Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! (Happy New Year, obviously)

That's "Happy New Year" in Welsh, in case you were wondering. No, I do not speak Welsh, but I sure think it looks funny.

I could sit here and reminisce on the year with cute photos, but I would rather be spending more time with my family than putting together a poignant blog post. Sorry, bloggy land.

So, my simple and to-the-point New Year's post is a wish from the best thing that happened to me in 2010.

Enjoy your evenings, be safe and best wishes to you in 2011!

Belated Boston Photos

Wow, what a holiday! I have had so much fun, although I've been busier than I've expected!

Now time to play bloggy catch up..... yet again!

Anyway, I made a big deal about going to Boston and now I've gotta deliver with some photos (albeit belated photos)! I figured this would be a good way to close up my Christmas-related posts. Here are some of my faves. Enjoy!

I actually snapped this while on the T (the subway)

 

Christmas decorations around Harvard

Hotel Ames lobby

Lunch on the Boston fish pier

Grabbing a Boston Cream Pie cupcake (I would, wouldn't I?)

Decorations around Fanueil Hall

Dinner with family friends in the North End. This restaurant was actually next door to Paul Revere's house.

My favorite sweet shop... Mike's Pastry

We kind of randomly stumbled upon Sam Adams' grave while meandering... Yeah, you know, nothing special.

Mmmmmm... more pastries in my hubby's hometown

Our friends participating in an "Asian Christmas Picture" with us. And we just so all happen to be matching somewhat (and wearing New England Patriots colors).

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! I'm so ready to stop eating junk food and get back into my yoga routine! I'm so ready for healthy food, I've even got my dinner menu consisting of fattoush and healthy slow cooker boca chili (I'll definitely post this recipe soon). I won't mention the French bread baking in the bread maker (that's healthy, right?).

Cheers to a wonderful Christmas season! I couldn't be more grateful for my family, friends, and my loving husband!

Feliz Navidad, Y'all!

Although it's nearing the end of the day, I wanted to wish y'all a Merry Christmas!

I'm here in the Hill Country in Texas spending time with family, two Abyssinian (Dexter and my husband's grandmother's) cats, and a Springer Spaniel (in laws doggie).

So... Merry Christmas from the O. Family Animals!

Dexter and Trot

Hope your day is/was super warm and cuddly, just like these gorgeous little fur babes!

A Cupcake Catastrophe

This past weekend, I drove up to Dallas to visit a bunch of my lovely friends! They just so happened to be all there this weekend, and I had to visit.

I was staying with my friend, Dee, and I really wanted a cupcake. So did her husband, Dwayne. We all really wanted a cupcake. After all, I still had to belatedly celebrate National Cupcake Day.

So, it was 9:00 at night. Sprinkles was definitely closed, so I googled "late night cupcakes in Dallas, TX". I stumbled upon a local chain, Dimples Cupcakes. They had great reviews, and the best part is that their stores are open until midight. HELLZ YEAH. Let's go.

So, we get into the car. We put the address (that I got from their website, btw) in the GPS, and go forth. We arrive at the apparent address, and Dimples Cupcakes is nowhere to be found. Nope, no such business. No cupcakes anywhere in sight. What a freaking let down!

I call their phone number, hoping to speak to a real person of this alusive apparent cupcake chain, and it's an automated system. But they have another apparent location just nearby! We put the address in the GPS yet again.

After the GPS literally took us in a circle and all over the place, we arrive at the second location for Dimples Cupcakes.

We get out of the car and get so excited that we finally get to have a cupcake. We get closer to the store and notice all of the lights are off. WHAT?! They're CLOSED?! No explanation whatsoever. Just a dark store, and piece of paper on the door with their phone number.

I call the phone number again, hoping I can for real speak to someone. Nope. Just an automated system and no explanation on why that store was closed. No live person to talk to.

And worst of all, NO CUPCAKES.

So you know what I say?! SCREW YOU, DIMPLES CUPCAKES! I won't even try finding you ever again!!!

Dee and I shake our fists at thee, DIMPLES!

I really think Dimples Cupcakes is a mythological cupcake creature. It's like a quest for the holy grail -- many have tried finding it and most have failed. Either that, or they're just a freaking inconsiderate business. Why advertise your store locations and hours only to have one not exist and one not open?!?!?!?! Furthermore, no explanation when I call the phone number you post on your door!

I hope every cupcake fanatic in Dallas takes heed to my warning: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIND AND EAT DIMPLES CUPCAKES!

And as a side note: Who names their cupcake store Dimples?! Is this supposed to make me feel good about my body image after eating cupcakes or is it a stupid reference to smiling?

Well, guess what. NO DIMPLES HERE.

There were no dimples on my face due to smiling or extra dimples on my Texas Toast due to the eating of cupcakes. The cupcake gods were against us that night. It was a cupcake catastrophe.

Nobody likes a cupcake catastrophe

Happy National Cupcake Day!!!

I lit-er-all-y just found out it is National Cupcake Day today!

How in the world did I not know this?!?!?!

Seeing as how I have picky tastes and will not settle for just any cupcake, I am not sure that I will actually get to eat one (or more) today. So, in lieu of that, I'm going to post pictures of pretty cupcakes and assume that they taste just as good.

I wish every cupcake came with one of those toppings!

Oooh, Haute Cup-toure! (har har har har I'm hilarious)

And my personal favorite cupcake shop....

So, Happy National Cupcake Day!

And remember, kids, ALWAYS:

What's your favorite cupcake? I'm a key lime, chocolate coconut, pumpkin, red velvet, lemon, chai, strawberry, peanut butter chocolate, dark chocolate kind of girl!

Howdy!

Hey dudes and dudettes!

That's right, the gorgeous beast known as Meg O. has graced her home with her presence again.

The trip to Beantown was tons of fun, including the freezing cold weather! It'll take me a few days to do some catching up, so bear with me. I've got a lot of awesome pictures I plan on sharing, but for now, here are a couple of teasers...

Me in Harvard Yard

Our hotel room at the Ames Boston

In other news, I'll be off for two weeks starting Friday!

To that, I say...

In other words (for those that can't read music):

(Random side note: I was supposed to sing in The Messiah this year but had to drop because my lost voice did not return to its full ability for about two months. Definitely could not sing high melismas at all. Makes me sad. Oh well, I get to sing the Verdi Requiem in January!)

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week and that you're ready for the holidays! I still have quite a bit of shopping to do, but that's tons of fun for me!

We're Shippin' up to Boston

Today we leave for good ol' Beantown!

I will most definitely be listening to this song on the airplane on the way up.

Best. Pump-up Song. Ever.

Greg is originally from Massachusetts. He came down to Texas for college and hasn't left. His parents actually moved down to Texas this past summer, and Greg has been wanting to go back up to MA to visit and pay homage to his hometown. I actually met Greg up in Massachusetts for our mutual friends' wedding. I've been up quite a few times since, and it's a great place to go. It's so much fun to visit the culture and the atmosphere of which my wonderful Kennedy-like hubby grew up. However, this time will be a little different not staying with his parents in the house where Greg grew up. We'll actually be staying in Boston for two nights and then going to his hometown (about an hour outside of Boston) for the rest of the time and stay with some family friends.

I'm "wicked" excited!

Except....

WTF is up with this weather?!

My Texan blood doesn't know how to read these numbers.

Okay, well, I have been up there twice in November, but I have a strange feeling it'll feel colder in December because it's almost Christmas. I hope it snows!!! I want to see snow in New England!!!

So, anyway, we'll be there until Sunday. I have already packed seven scarves and three pairs of boots. Greg has laughed at me before when I asked him if I needed long underwear, so I made sure not to ask stupid questions.

I also decided that I needed a pre-Boston pick me up:

  Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier whilst staring at the Kennedy brothers

Yes, we do have that hanging up at our residence. We also have Fenway Park and an aerial shot of Boston hanging up as well. Oh, and a letter from Ted Kennedy 3 months before he died (we sent him a wedding invitation and he sent a letter back). Luckily, it's all tastefully displayed ;)

Boston makes me feel "Wicked Smaht"

Especially if I pahk the cahr on Hah-vad Yad

But I gotta watch out for the Green Montsah

Ah ha ha ha.... Boston Puns! I'm hilarious!!

And on that note...

BAH-STUN, here we come!

Our 2010 Christmas Card!

Here ye! Here ye!

I am proud to present to you our 2010 Christmas card!

Haha... just kidding.

My sister had too much fun on Photoshop editing the picture she took and gave us an "unofficial" version. I think this might surpass the "Asian Christmas" picture from last year. My favorite part of this picture is Dexter has turned into a Gremlin with lopsided ears. If the card was to be narrated or accompanied with a letter, this is what it would say:

"Hiiiii y'all! Hope y'all have a Merry Effin' Christmas! Things are a little... different this year, but we're still a-truckin' along. I told Dexter not to jump in them biohazard barrels outside the double wide but he just didn't listen t'me! He turned a lil green, but it matches the tree quite bee-you-ti-fully if you ask me! What a purdy boy! Well, now that we mention it, I can't help but think we've been bathing in that biohazard material. I thought the water smelled funny. My right eye just seems to be a little big and dear ol' Greg's forehead seems to have a mind of its own. That could have also happened with the grease fire when we were trying to fry the turkey during Thanksgiving. I told Greg not to fry it in the baby pool, but he didn't listen! That explains my nose and Greg's forehead.. problems. But after multiple trips back down to Wal-Mart, no lotion has fixed it! Not to mention, we spent so much money trying to clean up the turkey "catasrophe", Greg had to settle for the "bargain" dentures when it was time to go to the dentist. I told him that, like that quote says, 'a smile increases your face value!' So, like I done said, Merry Effin' Christmas and keep on smilin'!!!"

But in all seriousness, here's our for real card!

Bright Merry Cheer Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Here's the inside of the card:

I have too much fun with these things. I can't wait to send them out! I love addressing envelopes, too. Something about Christmas cards are just so special!

Have y'all sent yours out yet? I'd love to see your cards!

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation Review

Hey guys!

I haven't written a beauty related post in quite a while, so it's about darn time I do! I am always obsessed with all things beauty and I always research the heck out of something before I buy it. I hate having to spend tons of money only for something to not work for me. I like quality products, but they must be worth the money!

Anyway, it was time for me to re-stock my foundation supply. I have been into liquid foundations lately, especially ones that can build coverage. With a good primer and setting powder, it just seems to work better for my combination skin. Hormonal acne loves to pop up on my face when I least expect it. I'll literally be completely clear and then the next day I can feel a painful cyst coming on. Granted, my skin has gotten so much better after doing various things, particularly exfoliating, moisturizing, and Retin-A. But with that Retin-A comes some dryness, so a liquid foundation is definitely a must for me.

I've talked about before how I love the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. I still think it's great product, but I kind of was getting sick of it. I wanted to try something else. I have makeup ADD - I can't help it.

So, with a little bit of researching, I decided to skip out on Sephora and head to the MAC counter! I used to be quite the MAC snob. It literally was the only thing I would own (until I got makeup ADD). I still have tons of eyeshadows (I'm talking two palettes worth) that I use all the time, but I haven't used much else since college. I learned that MAC put out a new liquid foundation and I was eager to try it! So, let's get down to business, shall we?!

MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation

Click on the photo to go purchase

According to MAC, this foundation is "A long-wear foundation that gives up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition. Lightweight and creamy, applies smoothly to provide sheer to medium coverage. Even in hot and humid conditions, controls oil to keep skin fresh, natural and flawless. Provides everyday SPF protection."

First Thoughts on the Product

- $29.50 is much cheaper than the MUFE HD that runs for $42 for the same amount of product (1 oz).
- SPF 10 with Titanium Dioxide is an absolute plus! I will never wear chemical sunscreens.
- I don't see any recognizable parabens listed in the ingredients, but I could be an idiot or they deceived me.
- Color match is a little different than the other MAC shades. I usually wear NW/NC 20 (I like to balance out my pink tones with golden, so I usually do an NC shade) but I had to get this in NC 15, which is actually their lightest shade. I could have probably done NC20, but I would rather warm my complexion up with bronzer.
- At the MAC Counter, the Sales Associate put this foundation on one side of my face and the Studio Fix Fluid on the other side. It was remarkable on how much better this looked on my skin. The color, the coverage, and the finish.

Using the Product

The product itself is fairly liquid-y, but somewhat thick

That is one pump of it.

The golden tones of my NC15 neutralize some of my pink-ness, but not to the point where my face is a completely different tone than the rest of my skin

Pink-ness goes bye bye!

I use two pumps of the foundation and I apply it with my MAC 187 brush. Then I buff in the foundation with a small kabuki brush. Afterward, I conceal blemishes and under eyes and if I want more coverage, I'll do another layer and buff one more time. Most of the time, I'm good with one layer of foundation.

My cheap kabuki brush is great for buffing, but that's about it. The MAC 187 is the best freakin' brush you'll ever buy for liquid foundation, and it does so much more. I don't know why I haven't had this sooner. The one that is pictured is a Special Edition one that came in a brush set out for Christmas 2010 (and it just so happens to be the same price for the set as one 187 brush). The only difference between that and the regular one is the size of the handle and the gold metal.

Thoughts After Using the Product

- The foundation is very matte and dries pretty quickly, so you must apply it in sections and make sure to buff it for that airbrushed look.
- This can look very cake-y if you do not blend well.
- Sometimes I need a little extra moisturizer or I will mix this with some if I have some Retin-A flakies.
- The coverage is medium for me, but is very buildable and I can get a full coverage by applying it in layers like I described.
- Those with dry skin may not like this as it may be too matte for their skin.
- If you want a super full coverage, you may not like this as you have to apply it in layers for it to fully cover (I like this so I can use less foundation and just conceal stubborn spots).
- You guys know how I have been busy directing a play along with teaching. I didn't do any touch ups or even have time to powder my nose during the busy day. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and was shocked to see that it was still there and it still looked good! Not to mention, the temperatures have still been in the 70s-80s here with tons of humidity. MAC lives up to its claims with this really staying put.
- I've been using this for about three weeks and I've had no major breakouts or reactions to the product.

Final Verdict

YES. My absolute new favorite.

Great coverage, flawless finish!

Please note: I was not compensated in any way to do this review. I research and buy all of my own products. If my review isn't enough, feel free to check out more here at makeupalley.com (my favorite beauty secret)!