thank you 2010.

This year was definetely one to remember.

 

I got to go to New York City and had the most amazing weekend with a few of my bridesmaids in my favorite city.Then the most unimaginable thing happened one month before the wedding, Nicholas's lung collapsed. On a positive note- it brought us to a level of closeness most couples never experience in a relationship- we helped eachother pull through and keep optimistic (with the help of the best friends ever as well).Then the wedding. The rain stopped just in time for me to walk down the aisle. Every moment was perfection and I attirbute half of it to my planning skills and the other half to my wondeful mom, sister and family members who knew how to make my dream wedding a reality.

A dreamy honeymoon in Dominican Republic.

 

Then BACK to reality. But I love my reality.

Even though I don't have any elaborate wedding plans of my own to look foward to in 2011- I get almost just as excited thinking about my best friends who are brides-to-be this year. As for my loves who are no where near marriage- don't let yourself think there's some deadline. Live it up ladies. Don't rush into a relationship because you think your clock is ticking.  You can still have kids in your late 30's. 

You'll be wiser and ready (I'm speaking to myself here too).

 

I am determined in life to make each year better than the previous. 2011- you better bring it.

 

Happy new year my little blog readers. I love you all!

glamorus gloss.

oh no.
i have found a new obsession. 
i have already purchased 4 tubes of the stuff!

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss with SPF 15.

 

Love the scent, love the moisturizing, love the COLORS! 

 

I initially purchased Lilac Pastelle thinking I may wear it for my Gaga costume- not dramatic enough! But wonderful for everyday wear. It's not too outrageous at all. It's fun and young looking.

 Next I purchased Coral Reef because I'm in love with all things coral. This is such a great color and even when you feel like you don't have any left on your lips- the color is still there! Great for brightening your skin tone without looking like you are wearing much.

 My favorite may be Nude Lustre. It is simply the most perfect nude lip ever. I highly recommend to my fellow nude lip lovers (Alicia and Leslee).

 Finally, Firecracker, because I can't get enough red this season. The color in this tube isn't as heavy as I expected. Layering it on top of my Revlon "In the Red" lipstick looks AMAZING. Probably rocking that look at my 25th birthday party.
 
It costs just under $6 and a little bit goes a long way. The fact that there's SPF 15 in it makes it almost necessary- your lips do get sun damage after all.
 
I hope everyone has a really wonderful Christmas. Peace be with you.

 

black swan.

Regardless of the fact that I KNEW it'd be my favorite movie EVER before I saw it- this is my new favorite movie made to date. 

It has every aspect I love in a movie: Great music (the entire soundtrack is Tsychovski's Swan Lake. I've been listening to this since I was in middle school). The sound of creaking point shoes being broken in and torn apart. Beautiful scenes of dancers rehearsing in the studio over and over and over.  Feather head pieces. Gorgeous tutus. Hotties dressed in leotards and tights. Not to mention the fabulous acting and the extremely dark, genius plot. 

You should probably go see it ASAP. 

I'm currently listening to Swan Lake trying to figure out how many times I can go before it's out of theaters.  

Thank you Darren Aronofsky for bringing me this and another favorite, Requiem for a Dream. You have just joined the ranks of Sofia Coppola  and Quentin Tarantino.

Miracle concealer

Two week test is just about up. . .I have been dying to tell you lovelies about this new Physician's Formula Dark Circle Control Concealer I just discovered! It has Haloxyl in it to help reduce the appearance of dark circles in supposedly two weeks. I do see a slight difference already. I think it may take time for it to build up in my system though. It doesn't help with puffiness at all however and lately my Clinique Eye Roller Gel has been making my eyes irritated so I've had to stop using one of my favorites.  Even without the benefit of the Haloxyl, it is a great concealer in the yellow shade to brighten your under eye area. Goes on smoothly and stays on all day. I read and article in Lucky from a Beauty Editor (dream job) and she layers her under eye concealer since her circles are so bad. Just don't forget to BLEND or you'll look like a raccoon instead of a well rested beauty.  

Wedding Wednesday

I have a FEELING a lot of ladies I know are about to get engaged- which makes me super excited and reminds me that I was supposed to do "Wedding Wednesdays" every now and then.
 
Here is one tip that really helped me out from the beginning to planning to the very end (thank you notes). I made an excel spreadsheet (one of my favorite things on EARTH) to make the guest list. This was a great way to count the number of guests. It helped me organizing them into an A and B list and decide who would ultimately be invited since most of the time you just can't invite everyone you know. This also provided a place to store their address. After invitation was sent, I would indicate it in a column on the spreadsheet and when I received a response back, I would put it in another column. When gifts came in, I would write the gift beside the name of the guest and then when a thank you note went out, I would mark that as well.  The guest list (and seating chart) were the only stressful things I found about wedding planning. Keeping everything organized will really help with it though- here are the columns I used for mine:
 
full guest name
role(bridesmaid, family, hometown friend, college friend etc.-this really helped when it came to the seating chart)
number invited
invitation sent?
rehearsal dinner invite?
guest RSVP
RSVP rehearsal dinner
address
gift
thank you letter sent?
 
Excel can also really help with budgeting wedding expenses (and in everyday life!). If you need some help setting up a spreadsheet please just email me katbeckdesigns@gmail.com and I'd love to get you started.

face moisturizers

It seems like everyone has a go-to favorite facial moisturizer- but I like to play around with quite a few different brands.  However, my skin is VERY sensitive so I have to be cautious of what I am putting on my face. One week before my bridal portraits I put a sample lotion from Sephora on top of Cetaphil daily moisturizer. I got contact dermatitis - aka a rash and swollen face for 2 days. The worst part was how TIGHT it made my face- I couldn't make any expressions.

Lesson learned- don't use a new product when you have a photo shoot in a week.

I used Cetaphil daily moisturizer for years. It kept my skin pretty clear but it kind of stung when I put it on. So I switched to Cetaphil's all over cream. I REALLY love this product. It is extremely moisturizing and doesn't clog your pores. I usually combine it with Jergen's Natural Glow Healthy Complexion Daily Moisturizer.  Another favorite is Clinique's Dramatically Different Lotion. This stuff is rather expensive but a really great lotion. Keeps you hydrated all day and doesn't make you look oily. I also occasionally use Aveeno's Positively Radiant daily moisturizer. This may actually be my favorite. It has SPF 15 and brings out our skin's natural radiance with light reflectors.

You should choose a moisturizer based on your skin type. Hydrating your skin will help prevent drying and wrinkles from occurring over time.

I am terrified of turning 25.

It seems like everyone I know over the age of 25 has told me that 25 is when they actually had to start trying really hard not to gain weight. 

Bye bye metabolism of your early twenties.This horrifies me.

I am a control freak and I really hate that I cannot control my hormonal functions at all.  The only time I have kind of observed my calorie intake was during wedding planning. I hated it though and it didn't really do any good. It made me obsessed and not in a positive way; I felt like an eating disorder was right around the corner. So I stopped. But I realize that I HAVE to change my daily diet if I want to maintain my weight.  So- I am cutting out fast food the day I turn 25 (this does not include Zaxbys or Subway).  I don't eat it very often but I read an article about how fatty, processed foods can cause you to store fat in the future.  

I have one month to say PEACE OUT to french fries and $1 cheeseburgers. 

I think I am ready for it too.  Anyone else want to join?

Love your lotion.

I could write for an entire month about moisturizers alone- annnnd I think I just may. In the cold months we tend to forget about our skin since we're not out and about in little summer dresses. Your skin is an organ and it's the most visible one on your body. You need to love love love it because it will show aging before your hair sprouts any grays. Loving it means staying out of the sun just as much as it means PUT LOTION ON ME! Like- twice a day atleast ALL over your body. Make it a routine to do every morning and every night. Don't forget your neck and the top of your hands. These areas have very thin skin and will show your age even if you've had face lift. They are exposed to sunlight more than you may realize so be sure there is some SPF in that lotion. My all time favorite body lotion is St. Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter. It's delightful and inexpensive.


I'll be in the Carolina's this week for thanksgiving so I may not be able to post at all. In the mean time- LOTION UP ladies. And have a scrumptious thanksgiving ofcourse.

What are you thankful for?

Five thing's I am thankful for:

1. My husband's appreciation for all I do and how often he tells me "thank you."
2. My long distance relationship with my sister. We've grown very close being so far away.
3. No matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, my best friends and I always start off right where we left.
4. The close friendships I have developed in Texas. I seriously never thought I'd have so many friends when we moved here, let alone really great ones.
5. My mom and dad's respect and support for everything I do and treating me like an adult. I love it.

Writing this made me realize that my family and close friends are the most important thing in my life. Of course I knew that but seeing it written gives you another perspective. So here are another five things that make me smile on a daily basis and I am so thankful for them as well:

1. Bella- my precious fat cat. She follows me around whenever I am home and keeps my head nice and warm all night (she literally sleeps on top of my head).
2.  My new dance classes and the constant soreness I am now experiencing.
3.  YOU- my blog readers. Thank you for tuning in when you can! It means a lot to me.
4. Lady Gaga. Countless hours I have spent in traffic rocking out with you. I wonder how many people I have made LOL at the sight of me marking her video dance moves while sitting on 635.
5. Glee. I have recently become a Gleek. Thank you KRod for getting me to watch.

Send me a list of things you are thankful for and I’ll post them!

Oops- I over plucked!

Ever happen to you before? I have a tendency to do so. Nick ALWAYS gets onto me when he see's me with a pair of tweezers in my hands- I love plucking.  I don't wax my eyebrows because I am a control freak. Eyebrows frame your face. The shape of them can really do wonders (or the opposite) for your face. So- in situations such as over plucking I FOUND A SOLUTION!. Anastasia Brow Enhancer This is a gel you put on your eyebrows and within a couple of weeks your hair will grow back. Use daily. It also holds your hairs in place all day and makes your brows look more defined. Anastasia is a line dedicated to the brow. Their products are pricey- but sometimes necessary. 

homemade costumes.

click here for lady gaga instructions.


ey hotties. so here are my halloween creations. I won the prize for best homemade at work in my Lady Gaga costume ( thank you telehat).

Here is my The Little Mermaid crew. 

 

hate that it's blurry but its the only one with all 5 of us!

Peace out sunshine.

Sadly, the season for sun is OVER. Even though it lasts half the year in the South, I still miss it because I love some natural Vitamin D (and I love to be tan). This is the 6 month mark of my ban on tanning beds and I am so proud of myself- but now is when the real challenge comes. To keep some color, I have been using Jergen's Natural Glow, gradual tanning lotion. It's a new formula that smells better and has antioxidants and Vitamin E to make your skin look healthy and keep the color 2 times longer! It's on Allure's Best of Beauty 2010 list! They also sell moisturizer just for your face. I put some on under by main moisturizer since my skin is so dry. LOVE this STUFF! It's worth the purchase.

Vitamin Boooooost

Exactly one month ago I began a vitamin routine. Five days a week I take a prenatal multivitamin (purely for the vitamin use, not trying to be a mommy any time soon), and iron and calcium supplements.  Within two weeks I felt the effects but thought it could just be in my head. Once month later, I have noticed longer and stronger nails. My skin is has been rather clear. I am sleeping really well. I feel completely energized throughout an entire day. My sister, nutrition major at Clemson University (and aspiring Registered Dietitian), can provide technical feedback.

This is my best at explaining things without making it too scientific lol:

First of all, it is always ideal to eat food to recieve your daily amounts of vitamins and minerals rather than take supplements. Unfortunately, most people do not eat enough of the right food to get the amount of vitamins and minerals we need. So in that case, it is a good idea to take supplements. Now, prenatal vitamins were recommended to us by mom because they tend to have higher B vitamins doses (this is to support fetal and brain development in a fetus). Since B vitamins are water soluble we can't overdose so it is not harmful for us to take daily. B vitamins are our energy metabolizing vitamins, meaning they help our bodies use the fuel that gives us our energy. As a side not I also take biotin (B7) supplements as this is the vitamin that will help your hair and nails grow.

I would also highly recommend any vegeterians taking B12 supplements, the only natural source of it is in meats (small amount in dairy), and although you can get enough of it from fortified foods (like cereal). If you don't eat a lot of meat, especially red meat, you may be anemic. Anemia is most commonly cause by deficiency in B12, folate, or iron and can cause fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches among many other symptoms that can become much more serious.

Most people probably get plenty servings of dairy to be sufficient in calcium (need approximately 3 servings a day). But if you don't get enough you can cause impaired bone development (bones develop till age 26). I would maybe also recommend taking vitamin D supplements because the recommended amounts has increased and studies are showing most people do not get enough (you can find it in fortified foods like orange juice or through sunlight). You need vitamin D to use calcium efficiently.

I would recommend taking the vitamins every day, and it takes about 3 months to get full results.

-Victoria (aka Tori) Hayden

Wow- I feel like I should take notes lol. Thanks sissy!

i heart halloween.

I really really love Halloween. If I could dress up in a costume once a week I totally would. This year I've been crafting for a month for making 2 different costumes. Wearing one Friday and the other Saturday. I even colored my hair to get into character. Hope everyone has a very SAFE weekend and cannot wait to see your creative costumes!

bling bling.

I cant decide if I feel twelve or trendy when I do this. Last week at work I noticed my friend Erica's manicure with just her thumb nails blinged out with a glitter overcoat. She said she read it in Cosmo - just do it to your "texting" fingers lol. I don't think I can get away with this at 40 so I'm gonna bling it out while I can. Try it!

allure: best of beauty 2010

The issue is out! Thank you Lindsay for letting me know! This issue is a must- but what is even more helpful is the iphone app. You can find all of the winning products and where to buy them on this app. It really helps out when shopping! Eight products I have blogged about made the list! Pretty cool. Go get the magazine or app! Peace out my lovelies. 

Brand alert- Artistry

One of my very best friends in NC, Meagan, is selling Artistry makeup through the link below. This is one of the world's leading brands of makeup. Artistry sponsored the Miss America pageant, the goody bags from the Kentucky Derby contained Artistry products, and there are so many more things that Artistry is doing.  If you are willing to spend a little extra dough- this is the way to go. I used some of their skin care products in high school (when my mom bought me things lol) and I plan on purchasing some to test out and tell you all about! If you find something you want me to test out- comment about it and I will check it out! 

*great for Christmas wish lists and gift ideas for others!
 
http://www.amway.com/mooneydrake

functional and fabulous.

Since I was VERY young I have been prone to pick out the "pretty cups" to drink just good old OJ or water. I just think that if you have the choice- why not pick the pretty cup? My husband has the total opposite view and prefers a new plastic cup every time he pours himself a drink. Opposites attract? Well, I decided to put all that dinner wear to use around the house. I use tea cups to store jewelry, hair ties, and wine corks. I use a champagne glass for my makeup brushes (keeps them clean too). I use a large floral bowl to hold random things that are cute and display it on my vanity counter-top. My sister, Victoria, uses a lovely glass cake stand on her vanity to place all her bottles of various products. I love anything that is functional and fabulous.

Va-va-VOLUME

 
Quote from my lovely sister, Victoria "I like reading your blog but it makes me want to buy things which isn't healthy for a college student."
 
Hahaha- so what do I do? I make her buy three products as she is on the phone with me in Wally World ONLY because she asked how to make her fine, thin hair look voluminous. However- these are CHEAP products.  Treseme's line of 24 hour body products work. I really like the root boosting spray and finishing spray. They give you lift and smell wonderful. If you have really fine and thin hair I recommend using a moose from the line before you blow-dry your hair. This will thicken it up. Finish off with Velcro rollers when your hair is 90% dry. Leave them in as long as you can and apply just a little heat. They will not give your curls- simply VOLUME. My best friend Brittany straightened her hair and then put them in before work. It gave her a little twist to her everyday look.
 
Now- if you want to spend a little extra I HIGHLY recommend Big Sexy Hair products. Ummm- they are incredible. The "play and spray" hair spray is the best hair spray on earth. I used to carry a sample bottle in my purse when I would go out so all my ladies and myself could give ourselves a quick touch up. Not sure how but on one of these occasions it fell out of my clutch 2 floors up and into the streets of downtown Greenville. Ashleigh and Alicia knew how much it love this stuff so they actually went and rescued it. Sorry for the random unnecessary story but it always comes to mind when I think about Big Sexy Hair.  

the best way to make your face last all day

Primer! Apply after moisturizer to entire face. I L-O-V-E Smashbox’s primer and illuminator duo. They come in same tube and you just blend together to apply. It makes you “glow,” gives you a smooooooth surface to apply foundation, and will keep your makeup on all day long.  I have a small sample of Sephora’s own brand primer and it works great as well. Urban Decay has a fabulous eye primer. It’s seriously the best stuff out there for a flawless, all-day eye makeup look. It just won’t budge. I use primer anytime I need my look to last 12+ hours. On my wedding day I applied my make up at 1pm and it lasted til 2am without having to reapply. Touching up is the last thing you want to think about on your big day. Try some out and let me know how it works for you! 

spice it up.

I feel like fall is a good time to revamp your life. The best way to start at that is with the superficial stuff. I mean- who doesn’t feel like a new person after purchasing an entire new wardrobe?  However- this isn't financially the most brilliant thing to do every year. So here are some little things I like to do to spice up my look. 

• Change up how you do your makeup. Buy a new lipstick and make it your own or try a new way to do your eyes. I like to keep it simple during the day - however, I LOVE color eyeliner on my top lid. It creates a different look without going overboard. Right now I’m using a lot of N.Y.C's super cheap ($4 and under) color eyeliners- in sapphire, teal, and lavender.  
• Accessorize. A skinny belt over a sweater or loose blouse can transform your outfit. Also- HUGE necklaces are everything right now. They make a plain tee look like you had a stylist in your closet. Also patterned tights. I am scared to try out the ones I purchased (don’t want my legs to look larger) but im just going to go for it.
• New shoes. Fall is a fabulous time to buy new shoes (especially boots). They can make your outfit look very put together and stylish in a second.
• Outerwear.  Don’t wear a jacket simply to keep warm. Make it part of your look and incorporate it into what you pick out to wear everyday.
• Do dark nails. I love dark nails in the fall. This is just my personal opinion.

Here are some non superficial ways I like to refresh in fall. 

• Sit outside and stare at the trees once a week for at least 30 minutes. Just let your mind go where it wants to go.
• Start a new book.
• Turn off the TV and just do something else. Save it for when it's too cold to play.
• Take a mini fake vaca. Nick, Leslee, Keith and I rented a hotel room in Dallas for a night to go see Citizen Cope. We checked in at 3 and laid on the rooftop pool before having dinner and going to House of Blues. It actually felt like we were out of town and it was a really nice way to feel like we went on vacation.
• Get back into a workout routine. Endorphins are your BFFs.
• Spring cleaning needs a follow up by the time autumn arrives. Motivate yourself with some Starbucks and dominate the areas you despise- dust boards, the fridge, the laundry room, that closet. . . 

BRAND ALERT- Judith March

When Ashleigh came to visit me in Texas, I took her to some of Denton’s little boutiques on the square.  We spent a gooood amount of time in La Di Da and discovered the brand, Judith March.  We wore our new dresses to the first Clemson game. I bought one for my sister and she rocked hers beautifully! They pretty much specialize in game day attire for ladies in southern schools (where we treat tailgating like an informal cocktail party).  I really love their designs and I follow their blog now. You can find them in most small boutiques in the southern states. It isn’t cheap but it isn’t too overpriced. I like to think I’m supporting them because the girls that started up this company look to be in their mid-twenties and I would die to work with them/be them.  Check them out!

$8 hair cut?

Ummm...heck yes! Hair cuts are ridiculously overpriced most of the time. To save money, I go to hair salon schools. In Dallas I go to The Salon Professional Academy. Their instructors come around at beginning and end to check on their work. All the services are SO CHEAP it's incredible. I only get cuts but my girl Brittany has gotten some fabulous color and highlights done there. Of course it depends on the student, but generally, I think they are all very trustworthy. If you need to cut some expenses- this is the way to go!

inspire yourself.

this article (thanks alicia)+ SoYouThinkYouCanDance tour = 
SO inspiring I'm dancing again!

Last Wednesday, I got this article from my love, Alicia. That night, I went to see SYTYCD with my friend, Brittany, in Dallas. I got home at 11pm and instead of crawling into bed, I got online and searched for dance classes. It has been two years since I have danced and the urge to get back in the studio is KILLING ME. Now- I am starting a contemporary and hip hop class at Denton Dance Conservatory. Even though I danced for 20 years, it was so intimidating to get back into it.  I made so many excuses. Then I realized that if I look back at my life in 10 years, I will be so disappointed in myself if I don't dance. So- whatever your passion may be- go for it while you are young and free. Totally unintentional rhyme there.

when she dances by PrettyLittleProducts on Polyvore.com

I could not live without mascara.

Let's talk about my love for mascara. In particular my favorite brand, L'Oreal  Paris Voluminous Mascara. There are so many variations of this one formula, I guarantee you'll find one just for you. 
 
First let's discuss water proof. I would only wear water proof in situations where it is really needed. Weddings, beach, water parks, really sad movies, to watch SYTYCD, etc.  Their formula is GREAT but it doesn't give you as long of lashes as non water proof. Wore it on my wedding day. You will need makeup remover to get this stuff off.
 
Brush shape- curved or straight. I'm trying the curved brush for the first time and I don't find it to be too different. It is a lot easier to get all of your lashes covered so if you're mascara-challenged- go for the curve.  It'll help decrease clumping (ew).
 
Color. Carbon Black is DRAMATIC. Brownish black is perfect for everyday wear. Charcoal is a subtle difference.
 
What they all do- make your lashes 5x's longer and fuller. I love how soft they make my lashes
feel. No flaking. No smudging. I leave for work at 6am and can come in a 12am looking just as fresh. It's incredible.

its the last day of summer.

Unless you live in the south. In Texas we're still enduring 100 degree weather. I am SO over it too.  I forgot what 72 degrees feels like. Which brings me to the question- when is it ok to start wearing BOOTS! I don't think I can wait any longer. Your thoughts?
 

great article.

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/healthieryou/7-tricks-speedier-metabolism

no lie, insta dry!

Taking the advice of a very stylish chica, Courtney, I bought Sally Hensen's Insta Dry (in just a minute) polish in Jumping Jade. It actually dries in a minute and has the AMAZING flattened brush that let's you get the entire nail in one stroke. It may be the most perfect polish ever. It comes in tons of great shades for fall.  Thank you Courtney!

this stuff works.

My good friend Leslee  recommended Veet Hair Remover Gel Cream (in the pink bottle)   to me the other day. Over the years I have experimented with numerous hair remover systems claiming to do what Veet does- but none have ever proved successful. After applying for just 5 minutes, I wiped away to a silky smooth surface. The smell on your skin isn't that AWFUL stench that you think of- its a nice scent but it may linger a bit in the bathroom but not for long. Definitely recommend trying for your bikini line and I am going to experiment on other areas soon. Thank you Leslee!

to dye for.

i haven't change my hairstyle in ohhh around 6 years. i keep it long with layers. maybe change the length of the bangs every now and then. but it's the same cut.  sooo to spice things up i LOVE to color my hair at home.  Naturally I am pretty sure my hair is a golden dirty blonde/brown.  I prefer to be brunette and I also like to do semi permanent hair color.

Clairol's Natural Instincts let's me do this WITHOUT over drying or damaging my long hair. You can only go darker with semi permanent home color (to be safe). If you want to go lighter, go to a professional (just be sure not to say you want to go from dark brown to white blonde, trust me, it results in tears- it takes MULTIPLE trips to your stylist to reach that level of blond).  The lighter your hair is, the more the color will stick and stay around. FYI- while it is semi permanent color- it doesn't really fade completely. I just went red- Medium Auburn Cinnaberry. Never done it before- but I think I'm loving it. Here are  all the shades I have tried. Never disappointed.