{A Productive Week}

Yep, it's that time of the week again already and I'm linking up with Kate for her Grooving Mums blog hop.

One of the challenges from last week was to Embrace the Spirit...

"This will mean different things to different people so respond in a way that makes sense to you. It might involve revisiting a place of worship, taking part in a religious festival, meditating, looking at which goddess you most identify why or whatever makes sense to you."

I'm ashamed to admit that I've not done anything towards this challenge... Will perhaps try and incorporate this into a post somehow over the coming week.

The next challenge was Body Fun...

"Do something to your body that you would not normally do. Paint your toe-nails, wear lipstick, colour your hair, wear make-up to take it off for a day if you usually wear it, play around and experiment."

I had booked myself in for a make-up lesson which I thoroughly enjoyed. I picked up a lot of new techniques and for someone who very rarely wears eyeliner I am now feeling more confident at applying it. What a difference it made to my overall look by having some nice eye make-up done! My mum always swore by the mantra 'look good, feel good' and I do believe in this too. I always feel much better when I've had my hair done or my nails painted. I rarely paint my fingernails (I've had them done at salons a couple of times, but I'm rubbish at applying nail polish myself!). I'm going to make the effort to paint my nails this week as I've got another 'Keeping in Touch' Day at my work this week.

I've had a very busy week... I've been continuing with the decorating at my house (in my painting gear just now actually!) and I'm making good progress. I've done a little bit more Christmas shopping and I think I only have hubby to buy for now. My sister came to visit and we had our make-up lesson and personal shopping trip (more on this in a separate post - it was brilliant!). I've been a bit better with the healthy eating (except for the massive sticky toffee pudding my sister and I consumed!!) and I even went on a run on Sunday morning by myself (5 miles!) as running club was too late for us to make our shopping appointment. I got my wedding & engagement rings cleaned at a local jeweller and I put in some of my mum's jewellery to be cleaned also. I'm going to make more of an effort to accessorise my outfits. My sister and I also did a photo session with my kiddies in the park for this year's Christmas card and I was designing it last night on the computer... I've been very productive!! I can't help but think though that this is a case of 'fake it til you make it' as described by Katie over at Dazed, But Enthused.

Unfortunately, part of my tooth has come out... I had root canal treatment on it a few years ago and I think I might need to get a crown which I'm not looking forward to. Ever since the root canal treatment I've been having sort of panic attacks in the dentist's chair. I've never had an issue with the dentist until now. I have to keep reminding myself to breath and try to focus on other things whilst I'm getting my teeth checked. I've got the dentist tomorrow and I'm already not looking forward to it.

Here are the challenges for this week:

"1. Set your own challenge, something that is meaningful to you. Or even better, include a challenge in your blog post that all grooving mums might want to have a go at.
2. Investigate poetry and share a favourite with us whether poetry is something you indulge in often, sometimes or never.
3. Dance whether at an event, in the privacy of your own home or out on a walk with the children.
4. Take part in the Listography blog hop over at Kate Takes 5. It will help us all get to know each other that little bit better."

I'm going to put my thinking cap on regarding setting my own challenge... it might be something like a new personal best for my running, or to attempt something different with my hair style... not sure yet. Poetry is not my thing, but I will do my best to see what I can come up with. Dancing I love...might need to be in the privacy of my own house but watch this space and see what I get up to! I'm also going to take part in the listography... keep a look out for my post.

Hope you've all had good weeks #groovingmums!

{Make-Up Tutorial}

A friend of mine, Shannon O'Neill, is a make-up artist for MAC and she popped over to mine last night to give my sister, Ali and The Grey House, Becky from The Olive Dragonfly and myself a make-up lesson. We were keen to find out how to do smokey eyeshadow, eyeliner and attach false eyelashes properly.

Here's the how-to for smokey eyes and I'll possibly have to come back and add some more photographs showing the different steps when I get a chance... (I should have taken more pics during the lesson, but I was too busy concentrating & taking notes!).

1. Moisturise as per your normal routine.

2. Apply primer to eyelid

I just want to add a little quote here from Shannon.... in her opinion eye primer is "definitely a must-have". It's something that I do have in my make-up bag (an Elizabeth Arden one) but I must admit that I have only used it once. I'll be using it more often now though! Shannon's recommendation is Laura Mercier.

3. Apply a nude eyeshadow all over eyelid and up to brow to set the primer. One recommendation from Shannon is MAC Shroom - a soft beige with a little shimmer.

4. Using a brush, pat on a mid-tone colour across the eyelid from the last to the crease. For brown smokey eyes, Shannon's recommendation is MAC Satin Taupe.

5. Using a blending brush, such as MAC 217, blend the line at the crease to make it less obvious.

6. Add more layers and blend until you have desired colour.

7. Using a brush, pat on the dark colour to the outer corner of the eye and pat into the eye crease. This darker shade can also be applied under the lower lashes for a more dramatic look. For black/grey smokey eyes Shannon recommends MAC Carbon for the dark colour; for brown smokey eyes her suggestion would be MAC Mystery.

8. Again, using the blending brush, blend this darker shade into the lighter one.

9. To apply eyeliner, Shannon recommends the MAC 208 Angled Brow Brush. It's meant for eyebrows but is really good for eyeliner (I can vouch for this as I borrowed Shannon's one to practice, and I'm about to buy my own one!). The eyeliner Shannon suggests (which I've also purchased today!) is Bobbie Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink. You want to apply this to the edge of the upper lashes and then you can do a flick at the side if you would like a more dramatic look.

10. Add a touch of light eyeshadow to the inner corner of your eyes and you can also apply a little under the brow bone.

11. For a dramatic look you can also apply eyeliner or pencil to the waterline.

12. Use a cotton bud with eye make-up remover or a baby wipe to touch up any areas

13. Then you can go ahead and apply your base (foundation, tinted moisturiser or whatever!) as normal.

14. Add some concealer under your eyes if needed (and I definitely need it!!)

15. Add a few coats of mascara (Shannon's recommendation is Estee Lauder Double Wear Mascara, which I'm also currently using!)

Here I am after doing my own make-up... unfortunately due to glasses you can't really see the eyeshadow... oops! Becky has some better photos so I'll post these soon.

This morning I've done a day-to-day brown smokey eye... Here are a few pics (taken with my phone so apologies for the photo quality).

After primer, nude colour (slight shimmer) and mid-tone applied.

I've applied the darkest shade to my left eye and the right eye hasn't been done yet.

As above but with eyes open so you can see the effect. (BTW I've not added under eye concealer at this point!!).

The finished look - this is me right now.

I placed an order with MAC online last night for the angled brow brush and two eyeshadow colours, so  once I receive these I'll do another post with some better photos and step-by-step guide. 

Let me know what you think... (I must add that I'm no make-up artist and the make-up in these photos has been done by myself, but hopefully with a bit of practice I'll get better at this...especially the eye liner!).