Baby, it's FINALLY cold outside...

It's finally getting cold enough here to actually wear jackets, boots, and sweaters! It's very bittersweet to me though. Like I've said before, I love wearing lots of cozy layers but I hate cold weather... But yesterday, aside from being super cold, was such a beautiful day! Cody and I spent some wonderful quality time together. We snapped tons of pictures downtown, got some delicious lunch, played with the fur children outside, and watched the latest episode of The Walking Dead. It was pretty much perfect.

I love being downtown. Not just our downtown, but ANY downtown. I love the artistic, cultured, and historic look and feel of that part of town. Old buildings are preserved (or at least not completely torn down), gardens are planted, walls are painted with colorful murals.... Newly developed areas just don't compare to the character of downtown.

Sweater Dress - H&M // Coat - Urban Outfitters // Necklace - Reed's (local boutique) // Leggings - H&M // Boots - Forever 21 // Purse - H&M

The Creative Initiative: Week 3

This week's theme was - Get Outdoors!

I was sitting outside earlier, watching Harper play in the back yard. Without a care in the world, she ran around and chewed on her frisbee. She doesn't worry if she'll be fed later or if she'll have a warm place to sleep at night. She just knows she'll be taken care of. I watched birds fly above her as she played, and they too, seem to lack any ounce of fear or anxiety. They fly from trees to power lines, chirping and singing to each other. 

If you count your worth more than a simple little bird or clumsy dog, don't you think your Creator, who made you in His image, will count you as far more? We live in a fast paced, anxious world these days and tend to forget that all we really need to do is rely on God for peace.

_________________________________________________________________________________  

If you would like to be a part of this creative link-up, feel free to hop on board with this week's prompt OR you can wait until next week's...

 - Graditude - 

Share through art what you're thankful for!

Here's the link-up rules:

1. Create something in your sketchbook based on this weeks prompt.

2. Post about your artistic endeavor on your blog and link-it-up to this post.

3. Comment on other bloggers posts! The prompts leave a lot of room to use your imagination and we should all support and encourage each other and we explore!

Ology Body Lotion Review

As I was perusing the lotion aisle of my local drugstore, I came across this little all-natural gem! It's an amazing, chemical-free body lotion by Ology. The fragrance it has is very light and fresh... I hate heavy smells so this is just perfect! It lasts all day too! I tend to get really dry, itchy skin this time of year, and have never been able to find a happy medium between watered down and greasy.... Until now. Oh, and for all my creature loving friends out there, it is never tested on animals :)

Do you have any favorite body lotions?

Pretty Pink Stocking Stuffers

1. Top Shop // 2. ModCloth // 3. Julep // 4. ModCloth // 5. Urban Outfitters // 6. ModCloth // 7. LUSH // 8. LuLu's

The Holidays are almost here! Only a few weeks away. Are you ready? If you're like me.....No. You're not, and never are. I decided this year that I want to be a little bit more prepared and not wait until the last minute to go shopping. So I've already started "window shopping" on the interwebs. I put together this pretty little collage of stocking stuffer ideas for all of you who are as bad at present shopping as me!

My Furbaby

I've introduced Harper before, but it's been a while since I've mentioned her. For those who don't know, Harper is my 2 year old beautiful, blue great dane. She's really just a 150 pound baby! She loves to cuddle and whines whenever she wants something. Yeah... she's kind of spoiled. Aside from being a needy, cuddly teddy bear, she's very intelligent and protective. She's able to learn a new command in a matter of minutes! And if you're a stranger to her, she loves letting you know it with a deep, thunderous bark. 

I have always loved giant dogs and though I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, I wouldn't have it any other way! She's definitely a handful sometimes, but well worth the maintenance. Harper is the best dog (friend) I've ever had. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to clone her or something to keep her around forever! 

Harp is getting used to our new house and she looooves playing in our back yard. Sometimes when she chews on things, her floppy lips get stuck in her teeth (like in the picture below). It's quite funny.

Do you have any furbabies? I'd love to hear about them! 

The Creative Initiative: (Link-up) #2

We're in week 2 now of our creative link-up and the theme is : What did you do today?

What I did today is what I do most days - hair. Cuts, colors, wash, wax... You name it. I'm elbow deep in it. Hairdressing is definitely a great creative outlet for me. I love transforming  styles and trying new things!

I drew this up with ink between appointments so it's not great, but the quote says it all! I don't think art - in any form - is meant to be perfect. There's always some kind of beauty in the character of your imperfect creation.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Want to join our creative link-up? It's not too late! 

Here are the rules:

1. Create something in your sketchbook based on this weeks prompt.

2. Post about your artistic endeavor on your blog and link-it-up to this post.

3. Comment on other bloggers posts! The prompts leave a lot of room to use your imagination and we should all support and encourage each other and we explore!

Next week's prompt: Get Outdoors!

It's nature themed.. so go outside and share what you see or feel. I look forward to seeing what you come up with! 

Another Camping Adventure!

Saturday, we decided to take a spontaneous camping trip at Elvis Presley Lake with some of our greatest friends. I had never been out there before, and I was really surprised at how pretty it was! The weather was perfect too... not freezing, but just cold enough for sweaters and a campfire. We did all the fun, cliche camping stuff like roasting hotdogs and making 'smores. We only stayed one night but it was so much fun! I think we found our favorite, close-by camping spot and I'm sure we'll be revisiting it soon!

We usually travel pretty far to our camping destinations, but it's nice to know that this beautiful spot exists right in our own back yard!

The Creative Initiative

When Lena from This Lovely Little Day first ran this idea of a sketching group by me I was very excited! I used to sketch and paint all the time, but these days I can't seem to ever find the inspiration - call it "artistic writer's block" - or time to actually sit down and do it. I've always had a passion for art (hence the blog I created) ever since I was very young, so it burdens me to have it sitting on the back burner in my life. Lena's brilliant idea to have us post a prompt each week for a new piece of art is just the motivation I needed to channel the creativity that I seemed to have pushed aside. So I invite you all to join me in this creative endeavor! 

This week's prompt is The Creative Initiative.
We created "sketches" based on the project as a whole and are introducing the theme for next week! You can feel free to submit a creative initiative sketch (using whatever medium you want) this week on this link--up post, and then you will have the opportunity to link-up on our new theme ("What did you do today?") next Thursday!

If you tweet or instagram about your post be sure to use the #thecreativeinitiative hashtag! 

The Creative Initiative rules:

1. Create something in your sketchbook based on this weeks prompt.

2. Post about your artistic endeavor on your blog and link-it-up to this post.

3. Comment on other bloggers posts! The prompts leave a lot of room to use your imagination and we should all support and encourage each other and we explore!

So there it is! I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Makeup Review - Lip Colors

I've pulled out some of my favorite plum and pink lip colors to share with all of my lovely readers! These are the lippies that I wear pretty regularly. I'm sooo glad I discovered them! I highly recommend all of these brands - if not colors :)

1.) Maybelline (The Vivids) "Brazen Berry" - It glides on soft and smooth. It has a decent amount of pigment without going overboard.. for days when I don't want such a bold look.

2.) Maybelline (The Vivids) "Pink Pop" - Perfect for a slightly subtle pop of pink!

3.) Maybelline (The Elixer) "Vision in Violet" - Now this one is BOLD! It has an amazing shine, too! I love this highly pigmented gloss, and it's pretty much the exact color of my hair!

4.) Tony Moly "Petite Bunny" Gloss Bar - This is a lip balm with very little pigment, but has great shine. It also glides on smooth and smell incredible!!

5.) Lime Crime "Countessa Flourescent" - This brand is my all time favorite! It lasts forever, has amazing pigment, and smells like cupcakes!!! Doesn't get much better than that.

6.) NYX (Soft Matte Lip Cream) "Stockholm" - I love this peachy/pink lip cream. It lasts a long time too, but I always have to pair it with chapstick because it's quite drying (being that it's a "matte" cream). 

What are some of your favorite lip brands/colors? I'd love for you to share them with me!

Sunday Style

When it's cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon, and cold at night, how do I decide what to wear every day?? Layers. I try to wear pieces that look good with or without added articles.. that way I don't have to completely change outfits 2 or 3 times a day! Amy = 1, Dirty South = 0

Skirt - thrifted // Tights - Forever 21 // Booties - H&M // Shirt - boutique purchase // Cardigan - Forever 21 // Sunnies - Lace Affair

P.S. I'm selling some of my cute clothing and accessories on my Instagram shop - @artoftheheartshop

So be sure to check that out, lovelies!

What's in my Make Up Bag

My makeup case is over flowing with beauty products.. I really need to upgrade it to a bigger case soon! However, most of the makeup in there is for my clients and brides. I do try to keep a baby size version of that in my purse for my own everyday use. These are some of the products I carry around and use on a daily basis...

1.) Neutrogena Naturals moisturizer

2.) Smashbox halo powder foundation

3.) Smashbox primer

4.) NYX lipcolor (Paris)

5.) Ulta eyeshadow (Sandstone)

6.) Smashbox eyeshadow trio

7.) NYX matte bronzer

8.) Rimmel Scandaleyes waterproof kohl eyeliner (black)

9.) Rimmel Scandaleyes Flex mascara (black)

I'm very much a fan of the smokey, smoldering look. I really like to play up my eyes. When I do my eyes this way, I  keep my lip and cheek colors soft or neutral so that I'm not walking around looking like a clown! 

My skin is also very prone to acne, so it's hard for me to find a good moisturizer that doesn't clog my pores. Neutrogena Naturals has been the answer for me! It's very lightweight and smells quite fresh. It is definitely the best inexpensive moisturizer I've found yet! 

What are some of your favorite beauty products?