The Return with a Rant!

     Hey friends! So I have been lazy or uninspired to blog for a long time. My normal excuses would be job hunting, taking care of boyfriend and cat, etc. I just want to be honest, my creative side can come and go. I have been vlogging on YouTube ! Shopping hauls, Ipsy glam bag unboxings, and random talks have been the videos. I also really enjoy watching the beauty bloggers and family vlogs on there. AprilJustinTV, grav3yardgirl, Sacconejolys, eleventhgorgous, and leighannsays are some of my favorites!  Aside from that, I am active in Pinterest, Polyvore, Keep and Instagram.
     On a serious note, this whole finding a legit job thing is totally hard! By legit job, I mean something that not only pays well (corresponds with my education and experience), but isn't a soul sucking job! I need to have a connection with the purpose of the job if I'm to put awesome effort into it and product great work! My degree and past work experience don't really mesh and applying for jobs in different areas has proved to be difficult. The current economy is to blame, just not completely. I am also at fault. I am picky! I take responsibility for that statement. I don't just want any job! I have talents and want them to be applied to this world for a cause I believe in. Sure I have bills and debt that tell me every day that I can't be choosy, but my soul suffers with the wrong job. I had some temporary jobs that were easy, had good pay, but were so soul sucking! What is soul sucking? Having to call people to take research surveys that I don't care about and sounding like a robot while doing it. Selling a overly priced fast track school to people on their last leg of hope for a better future. Sure I was told I am helping them to get there, but the company just cared about profits. Some of you are probably saying, "Stop complaining and do what you want to do!" I wish it was that easy, but for now it isn't. I am still trying to figure out that part. I know more of what I don't want then what I do. It may be all part of the ring of crazy jobs that lead to a career, but this journey is wrecking my hope. I don't know what kind of career I want! I just want to find a place in society that challenges me to adapt my talents and trades to provide service to this world that I can be proud of! I don't believe this pathway of the typical American Dream works anymore or at least for me. I stayed out of trouble, went to college, got the degree, applied to jobs, marketed myself, took part-time work to pay bills, tried to keep the hope of a better future alive and what happened? Nothing. Ok, more than that. I did have some adventures in the process. Learned some helpful professional skills. Developed some form of a work ethic. I am not completely unhappy with my unemployed life. I have family and friends who are encouraging or bitchy at times. I have a great boyfriend,who knows what he whats professional and pursuing a Masters in some crazy science field. My cat is cooler than me, he gets to be catered to by his loving human parents. As of now I have food, shelter, can pay the minimum payment of my credit cards, have my student loans deferred (not for long), and currently have a small part-time job as a personal assistant. I should be grateful for what I have and I am, but I don't want to settle for this nor do I want to lose the good things I've got. Something has to give! I don't want it to be my hope or faith in chances. Chances, there seems to be a shortages of these lately. Maybe I should just make my own punch in this world since it seems to be punching and kicking me lately. When did surviving this world mean giving up your happiness to have your bills paid. Yes it is my doing for going to college and getting a degree that wasn't my first choice, but the education system tricked me. I was its salve. I didn't take advantage of the social opportunities that college had laced in for me. I didn't know how important networking was. I just took the four years to get a very expensive piece of paper that the job market doesn't take serious anymore.  I have been told that experience is everything! Just the past work, organization memberships, and voluntarism that counts. I guess none of my countless hours of studying with a textbook, negotiating with professors, writing research papers, projects or finishing school on time (4 years baby!) makes me a good candidate for any position. Okay I didn't venture into getting work experience, internships, etc in my field during those precious years. My mistake!  After graduation I realized that field wasn't pulling my soul strings hard enough. I decided to search for another calling. I am still searching. So the world isn't made for me, a dreamer. I can't achieve real progress until I awake. I am trying everyday to wake up my soul to something that can satisfy it. Certain things do bite, but nothing has consumed my soul for the better, unless you count my boyfriend and cat. I wish I could just get paid to be me, but isn't that the goal of your dream job? Damn me for wanting money for food/shelter, paying my debt off and enjoying some of life's luxuries (Starbucks! Makeup! Netflix!) and serving my purpose to the world by making it a better place not just for me but for all that I can help.

Beauty Haul

    Hey all! So I have been on this beauty kick! Buying products in the last couple of days. Makeup is fun and can become an artistry. My skills need improving, but I have some tricks. Today I made this vlog above, showing you some of my beauty finds.

    Below are some pictures of my face today. Those are my natural lashes by the way, with mascara of course! Thinking of trying some false lashes to be dramatic one of these days.

                                                 

     The beauty blender I hear is one of the best makeup tools out there! I see it being used in makeup tutorials. Below is a wonderful video tutorial on a flawless foundation using the blender. Kandee Johnson is awesome! Totally check out her other videos!

     E.L.F. Beach Beauty palette that I showed in my video has a lot of great colors. Here is a color swatch on my arm.

     Side Note: I would just like to share this Polyvore set I recently designed. This fun night look would go great with the grey smokey eye I am wearing in the video. You just need to add a dark cat eye to be more dramatic. Galaxy print is trendy right now and I have been curious to own a piece. See you next post!

Golden Star by roxybluemoon featuring a green skirt

Green skirt, $37 / Giuseppe Zanotti peeptoe booties / Givenchy / Engraved jewelry / Alexis Bittar clip earrings

Beauty Buys

     Hello All! It has been a while. Life got in the way, but inspiration struck! Recently unemployed, I have some time on my hands. So what to do??? Watch beauty tutorials on YouTube of course! These very helpful videos have become very popular in the last few years. Ladies (and men) everywhere have posted great ways to bring the beauty out of you! After watching many videos, I ransacked my makeup bag and discovered that I need to update my basics as well as get some new ones. Off to my local drugstore and beauty shops, I came home with some goodies. Below is a chat of what I go!

New Beauty Buys! by roxybluemoon featuring cream makeup

COVERGIRL cream makeup / Almay Intense i-Color Smoky-I Kit for Brown Eyes / e.l.f. Studio Under Eye Concealer Highlighter / CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm, Sunscreen SPF 15, Spice 270

     Starting with the gloss balm, I got it at Ulta for $1.89 on sale! The color is Spice and is feels nice on the lips. Also at Ulta, I purchased the blush in silky touch rose color and the Covergirl BB cream. BB creams have recently gained popularity and after using it I can tell why! This tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 have over great benefits! E.l.f. dual concealer/highlight is staple for those party bags us girls have under our eyes!  E.l.f. brand makeup is a bargain! Their quality products are inexpensive and can be found at Target, Kmart and online.
     At my trip to CVS, I got the remainder of my products. Revlon and Physicians Formula had a very good Extrabucks deal going on. Spend $10 on Revlon products get $4 Extrabucks back! Spend $10 on Physicians Formula products get $6 Extrabucks back! So through multiple transactions and some math, I got these awesome products at discounted prices! P.F.'s shimmer strips custom eye enhancing eyeliner trio is the most exciting product. You use the three sticks; champagne, pewter, and black, to create a Nude look of liner around the eye. Of course they can be used separately to enhance any look! Next item that was a steal at CVS was the Almay intense I-color smoky-I kit for brown eyes. I had a $3 off coupon plus $2.50 Extrabuck rewards that made this purchase about $3.50. This palette is great for a quick color combination on the eyes for daytime. Last, is the Essence of Beauty brow and lid kit. I have been looking for the right products and tools to tame my eyebrows. This kit is a lucky surprise! At $7 it includes; brow color, eye shadow trio, dual color eyebrow pencil, a dual end eye shadow and liner smudge brush, a brow brush, and 3 brow stencils. Again, with some Extrabuck rewards it was like $1.67 for me!
   

    Above is a picture of my beauty look after using some of the products. I used the BB cream, blush, concealer, powder, my other eye shadows, two of the P.F.'s eyeliners, volume mascara, gloss balm, and red/orange lipstick. It's a lady-like daytime color combination with pinks, light shimmer, brown liner. Took about 5 minutes to do. My hairstyle is a half updo with braids connecting in the back. My vintage looking flower earrings complete the look!
    Below is my complete makeup collection so far. I would like to add more basics. Thinking about subscribing to one of those beauty boxes. Need to do my research and see which is the best fit for me.

    I will try to post some vlogs about my makeup routine in the next few weeks. I have been cleaning up my memory card on my digital camera. I would also like to buy a makeup/beauty book that is a manual for everything. I want to try contouring! Thanks for reading and see you next post!

Update!

Hello all! Sorry for not posting in like 3 weeks. Things in life got the better of my attention. Above, you will notice a video. I decide to vlog, which is a video blog. You get to see the girl behind the posts. I rather enjoyed making the video. Sorry about the low sound, I need a better microphone.
     I mentioned a job website called Indeed. Check it out if you are searching for career jobs. My area listed plenty of jobs from the university, hospital and other great companies. I also spoke about AmeriCorps, which is a great opportunity to be involved in national community service that makes a huge impact.
     Today I found a great article on Thought Catalog titled "21 More Dating Truth We Need to Realize."  Number 18 is something I always believe in. I realized this past week, that you don't have to improve yourself by running away and abandoning the whole situation. You just have to redefine, set new rules and expectations. Communication is real key in relationships, but also evolving. Making sure each of you are aware of the others needs and individual goals. The other can be there to provide support and keep you from dragging yourself down during stressful times. It is great when your partner accepts you for who you are and inspires you to be better. I didn't want to give that up just because I was scared of my own devices.
     Now for a fashion note. Today I went  for Spring comfort. Wearing black and white polka dot short, a neon green shirt and red lips, I feel awesome! The lipstick is from NYC City Duet 2 in 1 lipcolor in The Red Hot color combination. It is a mixture of the two reds. My hair style is a simple side braid with a polka dot bow in the back, matches my shorts! Below is a Polyvore set that I created to show you a similar look.

Dots! by roxybluemoon featuring high-rise shorts

81 Hours cotton shirt, $32 / Rebecca Taylor high-rise shorts / Stuart Weitzman flat sandals / Mulberry over the shoulder bag / Mint jewelry / Michael Kors stainless steel ring

Insight Channels

As I get my day started or any day for the that matter, I like to review some of my favorite sites. Besides Facebook, there are other windows of information that require me to scroll down and click away! Before I even get started, Songza is where I first explore. It is a music streaming provider. I'll always be a fan of Pandora, but Songza is different. You listen to playlists that represent different moods, activates and genres. For example, if you need breakup music or driving on a road trip. Right now I am listening to AFI's Greatest Film Scores. It is really epic to write to or really any daily activity.

After finding the right music to browse the web with, my next stop is Yahoo. Yes I enjoy Yahoo! I can see if there is any breaking news. Can't always rely on Facebook friends for that lol! I make the effort to scroll through the news blocks and clicking any story that grabs my attention. Yahoo OMG! is where I can found out if Selena Gomez is back with Justin Bieber and other celebrity gossip. I believe she is better off single lol. Yahoo Shine is another favorite of mine. It has articles featuring fashion, food, relationships and even pets.

Have you heard of Buzzfeed? If not, go check it out! This site has keep me sane during long work days. It is a hodge-podge of editorial articles and highly entertaining lists, like 35 dumbest things ever said on Facebook. I could and have spend hours on that site.

If I am in a fashion mood which is all the time, I click over to Refinery 29. Here is how they describe themselves.

"Refinery29 isn't just about fashion- it's a lens for millions of women, everyday, to discover their lest personal style and feel as good as they look. Through award-winning original programming, Refinery29 connects a fast-growing audience of users with content, commerce, and community, giving them all the tips, tricks, and tools they need to live a more beautiful life- and share it with the world."

Its fashion and culture leaves me informed and inspired. Just browsed their entry of Spring Shoes, I want them all! Another fashion site that offers some great tips is College Fashion. It might be tailored towards co-eds, but the outfit ideas they suggest can be taken beyond the classroom. Beauty articles and others with practical information about the college experience are very reader worthy.

Thought Catalog is a best keep secret, but it shouldn't be! This site offers some of the most raw and proactive articles about life revolving around twenty-somethings. Each day tons of new articles of varying subjects are posted. Today's article titled "18 Ways to Be a Better Best Friend," is ironic because I had to cut my best friend date short for tomorrow night. My excuse involves seeing a sneak peek of Iron Man 3 Thursday at 9 pm. Valid right? I promise to make it up to her. Kattie forgive me please lol! Anyway, just like Thought Catalog on Facebook, it is an easy way for links to their interesting articles to pop up in your news feed.

There you have some sites to occupy your mind with facts, lists, outfit ideas, and articles that will make you go "Uh." Please tell me about some of your go to sites, just leave a link and a comment.

Solo Book Club

Greetings folks! Happy Friday! Even if it is not a pay day one. This week has been good. Nothing too hard to handle in life. On Wednesday, due to my boyfriend's tutor session being canceled, we made a trip to Barnes & Nobles. So if you know me, I don't read books very often. It is not that I suck at reading, it is that I am very picky. I believe books find a way to me when there is a valid reason in my life for them to be purposeful. I feel like this about movies too, but I watch a lot more films, than read books. When I do reach for a book, it is more informational than fiction. I like to research topics that interest me. If I am going to read fiction, I rather write it myself lol!
     In this trip to the bookstore I went browsing the discount shelves. Books on film, music, crafts or even sugar daddies interest me. Yeah I almost purchased this book about a woman's quest to find a sugar daddy. I might just go back and get it lol. After scouting other possible selections, I wandered into the psychology section. Textbook worth ones I found, but to my surprise some books were appealing in a practical way. You could classify them as self-help books based on psychological theories. One book stood out to me.
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

This text explores the "flow" theory of life. Which is reaching conciseness to the point of heighten and genuine enjoyment within various situations in life. Basically,  living in the moment. Being fully aware of the experience and having control. Control in the realm of perspective. I am only twenty pages deep into this book, but my philosophy concepts are clicking away! I am all about the flow. 

I will be giving some updates on my journey into this subject and a final thought when I finish the book.  Until then, research what tickles your mind and devour subjects that give you reason and rhyme. 

Bike ride

"Get on your bikes and ride!" 

The lyric is from the song "Fat Bottomed Girls" by Queen. The song is a favorite with my best friend and I . Every time I heard it I want to get on a bike and ride! Above is a picture of the bike that I recently got from my boyfriend. He will we be starting grad school in the Fall and wanted invest in biking to campus. This summer he wanted to develop his bike skills and get in shape. This bike he received from his father. After some consideration, the bike wasn't a good fit for him. He decided to purchase a new bike and gave me the old one. I love it! It fits me pretty well and riding isn't so bad. I'm still learning the rules of biking, living in a college town. See the Gator flag in the picture. Go Gators! 

Today I took the bike for a spin down a near by street that has a bike lane and is pretty shaded. It was a quick trip and worked up a sweat, I'm a beginner here. 

My goal is to bike at least 3 times a week. Increasing my distance each time. Biking is a great workout. It get your heart rate pumping and you get to enjoy nature! I never did like biking in a gym, going no where. Check out this biking calculator - it will tell you how many calories you burned during your ride. 

Let me go all motherly. I strongly encourage biking safety measures. Know the bike law in your town. Always assume that cars are not aware of the rules and use caution.  Biking on the sidewalk isn't the best when there are pedestrians walking, they are rights too. Try to use the bike lanes provided. A helmet that fits is key. Proper clothes and shoes will provide support. Here is a general example of what to wear. 

Bike Ride by roxybluemoon featuring a scoop neck tank

Forever 21 scoop neck tank / adidas activewear, $41 / adidas sports bra / L. Erickson / Oakley eyewear, $245 / Coppertone / Women's Schwinn Thrasher Helmet - Walmart.com