Kiss me, I'm dangerous~

Hello Everyone!

Today, I will be showing you all how to create this make-up look inspired by St. Patrick's Day.

We typically think of bright green colors, but today I will use muted colors to create a darker, sexier look.

1. Start off with your typical foundation routine and contour and highlight your jawline and nose to make those features slimmer.

2. Using your favorite eye primer, apply a small amount on your eyelids.

3. Taking a flat brush, use a medium green color and create a upside-down triangle shape on the center of your eyelids.

4. With your angle brush, take a darker green color and apply it on the outer corner and inner corner of your eyes.

5. Using a smaller flat brush, take a light yellow green color and pat it on the center of your eyelids and on the tear-duct area of your eyes.

6. Taking a grey color on your angled brush, brush this on your outer corner of your eyes. You want to brush this color in a v-shape.

7. Using a dark brown eyeliner, line your water line and your lash line entirely.

8. Take your darkest black liquid liner and create a cat eye effect.

9. Using a lengthening mascara, coat the outer lashes.

10. Finish off with a nude lipgloss color

Good Luck!
<3 Jen

It Will Get Better

Death can come at anytime. It doesn't care if you have a bright future planned ahead of you and it doesn't care about the loved ones left behind who have to deal with the loss somehow. This past weekend someone I knew passed away. I didn't know him very well, but I love someone who loved him deeply. That someone is hurting a lot right now and it really pains me to have to sit on the sidelines helpless, so this blog post is dedicated to the both of them- one who is deceased and one who has to continue living.

                                             

When someone passes away, there is a tendency to go back through our memories of them in the past and feel guilty for all the times we treated them badly or talked meanly about them. I know this because I too am going through this now. What if we had treated them just a little nicer? What if we had hung out with them when they asked us too? What if we had answered that last text message? Would that have changed anything? These questions will never be answered because the past can never become the future. All that is left to do is pray for comfort and hopefully change the way we treat people in the years to come. There is no use to attempting to change the past and letting go of guilt is the first step. I am confident that the one who is in heaven now would not want the ones still on Earth to torture ourselves over small issues. 

                                                                  

At a time like this the only words I could say to my friend is "I'm here for you and I love you" and yet these words feel inadequate for everything she is going through. It can be so hard to understand why bad things happen to those you love, especially for believers. Why did God let this happen? The Bible says "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted “God has a plan for every single person in this world and it is a plan that he created when we were born. It may not be the plan we had in mind or wanted, but in the end God will show us the way and provide comfort. I just want to say this last statement to my friend: he is in heaven now and resting peacefully with God. You are amongst so many people who love and care for you. We will be your strength during this difficult time. I promise.

Love, Kathleen

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."  – 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

Date Night Look

Hello Everyone!

So as we all know, Valentines day is fast approaching and that means it's time for a special night out!

Today, I decided to show you all a step-by-step tutorial for a date night eye make-up look. ENJOY!

1. First, put on concealer, foundation, and powder on your face.

2. Use primer on your eyelids. A eye primer will make the eyeshadow colors appear more vibrate and last longer than just eyeshadow alone. I am using Kat Von D high voltage eye primer in "Stellar."

3. Next, take a flat brush and apply a beige color on the center of your eyelids. I am using Clinque color surge eyeshadow duo in "like mink."

4. Now, take an angled brush and apply a purple eyeshadow starting on the outer corner and blend inwards. Also, using the same purple eyeshadow, take a small flat brush and apply this color on the outer bottom corner of your eye. I am using Revlon perle eyeshadow in "violet starlet."

5. Take a white eyeshadow and using a small smudge brush, apply a white eyeshadow on the inner corner of your eyes. I am using Revlon perle eyeshadow in "glistening snow."

6. Using a dark brown eyeliner, line your lash line and your waterline. A dark brown color will not look as harsh as black and will look more natural. I am using Revlon colorstay eyeliner in "brown."

7. Using liquid eyeliner, create a cat eye effect by winging your eyeliner. A liquid eyeliner will be easier to use than a pencil eyeliner. A gel eyeliner can be used here as well. I am using Loreal the super slim liquid eyeliner in "black."

8. To finish the eye makeup, put on many coats of mascara to create those long lashes! I am using Clinique high impact mascara in "01 black."

9. Finish off the look with your favorite pink lipstick and blush! (Oh and make sure you style your hair!)

Good Luck!

<3 Jen

Jennifer was in Austin!!

This past weekend my best friend, Jennifer came up from Houston to visit! Of course you know what we spent time doing- gossip!! But instead of posting about those boring things, here are some of the other things we did around the city :)

We were bored waiting in line so... picture time!

I finally got to eat at the acclaimed Ramen Tatsuya! Before some of yall get confused, the food this place serves is NOT the same as those instant ramen noodles you get from the grocery store. Although we had to wait for over an hour to even get in the door, the ramen and broth was totally worth it. I ordered the original which was pork flavored. It was a little salty, but still delicious! I would definently go through the looooong wait again just to try the other three choices on the ramen menu.

My yummy ramen <3

Posing in the graffiti bathroom- a girls must!

Jennifer loves her ramen (and that girl can be picky)

Milk tea with tapioca

After dinner, we went next door to Coco's Cafe where I ordered my favorite milk tea with tapioca (no surprise there). For some reason, I can never tire of that drink. I drank it literally the night before, but by the next day was still desiring its taste- I'm so weird... and unhealthy! Jennifer was way better than me in her choice of drinks because she got the avocado milk tea- we are so different!!

The next morning (Sunday) we had our tradition of eating breakfast at Ken's Donuts. This cheap yummy eatery is always a place where all of us gorge ourselves on sweet donuts and Indian samosas (I don't eat the latter though because spicy food makes my head hurt). Although I ordered more than one donut that morning, I only took a picture of one to show yall because I didn't want to feel bad about how much I have fallen off my diet plan this weekend.

Apple fritter- dosen't look that appetizing but its delicious!

The best part about this weekend wasn't all the delicious food we ate (although it was pretty great), but it was getting to hang out with Jennifer because we rarely get to see each other during the school year. Being reunited with someone after a long period of time is a feeling that only the one going through it can understand. I love you Jen!!

Love, Kathleen

The Art of Waiting

Sometimes I feel like I have been waiting my whole life for something- waiting to grow up, waiting to meet the perfect guy, waiting to graduate from college, waiting to live in New York, etc... At every stage in my life I am always thinking about a better position in the future and recently I've discovered that instead of giving me hope it only leaves me feeling discontented with my current life. It's like the way I am now isn't enough to keep me satisfied and I end up believing that things will be better in the future. However, something I've come to realize is that things may not always end up the way I dream they will and that by living my life in the future sense, I am missing out on current reality. I remember when I was little I wanted to be 16 so badly because, to me, that age represented the ultimate independence- I would be able to do whatever I wanted and become whoever I wanted. I spent all this time dreaming about what life would be like at 16 that I didn't really enjoy being 10. Then, when I finally reached age 16, it wasn't all that great (yes, I had more independence, but I also had to study for the dreaded SAT and prepare to apply to college). At that time I remember thinking I could not wait to be in college and get everything over with. I am now 20 years old and its come to my notice that childhood is actually one of the best times in a person's life. There are no responsibilities or worries because your parents take care of everything. A child just focuses on being happy. I wish now that when I was 10 I had taken more time to appreciate the circumstances I had then instead of spending time waiting to grow up. This reflection has made me realize that by constantly thinking about a better life in the future I am not enjoying my life now and am passing by little things that I may or may not have in the future. Instead of waiting to graduate from college (so the unending list to tests is over), I should be experiencing college life to the fullest- spending time with my friends, exploring the city of Austin, and trying new things.


If any of you are waiting for something better in life like I was, I challenge you to take a look at everything that is going on in your life now and take the time to appreciate it. Just like the innocence of childhood, it may not always be with you in the future. The future may hold wonderful things to look forward to, but will also be missing many of things wonderful things you have now. Get rid of the art of waiting and experience life to the fullest- without regrets.

Love,
Kathleen

Time for Nails, Nails, Nails!!

One of the best parts of being a girl (aside from getting to wear cute dresses and makeup, saving money on dates, and letting guys open doors for you) is that you always have an excuse to get our pampered by getting your nails done. Whether its the relief of a test being over or the celebration of a best friend's birthday, doing nails has been a girls tradition for years. This past Tuesday was my sorority's first Rush event of the year and the theme was "moji-toes"- we invited rushees to have their nails painted with cute designs while sipping drinks and chatting (the perfect way to start school!). It made me really realize how much I missed my sisters over the break. I feel like the time we spent together doing nails embodies the true meaning of sisterhood- enjoying even the little things together :) While I'm hopeless at nail design and would much rather have someone else paint my nails, I love seeing all my sisters getting their creative side on. Thought I'd share some of their masterpieces!!

Love, Kathleen

Flowers!

My lovely pledge sister, Vicky, did my nails for me!

Hard at work doing nails... with cookies for snacks of course!

Putting on rhinestones :)

New Semester, New Beginning :)

My spring 2013 semester at UT is officially starting tomorrow with mixed feelings. While I'm definitely looking forward to being reunited with my roommates and given another chance to raise my wavering GPA, a new semester also brings a whole schedule of hard business classes and plenty of long nights cramming for hard tests. I am currently signed up for 15 hours which include managerial accounting and the dreaded business statistics class, but also an online communication writing based class which I am oddly excited for. On the bright side, my sorority's rush also begins tomorrow! Rush is one of my favorite times of the semester because I get to meet so many new amazing girls and see them become my sisters. With rush comes many fun sisterhood events such as nail painting parties, cookie decorating, dinners, and mixers- I love getting the chance to catch up with my sorority sisters after 5 weeks of separation (and I promise to keep yall updated on our craziness!).
At the beginning of every semester I always am full of expectations that this is the semester that I will get a 4.0 GPA. This has happened a grand total of only once sadly :( and it probably won't happen again, also very sad. So I have decided to focus my energies this semester on being a better friend and sister! Watch out NganAnhJenniferChenyuTinaYenNadiraDaisyBobbieChayanitHasanthiVickyReneeElysiaEmilyCarolineEveryoneelseIlove!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to spend more time with all of you so you can look forward to Kathleen time :) If any of you see my retreating into my MIA shell, please pull me out immediately!  One of my biggest regrets at the end of last semester (aside from my hopeless GPA) is that I spent a lot of time by myself either studying or watching TV. This semester I am going to show everyone how much I care about them by giving them the gift of time!


Love, Kathleen

What I did for Love... of Cookies!

It's no secret among my friends that I love to eat! Recently I have had a craving for yummy cookies, but have for some reason no desire to eat store bought ones. The only remaining option is to make my own! Normally I would trick my talented roommate, Chenyu, into baking some for me but since its winter break, I have no choice but to head to the kitchen myself. I'm pretty sure everyone's very shocked right now- me, baking for the second time in two weeks! After looking through my sister's cookies cookbook (yes she has a cookbook all about cookies!), I finally found the shortest recipe and ingredients list- perfect for me :)

Chocolate Chip Butter Cookies

What you need:
1 cup butter
1 cup confectioner's sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

What to do:
Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl
Drop mixture in round balls onto baking sheet
Flatten the cookie balls
Bake for 12 minutes at 375 degrees





I made the following cookies a few days later because I was craving sugar cookies :)

Chewy Sugar Cookies

What you need:
2 3/4 cups of flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups of butter
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

What to do:
Mix ingredients together in bowl one by one until dough is light and fluffy
Roll dough into balls and drop on baking sheet 2 inches apart
Flatten the cookie balls slightly
Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees

Going into the oven after much mixing!

Finished sugar cookies

Happy eating! My cookies didn't turn out visibly appealing, but they were still delicious!

Love, Kathleen