{ wedding season }

Wedding season is almost  HERE! 

I love weddings !  We got married just over a year ago and planning was fun, but hectic !  I love attending weddings too, and can't wait for a couple we are going to this summer!  If you are a bride-to-be or bridesmaid-to-be you're probably having fun in the planning/preparing/bachelorette-partying/ stages !

Aside from the obvious planning: venue, dress selection, bridesmaid & groomsmen attire, decorations, and all the other gagillion other details you must decide on, there are 2 things
that I don't remember EVER reading about in all my planning guides and wedding notebook.
I find this very odd because [in my opinion] these are equally as important as:

1.  choosing your groom (OK, maybe not that important ;))
2.  your dress selection & overall look (hair, shoes, bouquet, etc)
3.  deciding what your wedding party will wear

what are these 2 things EVERY bride should consider?
1.  Your wedding day makeup
2.  Your wedding gown alterations

1.  It baffles me how brides can spend countless hours scouring blogs, reading magazines, attending bridal shows, in search of the perfect decorations, perfect gown, perfect shoes, perfect hair....but never even
think twice about their FACE !
There is a way to apply makeup that enhances every person's NATURAL beauty and this is

NOT the same as your everyday make up application.

Chances are you're not photographed daily, and there's a way to do your makeup that will look best when photographed.

Too much powder and you will look like a ghost, too little blush, you will look washed out, too much mascara and the close up shots are ruined.

Your makeup application is arguably the most important aspect of your wedding planning, next to your dress.

All eyes will be on you on your special day. 

via

Since allowing someone else to do your makeup is a scary thing (you're used to your own face and applying your makeup just how YOU like it) most makeup artists perform a "trial run."

This allows you to perfect your wedding look, prior to the big day.

I chose Blush Makeup Artistry [by Beth Level] to do my wedding makeup.

My package included a trial run which I purposefully planned on the same evening as my hair trial run, and final dress fitting.  This was SO helpful, and basically allowed me to preview

EXACTLY what I would look like on our big day.

Here are a few pictures of my "full trial run" w/ hair, makeup and dress fitting :

Beth from Blush Make Up Artistry is a perfectionist.  Which is exactly what you want in a makeup artist.  She was not going to let me leave the trial run without perfecting the look exactly how I wanted it.  This is why I also choose her to do my wedding day makeup.  To give you an idea of the transformation, here are a few pics:

Before makeup:

After:

Photo by Erich McVey Photography

As you can see, I have acne, fine lines, discolored skin, and my eyes look tiny in the "before" photo.

Beth [ makeup artist ] used airbrush foundation [not something you will find at your local makeup counter at Nordstroms, nor is it carried by most makeup artists] to make my skin appear flawless.

She used a primer before hand, and was able to mix foundation colors to match my

skin tone PERFECTLY.  She then sprayed the foundation on using the airbrush.

She also formulated the perfect bronzer and blush color and sprayed them on as well.

Applying the airbrush foundation

After airbrush application

The advantages are HUGE to having your makeup air brushed on...

#1 it feels so natural, like it's your own skin

(forget cakey foundation that highlights fine lines and wrinkles!)

#2 it lasts FOREVER

(literally it still looked flawless 24 hours later since I didn't wash my face that night)

#3 it's completely customized to YOUR natural shade of skin color

(unlike store bought foundation that only offers certain colors; making it impossible to find an exact match)
AND, your bronzer and blush can be airbrushed on as well for a completely flawless look

Here are a few more pictures of myself and Beth with Blush Makeup Artistry on my wedding day:

Photo by Erich McVey Photography

Believe me, I do NOT wake up looking like this! :)

Aside from your pictures looking flawless, there are other advantages to hiring a makeup artist to do your wedding makeup. 

Including:

• The makeup artist will travel to YOU, and do your makeup in the convenience of your own home, salon, or venue site.  This allows for privacy, and it's one less errand to run somewhere on your wedding day, making it that much more enjoyable.
• The makeup artist will conduct a trial run, so you don't have any obligation if you decide you want to do your makeup yourself.  I promise you though, you will absolutely love your make over.  Why? Because if you choose Beth with Blush she will redo your makeup or schedule another trial run until you are 100% satisfied.
• You get to create a look totally unique and tailored to the "look" you're trying to achieve.  This means you can clip out pics of models with make up you like and show Beth during your trial run.  Or, you can ask her for ideas and suggestions based on what your wedding details are (indoor/outdoor, church, beach, formal, informal, etc.) and also based on your taste (a very natural look, more glamorous, etc.)
• You also have the option to have Beth apply your bridesmaids, your mom, or your mother in law's makeup.  I strongly suggest this.  It's fun for the bridesmaids to feel beautiful, and after all, they will be your prettiest wedding decor in your photos.  It's also such a wonderful treat for the Mom's of the bride & groom.  This is a big day for them as well, and chances are they have contributed a ton to making your day special.   
• Two words: FALSE EYELASHES! I don't care if you have NEVER worn makeup in your life, these are an absolute MUST on your wedding day.  You will not regret this decision.  Beth has years of experience applying these so they look completely natural.  Depending on your need (fullness, length, etc.) she can help determine the best lashes to complete your look.
• Your wedding pictures will turn out amazing !  There's only so much "touching up" a photographer can do.  They can ensure the best lighting, angles, etc. but hiring a makeup artist makes the biggest difference in you LOVING your wedding photos that you will cherish for years.
• You hire an expert to take your photos, you rely on a coordinator to plan & execute the details, and you trust your hair stylist to style your hair; so why not rely on an experienced PROFESSIONAL to do your makeup?  With over 15 years experience as a freelance makeup artist, Beth has worked with all the major makeup lines including: MAC, Bobbi Brown, Dior, NARS, Chanel, Lancome, Clinique, and more.   

Here are a few other brides Beth has done their makeup for their big day:
[note: some pics are professional & others are non-professional so you can see without any professional "touching up" or editing with photoshop]

If you haven't already, call and book your appointment with Beth TODAY.  At least set up your trial run, because she is already booking up for this wedding season quickly.  Also, don't forget to keep Blush in mind for other occasions such as : your bachelorette party, wedding showers, corporate events, family photos, anniversary photo shoot, girl's night out, or any other reason you want to look & feel your best! 

I hired Beth to do my makeup for my bachelorette party and it made for some fun photos! (see below)

For more information, to set up a trial run with Beth from Blush Makeup Artistry, or to purchase a gift card (great gift idea, especially for husbands/boyfriends, family, etc.) contact her at:

Beth Level

BlushMakeupArtistry@MSN.com

(503)510-5008

Or click this link below to see pictures & visit her Facebook page at:

Blush Make Up Artistry on Facebook

...AND stay tuned for more information (another blog post) on why and WHAT you should consider about your wedding gown alterations!

{ vegas vacation in pics }

Here's our recent trip to Las Vegas in pics. 

We had a fabulous time, starting out with just a girls' trip with my friend below, we stayed at a separate hotel than the guys then met up with them for the second half of the trip to celebrate my little bro-in-law's 21st bday & my husband and his friend Nate's 30th bdays.

I have a new way of packing for trips like this.  I try on outfits & take pics with my phone to see what I really want to pack & what outfits don't work well with my body type [& should be left behind.]. 

I highly recommend doing this to anyone going on a trip.  It helps pick out your outfits ahead of time {especially helpful if you're indecisive like me}, all the way down to what jewelry & shoes to wear.  This way you spend your valuable vacation time doing fun stuff & not worrying about what you're going to wear. 

I will admit, it didn't help me narrow down HOW MUCH to take, but I was lucky enough to be on a flight [southwest] that allowed two 50 lb suitcases ;) 

{I have to work on my over-packing habit}

Here are some of my outfit options I put together before our trip & referenced [just look at your phone pics] during the trip to reduce my "getting ready" time.

|| please excuse my messy room ||

[Set 1:]

[Set 2:]

[Set 3:]

do you have any fun summer trips planned???

try planning out your outfits ahead of time!

{ a father's love }

"As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in My love."

John 15:9

My Dad is a man of utmost integrity, with a huge heart, and also the most Godly man I know.  He's raised us kids with sound discipline, strong values, and truly exemplified the BEST earthly example of our heavenly Fathers' love for us.

He dedicated his life to the Lord at a very young age and he's continued to live everyday that way.  He's reading his Bible at a sweet young age in this picture (above) but now he teaches thousands and thousands of people about God's word every week at church & also on a daily basis.  He's actually pretty shy and a more private person in general, but God blessed him with an extra special gift of teaching and he's used that to bring the Lord all the glory.  I am so proud of him for that, and for a million other reasons.  Oh and he can sing, play the piano, [originally he was a worship leader before he became a pastor] and gets down on the B3 organ at church every week :)  He's one all around talented guy!

He's been  the best  provider for my family, he's been the rock for us during difficult times, he's been the one to offer sound wisdom, advice & counsel during uncertain times, and he's all around been the pillar our entire family looks up to. 

He always encourages us to do the "right" thing, leads us with a Godly example, and speaks the truth in love.  He is passionate about his faith and gives wonderful instruction on distinguishing what is right and wrong.

He's also the smartest man I know.  He knows Latin, Greek & Hebrew and has whole chapters of the Bible memorized in other languages.  He reads more books than any person I've ever met.  He loves learning, and sharing his knowledge with others.  I remember waking up every morning to finding my Dad buried in his Bible, starting every day with his devotions.  I remember family trips [or any opportunity where he knew he'd need to wait for my mom or us kids] where he would always bring a huge stack of books and he would constantly be studying any chance he could.  I also remember him having weekly "study" dates at Original Pancake House with my brother and me to take us through a book & spend time teaching us.  I can pretty much ask him anything, and he always knows the answer [not exaggerating]. 

I remember "daddy dates" where my dad would take one of us four kids out for a day just with Dad.  We loved these days.  He always made time for us kids, regardless of how exhausted he was after work.  He also made family time a priority and I remember doing family devotions and dinner together. 

My Dad taught us kids at a very young age to appreciate anything "cozy."  Hot chocolate, foggy days, SNOW!!!, fireplaces, rainy days and more.  He's also probably the only person that understands my desire to celebrate Christmas all year round!  In fact, for my birthday this past year my dad, mom, husband and me all watched Christmas movies (thank goodness for DVR and hallmark's Christmas movies!).

He's also a very "cool" dad.  He knows that Jay-Z & Beyonce are married, who 50 cent is, and much more about the celebrities that I enjoy teasing him about.  He also has an iPad & a Kindle now {we got him one for Father's day}.  None of us kids even have one - but leave it up to our hip dad to be up to speed on the latest technology!!!

Although he hardly had anything growing up, he did everything he could [and did an amazing job] to give us kids anything and everything we wanted.  I admire and respect him so much for being the best husband, wonderful brother, fun uncle, and absolutely perfect dad!  He always shows us affection, puts the Lord first and family second, and taught us girls (my two sisters and me) what we should look for in husband's.

He's the most generous, humble, and sweet man I know.  He's always looking out for others and putting other's before himself.  He's a dad to those who don't have an "earthly" dad.  He's a father figure to so many single mom's who are raising their kids without an earthly dad. 

He also raised and taught my brother how to be an amazing Dad and husband [ and TEASE!!!].

{my brother & nephew}

It's so fun to watch my brother as a Dad now - raising my niece & nephew with the same values, discipline, and love my dad raised us with. 

My Dad has touched so many peoples' lives - performing weddings, funerals, baby dedications, providing endless hours of counseling, leading hundreds {if not more} of people to the Lord.  I am so proud of him and I love him !!! 

[adam, my dad and me today, on Father's day]

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DOOZ!

[my dad's nickname]

Love you!

xoxo,

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prayingmantispumbachpoleheadjailbirdBVApcpq

[my dad's nickname for me...!!]