i'm running, i'm scared of breathing, cause i adore you.

I am obsessed.

In the last 48 hours, I have listened to the same song 153 times.

The culprit? A cover of the 2011 Eurovision winning song, "Running Scared" .... by Scott and Katelyn MacIntyre. Anyone who knows me will immediately understand the obsession.

orange/yellow 60s inspired makeup.

I came across this picture and fell in love with the makeup. The look is both classic and vibrant. So, if you want to add a pop of colour without going too dramatic, this is definitely a look you are going to want to try! After seeing this picture, I starting going through my makeup collection to find the right colours for this look, and came across a NYC duo that is absolutely perfect.

true power is held by the person who possesses the largest bookshelf.

Opening a book for the first time is special. It is accompanied by a magical, almost secret kind of joy. Feeling the weight of the book in your hands, your fingers running over the smooth cover before tentatively pulling it back, the rough pages underneath your fingertips, and the anticipation of that opening line....

I am behind the times.

simple. classic. audrey.

This is one of my favourite hairstyles to do, mostly because it is quick, simple, and looks great! All you'll need is a hair straightener or curling iron, whichever you prefer.

it's not a failure if you enjoyed the process.

When you are putting on your makeup, it's like you're an artist,

but instead of painting a canvas, you're painting a face.

- Tess, Burlesque

Getting ready to go out is always the best part of going out. The subtle thrill of carefully selecting the right outfit, the perfect shoes, and making your hair and makeup just so...

When my friend and I get ready to go out dancing, we will spend an inordinate amount of time primping, chatting, and having a drink or two, all while blaring 90s pop music. This is all done with eager anticipation for what is to come, both of us knowing it won't be as great as what has already happened.

and you open the door to change.

I stumbled into the world of makeup tutorial videos shortly before this past Halloween. The holiday was my excuse to be Ke$ha for an evening and I planned to make the most of it. My costume was planned down to the smallest of details: Neon pink lace leggings ripped with expertise, feathers, and glitter ready to go.

All that was left to do, was figure out my makeup.

the twelfth of never.

Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade. The moment envelops me and I get lost in the idea of it...to have been a teenager in the 1970s.

For all the positive associations I have with the decade, there certainly were more pressing issues at the time then what the record store held. As I flip through my growing record collection, however, this seems impossible.

David Cassidy. The Partridge Family. The Monkees.
John Denver. The Osmonds. Shaun Cassidy. Donny and Marie.

audrey hepburn makeup.

My fashion icon is Audrey Hepburn, without a doubt. She embodied such poise, class, grace and spirit. It is no wonder that new generations continue to fall in love with her. The inspiration for this makeup look comes from my all-time favourite picture of Audrey. Her makeup is flawless, fun, and embodies her beautiful energy.

my sunglasses are like my guitar.

Summer means more than air conditioning and going to the beach. These are the memories we carry with us in those cold winter months, so make the most of it. Whatever plans you've got this summer, whether it's a road trip, or walks around the block with your dog, make sure you are sun safe. Always remember to use sunscreen and have fun with accessories! Hats and sunglasses are a really fun way to protect yourself from the sun and vamp up an outfit.

a photo can say a thousand things.

My Dad is addicted to fountain pens. This is an interest that came out of nowhere several years back. Every few months, there is a delivery of an expensive fountain pen from Japan, Chicago, or the middle of nowhere. He is always eager to show off the newest addition, and does so with pride. I may never know what brought on this hobby, but I love that he has it - it makes him happy.

Today, he emailed me this picture:

I like when our interests collide.

new makeup post!

One of my favourite things to do, is try out new products. Not only is it a great way of getting out of your makeup rut and being creative, it can be a lot of fun! For whatever reason, picking up a new eyeshadow or set of false eyelashes always seems to cheer me up. Here are some products I have bought recently, and my thoughts.

the things i find beautiful.

What is beauty?

Growing up, I idolized my older sister. She knew everything I didn't. While I fumbled through adolescence, she floated. As we got older, she took risks with fashion and makeup, while I hid in oversized boys clothes. She was thin and tall, and I....wasn't. To me, my sister was, and still is, beautiful. 

While she had a social life, I found the things that made me beautiful. Music became my everything. Books were my world. My inner-self was full of joy, hope, and enough dreams to last a lifetime. But my outer-self was just as awkward and embarrassed as ever.

 By the end of my first year in high school, I had given up trying to fit in. I had already spent the last few years desperate to change the way I looked, the way I dressed, and the things I said. It was exhausting. I spent the remainder of high school and the first year or two of University hiding.

Always a late bloomer, eventually, and very slowly, I started to grow up. My interests began to expand. I started to actually care about the image I presented to the world. I started to feel better about myself.

Now, I am a University graduate, struggling to find my path. All I want to do with my life, is to write. I am currently trying to find a way to make my dreams reality. Uncertainty remains....so I find myself focusing on the things I find beautiful. These are the things that keep me going, fill me with hope, and renew my determination when it fails.

Books, photography, music, makeup, hair, fashion, art....these are my passions. This blog is dedicated to the beautiful things that keep me dreaming.

xo Shannon