Saving Face

Photo by: Rory M.

When I was a junior in high school, I participated in my school's production of the 50s-era musical, "Bye-Bye Birdie". I was discussing hair and makeup tips backstage when one of the cast members interjected, "I don't wear makeup. If you're not comfortable in the skin you're in, whose skin will you be comfortable in?" 

I respected her opinion, but the comment seemed judgmental. Apart from sounding like a Seussical catch-phrase, it also made no sense to me. It seemed far-fetched that applying stage makeup labeled me as insecure in my appearance. 


Although I disagree, I understand where this girl (and people I've encountered who feel similarly) are coming from. This is the reason that I've come up with:
A. People have faces. 
B. Makeup covers people's faces and can change their appearance. 
C. People who use makeup do not like their face, and want to change their appearance. 

I'm sure this reason applies to some people. In fact, I believe I've met some of these people. But I've also met people who do like their face, and choose to wear makeup. I also know people who don't like their face, and choose to not wear makeup. Therefore, this reasoning is not universal, and may only apply to a certain percentage. 

In fact, there are many reasons an individual may choose to paint their face. I once had a roommate who thought the amount of makeup I wore was morally wrong. To her, I was hiding my true appearance from the world, and lying about what I looked like. Months later, we met up and I complimented her on her well-applied red lip and eye liner. As it turns out, she was not hiding her face and lying about it, she just thought it was fun to experiment in a wearable art form. 

My sister describes it like this: Makeup is the paint. My face is the canvas. 

The truth is that a negative self-image is not fixed with the right tip, trick, or makeover. Also, telling someone that their beauty routine reveals their insecurity won't make them any more secure. If you truly want to help someone feel better about themselves, get to know the person behind the cosmetics. Meet the artist within. 


Rory 


"The makeup is simply an extension of the personality and colors, clothing, makeup all express something."(Gene Simmons)

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 

Peachy Keen

Photo by: Rory M.

"It was in Love class one night when a girl said, ‘I know why I’m so despairing all the time. It’s because I want to be loved by everybody, and that’s a human impossibility. I could be the most delectable, the most delicious, the most wondrous peach in the world, and I could offer it to everybody. But there are people who are allergic to peaches. Then they may want me to be a banana.’ And so often we become a banana for other people who want peaches. What a messy fruit salad. Isn’t it all right to say to them, ‘I am sorry I cannot be a banana. I would love to be a banana if I could for you, but I am a peach.’ And you know what? If you wait long enough, you’ll find a peach lover. And then you can live your life as a peach, and you don’t have to live your life as a banana. All the lost energy it takes to be a banana, when you’re a peach!"(Leo Buscaglia)


Happy Monday, and enjoy every moment being the peach you are! 

We're Still Alive!

Photo by: Roark T. 

Stop putting up missing person flyers and sticking our picture on the back of milk cartons: Rory and I are still alive......but busy. To demonstrate how busy we've been here's a short list of what's been going on:


#1. Graduated high school! 
#2. Turned 18.
#3. Did all those silly senior events that I will remember in nostalgia for years to come.
#4. Got my passport and have 5 weeks till I leave for Africa. (Did I mention that I still can't speak the language?)
#5. Started a new job (yup, two jobs in the summer...I'm just an over-achiever.)
#6. Started planning my big move out to Arizona in the fall.
#7. Wiped out nearly half of my bank account.


Now out of all the life changing events that have been going on, you would think that a.) going to a foreign country or b.) moving halfway across the country would be the most terrifying but it turns out #7. was enough to give me a panic attack.


Why did I wipe out nearly half of my bank account? Because that's how much is costs to go to Africa (and a pit-stop in Madrid on the way home). Last week, the money was due. I'm standing in line at the bank, shell shocked. I couldn't get over the number of zeros and comas that were on the withdrawal slip and as hysteria started to rise, I was struck by this thought: I can't take it with me.


I know very Buddha of me, but honestly, in 20 years, what will I remember: the fact that in 2012 I had X-amount of money, or I went to Africa and Spain?So I walked up to the counter and withdrew a lot of money and haven't regretted it a day since.


No, I'm not saying withdraw all your money and go hog wild, but life is short. There are never any guarantees that a door might open again, so don't be afraid to jump. I don't know what that door might be or what the sacrifice might be to get there but don't let money, something that you can earn and can be easily taken away, stop you from taking a leap of faith.


Leaps of faith lead to adventure, and adventure to exquisite beauty.

You can't take it with you.

Don't miss the beauty waiting around the corner.

Don't be afraid to leap.
OX Alysha Marie

P.S. I'll let you know how it goes.

How About a Challenge?

Photo by: Rory M. 

"Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks."
-Johann Gottfried Von Herder

Hello Beauty Bloggers! Happy Friday, and Happy Summer!

If it seems as if Alysha and I have taken a hiatus, well, we have. Finishing off the school year is always a busy time for students, whether you're in middle school, high school, or college. I am proud to say that I am now a junior in college (WHAT?!), and am so ready for some summer blogging! 

The start of summer vacation gets me a little nervous. I feel a sense of urgency, like I've been given a break from real life, and I don't want to waste it.

Whenever going on a school break, my friend Jeremy would ask me, "So what will you be working on this week?" Sometimes it would irk me because I'd think, SLEEP. I challenge anyone who stands in my way.

I was no longer bothered by his question when I understood what he really meant by it. What he did NOT mean is: "What things will you accomplish?" What he meant is: "How will you use your gifts and passion in new ways?" When I began looking at it this way, it became a challenge. 


What Jeremy understood is that we have a tendency to fall into routines. Routines are fine, and in many ways, helpful. But if our routines exclude time to explore our passions and challenge ourselves, they get old quick. 


Today, I'm passing on Jeremy's challenge to you: What will you be doing this weekend? This summer? 


Make it count!


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

Adios, Sophomore Year!

Sophomore year is over!

Where did the time go? So much has happened in a year, and I am so grateful for the awesome times and opportunities that have come my way. 

Whether you're also finished academically, at the beginning of the end, or if this time no longer has that same feel of finality that it once did, look back on what it was that made it special. And look forward to the future. 

Stay tuned for a more in-depth synopsis of the lessons I've learned this year; but in the mean time, take a deep breath with me because I'm loving this summer air.

Happy Monday! 

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!

The Secret Garden

If you're looking for a great, feel-good, spring-themed film with plenty of cinematic eye-candy, look no further. 

The Secret Garden (1993) is one of my all-time favorite films from childhood. It's based on the novel by the same title by Victorian-era novelist, Frances Hodgson Burnett. It's the story of little Mary Lennox, an orphan girl who discovers an unwanted garden and the incredible potential that she and the garden share.   

I just re-watched it today for the first time in years, and was blown away by it. There is nothing this film doesn't have- beautiful story, engaging characters, breathtaking cinematography, music, costumes, hair/makeup, set design, lighting- you name it. 

It also carries the message of this blog perfectly: Beauty is everywhere if you look and allow yourself to be inspired. 

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.