Winter Series: Scarves

Photo by: Rory M.

Photo by: Rory

To kick off our winter series, we're going to talk about scarves! I convinced my friend, Samantha, to play dress-up with me as we discussed our favorite scarves and how we like to wear them.

Scarf #1 is one of my personal favorites. I just love the idea of wrapping a heavy scarf around my face to keep warm. It's comfy, cozy, and carefree! To wear this scarf, you simply wrap it around your neck (Not too tight!) until it reaches its desired length and thickness.

To me, these scarves are the sweatpants of the accessorizing world. You can wear them with anything for instant comfort for a relaxed and informal feel. They are also fun to get in neutrals or bright colors (like Samantha's).

Photo by: Rory M.

Scarf #2 is my personal go-to for cold weather accessorizing (I'm wearing it right now)! It's perfect because the many colors go with anything, and it is a bright pop of color to go with winter's greys, browns, blacks, and other neutrals.

To wear it like Samantha, fold the scarf in half (from 6ft to 3ft), wrap it around the back of your neck so over one shoulder you have the tassels or ends, and over the other is a loop. Tuck the end through the loop and pull until it reaches its desired tightness. 

Photo by: Rory M.

Samantha is wearing Scarf #3 in the style of an ascot. It's traditionally a mens accessory, however, on women it looks sophisticated with a  dash of prep. Read Samantha's article from Lucky Mag on how to wear an ascot scarf here.

Scarf #4 is an accent scarf. It's purpose isn't to keep the wearer warm, but just to look fabulous. Samantha is a writer, so this scarf is the perfect accent for her! You can also have fun picking out specialty scarves that showcase your interests. 

Photo by: Rory M.

Remember, no matter what's in style, fashion is personal expression. Find a way to share your personality in what you wear, then you'll never be out of style!

One of our readers, Jen, sent us an e-mail about why she likes wearing scarves in winter, so we thought we'd share it! 

Scarves have come to be an always increasing love of mine all throughout the year, but especially in the winter since I get to wear my absolute favorite long, warm-knit scarves. My current favorite is a super long cream colored one that, like any go to accesory, I can wear with anything! I especially love wearing it as I walk down the street on a windy winter day, especially whn I feel rather stiff in the many warm layers protecting me from the chill. As the tip of it swings side to side I feel my step turn into a sudden sache, beginning to imagine myself as a heroine from a book or classic film, about to embark on the next big step in my own story. 


Just like being mood lifters, scarves can also be outfit lifters. As a pair of cute summer shoes or purse do, scarves can be that extra pop of color you could be looking for if you feel your winter could use some brightening up! They also make for a lovely, and timeless gift perfect for anyone this time of year, making them all the more splendid winter-time accessory for anyone in need of a simple addition to their ensemble, with the perfect added touch of warmth. 

Jen

Do you have a favorite winter style or accessory? We want to hear about it! Send your thoughts to anewbeautyblog@gmail.com.

Happy styling!

Rory

Kelsey: What are you Hungry for?

Photo by: Rory M.

The other day at work, one of my coworkers was having trouble deciding what to order for dinner. He was torn between a bacon cheeseburger, or a grilled cheese with bacon. As his break window got shorter and shorter, I asked him finally “Well, what are you hungry for? Do you really want a burger, or do you just want bacon and cheese?”. He made up his mind immediately, and ordered the grilled cheese, getting exactly what he really wanted without anything superfluous.  

That story may seem random, but it applies to most people in a lot of situations. It’s not always easy to pinpoint what you really want, what you’re really hungry for. But in today’s culture of instant gratification, we rush to satisfy that hunger immediately, and more often than not, we miss the mark. We eat when we’re hungry for something to do. We compulsively shop when we’re hungry for happiness. But these things are like ordering a salad when you really want a steak: they relieve that hunger in the moment, but that real desire never goes away, and you’re often left hungrier than you were when you started.

In losing weight and making peace with food, a huge part of making the change permanent was recognizing when I was eating for physical hunger and when I was eating for emotional hunger. My true moment of realization came last fall, when my dog, my dopey, lovable companion of nine years, passed away. After we put him to sleep, my family stood in the kitchen together – and polished off an entire batch of chocolate chip cookies. Did eating make us feel better in the moment? Maybe. But it didn’t erase the feelings of emptiness or loneliness that we all felt; instead, it piled on feelings of guilt and shame on top of those.

Tackling the intangible – loneliness, boredom, depression – is not easy. It was a lot easier to bury the pain of losing my dog under cookies than face that hurt head on. It takes a lot more effort and a lot more time to satisfy that type of hunger, and involves the discomfort of loss, pain, loneliness. It entails opening up, exposing yourself as imperfect, emotional, vulnerable.

So next time you find yourself gravitating toward the cupboard, or reaching for your credit card to charge your fiftieth pair of shoes, stop. Count to ten. Ask yourself “Is this what I’m really hungry for?”. If it’s not, I challenge you not to give into your vice. Call your friend. Go for a walk. Write. Read. Just sit in the middle of a room and think about stuff. Satiate that emotional hunger.

I firmly believe that people who are truly beautiful are those who know themselves and are comfortable with themselves inside and out. They recognize and tackle their own emotions, knowing that the temporary pain of conquering their feelings is not greater than the permanent happiness that follows. They are clear headed, rational, and thoughtful. They are the grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, unburdened with the unnecessary weight of the burger. And they are beautiful.

Kelsey

Looking for More?

Photo by: Rory M. 

It's been about six months since we've launched Eye of the Beholder in February, and we couldn't be having any more fun! Thanks to the awesome people who've read, commented, encouraged, and critiqued, this journey for us has been both educational and exhilarating. 

About a month ago, we got this nagging little feeling like we had more we wanted to express that we couldn't via Eye of the Beholder. Although we love all things beauty-related, there are also other things that light our fire that we'd love to share! 

We've recently launched our own personal blogs: 
5x5 (Alysha Marie)
Creatively Me (Rory)

These differ from Eye of the Beholder in that they are not beauty blogs. They are merely a means for readers to get to know us a little more. So, check us out! Thanks for reading :)

Rory & Alysha Marie

Arizona-bound

Photo by: Rory M.

Guess who's a college freshman?

That's right. You heard it here first, folks. Our wonderful Alysha Marie is en-route to her new home for the next four years. I was surprised at how easy it was to wish her well as she departed. I'm usually such a sap, and goodbyes are very difficult, especially to this girl!

Since I've met Alysha, she's been ready for a new adventure. I think our parting was so easy because I'm excited for her to leave. I'm excited to hear about all of her adventures, and work with her on Eye of the Beholder with new perspectives. Congrats to all of the new freshman. I think this is the start to a beautiful year. 

Rory

Meet Kelsey

Photo by: Rory M.

Hello Beauty Bloggers!

Let me (Rory) introduce you to my friend, Kelsey. When I was entering my junior year of high school, I transferred schools, and I attribute much of the quality of my transfer (and the remainder of my time in high school) to this girl. It's the typical cafeteria scene- New girl walks in, nobody notices, she shuffles left and right, thinks she recognizes someone, then doesn't. Finally, when she concludes that there's nowhere to eat but the corner bathroom stall, she's approached tentatively and invited to sit with some classmates. From there it was Shakespeare, prom dresses, writing poetry in Physics, AP exams, eating cookie dough in Chemistry, and eventually graduation. I'm a lucky gal, and am so excited to share my friend and her thoughts on health and body image. So without further ado, heeere's Kelsey!

~

If you had asked me two and a half years ago, when I was halfway through my senior year and over one hundred pounds heavier, what I wanted out of being thin, one of my first answers would have been “to be desirable”. (Although if we’re truthful, it probably would have been phrased more coarsely, like “a boyfriend” or “to be hot”. I’d like to think my vocabulary and tact have matured a bit since then).  Fast forward, and if I could go back in time, I’d tell fat me “not so fast”. 

One of the things that happens when you’re young and heavy is that people are quick to define you by anything other than your weight. You become “you know, that junior that played the guard in the fall play” or “the girl with brown hair that ran the Christmas Toy Drive”. Anything to avoid stating the most obvious identifier as “the fat girl from English class”. In hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise: acquaintances and even strangers knew that I was smart, bold, driven, before I had a chance to show them.

I didn’t notice it right away, but being thin erased the need to identify me by my accomplishments. In conjunction with this, my talents were no longer recognized; it was no longer necessary knowledge that I was an actress or in the National Honor Society. People didn’t have to peel back the layers to find something pleasant to identify me with. I was pretty; that was enough.

This shift became even more obvious during my first real relationship. For the first time in my life, I would frequently feel like I was only valued for my appearance. It didn’t matter that I had landed a role in the newest Renaissance play or that I’d made the Dean’s list for three consecutive semesters. That I was smart or clever or kind was suddenly a bonus, an afterthought. I was an object, a trophy, a pretty little number on my man’s arm. I was something to ogle, something for my boyfriend’s friends to congratulate him for obtaining. Something. No one had to look past my appearance to find value in my intelligence, wit, or charisma. And sometimes I wished they would. 

It’s a sad situation in society where the layers of a person are judged from appearance in. I’ve learned that in order to remain in someone’s memory as someone of substance, I have to project that substance that much more.  It’s difficult not to get cynical, but I’m learning that although society will always judge me appearance-first, I can give them more on top of it. I can be friendly and kind and honest and sarcastic and pretty. My outer beauty doesn't have to be my only beauty if I don't let it be. 

Kelsey

Tessa's Just-About-Any-Occasion Look

Today, we're featuring a beauty tutorial from my (Rory's) sister, Tessa! Last week, she went to an event, and was not sure how formal it was. These events can be so difficult because when it's summer, we want to be comfortable, but still be appropriate for the occasion. I think it worked out very well, and I wanted her to describe her look in her own words. So without further ado, heeere's Tessa! 

Skin:

First, I applied my liquid foundation all over my face. I used my fingers instead of a brush because I wanted my skin to look flawless, and when I use my fingers I am able to rub the makeup into my skin more easily. I also applied foundation on my eyes to act as a primer.

Eyes:

Photo by: Rory M.

Next, I moved onto eyes. The eye shadow palette I chose had soft pastel colors, which looks good on pale skin. I first applied the orange color all over my eye. I then applied the green color onto my lid. Using the same brush, I applied the purple on the inner corners of my eyes, and I put a little bit under my eyes in the inner corner. I took the darkest shade (brown), and put it into the crease to add some definition. I then took my plum-colored eyeliner and made a very thin line as close to the roots of my lashes as I could. I then took the brown color and, using an eyeliner smudging brush, I smudged the brown color into the eyeliner, very soft, yet still defined. Lastly, I applied my mascara. I did not curl them simply because my lashes don't stay curled. But I didn't want my eyes to be the center of attention; this look is all about the overall look, meaning that it's not about having one feature pop. The entire look should be the main focus.

Cheeks:

Photo by: Rory M.

Next, I applied a light layer of powder. I didn't want my face to look photoshopped, but I wanted it to look flawless in a natural way. Then, I applied my blush. I went with a rosie red-pink because it looked cheerful and youthful. I applied it on the apples of my cheeks, going up along the cheekbone. I then applied some bronzer a little below the cheek bones to add some contouring.

Lips:

I finished with chapstick. I felt that my natural lips went well with the rest of the look, so I didn't really touch them. 

Dress:

My dress from American Eagle was perfect for the occasion. It was a great day dress, but could easily be worn for a special occasion, or a night event. I felt that the style was mature, yet was not over-the-top. All-in-all, I believe this look is carefree and bright.

Photo by: Rory M.

Granny

Photo by: Rory M. 

Meet Granny. I did, last April, because my friend, Katie invited some friends and I to visit her grandmother for the weekend. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to spending time with anyone's grandmother. Katie insisted that I would love her Granny and promised that the weekend would be weirdness-free. So I conceded, and boy am I glad I did. 

I could write on and on to describe what kind of amazing person Granny is and the awesome life stories she has, but I'd like to focus on one element of our trip, an element that is underrated today: Hospitality. 


It became clear, upon walking into Granny's house, that an old lady lived there. Accents from the last seven decades sat on the mantle, while old photos of friends and family stared from the coffee table across the room. The carpet was so high and fluffy, you could fall asleep on it (and we did). What made visiting Granny different from visiting other strangers was her gift (yes, it's a gift) of hospitality. 

She knew how to make a house a home for the weekend, from the individually wrapped cookies on the pillows in the guest bedroom, to the mylar balloon that read "Welcome!" with L-A-D-I-E-S letter-stickers underneath. 

My favorite parts of the weekend were those moments just sitting with Granny, sipping tea or diner-style milkshakes. She seemed just as relaxed with us as we did with her, answering all of our questions about her favorite movies, and dating in the 1950s. It was peace. There was no pressure or expectations on Granny or her guests. 


The day we left was a sad one. She asked (That's a lie. She coaxed.) us to stay for another day, and when we reminded her about finals, she gave a childish sigh and reminded us that her home is ours, as her honorary granddaughters. We began planning our next trip on the way home. 


She created the perfect atmosphere for a weekend away: She was the hostess to give Martha Stewart a run for her money because she understood that it isn't the quality of the food or the comfort of the ambiance that truly makes the experience, it's the people you share it with.


Flash forward.


Last weekend, I hosted a brunch for Alysha and some of our friends. I was so excited to host. Over this past year, I've developed a love of cooking and have learned a lot about preparing a meal. I'd looked forward to hosting a gathering to show off my skills all last semester, and this was the perfect opportunity. However, as I prepared my recipe list, something changed. It slowly became less about the girls I hadn't seen in months and hearing about their spring semesters, and more about how I would impress them with my Martha skills. 


Saturday morning, my sister and I had a great time prepping for the girls, and breakfast was a hit. But I can't help but think that if my attitude was more Granny-like and focused more on the women at my table, rather than the food on top of it, our time might have been more meaningful. 


Don't get me wrong- there's nothing wrong with a great meal, and it's always nice to go the extra mile when people come over, but my heart was in it for the praise of my friends. I will continue to cook when people come over, but I'm going to do it Granny's way- for the love of friends. And that's something that will keep 'em coming back for more! 


Cheers,
Rory 

I Love this Woman

Happy Friday, beauty bloggers!

In honor of Mothers Day this Sunday, I would like to dedicate this Friday post to my mother. She is one of the most fabulous women I know, and I am so proud to have been raised by her. 

She is one of the most confident people I've ever met. She knows who she is, and she is shamelessly true to herself. 

She is always honest. Always. 

She has no problem laughing at herself, but will not laugh at another's expense. 

She has the biggest heart for children. That may go without saying because she has 5 of her own, but I've always admired how well she communicates with kids. 

She is so strong in that she will not back down in the face of injustice. Her sense of honor and commitment is like none I've ever seen. 

She is so creatively talented and artistic. I derive so much joy from creativity, and I have her to thank for raising her family in an environment that fueled imagination. 

She never let my siblings and I hurt one another. I have her to thank for the incredibly strong relationships that I have with each member of my family. 

My mother has given up so much in the last 23 years to be the best mom she can, and to give her kids all of herself. I could never ask more from another person. I wouldn't have the life I do if it weren't for her. 

I love you, Momsicle. Happy Mothers Day!

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." -Abraham Lincoln

Happy Birthday, Audrey Hepburn!

I have the biggest celebrity crush on this woman. To me, she is so much more than a talented triple-threat, pretty face, and fashion icon. She is a survivor, a risk-taker, and a passionate liver (not like the kidney sort, haha). 

If you get the chance, I strongly recommend reading a biography of Audrey Hepburn. Her life is so much more than we see in the movies, and- oh baby is it inspiring! 

In honor of her birthday, have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Happy Birthday Darling

Happy Birthday to the greatest friend, sister, mentor, and coeditor! That's right, beautiful people, it's Alysha Marie's 18th birthday! Be sure to leave her lots of birthday love. She deserves it. 

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

-Abraham Lincoln 

This girl is the embodiment of this quote. She's already touched so many lives through her service to others and her passion for people. She inspires me with her honesty and love. It's such an honor and blessing to know her. 

You are one lucky internet. 

About Me (Alysha Marie)

My name is Alysha Marie and yes, I am posing with a cow (don't worry no cows were harmed in the making of this photo). I enjoy life, seriously, I do. I have adventures and have yet to be arrested, which I perceive as very impressive. I'm in love with For King and Country (a lovely little band), my MacBook Peaches (yes I name my laptop....and also my car), and Africa (I'm going to Senegal this July with fingers crossed). I'm obsessed with coffee, clothing (my closet can attest to that) and philanthropy. I'm just starting this crazy adventure called life with graduation just four little months ahead and am excited, but a tad nervous, about starting college in the fall.

I am writing to awaken the poetry of living that has been lost by our generation. We're so performance driven that most of the time, beauty and the enjoyment of life falls wayside as we jump to the next platform. We all fall victim to it but hopefully, this little blog, one of millions, will help remind you of the beauty that surrounds you.

OX Alysha Marie

About Me (Rory)

RORY [ROR-ee] 
1. n. Anglicized version of the Irish RUAIDHRÍ, meaning red (ruadh) king (rhí).  
2. n. A 20-year old college student from Boston, MA. 

Greetings beauties of the blogosphere! 


My name is Rory, and I am a junior journalism major at some school in the amazing city of Boston. I love Winston Churchill, flowers, the piano, ballroom dancing, fancy quotes, cameras, fantasy novels, and Christmas lights. 


In the recent months I have tried to cultivate a beauty radar. That is seeing beauty everywhere I go, and in everyone I meet. It's a work-in-progress.


I believe that beauty is an essential part of life. It inspires us and brings joy out of everyday routines. I am writing in this blog because I want to share the beauty of daily life with the world, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.


Rory