Thursday Randoms: Blog Awards

So, exciting news, I've been nominated for a few blog awards recently. I haven't had a chance to respond to them yet, so for this week's Thursday Randoms I'm going to participate in several of them, because one, I need to thank the lovely ladies who nominated me and two, because I know y'all love random facts about my ever exciting life. So here we go. *Warning this is kind of a long one.  

First off the lovely Tabitha of My Cliffnotes awarded me 

The Rules for the Sisterhood Award:[-] Include the award's logo in a post or on your blog.

[-] Share the love, and link the person who nominated you.

[-] Tell seven facts about yourself.

[-] Nominate 7 other fabulous bloggers.

[-] Link your nominees to this post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.

The Rules for One Lovely Blog Award:

1. Link back to whoever  nominated you.

2. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Nominate 11 bloggers.

Jessica of Preppin' Postgrad and Ally of  Sunny Sweetheart both awarded me 

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you and create 11 questions for the people you have tagged to answer.

3. Choose people five people to pass the award onto and link them in your post.

4. Inform those individuals of their award.

5. No tag backs!

And if that wasn't enough the wonderful ladies at Wil.Harris3 awarded me not one but two

 

The Versatile Blogger rules are:

1. Nominate 10 fellow bloggers who are new to blogging.

2. Let them know you have nominated them.

3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.

4. Thank the blogger who have nominated you in your post.

5. Add the versatile blogger picture to your post!

The Kreativ Blogger rules are: 

Post a link to the person who awarded you

Share 7 well-thought out random things about yourself

Award 10 other bloggers and let them know

Seriously, I cannot thank you all enough. I started this blog only four months ago mostly as an outlet for me. I'm not going to lie, I love adding followers, and I kind of live for comments. But honestly, I never really expected anyone to read this but me and a few friends. But now my GFC following is getting extremely close to 100 (help a girl out and follow me if you don't already! I promise I'll love you forever and ever!), and I just can't believe I've made so many friends across the country and here in DC, it's wonderful!

So, by my count I owe you 32 random facts and 22 answered questions. Here we go.

[1] I have LIVED in 15 different residences in the last 6 years. 

[2] I met Diego Luna in Madrid when I was 16.

[3] One of my best friends is seriously a nine year old. She is related to this lovely person.

[4] I love to spackle. As in fix wholes and dents in the wall. 

[5] My go to cocktail without fail is a Gin and Tonic

[6] I love to cook, but I rarely do because I hate cleaning up afterwards.

[7] I played softball like a crazy person from about age 11-18. (I started at age 8). Travel ball in the summer, varsity in the fall, and spring. I played ever single position, and even was the pitcher my senior year. 

[8] I haven't picked up a ball in 6 years.

[9] I had an unhealthy obsession with NSYNC as a pre-teen. (still do actually)

[10] In the 7th grade one of my homework assignments was to go sit by a tree and describe how it was feeling. I kid you not. I went to a crazy hippy liberal kind of a school in Atlanta.

   

[11] I met Bill Clinton once, and I would totally be his Monica. (Yet I LOVE Hillary. like LOVE her. I have a problem)


[12] I wear a size 9.5 shoe, but I'm only 5' 4''. Life isn't fair


[13] I was a Spanish Major, but now can barely hold a conversation... if even that. FAIL.


[14] I was also a Political Science major, so my college career was not for nothing. 


[15] My favorite building in Washington, D.C. is the Jefferson Building (Library of Congress)

[16] I have an unnatural love of cilantro. 

[17] I spent a summer in Tanzania teaching English and math to a group of 4-7 year olds affected by HIV/AIDS. Most amazing experience of my life

[18] My favorite thing I've every purchased for myself is my Michael Kors watch. 

[19] I have a phobia of cotton balls. Like they seriously stress me out. 

[20] I spent 18+ years of my life in Atlanta, GA, but I think of Athens, GA as home (even though I only spent 6 semesters actually in Athens).

[21] I'm the kind of girl with a lot of great friends, but very few "every now and again friends" if that makes sense. 

[22] I hate venturing too far into nature (the beach is an obvious exception though). I'm a serious city girl. 

[23]  My guilty pleasure is anything Real Housewives. 

[24] My favorite color is seriously grey. and not ironically, or from the counting crows. 

[25] I am hard core addicted to diet coke. I've tried to get off it, but to no avail. 

[26] I am obsessed with monograms. I would seriously monogram everything I own. 

[27] I am AGGRESSIVE driver. 

[28] I have 2 sisters. One goes to Clemson for her Undergrad. One is going to The University of Minnesota for her Masters starting this fall. 

[29] I cannot stand mayonnaise and refuse to eat just about anything that is mayo based. 

[30] I have an abnormal ability to name Congressmen and Senators. I often impress myself  with my relatively obscure knowledge of the various delegations. Political nerd right here. 

[31] I studied abroad in Spain in 2008, and it was AWESOME. 

[32]  I drive a 2006 Jetta 2.5L in Navy Blue. I love her.

Questions from Preppin' Postgrad

1. If you could meet one blogger and one celebrity in real life who would you want to meet? 

I am seriously obsessed with youtube makeup gurus. My absolute favorite is Emily Eddington of Beauty Broadcast. I adore her, seriously. I kind of need to be her best friend.

2. If you had access to a time machine where and when would you go? 

Did y'all see Midnight in Paris? I've always been so enthralled with the 1920's, flappers, prohibition and since I saw that movie my interest has only peaked. I would totally hit up Paris circa 1925.  

3. If you were a kitchen appliance what would you be? 

I would probably be the oven, because I have a tendency to be cautious, thoughtful and meticulous as I make my way through life. Some may call it slow to move, but aren't the best things in life (definitely when it comes to food) prepared low and slow. Hello, BBQ anyone? yes. okay. I'm the oven. 

4. What fortune would you want from a fortune cookie?

"The path you've ventured down will lead you far"

5. What is your favorite book?

Hmm... that's a tough one. I'm not traditionally one of those with a favorite book or movie. The book that has resonated with me the most (at least that I've read lately) is The Happiness Project. 

6. What song describes you?

Gold digger. 

haha, not at all actually, but I have no idea how to answer this question.

7. Favorite candy?

Reeces Peanut Butter Cups. Hands down.

8. Favorite movie you have seen recently? 

Magic Mike. No explanation necessary.

9. Dream job?

Senior Legislative Aide to a Senator or on a Committee, with an Energy and Environmental focused policy portfolio.    

10. Beach or Mountains. 

Beach

11. If you had $1,000 what would you do with it? 

Buy a real camera. DSLR I will own you one day. 

Questions from Sunny Sweetheart

1. Why do you blog?

It makes me happy, and its a great creative outlet from my all to often boring and oh so serious Washington DC life. 

2. What is the last song you listened to?

Where did our love go--- Diana Ross

3. What is your favorite social network (Facebook, Blogger, Twitter, etc.)?

Instagram(follow me @EmPri88)

4. Favorite childhood memory?

Summer trips to St. George Island, FL. 

5. What makes you smile?

Oliver, our kitty cat. He's a klutz, and beyond entertaining. 

6. Favorite spring/summer 2012 trend or fall/winter 2012-2013 trends?

Color blocking. I cannot get enough. I have always leaned towards solids over patterns, so I've been color blocking for years! But now it's cool!

7. What pets (if any) have you had in your life so far?

Kiki (cat and my first child, passed away 2007)

Tiger (cat, passed away 2006)

Woody (Puppy 12 years old)

Oliver (cat, 2 years old)

Nicky (dog, 9 years old)

8. Favorite hair tool or product?

It's a 10 

9. Do you prefer e-books or regular books?

Regular. I don't have an e-reader. 

10. What ingredients make your perfect sandwich?

Whole wheat bread, Chicken, Avocado, Roasted Red Pepper, Dijon Mustard and Goat Cheese. 

11. What sports or activities, if any, did you do/currently do in high school?

I was a softball playing fiend. 

OKAY. wow. I really should have broken this post up, but oh well. Now, I guess it's time to nominate folks. I'm a little hesitant to send out nominations into the blogosphere. I'm not normally one to participate in these chain email kind of things, but I really do appreciate being nominated. SO. I am going to nominate 10 lovely ladies. If you are nominated feel free to pick your award. I don't really care. I love you all, and you are all creative and versatile and caring and what not, so you all qualify. 

1. Lauren of Lawfully Wedded Wife

2. Jaime of Forever81

3.Krista of Blonde Aesthetic 

4. Heather of Pineapples and Pearls

5. Alissa of Feeling Good

6. Missy Ann of The Penny Pinching Prep

7. Kelsey The Capital Barbie

8. Kellie of The Yuppie Files

9. Leslie of Life in its Ordinary Form

10. Erin of Currently Coveting 

If you're still reading... kudos to you. See you tomorrow for a Friday Cocktail! 

Guest Posting

Today I'm blogging for the girls over on Wil.Harris 3.

come visit me here.

Oh How Pinteresting

I'm a huge fan of reading everyone's "Oh How Pinteresting" posts on Wednesdays, but I've never actually joined the link up. I know. I'm pretty much the only one. So, today I'm joining Michelle and the rest of the universe and linking up for...

I've been on a hunt for motivation lately. Here are a few of my favorites.

This is my horoscope. 

After you make major life decisions, do you ever get confirmations from the universe? Things out of the ordinary go your way? Well that has been the story of my life for the last two days.  I have a HUGE project that ends in a constituent lobby day on August 1. crazy. And I'm making decisions about the next step...

So, I have an announcement. I have decided to take the LSAT. yes. I am actually pretty excited about it, and getting the ball rolling on heading back to school at some point in the next few years. Hopefully between still working full time, and now taking an LSAT class 12 hours a week plus 24 hours of homework and practice, I will still find time to keep up the blog. I promise y'all I will do my best, but the LSAT is October 4th, so I maybe a little MIA, or the posts may not be their usual awesomeness until then. But, I still love you, and I will be back. In the meantime, lets keep the pinteresting going. 

all photos are linked on my pinterest page.

Happy Hump Day Y'all

{Beauty Tuesday} Eye Brushes

Do you want flawless makeup? A perfectly blended smokey eye? I have a secret for you. It doesn't matter how expensive your eye shadows, primers and mascaras are. If you don't have the right brush, you can't achieve the look. But brushes can be daunting. There are hundreds of shapes and textures to choose from. What do you use were? Does it matter the kind of bristle? synthetic or natural? dense? thin? Are expensive brushes worth it, or do cheap ones work okay too? 

Makeup brushes are the one thing I never really "learned" about until recently, so I need to fill y'all in on the amazing brushes I'm loving right now. I'm going focus on eye brushes, and save face brushes for another post. Everything I'm talking about today are actual brushes I own, use often and LOVE. 

For great eye makeup I think you need 4 different brushes. I know. that's a lot right? Believe me, even more are helpful, but to get you started I recommend these 5 types of brushes.

1. Fluffy Brush-- Meaning a brush with good control that will help you pack shadow onto your lid. Here you can have a wide variety of what a fluffy brush is, but think your traditional eyeshadow brush. 

I use a MAC 239 and I LOVE IT. I am lucky enough to have parents who spoil me at Christmas, because I couldn't afford to shell out $22 for one brush, but if you do this is a great one.

I also have this Sonia Kashuk Brush that I LOVE just about as much (I normally use 4-5 colors on my lid a day, so I have several fluffy dense brushes for general lid application)

2. Pencil Brush-- this is my FAVORITE. It is so versatile, and packs a great punch. I would recommend a pencil brush for both your lower lash line and your crease. 

I use a MAC 219.

I honestly don't own any other pencil brushes, because this one is just so fantastic. But I have heard great things about the Sigma E30 pencil brush and at $9 dollars it's a little more budget friendly than the  MAC counterpart.  

3. Liner Brush

Okay, I'm breaking with MAC and I'm not gonna lie, I LOVE my ELF Angled Liner Brush

For another kind of liner brush altogether I use the Sigma E15 Flat Definer. This is more useful if you want to use shadow for your liner. I love how stiff this is brush is. You can either use this with just your liner shadow, or you can soften a cream liner and smooth it out with this brush.

4. Blending Brush

HERE IS THE KEY. Blend blend blend. Seriously. I can't even tell you how important blending is when it comes to a smokey eye, or any eye look for that matter. Sonia Kashuk Multipurpose Blending Brush is great. When looking for a good blending brush you want something somewhat flexible, but still dense.

For a different kind of blending brush check out the large eye shadow brush from Eco Tools. From what I can tell it only comes in the Bamboo 6 Piece Eye Brush Set (LOVE this set y'all!). It's completely differently shaped,  but a great option. 

This kit is a great beginner set too, the brushes are great quality, and really well priced. 

If you want even more eye brushes, beyond these basic four, try 

1. A highlighter brush-- look for something light and fluffy

2. Angled Crease Brush

3. Lash Brush (separate those babies)

4. Brow Brush

5. Smudge Brush

6. A Tiny Defining Brush to get in those small corners.

Okay. That's all I've got for you today. Again, I wasn't paid for any of these reviews, I own all of these brushes (and many more), and I am very fond of ALL of them. If you have any more specific questions please don't hesitate to email me or comment below. Have a great beauty Tuesday Ladies!