Once More With Shimmer

After my first make-up trial, I decided to be a little more selective in finding the next make-up artist. I poured through countless websites looking for examples, reviews and of course, prices. I was pretty lucky to find a few who were still around during the holidays and had good reviews online. The day after Christmas, I had a trial with a nice woman who was also the most affordable. I was pretty adamant about the amount of coverage I wanted and probably came across as bitchy. Oh well, she did a great job anyway!

From the beginning I felt comfortable because she told me what she was doing every step of the way. I think my bitchiness about coverage might have gotten to her because she used super light coverage. I was happy I didn't look all crazy, but would have been fine with a tad bit more coverage. I know, I sound like Goldilocks. Hive, wedding make people crazy. She got major points for asking before applying shimmer to my face. I absolutely cannot stand shimmer because I always tend to leave traces of it it on everything and everybody. But since she had a light hand, I let her try it out. It actually looked really pretty. You win this one, shimmer. We also tried out some false lashes which I was surprisingly OK with. I'm normally a freak about things going in, around or near my eyes. But I could barely feel the lashes and they made me look hot. But, I was scared I wouldn't be able to take them off by myself so I had her take them off before she left so you won't see them in the photos. Yup, I'm that girl.

Anyway, here are a few photos of the MUA's handiwork.

 Yay! I still look like me!

 We played around with two different eye colors. I liked the left eye better because it looked warmer.

Eye close-up.

 Very light color on my cheeks. Plus you can barely see the shimmer!

I was happy with the trial and I got even happier when I got the thumbs up from Mr. Warbs. No seven layer dip face this time! This one is definitely a winner. 

How many make-up trials did you have?

Seven Layer Make-Up

Hey there, remember me? Miss Warbler? Yeah, it's been a while. Sorry for not keeping in touch. It's not that I didn't enjoy our time together, I've just been...busy. You know, wedding planning and all. Don't take it personal. It's not you, it's me.

It's been a while Hive, but I promise I haven't been sitting on my ass this whole time. Wedding projects (and mishaps) will be shared in due time!

Over the holiday break, I had a couple of make-up trials. The first trial was...not good. There's no other way to put it. But I guess it was my fault. In an effort to try and save some money, I went to the mall and tried out a make-up artist at a department store. I figured that it might be cheaper and if the bridal party had to drive to the mall the day of the wedding, than it would be worth it to save a little cash. It's what I did for prom, so why couldn't I do that for the wedding too? Yeah, you can go ahead and file that one under harebrained ideas.

Even though I didn't have an appointment and it was the weekend before Christmas, I was helped right away. I took bridesmaid E with me to get her opinion on the make-up. The whole time I sat in the chair, the MUA wouldn't let me see my face so all I could go off of were E's facial expressions which were pretty amusing. Except that she was making them at my face. I don't usually wear a lot of make-up, but expected to probably wear a medium coverage for the wedding. However, I was a little worried when the MUA artists put on generous amounts of liquid foundation, two different powder foundations, concealer and a shimmer setting powder. How in the hell is that medium coverage? Bridesmaid E snapped a photo of the end result.

Trust me, it looked way worse in person.

Personal Photo

Hive, I hated it. Even though several sales people came over and said it looked great, I was convinced I looked crazy. It was a ton of make-up. My face has never felt so heavy. I swear I touched my nose and left a dent in my face. Seriously. The only thing I did like was the eyes and lip color, but the coverage was all I noticed at first. When I told the MUA that I did not feel comfortable she tried to assuage my concerns by saying that the amount of make-up she used is necessary for photography. After E took the photo, I noticed that I did look a little better, but I was still worried I'd look like Frankenstein walking around at my wedding. I left feeling pretty confused, but hoped that when I got home Mr. Warbs would tell me the truth.

As soon as I walked through the door, he stood up and stared at me for about a minute. Then he confirmed what I thought when I looked in the mirror. "That is way too much make-up. It looks like several layers of paint that has weathered over time." And this was from across the room. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt a little just because he has always thrown compliments my way about my appearance. But, it was what I needed to hear. Your wedding day is supposed to be the one day where it's OK to go completely glam. I'm fine with that. What I'm not fine with is walking around, not feeling like myself on my wedding day, just so I can appear to have porcelain skin in our photos. And I'm pretty sure Mr. Warbs doesn't want to marry someone whose face resembles a seven layer dip. No matter how delicious that may sound. So up next, makeup trial number two! 

What's your make-up plan for your wedding? Are you going full glam or staying in your comfort zone?

Harebrained Ideas

While planning our wedding, I came up with some pretty good ideas and some um not so good ideas. Harebrained ideas. Or as Mama Warbler likes to call them, Lucy-you've-got-some-splaining-to do ideas. Yes, I STILL love Lucy!

First of all, you should know that the Warblers don't sing or dance.

OK, these Warblers do. Heeeey Blaine.

Image via Glee Wikia

I'm talking about Mr. Warbs and myself of course. With the exception of bad karaoke and singing in the shower we are not musically gifted. Especially Mr. Warbs. Which is why when I started brainstorming ideas for our first dance, he sort of squirmed a bit in his seat. When I suggested that we take ballroom dance lessons I could see the panic start to form in his eyes. It would have been funny actually if I hadn't been completely serious. I wanted to impress all of guests with fancy dancing skills. I wanted our first dance to be awesome, kind of like Barney and Robin's dance on How I Met Your Mother.

Coolest dance ever!

Video via Youtube

Sadly, the Warblers lack Barney and Robin's mad skills and confidence. I could just imagine Mr. Warbs turning beet red and the unnatural look on my face as I struggled to perfect each move. Not cute and not us. As painfully awkward as we are on the dance floor, we're likely more suited to the 8th grade dance sway than a carefully choreographed number. Nothing wrong with the 8th grade sway!

I had another idea to perform a special song for Mr. Warbs. This was probably the most ridiculous idea I've had so far since I can't sing, dance or play an instrument. I got this grand idea in my head that I would strap on a guitar and perform Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros accompanied by my bridal party and the USC marching band. Wow, that was really embarrassing to write. Shh, don't tell anyone.

I went out and secretly bought a guitar. I had a couple of lessons. I even contacted the damn marching band. Hive, I gave up after three weeks because I couldn't learn all the chords. And I can't even whistle. Fail. However, this couple was pretty good!

They're so cute!

Video via Youtube

It's fun to pretend that we're cooler than we actually are. But the reality is we're painfully shy and terribly uncoordinated. Even though it would be awesome to do these things, I'll probably just want to relax and not worry about screwing up. What were some of your harebrained ideas?

One Year Engageaversary

Exactly one year ago today, Mr. Warbs got down on one knee in our bathroom and scared the crap out of me. I know that's not a very eloquent sentence, but that's what happened! Since then the weeks and months have seriously flown by like nothing. Here we are a year later and it all still feels so new. Sure, I'm not the clueless bride who clung religiously to bridal magazines anymore, but I'm far from being a pro. I still have trouble getting used to saying "fiance" and occasionally will call Mr. Warbs my boyfriend. Whoops! Trust me, I get the super awkward look every time.

There have been a few changes though. We've become closer to each others respective families. My sisters and my mom have always loved Mr. Warbs, but it's even more amazing that my nieces and cousins love him as well. If I go to a family function or dinner without him, they genuinely miss him. And since I know my family, I know they're not just being polite. On the flip side, I simply adore his parents. They are the sweetest couple I've ever met. I can tell that Mr. Warbs' definitely gets his caring and respectfulness from his dad. I've never seen a man more devoted to his wife's every need. My future looks good on that front! My MIL is also a true gem. From the beginning of our relationship, she treated me like her daughter and has been very protective of me. When a car mechanic tried to screw me over on a deal, she yelled "No one is gonna [expletive] with my daughter!" Yeah, I hope to never get on her bad side.

We've grown stronger as a couple which seems impossible when you're planning a time consuming, stressful wedding. But it's true, we've fallen into our own little groove. This year has felt more intimate and loving than the one before it. All the little things that used to drive me crazy, I just shrug off now. Like Miss Mole mentioned in her super awesome post, all those little things are just the price of admission. It drives me crazy that Mr. Warbs uses 2 or 3 water glasses at a time, but it's worth having him in my life. We've seriously gone to new and disturbing lengths to make each other laugh this past year and I've loved every second of it. It's hard to believe that we could actually get any closer.

Photo by Nataly Lemus Photography

How has your engagement changed your relationship?

Finally! Engagement Photos

A zillion months ago, more like two months actually, I teased you with a photo from our engagement session. After a long wait, we finally got the rest of the photos from our photographers on Saturday. After cringing at awkward angles and laughing at weird faces, it's time to share our favorites with the Hive!

Sorry, this is a shameless personal photo post. Lots of photos coming at you...now!

*All images in this post by Nataly Lemus Photography

Mr. Warb's face in this photo = priceless.

The wind was blowing my dress like crazy here.

My favorite of the black and whites.

I am so glad to have these babies in my possession. Now I can finish designing our invites. The only problem I have now is choosing just one photo! I have a few favorites, but it's gonna be tough. Which one would you choose?