Summer is officially over...

...but that doesn't mean that my tan has to be.

I am naturally White. Pale. Fair. Porcelain skinned. Ghostly, Ok not THAT white, but I have light skin. I am of English and French descent, after all. The grass is always greener. I wasn't born a golden, bronzed goddess, but I sure can fake it!

A healthy 20 minutes in the sun is an excellent source of Vitamin D. But I am against heavy duty tanning and sun worshiping. I don't have the time or the desire to bake myself like a piece of rotisserie chicken. Besides, I prefer the leather look to be worn in the form of a jacket or a handbag, and not as my actual skin. - Eww!  Don't even get me started on tanning beds. Bad bad bad. I had a horrible experience as a teenager and was burned and peeled like a bad potato. Never again, thank you!

I prefer to get my glowing tan in the form of self tanner. I've tried a bunch of different brands and kinds. My all time favorite is Banana Boat's Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion in Deep Dark Color. Yes, in Deep Dark Color, it's not too dark for my pale skin. It really is natural-looking and doesn't leave streaks or turn me into an oompa-loompa. Color starts to show about 3 hours after applying and the best part, it lasts for DAYS! With this tanner, you can continue to reapply and darken for a year-round tan or use it as the perfect remedy to a last minute event when you want to get your glow on. 

Bonus-It's also oil free and doesn't smell funky like some of the other self tanners out there. It contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for hydration. Seriously, I can't say enough good things about Banana Boat's self tanner. It will leave you looking, smelling, and feeling like you've been relaxing on the beach drinking a Mai Tai. Have you tried it yet?

Get up outta that funk and dance til you feel better!

Sometimes life can get a little overwhelming to say the least. Bank accounts can become overdrawn. Skin can break out with acne (even when you're 29). Washing machines can suddenly decide mid-cycle to stop "washing" and become just a "machine"- A machine filled with water. When it seems like things just aren't going your way. When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year...*clap clap clap clap* As cliché as it sounds, your friends will be there for you.

Ugh! I was having a ho hum horrible week. A case of the total blahs. I was feeling crap, crap, crappy. Starting to get the picture? Cue in girlfriends to the rescue. A few of my girlies and I made it a girls night out to celebrate the birthday of one of our very own. Throw in some cocktails, a bizarre round of "drink or dare", getting hit on by a 21 year old, snazzy dance moves (including the robot), and the result is a whole lotta laughs. The perfect regimen to get me out of my funk.

A cocktail or two, or five is always in order.

Our go to dance move. Reeling in the fish.

Me and one of my besties, Amanda.

When in doubt, just shimmy.

 

Happy Birthday Jennie!

Here's to my girlfriends, who I love dearly. Who are always there for me, and are always willing to join me in making total fools of ourselves for a few really good, much needed laughs.

She is clothed with strength and dignity....

...and she laughs without fear of the future. Probably one of my all time favorite quotes hands down!

I am all about exercising inner strength and empowerment! Which leads me to the fleur de lis, which is the French term for "Flower of the Lily". The fleur de lis has been a popular symbol throughout history and has several different meanings. According to French historian Georges Duby, the three petals represent the medieval social classes: those who worked, those who fought, and those who prayed. My take is a little different. For me the Fleur de lis represents those who work hard, fight for what they want, and believe in their dreams.

The timeless symbol of the Fleur de lis inspired my collection of Jewelry boxes that are now on SALE at my etsy shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/starrjoy16

Perfect addition for any fierce female! Strength and dignity cannot be bought. But my Fleur de lis jewelry box collection can be!

Saying "No" is sometimes saying "Yes".

Do you have a difficult time saying the word "No"? Whether it's the fear of disappointing others, letting people down, or worrying that you wont be liked, saying "No" can be hard! But so is being the go to girl for, well, everything.
Need a study partner and help writing that final paper for that course you're taking? Starr will be your teammate. Need someone to stay late at work after already putting in 10 hours without getting paid overtime? Starr's your girl. Need a wing woman to attend that one guy's second cousin's birthday party? Ask Starr. Need someone to take your sick grandma to the hospital because you simply can't find the time? Don't worry, Starr to the rescue!
I lived my life like this for many exhausting years. I ran myself ragged by putting other peoples needs and wants ahead of my own. Enough is enough! I am drawing the line in the sand and announcing once and for all that I am not a doormat to be walked all over and dumped on with the crap of others.
Ever notice how 2 year old toddlers have no problem saying "no" to something that displeases them? In fact, they will go to great lengths just to let you know how much they DO NOT want to do something. Wal-Mart is a fabulous place to bear witness to this act of declaration. Not to worry, I wont be throwing myself on the ground in a screaming tantrum. I'll be more of a healthy mix of a 2 year old and a Buddhist. I love the Buddhist saying on airplanes, "Putting your oxygen mask on before assisting others, is a selfless teaching". The reason for putting your mask on first, is the Buddhist parallel; You'll be no good to anyone if you don't remain conscious. The fat little man has an excellent point, doesn't he?

So, if you are like me, and have been saying "no" to yourself while saying yes to everyone and everything else, it's time to pivot that bad boy around. Join me in making sure your needs are being met before extending that helping hand to anyone else. Ready to start saying no?!

D.I.Y. leopard print pedicure

I've been feeling a little wild lately and listening to a lot of Katy Perry's new song, "Roar". So I figured what better way to express my Queen of the Jungle (or Valley, I do live in Southern California after all) attitude than with a leopard print pedicure!?!

What you will need:
pink, gold, and black or dark grey nail polish
super shiny topcoat
toothpick

 I used: OPI- Mod About You, Petites- Universe, OPI- Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees, and Sally Hansen- Super Shine Top Coat.

First, paint your tootsies in your favorite hue of pink and allow to dry.

 

Once your pink polish is fully dry, begin dabbing and dotting on your gold polish. It doesn't have to be perfect and looks better with random placement. Allow gold spots to dry.

 

Next take your black or dark grey polish and use a toothpick to draw a rimmed line around each gold dot. Outline dots about 1/2 or 2/3 of the way around. The lines do not have to be perfect. Dab on a few random black/dark grey spots as well. Allow to fully dry.

 

Lastly, paint on your best shiny top coat.

 

 

Tada! Now you have some seriously ferocious toes! Rawr! Are you feeling fierce enough to try it?

 

The New Girl and The Mindy Project

Is anyone else super excited for tonight's premiere of both the New Girl and The Mindy Project?
Season 2 of both shows premiere tonight on Fox at 9/8c and 9:30/8:30c

I mean, Jess and Nick! Seriously, I haven't been this excited about an onscreen couple since Meredith and McDreamy. I can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans these two are going to get into this season.

 

I'm also looking forward to the hilarious antics of the doctors from the Mindy Project, who will no doubt be having me in stitches. And who can't help but love James Franco guest starring as a doctor?! I'd be his patient any day!

If you're not watching both of these shows, now is the time to start. Best way to spend a night in. Grab your girlfriends and the wine and get ready for a laugh fest! Will you be watching?

I believe in unicorns

I believe in unicorns. The unicorn is a legendary creature. It's said that they are wild, woodland, horse like animals that symbolize purity and grace and can only be captured by a virgin. Well, lets just say that the odds are stacked against me on being able to capture a unicorn of my very own.
I'd still like to think that they're out there. I like to believe in the fantasy of the impossible. I'd like to think that there are meadows of white unicorns elegantly frolicking around a luscious land of green trees with a bunch of pure virgins laughing and chatting it up while they braid each other's hair.
The closest thing that I've ever seen to a real, live unicorn, is my best friend's dog, Dax. He's a sultry white German Shepard full of handsomeness. He's one of the sweetest, tender, and enchanting animals that I've encountered. I can't help but think he's got to have a touch of unicorn in him.

 

My love for Dax (who I've nicknamed Uni) inspired my collection of unicorn artwork. Canvas paintings, jewelry boxes, and Jewelry are all available at my shop: www.etsy.com/shop/starrjoy16

 

I can only hope for the day that I get to see a real unicorn with my own two eyes, but until then, I have my artwork and Dax a.k.a. Uni. Maybe one day my unicorn loving dreams will be fulfilled and I'll get to ride Uni as we're prancing around the greenery. Although, I highly suspect that the odds of that happening are piled against me on that one as well, so far his owners frown upon my fabulous proposition. It could happen, one day. Like I said, I believe in the impossible. Do you?

Vertigo: Giving 'blurred lines' a new meaning

 

Vertigo has made another unwanted appearance in my life this weekend. What is Vertigo? Its technically defined as a sensation of spinning and whirling that causes loss of balance, originating by a disease affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve. In basic terms, it's severe dizziness to the point of suckiness. That's right, Vertigo sucks!
It's not a fun kind of a dizzy, like the spinning round right round, like a record baby, in circles that you did when you were a kid, or that great rush you get when getting off a whirling rollercoaster. It's unsteadiness that can be brought on for NO apparent reason. A Vertigo attack can happen by simply standing up from a sitting position. Can you say 'head rush times ten'?!? Or even by walking into a brightly lit room. Target, for some reason tends to trigger my Vertigo. The intense lighting mixed with the tiled floor and rows of racks does not bode well for me. Aside from dizziness , I also get added symptoms of nausea and terrible headaches as sides to my main order of dizzy.
Attacks can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, and in some cases, even longer. It hinders daily life. Walking or trying to do normal tasks is an effort. Trying to drive while having an attack is virtually impossible. I once had an attack while driving on the freeway and I suddenly turned into 'Cher' from "Clueless", literally screaming "The freeway!! Oh my God!" Fortunately I made it off the road safely.
Vertigo affects upwards of 90 million people around the world. It can occur in people of all ages but is more frequent in older adults, age 65 and up. I am well below the age of 65, so I guess it's just the luck of the draw that I've contracted the disease.
Having suffered from this long enough, I've learned that my Vertigo is triggered by extremely hot weather, anxiety, and stress. I've learned that it's my body's way of telling me that I need to slow down and take it easy. The best cure for me is a cool room, and sleep. Although I have missed out on fun social events with friends and obligations at work due to this disease, I've been lucky enough that my attacks generally last only 2-3 days.
On the plus side, Vertigo has allowed me to hole up in my bed with ice cream and a marathon of Kate Hudson movies. Mmmm a pint of Ben and Jerry's peanut butter cup as treatment! It could be worse, way worse!

Do you suffer from any illnesses? I guarantee you are not alone. Don't be afraid to comment and share below!

D.I.Y. Smooches collage Canvas Painting

This is a fun, easy, and inexpensive art project! All you will need is a blank canvas and your favorite shades of lipstick. This project is super entertaining for kids and anyone who loves to play with makeup! Simply apply a color of lipstick to your lips and begin to brush your lips against the blank canvas. Get creative with where you are placing your kisses on the canvas. Reapply more lipstick in different tints and hues. Don't be afraid to add some funky colors or lipsticks with glitter! Continue reapplying and kissing the canvas until there is a collage of smooches. Voila! Now you have a fun gift to give to anyone that you want to smother in kisses.

 

If you want to get a little more creative, and add more color to your project, you can paint the canvas your in your preference of acrylic paint before beginning your smooch-fest!

The birth of StarrJoy16

If you haven't already, you might want to check out what all of the fuss is about. My online shop has recently opened. It's filled with original one of a kind canvas paintings, jewelry boxes, and matching jewelry! It's super fun, super trendy, and super girly!

                                                        www.etsy.com/shop/starrjoy16

 

 

A new chapter in a whole new book.

   I'm a big believer in living the life that you want, following your bliss, and making an effort to do what you love. Every chance I get, I tell people this. I realized if I was going to preach about it, I should probably start doing it, right?
   So here I am, on a rollercoaster of a journey and leading a new life. I have had my 'Aha moment' as the great Oprah would say.
   That big moment happened about a year ago. I was watching "The Notebook". It was the scene where Allie tells her fiancé that she doesn't paint anymore. He responds that he never knew that she painted and then offers the solution, "So paint".  Allie then replies with "I'm gonna start".
   I, like Allie, didn't paint anymore. And again, I, like Allie decided that I was gonna start again. That's unfortunately where the comparison to Allie and I ends. Oh what I wouldn't give for a Ryan Gosling character in my life. Anyway, back to the subject of painting. I'm so glad that I picked up a paint brush again. It's my passion. It's my drive, It's a part of me.When I am creating art, I bare my heart and soul on canvas.
   My friends and family responded so well to my artwork that they began fueling my craft by buying and requesting custom artwork for themselves. They then encouraged me to start selling my work.
   I opened a shop on Etsy. StarrJoy16 was born. More and more people were taking notice. I decided to turn my artwork into wearable art in the form of jewelry. It's a wonderful, indescribable feeling when someone likes and appreciates my artwork. It's an even better feeling when someone actually wants to pay me for it and display it in their home.
   I have so many more ideas and plans for the future of StarrJoy16. Who knows exactly where this road will take me? But I'm gonna find out. I'm dreaming out loud and living out my dreams. I hate the term 'starting over'. I much prefer 'turning the page'. So that's exactly what I am doing. I put the mistakes of yesterday behind me. I vow to make new and even better mistakes tomorrow.