The Power of Black & White Photography

What makes a quality photograph? Beautiful lighting, of course, plays a mandatory role. Composition is key. The subject matter should generally be at least a little bit visually pleasing in some way (and you'd be surprised at how talented some photographers are at making junk look stunning). On top of these qualifications, most people are drawn to that which is colorful and exciting!

We often underestimate the power of grayscale. There's something about a lack of saturation that draws us straight into the image, body and soul, to experience that very moment which has been captured. Less immediate visual stimulation tends to allow our brains to process more fully what is actually happening instead of just enjoying the temporary flash of hue and moving on to the next objective.

So, I've been playing with black & white photos to try and gain a feeling beyond the freeze frame. I must admit, I'm already sensing an addiction coming on.

{Beauty Tuesday} Spring Cleaning

Alright, I admit it. I've got the winter blues. Sweater weather and holiday indulgences have taken their respective tolls on my body this season, and it's killing me. Plus, I have had enough with all the people telling me horror stories about gaining a ridiculous amount of weight as a missionary! To me, having a healthy lifestyle is vital to leading a successful life. No one can serve or perform at his or her best when the physical body isn't being taken care of properly.

Even though half the reason I'm posting this for the world to see is embarrassing myself into sticking with a routine, I wouldn't be completely honest if I told you I've flat-out let myself go. For the most part I eat normal portions and kinds of food. I'm a bit more sedentary than I would like to claim, but I enjoy exercising when I actually do it. So if you're reading this, please don't set my personal story at the insane (though inspiring) standard you see on television. I don't weigh over 300 pounds, nor do I plan to lose half my weight. If that's what you expect of me, then by all means I will not be offended if you choose to exit this tab and go back to watching The Biggest Loser.

My whole point in Beauty Tuesday-ifying my usually rather private diet and exercise routine is to express the almighty importance of physical health as it pertains to beauty. If you put good in, you get good out! I could rattle off makeup and hair ideas like there's no tomorrow, but there really is no substitute for maintaining your health. And if you think about it, wouldn't you rather have naturally glowing skin, silky hair, and toned muscles instead of glossing over it with makeup, shine spray, and shapewear? I just feel like getting ready in the morning would be so much easier and less...excessive...

That said, here's the plan. I'm a 39-30-40. 165.4 lbs, as of this evening. I'm going for 155 by the end of March, and I'll take it from there. I don't want to be skinny, folks. I want to be healthy - to have more energy, to get better sleep, to feel at the top of my game more often. Sure, this sounds like business, but I'm excited! Being active is a lot more fun than being lazy. Time to do work.

If you'd like to join me, here's a sample Day in Food Terms and a lovely little exercise plan.

Breakfast: 1 slice whole wheat toast spread with 2 T peanut butter and a sweet baby clementine

Midmorning Snack: A granola bar! Those Chewy Oatmeal Raisin ones...they're beautiful.

Lunch: 2.5 c romaine lettuce (I like the Marketside Premium Romaine mix...it has carrots n stuff in it, too) topped with 2 T lowfat dressing and some freshly grilled chicken strips - about half a chicken breast is an appropriate portion.

Afternoon Snack: Reduced fat Cheddar cheese and Town House Sea Salt & Olive Oil crackers. Add sliced cucumbers (and maybe even a dash of ranch) if feeling frisky.

Dinner: 2 c whole wheat pasta, homemade marinara sauce with ground turkey instead of beef, and as many veggies (raw or steamed) as you feel inclined to dish out.

Dessert: I've got a serious sweet tooth. It's so bad. But try mixing your chocolate cake mix with a can of Diet Coke (omit the other stuff) and see what happens. Or use applesauce in the place of any oil required in recipes. This I wouldn't recommend with coffee cake, just because it turns out SUPER bland...but other stuff, go for it.

Exercise: Do an hour of cardio, at whatever pace you're equipped to handle, four days a week. Alternate with strength training the other days. My plan is to target specific muscle groups for a little while at a time. I'm going to start with my arms. Decent? Cool.

Aaaaaaaand, action!

P.S. It takes a lot of courage and confidence to do things like this. So, pat yourself on the back for bringing out my bravery, judge respectfully and try not to laugh too much behind my back. I'm doing my best with what I have!

{Beauty Tuesday} The James Shepard Glow

Every once in a while, it's nice to draw beauty inspiration from those sources you may not generally consider. We so often overlook that which is right in front of us! So, this Beauty Tuesday is extra close to home. As in, less than two minutes away from my own residence. James Robert Shepard III, my best friend and bandmate, is a champion among men because of his poise, serenity, and overwhelming ability to speak with speed. Not only is this guy smart as a bee sting, he can dance and play guitar like a maniac and sing with the resounding triumph of a choir of angels. With great despair I bear the solemn news that no, all men cannot be James Shepard, and for that they have every right to go ahead and cry. However, my good tidings are that YES! All men can be like James Shepard! Here are your instructions.

First of all, lots of beauty sleep is extremely important. Your ideal sleep
schedule is 1:00 AM - 9:00 AM on weekdays and 4:00 AM - 2:00 PM
on the weekends.

Get your social media on.

Promote peace.

Live on a steady vegetarian-college-student diet of refined carbohydrates,
vegetable variations, and refried beans.

Always be polite when you drop your pencil.

Simon & Garfunkel should be a major inspiration.
Speaking of which, you must be an incredibly
talented and dedicated guitarist and vocalist.

Make mac n' cheese for all of your girlfriends. The ladies love a man
who can cook.

Be curious (and have a hereditary cute nose).

Flaunt what your mama gave ya.

Shoot everything with your imaginary revolver(s). Sound effects required.

{Soulful Sunday} Cold War Kids

My apologies! It's been far too long. These guys are crazy good. G'head. Take a listen.

{Beauty Tuesday} Boring Short Hair and Other Myths Part Two

It's been a long time since I've had a hair-related post! I love doing different things with my own hair and I take every chance I can to play with my cousin Maggy's long, silky locks. In August I demonstrated the curling technique I used for my chin-length hair, and since then I haven't shown you how I do my even shorter hair. I chopped it off a month later, and one trim and a dye job back to my natural color later I think I've decided to grow it out again. Today I realized, I ought to take advantage of what I have while it lasts! Here's a simple way to play with hair that can't just be tossed into a topknot.

Start with clean, dry hair. Create a deep side part.

Spritz all over with a thermal protection spray.

Using a straightener, flip the ends of hair upward. Move from the bottom
layers about halfway up the head.

Section off hair and create tight curls (about one inch) layer by layer.

Work toward your part. Curl hair back in the opposite direction
of your face.

Don't be concerned about a missed spot or two. It should be messy. 

The flipped up ends in the back make a growing-out pixie seem
a little longer and help to cover up uneven growth.

Grab a pintail comb and tease away. Create enough volume in the back that
your head won't look misshapen.

Beginning at the part, French braid the front half of your hair (bangs)
parallel to your forehead. Secure with two bobby pins tucked into the braid.

Rough up the braid a little and smooth out the crown. Next, walk barefoot
on the beach or milk a cow. Your preference.

{Beauty Tuesday} Happy Holidays! Part 5

It's finally here: the Big Week. We survived the apocalypse, and now it's time to party. I hope you had a very merry Christmas, and here's to the happiest of New Years!

{FADE IN, FADE OUT}

Question 1: Are you classy?

Question 2: Is there a possibility you will be seen by other people?

Question 3: Would you like to look pretty?

If you answered, "Yes!" to one or more of these questions, this look is for you. It's a simple, impossibly quick way to fake believably full lips. Key word: Believable. There's no use in having a permanent duck face.

Apply a rosy, glittery gloss to the whole surface of the lips. In the center of the mouth, dab on a lighter pink, equally glittery gloss. Blend the edges together with your ring fingertip, then use it to tap on a loose white or pink shimmer eye shadow to the very center. Smack, but don't rub, lips together to ensure even distribution, then don't mess with it! And try to avoid an overdose - things of this nature can become very messy, very fast. Dust a matte beige shadow on upper eyelids, then finish with black mascara and soft pink blush.

{STARRY NIGHT}

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that those 3D nail sticker things actually do work, and they're super easy. For high impact without being too flashy, box the drama into just the ring finger nail on each hand.

Paint each nail with a clear base coat. After this has dried, carefully place the correct-sized sticker on your ring finger nail and press down to get rid of any air bubbles. Use nail clippers to hack off the inch of extra sticker that nobody's nails should ever be long enough to use, then file excess down to the shape of your nail. Paint all other nails with two thin coats of midnight blue polish. Once these layers have dried, apply a top coat to all nails (including the one with the sticker) and allow to dry. Touch up the end of each nail every other day or as needed.

{GOLD RUSH}

Although I'm fair-skinned, my complexion is warm and therefore I have a hard time pulling off silver. If you are cooler-toned, more blue-based shades will work better for you.

Smooth a shimmery shadow primer evenly all over the lid, from the lashline to the browbone and down to the lower lids. Then, pat (don't brush) a metallic gold eye shadow onto the lid using a slightly dampened fluffy brush or your ring finger. Dry the brush and blend shadow out past the brow. Create a wing on the upper lashline with black eyeliner, omitting liner on the lower rims. Finish with black mascara and a bit of peachy blush on the cheeks; leave lips bare.

 {GRAPE EXPECTATIONS}

If you'd prefer to wear this look with a little less intensity, you can opt to use a more sheer formula or roll your ring finger across the lipstick and pat it onto your lips instead of applying directly from the tube.

Prep lips with a sugar scrub and a layer of non-waxy lip balm. Swipe on a deep purple lipstick straight from the tube, blot with a tissue, and repeat. Add one last layer of color and clean up the edges with a lip brush and/or a little concealer. Use nothing on the eyes but curled mascara; a pinkish blush will prevent a ghostly aura (especially if you're as exceptionally pale as I am).

In the way of staying healthy and fit, I have but five highly accomplishable pointers for you.

1. Shovel the walks. If you don't have snow, mow the lawn or rake the leaves or run around the house four times.

2. Collect all the candy and treats you received for Christmas into one place, and indulge in one piece each day. This makes your stash last longer and keeps you from just eating whatever random thing you find, when you find it.

3. Consume Vitamin C and drink half your weight in water. Keep the bug away this season - it's a nasty one.

4. Dance on New Year's Eve. Burn calories + have fun + make friends.

5. Don't drink. My apologies, but alcohol is sincerely not good for you. If you must choose to partake, I personally forbid you to drive. I don't care who you are. Nobody can be physically healthy when they're dead. Just making a point here. Other than that...

Bonne année!

{Soulful Sunday} Young the Giant

I'll admit these guys weren't even on my radar until December of last year, but when I got to know them they hit me like a train. Though they have only one [unbelievable] album released, their acoustic In The Open Session videos show Young the Giant's versatility and believable talent. Anyone can sound good on a mixed record, but it takes a true set of musicians to create such a gorgeous sound without excess noise or unnecessary adjustments. James and I attended their In The Venue show with Grouplove back in the spring and I was amazed at what an intense performance they put on. Sameer Gadhia rocks that tambourine like you wouldn't believe.