HBO's Hemingway and Gellhorn movie review, and The Old Man and the Sea book review

Hey everyone,

I know many of you read this blog solely for information on beauty, style and vintage culture and photography. However, I did a post at the beginning of the summer about making a list of life enriching experiences and trying to finish all the tasks before the summer was over. One of the things on my list was to read a Hemingway book and write a review, even if I never shared it. I figured why keep it to myself, so here it is. I hope you enjoy, and if it gets you to watch the HBO's Hemingway and Gellhorn, or read Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, you won't be disappointed :)

xoxo Tiffany

HBO's Hemingway and Gellhorn:

I was so excited to see this movie, as I adore both Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen. It was apparent by the previews they have great chemistry, and I was not disappointed as I watched the film. HBO tends to go all out with these kinds of films, and as usual they knocked this one out of the park. Lavish sets, incredible acting performances, history, music...this film has it all in spades.

This movie is long but moves at a fast pace, covering the meeting of Gellhorn and Hemingway and thrusting the characters right into the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War. I felt like I learned some history from watching this, and that is always a good feeling to me. At the very least it made me curious enough to want to learn more about this period in time.

One of my favorite parts of the movie.

I don't want to give any spoilers but Hemingway and Gellhorn also spend time in China and Cuba together, both magnificent sceneries, and Germany and WWII also have a place in the film. As someone with a journalism degree I found myself facinated and completely in awe with the character of Gellhorn portrayed by Nicole Kidman. As someone who is a writer and dreams of one day finally publishing a book, I was inspired by Hemingway and Clive Owens performance of him. To think the man stood as he typed up his books on a typewriter. When he wrote something he didn't like he would let the pages glide to the floor.

"Never crumble them up," he tells Gellhorn of written pages, "a writer who crumbles the pages will go crazy within a year."

The film dipicts Martha Gellhorn as everything a journalist should be. She's brave, compassionate, and not afraid to speak her mind even as she slings zingers at the Empress of China. I think Gellhorn really is the hero of the film, and I want to read more about her and her writing after watching this. Of course Nicole Kidman looks fantastic in every part of the film, with shoulder length golden blonde hair, an amazing glowing complection, and classic retro red lips. Her wardrobe is mainly pants and shirts, with a few dresses in some of the scenes. She has never looked better than she does in this film, in my opinion. If they make a film about my life some day, I hope a beautiful actress like Nicole Kidman plays me! Except she would need to be a brunette, haha.

The real Hemingway and Gellhorn for some perspective.

Hemingway is not so likable in the film. I do think Clive Owen portrayed him brilliantly, but let's face it, Hemingway had many not-so-endearing qualities and the film touched on them all. Alcoholism, chauvanism, leaving his family, being prideful and unfaithful...they went there with all that stuff.

 However, I never really had the desire to read any Hemingway until I saw this, and I was really missing out. No matter who he was in his personal life, he was an amazing writer. The first book I read by Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea, is now one of my favorite stories. Loving Hemingway's writing is just another lesson to me in how you can't always judge someone's talent from their character and their personal life. Whoever Hemingway was in his personal life, he was an extroidinary writer who could make even the smallest character and person have a lasting impression on your life.

Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea:

This book is based on a tale told to Hemingway when he was in Cuba. It is a tale of an old fisherman who caught a big fish, was taken out to sea by it, and before he could make it to shore the fish was eaten by sharks.

The Old Man and the Sea is a brilliant piece of writing that hits really close to home. It makes you address the parts of yourself that make you spoiled and a quitter.

The old man in the story, Santiago, is very poor and has worked his entire life as a fisherman. His only joy is a neighborhood boy who fishes with him, although the boy is now fishing with someone else because the old man is "unlucky" in his efforts. The boy is fiercly loyal, but his parents don't share the sentiment.

And so Santiago goes out once again alone, hopefully to catch a fish so he can eat. From then he hooks the big fish and begins his journey being pulled out to sea by it.

Every aspect of his strength is challenged, mentally and physically. He forms a bond with the fish, and he is filled with so much respect for the beast.

It is amazing the way Hemingway captures the essence of a different culture and their way of thinking without alienating the reader.

The old man has a lot of time to think as he travels the ocean being dragged by the massive fish, and he reflects on many different times in his life, and who he was then and now.

 As you read this you can't help but reflect on your own life. Who are you as a person? Are you a quitter? What do you stand for? I asked myself these and many other questions. Many times my eyes would fill with tears and I would just nod in agreement with Santiago as he evaluated himself. I laughed when he laughed, and when he was sad and tired I thought of times I was sad and tired. What a connection you have with this character...and to think we couldn't be more different. I think most people who read this are a world apart from this old man, so why does his plight affect us so?

Reading this book was a forceful reminder of what the power of reading can do. It can change you. When you watch a film someone else has already interpreted the information for you. But when you read a book you interpret it yourself. It is a gift to be literate, and it's a gift we all tend to take for granted or not use...just some food for thought.

Do you all have any books that make you think deeply about who you are and what you stand for?

Do you question yourself on a regular basis?

In a movie about your life, who would play you?

xoxo Tiffany

The death of Jerri

Sometimes it's the little pets in your life that make the biggest difference. You don't realize how much they mean to you or someone else until they are gone.

Two little angels.

On Friday the 13th I was heading home from the mall with my sister-in-law when I saw a dead black cat in the road near my mom's house. I knew immediately before I got out of the car it was my mom's cat Jerri. I also knew she was dead. She had just been hit, her head run over, and thick blood was slowly starting to pour from her head down the street. We stopped the car and I jumped out, my stomach in my throat. A couple stopped too, and the man got out and ran over. He touched Jerri, and told me she was still warm and it had probably just happened. I called my mom and her and my son (she was babysitting) came running down the hill.

My mom immediately knew it was her cat. She picked Jerri up and started crying, sobbing really. She carried Jerri home and cleaned the blood off of her, wrapping her in a towel like a baby. I cried so hard. She kept saying, "It's Friday the 13th and someone hit my little black cat."

It was hands down one of the worst nights of my life. I've lost my father, my step-father, friends, but my mom losing her little cat was just as upsetting to me. In my family we love our pets. They are like our children. All night long my mom blamed herself for not knowing Jerri was outside, or for not looking for her.

Tom and Jerri.

The way I see it, animals are so innocent. Jerri was the sweetest, cutest little girl cat. She never got much bigger than a kitten. Jerri and her brother Tom came from the pound, my mom got them the same time I got my cat Dutchess. I'm super close with my mom, so I watched Jerri grow up. So many times I visited and she was sleeping on the couch, or playing with a string with my sister or mom. She was my mom's little Jerri Berry. She was part of our family. She was innocent, not some evil black cat for someone to hit on Friday the 13th just for fun.

Jerri Berry.

I know a lot of people out there hate cats. For whatever reason, I should be typing that I understand, but I just don't. How can you hate a little ball of cuteness? How can someone hit a tiny cat on purpose? Seriously, do they think they won't have bad karma?

I really hope whoever hit Jerri did it on accident. But why didn't they stop? What the hell is wrong with people?

To make matters worse my family is going through a tough time due to some really shitty circumstances. The death of Jerri really broke us down.

Please, if you are reading this, and you hate cats, think of what they mean to other people. They are like our little angels, our children. I don't care if it sounds dramatic, that's just the way it is.

I miss Jerri. I took her little body to Rolling Acres, a pet cemetery in Parkville, Mo. We have used them before and they are so loving and caring. I picked out a beautiful urn for her ashes to rest in.

Cat cuddling in the old cat building of the pound. Jerri is behind Gabe's leg.

I can't help but replay the scene in my mind and wish I gotten there earlier and seen Jerri had gotten out of the house and rescued her. I picture her little cute self and how happy she always made my mom. I picture Jerri laying there dead in the street like something that didn't even matter.

I'm not ashamed to say I went down to the street later on that evening and washed her blood away. I scrubbed the street three times. She deserved better. I didn't want her blood staining the street.

The death of Jerri has been another painful reminder of loss to me. Everything we have, no matter how small or how big can be gone in an instant. What doesn't seem important or significant to one person means the world to someone else.

People's dogs get out, that doesn't mean hitting someone's dog is okay. Just because something gets in our way, we have no right to kill it. The greatest gift you can give in life is to help other creatures, but if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them. I know accidents happen, I guess I'm just going through the anger stage of grief.

I will miss you Jerri. I'm sorry I couldn't have been there to save you :(

Jerri giving Tom a bath.

Black and White Kitty Kats, staying "motivated" to work out and Summer List Updates

Hey all,

I took some fun photos of my cats over the last week or so. For my cat Po I made a necklace from yard flowers. My mom taught me to make these when I was little, and we would make them for her horses Louie and Carly.

It's fun and easy. Just pluck the flowers as close to the ground as you can. Use the stem to tie the flower to another flower, at the bloom. Keep adding more wildflowers until you have a necklace. Surprisingly, these can last all day! Just watch your pet carefully, some animals have grass allergies.

I've been enjoying my morning by listening to Beatles and fondly remembering my dad. The anniversary of his death was a few days ago, and it's important to me to remember the good times, not bad.


I also took a bunch of car photos, and Chris and Po made it in some of them. Looking through them I am again reminded that I live a blessed or lucky life. I have no complaints!

My dad also had a '66 Impala with shotgun windows. His was red though, and mine is uber dark blue!

This is Sugar. I wuv her so much I can't get anything done
 without stopping to play with her every two seconds!

Now on to staying motivated to work out...this one is so tough! When the sun is shining I usually just want to go for long walks and get my exercise that way. However, I also need toning, as in lunges, lifting weights, doing sit-ups, etc...

I have been staying motivated by wearing shorts. While I by no means "hate" my legs, they are thick. Even after working out nearly a year I still have cellulite and a little chunk. Instead of avoiding wearing shorts I've been wearing them anyways. Looking at the chunk reminds me not to eat a bunch of junk, and how much I still need to work out. 

Looking at the beautiful beach will also help motivate you!
It's like a vacation for your brain and body!

Another way I stay motivated is by having someone yell at me. And that someone is Gilad, from Bodies in Motion. If you have cable I seriously recommend taping or DVRing his show at 5:00am on Discovery Fit and Health. He works every body part within the week (it airs 7 days a week). Anyways, Gilad will challenge you in a positive way to get up and work out with him! Just start at your own pace and pick it up as you can. I personally guarantee you will see results within a month, even if you DON'T eat healthy. If you eat healthy you will probably see results in a few weeks :)

If you're like me you  try and sneak in some more exercise when you can :) I try and take a walk, or do something else physical besides working out every day. I'm fighting years of sitting on my buns and eating and not working out, so I have to try a little harder!

As for my summer list, I have completed a few things!

I went to Italian Fest both Friday and Saturday, and saw a few of my favorite Kansas City singers including Frank Cherrito and Frank Vigliaturo. I missed late night with Anna Marie, but the group we were with was ready to go early on Saturday. Oh well, there's always next year! We had a blast, didn't buy anything but Chris got his Northeast T-Shirt and I got to eat good food and have a few drinks. Not too shabby :)

Just a cell phone pic.
I had my boobs out, haha, I hardly wear cleavage shirts anymore...
My hair is a hot mess with that blonde growing out :)
AND bangs growing out!

I am still working on the rest of my summer goals list, including stopping hating on myself. It's such an unhealthy attitude. I'm grateful for my arms, legs, skin, face, eyes and hair! Regardless of if I always look "pretty," I'm grateful I can live a "normal" life. I feel awful when ladies hate on themselves and their looks. Please ladies, enjoy your bodies! Your body is the only one you will ever get. If you hate your weight join me and do something about it!

Have you all made summer goals lists yet?

How do you stay motivated?

Have you visited my Facebook page lately?

http://www.facebook.com/vintagevampstudios 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

My email is always open for questions if you don't want to share in the comments :)

tiffanyaprilmiller@gmail.com

xoxo Tiffany

Summertime goals and best friends shoots

Hi all,

I hope you had an amazing Memorial Day weekend. The holiday is over I'm catching up on some serious photo editing. First on my list are some adorable photos of Heather and Ashley. These gals were so much fun to work with and I think their friendship translated beautifully into the photographs. I hope to do many more BFF shoots in the future!

Pretty girls

I have lots of pretty photos to be posted on Facebook soon, so keep an eye open :)

Moving on...

There is something so special about summertime. After losing some important people to death (it happens to all of us eventually) I've learned to really appreciate the seasons, particularly spring and summer. I take walks around the neighborhood and take the time to smell flowers, watch bugs and animals, deeply breath in the air. I think to myself, "What if this was my last spring?" I try to reflect on the lessons I've learned in my life so far, and count my blessings.

However, this summer I have other goals besides just enjoying the beautiful weather and self reflection. I've been inspired by some of my fellow lady bloggers to make a list of goals I would like to achieve this summer. It's been a fun, albeit a bit daunting, task.

Tiffany's Summertime Life Goals 2012

-Read at least one Hemingway book and write a review, even if I never show anyone

-Finish one of my novels with the support and motivation of a writing group I've joined

-Visit Loose Park for a shoot, or just casual hang out time

-Go to the Foundation and hear some jazz, this one will be tough to do because my hubby doesn't care for the area it's in...

-Take Gabe to Lego Land. Hopefully at age 11 he's not too "cool" to go!

-Walk around the Plaza and browse through the stores Anthropologie and American Apparel. This one is tough because I'm not the biggest Plaza fan so I haven't been there to just walk around in about 10 years...the shops are just sooo damn expensive and there are so many snooty people...However, the point of this list is to get out of my comfort zone!

-Read On The Road

-Don't hate, and lose weight. Hardest one! It's so easy to hate, whether it's yourself or someone else. It's a horrible burden to carry around all the hate, in my opinion it turns to weight and you get fat! I'm always trying to lose weight, so if I need to stop hating to do it so be it!

-Go to the Jones pool all decked out in my retro suit, hair, makeup, glasses and hat

-Attend Hard Hat Happy Hour at the Kansas City Museum

-Take my pups to Penn Valley Dog Park

-Rock Sophie Sassafrass' Pinup Fair on June 15 @ The Arts Asylum

-Visit the free exhibits at Crown Center

-Powell Gardens has fairy houses...I want to see them!

-Swim in a lake, and hopefully do some camping at Watkins Mill

-Attend Italian Fest at Zona both Friday and Saturday to see the singers, especially Frank Cherrito, Frank Vigliaturo and Late Night with Anna Marie

-Go to the Dragon Boat Festival on the Plaza June 9 @Brush Creek


So see that wasn't so hard! I hope to accomplish all these things, but if I don't that's okay. Sometimes I think the point of making these lists is so you know what your goals are. This crazy world makes us busy busy busy and it never hurts to take the time to ask yourself what you want. I would love to visit the beach this summer but it's not really in my price range so I stuck to KC goals. There's always this winter to visit a beach, while everyone else is freezing, hehe.

What are your summer goals?

Are you reading anything new?

Would you like to visit Vintage Vamp Studios and do a photo shoot with your BFF?

If you have any questions or comments just leave them in the comment section.

Love you all!

xoxo Tiffany

tiffanyaprilmiller@gmail.com

What's the buzz? Tell me what's happenin'!

Hey everyone,

The blog may have been idle...
but the studio has been busy!
Just look at this gorgeous pic of Barbara Ann!

I'm so sorry I have been neglecting this blog! I'm going to brainstorm some neat ideas and fun things to share. I've had a request for how to do easy flowing curls, so that will be up next.

I've noticed my blog has evolved from being somewhere I shared personal feelings to somewhere I share mostly beauty/fashion tips. I'm not sure how I feel about this. My goal was for readers to get substantial information they can use in their own lives, not just the kind you get from reading someone's diary, haha.

However, for those of you who don't mind...

I am so proud of how far Vintage Vamp Studios has come, but it's also really fun to look back at where I started.

Walking in to graduate. Graduation day is such a scary time.
Everything you knew is over. You are no longer a student,
you are an adult. Even for a grown up it's like that final
 push out into the world.

Last May I graduated from Park University with a Bachelor's in Journalism, and then I promptly interned with the City of Kansas City, Mo. for six weeks. During this time I was given the opportunity in my personal life to see how much I love the art of pinup photography, and at work I learned how much I don't love sitting in a cubicle. I need people, I need interaction. I'm so thankful I was required to take photography classes for my degree, and even as I graduated I never dreamed I would be using those skills to create my own dream company, Vintage Vamp Studios.

The pictures of Stephanie started it all!
They were taken for my Photo 2 class,
Spring 2011.

My first paying client, Courtney :)

Sometimes my business doesn't grow as fast as I would like. Until this week I had no help besides the support and vintage shopping/living/decorating/cleaning skills of my loving husband. This Saturday I added my sister Summer to my staff as an apprentice. She will be helping me with a lot of the "work" work so I have more time to focus on the creative aspects of my business.

My new apprentice :)

I'm hoping to have a website within the month, and more exciting news to follow!

I will also (hopefully) have an event coming up in June. The first venue fell through but the lady organizing it is quickly trying to find another. As soon as I get concrete details I will post them on here as well as Facebook!

I really want to thank those of you who subscribe and read this blog. It means a lot to me and I know how bad it sucks when a blog you follow doesn't post for a long time.

I'm going to end this blog post with a few fun photos I've taken over the last year. I hope to take many more this year, and please remember you can contact me for pricing or information at any time on my email tiffanyaprilmiller@gmail.com.

xoxo Tiffany

Hey wait, that's me! I'd show you the rest of it but then I'd have to kill ya, hehe :)

My "Go-To" Beauty Products!

Hey all,

As we navigate through life trying to be as glamorous as we can, it's easy to encounter hits and misses regarding beauty products. I have been wanting to share my biggest "go-to" products for a while now, so those of you looking for new hair and makeup products here's some ideas as to what works and what's worth the money!

Some of the prices are a little off but close enough to get the idea :)

Makeup:

Once you start building a kit you will need to get organized.
I love this roll-up bag from Mary Kay. Retails at $30.00. So worth it!

*Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation $18.00, brush $10.00

Mineral powder foundation is so wonderful. You can dust it on by itself or on top of liquid. Most days I dust it onto freshly cleansed and moisturized skin for light coverage and oil control. It will absorb my oil during the day, so I don't need to reapply unless I'm going somewhere fancy. You simply apply it with the mineral powder brush it is sold with. Easy peezy lemon squeezy! My go-to foundation for every day. Why walk around with a shiny bland face when you can step it up a notch? Natural beauty is all good, but I like to improve on what God gave me :)

*MAC blush in Buff $16.00

I was recently introduced to this color by one of the counter gals at MAC's Zona location. It gives me just the perfect amount of color to my cheeks. I'm very pale, which I'm learning to love, but this color makes me glow!

*Mary Kay Bronzer in Sandstone $13.00

This bronzer gives a healthy glow and is completely matte, no glitter. It makes a beautiful blush, and looks especially fancy on fair skinned gals! Blondes and brunettes!

*Benefit lipstick in Mod $22.00

This is a fairly expensive lipstick, but it's totally worth it. A very light pink, very 60's, it looks great on gals with pale skin or dark skin. We all love a red lip but sometimes pink is lower maintenance! I highly recommend this color, and the texture of the lipstick is great too.

*Mary Kay lipstick in Really Red $13.00

This is the newest shade of red from Mary Kay and it's amazing. Just a bright wild red that looks great with retro or glam looks. You will be sure to turn heads. Great with pale or olive complections!

*Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara $8.00

I love this mascara so much. The wand is really cool, it lets you get all the tiny lashes in between...just a really great buy all around. I highly recommend it for ladies with the flakey lash problem as it does not seem to flake. My first choice was Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara but I didn't have any in my store so I bought this one at CVS. I really like it a lot!

Hair:

*Loreal Elnette Hairspray. $13.00

I bought this from Hyvee after reading about it in a beauty magazine. This is the best hairspray I have ever used, hands down. I'm growing out bangs, which is a painful process because they were short, thick, Bettie Paige style bangs, and this hairspray allows me to do any style. Pompadors, curls, parted in the middle, everything! I use it on wet hair, dry hair, whatever. I highly recommend this hairspray to anyone who loves hair styling, whether retro styles or just glam. What a wonderful product, it's my "go-to" hairspray for now!

*Loreal Fructis Sleek and Shine Conditioner $4.00

I know, Loreal again, but I have been using this conditioner for years and it's just magical. I have long straight hair, so any kind of frazzle or friz shows up big time. I love color treating, bleaching, and using straighteners, hot rollers and curling irons. You can imagine how my hair feels! Even when using heat protectant, a good moisturizing conditioner is a must. I apply the conditioner starting near the ears and down to the tips of my length. I try to leave it on for at least 5 minutes so it can really soak in. Then I rinse with cold water, not hot or warm. Sleek and Shine is the perfect conditioner for ladies who can't always afford the expensive salon brands.

*Lottabody Setting Lotion $5.00

If you enjoy pin-curling this setting lotion is perfect. You mix it one part solution two parts water in a squirt bottle, and then squirt each strand before you roll it into a pin curl and pin it with a clip or bobby pin. This solution helps your hair hold any wet set, and it brushes out perfectly. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to do vintage styles, or just curls that hold well. The only place I've seen it is Sally Beauty Supply. **Wet sets are perfect for girls with stick straight hair that won't hold curl. While heated curls cool and fall down, your hair will dry into the shape with a wet set and hold the curl much longer.**

Skin care:

Most of you know I love Mary Kay for skin care. I've been using the Miracle Set for two years now, and my skin has never looked better. I use the one for combination to oily skin, but there is also one for dry to normal skin ladies.


** Before you die seeing the prices, remember these bottles last from three to four months. Divide that up and you could very well be spending that much on drugstore brands!**

*TimeWise 3 in 1 cleanser $18.00

Little beads in a clear gel. Cleanses and makes the skin feel so soft. I never want to live without it. If I have on liquid foundation, I will also use a clean washcloth to make sure and remove all the makeup.

*TimeWise Day Solution $30.00

This is my sunscreen, it is SPF 30. You apply it after cleansing every morning or before you leave the house. Makes my skin soft and prevents further sun damage. Also prevents free radicals from creeping in my skin. Again, I never want to go without this, so I always keep plenty in my store. It's a best seller and recommended by the American Cancer Society.

*TimeWise Night Solution $30.00

I apply this at night, after cleansing, to help anti-age and replenish my skin. Makes it silky smooth! I need all the help I can get since I was a cigarette smoker for 14 years and I also tanned quite a bit. I feel good about where my skin is at right now, and I know the night solution has really helped.

*TimeWise Moisturizer $22.00

This is the perfect light, oil-free moisturizer for my skin. I know so many people who use it, basically every woman in my family and my husband's. It just doesn't get any better.

*Mary Kay Blemish Toner $13.00

I'm that grown up who still gets zits...or I did before I used this! It goes on after cleansing and before Day or Night Solution.

I know many ladies balk at paying higher prices for skin care. I totally understand, I'm not rich either! Just remember this. Your face will always be with you. You might pay $100.00 for a handbag or nice pair of shoes, but you won't be wearing the shoes or carrying the handbag every day. Your face is always showing, no matter what clothing you have on.

Even if a lady is wearing a $3,000.00 outfit, if her skin looks awful you will not notice the clothing.

I'm not saying you have to use Mary Kay, but make sure and take good care of your skin :) You will thank me later!

As a sign of good faith here is my skin completely un-retouched.
I am wearing foundation, but you know that doesn't fix problem skin.
Not bad for a 29, two weeks to 30-year-old woman!
All thanks to Mary Kay products :)
Oh, and makeup! hahahahahaha!!!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post on my "go-to" beauty products. For any questions on this post, or my photo studio, please comment below or send me an email at tiffanyaprilmiller@gmail.com
Love you all! 


xoxo Tiffany

Outfit, Makeup and Hair of the...day at the park!

Hi all,

Read on to learn how I did this look!

The weather has been so lovely in Kansas City, Missouri. Mild, almost hot even! Usually in March we are getting snows that no one wants to deal with and longing for the cold days of April when we'll wear a skirt or shorts and freeze our asses off pretending like it's May. Imagine my delight to have the windows open and be sitting here next to an open door with sweet smelling air pouring in and I'm warm. Wow, it's the little things in life, it really is!

It's spring break for the students of NKCSD and so my son and I have been spending lots of quality time. Yesterday we devoted to parks, and we visited Macken Park and Penguin Park. We also went on a nature walk and I followed while Gabe roller-bladed at the Wheel Park.

I wanted a look that was fun but practical for where we were going and what we were going to be doing.

How to get my look:

One of the victory rolls got smushed by
the bandanna, lol. Oh well!

Hair:

First, I put hot rollers in while I did my makeup. Always be sure to spray on some thermal heat protectant, especially if you have long hair! I rolled the front sideways, since I have bangs that are growing out. The rest of the rollers I just threw in haphazardly. Basically, I just needed the base curls to make it easy to roll up into pin-curl, victory roll type curls.

After the rollers cooled I removed them. The front I brushed with a styling brush from Sally's and fashioned into a sideways wave. I used tons of Loreal Elnette hairspray, my new favorite hair product. I then rolled two waves behind my bangs into big pin-curls and pinned them with bobby pins, again using hairspray to tame flyaways and get hold. The side pieces I rolled up into victory rolls, pinned, and hairsprayed. I left the back down. I wore a bandanna, rolled up, to prevent sweat from dripping down my back or into my face, since I knew we would be getting a lot of exercise. Use tons of hairspray for this style. The wind was hitting my hair and it didn't move! The long part I just brushed into easy loose waves, which fell straight but with a nice bend at the bottom.

Makeup:

My son is applying sunblock in SPF 30 to his face.
Teach them while they are young!

Start with a freshly cleansed and moisturized face. I use Day Solution from Mary Kay's Time Wise line under my moisturizer. This has SPF 30, to keep skin protected from sun damage. Always wear sunblock every day if you don't want age spots as you get older and wiser. Make sure your neck is included when applying!

I slathered Mary Kay concealer in Ivory 2 carefully on my eye area and blemishes and then dusted Mary Kay Mineral Foundation in Ivory 1 all over my face. On my eyes I applied brow mascara to keep my brows in check but did not color them in. I put a small amount of NYX shadow stick in Milk under my brow to highlight the area. I also applied Mary Kay eye shadow in Hazelnut to the crease only, very lightly. I finished off by drawing a cat wing on eyes using Mary Kay liquid liner in Black, and Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara in Black to lashes.

On cheeks I liberally dusted on MAC blush in Buff for a sun-kissed glow :)

Clothes:

I should have tucked the shirt in!
Bunched up stripes are no flattering...
Oh well!

For my outfit comfort was pretty much number one. I've learned, the hard way believe me, that you need to dress accordingly to what you are doing. For the park, you need sneakers, not flip flops, not heels, and not wedges. I knew it would be hot, so I needed a tank top and shorts. I do not like to show my thighs, so I usually wear shorts that are longer, or capris.

Shirt: French Connection from Sears

Shorts: Tommy Hilfiger from Macys

Scarf: Vintage from an estate sale

Belt and Buckle: Viva Fashion

Earrings: Retro Vixen

Sunglasses: Target

Shoes: Keds from Macys


We had a great day, and I was comfortable and confident with my look, which is about all you can ask for. I did get pointed and laughed at by some 5th grade girls Gabe knows. Ah, to still be getting hated on by 5th grade girls twenty years later, haha.

I'm going to end with some random pics of our fun day. If you have any questions or comments please leave a comment below or send me an email at tiffanyaprilmiller@gmail.com.

Luv you all!

xoxo Tiffany