Happy Tuesday - Birthday Week

I hope that you are having a lovely Tuesday! It is quite gloomy and rainy here in middle Tennessee and the light in the office seems to mirror the light in the photo above. 

Can I get a blanket and a nap time scheduled? Please? Pretty please? Anyone? No? Okay....Moving on....

Drumroll please! It is officially my Birthday week! I cannot believe 25 years has passed so quickly. I always thought of the age 25 as being an adult but I still find myself saying things like "One day when I'm a big girl" or "An adult would probably have....".  Yet I'm not there yet except for when I pay taxes or insurance or think about efficiency. Kids don't think about efficiency...they just don't.

 I spoke with a co-worker recently and at 47 she said that she still thinks those same thoughts. At what point do you turn into one? A grown-up, that is. 

Well any way, to start the b-day week off right, this past weekend we spent with family and friends! Saturday the Mr. and I got to hang out with each other as we spent the day shopping {I got some makeup goodies} finished by dinner and a movie with close friends. We saw Silver Linings Playbook in case you were curious. Jennifer Lawrence is my new favorite, I'm so glad she won the Oscar! She is just plain funny and I appreciate her self deprecation after the whole trip up the stairs thing. You go girl.

Sunday was special; we got to spend time with my family! We walked around downtown Franklin, took lots of pictures, chomped on yummy pizza and browsed around the boutiques. I love my family and our little niece. I truly truly love them...'nuf said.

Yesterday my main man {My only man by the way} treated me to a mani/pedi and dinner at Carrabbas. How amazing is he? Rather than our usual Monday routine I think I prefer pampering and going out to eat. 

So that's my wee update...again, I hope you are having a lovely Tuesday. February is almost over which means the year is flying by and next Thursday will probably be Thanksgiving. 

Okay, I'm gone :) I'll talk to you soon.

xoxo bd

Currently: 2/7/13

Loving:  Quotes. I'm kind of a quote fiend. I like good words. Words that resonate...

Reading: Lots and lots of magazines. I have a pile stacked sky high next to my bedside.

Waiting for: My new print to arrive! Emily over at JonesDesignCompany {whom I so totally copied this questionnaire from} designs lovely artwork and I ordered this little print to place in our bathroom!

Excited about: Valentine’s Day. I love the hearts, the candy, the time with my best friend/hubby/partner-in-crime and going out to eat.

Trying to: Paint More. The other night I came home from work, got out my canvases and acrylics and got started. 

Working on:  waking up earlier. This is a constant battle, truly. I have the grandest ideas of waking up at 5 in the morning to take time on my hair, makeup and maybe even make a nice breakfast. Unfortunately I spend that precious time sleeping. Maybe someday??

Enjoying: Having a bedroom TV. About a month ago we purchased a tv for our room. This is something people swear by or swear off. We absolutely love it! 

Using Addicted To: Vine. It’s an app that is a sister to Twitter. You make 6 second videos about whatever you like. The app will piece the clips you film together for you. Check one of mine out,here!

Wearing: A top knot. Thank you to the person who made it acceptable for me to throw my hair on top of my head and call it put it together. I wear this "hairstyle" more than I'd like to admit.

Planning: Our summer vacation. It is between Vegas, Disney or mayyyybe back to our honeymoon spot, San Francisco

Singing: Mushaboom by Feist. That song is just pure happiness and Spring Time.

Needing: A manicure. Oh these nails,they look rough. 

Whenever I say/type the word rough, I think of “Buzz, you’re girlfriend, ruff!!”. Can anyone relate? 

Learning: to take things in stride. Somedays the stresses of work tear me down and I have to realize they are for learning and/or for not taking too seriously. I can’t let it rule my life, simple as that.

Listening to: anything on my Spotify playlists. I enjoy very much making up new ones to listen to while at work.

Watching: Netflix and Hulu! We are obsessed with following many a series and are currently into The Following, House of Cards and I personally love The Carrie Diaries.

Dreaming of: Having a family. Every time we see our niece Charlotte, we get dreamy thoughts of having our own little one(s). Someday :)

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}