by Tish MacWebber | Dec 25, 2017 | Makeup Monday
Okay. I said I wasn’t going to write in this category every week. I still stand by that, but today I had some free time, a new dress to wear, and that led to me playing with makeup today.
First of all, I am wearing the dress I bought during Black Friday 2017 that I had to take home after I tried it on. I love it.
My new navy dress
I love it so much I want to wear it for my Author Headshots, whenever I plan that day. I thought it would be warmer, being a knit dress, though. I will be changing in a bit to work in the kitchen, and I will hang it up for another day.
A tale of 2 lipsticks is what I am sharing today. A lot of you liked the pink one last time. I have worn that same pink, and also tried a bronzer and a different blush today. I used the Maybelline Expert Wear Mocha Motion eyeshadow palette. I did not use the shadow eyeliner. I used the essence one I used last time, and I also used the same Maybelline Mascara.
I watched some videos on the contour NYX palette I have. I learned to use salmon pink under my eyes. I also used green for red tones under my foundation. I used a little of the bottom left concealer on my forehead also.
Then I added Annabelle Perfect Bronze in Sunkissed after blending the colour correcting pink & green and then applying the QUO foundation I used last time. I then chose a pinker blush, by Maybelline. It is called Dream Bouncy Blush, and the colour is 45 Orchid Hush. It is more natural than my new winter blush I wore the last time.
SO I used the pink lipstick on the left side of the pic below, Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick (ZZ). The right is Lip Lingerie, by NYX. The colour is Lipli20 French Maid, and I was told when I bought it that it was one of the most popular colours. It is a less bold colour, so it is even a more natural look for me than the pink.
I am going to share the pics below, and then you can see the tale of 2 lipsticks for yourself. Which one looks more like a best selling Author look to you? I have not purchased my new glasses yet.
If you have a preference, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading, and have fun playing with makeup. I do.
#MakeupMonday
by Tish MacWebber | Dec 21, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 43
43, just like me! Sometimes, when I look at the number of the story I am writing, I just have to shake my head. I am still coming up with ideas, so I am still going to keep writing. Sometimes the stories are short, and other times I ramble on a little long, but there is usually a point or a lesson, or a laugh somewhere in it, right?
This story starts with my Zodiac sign. I was born in July, and that makes my sign Cancer, the Crab. It aligns with my fascination for water. I don’t like that it is called cancer, but I didn’t name it. I just live with it, and try to navigate life with all the knowledge I can gather. I have friends that believe in many different things, and that is fine by me. I don’t necessarily believe everything I read about the sign I am under, but it is fun to read my horoscopes once in a while.
Why am I writing about this? Well, I got to thinking this week that I have that sign, and years ago when I met my husband, I told him that I had a wall. To protect me from the rest of the world. It took time to build up the trust to let him in, to where my heart is. I have no regrets, we are still very much a united front in marriage, and he is my bull. His sign is Taurus. We are a good fit for each other.
I was thinking like I ALWAYS do, and I thought that the crab has a shell, like the metaphorical wall I used to keep around myself for protection. So in a way, the two are the same. But what does the shell do for the crab?
It keeps it from getting hurt. It keeps other animals from having crab legs for lunch. The world can be cruel and harsh, and the fear of being eaten alive, either literally for the crab, or metaphorically for me, is a real fear.
I have spent a lot of time keeping things to myself, over the years. When I started the blog, I also started putting myself out there. I write about how I am feeling, what I am doing, and whatever else I happen to think up.
The protective shell, physically, for a morbidly obese person, is fat. Layers and layers of fat. It doesn’t deflect every mean word or thing that it encounters. But if you are quiet, and try to stay under the radar, by just being a blob in the corner, you can minimize the number of attacks that you could encounter by hiding within it. It is almost like jello, but not everything bounces off the surface like it would after the jello is set.
My layers of fat are set. I have had them for years. I have hidden inside them for the majority of my life. It is not healthy, but it is the comfort that I know.
I know it isn’t easy to be a morbidly obese person. I know it might surprise you that I go to Zumba twice a week, every week that I can. I know it would be easier to just not care and eat my way into an early grave.
Do you hear that? It is a teeny, tiny little version of myself that is squeaking to get out. It wants to be free and to be healthy. It wants me to do the work, and be proud of myself for every little bit of progress that I make. I went to Zumba twice this week, even though my seasonal depression (which is not officially diagnosed) is starting to kick me into hibernation mode. It is cold outside. I might fall down, again. I am almost recovered from falling a week and a half ago. I got back up. I was bruised, but not broken. I am tougher than I look. Which was pretty bad about a week ago. I don’t want to go into the land of ice and snow at all, anymore. I am scared to fall down.
I got back up. Every morning that I fight my way out of dreamland and my warm bed to face a new day is just the same thing for me. It is a struggle, but I do it, every day.
One day I won’t be able to. I used to worry about that day a lot more than I do now. I am proud of what I have done, and I am setting some goals for the upcoming year. I have started cooking healthier food again. I am trying, and then I am doing the things that I need to do.
The easy way is lazy, cowardly, and hidden under layers of morbidly obese fat. I am tired of hiding. It is time to let my inner glow have a turn at making me shine for all the world to see. I am going to work harder on myself than I ever have before, in 2018. There are things I want to accomplish before my time is done, and I am determined (stubborn) enough to fight to get them done.
#TrustYourGut
by Tish MacWebber | Dec 18, 2017 | Makeup Monday
Tish’s Organized Cosmetics Counter
When I post on social media about makeup, my wall literally blows up. People have thoughts, comments, and advice about makeup. I have recently purged my makeup, and have been adding to the collection that you see in the pic above even more since then. I have been using Shoppers Optimum Points to help me do this because, on a day like Black Friday, I got my purchases for half price because I cashed in the points to do it. That adds up to more product coming home, and less planning for the budget. Win-win!
The last time I wrote about makeup, I was asked if I had a favourite red lipstick. The answer is still no, but I did buy one on sale to try out. I have been busy with social media this weekend, asking about the two looks I created for this post. I will share the pics below and list what I used for each one so that you can look for any of the products I used if you want to try them for yourself.
Saturday I want for Drama. I am wearing a black sparkly sweater and red lipstick. I styled my hair instead of letting it dry on its own, and picked a new mascara.
Here is what Saturday’s look turned into:
Saturday, December 16th Makeup Selfie
Admittedly, I see now that it is a little less focused and I should have kept snapping until I got a better pic.
Here is the list of products that I used, in the order, that I used them in:
1: Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel
2: Vichy Purete Thermale Perfecting Toner
3: Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask ( This is only used twice a week, and rinsed off after 2 minutes)
4: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream (Moisturizer)
5: Quo Satin Face Pressed Powder Nude colour
6: NYX Colour Correcting Concealer Palette (yellow under my eyes, the pink beside the purple for concealer)
7: Lancome Colour Design, Sensational Effects Eye Shadow (Impress & Avant Gold, the 2 on the left in the product pic below)
8: Top Lid Eyeliner: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (604 Milk)
9: Lower Eyeliner Essence Gel Waterproof Eye Pencil (05 Gunmetal)
10: Maybelline Lash Sensational Full fan effect Waterproof Mascara Black (P70001)
11: Clinique Blush Pop (Ginger Pop)
12: Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick (714)
I used some of the same products on Sunday. Here is my Sunday look:
Sunday, December 17th Makeup Selfie
My hair is also differently styled. This pic is clearer, but my smile is not as nice.
Here is the list of Sunday’s Makeup application:
1: Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel
2: Vichy Purete Thermale Perfecting Toner
3: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream (Moisturizer)
4: Quo Satin Face Pressed Powder Nude colour
5: NYX Colour Correcting Concealer Palette (yellow under my eyes, the pink beside the purple for concealer, green for red skin tones)
6: Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow Wild Orchids (the bottom 2 in the product pic below)
7: NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker for eyeliner
8: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara (Black – AAAFB)
9: Clinique Blush Pop (Ginger Pop)
10: Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick (ZZ)
On both days, I used 2 cleansers to remove the makeup, and then I used the toner and light cream moisturizer listed above. I used the Vichy Purite Thermale Soothing Eye Makeup Remover for just my eyes. I found a makeup remover since I bought that one that’s safe for eyes and lips. I really like it. It’s Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover. It is for normal and sensitive skin and removes waterproof makeup. It is oil, alcohol and fragrance-free. It has to be shaken before each use.
I have two more pics to share here.
Product Picture: The Makeup I used this weekend.
Then I went to my favourite editing program, canva, and made a final picture for my weekend of makeup fun. I need to get more used to wearing makeup as I will be needing it for Book Tours and Author Headshot pictures. There is a goal, but it is also fun!
When I shared my edited side by side picture, I asked on my Facebook wall which picture they liked better, and why. I had an overwhelming response, and the landslide winner was the one in the purple shirt.
Pick your favourite look!
I got some valuable advice, as always, from my fellow makeup lovers. The hair and smile on the left are more liked. The blurriness and red lipstick are not. I was advised to find a different shade of red lipstick. The hunt will continue.
I got quite a few nice compliments on Saturday, before Sunday’s pic was posted.
One person said the blush was too harsh. It is a darker colour of blush, but I wanted a pop of colour for the winter. I think I may need to find a different blush to go with the pink lipstick, and also that I may need to blend it in better, with less applied next time. The Sunday pic was described as looking more like me, and that my eyes pop in this one. People said it was the purple, but I also know that the lady at Shoppers told me that this pink lipstick will make my eyes pop too.
I tried on new glasses this past week. I have not ordered them yet. I may shop around. I can’t wait too long, as I do need them, but if I can find the right look for the right price, I will be ordering them as soon as possible. I have had these glasses for more than 2 years, and I actually enjoy shopping for new glasses because it is like a mini makeover for me every couple of years. I have narrowed it down to 2 frames in the first store I went to. I will try a few different locations and hopefully have a friend join me on the next day I go out. It is hard to do when you have to look really close in the mirror. The last time I had contacts put in just to shop with, and that was a remarkable experience. Now that I am going to be needing progressive lenses it is not a real option anymore. I will stick to glasses, and then I will be able to have more makeup fun when I have the new glasses to complete the look.
Which look do you prefer, and why? If you haven’t commented on my facebook wall, feel free to comment below. I agree that I like the hair and smile better on Saturday’s look, but the Sunday look is more natural for me. I would wear the Sunday look again for a more dramatic look, but I guess I am still hunting for my next favourite red lipstick. I hope you enjoyed this article, and am open to feedback. 😉
#MakeupMonday
by Tish MacWebber | Dec 17, 2017 | Weekend Warrior
Well, another weekend is coming to a close, and I have hibernated for as much of it as I could. Winter is here, and it has been cold outside. Sleeping in was on my list, and I can say that it happened indeed. I woke with no alarm clocks being set for 2 days in a row. It was glorious. My favourite thing about the weekend is sleeping in. Sometimes I have to get up and go do things, but not this weekend. I stayed home and did things here instead.
Friday night I didn’t even go get the car. I came home after a day of Christmas Cheer at work. I had to decorate my pod for Christmas, and I did it up right!
I don’t know why the pic is squished, and I had to add a little bit of graphics to hide the photo bomber. 😀 The wall on the left had a lot more Christmas balls hanging before I was done. My taller Santa is on the top right, and there were 2 gingerbread people behind where my head was by the time I had finished. I had fun, and I am hoping that my efforts earned me a prize.
I had to pack it all up at the end of the day and brought it all home. I have just encouraged Roy to clear a space for the Christmas tree and village in the living room. Since it is a small tree, I will set it all up in the little spot I had him clear. I will share pics of that next weekend after I have time to set it all up. There is just the two of us, so no need to make a big production. I do want to set it up, though. Tis the Christmas Season, and I am wanting to take a pic with it after it is all done.
Saturday was spent working on Social Media. I am working on building my author profile, as you know if you are reading my blog, and I came across a post by a friend asking about what word I would want to use to define my 2018. I thought about it, and 2017 was worthy of 2 words. Learning and Challenges. As I thought about it, really not that long at all, a word came right to the forefront of my mind that I wanted it to be. I then turned it into a graphic and made it my cover pic on my wall.
Also this weekend, I have set goals for working on my website, done 2 completely different profile pics in preparation for my Author Headshot, and also for my Blog. I am launching the monthly Makeup Monday category tomorrow. I will not be posting there every week, I have 3 weekly posts now, and if I add too much more I will not have any time to write my books! I can say that I am steeping the GGMS I wrote about making on Thursday, in Trust Your Gut and that I have 3 types of chicken cooking in my oven as I write this. Last week was more of a ground beef week, this week it is all about the chicken!
I will be sharing more about my word choice for 2018 in Treasure Seeker Tuesday this week. Which means the one I wrote for this week is now scheduled for Boxing day. What? I actually have a Tuesday already drafted for 2 weeks in the future AND I know what I want to write about this week? I think I might actually be getting a handle on this blogging thing. I would love to get ahead enough that I don’t sweat missing the deadlines anymore. But, as I have said before and will again, progress is progress.
I did not go out into the cold and snow this weekend, but my Ambivert Personality has to be balanced somehow. I found out this past week that when I do the personality type quizzes, that I am sometimes an Extrovert, and other times an Introvert. That tells me I am a little of both, which is called an Ambivert. I like being social, and outgoing, but not all of the time. Sometimes I need a weekend or two to just be at home relaxing. I can do either when I want to, but I also equally enjoy both activities.
Do you have a Defining Word picked out for 2018 yet? If you do, please share it below, and keep it in mind for Tuesday. If you are up for a challenge, I have an idea that you can participate in if you want to try an experiment with me.
#WeekendWarrior
by Tish MacWebber | Dec 15, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 42
I got creative in the kitchen, yesterday. It has been a while. I made brown rice and added fresh mushrooms, green onion, and leftover roast beef in it. I used hoisin sauce. It was in the cupboard, so I used it. It made supper for 2 last night, and my lunch today. I have a little roast beef and green onion left for my roast beef special sandwich for lunch tomorrow. I really love roast beef, green onion, tomato, mayo and A1 sauce done up like a roast beef salad sandwich. My mom named it The Roast Beef Special, and I make it every time I cook a roast beef in the oven.
It has been a busy year for me. I have been working hard on the book, the website, the organizing, the blog, and building my business from the ground up. I have spent hours working on all of these things, but I think I forgot something along the way. Me. My health. I got lazy.
It is so much easier to be lazy and not do the work needed to live a healthier lifestyle. I have lost and gained. I am again scared to weigh myself. I am just not wanting to know the bad news. I am getting back into the practice of making better choices. I have to. My health depends on it.
I have had to work on the insulin levels again. That means I am doing better, when I start having lows it means I am needing to lower the dose. That means my body is responding to the things that I am doing right.
We are on the edge of a food-centered holiday. I am not sure how well I will do. On one hand, I can make treats and try to stick to the THM plan. It is a good way to try to plan ahead. There will be times, though when I will not be in control of the meal, and I will have to make the best choices that I can at the time. Other times I will make things that I know will be good choices to have to eat when I can. So I do have a plan. Sort of.
I also need to start making the moonshine again. Yes, you read that right. THM has a recipe for Good Girl Moonshine. GGMS as it is called, has water, apple cider vinegar, and ginger with a sweetener in it. I add Black Cherry Berry Celestial Seasonings tea to mine. I really enjoy drinking it, and it makes you run to release it if you catch my drift. I have learned that I should not drink it during the day while I am at work. I can have it after work and on the weekends, though. I bought a mason jar with a spout just for the GGMS. I think it is time for a test run. I need to start making little changes now so that I will be on track for 2018.
Have you started thinking about New Year’sResolutions yet? I have, and I will get them organized and plan things out better this year. I did a lot in 2017. What do I want to accomplish in 2018? More. I want to take everything I have done in 2017 and do it better in 2018. It is a place to start, and to build on. That is something I can do, start with little things, and push my limits and go for everything. One thing at a time, then another, and another. I have to start somewhere, and I am not going to wait. The only one that loses out if I keep putting things off is me. And the only thing I want to lose is weight. The time is now.
#TrustYourGut
