i'm over here!

I'm over here at the night in. blogging about my upcoming wedding, life and well... more wedding stuff.  Be sure to come on over and follow my journey!

moving. [read me]

With so many changes in my life recently, I've decided to start a new blog that truly defines who I am and what is to come in life. 

Please check out and subscribe to my new blog the night in. and join me on my journey of love, wedding planning, marriage and whatever else is in store.  my first post is already up!

I hope to see you there!

Dear Diary: January 11, 2003

Saturday 8:21 PM
January 11, 2003


Hey!  I spent most of today doing homework.  Ugh.  And I am not even close to finished.  It sucks.  
I can't wait until school on Monday.  I'm staying after school on Monday and Tuesday for music production to work on the dance for my midterm.  
Oh, about %^&*- I like him for his awesome personality!  He is incredibly cool & nice & we can actually talk.  *a*i* and I could never just talk.  I'm sure %^&* and I could go on for a bit!  LOL.  Just talking about stupid stuff.  Well, G2G try and do more homework.


XOXO- Angel


I'm not sure I remember feeling this way about %^&* because it seems far too deep for my shallow 15 year old self.  Interestingly enough, although the relationship did not work out- what I wrote about this guy holds true to this day.  Regardless of every ounce of drama, we've always had many riveting conversations about "stuff" (both stupid and non).

Dear Diary: October 10, 2002

Thursday 4:32 PM
October 10, 2002


OMG.  Guess what!  I'm going out with *a*i*!  He asked me out on Monday.  We were in study hall and I passed him a note like this:
"Hey what'z up?  You seem pretty interested in that book."
He w/b:
"Not really.  I read it back in the 6th grade.  I'm more interested in you."
I was like:
"Oh really?"
We went on for awhile then he wrote:
"*I can't remember what was here* I'm really nervous.  Will you go out with me?"
I said:
"Aw!  Yes, I will.  Don't be nervous."


So far we've held hands and hugged.  He is so adorable!


XOXO- Angel


I think it's hilarious that at 24 I can barely remember what I had for breakfast, yet at 15 I remembered every single trivial detail about this guy asking me out.  I remember that it was my first "real" boyfriend and he was my first kiss.  It was definitely not all that I thought it would be and the "relationship" lasted a mere 6 weeks.  I thought the relationship was so complicated, but little did I know that my next boyfriend would be the real kicker.  I cringed while re-reading the journal entry... I can't even bring myself to use real names in them because I'm friends with many of my ex-boyfriends on Facebook.  Of course, if they read it, they would more than likely know who I was talking about due to the dates of each entry.  Let's just hope I'm not closely monitored by any of them!  Haha.

Fashion Monday: Inspired Swim Wear.

1950's inspired swim wear always seems to resurface each summer and I can see why... I love the modest but still sexy (oxymoron much?) cut.  

How about you, boys?  Think we'll see some of these looks on the beach this summer?

Images courtesy of tumblr.

Dear Diary: July 1, 2002

Monday 9:47 AM
July 1, 2002


Did you know high school is hard?  I've got a lot of planning to do.

1. Take my PSAT or PLAN to test sophomore year= $7.95
2. Call (***) 892-2320 to volunteer (put hours in envelope)
3. Plan out the rest of my high school
4. Check out UN**
5. Take driver's ed in fall
6. 15 1/2... get a job!
7. Open a savings account

Yesterday was a long day!  We went to church, then we went to go see the new house.  But, only the outside of it (I guess we're not allowed inside yet!)  I can't wait to start moving!  I've got so many things I wanna throw away and get rid of.  

Anyway, then we went to the library, and the mountains.  Afterwards, we had to go to dad's mom's house.  Long day!

I wanna go on the phone, but I can't cuz we're waiting for a call. 

G2G- XOXO Angel <3

I was 14 when I wrote this entry and I'm so glad I kept much of my high school years documented.  (Believe me... the entries become angsty and boy crazy once I hit 15.)  I wish I would have continued writing in a journal for my 18-23 years.  I've started trying to write again, but apparently I had far more time as a teen to scribble in a notebook.  

P.S. 

Isn't it funny that I could not use the phone because we were waiting on a call??  Land lines and NO call waiting made me one sad girl.  Haha!

Check back for more Dear Diary posts in the near future.

In Review: Lovely Jubblies by LUSH.

First and foremost, let me just express my love for LUSH and all of the glorious happiness they bring to my life (but mostly just in my shower) each day.  Handmade, delicious smelling organic soaps, shampoos and bubbly goodness... But, I digress because today I want to review their breast cream, Lovely Jubblies.

I admit, I was a bit squeamish at discovering that this product is actually labeled as a breast cream (I hope you appreciate the emphasis I am placing on that).  It can be incredibly embarrassing and intimidating to purchase a product such as this- regardless of how old you are, but it is oh so worth it.

Scent: The product smells like a very light dash of rose petals.  I am not a fan of heavy rose like scents (it reminds me of old ladies for some reason), however I love the way they captured it in this product.  It is not irritating to my nose at all and I actually enjoy it.

Texture: Light and airy.  Not greasy at all.  A little dab goes a long way.

Main Ingredient: Orange Blossom Honey.  (See the LUSH website for the rest of the ingredients.)

How does it work?  This product functions in three different ways for me.  The first being that I use two small dabs on my "jubblies" right after I get out of the shower.  As a small chested person, I find that the product does help keep things in-ahem- shape, as well as nice and perky.  Second, I use it as a precautionary item on my bum and outer thighs.  You never know when the cellulite monster is gonna come visit you, and I want to keep it away for as long as possible.  And, last, I use the tiniest bit as a nightly eye cream.

Price: In the USA it is $24.95 for a 3.5 oz. tub of the product.  I suggest going into the store and asking for a sample before making the investment.  The sample is typically the size of a lip gloss pot and it lasted a month for me.  This leads me to believe that the entire tub will last a very long time.  

Overall: The prices at LUSH are always intimidating, but their products have yet to fail me.  If anything, Lovely Jubblies keeps the part of me that never really got any special attention moisturized and happy.  I especially like the fact that it is lightweight and not overbearing at all.

Image Courtesy of Lush.com

Summer Reads.

There's something about summer that just inspires people to read.  Lazing by (or floating in) the pool with a good book and ice cold drink is a picturesque way to spend a hot day (look at me with my clever rhyming- ha)!
For others, reading is a year round necessity- much like air.

Here's what I'm reading this summer:

• The Help by Katherine Stockett*

If you like: Historical fiction, America, novel made into a film.

• Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth*

If you like: YA fiction, Dystopian story line, quick and fast romances like Twilight.

• The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory**

If you like: Historical fiction, complex story lines, monarchy.

• Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell**

If you like: Historical fiction, complex story lines, LONG novels, America, novel made into a film.

* Read

** Currently reading or will read soon.

I'm hoping to grow my list even more... What are you reading this summer?

Images Courtesy of Pinterest.

graduation.

I can't believe that this was over a week and a half ago.  When people say that graduation passes by with a blink of an eye, they're not kidding.  I'm already more than a week into my new career and have free time every day after 5 pm and on weekends... which is the strangest (most wonderful) feeling.  :)

I wish I had better pictures of my super sparkly cap that took me 6 hours to decorate.  The red stole I wore is for the English Honors Society (Sigma Tau Delta) and the Bronze cords are for Cum Laude Honors (3.64 baby!). 

Now for summer...

happy change.

hello and happy friday!

I'm not going to get into the reasons for my long absence.  I'll just share the good news that next friday I will be graduating college and the monday after, I will be starting my first "real" job. :)

I've certainly missed blogging and hope to come back to it (along with making YouTube videos).

Thank you to everyone who has stuck around.  you are the best!  there are a lot of exciting things coming up in my life that I will be sharing very soon.

good things are on the horizon, friends.  really. good. things.

Image courtesy of Pinterest. 

Spring Break

Just a bit of what I've been up to so far on "spring break".  I say that tentatively since I still had to take a midterm, go to my internship and have work the next two days!  But, I've still managed to make time for some fun stuff.

Biggest, greasiest pizza, EVER.

Girls day w/my friend, Christina!

Staring contest w/Awesomo.  He won.  Obviously.

Freshly brewed Root Beer!  Mmm. 

Date Night w/Nick last night.  We watched "Woman in Black" after this! 

Food, fun, shopping and date night...

These adventures have resulted in my new (unhealthy) obsession with LUSH and added to my already severe addiction to root beer.  :)  

In Review: Coach Poppy and Poppy Flower Perfume.

I typically wear two different perfumes depending on my mood.
DKNY Be Delicious
and
Fresh Strawberry Flowers

The scent by Fresh is actually limited edition (which makes me very sad), and I don't know when it will be pulled.  Of course, I plan on buying a few bottles to stock up in the future, but I also decided to find a new scent.  Over the holidays I got a gift card to Sephora, so I bought the Coach Poppy and Poppy Flower Rollerball Duo since I had smelled it once it a magazine and liked it.  I couldn't remember which one I liked better (and I was buying online), and I figured the rollerball would let me give both of them a shot.

I am really picky when it comes to new perfumes.  I hate musky, vanilla, strong fragrances.  As you can probably tell from my above picks, I'm more of a fruity, light floral person.

Here my impression of each perfume...

Coach Poppy- Nick immediately said that this one smells like oranges.  And it does.  Oranges and flowers, with the faintest hint of... baby powder?  Maybe that is not the best way to put it.  It's also oddly (in a good way) dessert like, which makes sense since it is supposed to have "whipped marshmallow" and "creme brulee" accents.  I like the scent a lot when it is on.  I just rolled it on my wrists and neck.  I could smell it for 4-5 hours after application, which is normally how long perfumes last on me.

Coach Poppy Flower- As the name suggests, this one smells a lot more like flowers.  It is definitely "deeper"... as in something that can be worn in the evening.  I almost want to say that I smell a hint of lavender in there, even though the perfume notes don't mention anything about it.  There is also a strong base of jasmine.  Same as with Coach Poppy, this lasts around 4-5 hours.  Then again, this is the rollerball version, so the spray could last longer.

Overall- Coach Poppy is more suited for day time, and Poppy Flower for night.  This makes my ultimate decision even more difficult since I really like both of them.  Each 1 oz. bottle is $45, which is about the average cost for perfumes of this quality.  If I had to choose which to purchase first, it would be Coach Poppy because it has a fruit base.

Images courtesy of Sephora.com

some thoughts.

i really want to plan an amazing vacation for nick and i to so-cal in april or may.
when it comes to planning vacations, i get obsessed with the details.
disneyland, the beach and sushi are all at the top of my list for this "epic" trip.

i also really want to vlog every day of this spring semester until i graduate college.
which would mean vlogging from 1/17-5/7.
i'm not sure i can do it with my hectic schedule... but i really want to try to capture the memories.

my winter class is over!
this means i have two entire days to do what i want (as well as get stuff together for spring classes).

my sleep schedule is completely off these days- which is awful since i have morning class 3x's a week!  i go to sleep a little after 1am and wake up around 11am if i don't have to work!
... just call me a bum, i don't mind.

tiny tower rules my life. 
no really... both nick and i will laze around in bed "stocking" our businesses and ensuring our that our bitizens are happy.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday.4

Awkward:
- Sitting in the waiting room at my doctor's office, taking out my phone to play Tiny Tower and not realizing that my media volume was turned all the way up.  Helloooo Tiny Tower (and everyone else in the room staring at me).
- Getting an awful look from the waitress because I turned down her multiple attempts at giving me a to-go box for the remnants of my burger.
- Listening to a patient tell me a really short story and then having him thank me for listening to his "really long story".  Okay...?
- Creating my "Drive to School" playlist, and realizing that most of the songs are by Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, NSYNC and Katy Perry.  Just call me cultured!


Awesome:
-18 floors on my Tiny Tower in 5 days. Man, I'm lame.  But, it's SO fun.
- Reading the book "Other People's Love Letters".  It is seriously laughter and tears on paper.
- Date night... <3 (If you get the chance to watch the movie J. Edgar- you should go!)

In Review: Mistress of the Revolution.

Note:

Book reviews always baffle me, but I still read them all the time.  

There is always the fear, as with movies, of revealing too much plot summary or other tid bits that people upset over if they don't discover it themselves.  

Yet, I've decided to forge this road regardless because reviews of just about anything introduce others to new and exciting things that they would not have known about before.  

Each Tuesday, I will try to post a review of something I love, like or hate.  It can be anything... from books to beauty products.  :) 

Who: Anyone who loves historical fiction novels.
What: Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
Where: Barnes and Noble or any place that sells books.

Info:
451 pages.
Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook

Review:
I read this novel over a year ago and it still remains one of my all time favorites.  (So much so that I actually emailed the author as soon as I turned the last page to tell her how much I loved the book...and she wrote back to me!)
The story is set during uncertain times in France, while Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette sat on the throne.  Gabrielle is a young girl, thrown into a noble marriage at the ripe age of fifteen, widowed and then forced to fend for herself in a dangerous world.  The novel covers a large span of Gabrielle's life and the lessons she learns along the way.  Life is not fair as a woman in her position.  From tragic love experiences to nearly being beheaded, Gabrielle struggles through each trial.  Each compelling situation made me wonder how and if I could have ever survived if I had lived her life.
My worry in reading this novel was that my historical expertise was limited when it comes to France (I was more up to par with England back then).  However, this novel actually taught me a lot since it is very much historically accurate.  It is not for the faint of heart due to the length of pages and emotional content as well.  Definitely a good read for any person who loves novels by Phillipa Gregory, but yearn for more details about what life was like long ago.

Skin Woes.

All of my life I have had perfect skin (brag, brag, brag).
BUT
The turning point was when I hit the age of 22.  For some reason my skin decided to completely freak out and stop cooperating with my simple routine of wash and moisturize, day and night.
Everyone kept pointing it out since I had previously never had any issues.
My mom, my grandma, my boyfriend, his dad, his sister, my best friend.
It was brutal.
I could absolutely commiserate with those people featured on acne commercials.  Even though I know my skin could have looked far worse than it did (I would mostly break out on my forehead and chin), I could not imagine living the rest of my life with skin like this.
Aren't people supposed to get the bad skin done and over with during the teenage years?

Anyway, once I realized that caking on makeup and Neutrogena face wash were not doing the trick, I took to the internet, did tons of research and created the perfect cocktail of skin treatments that have brought me back to where I was before.

I have combination skin, so this may not work for everyone.  But, I figured I would share my routine with you...because there is seriously always hope for everyone (considering all of the products on the market today).

Overall:
Drink tons of water to maintain a clear complexion.  If you must drink soda/coffee... drink one glass of water to balance it out.

Morning-

A.M. by cupcakegel on polyvore.com

Step One: Wash face with Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Step Two: Moisturize skin with Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion.
Step Three: Apply makeup as usual.  The BB Cream I use has whitening agents in it to clear up any old visible blemish scars.

Night-

P.M. by cupcakegel on polyvore.com

Step One: Wash face with Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Step Two: Wash face with a small amount of Acne Free Purifying Facial Cleanser (I believe this is only available at Walmart or Amazon).
Step Three: Use a cotton ball to swipe face and neck with Clinique Clarifying Lotion (I use the formula for Dry to Combination Skin).
Step Four: Apply a very small amount of Acne Free Repair Lotion to trouble spots (I usually dab a bit on my forhead, chin, nose and cheeks to cover everything... but only use a tiny amount since the lotion is very drying).
Step Five: Moisturize under your eyes, and sides of nose and mouth with Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion.

With this particular routine my skin cleared up in a matter of days.  I love it and will probably never stray from it.  :)

Belly Button...

Belly button rings... navel piercings. Call it what you will.
Last night I was just wondering what the appropriate age is to take this particular piercing out.
Or is there a certain age?  Does it depend on the person?  Once you have a child?
I'm just not sure.
I suppose this would go for nose, lip, tongue and any other adornment not found on one's ears.

image courtesy of pinterest

I got my piercing the day after I turned 18, and I am now 24. 

I also had my nose pierced briefly at 19, but got over that quickly and took it out. 

So, tell me what you think.

Daily Makeup Routine...

My Daily Makeup Routine by cupcakegel on polyvore.com

1. Missha BB Cream in No. 21
2. Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous in Light
3. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium
4. Benefit Posie Tint
5. Urban Decay Primer Potion
6. Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin and Virgin)
7. Maybelline Gel Liner in Black
8. Benefit Bad Gal Mascara in Black
9. Jouer Lip Balm

I created this beauty routine a few months ago because it was the one I used on an every day basis and I wanted to share it with you all.
It never got posted and I realized that I've changed things up a ton since then...

daily routine-pt 2 by cupcakegel on polyvore.com

Crazy how something I do almost (read: not on lazy days) every day can morph into something completely different over time!

1. Missha BB Cream in No. 21
2. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium
3. Maybelline Bouncy Dream Blush in Pink Frosting and Smashbox AM/PM Duo
4. Urban Decay Primer Potion
5. MAC Eyeshadows in Rice Paper and Vanilla
6. Revlon Color Stay Eye Liner in Brown
7. Benefit Bad Gal Lash in Black
8. Burts Bees Lip Balm in Pomegranate

What does your daily makeup routine consist of?

I wasn't going to make any resolutions for 2012.  But, this morning, I suddenly felt the urge.
My goals this year are...

Graduate college in May.
Go to Spain this summer with one of my good friends.
Procrastinate less.
Start going to church again.

I hope that you all rang in the new year safely.  I was at home with a book and glass of champagne in my hand.  :)

Here's to 2012 and all that it has to bring us.

Like my polar bear spirit hood? :) 

gifts under $35 for her.

this is post #100 for me!  :)

gifts under $35 by cupcakegel

1. Top Choice Sequin Clutch- Nordstrom.com $20
2. The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxed Set- BN.com $32
3. From Heart to Toe Flat- ModCloth.com $30
4. Philosophy The More the Merrier Set- Sephora.com $20
5. Juicy Couture Scottie Embroidery Drop in Key Purse- Zappos.com $35