Senior Pics

here are a few shots from the senior pic shoot i did with Kellie.  the two cute girls were Kayla and McKenzie.  it was such a fun day doing their pictures and i love working with teenagers.  they're so spunky!

here are a few shots Kellie threw in of my handiwork

phew! hope you don't have picture overload.

xo

kristie

Brow Know How

did i mention this week would be interesting?

Birthday Haul

i want to let everyone in on my second favorite store in the world, the first one being Last Chance in AZ.  since i live in OH and not AZ, MJR is the place for me.  MJR is a warehouse store that sells overstock and returns for Limited Brands such as Victoria's Secret and The Limited.  it is definitely hit and miss because the clothing stock varies from day to day but today was a good day.  i decided to spend a little birthday money and invest in some cute new clothes and this is what i came up with for $20.28. 

oh this store is so delicious.  each item was $3 except for this t-shirt

but i have been envying my SIL's dolman sleeve t-shirt and just couldn't pass this up.  who said dressing well had to be expensive?

do you have any good recommendations on where to get a deal?  if so, PLEASE share.

xo

kristie

More Shoot Pics

Kellie just e-mailed me some more great photos from our shoot with Christina.  just wanted to post these and let you all take a look.  to see more about Kellie's photography you can go here. 

doesn't she look like an angel?!?

love it! 

just got off the phone tonight with my brother and he mentioned some tips for my future videos:

 tip #1, don't act like a robot. haha gotta love brothers.

 tip #2, have your friends share on facebook

so if you enjoy the videos i LOVE it when you share them, even if i do act like a robot.  hope you all had a fantastic sunday.

xo

kristie

Sixteen Candles. A birthday makeup tutorial.

products that were used for this look:

eyes: L'Oreal HIP eyeshadow pencil
         Bare Escentuals "queen phyllis"
         Boots "truffle" eyeshadow
         CoverGirl "black" pencil liner
         L'Oreal Voluminous mascara

cheeks: MAC blush "mocha"
            Bare Minerals "clear radiance"

lips: Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lipgloss

Sweet Sixteen plus Thirteen

what a great week.  i just want to sincerely thank everyone who has sent me birthday wishes.  this has been such a fun week and i have been loving every second of it.  i am not typically one to celebrate like crazy for my birthday but i just can't seem to stop celebrating this year!

stay tuned for some makeup hauls later next week because i really stocked up the gift cards and i can't wait to expand my makeup collection. 

i am spending the afternoon at my SIL house watching the World Cup.  are you tuned in?  US already gave up a goal but my fingers are crossed that they can pull through.  as much as i love watching soccer i like to have a tiny distraction (like blogging) for the downtime.  the blushing basics household is ALL about soccer.  eat live and breath it. 

GO USA!

xo
kristie

Back That Thang Up!

i know i said i was going to be scarce but i have been on the phone with my sisters over the last few days and i can't help myself but post a quick tribute to them.

this time of year is a bit crazy because there are 3 of us who have birthdays within 3 weeks of each other and so we scramble to make sure gifts are sent, phone calls are made etc.  can i just say that these women mean the WORLD to me? i wouldn't have my sense of style without the influence of these ladies.  i look to them for direction on anything in life, be it parenting, styling, cooking, how to get stray animals out of the house (i could keep going but do you really want to hear??)

girls, i love you and you make my life beautiful. 

i looked for a picture that included us all and i found this to be so fitting.  notice their expressions seems to say "whoa" who is that crazy person with MAD dance skills? that's because i am a little crazy and yet they still love me.

xo
kristie

Mamie-liscious

just want to post a quick preview Kellie sent me of our shoot yesterday.  she shot this gorgeous asian model who was so great to work with and her name was Mamie.  i loved doing her makeup as well as assisting Kellie.

WOW right? 

xo

kristie

Happy Birthday to Me!

hi everyone.  i just wanted to post a quick update. i will be scarce over the next few days but i will definitely post a birthday makeup tutorial. i'm in the mood for something fun!  (not to mention i received some rocking GC's to expand my makeup selection)

i am heading for some spiritual beautification tomorrow and i can't wait.  following that, Kellie and i have our shoot and i will post some updates when finished.

hope you all are beating the heat.  PHEW!

xo
kristie

Feeling Blue?

this is a makeup tutorial for vibrant BLUE makeup. this is a great look for going out with the girls, or your man. here are the products i used:


MAC Bare Canvas Paint Tube

MAC Surreal Eyeshadow

MAC Tilt Eyeshadow

L'Oreal HIP Beckoning Pigment

Revlon Quad

Revlon Liquid Black Eyeliner

Rimmel Black Eyeliner

MAC White Eyeliner

Feeling Your Age?

about 30 minutes ago i uploaded my video to YouTube and within minutes received a response from a user (who is 18 years old) saying who would want to wear makeup to the pool?!? while yes, she is right, the idea seems a bit asinine but let me explain.

when you're a teenager, you have no idea how beautiful you are.  most of us go through high school terribly insecure about our looks and it isn't until ten years later, we look back and realize WOW! we were gorgeous.  next you approach thirty and your skin is developing a few lines, your eyes crinkle when you smile, and those dark circles under your eyes from lack of sleep just never seem to go away.  however, at this age hopefully you realize, YES i am beautiful. 

my use of makeup is not because of insecurity, it's relishing in the fact that i get to create something everyday.  that i get to experiment, that not EVERY day has to to be the SAME.  it takes a bit of the redundancy out of life, as well is gives me that extra oomph in my step.  i firmly believe, when you look good, you feel good.  and when you feel good, you live life with fullness.

my point is, don't feel obligated to wear makeup.  you ARE beautiful.  wear it because you like it and enjoy it.  wear it because it makes you feel a little more special that day.  hopefully when i am older, i will be embracing my aging body, and enjoying every second of it.  even if that means putting on a bit of concealer :)

xo
kristie

Make a Splash! Pool Makeup Tutorial

products used for this video:

face: SUNSCREEN!!!
        CoverGirl Foundation #2
      
eyes: MAC paint tube "bare canvas"
        Rimmel waterproof mascara "black"

cheeks: MAC blush "mocha"

lips: lipgloss with SPF 15 (i think it was Clinique)

Monday, Monday

mamas and papas said it best "monday morning, you gave me no warning, of what was to be"... and what a monday it's been so far! 

i have a video blog coming up of my quick makeup look for the pool.  of course you don't want to look like you are wearing a ton of makeup at the pool, and you probably don't want to spend 20 minutes applying BUT you could take four minutes and take yourself from drab to fab. 

i also ran about a million errands (i exaggerate, i know this) and received the best news, Kellie and i, the dyamic duo, will be back in action again this thursday so stay tuned to see what we produce. 

lastly, monday has been a day of good news.  my dear friend brought me the best present ever and it couldn't have been better timing.

now i have the perfect source for inspiration on my upcoming shoot!  thanks again.

xo,

kristie

Happy Father's Day

it is 10:30 at night on sunday and Father's Day is coming to an end but i couldn't let this day pass without sending a quick shout out to my amazing DH who is the most wonderful husband and father.  make sure this day doesn't pass without giving credit where credit is due.

i hope you all had a relaxing sunday and get ready for monday because it is time for more vlogging! (i made two tutorials yesterday and accidentally deleted one.  after crying for three hours i picked myself back up and i am ready to try again.  live and learn.)

xo,
kristie

Thanks for Sharing

i just wanted to post a quick note to everyone to say thank you so much for sharing my blog! i have had such positive feedback so far and i can't tell you how much i appreciate it.  (a special shout out to meg for e-mailing her GFs, love you)  i love that people are posting links on their own blogs, becoming followers, and forwarding the site. i just received an e-mail from a girlfriend who heard about it and wanted the address, eeeeeeeeeekkk! so exciting :)

Ox (big hug little kiss)

don't forget to leave me comments for requests. i want to make sure the videos i am posting are actually what YOU want to learn.

xo,
kristie

Fishtail Throwback Tutorial

okay so maybe my tutorial wasn't as good as i thought.  saw a GF tonight who mentioned it was a little vague so i will clarify.

begin your braid with hair divided into two sections.  instead of weaving three sections together like  a typical braid, the fishtail braid you only weave small pieces from the two sections.  take a small piece from the left section, and pull it over to the right.  next take a small piece for the right section and pull it over to the left. if you are french braiding the fishtail, you will do this as well as pick up extra hair with each pull.  i suggest beginning at the nape of your neck to practice and once you get it down, attempt the french braiding.

good luck!

Free Lotion!

head into Bath & Body Works this weekend to receive a free lotion.  if any of you are out and about you may want to print off the coupon here to pick one up.  i like having these small lotions to travel with since airline regulations no longer allow full size bottles.

xo
kristie

To paint, or not to paint?

do you ever go through fazes with nail polish where you are ON IT...and then you're not?  i love having my nails painted, fingers and toes.  something about having my nails painted seems the male equivalent of wearing a tie.  you're polished and complete.  and then after 2 hours your polish starts to chip, and in 24 hours it is beginning to look ragged, and in 48 hours you are dying to remove it rather than be seen wearing it because it is SO nasty looking.

following the steps to proper nail polish application really can extend the life of your nail polish and makes it easier to wear.  maybe you can go a week, rather than 2 days before having to remove it.  a couple of months ago a friend of mine taught a small class how to give ourselves and "moms" manicures. a few minutes of prep like filing, pushing back cuticles and applying a base coat help give your polish the staying power it needs.  try to apply as few coats as possible since that will help eliminate smudges. finish with a top coat and BAM! you're done.  that may seem like a lot of work but i tend to have some time at the end of the day where i am vegged out in front of the television watching the season finale of [insert tv show here] and that is when i like to do it.

maybe lacey can give us even more nail tips (no pun intended) since she is the expert. 

xo
kristie

Purple Eye Makeup

this is my Purple Eye Makeup tutorial. if you are ready to experiment with color, this is a good place to start. i love all your comments so keep them coming!

Embracing My Inner Blogger

i think i have found a new love...who knew blogging could be so much fun?  i know it's only my first week blogging but i feel like i have come down with diarrhea of the mouth (or keyboard) and i cannot post enough.  my DH warned me last night to take it easy, "you might run out of ideas", but i feel like my brain is overflowing with information i want to share and the levee is about to burst.  maybe today i should just take a break...have you all had enough already?

xo
kristie

Best Colorist in Columbus

so i ran into a friend yesterday and she made a comment about my recent hair highlights which has prompted me to write a post about my absolute favorite (not to mention affordable) hair stylist.

kate works at SHAG and she is amazing!  she does such a good job with color i cannot say enough good things about her.  after living in columbus for three years and searching for a good stylist i was so happy to find her.  i also love her hair cutting abilities, but let's be honest, i have long hair and the level of difficulty is pretty low.

if you are interested in her services you can find her contact info here. 

xo
kristie

Easy Smoky Eye

Beauty on a Budget

Hello Friends

hi to all of my dear friends visiting the blog.  thanks so much for taking the time to look at everything and i also really appreciate the feedback i have received so far.  one friend commented on how serious i was in the videos and i explained that is because i edited out all my ramblings like my one minute monologue on the size of my forehead.  however, i realize i need to leave a little personality in the videos so i will definitely try to improve.  i also would like to ask two favors:

1. please leave me any requests for vlogs, i.e. eyebrow shaping, concealer application, etc.

2. please forward on to anyone, the more traffic i receive the better :) and if you feel the need to become a follower...we're friends for life.

xo
kristie

Dry Shampoo.wmv

Recent Projects

i have recently teamed up with an amazing photographer to produce some photoshoots.  (you can see her website here Kellie Anderson)

i love working with kellie because she has so much passion for what she does and has the best attitude.  she is high energy and fun fun fun.  here are a few of the pictures she took.  i was responsible for the hair and makeup, kellie did the rest.  it also helps when you are working with beautiful subjects :)

above is the beautiful christina and below is gorgeous kayla.

thanks girls for such fun shoots!

xo

kristie

You Have to Start Somewhere

hello everyone. 

i did it.

i have finally created a blog and i thought this day would never come.  the goal of this blog is to share my knowledge of makeup and its application, keep you posted on the latest trends, and include some random musings about me and my adorable fam.

i am a makeup junkie with a bad habit. i enjoy anything artistic and this is one of my favorite mediums. everyday i wake up with a fresh canvas and get to decide just how i want to express myself. makeup is an interpretation of your mood or style and there is no right or wrong way to do that. hopefully i can express that it is only to enhance your true beauty. makeup is supposed to be fun, not a chore.


i will work to continually add updates on how to apply makeup, show you recent trends, and give you updates on some of the things i have done.

xo

kristie