Wattpad and After

So if you've been on the internet really at all the last couple of years, I'm sure that you've managed to hear of Fanfic, however if you haven't, Fanfic or Fan Fiction is where fans write fictional stories about either characters from movies, books, or their favorite celebrities. Some of these stories are decent, some are so horrible you cringe, and then there are stories that make you realize that person should be a writer. Fanfic that deserves to be published.


That's where websites like Wattpad come in. You can post your stories on Wattpad from your phone, computer or tablet and almost instantly get feedback from your readers. Or if you're a lover of Fanfic, you can search out stories inspired by your favorite celebrities or characters. Or stories about magic, vampires, or anything else you can dream of.

Anna Todd is one of Wattpads success stories, her fanfic inspired by One Directions Harry Styles had so many readers that she got the attention of Gallery Books which is an off shoot of Simon & Schuster who published the novel for sale on October 21st 2014. Prior to that it had been garnered over 1 billion views on wattpad. Pretty amazing for a story written almost entirely from her phone.



I haven't had a chance to read After yet but I'm really curious to see what it's like. I will be posting a full review when I've finished it.

Stylishly Late: Unseasonable

This post is late because I've been sick. But the weather here has kinda been unseasonably warm lately. So I decided that if it was warm enough for skirts and tights, that meant there was no reason for my favorite skirt to be hanging out in my closet.

Trench: Express, Top: H&M, Skirt: The Limited, Tights: HUE, Shoes: Old Navy

I love love love this skirt, it's navy with little red polka dots and you can't see it that well here, because it was dark outside by the time I was able to get my photos taken.

On My Face: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation in light ivory, Nars Deep Throat Blush, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara, Rimmel Scandaleyes eyeliner, NYX Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam, Victoria's Secret Lip Balm in Cherry Balm

Please excuse the doe in the headlights look, sometimes I really have trouble posing for photos. So you get wide eyed and frozen.

I have worn these boots to death this year and they're absolutely scuffed, and definitely showing their wear, but I still can't stop wearing them and I really hope that I can find a pretty similar pair in black, grey or brown very soon because these have been my absolute favorite shoes.

What has the weather been like where you are lately?

Purple Hair: Dyeing and Maintaining

Warning this post is long:

Right before Halloween I decided to dye my hair purple. I was having a major existential crisis, and feeling like I had no control over the things I was doing and then while I was at the grocery store this image popped up in my twitter feed:

 The always lovely Gaby Dunn

and then I looked down to see this:



So I bought it. But this isn't what I used.

For those of you who don't know the woman in the picture above is Gaby Dunn. You can (and should) find her here, here, and here, and other places like Buzzfeed, and this interview that she did with Tim Minchin, which I think everyone everywhere needs to read.

I posted on twitter that I had been inspired to impulse dye my hair purple because of Gaby's image and tagged her in it with a picture of that dye. She told me that Splat has a tendency to wash out quickly and that she used Pravana.

 The always lovely Gaby Dunn's hair braided by Kristen Mortensen

I didn't end up using Pravana either though, because once I get an idea in my head I have to do it right now. So I went to Sally's and bought Color Ion Fuchsia and Lavender, with the Color Ion Color Shield Conditioner.

This is how it turned out:

This is how I got this color: I mixed 1/4th of a tube of Fuchsia with a dab of Lavender in a Dye bowl that I bought for about a $1 and it came with a brush:

Then I added about 20-30 pumps of conditoner:

And I mixed it all up until it looked like yogurt:

and I applied the mixture to dry hair, put on a shower cap and left for it for 3 hours:


 You are not getting a picture of me in a shower cap, only tumblr is that lucky

To maintain the color I wash my hair about once a week with the Regis Purple Shampoo:



and then I make the above mixture using less conditioner and dye than in the above picture and I leave it on for about an hour or two depending on what time I've put it in my hair.

When I went to Sally's recently to get more dye they had the Violet dye that I had originally wanted:

so I added it to my usual dye mixture so that it looked like this:

If you're wondering why I didn't just switch straight to this since it's the color I originally wanted, since my hair is already Fuchsia the lady at Sally's recommended I mix it in using less Fuchsia and more Violet each time until I'm using only Violet when I run out of the Fuchsia.

and after I applied it I got this color:

the color is a bit brighter than this, it was dark outside when we took the picture[/caption]

I did not bleach my hair when I dyed it, which is part of why my hair isn't as bright as hers is. My hair was a pretty light blonde already, but I do plan on bleaching it come summer when I change colors.

If you could dye your hair any color, what color would you dye it?



*I got permission from Gaby to use her photo's in this post. You should always get permission before you use someone else's photos, it's just the right thing to do.

Stylish Sundays: Stripes and Plaid

Have I ever mentioned how much I love flannel shirts? No?

Okay well I love them because they're soft and they're cozy and they make me feel stupidly snuggly and very 90's grunge at the same time. And I love Grunge.

Flannel: Forever 21, Striped Tee: Victoria's Secret, Pants: H&M, Shoes: H&M

These were actually taken before my Thanksgiving photo's and I'm 100% certain that I was just running errands for thanksgiving.

Do you notice the Howl monster trying to hide behind me?

Hair: Color Ion Fuchsia and Lavender, thrown up into a messy bun.

On My Face: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Foundation, Nars Deep Throat Blush, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, Makeup Forever Aqua Liner, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara, NYX Snow White Lipstick, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer Hightlighter, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette,

The Post about dying my hair will be up this week, probably on Tuesday, and then I have a couple other posts that I have planned, including a tiny makeup haul.

I love this photo because it has both mine and Howl's feet in it, like he wanted to show off his feet too.

Stylish Sundays: Thankful

This is what I wore for Thanksgiving this year.

Dress: Maison Jules, Tights: Hue Shoes: Old Navy Belt: Kate Spade

It was absolutely freezing outside when we took these pictures so as soon as we got a useable one I put my coat and scarf back on



Coat: Delia's, Scarf: ColourMe.com (defunct)



Hair: Color Ion Fuchsia and Purple (Violet) I hope to be doing a post on my hair later this week if everything works out. It's not quite true to color here as the sun was setting and we didn't fuss with the settings of the camera too much.

On My Face: Nars Tinted Moisturizer, Koh Gen Do Face Powder, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, Maybelline's The Nudes, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, Nars Blush, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara, Rimmel London Eyeliner, Sonja Kashuk Dalia, Revlon Shameless

Necklace: H&M



These boots have been getting an insane amount of wear this year, but I just am absolutely obsessed with them. I hope to find another similar pair in black.

Did you have a good Thanksgiving? What did you decide to wear?

Stylish Sundays: Intersections

Top: The Limted, Jeans: Aeropostale, Shoes: Old, don't know the brand but I bought them from Alloy Necklace: H&M

I wore this early last week, because I was finally feeling a bit better and wanted to be dressed and feel pretty, but I still wanted to be comfortable. This fit the bill perfectly. I don't think I've ever worn this top on the blog before, but it is one of my favorites and I always feel amazing in it. I am still really loving my hair. And upkeep has been insanely easy so I'll be doing a post on that sometime next week or the week after hopefully. I feel like I've been neglecting both my blogs so so so much recently because of how busy I am, and how sick I've been. However I'm killing it on Tumblr so if you want to follow me there you can. It's what I do late at night when I should be sleeping, but just can't.



Hair: Curled with 2 inch Conair Curling iron, color: Color Ion Brilliance Brights Fuchsia.

On My Face: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Foundation (I'm almost out of my Nars foundations so I'm wearing this to use it up before it needs to be tossed), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush on the apples of my cheeks and The Balm's Hot Mama from the apples to my temples, with a light brown from Maybelline's the Nudes Palette as my contour, and The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer to highlight. Eyes are the champagne color from the Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, Makeup Forever Eyeliner on my tightline and Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara because Maxwell has me addicted to it. Lipstick is Nyx Tea Rose with Lancome's Coral Rush Juicy Tube over it.

I adore this necklace I bought from H&M because I'm a really big fan of intersections and the lower letter T.

I always forget I have these shoes. Which sucks because I love them, despite the fact that they eat my heels. I bought these years ago, before the whole loafer trend started, because the Nancy Drew movie had just come out and I really like Nancy Drew. Really that says how old they are. I'm pretty sure I bought them on sale from Alloy, and I haven't shopped there in ages.

Fall Layers

So I received an email from a lovely lady at Modcloth, saying they would love to see how I would layer some Modcloth pieces for Fall. And fall is my favorite thing, and the Modcloth site is seriously my guilty pleasure (only I'm not guilty about it). Especially their cardigan selection. I'm sure you all know by now I'm sweater obsessed and Modcloth has the cutest cardigans.

Since I'm sick, you're getting this post in lieu of a Stylish Sunday's post this week, but I promise to get back to my regular posting as soon as possible.

I am actually completely in love with this outfit and if it could magically appear in my closet, I would be forever grateful.

I started with the Endless Possibilities Tunic in Forest  as a base layer because I loved the color and then added the Busy Week Tunic in Black over top, because it's sheer and I love the way green looks under black. Then I would add the Adventure and Splendor Cardigan over top because it's the perfect mix of Autumn Colors and coziness for Fall.

And because I was on the site, I finished off the outfit with the Pacing Pavements Jeans, because they look so comfortable. Then I paired it with the Prancing In The Streets booties, because I love the buckles they're just so cute. And then the Alright Berry On tote and Hedgehog Pledge necklace completes the outfit for the perfect look to run around in this fall. Or ideally for me, to get coffee in and then curl up in the corner of a library somewhere, or to dinner for Thanksgiving with my family.

What are your favorite Modcloth pieces? And what's your perfect fall outfit?

Stylishly Late: Sweater

This week has been awful. First on Sunday, on my way to the store this happened

https://twitter.com/ManaSmith86/status/531572304632102913

I really did almost wreck my car. While I couldn't really see because mascara burns when it's in your eye, this guy decided he's going to make a left into my lane and cut me off and I just barely managed to brake in time to not end up in his trunk. Then while I was in the grocery store someone stole my bankcard and my library card out of my purse, while I was wearing it. I don't know why they took my library card too, but they did. That really messed me up, it felt like a bigger violation, and I was pretty much a mess about the whole thing the rest of Sunday and all of Monday. And finally I've been really sick for the past couple of days and I'm going to the doctor tomorrow.

So that's why this post is so late.

Sweater: Nordstrom, Pants: H&M, Boots: H&M

I'm super excited about this sweater though. I've had it forever and I absolutely adore it. I love cable knit everything, and am still on the hunt for a perfect cream or white cable knit sweater.

On My Face: Nars Tinted Moisturizer, Marc Jacob The Lolita Palette, Maybelline The Nudes Palette, Makeup Forever Eyeliner, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara, Revlon Cherish Kissable Balm Stain, Strawberry Fizz Victoria's Secret Lipbalm, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer Highlighter

Hair: Color Ion Brights Fuchsia

Necklace: H&M

Since it's late Autumn I'll try to get as many pictures taken outside as I can, but because it gets dark earlier and it's cold, it's back to the old wooden door as my backdrop.

Side note: All November, December and January proceeds from the sale of White Wine In The Sun go to The National Autism Society. Check out the song and then maybe get a copy for yourself and for a friend, it's a beautiful song and a great cause.

What's your favorite Holiday song?

Mid-Autumn Changes

I love mid-Autumn. It's the best part of Autumn. The air is crisp, my yard is covered in leaves, and the air hangs heavy with the scent of woodsmoke. You know winter is coming, and with it all the wonderful sentimental Holidays, and snow, but it's not here yet, and everything feels exciting to me.

This Autumn has been super busy for me, and I've neglected this blog a bit. Or well a lot, and I feel guilty about that, but there's really not much that I can do about it.

Top: Ann Taylor Loft, Cardigan: American Eagle, Jeans: Gap Jeggings, Belt: Maurices, Nails: Zoya Binx

Oh yeah, and I dyed my hair purple. I've wanted to do it for a while now, but kept chickening out, but I finally impulse dyed it thanks to someone I follow on twitter posting that she dyed her hair dark purple. I'm absolutely obsessed and trying to decided what color I'm going to do next. I'm thinking either dark purple, teal or dark blue.

Necklace: H&M

On My Face: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation, Hourglass Blush, Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette, Makeup Forever Eyeliner and Mascara, Sonia Kashuk Dalia Lip Crayon, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer

I plan to do a full post on how I dyed it, and my experience with the dye soon.  But these pictures are absolutely true to color. For reference now I used Color Ion Brilliance in Fuchsia

Shoes: Old Navy

Since it's November first I'm going to show you what I wore for Halloween. I originally planned to dress as Taylor Momsen this year, but it was much to cold. So I randomly threw this together, and decided I looked like a practical version of a female comic book super hero. All I needed was a utility belt. I had one person say I looked like Hit Girl (pretty sure it was just the hair) with out all the weapons. I haven't managed to watch the entire movie yet, because blood bothers me, but I want to. 

Dress: Maurices, Tights: Hue, Boots: Rebels Taos Moto Boots

That's actually the bits you can see, I'm actually wearing thermal leggings by American Apparel and another pair of Hue Tights under the black Hue Tights, and a H&M Tee Shirt Dress and a really old v-neck sweater from Forever 21 underneath the dress.

Mask: Halloween Express, Necklace: H&M, Nails: Sally Hansen Glow In The Dark Haunted House Nail Strips

On My Face: Nars Tinted Moisturizer, Hourglass Blush, Maybelline Black Eyeshadow, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara, Sonia Kashuk Dalia Lip Crayon, Revlon Shameless Matte Balm Stain, Victoria's Secret Le Femme Lipgloss

I know my hair looks way lighter here than it does in the above pictures, it's just the lighting. The top photos were taken on our DSLR, by my husband who's a photographer, with the white balance perfectly set to get as true to color as we possibly can.  These photos were taken by my Dad on my iPhone before we left to take my son Trick Or Treating because sadly my husband was/is sick. Also I have a ton of dry shampoo in my hair because when you dye your hair a funky color the less you wash it the longer the color lasts.

What were you for Halloween? Have you ever dyed your hair? and finally, What color do you think I should dye my hair next?

Stylish Weekday: Studded

It's not Sunday, I know. It's not even Monday or Tuesday anymore. It's freaking WEDNESDAY! Where have I been? In bed, with migraines. Or not home. But I'm here now, with a pretty awesome outfit.

I went shopping with my parents last week to pick up some pieces to put in my Halloween Costume, and then ended up getting home, looking at what I bought and realizing this is just everyday wear for me. So I wore it.

 Shirt: Madewell, Jeans: H&M, Shoes: H&M I love this outfit, but I absolutely hated my hair. I couldn't get it how I wanted it, but it wasn't awful enough to justify a bun. However, I love these jeans. They were $10 at H&M and I was going to rip the knees out, but I changed my mind. I love them just they way they are.

 I still love this shirt, I've had it for a couple years now, but Madewell really is worth the cost. It's held up so perfectly.

 On My Face: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation, Maybelline The Nudes Shadows, Makeup Forever Eyeliner and Mascara, Hourglass Blush, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer Revlon New York Scene Lip Color. Necklace: H&M.

I am completely obsessed with this necklace, which in the store was the costume-y bit that I purchased. But then I got it home and realized it's actually just stupidly cute. So it's now everyday wear. But my "costume this year wasn't ever overtly costume-y so I guess there's really no harm in it.

 The only fault with these pants is the ankles aren't tight enough, but I can fix that. Have you ever bought something for Halloween and ended up using it for not Halloween?

Stylish Sundays: Burgundy and Chelsea Boots

Have I mentioned before how much I love Autumn? Because I really and truly adore Autumn. October is my favorite month, and this year the weather has been perfect. But the best part of Autumn is the clothes. I love Chelsea Boots, and Sweaters.

Sweater: Aeropostale, Jeggings: Aeropostale, Chelsea Boots: H&M, Bag: Kate Spade

I wore this to the Library last week. I have to say I'm really pleasantly surprised with Aeropostale's clothing since they revamped themselves. These Jeggings are amazingly comfortable and I adore this sweater.

On My Face: Nars Tinted Moisturizer, Hourglass Hidden Concealer, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara, Revlon Matte Balm In Shameless.

On My Nails: Maybelline Color Show A Walk In The Park, I can't tell you how surprised I am with this polish. I wore it over a week, with no chips. More about the polish here.

I am absolutely obsessed with this lip color. I had just patted it on my lips lightly with my finger this day, but I wore it full on, on my birthday and I adore it that way too. It's seriously probably the only color I've been wearing.

I've had this necklace so long that I don't know where it's from anymore. And I definitely don't wear it enough for as much as I actually use the word Adore.

But my favorite part of this outfit was my boots. I'm completely obsessed with them. They're so comfortable and they're the only shoes I want to wear. And I have a lot of shoes. I definitely intend to get a plain black pair of Chelsea boots because they're the most perfect boots ever made.

What's your favorite thing about Autumn?

Conair You Waving Wand Review

I bought the Conair You Waving Wand the first time I got my hair cut because I wanted something really easy to use, but different from the Conair You Curl Infinity Wand which I've had since it came out.

 

I remembered that Fleur De Force talked about a curling wand like this in one of her videos, except hers was the Babyliss one, so I decided to try it out. The first thing I did when I got it was throw away that 3 fingered glove thing because even though I haven't ever burned my fingers with the Infinity Wand, I did manage to burn myself with this wand using that glove. Since I got rid of it though I haven't had a problem.

The main reason I purchased the Conair version instead of the one from Remington is because of the heat settings. I had a bad experience with someone curling my hair that caused me to have to get my hair cut in the first place.  I only use this set to the 330 or 310 degree temperature, but I can say that it does heat up quickly.

These are the kinds of curls that I get from this curling wand. I usually use 1 inch or larger sections rapped around for a count of 10. But if you used smaller sections then you'd get tighter waves from it.

I absolutely love this curling wand and use it about once a week, and the curls last for about 3 days until I need to wash my hair.  I fully recommend it.