DecoNaturals // Product Review

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is time to put down your Eos Lipbalm.  It is also time for you to pick up some Deco Naturals.  

At first when I heard about this product I was a little skeptical.  All natural? Will it work? Yes, most certainly it does.  

This company was started by a sixteen year old girl named Gabrielle.  Here is what she has to say about why she started Deco Naturals: "The establishment of Deco Naturals was inspired by a passion for entrepreneurship and graphic design paired with a craving for the perfect lip butter. Unsatisfied with the lack of results traditional chemical-based lip balms provided and the limited flavors natural lip balms offered, I set out to create a 100% natural lip butter that was equally effective and flavorful. I pride myself in Deco's rich, hydrating formula, attractive design, and extensive flavor selections. Today we are expanding our flavors and our product line into a full line of natural products that will benefit your body inside and out." (That was taken directly from her 'about' section from DecoNaturals.com).  How cool is that? She was able to take a passion for beauty and the search for the perfect lip butter and combine it with her brains and talent to create a thriving business.  That is what Reading and Rouge is all about! : )

DecoNaturals was so kind to send me two of their newest flavors, apple cider and butterscotch.  I love them.  Unfortunately I am not a huge butterscotch fan, but if you are you have to try this lip butter--it is perfectly butterscotch flavored.  The second flavor was apple cider! If you don't love apple cider you need to get your whole life right.  DecoNaturals apple cider lib butter is the bomb!

 I have noticed that the lip butters last a long time and are scented and flavorful though out the day.  I only have to reapply maybe once or twice during the whole day, but I do so more because I like extra extra hydrated lips.  If I had to have one complaint about this product it would be that I found the tip of the lip butter to dry out a wee bit each time I quit using it for a day to switch to the other flavor.  But, this really isn't a problem, just an extra swipe on my lips and the dryness is all gone for both the lip butter as well as my lips! The hydration that it provides is most definitely worth the extra swipe.  

All in all I loved these DecoNaturals lip butters.  They are well made, they smell great, and they look great too.  I really feel that my lips have been more hydrated because of these little gems.  I just saw that DecoNaturals came out with some all natural lip scrub--I will definitely have to try it! 

Now that you have soft lips, Carpe Diem, Dear! 

Here are some photos of the cute little things! 

made with love! <3 How Cute?!

PS--If you would like to purchase from DecoNaturals please visit the button to your right! Or you can just click here!

Keep Singing Oceans.

I haven't yet responded to another person's blog via mine, but I feel that this one deserves a response.

My mom recently posted a blog post on her Facebook with the title "Stop Singing Oceans".  

At the time I read it.  I liked it. I agreed with it.  

But then we sang Oceans in chapel and I felt guilty.  I felt guilty for worshiping God and truly wanting to go deeper but knowing that I may not go every time.  But isn't that who we are, human and mistake makers? 

This is one of my favorite songs.  I love the image of being taken deeper, trusting without boarders, and having God to call on.  When I read the original post I thought, wow, I mean it when I sing it and when I am caught up in the moment but do I really mean it now? If I was talking to God right now over Starbucks coffee would I want to trust Him without borders?  The answer was no.  But here is the thing, I honestly believe that no one wants to trust anyone without borders.  But isn't it great to know that we have a God who is worth trusting without borders.  Who already knows our fears and our failures and He chooses to love us just the same.

I felt guilty for singing a song that I want so desperately to be true.  I felt like I wasn't good enough to sing this song.  But when we are worshiping that is exactly who we are.  We aren't worthy of entering the presence of God.  We aren't holy enough.  We aren't righteous enough.  Yet, God welcomes us with open arms into his presence.  

I think that even though we may make mistakes and struggle to go past borders that are in our lives the more we seek and pray this song the more opportunities God is going to place in your life to trust Him beyond boarders.  It is our job to take those opportunities. We will fail.  We will make mistakes. But the song addresses that--"Your grace abounds in deepest waters, your sovereign hand will be my guide.  Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me.  You've never failed, and you won't stop now." 

In singing this song we aren't saying we are never going to make a mistake.  We aren't trying to be perfect.  We are simply saying God, this is how I want to trust you.  I want to go deeper.  I want to seek harder.  I want to get down and do the grunt work for your kingdom no matter what the cost.  We are saying God I am anything but perfect, but you are perfect and I want to strive to be like you.  

In singing this song you are making it your prayer.  The original post said we have to be prepared to live this kind of lifestyle of abandonment to God and it is true.  We need to be prepared.  But just because you sing this song doesn't mean you cannot make a mistake.  It doesn't mean you are a failure for missing an opportunity.  This is a song that can be a prayer. Nothing is going to change over night. This song can be the start of a process that will take you on a crazy journey you never expected.  

Keep singing Oceans.  Keep letting God transform your life.  

Carpe Diem, Dear.

Middle of Nowhere Modeling

A Classy Fashionista and I are at it again, with a friend of ours, Kayla! This week we decided to take a break from our busy lives and head out to Maryland for a little country time peacefulness.  But what is the beautiful countryside without a beautiful photo shoot? Right! Nothing! So, in the middle of our weekend we decided to get dolled up and head out to some fields and an old train station to capture some modeling shots and more importantly memories. Here are a few of our photos! The day prior we had gone shopping at the outlets J. Crew has some awesome sales at the outlets, just incase anyone wants to know. :) Anywho, here are our pictures and of course, as usual with K and I, bloopers.

This is how I started.  KS and VS bags packed and off I go! :) 

On the Road! Pulling out of UVF! 

Oh hello, Kayla! It is shopping day! 

Chipotle smiles.  <3 

This is Kristen trying to figure out where we were going to take the photo shoot.

We started in a field and ended up on the train tracks.  Safety first! For our purses. :) We were more concerned for our leather than our lives. I mean, it makes sense! :) Here are the photos you have been waiting for!

Kristen gets the photo credit

K working them train tracks. 

Isn't she lovely?! Kayla has a beautiful soul and a beautiful smile!

Please pause for a selfie of a selfie...

Isn't she the cutest?

But it sure would be prettier with you...

Turns out a joke pose can be kind of pretty. 

I am always the third wheel.  I mean, I don't mind at least the other two wheels are pretty. :)

Hot Mama! Isn't she the prettiest?!

And then this happens......... You can't be 100% all the time......Such a humbling picture......Okay, keep scrolling... 

Three Amigos. 

Leaf it up to Kristen to look gorgeous with half of her face covered! (haha, get it?) 

The wee photographer. :) 

We are such a loving bunch! 

And thus concludes our weekend photos.  Kristen and I ended our weekend with a 5K in Harrisburg.  It was a walk for heart disease and strokes.  We had fun walking (and doing a little bit of running) for such a good cause.  I am pretty sure we went home, took showers, and went straight to sleep! 

Take a break, take some pictures, and Carpe Diem, Dear.

Hope and Future

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

I have known from a very young age that I want to be a teacher.  In sixth grade my English teacher was amazing.  She poured into my life and influenced me in ways that I could never thank her enough for.  In sixth grade I was called into full time work-place ministry.  I have found God faithful in reaffirming my calling each second of each hour of each day.  It is incredible how faithful God truly is.  

The Lord says that he has plans for me.  I keep trying to plan things out for myself.  I keep thinking that I know best.  Do you ever find yourself doing that? Not a day goes by that I am not in awe of how God has ordained each and every one of my steps to eventually bring glory to his name.  Each mistake, heartbreak, and failure; along with each success, triumph, and victory has been put in my place to glorify the kingdom of God.  

Hope is defined by dictionary.com as "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best".  In Christ we have hope.  God promises in Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave or forsake us.  How can we be downcast when the creator of all of the universe has promised to give us hope.  He has promised that events will turn out for the best for those that love and follow Him.  

In high school I began getting feelings of wanting to travel and to teach over seas.  I thought that my only options were to somehow become a teacher on a military base.  God has given me a heart for Europe and especially, as odd as this sounds, a heart for countries that have harsh languages.  I actually highly dislike the "love languages" and find languages such as German, Russian, and Norwegian much more beautiful.  I took German all throughout middle school and some in high school and absolutely adored German.   My goal was to become a teacher on a military base in Germany.  However, I never fully pursed that goal.  It never was an unexplainable passion.  But, I knew I was supposed to teach over seas, so I kept praying.  Lord, what is your will? Be careful when you pray that.  Shortly after, and through a series of God-ordained events, I ended up in Russia.  Immediately and without hesitation I knew.  I knew that is where my soul longed to be and soon I will start taking the steps necessary to teach over in an international school in St. Petersburg or elsewhere in Russia.  I had no idea that international schools existed until God crazily sent me on a missions trip over there.  I had no idea I loved Russia until God crazily put a passion on my heart, provided finances for me and my team in miraculous ways, and safely landed us in my heart's home.  I never knew or fully understood my future, and I can't say that I do now.  However, I do know that I have let God take the reigns of my life thus far and he has taken me all around the world, given me extreme joy, and unexplainable peace.  Why, when he has done such a wonderful job with my life would I, knowing it would be a disaster, try to take control.  

Jeremiah 29:11 declares that the Lord has promised you hope.  God has revealed that he has a future planned out specifically for you.  He may not have given you all of the details.  He may be saving it for a time, but trust that the Lord is faithful.  Trust that he knows you, your wants, your dreams, and your desires.  He placed those in your heart for a reason.  Chase God.  Chase your dreams. Watch God do miracles.  

Carpe Diem, Dear.

Seasonal Sents

Just as seasons change your scents should change too.  Since the seasons are beginning to change here are some of my top fall scents!

Amber Blush
I love this lotion for the transition months of August and early September.  It has a sweet and fruity smell with the beginning of fall in the lingering after scents.  It is glorious.  The listed scents include the following: Raspberry champagne, gardenia petals and magnolia blossom with a seductive kiss of crystalized amber and creamy vanilla suede.  I mean, if that doesn't make you ready for the beginning of fall I don't know what would.  I am ready to take a nice long bubble bath next to a fireplace in one of those too luxurious homes for regular people. :) Ugh Thank you BandB for Amber Blush.

Paris Amour
This is my absolute favorite scent and the only scent I have ever finished an entire bottle of.  Because this springtime scent is laced with sandalwood and musk it makes it a great year round scent.  This is one of those scents that just meshes well with me, my personality, my skin and it just always smells good. I love this one. Again BandB to the rescue with Paris Amour.

Paris Nights 
This one is an evening scent and it smells kind of heavy.  I usually reserve this for later fall and early winter.   This makes sense because the back of the bottle says it is inspired by a dazzling night in the City of Lights, so the fact that I reserve this for night time date nights is perfect. :) In fact, last time I wore this I went to the cheesecake factory and I kind of really want to go back now.  yummy. :)

Japanese Cherry Blossom
I think this is a perfect fall scent.  Even though cherry blossoms are usually a spring flower I love this powdery scent for the fall.  It just makes me happy.  I feel like a "mysterious floral scent" implies fall.   I just love this scent. :)

There you have it loves! My favorite fall scents! All of them are from Bath and Body Works! So have a fun day shopping!

Have a wonderful evening! :)

Smell Good and Carpe Diem, Dear!

...Until Your Hair is White With Age

I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

Isaiah 46:4 

Is your life overwhelming? Does it seem like nothing is going the way that you want it to go? Remember, God is your God.  He formed you and created you.  He loves you and cares for you.  You see in Isaiah, God even says, "I will carry you along and save you."  Sometimes we feel like giving up. We feel like tapping out of life and saying I am finished.  But you see, God never promised an easy life.  He didn't promise riches or fame; He didn't even promise safety or tomorrow.  But he did promise one thing that surpasses all of those.  Love.  God promised us that he would love us, care for us, and save us.  Today remember what Christ has done for you.  God sent his son to the earth to die for your sins.  Three days after hanging on the cross for your sins Jesus, God's son, rose again.  There may be trials and tribulation in this life, but remember that God has already fulfilled his promise to us, he has saved us from death and an eternity away from Him.  Live life relentlessly after him, because you are safe in him.  Trust him unconditionally, he will be faithful.  And even when you grow old and you get all wrinkly, remember that you are still God's child.  And when it's time.  He will carry you home.

Trust Him and Carpe Diem, Dear.

Tumbler Girl Attempts

So by now you all know that A Classy Fashionista and I are inseparable.  We did a Starbucks date and a "we want to try to be fashionable photo shoot". HA! We have a new found respect for models.  Here is what happened. 

K is so Beautiful. And her pumpkin cozie is so cute! Get one HERE!

Too cool for a cozie.

Football play of a drink. Go Huskers and Hazelnut Macchiatos!

Can we just talk about how pretty she is? Her bracelets are Lace and Burlap, get them HERE!

After Starbucks we decided to take pictures in the mall area.  We found a slightly secluded street where not many cars were driving and did our thangggg!! AKA fake modeled and took pictures with our iPhones. ha!

She should be a model.

I should not be a model.

I could be a photographer though. I captured her hair just right! 

This is me falling.  My heel got caught in my skirt. 

Here it is in color.  The ground was so attracted to me it increased gravity to get a closer look.

I like laughing. It makes my soul happy. 

Starbucks, Kate Spade, and Smiles.

Once you learn to laugh at yourself life begins to be a whole lot funnier.

This is as close as I will ever get to being a tumbler girl. 

Thank you for reading and looking at our tumbler girl attempts.  

This was seriously the most fun I have had in a while with my lovebug K.  I really couldn't have asked for a better friend to have. I am so glad that I am blessed with someone who is so similar as me.  I am thankful that she is willing to challenge me, giggle with me, grow with me, encourage me, enable my makeup addiction, and most of all just be my friend.  Good friends are hard to come by, I know that K is the needle in the haystack of life. I am glad I found my needle. 

<3

Go find your best friend and Carpe Diem, Dears.

My Fall Fashion Wish List

Here are some of my fall 2014 fashion favorites that I don't yet have in my closest. Hopefully I can acquire one or more of these over the season! Enjoy!

Black Nylons. 
I have realized that they are super in style.  They are on Pinterest everywhere and I want them.  I really don't know why I don't already own these wonderful things!

I essentially want this whole outfit.  But those nylons are too cute!

UPDATE: I found some super cute nylons at H&M.  I snagged them during the first time wearing them.  Typical. But they looked super cute and I will definitely purchase a pair again soon! :) 

Cognac Booties.

I have black ones.  I wear them. I need to get the heel replaced because it is so lopsided! I am pigeon-toed so I tend to quickly ruin my shoes! Ugh! But, I really want a pair of cognac/brown booties.  I think they are so cute.  Thanks to my aunt a few years ago I slightly opened up to brown and black together.  I still struggle with it at times, but I think that I am warming up to it more as autumn of this year quickly approaches.

These booties are perfect. 

The Perfect Fall Tote.

I have some great bags due to my previous job at Kate Spade. But I have yet to find the perfect fall tote.  This one, from Nordstroms, has my eye.  It is quite expensive for a faux leather bag though, but it is reversible. If you know of the perfect fall tote please let me know! 

Street Level Reversible Faux Leather Tote--$48

Casual Black Dress.

I have a more formal and fitted black dress.  It works for everything from church to business, but I feel it is a little too dressy to throw a cardigan over it and go out for a night on the town or a day of classes.  A little more flair to the dress would be great.

What a darling look! 

A Great Nude Lipstick.

I have a nude lipstick, but I am not completely in love.  So, when this one runs out I want to find one that is great.  I want it to last all day and not rub off as easily as my current one.  I love nude lips for fall because it gives you a lot of room to play up  your eyes with fall colors like cognac, brown, creme, olive, plum and a whole host of other colors.  If you have suggestions, throw them in the comments below!

This looks like a good color...Hmm 

Flannel.

Oops. This trend slipped by me for the longest time, and I have no flannel shirts.  My dearest friend announced to me the other day that I needed some, and I quite agree.  I love the fall look with a big chunky infinity scarf or a cute vest...which is next on my list! 

Vest.

My friend has the exact same vest as in this picture.  It is simply darling. I don't know how I have lived without this vest.  Well, I do know, but I don't know why! Hopefully someday I will be able to achieve her level of fashion and buy a vest like this.  It is too cute.

Too Cute. 

I am certain I could sit here and write for days about my Fall Fashion Wish List, but these are my top seven.  

What are some things you are hoping to add to your closet this autumn? 

What is a trend for autumn you are most excited about? 

Fall is coming, Carpe Diem (and this season), Dear! 

Its Not too late to: 

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Yes, Jesus Loves Me.

Jesus loves me this I know.

For the bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong.

They are weak, but His is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me! 

The bible tells me so.

This song just popped into my head and I thought, "what a wonderful reminder!" We are so weak, but in Christ we can do all things in His power and according His will.  It is so wonderful to know that Jesus loved us so much he was willing to come to earth, be ridiculed and persecuted, and die for us.  We are so unworthy, but Christ cleansed us and He makes us holy.  I am so in awe of what Christ has done for me.  I hope you feel the same because He did it for you too.

Jesus loves you and has given you the power to Carpe Diem, Dear.
-Liv

Bestie Beauty Blog

Here it is, the blog post you have all been waiting for! Kristen, of A Classy Fashionista, and I got together for a day of best friends and beauty.  After eating cheesecake and sitting at the pool while Kristen got gorgeously tan and I got sunburnt on the areas that my not so trusty sunscreen spray missed, we went home to party it up with our makeup.

Kristen is excited to get started!

Obviously you have to start with a sweet set up. Starbucks, all of our palettes, our sprays, perfumes, brushes, and the mirror were lined up perfectly and put on display. {If you are looking for a new Starbucks drink try the Hazelnut Macchiato, Grande in a Venti cup, extra pump of vanilla and extra milk.  It is a Liv special. The Best.}

We started with washing our faces.  I recently received Dr. Dennis Gross's all-in-one cleanser with toner.  It was an interesting cleanser considering you put it onto a dry face and then rinse it off.  My face felt a little dry after, but we were doing a face mask so I did not apply any moisturizer.  Even though I felt a little dry after this cleanser, I felt like my face was clean and fresh after using it.  I liked that it also has a toner in it! One less step in the skin care department which is always a plus.







The next thing on our Beauty Day was a face mask.  We both love face masks because our skin is our priority! Kristen has been telling me for months about her Philosophy face mask that only takes 60
seconds! It worked really well and I liked it a lot.  It made my face feel like a baby's bottom.  It was super easy to use and looked cool too, as you can see on the lovely picture to the left!

Please excuse my horrible hair...

After our face masks we kind of went crazy.  We both decided to do fall looks.  Since fall is quickly approaching! I started with an evening look.  Here are the steps to create this look:
Face
1. Primer: Benefit POREfessional Primer
2. Foundation: Kat Von D Lock-It Liquid Foundation
3. Foundation: Make Up For Ever Matte Duo Powder
4. Blush: Tarte Blush in Glisten
5. Highlight: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal

Eyes 
1. Primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer in Original
2. Shadow: Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin--All over lid
3. Shadow: Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in M928 Outside corners
4. Liner: Maybelline Studio Gel Liner
5. Lashes: Ulta Super Stretch
6. Lashes: Two Face Better Than Sex Mascara

Lips
1. Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Pleasant Plum
2. Sephora Luster matte Long-Wear Lip Color in Deep Plum

And there you have it! That is a great evening look for the fall especially for my green-eyed friends.  Purples will really bring out the greens in your eyes because they are contrasting colors.  I can't wait for the depth of fall to use this look with a pretty floral scarf.  If you want to achieve this look for more of an every day wear I would suggest a nude lip with just a layer of gloss on the cupid's bow of your lip. To the left is an example of no lipstick.  It gives you a clean slate!  

The next look I did was a more day time look to the left is the day time look for fall.  The face is all the same to keep it easy, but here are the eyes and lips:

Eyes

1. Primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer in Original
2. Shadow: Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin--All over lid
3. Shadow: Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Buck--Outer Corner
4. Liner: Maybelline Studio Gel Liner
5. Lashes: Two Face Better Than Sex Mascara

Lips

1. Make Up For Ever Lip Line Perfector
2. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Streak

This is a fun look that is super simple to do.  It only has a few steps and looks great with every outfit.  This lipstick is one of my all time favorites and it is bright and fun.  It is a great color for early fall.  I have to give a shout out to Urban Decay for having great lipsticks.  Another color that would go well with this look is Liar.  If you are in the market for new lipsticks these are some fabulous choices!

So, Kristen will have her looks posted super soon over on the always amazing blog A Classy Fashionista.  We had an absolute blast making these looks for the upcoming fall.  We are simply too excited for the autumn fashion as well as the football that comes with Fall! She is an Alabama fan, for reasons that are unknown to me.  But I am a NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS fan! GO BIG RED.  Anyways, someday we will do a football fashion I am sure.  We love inspiring you guys.  If you ever have any looks you want us to try please let us know in our comment sections!

Here are some more fun pictures of our day together!

**********

Also, unrelated to any of this Bestie Beauty Blog my school is hosting a competition about dorm rooms, and since I am a firm believer of my outstanding dorm, if you wouldn't mind heading over to
Instagram and liking my picture that is hashtagged #myVFCCdorm.  My Instagram name is @LivDamaris.

This is the picture! :)

So,  in closing, don't forget that makeup should just be a hobby.  It should be fun and exciting.  You should experiment with makeup.  You should enjoy makeup.  Sometimes the world puts pressure on us girls to wear makeup because aren't perfect, but you are exactly how God made you to be. Your imperfections make you unique--be proud of who you are.  Be beautiful on the inside and have fun on the outside with makeup!

You're beautiful, so Carpe Diem, Dear.