Mini Vacation: Vlog

Hello everyone,

After a long week at work and a family event, I was in desperate need of time off. So my dad and I packed up for an overnight vacation at his ranch house. It was the perfect stress reliever. Hope you enjoy this little blog I put together and hopefully I won't get sued over "All I Want For Christmas Is You" By Mariah Carey. She sang it, all the rights are hers. There you go.

Have a good week.

love, Kacie.

Winter is coming.

Yesterday we had snow in Texas. It was cold as hell and the wind was piercing. So that inspired me to share a few tricks I have picked up to beat the impending dryness that is approaching.
So for the longest time I believed that in order to have soft skin you had to be blessed with it. I have sensitive skin so I felt pretty SOL when it came to skin products, so that meant no smelly Bath and Body works lotions for me. I didn't use lotions for the longest time because I just though they were a scam,until I really educated myself on skin care and researched what was required to get silky smooth skin.

Starting with Exfoliation.
Exfoliation is the key to keeping skin soft. Getting rid of dead skin cells really helps with dryness and makes it easier for skin to absorb whatever hydration you choose to treat it with. And the wonderful thing about it is, that you can either buy an exfoliator is make one. I have chosen both.
For my face and lips I have a home made exfoliator,super easy to make. Just mix equal parts of coconut oil and brown sugar into a container. And you're done! It also tastes pretty good, making it a lot easier to use on your lips.

And for my body, I have a scrub made by Frank. It targets eczema,stretch marks, and cellulite. And since I'm only human and have all of those things, I decided to give it a try. I try to use it once a week, rubbing all over my body, then leaving it on for about five minutes or so. Washing it off, I can feel a major improvement in the way my skin feels. So I highly recommend this product.

Moisturizing.
For my face I use this Egyptian Magic Cream. I was recommended this when I was having trouble with my eczema on my eyelid. Did a little research on it, and decided to give it a go. I've owned this tub of it for almost a year and have barely made a dent in it. The consistency is kind of funny,its solid. But when you get about a nickel sized amount, then work it around with your fingers it becomes liquid. I massage it onto my face as well as my neck. But only at night, because it is a greasy texture that it wouldn't work well under makeup.
For the day time I like to use sunscreen as a base, SPF is extremely important.

For my body I use this Soap and Glory lotion. I did a lot of research on this after I kept seeing these products in my favorite you tubers videos. A lot of the reviews mentioned how it really helped with sensitive skin, and didn't cause eczema break outs. I couldn't believe it, Hell had frozen over and I had found a lotion that I could use. There is a slight floral scent, but not too overpowering. I use it when I have just gotten out of the shower,this is a good ritual because it will lock in the moisture on your clean skin.

Then for makeup remover/lip balm. Easy COCONUT OIL. I know I talk about this a lot but this stuff is great. I have never used a makeup remover that has worked so well until I started using coconut oil. And for lip balm, use anything else besides chapstick. Use something natural, or vaseline is good choice. Just trust me.

have a good week everyone.
love,
kacie.

Mary Kate And Ashley Olsen/Fall Inspired Makeup Look.

Hello Everyone! Today is my day off and instead of picking up my house, I decided to do a makeup post for you! The Olsen twins are icons in my mind. They have the most amazing fashion sense, and are totally killing it in the industry. So a week ago I was scrolling through pictures and their makeup look was just a brown smudged-smokey eye. So simple and elegant for Fall,therfore I had to try it out. And I'm in love! So thats why I'm doing it on here for you. Hope you enjoy!

So before you start, make sure you have washed and moisturized your face(it does make a difference,even if it is a pain in the butt sometimes). Keep your hair pulled back and apply your primers(another pain in the butt step that makes a difference). I used this Almay Primer for color correction,because I'm only human and my face has broken out. And this ELF Eyelid primer because it seriously is the best eye primer I have used,plus its $3. Also, the red stuff you see in my eyes is eczema, I've had it on and off throughout my life,so you may see it from time to time.

Then I start dabbing my green concealer onto my blemishes. I lightly blend that into my skin. Then go in with my Mabelline BB Cream for a nice dewy look(just like the Olsen's),and with a real Techniques brush,blend in circular motions. After that I apply my under eye concealer. When I do this I like to do three long lines,one going down the side of my nose, one going under the eye,and one in between the previous two. Then blend with my finger for a natural finish. This way the entire eye area is brightened. After that I tackle my blemishes with a different concealer. I put the concealer on the back of my hand first so I won't be contaminating the product by applying it straight from the tube. Then blend the concealer with my finger.

                            
                            
                            
                            
                            

I then move onto the eyes. Starting with my eyebrows. Mine aren't in perfect shape,so I did the best I could. Remember eyebrows are sisters and not twins,so they don't have to be completely perfect . So I shape and fill them in,such and important step in any make up look. 

Now the eye makeup look, using colors from a Bare Minerals Palette. Starting with the color Trench Coat as a beginning base shade,sweeping it all over the lid. Then using the color Fuze on the outer corner, and using a blending brush to bring the colors together for a natural smokey eye effect. So just take your bending brush at the outer corner and bring it closer to your eye to define the crease. 

Take a brown eyeliner and put a bit in the outer corner of your eye. Take a smudge brush and bring it to the inner corner of your eye. Making it look undone and natural is what its all about, there is no perfect method to this. Build it up or take it down as much as you want. Then take whatever is left from the smudge brush and run it onto the bottom water/lash line for the full effect. Add mascara and you are done with the eyes.

                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            

                            
                           

After I finish with my eyes I go back with bronzer. Lightly brushing on wherever the sun would naturally hit my skin like my cheekbones,temples,down my nose,and on my jawline. 

                            
                           

Then apply a light amount of powder foundation to set certain areas like the under eyes, forehead, and chin.

Add with a neutral Lipstick or a vampy red and you're done.

I tried to type a cheesy ending like "I hope this helps you feel fierce for Fall", but I couldn't do it.

Hope you all have a lovely week!

Love,

Kacie. 

New Chapters. New Home.

Hello everyone,
I know....I haven't blogged in a month. The reason being is that,September was a crazy month. So barley any extra time. Another reason, I MOVED!
And its been so much fun designing a space just how I want it,and making a home. So my next few blog posts will probably be about the new place! So I hope you enjoy.

 My living room style is very mid century with a few modern twists,plus a few halloween decorations. All the furniture was purchased at resale stores,garage sales,and estate sales. The gold, Star Trek(as my dad refers to them) couches are comfortable,vibrant,and surprisingly easy pair with what I already had. Like these gray and navy pillows!

This side table is HUGE. And since I don't really have a coffee table this is a nice alternative. It houses all of my candles with a few little trinkets. It is still a work in progress, but you get the idea.

I really love gallery walls and art. So this big wall behind the couch has started to become a huge display of photos that I have taken, art,and disposable camera pictures. I plan on adding to it and making this whole wall filled. But this is a nice start.

And my favorite part,this insane lamp. For an antique lamp, the 3 different light settings are impressive. With tall tree like limbs it is the perfect lighting for the evenings. It ties the whole room together,as well as providing light.

I turned this coffee table into a tv stand because it was the only piece of furniture I owned that could do the job. Its pretty old and beat up, but still very unique.Someday I'll figure out how to camouflage those ugly wires,so if any of you have suggestions I'm all ears.

This style is super easy and cheap. You just have to go to the right places.My go to places for home goods include H&M,Target,World Market, and Urban Outfitters. As well as antique shops,resale stores,and estate sales.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I'm sorry for the absence. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love,

Kacie.

On A Personal Note: Insecurities.

Hello All,
I'm doing something different today, you may hate it,but whatever.
I am a pretty open person when it comes to my issues. I am on anti-depressants,I used to see a therapist once a week,and my mind would take me to dark places.
I became an open human being because of these things. I understood that the people who care will always be there for you to let your heart out,and speak what was swirling through your head. And what I discovered is,though we all are from different walks of life, there is usually someone out there who can relate to you. And a big one I come in contact with is insecurities.
So maybe I can share, and it could possibly help anyone out there who has been in my place.

A big insecurity that drug me down for the longest time,was boys. I don't need a lecture or anything like that, I know it is a stupid reason to be sad. But it sucked hearing how hot your roommate is, or your friend, or your mom(yeah, got that a lot, but hey, thats what I'll look like in 25 years).
I heard it from everyone. It got to the point where I didn't even like to talk to guys because they usually went after my friend that I was with. And also being bullied in middle school AND high school, by a dude, didn't make it any easier.
I would also get sad when I would compare myself to other girls. I was jealous,and became hateful. Thats why I went through a big Taylor Swift hating phase(she's so pretty and nice,I just want to be her when I grow up gahhh). I would see the girls I went to high school with, come into my work(I wait tables at one of the most popular restaurants in town) and treat me like complete garbage. And keep in mind, I used to be best friends with these girls. So that was hard.Like, you can look me in the eye when you order your diet coke, thanks.

As one of my friends/support systems would tell me "come on,shake the dust kace", as in "let all of the shit go Kacie,why does it bother you so much?". I found it difficult to do. And my anxiety was sky rocketing. I let other people inflict crippling damage to my self esteem,and I never felt okay in my own skin.

In order to help yourself through these issues, you have to start doing things for yourself, and believing in yourself. And it won't happen over night. But after months of working on myself,I woke up and realized that this is my journey, and I choose happiness. I chose to start doing things to get my own approval. Not some stinky boy, or some girls that I will never be good enough for. I needed to be good enough for myself. I needed to take off the labels that I mentally tattooed onto my skin like "fucked up" or "unwanted". Become more of a person that I would want to meet.
After that, my confidence soared and my smile shined a little brighter. Even when people ask me why I'm so mad,its called Resting Bitch Face Syndrome,and its genetic.
My point is, is that your happiness is in your hands, and it is something you will have to work for. Choose your path, and decide to kick your insecurities' ass. Like I've said before, impress the hell out of yourself.
My battle with depression and anxiety isn't over yet. But I have never felt this happy and strong. And I'll be damned if someone takes that away from me.


idk if I'll ever do this again.
love,
kacie.

My 20's

My 20th birthday is approaching, a wonderful but awkward age. A brand new chapter that I'm anxious to start. When we are 17,we think we know everything. And when we wake up at 20 we understand that we know absolutely nothing(and that our mother's are right about everything).
I look up to my older girlfriends/family members so much. They are fiercely independent,wise,and honest. Which is what brought me to this post. I asked the women in my life a few questions, like "what is a lesson you learned in your 20's?" and "what advice would you give to me coming into my 20's?". The responses were vast,honest,and inspiring. They came from different women that are in different walks in life, which explored every angle for me. After gathering all of the results, I went to sleep that night feeling wonderful and less anxious about this new world I'm stepping into.
And I hope this gives you a little inspiration and comfort as well.

These are the responses from real women about what they learned in their 20's,and the advise they want to pass on:

Heartbreak is not the end of the world. It is an opportunity.


Cherish the ones you love, nothing is more important than friends and family. Without them, you have nothing.Take care of the ones who take care of you.


Let go of unhealthy relationships. Not every relationship is meant to last forever.


If you're not happy, change it.


Tequila is not always the answer.


Learn the difference between who to f*ck, and who to marry.


Life gets busier,don't take lazy days for granted.


You finally learn to say no. If you get a job offer that isn't for you,or you get asked out and you don't  want to go,or your friends want you to go out but you're too tired. You learn to say no to all of it,and gain control.


Impress yourself,it is the only opinion that matters.


You are not invincible, JAIL IS REAL.


You have time.


You are in control of all things that happen to you. If you are feeling negative,negativity is sure to follow.Wake up everyday and take the day by the balls,and dust away the negativity.Perception and attitude is key.


Learning God's unfailing love. Beginning to look at life differently and see how good God is. Meeting people who show you God's love, and help you experience it more.


Care about you ,and what you want. You can people please all you want,but you will lose yourself in the process.


Being an adult sucks,enjoy what you have now.


Life is too short to stay with someone who makes you miserable.Believe in you,and know that you are awesome. And someone equally awesome will come along.

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Special thanks to all the ladies who contributed. I love you all,
Kacie.

Wildest Dreams

So I am obsessed with Taylor Swift's new music video for her song Wildest Dreams. It has beautiful cinematography, fashion,and leading men(Heyyy Scott Eastwood). Shot in Africa, the video plays out as an old Hollywood love story, also a realistic love story. I loved that things didn't work out between the two characters in the end. Its very honest and realistic,because all love stories don't always end up with the couple riding into the sunset. This shit tugs on your heart strings.
Anyways, I love the old Hollywood/1950's theme that is this video. I have always love the 40's through the 60's. Things were so glamorous and complicated. The fashion is absolutely breath taking, which is why I'm blogging about a music video.
Taylor takes on an "Elizabeth Taylor" type character, which she completely aced it. Then Scott Eastwood took on a Marlon Brando persona.If you don't know young Marlon Brando, I'll que you in. He was FREAKING GORGEOUS.

 For the first part of the video you see the pair in safari type clothes which resemble the aimed era. She rocks her classic red lip for most of the video,as well as a dark wig.

Even the more sexier parts are tasteful and truthful to the era, There wasn't much lingerie back in those days considering that women's undergarments were very intricate and detailed. The fancy lingerie we have now is based on what women wore everyday under their clothes decades ago. 

It cuts to her in other parts with her in a long, gorgeous yellow dress being blown with a vintage fan. 

And in a silver, high leg slitted number, with a lion. Also in a plane soaring over the African wildlife. 

Nuff said.

 

Then at the end she is in this gorgeous Christian Siriano Gown.

Tragically beautiful, which completely embodies the video. 

What I love about Taylor and her team is that they think everything out,and pay close attention to detail.  The sets,fashion,actors. Everything. They make something very beautiful,and intersting to watch. 

I highly suggest you check it out. You know how to internet.Go to youtube and watch it.Also all the proceeds that this video makes, goes to African Wildlife. SO WATCH IT FOR THE GIRAFFES.

Love,

Kacie.