So a couple weeks ago I asked all you beautiful people to give me some great music selections and a few of you gave me some GREAT ones!  Here are some of my faves...

• Tony Lucca - Darlin' I  recommended by B
• Blake Shelton - God Gave Me You recommended by Anecia 
• Harry and Alfie - The Arrow Song  recommend by Anais

And here are some of what I've been listening to lately...

• Andy Grammer - Keep Your Head Up
• Captain & Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together
• Keane - Is It Any Wonder?
• Needtobreath - White Fences
• Angus and Julia Stone - For You
• Christina Perri - Penguin
• The Honey Trees - Find Home
• Matt Nathanson - Bottom of the Sea
• Whiskeytown - Everything I Do
• Josh Rouse - Sad Eyes
• Alessi's Ark - Maybe I Know
• Sarah Blasko - We Won't Run

Thank you for all who contributed!  We'll do another one again soon!

xx

Weekend Collage

I was so busy last week!!!  I didn't even get a chance to update the blog...my apologies.  I know you've been waiting and waiting for my Emmy fashion blog...it's coming.  Promise.
My weekend like I said was busy....baby shower for my friend Morgan (who is seriously the most adorable pregnant girl ever), my Mom's birthday, football, and then working....

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring flat heel shoes

Hope y'all had a great weekend too!
xx

Happy Birthday Mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

to my MOM

I hope you have a great day Mom!  So glad I got you instead of Casey Anthony.

Plus you're way prettier than her....

a different kind of Tuesday

Instead of posting a playlist today I'm going to post my top 5 favorite albums at the moment and my favorite songs from that album

1. Needtobreathe - The Reckoning

I absolutely LOVE Needtobreathe...their music is very different and yet familiar at the same time.  They have some great songs and this CD is just.....wonderful!  Favorites include
The Reckoning, White Fences, A Place Only You Can Go, Drive All Night

2. Demi Lovato - Unbroken

Like I've said before...I've never been a huge Demi fan...but this album will just blow you away.  Her song "For The Love of a Daughter"...goosebumps.  I have so much respect for her and her honesty and her openness about her struggles and her strength to come back from it all.  Other stand out songs for me are
Give Your Heart a Break, Skyscraper, Unbroken, Fix a Heart

3. Gavin DeGraw - Sweeter

I love Gavin DeGraw's voice.  It's so soothing and his music is fantastic.  I love this new album of his.  My favorites are
Sweeter, Run Every Time, Not Over You, Soldier

4. Augustana - Augustana

This is a great album.  Their lyrics and musicality are amazing.  Every song is just flawless but these are my personal favorites.
Steal Your Heart, On The Other Side, Shot In The Dark, Just Stay Here Tonight, You Were Made For Me

5. Adele - 21

Adele is just a once in a lifetime kind of voice.  It will completely pierce your heart and leave you craving for more.  Seriously one of the best albums released in the last 10 years.  Her lyrics are poetry and the music is brilliant.  I recommend every song but my personal favorites are
Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain,  Don't You Remember, Turning Tables

Weekend Collage

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring a chain necklace

I love being on vacation from work.  I'm also SUPER excited to share my thoughts on the Emmy's with you!  Especially the dresses....

xoxo,
V

Friday Letters

Dear Diet Coke,
It's been 2 days and I already miss you.  I'm so sorry I never really appreciated you like I should have.
Yours Always,
Vanessa

Dear Wii Fit Plus Island Cycling,
Why do I get the feeling you're trying to kill me?  Maybe it's the way my calves feel like they're going to snap.
I'm sure I'll thank you someday....someday when I can once again walk up the stairs without screeching in pain.
Sincerely,
Vanessa

Dear Guys in Cargo Shorts,
Indeed they can hold everything....except a conversation with a girl.
Just trying to be helpful,
Vanessa

Dear New Fall Television,
So far you're doing a good job.  Thank you "Ringer" and "The Secret Circle" for being added to my list of reasons why I don't have a boyfriend.
I don't really blame you,
Vanessa

Dear Ray LaMontagne,
To me you are perfect.  In every way.
Love Always and Forever,
Vanessa

Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading.  Because...that's what you do. And hopefully comment. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!!!
xoxo,
Vanessa

A fond farewell...

I have a very sad announcement to make.  I've been putting it off because I wasn't really sure how to word it but I figured that I should just come right out and say it.  Like ripping off a band aid.

I'm giving up Diet Coke.

Yes Yes I know.  But before you get all judgy and say "oh so you're giving up Diet Coke for that abominable harlot Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper!"  The answer is no.

I'm giving up all soft drinks all together.

AH I know.  All I can say is it's a good thing I'm on vacation from work for the next week because I'm going to be very fussy.  The truth is I'm giving up a lot of things.  We as a family are doing a sort of cleanse and following a new eating plan.  Which is good.  

Although I've said some mean things about water in the past.  And I hope it doesn't hold a grudge.

.....

maybe Crystal Light can soften the blow.

1. Darren Criss - Not Alone
2. Jon McLaughlin - Maybe It's Over
3. Ryan Adams - Lucky Now
4. Lady Antebellum - Cold As Stone
5. Emmylou Harris - Red Dirt Girl
6. Mindy Smith - Come To Jesus
7. Florence + The Machine - Falling
8. Wakey! Wakey! - Brooklyn
9. Jack Johnson - Broken
10. Anya Marina - Satellite Heart
11. John Mayer - In Your Atmosphere
12. Sia - Breathe Me
13. Dixie Chicks - You Were Mine
14. Vampire Weekend - Horchata
15. MoZella - You Wanted It

*I HAVE A CHALLENGE FOR YOU READERS!!!

I would like if you would leave a comment from now until next Tuesday with a song you would like to see on the playlist next week.  I'll pick some of my favorites and we'll put a pot luck playlist together for next week! 

Weekend Collage

This weekend was a good one...for the most part.  I had Friday off (a rare and wonderful thing) and Saturday I got to work the early shift and then go home with the knowledge that I have 11 days off!  I do have a Lancome Beauty Advisors meeting tomorrow but I don't really count that as work because
1. It's fun
2. We get free lunch
3. I don't have to see any of my co workers.

All in all a great weekend and hopefully a great week of freedom up ahead!

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring boat neck tops

Hope y'all had a great weekend as well!  See you tomorrow!

September 11 - 10 years later

I've been thinking a lot about September 11th.  Probably a lot more than normal just because it's been on TV more because it's the 10 year anniversary.  Anniversary sounds like too happy of a word.  But anniversary it is none the less.
On September 11 2001 I was 14 years old.  I was at my high school in Indiana taking a standardized test.  Our supervisor announced to us that some teachers felt we shouldn't be given the information because it might mess with our scores...but he felt that it was important to let us know that 2 planes had crashed into the World Trade Center.  They thought it was terrorists.  I didn't even know what the World Trade Center was.

Flash forward to today.  September 11 2011.  I have spent the last 2 days watching the news coverage.  Dateline, 20/20 etc and feel much more affected by it today than I was then.  Probably because I know more about life.  I know more about loss and pain.  I know more about heartbreak.  As I watch the video of the plane deliberately smashing into the first tower...I feel sickness.  As I think about how as we watched news coverage of the first plane....in front of our very eyes....live...we saw the second plane hit the second tower.  You can hear the screams of disbelief.  You can watch the people stunned.  The emotions are still palpable.  Shortly after that...a plane crashes into the Pentagon....and shortly after that we hear of reports that another plane had been hijacked.
It was very literally the end of the world.
And then as terror is unfolding all around us....the first tower falls.  Fear and panic erupt everywhere.
For those watching at home there was nothing to do but watch and wait.  Wait for what?  Relief?  Or more likely...the next attack.
President Bush addressed our nation that night with one of the most beautiful and heartfelt speeches I've ever heard.  How he must have felt that day.
In the days following...stories of heroism, as was inevitable in this great country of ours.  Strangers become tethered for life.  Sharing in the tragedy and helping others the only way they knew how.  It wasn't because it was expected of them it was just what needed to be done.
Families lost loved ones.  Firefighters, Police Officers, Fathers, Mothers
I think of the people on the planes that day...especially the passengers who so bravely fought and protected this country from an additional attack. As 3 men announce to the passengers they were going to die for their God...those people..through their courage announced that their God died for them.  And they would die for their country.  Normal everyday people who made an extraordinary sacrifice.

Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.  This isn't my first time watching the news coverage...but it is my first time seeing it.
God Bless America.  God Bless the lives lost.
President Bush said:
For the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. It's a memory not only of loss and mourning but also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for ...a friend- even a friend whose name it never knew."
-George W. Bush

what a pretty face

As promised Beauty Week is continuing!

Obviously skin care is number one because the better condition your skin is in without make up...the less make up you'll need.  BUT not only is make up fun but...none of us are perfect and make up helps us pretend we are! So here are my tips for a flawless face!

Primer is an amazing product.  It helps smooth the skin and reduce pores before you even put your make up on.  Think of it like putting primer on the wall before you paint!  Helps the color stay longer and truer.  My personal fave is Lancome's La Base Pro.  It's #2 nationwide and a little goes a long way.  I recommend using a silicone based primer.  The silicone in your foundation will bind with the silicone in the primer and makes it stay extra long.

Concealer is an absolute life saver!  For those tired dark circles or that pesky blemish that popped up overnight....concealer is the magic trick!  Maquicomplet by Lancome is my personal fave because I love the creamy texture.  Estee Lauder makes a great concealer called Double Wear that is long lasting.  I also love Revlon's blemish concealer because it actually has a little salicylic acid in it to help heal your blemish!

And now for the main event!  Foundation!  I love foundation but in the right way.  Tips for good foundation..
1.  Know your skin type
There are so many different formulas and if you're oily you certainly don't want a foundation for dry skin.
2. Know what kind of finish you want
Foundations have all different kinds of finishes...matte, luminous, natural etc.  Really think about how you want your foundation to look.  And also note whether you'd like a mineral or a liquid foundation.
3. Know your shade
This is the most important part of foundation.  No one likes that orange line ladies!  Go into your local department stores cosmetics area and have someone match you!  They'll do it for free and you can ask for a sample to try out.  If you love it...treat yourself!  If you really can't shell out the $'s then at least you'll know your undertone and  you'll be able to match yourself better at the drug store.

*Important to note that foundation doesn't always have to be applied to the whole face.  You can use it just in places of discoloration.

I love mineral foundation for the summer because it's a little bit lighter (Lancome's Oscillation Powerfoundation is my FAVE) but in winter we usually need a little bit extra.  I love Laura Mercier cream foundation, Lancome's Teint Miracle, Nars Sheer Glow, Makeup Forever HD Photofinish, and Clinique's Even Better.  As far as drug store foundations go...I loved Revlon's Photo Ready foundation.

Powder is a great finishing touch.  Seals everything and keeps that pesky oil shine away.  I love a nice loose translucent powder like Lancome's Ageless Mineral and I'm a huge fan of Rimmel's Stay Matte pressed powder.

No matter what your skin tone is (even very fair like me) I recommend a bronzer.  It gives your face dimension and gives a nice healthy glow.  I love Bobbi Brown's shimmer bricks and Physician's Formula even has one that is actually supposed to help boost your mood....worth a shot I guess!

 I'm obsessed with blush.  Obsessed.  I love how it makes your face glowing and beautiful.  With blush you can't really go wrong.  Just make sure the color is right for your skin tone.  Nars in Orgasm is my absolute favorite and has been for years because it truly is the perfect shade.  I also love a nice cream blush like Revlon's for a nice natural subtle glow.

Finding the right tools to apply your make up does play a key role as well.  I love the Beauty Blender!  Has literally changed the way I apply my make up.  It's easy to clean and you use it damp so it doesn't soak up all your foundation.  I also love a good foundation brush.  I HATE sponges and recommend you use anything BUT a sponge.  It soaks up all your foundation and you waste so much plus it holds a lot of bacteria.  Using good brushes for your powder/blush is good but not as necessary if you ask me.  I love Lancome's brushes but you can get your powder brushes at Target...Sonia Kashuk makes a great line of brushes.  

That's all for the perfect flawless face.  Hope you enjoyed the tips!  Tomorrow it will be all about the eyes....

Beauty Week...

I decided to have a week of beauty!  It's what I do and what I know and I love educating the customers I turn into clients and I would love to share with y'all as well!  Today we'll start with the first part of any beauty routine...

Skin Care routines don't have to be time consuming or expensive...that's what's great about them...you can completely tailor it to your lifestyle and your needs.  Here are some basic tips and my fave products!

Removing your make up is key at night.  Make up clogs your pores and seals all that dirt and oil accumulating throughout the day...onto your face.  Gross.  I recommend a good eye make up remover and some kind of make up removing product.

Lancome's Bi-Facil is my personal favorite eye make up remover.  It takes all your eye make up off with one swipe.  LOVE.  It's a little pricey though so if you're saving pennies check at your local drugstore for a dual action or oil based eye make up remover (you're cleansing afterward so don't worry about the oil clogging your pores)

I LOVE the I Love Blueberries cleansing cloths.  So quick and easy.  Just swipe all over face PLUS they are 99% all natural (with yummy apple, lemon, and blueberries cleansing your skin), paraban free, and they smell awesome!  PLUS they are biodegradable (yay Earth!)  But wait there's MORE...only $7.99 at Target!!!

You don't always have to have a different skin care routine for both day and night....I do because I still have some on/off struggles with acne.  Acne cleansers tend to be tougher on skin so if you can I recommend only using them in the day and using some good (oil free) hydration at night.  DEFINITELY recommend a good night cream...your skin loses 96% of it's moisture at night so it's important to take extra good care of it while you sleep because that's also when it's doing all it's rejuvenating. I also do recommend some kind of toner because it will clean your pores and rebalance the PH levels in the skin to help it glow.

My personal faves: 

AM: Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser, Clarifying Treatment Toner, and Oil Free Moisturizer

PM: Lancome Mousse Radiance Cleanser, Tonique Doceur Toner, and Bienfait Aqua Vital Moisturizer

*Also an important note PLEASE WEAR SUNSCREEN.  Your skin absorbs much more sun than you even know and trust me...I have seen the damage that sun can do to the skin.  To save you money when you're older trying to repair your skin....just take care of it now!  I recommend a sun screen that has zinc vs. titanium dioxide (yuck so bad for you!) Zinc is a natural sun protection PLUS it helps prevent those sun spots created by birth control YAY!

Serums can get tricky (and expensive)  I recommend picking one really good serum that is going to benefit you the most.  My faves...

Lancome Bright Expert: For uneven skin tone, dark spots, acne scarring.  I SWEAR by this serum.  Literally  has changed my life.  My skin has never looked more even than it has since I have started using this.  LOVE.

Clinique Pore Refining Serum: Reduces the appearance of pores 62% in 2 weeks.  LOVE.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair: Repairs damage done to the skin from free radicals, pollution, and UV rays.

Lancome Genefique: Gives visibly younger looking skin in 7 days.  Helps restore youthful bounce, helps with tone and texture. 

Lancome Visionnaire: Corrects wrinkles, pores, and uneven skin tone.  Amazing product.

Eyes often get forgotten but because the skin around the eyes is so thin and so prone to wrinkles...it needs some extra love.  I've had a really hard time finding an eye product that works for me because I have EXTREMELY sensitive eyes....I finally discovered "Yes To Blueberries" Eye Firming Treatment.  It's 95% natural and helps with fine lines plus firming and it doesn't make my eyes react at all!  And super affordable.  Highly recommend.

If you're like me and still struggle with any kind of acne or occasional breakouts, it's important to treat them fast (please please please don't pick or pop guys...)  

I LOVE Clinique's On The Spot treatment (super quick!) and for a more affordable choice I love "Yes to Tomatoes" spot treatment.  Proactiv makes a great refining mask that you can just put on top of a blemish before bed and when you wake up...it's virtually gone.

The BEST thing you can do for your skin is keep it hydrated and that starts from the inside out.  Your skin is the largest organ of our bodies.  It breathes and it NEEDS hydration.  So drink your water and your body and skin will thank you!

Tired skin is dull and lifeless.  Get as much sleep as you can (I know if you're a new mom or have kids...this is not easy!).  The more sleep the better your skin will look and you will feel.

This is not a game of one of these things is not like the other....

A couple bonus items...

Clarisonic- The most amazing cleansing tool of all time.  Removes 6x's more dirt and oil than washing manually.  Improves skin's texture and tone.  Helps reduce acne problems and helps reduce redness.  An investment well worth it.

Apple Cider Vinegar - One of the best things for your body.  Downing a tablespoon a day does so much good for your body especially helps improve skin and clears up acne!  It's totally disgusting but just take it quick!  Best part is....it's only a few dollars!

That's all for my skin care tips!  Tomorrow we'll move on to....

FOUNDATION/FACE MAKE UP

Until then...what are some of your fave skin care products?

• Jason Reeves - Pretty Eyes
• Lady Antebellum - Wanted You More
• Florence + the Machine - What The Water Gave Me
• Fionna Apple - Love Ridden
• Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes
• Taylor Swift - Untouchable
• Ella Fitzgerald- I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
• The Verve - Lucky Man
• Coldplay - Yellow

Weekend Collage

This weekend was filled with work and.....shopping.  Sephora is my biggest weakness in life. BUT I did stock up on some great products that I will share with you this week...this is just a sneak peek ;)

Also we had our annual Fantasy Football draft..aka the best day of my life....

Here's hoping that dream I once had about Aaron Rodgers serves me well this season.

Hope you had a great weekend as well and for those of you who aren't slaves to Macy's (aka everyone except me) enjoy your extra day off for Labor Day!

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring oxford shoes

5 Things

I know it's rare for me to post on a Saturday but usually I'm working the day away but in a lucky and rare turn of events I was off work by 2:00 today!  I've never known what a real Saturday afternoon looks like!  I'm here to tell you that they are beautiful!  In honor of this lovely Saturday of freedom which I love....I thought I'd share some other things that I currently LOVE

"Yes To" is an amazing line of natural products which I will be blogging more in depth about next week but I thought I'd share these first.  "Yes to Blueberries" Moist Facial Towlettes.  Remove dirt and make up and are 99% natural and paraban free!  It's nice knowing that you're using apple, lemon, and blueberry to clean your face instead of chemicals.  So excited to share my other great finds from this line....
P.S. And added bonus...they only cost $7.99 at Target!

I don't know what exactly it is about summertime that makes me listen to country music on an endless loop but I'm obsessed.
Current Faves:
Lady Antebellum - Dancing Away With My Heart
Jake Owen - Barefoot Blue Jean Night
Pistol Annies - Boys from the South
Sugarland - We Run
Rascal Flatts - Cool Thing
Tim McGraw - Red Ragtop
Pam Tillis - Maybe It Was Memphis
Miranda Lambert - Heart Like Mine
Blake Shelton - Honey Bee
Little Big Town - Little More You

Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt

Have a great rest of your weekend!  Some things to look forward to...

• Weekend Collage
• Tuesday Playlist
• Wednesday Beauty Day

And all sorts of other shenanigans...see  you then!

Friday Letters

Dear Lancome,
Thank you for making the BEST red lipstick of all time.  Too bad this doesn't make up for having to work gift with purchase time.
xoxo,
Vanessa

Dear Afrin Nasal Spray,
I know that you and my parents have had your differences...seeing is how they think I have an addiction to you.  But that's just people talkin.  You've saved me from my allergies.
God Bless,
Vanessa

Dear Calypso Southern Peach Lemonade,

If we were the only two things on Earth....I would be absolutely ok with that.
Love with all my heart,
Vanessa
P.S.  I'm highly convinced the Blueberry Muffin Pop-Tart guy invented you....I wish he would stop being so obsessed with me.

Dear Face,
Why do you always get all scrunched up and weird in family photos?  Let's work on this.
Thanks,
Vanessa

Dear Football Season,
Just thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  For everything.
The deepest of love and respect,
Vanessa

And now we come to you....

Dear Tom Brady,
Here we go again.  How's that pony tail working out for you?  Oh what's that?  You're still a tool?  Oh yeah...that's right.
Looking forward to the season with you....
Regards,
Vanessa

playlist and an anecdote

First of all let me just say I'm so sorry I didn't put my playlist up yesterday as usual...but I was too busy laying in bed watching every single Anne of Green Gables even the continuing story even though it sucked doing stuff.

Before I share my playlist with y'all I wanted to tell you a story.  The other day while at work a lady came up to my counter.  She emptied out the entire contents of her purse on said counter looking for her check book.  One of the items she removed from her purse was a large piece of cheese.  She then proceeded to leave the piece of cheese there after she left.  Questions you may have...

1. Why did she have a piece of cheese in her purse?
I don't know

2. Was it her snack for later?
Considering it was warm and melted I'm guessing it had been there for a few days so probably and hopefully not.

3.  Was it in a wrapper?
Yes but the wrapper was open

4.  What kind of cheese was it?
Gouda.

I'm thinking she just didn't want to be upstaged by the lady who brought her cat in for a make over.
I love my job.


Now without further ado (I don't even know what that means or why people say it...)

• Mindy Gledhill - All About Your Heart
• Kanye West & Jay Z - Why I Love You
• Florence + The Machine - Heavy In Your Arms
• Gym Class Heroes - Stereo Hearts
• Pistol Annie's - Boys From the South
• Beyonce - Love On Top
• Jack and White - Double Trouble
• Lady Gaga - You and I
• Jake Owen - Barefoot Blue Jean Night

Weekend Collage

My weekend was BUSY.  I've seriously been working every day.  My only day off was Sunday and I spent the day in bed doing nothing but watch movies (including an Audrey Hepburn marathon and my FAVORITE movie ever...Anne of Green Gables....) watching way too much "Jersey Shore" (it's getting cray cray up in that house)  and taking naps.  LUCKILY I have the next 2 days off...because I think I'm going crazy.  I literally saw Jack Nicholson and Deena from Jersey Shore at my work today.

Yeah...time for a break.

Here's my collage!

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring old navy shoes

See you tomorrow for your weekly playlist!

"People stereotype country music to be about 'your dog dying, your mama dying, your wife leaving, your husband cheating, losing a job etc. etc' BUT if life were perfect and there were no conflicts to resolve, where would any artform be?"
-Sugarland

• Alan Jackson - Drive (For Daddy Gene)
• Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I'm Going
• Brooks & Dunn - Red Dirt Road
• Carrie Underwood - Someday When I Stop Loving You
• Dixie Chicks - Cowboy Take Me Away
• Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line
• Lady Antebellum - American Honey
• Pistol Annies - Hell on Heels
• Miranda Lambert - The House That Built Me
• Sugarland - Keep You
• Taylor Swift - Mary's Song
• Tim McGraw - Whiskey and You
• Toby Keith - Should've Been a Cowboy
• The Wreckers - Stand Still, Look Pretty
• Zac Brown Band - And She's Walking Away
• Dolly Parton - Jolene
• Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty - Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man
• Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss - Whiskey Lullaby