2014 Recap //

Hello all! 
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
2014, was a big year for me. The year turned I 21, the year I traveled out west for the first time, getting my first *real job on my own at The Body Shop, deciding to change schools and the year I started getting much more serious about blogging. There were parts of this year that were difficult and parts that were absolutely amazing. I thought I would briefly review them here as a good reflection. For this post I am not going in chronological order I am starting with a monumental moment and going on from there. 

California// 

 Going to California along with my best friend was one of the most monumental parts of this year. It was a grand adventure that will never be forgotten. I still keep having flashbacks to San Diego and how wonderful and beautiful it was. How unbelievable and surreal it felt when Brittney (best friend) and I first walked into Disneyland, seeing LA with my cousin. So many adventures spent in a magical seven days. Brittney and I both yearn to go back. Hopefully someday soon it was amazing. 

21 // 

May 1st I turned 21 this year. But, still sticking to character I threw a garden party instead of the customary "drinking fun" that normally occurs when someone turns 21 here in the US. 
I love organizing and decorating for parties and gatherings, making things look pretty. This was quite an unforgettable birthday. 

Summertime //
I feel quite strongly that this summer was one of the best. Besides going to California in June, there was lots of beach and lake visiting/swimming, pizza eating (yum) swirled cones of ice cream  after dusk, drive in movies and lots of time spent with friends it was amazing! 
Quite a summer to remember.

School + The Bodyshop //

My third year of Community College was not filled with particularly happy memories. I was going though a lot of personal hardship. I didn't feel like myself most days. After summer was over there was suddenly a lot on my plate. Although, one of those things was a great moment which was earning my job at The Bodyshop. I had tried tirelessly to get a job throughout the summer with no luck. 
I finally got a lucky break at the store with "Beauty and heart" its been pretty fun working there. I have a strength for communicating with people and listening to what their desires are. However, the juggle between work and school + life was stressful on me and did not feel like myself. And throughout the fall I had to make lots of decisions so I could change my future. 

Autumn //

We had a beautiful fall this year. I didn't get to fully embrace it all because of my packed schedule. But there were little small moments like taking a trip to the apple orchards that helped me slow down and appreciate this autumn. Normally, I celebrate Halloween in a big way by throwing a party annually but due to my schedule I simply wasn't able to accomplish that this year. I was pretty bitter about it at the time. I tried to just keep focusing on school work. I enjoyed my photography class a good deal, getting a better grasp of my DSLR and photoshop. I got to use that as a creative plugin when I wasn't able to blog. 

Photoshoots //

One of my favorite pieces of work I put together for my photography class was this series I did with my best friend. I loved the way these came out. I did her styling and makeup in  this shoot we tried a couple of different looks but when I took this scarf that I had lying around and gave it to her as a garment she changed into a different character. I darkened up her makeup and roughed up her hair and all of a sudden she was something fierce. Brittney, also happens to be a theatre major so getting emotion and personality was a pretty easy task. By the end of the photoshoot she let down her hair and smeared her makeup, she began to sing and I captured this last shot which I think really captures Brittney's genuine and passionate nature. 

The Holidays and Now //

The holidays this year were a little crazy. My life kinda revolved around working. Retail during Christmas time is certainly not an easy ordeal but aside from lacking some holiday spirit at the beginning. Christmas was still fun. It felt even sweeter to see my family and spend time with them. It was also a green Christmas this year! To some might be sad but I personally dislike the snow so it was a big plus for me! ( hehe) 
And now here we are 2014 is all over now and we are living in the year 2015. I am going to work hard in 2015 just like I did this year towards my goals. I am going to a new school, continue to improve my blog, continue to work on living a healthy and happy lifestyle and reach higher each day.

Thank you all so much for joining me this year. Improving and authoring this blog gives me a lot of pride. I love all of you so much. I hope 2014 treated you well and I hope 2015 treats you even better.
 Never give up on your dreams and goals, even small steps towards your goals and dreams is meaningful.


  
Happy New Year! 

- A 


Let me know what your resolutions for this year are? What are your plans to achieve them? Tell me in the comments below! 

Sat// October Beauty Favorites

Hello everyone! Happy Saturday! I hope you all had a great Halloween and start to November. October, was a pretty rough month for me with all sorts of ups and downs, but I did find that I was loving some amazing products last month and thought that although we are making good headway through November already I would share what products I was loving last month.

The Bodyshop Vitamin C Skin Boost Serum

I thought I would start things off with a skincare favorite this month. Although I do my best to take care of my skin I seem to be in constant battle with it. Dealing with hormonal acne, scarring, etc. When applying foundation I have to deal with the underlying texture of my "worse for wear" current skin. However, last month since starting work at The Bodyshop I have been taking home some products to try and let me tell you, when I tried the Vitamin C Skin Boost one morning before foundation I was left feeling legitimately shocked at how smooth and soft my skin felt. Not only does this serum boost radiance ( which I need living in a place with fairly little sun this time of year) but it also acts as a wonderful primer that helps to smooth everything out. Also, not to mention that it has an amazing citrus smell that is great to use in the morning. Usually, serums tend to be used at night so they can get straight to work, but this product is a early bird and now a staple in my morning routine.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation

This product I mentioned recently in my "Whats In My Makeup Bag" post ( X ) and I also wrote up a full review on it a while back. (X) This product has been a long time favorite of mine. During the month of October this found its way back into my life because being on the go from morning till night requires a little touching up now and again. It also was a lifesaver for when I didn't have time in the morning to apply my favorite liquid foundations, I just brought this guy along and could easily and quickly get my base done "lickety split!"

Becca Shimmering Perfector in Opal 

If there was a "mega favorite" among these favorites this product would be that favorite. Highlighting, is probably my favorite step to my makeup routine I feel that adding a beautiful glow to my complexion just pulls everything all together, ( like adding a final glaze to a piece of pottery.) This particular highlighter gives that "modelesque" glow to the skin and it is just breathtaking. If you want to read my full thoughts on this gem I did a full post here. (X)

MAC Cranberry Eyeshadow 

I wasn't sure I was going to mention this because I just wrote a full post on this guy (X) and it was also a discovery towards the end of the month but I have just been using and loving this eyeshadow so much. Whether you use it all on its own or in conjunction with other shadows this color is simply gorgeous and so versatile, perfect for the fall and the winter season ahead.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Charlotte

This recent release from NARS has stolen the hearts of many including my own. The luxury packaging, the ultimate color saturation ( we're talking "one swipe" full on color here!) the long-wear formula. Its all perfection and I crave to have more of these luxury lipsticks in my collection. The color that I have in Charlotte is a sumptuous oxblood/berry toned hybrid that is a masterpiece on the lips that I was sporting a ton last month. ( As I plan to do also, this month!) 

BodyShop Color Crush Lipstick "Crazy Sexy Crimson"

If you are looking for a more affordable option for a dark and beautiful lip, this lipstick was also a favorite last month. Another pick from The Body Shop, The Color Crush lipstick line certainly surprised me with how moisturizing and comfortable this felt on the lips. This little guy also comes with me in my makeup bag so when I feel like dressing up a look I can just pop this little baby on and be on my way.  

And that is a WRAP! for my monthly beauty favorites during the month of October! As I said above typically October, is one of my favorite months of the year but last month was pretty rough and stressful, the overall unhappiness I was feeling was only amplified by the fact that I knew it was a favorite month, however, I have been working hard and trying to sort things through. I have made a bunch of changes and changes that are still in the making. ( Will be updating you guys on some of that very soon.) 
It is almost a relief to me that the month of October is done now because I am not so focused on lost time and I can let go. Hello November, and hello! to new beginnings! 

I hope you all are enjoying a great weekend! 
What were your favorites this month? Let me know in the comments below!

For more beauty, lifestyle and fashion keep up with me and The Bats & Rabbits blog on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin and Instagram! Links are in the sidebar.

See you all soon! 
- A 


SHOP//
BodyShop Vitamin C Skin Boost Serum $26 ( Right now on sale for $16.20 on The BodyShops Site!)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Mineral Foundation  $36.00

Becca Shimmering Perfector in Opal $39.00

MAC Cranberry Eye-Shadow $16.00

NARS Audacious Lipstick in "Charlotte" $32.00

BodyShop Color Crush Lipstick in "Crazy Sexy Crimson" $12.50 ( Now $7.50 on sale!) 

SUN// MAC Cranberry Shadow

Happy Sunday everyone! 

As mentioned in my last post regarding Makeup Forever's Artist Shadows (X), I have been really into eye shadows lately. I am more often drawn to a warmer color palette which is why the original Lorac Pro Palette (X)  is one of my favorite palettes of all time. I particularly love the shade "Garnet" which as you could imagine is a beautiful deep burgundy shade ( absolutely fantastic placed on the outer corner of the eye) However, I was craving something a little different, I was on the search for a very unique kind of color I have not really seen in other brands. That is why when I spotted this little beauty at the local MAC counter I knew I found what I was looking for.

Packaging//Design

All of MAC's permanent line of single eye shadows have the same packaging. A little black capsule with a clear top so you can easily know what shade you are using and very subtle branding. Eventually, if you collect enough shadows from MAC it might be simpler to pop out the pans and put them in a magnetic palette like a Z palette ( you can get a Z palette right from Sephora if it suits your fancy X) so your beauty desk does not get too cluttered. 

Pigmentation// Texture 

MAC's Cranberry is described as a " Red plum with pink shimmer" It is the perfect shadow to add warmth to any look. It has a frosted finish and blends out like a dream. 

This shade is actually very versatile though it may look intimidating to some. Just a touch of this shadow in the crease is beautiful as well as blended out just on its own. Currently, I like placing a champagne color on the inner corner and towards the center of the lid and then cranberry blended out from the middle, a touch in the crease blended out in the outer corner. 

Overall Thoughts

This shadow has been a essential part of my growing eye shadow collection. I even take it with me in my makeup bag now because I have been using it everyday. It has an amazing color payoff, no fallout, versatile, and flattering on everyone. Priced reasonably at $16 I would recommend any of you to go out and swatch this shadow. It's so unique and I have yet to find anything quite as special. Personally I believe this would make a grand addition to anyone's makeup collection.

Have you tried MAC Cranberry? What are your favorite eye shadows from MAC? Lets start a conversation in the comments below! 

I hope you all are having a restful Sunday today. Take some time to pamper yourself so that you can be well rested and prepared for the upcoming week.

See you all next time! 

- A 

SHOP//

MAC Cranberry $16 

C A L I F O R N I A // My Life in Photos#2

Hello again!, I just arrived back from an incredible, life changing journey to California. It was only a short trip, but the days were chalk full of excitement new experience that I thought I would share with you all.

This was my first time traveling without an adult handy. Which was a pretty big milestone to cross. However, I wasn't all alone. I went on this big grand adventure with my best friend,Brittney. What sounds better than that? 

This all happened so spontaneously. One night Brittney and I were lamenting at home about a concert we both wanted to go to. Sadly, the venues were only set in California. I posted something about it on Facebook and suddenly my cousin commented on the post  offering a place to stay if we were to come over there. Suddenly the opportunity arose and instead of crushing it with plane cost realities, etc. We had both made it up in our minds that we were going on a grand adventure. 

Get ready for a long rundown folks! Here we go!

 

June 

The first day we arrived in California we woke up super early! The time difference between Maine and California is three hours so if we wake up at 6 AM its already 9AM back home. Meaning we became natural early birds in sunny California. We ate a good breakfast and hopped into our swim gear. We were headed to the beach to get our sea legs! 

As I said before, we stayed with my two cousins. Who live in San Diego in the magical area called Sunset Cliffs. It was so beautiful there we both starting scheming plans to move there immediately. On that first day we walked along the cliffs and glanced out. We kept looking at each other in disbelief at 1,the beauty and 2, the fact that we had actually made it here. 
 



The water was warm instantly after the initial dip. We walked the long pier and watched the surfers glide along frothy tops of the waves. When we were satisfied with our beach time we walked the four miles back to the house and sat down for lunch. 
Later on that afternoon we decided to take on a place called Lestats, a quirky cafe in Normal Heights. For this excursion I drove. 
( Which is crazy! Something I never would have done before!)
The highways are a little intimidating but lets just say thank god for smart phones and their built in GPS systems. Once we had arrived and I enjoyed a mint mocha and a vegan chocolate cupcake. Well deserved I think.  


Day 2 
 

Day two was a big day. We hopped on a train early on towards Anaheim. 
What was in Anaheim of notable interest to us?

... Why Disneyland of course!



This, happened at Downtown Disney.#noregrets

We entered the magical park of Disneyland and we were fully immersed in the Disney spirit; the mouse ears, screaming children, long lines  and lots of sun and blisters. That being said it was worth it. The Haunted Mansion still to this day since visiting Disney as a child is my favorite ride. We left the park rather late at night causing a very long and somewhat uncomfortable journey back home to San Diego. 

Day Three

The next day was mostly spent resting, until the evening when we celebrated Brittney's birthday at a restaurant called "Stacked" which used I-pads as a interactive menu. If you chose to make a burger or a shake, sundae you had many options of toppings to customize yourself. It was super cool. We walked out with food coma's by the end. 

Day Four 

The next day was Warped Tour day! The event that inspired the entire trip. Brittney and I were headed off to see a long time favorite musical favorite artist, Emilie Autumn. The best way to explain her genre of music is darkly theatrical rock opera. We have been fans for a very long time so this was very exciting for us both. 

'
Emilie Autumn's whole aesthetic is based upon a fantasy Victorian Asylum that she wrote a book about called: The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls. The performance was an totally immersive experience called appropriately : The Asylum Experience. 
 




It was an amazing experience albeit very, very hot outside. We danced with Emilie Autumn's cohorts: Captain Maggots and Veronica Varlow which was truly a dream come true, I love them both so much. It was like meeting your favorite celebrities. 
 And we also had the pleasure of meeting Marc Senter! who is the character, Scorpion in the somewhat underground and great film called The Devils Carnival and also really close with miss Autumn herself. He was so incredibly sweet and that also was a dream come true to meet him. 


( Brittney, posing with Marc <3 font="" nbsp="">

We met new friends during the concert and had loads of fun. We waited around after to see if we would get the chance to meet Emilie, Maggots and Veronica but since it was such a long performance and so hot Emilie was too tired to meet anyone. Feeling dehydrated ourselves we left the venue and waited to be picked up my my other cousin who we would be staying with while visiting L.A. 

Day Five 

This was our fantastic day in L.A with my cousin, Zoe who is the other artistic type in my family. I hadn't seen her in years so I was incredibly grateful I got to spend time with her and my aunt again. 








We visited a chic cafe in Melrose called Romancing the Bean which was an aesthetically stunning cafe. I was in love with the interior and also the food and coffee. Then we stopped at a variety of curiosity antique oddity shops in the LA area. Collecting bones/oddities is a hobby that both my cousin Zoe and I share in common. We traveled to see the Hollywood sign and lastly Brittney and I explored Little Tokyo and partook in Ramen for dinner and a sweet wrapped crepe for dessert. 

Day 6 



This was our last full day in California. The first half was spent traveling back to San Diego from L.A. When we arrived back at the house we started to pack up all of our stuff. 
As a reward later that night my cousin drove us out to his secret location for Sea world's nightly fireworks display. It felt like the perfect ending to a wonderful trip. I felt like my eyes were opened to a whole new positive perspective on life. 

Day Seven 
Traveling back home! Whole day was spent either on a plane or playing " airport hustle" in order to make our connecting flight. 


Now I am back in good ol Maine. Looking at life a little bit sweeter. It's strawberry season. I am a happy girl. I hope you enjoyed my California trip pics. I am hopeful that this trip will inspire other adventures around the world. I am discovering more and more how much I cherish travel. Its amazing. 

Well, I hope you all are doing well!
If you would like please give me a follow under any of my social media by hitting any of those buttons in the sidebar. Thank you so much. I love seeing this blog grow and your support makes it grow all the sweeter I can't thank enough. 

See you all next time! 

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