got some tests and it turns out that he had a herniated disk in this spine. He would need to have surgery to fix it. So I hopped on a plane and flew to Japan. Now I'm here. 

Recent Events: 

June 28th- Arrived in Tokyo Narita, took a 2 hour train ride to Maibara where Matthews Interpreter picked me up and drove us another 30 min to my apartment. Settled in. Took pictures of the apartment and posted them to facebook.

Mid July- Matthew took me to Kyoto by train. We rode over Lake Biwa, it was amazing! We walked around city, went to all the geek shops and visited the local mall. It started to rain like crazy!! Hadn't rained like that in all the time I had been there. Took pictures of this as well. 

July 30th- Matthew and I went to Hikone Castle. It's awesome. The climb was insane but all worth it. Pictures up of that as well. 

Today there are some fireworks, I'm actually not sure what its for, some sort of celebration at the castle but Ill post on that later.

Link to all my recent photos Japan photos

Pumpkin & Poppy Beauty Blogger Review Pack (Part 2)

So, it’s been maybe a week since I got my P&P cosmetics samples and I’m happy to report a successful experience! I put the makeup on first thing in the day and placed myself in different situations for several days to test out the products I got. First I will go through the products I got, and then review them based on the day’s activities.

My skin:

I would say my skin is truly average/combination, I’m not prone to acne but I have a breakout here and there. However, I do have some scars and am usually very red in my cheeks in the morning or when I am active. I also, like my mother, produce more oil throughout the day. Which is good and bad, no wrinkles but, by the evening my T-Zone can be a bit shiny. However, I also have a few dry spots around my temples and around my mouth.

Products:

US 10.25/30g Hibiscus – Pink Color Corrector (Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxides, Ultramarine, Magnesium Mystirate, Magnesium Stearate, Silica Microspheres)

The Hibiscus is a light pink color corrector, made to brighten and even out your complexion.

I used a Kabuki brush (dab and tap technique) to apply the color corrector and while applying I could see the difference quickly. I always apply makeup left to right; I noticed right away that the left side looked clear and smooth as opposed to the right side which is usually very red first thing in the morning. I felt that, although it was a little bit too pink to wear on its own, it did what I needed it too.

*Note: Applies to all products: you don’t need to use much, if you try to apply too much it will become apparent that you are wearing mineral makeup by appearing to “matte”.

US 11.25/30g Chai Full Coverage Mineral Foundation – Medium Warm Tan (Magnesium Stearate, Zinc Oxide, Sericite Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Silica Microspheres, Silk Mica, Yellow Oxide, Brown Oxide, Red Oxide, Black Oxide)

The Chai Full Coverage Mineral Foundation is a warm buttery tan with pink undertones, made to flatter light to medium tan skin tones. This makeup is designed, by the use of silica microspheres, to help blur imperfection on the skin and so is ideal for acne prone skin. It also works better for oily/combination skin types so be sure to moisturize and exfoliate before applying if you have dry skin.

I applied the foundation over the Hibiscus with the same Kabuki brush and technique and could once again see a quick change. My skin tone lost the “pink” of the color corrector and blended nicely with the color of my neck and chest. (This is very important to me, I CAN’T STAND when I see woman with different color face and neck.) My only initial complaint here, which is strictly personal, is that I’m not used to the feel of wearing “layers” and so when I put the foundation on it felt weighty on my face but after day 2 I lost that feeling and really didn’t notice it again.

US 8.50/20g Rose Gold Blush - (Mica, Sericite Mica, Ultramarine Pink, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Magnesium Stearate)

Rose Gold Blush is a soft, pink blush with gold shimmer. It was created to be flattering to all skin tones and give the wearer a “youthful glow”.

I applied this blush with a stippling blush brush very lightly because although it’s not an overly bright pink I didn’t want to negate the point of applying the Hibiscus by making myself look to pink; nor did I want to make myself look to “nighty” by splashing gold shimmer everywhere on my face. (As my perfume already has a shimmer in it as well that I apply to my neck and chest.)

US 4.75/5g Midnight Merlot Eye Shadow – (Ingredients not available)

Midnight Merlot Eye Shadow is a deep purple with red wine undertones.

I applied the eye shadow with a regular eye shadow brush for a dry application, and cleaned it up with the same brush in a smaller version but with a slanted edge to get around the eyelash line just right. This shadow is quite dark so be careful with application, start with less and add as you go. It is also recommended you use a primer first when applying if you have oily eye lids.

Day 1: Shave the Billy Goat

So after applying the makeup just so in the order I described above I was very happy with the end results and thought I looked amazing. My day started uneventful with spending time with my family and taking the kids to school. However it was later decided that we were going to make a trip to PetSmart to buy some stuff to groom Bobby (my parents Lhasa Apso). So after that we decided to take him outside and shave him down. That was actually quite easy, the difficult part and point to this story is how long it took in the AZ heat.

I’m not an overly sweaty person, but I was getting very warm in my black top and jeans and so naturally I started to perspire (which usually happens around my T-Zone.) I was immediately wondering what was happening with my makeup and hoping that once I got inside I wouldn’t have to take it off and reapply it because it smeared away from the water and heat… and it didn’t! The only thing that happened was that I was very flushed and that was very evident on my face and the makeup was not enough to cover it up naturally. Once I was cooled enough I just took my spare brush and blended it a little bit to pick up any oil that lingered on my face. There were no more problems with the make up after that and although by 10 pm, when I was getting ready for bed, it was not as prominent as it was that afternoon, I was still satisfied with the coverage it was providing.

Day 2: Errands and Nephews   

Once again I applied the makeup in the same manner as above and went to my parents to run errands with my mom and sister. We were in and out of several stores with my active nephew. The makeup didn’t seem to cake or stick to the lines in my face with wear and continuous exposure to different temperatures and elements. Not to mention that my nephew likes to touch my face and kiss cheeks throughout the day. Once done with all our shopping and running around we went to dinner and once again I was happy with the coverage when I got home late and began my pre-bed routine.

Day 3: Dog licking

Uneventful, just home with the dogs. However when I’m not paying attention my dog likes to give me wet kisses. I also have an annoying but unaware habit of touching or rubbing my face and so am always looking for makeup to withstand that. I think this product did just fine against that test. Next test I will be adding is wearing it to work, which is at Banfield Pet Hospital, so that will be the ultimate test!

So, after all that the final verdict is positive. I would use this and recommend it to anyone, as a matter of fact; I’ll probably be ordering my full sizes of the products shortly. For anyone looking to get full coverage without feeling like they are painting their face with heavy creams and liquid foundations I would recommend this. But that’s just one small reason. As I said in Part 1 the makeup that P&P makes is 100% Vegan (no animal byproducts), no Parabens, Fragrance, Lake-dyes, Bismuth Oxychloride, or Talc, Cruelty-Free and made in the USA!! You would also be supporting a small business owner, which is very important in today’s economy of the struggling working class folks. I am unable to post photos of the products on me because I actually can’t find my camera right now, but photos may follow shortly. So here is a link to the website where Kristy is seen modeling a few of the products! Pumpkin and Poppy

Skyler Faith

"...thank you for rainbows, thank you for stars, thank you for the moon...", Skylar Faith Meyers

November 15th, 2007 - March 14th, 2012 

In Loving Memory of Sky Sky, you will be greatly missed by your family and friends. Let grief not burden us for so long, Skyler has entered her eternal home and is now in the arms of our savior! 

Your sweet laughter and your generous heart will be missed and never forgotten. We love you! 

Pumpkin & Poppy Beauty Blogger Review Pack (Part 1)

I just ordered a Beauty Blogger Review Pack from a company called Pumpkin and Poppy
I was able to order 5 items in sample size that, once I receive them, I will then try them and post a review about the products here. I am very excited, I have had my eye on trying out P&P for a while now and now that I have this blog I can finally try it out! I really hope that I like the products because they are 100% Vegan, Cruelty Free & Made in the USA, which is really important to me! It can be difficult to find products matching all these descriptions. 

Some background about the company (which you can also see on the website using the link I provided): 
I found P&P through ChicVegan, I started following Gretchen Tseng's blog and have emailed her on occasion and through that found Veggie Beauty and the creator of that site, Kristy Cutsforth. 
Kristy started P&P in August of 2011 after, like many of us, not feeling entirely comfortable with not always knowing what was in the cosmetics we use daily. She does not test her products on animals and only uses vegan products! 


For someone new to the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle it can be a little overwhelming at times and so it is always a comfort to find someone who has taken the initiative and created something from scratch. It inspires me and gives me hope that there are really ways we can help make the world a better place for all creatures. Thank You Kristy!

First Entry

My first blog! Yay! So anyway, like it says on my profile, I started this blog so that I can keep my family and friends updated with any changes or events that happen to be going on. So here I go: 

Me: Trying to get everything settled with work and school. Work: I'll be going back soon, just don't have a set date. School: Apparently with my financial aid, the way the classes sit and the changes the school is making to the program I am now not going back until July! That was not at all what I had planned and now pushes my graduation date WAY back. Also messes with some schedule stuff with Matthew that I have going on. 

Matthew: He applied for a teaching position with a company called Interac and they called him to set up a phone interview in April so that he can teach in Japan. So basically if he gets the job he will be going to teach over there for a year while I stay here with family until I graduate (date unknown). Ergo the schedule problem I mentioned above. I'm very excited for him and hopes he gets to do it. I'll really miss him if he is gone for so long but I know that in the end it will be worth it and that eventually I will be meeting him over there so that I can decide if I like living there and whether we want to make the move permanent. If he doesn't get it he will apply in England and also here to see what he can do. That is where we are at with all that. 

Ellis Family: Dad is working and mom is taking time off work to organize the hot mess that is their life. My sister is doing respite care with Bradley and Brad is going to a adult program through the week that I think is really great for him. He has a new girlfriend named Alicia and she seems nice and REALLY likes him. Blake is in Preschool and karate and Casey is in daycare but we are trying to get him enrolled in HeadStart. That should be good for him. 

Bethke Family: Randy and Lisa are in Texas visiting Grammy & Papa for the week with Brittany, Jared & PK. We are house sitting which is a great little get away for us. Yay for privacy! Speaking of: We are making sure to give lots of love to Penny & Pepper and are keeping and eye on the garden for y'all. Also, Britt I got this whole blog idea from you, so thanks for that haha!! ;) We miss you and can't wait to see you guys when you come into PHX. Also, since we got the news of little Skylar I thought I might put together a little memory box for Rance & Kecia like the hospital did for me when I lost Xander. Any suggestions of something you think I should put in there would be welcome, you would know best. 

Penny

Pepper

 Random events: 

-Matthew & I saw 21 Jump Street on Sunday, it was so funny! Also we are going to see The Hunger Games with Heather & Matthew on Saturday. I can't wait to see it, I am so excited! <3

-We picked up Game of Thrones and it is definitely an HBO show but I can tell I love it already. 

-I love my new tops from CAbi, so thanks again Lisa! Go check them out anyone, the Spring line is really cute.  CAbi - Carol Anderson by Invitation 

Epic Tunic

Cluny Top

 -My parents are coming over for dinner on Wednesday and I am making muy yummy food, Crab stuffed Tilapia, Sauteed Parmesan Asparagus, Roasted Pecan & Garlic wild rice, Steamed vegetables and cupcakes for dessert!   

Alright, well, I best be off to bed. Good night and look out for more posts! 

PS- Future blogs will be much shorter but I thought I should catch everyone up.