Friday Favorite: Winter Mix Tape

There's nothing that helps me get through a Friday more than a good playlist. I mean c'mon, The promise of sleeping in past 6:30 is always a beautiful thought, don't you think?

While at work I tend to wear out Spotify by creating all kinds of mixes with music I love from the 90's to Classical to Soundtracks...you name it and I probably have a mix made up.

If you're not familiar with Spotify it is similar to iTunes but without paying the price for all of the tracks...but you also don't own the tracks or have the ability to burn them to a disc. 

Follow the link below to listen: {You know you want to}

Winter Mix Tape

I hope you have a great weekend, I'll talk to you soon!

xoxo bd

Abstract Love

Abstract Love by lovelybdavis on Polyvore

*I was going for Muskrat Love but you know...Abstract! Cheeky? Yeah, Not so much...moving on!*
I am constantly inspired by art prints on Etsy, Pinterest and other bloggers work as you can see above. Back in the day….way, way back, many moons ago…around 2007… I went to a small art school to study Graphic Design.  I quickly realized that my passion was far from creating digital images or coding websites. My passion was in pencil, charcoal and watercolor. I wanted to work with the medium and get my hands dirty. I have only the fondest memories of pulling all-nighters in the studio to sketch whatever the assignment was for that week. My fingernails looked more like that of a mechanic than a 19 year old gal’s. Oh the days of charcoal, you were so so messy.

Long story short I dropped out of art school and moved on to something much more exciting, a desk job! Well that sounds sad. I love my job though it doesn't bring the excitement I used to experience while mixing paints. In the same argument, mixing paint doesn't pay my bills quite like the desk job does…so I’m working with what I've got.

From time to time I will purchase a discount canvas and go about making something while watching a movie.  It is infinitely relaxing and I think to myself every time that I should do it more often. Apparently I don’t learn from repetition.

In the past year or two I have seen what seems to be a resurgence of abstract art. It is probably far from resurgence and just an influx of social media. Regardless, I am hit daily with beautiful images of some fine person’s art work.  Check out my Color Palette board and you will see I have a semi-distinct taste for color and style.  You know Jen Ramos of  Cocoa and Hearts? Yeah, love her stuff but it is constantly sold out. {You go, Glen Coco} And Michelle Armas, her work is absolutely beautiful! Mary Ann Wakeley is beyong talented. I ADORE her work. Well after scrolling through their art for sale I realized I could create something similar (humbly) and more cheaply with what I already had.

All of this to say, after work last night I went to JoAnn's and found a couple of canvases for 40% off. Score! If you have ever browsed the canvas isle you know those suckers can get pretty pricey. So I grabbed a couple and am now on a mission to paint for me, for my house and for my husband. {I say my husband because a happy wife is a happy life, right?}

Looks like tonight I will be in some raggedy clothes infront of a canvas...sounds good to me!
I hope you are having a beautiful Thursday, I'll talk to you soon!
xoxo bd

Monday Must Haves: Mamma

Today's Monday must have is my Mamma and today is her birthday! 

Wow, words cannot even begin to describe how amazing she is. Truly, to know her is to love her and learn from her and laugh with her. To the woman who taught me how to change a flat tire, sew a button, make a cake and order a coffee at Starbucks, you are amazing!

A wife. Kick butt Azalea Trail Maid. Mother. Knitter. Friend. Grandmother. Icon. Sister. Daughter.

I mean seriously, this woman is so beautiful she hasn't changed in over 20 years. *Lucky to have her genes!*

I love you Mamma, I hope this day is so very special for you!

Thank you for all that you have done for me and our family.

xoxo bd

Winter Makeup Routine

Makeup Routine by lovelybdavis

With every season I change up my makeup routine or maybe just when I've found a new favorite product!
Its no doubt that I am a beauty junkie so getting to share these items with you is fun for me.
I am not brand specific nor am I strictly high end or drugstore...I mix it up. Whatever the price point, if it works and makes my skin look good, well sign me up!
After I have cleansed and moisturized (another blog post, soon) I begin my makeup routine.

 *Primer: This {optional} option is one by Sephora that aids in mattifying the skin. Can I be all kinds of honest? I don't think this one works very well but I will surely use it to the last drop. Other brands such as Smashbox make fantastic primers in case you were on the hunt. 

*Foundation: I am currently using Make Up For Ever's HD Foundation and I love it. This item was a repurchase for its great coverage but lightweight feel. It can be pricey but I wear it on my face EVERY SINGLE DAY and my face is the first thing people see when they meet me.  {Did I justify the price? K, cool}

*Concealer: Maybelline's Dream Lumi is my concealer of choice for right now. It brightens beautifully but I feel like I use up the product much more quickly than I'd like. When applying to my face I use the Kim Kardashian method seen here. I may look like an alien in the process but afterwards its like I actually got 8 hours of sleep.

*Setting Powder: This item is also a repurchase), its the translucent powder by E.L.F. and it only costs $3! Lovin it. Keepin' it. I apply the powder onto my T-Zone and under my eyes to set the concealer. 

*Blush: This option changes daily, as it is a must have for me. I feel like if you at least wear blush you will look alive.  Milani is the one shown above and is a beautiful coral shade with a subtle gold iridescence. I have to be light handed because a heavy swipe of this means I may evoke the spirit of Tammy Faye Baker.

*Eyeshadow: On an everyday basis I go for neutrals. The Too Faced At Night Sexy & Sultry palette above is great. The colors are beautifully pigmented so again, I have to be light handed. Lots of "blend, blend, blend" goes on. 

*Eyeliner: The past couple of years I have really enjoyed using black liquid liner. A little flick at the end and I've got an easy cat eye. The above Eyeko Skinny liner was in my latest Birchbox. 

*Mascara: As with blush, mascara is a must have. I have barely visible blonde lashes and will take all the help I can get. Currently I have Maybelline's Volum Express on rotation for that extra oomph!

*Lips: I love to put on chapstick or lipbalm before any lipstick or gloss. Dry, cracked lips are less than desirable and the Maybelline Baby Lips in 'Pink Punch' offers moisture with a hint of color as well.  I place Buxom's lipgloss in 'Sugar' over top to finish off the look and then its time to start the day.

So there you have it, my latest winter makeup routine. If you click on the link below the picture it will take you to all of the products mentioned.

I'll talk to you soon!
xoxo bd
 

"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."

 

Winter weather advisories and ice storms a brewin' are the latest updates for music city and it doesn't seem to be letting up.

I am a sucker for cold crisp days but not the biggest fan of slushy rain gross-ness which is the true definition of yesterday and today.

Its days like this that I want to cuddle with my husband and watch movies for hours on end. Netflix, please!

With that said, I think its bed time and its time to cuddle. Sooo....with all of that TMI, I'll talk to you soon!

xoxo bd

{Photo}

Monday Musthaves: Bubblebaths

Monday Musthaves: Bubblebaths by lovelybdavis

Bubblebaths!

When it comes to cleaning up, I more than likely will choose a quick hop in the shower but when I want to unwind, I turn on the  water and slip into the bathtub. The weather today was cold and icy with most everyone scurrying to their homes as quickly as possible to avoid the blustering wind. Its days like this that I appreciate a nice long *err give me 20 minutes tops* soak.

My Bubble bath Must haves are as follows:

Bubble bath of course! I alternate between bath salts and my warm vanilla sugar from Bath and Bodyworks. It smells so yummy and leaves my skin ever so soft.

Reading Material: Being that I am frightened to drop my phone in the water I make it a point to separate myself from technology by grabbing my latest magazine or book. Tonight I flipped through the latest Real Simple and People Style Watch.

Silky Skin:  At the end of the bath it is time for nice smooth legs! The gilette olay razors are a new favorite as the moisturizers are already built in! No more messing with foam spewing out and the can not so gracefully slapping you in the foot... I sure hope I wasn't the only one who had shaving cream mishaps.

So there you have it, my bubblebath musthaves. 

I hope the start of your week has gone well, I'll talk to you soon!

xoxo bd

 

The Great Smokey Mountains

Hello there and happy Wednesday! I hope you had a wonderful holiday celebrating New Years!

We are officially back from our week away in the mountains and have definitely gotten back into the swing of things. Being able to wake up whenever I pleased was quite nice and also to staying in my pjs until 11 AM was splendid! Despite a lack of wifi or phone service in general while at the cabin, we had a great vacation with family.

We spent our time shopping around Gatlinburg, took a trek around Cades Cove and stuffed ourselves silly with food. Did I mention there was a hot tub conveniently located outside of our bedroom window? There may or may not have been a couple of midnight dips in that beautiful thing. Thanks definitely goes to my in-laws and Adam's Aunt and Uncle for blessing us with the cabin, transportation and food!

I have so so many photos on my phone of our outings like tasting Smokey Mountain Moonshine or a late night tour of the aquarium but sadly they are all a little dark, grainy and wonky (as you will see below). 

Here are a couple that I posted on my Instagram:

The respite was much needed but I've got to say that my bed was definitely calling our names. 

It was a bunk bed...did I mention that? Oh the countless times we hit our heads in the middle of the night!

O.U.C.H.

With that said, we had a blast and are ready for 2013. I have a feeling it's going to be a good one!

I'll talk to you soon...

xoxo bd