Advent Blog: Christmas Day!

Picture: The Adoration of the Shepherds by Rembrandt

Christmas Quote

"You know the real reason we celebrate Christmas, don't you? I mean, beyond Santa Claus and jingle bells and Christmas trees?

You mean because Jesus was born? she asked.

Yes... but did you ever think how Jesus was born? I mean, have you considered how it was such a humble birth, in a small barn...how he was laid in a hay trough...how the Son of almighty God humbled himself to be born in such lowly conditions? Have you thought about it like that? Jesus could have been born in a fine palace. After all, he was the Son of God. But for some reason God chose humble beginnings for His son. Do you ever wonder why? ... I think because God wanted to show that his love could reach to everyone, no matter who they were, from the poorest of poor to great kings."
~Melody Carlson, The Christmas Pony

Christmas Song

My Soul Magnifies the Lord by Chris Tomlin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHzevDE3xhU

My Story

I am hesitant to put this in my blog because it is very personal. I don't want people to think I'm crazy. I also don't want to offend anyone with my beliefs. I feel like my blog is about beauty, and it is Christmas, so I want to share a beautiful story that happened to me.

I know that some people think the birth of Jesus is just a story. And people don't believe in miracles. They say Jesus was a great man, and a great philosopher. I remember in high school when we were taught about Jesus in history class. We had to write a paper about him in class. I started writing about Jesus in the way we had been taught in school. But then the Holy Spirit asked me, "Is this who you really think I am?" And I said, "No." I had to get out a new piece of paper and I wrote down what I really believed, even though I know it wasn't what we were taught in class. I believed in the Virgin birth, and that he healed people, he died on the cross for everyone's sins, and he rose again. If you believe in him, you will have eternal life. Then I turned in my paper, and the teacher sat in the middle of the room reading aloud each paper one by one. I was filled with the Holy Spirit, and I felt so much courage. Normally, at this age, I would have been so afraid of what people would think of me. But God made me brave. I felt like he gave me courage to witness. This is what witnessing is. He read each paper, and they were all the same. They were all saying what the teacher wanted to hear. But then he read my paper and he started to laugh. Other people in the class laughed. Someone asked, "Who wrote that paper?" I had so much courage. I raised my hand, and said with confidence that I wrote that paper. I remember feeling so much joy in my heart! It was like I was standing up for what I believed in.

I haven't always been so confident to stand up. I have even denied being a Christian before. But I just wanted to share this story with you because I believe that Christmas Day is remembering something that really happened. Not that it happened on exactly this day. I heard some people think it happened in Spring because that is when shepherds would be tending their flocks. But we celebrate Easter in the Spring, and they wanted to convert the pagan holiday into a Christian holiday, so that is why we celebrate it when we do. It is nice to have a party in the middle of winter when it is the coldest and darkest time of the year.

I wanted you to know that I really believe this happened. I believe in the miracles. It may sound crazy, but if you believe in God, you believe he can do anything.

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." ~Isaiah 9:2

Benefit Countdown to Love Advent Calendar

I am so excited about this! Ever since I was little, I have liked to countdown to Christmas. I would get advent calendars with little pictures inside that you open every day until Christmas. I remember one year I got one that had little chocolates inside. When I saw this on blogs and someone's Youtube video, I impulsively went and bought it for myself. On the video I saw someone opened the first box, and right away I knew I would like these products. I have been avoiding places that have mentioned what is in each box because I want to be surprised.

When this came in the mail, I didn't think the package was for me. It was so big! I took a picture of this beside my shoe because my shoe is a size 9, and you can see how it is compared to that.

I was thinking about doing blog posts for each day of December, counting down 'til Christmas. I could open each box and share what was inside and do a little review on it. Then I could include a pretty holiday picture or neat quote maybe. Does that sound like something interesting? Now I can't wait for December 1st! It's good to have something to look forward to. It gives you hope. I hope you will enjoy it too!

Christmas Gifts!

I like watching the Youtube videos to see what people got for Christmas. I thought I would do a post about what I got too.

1. I got gift certificates for iTunes, Sephora, and Barnes & Noble Bookstore. I don't know yet what I'm going to get music or book wise. On Christmas day I made my order at the Sephora website.

2. The Sephora gift card came with a nice mirror I can keep in my purse! I purchased the Sephora Cinderella palette. I had my eyes on the palette. I was going to dupe it, but there were some colors that were really original, and Temptalia gave it an A on her website! I will do a separate post when I get the palette. Also, there was free shipping! I got to get several perfume samples, too which I love.

3. I also got money. I have already spent most of it! I needed a 2013 planner. This one was pretty. I got it at Fred Meyers.

4. I also wanted a 2013 Rachael Hale, kitten calendar. I think I get this every year! It has become a tradition, I guess.

5. Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips in Love Letter. I have had my eyes on this for some time. I think it looks very beautiful. Maybe the next time I do my nails I will put these on.

6. Femme Couture Eye Drama Glitter Liquid Eyeliner in Envy. I don't have any emerald green glitter liner. One of the holiday looks I liked, called for this and I couldn't dupe it. I found out you could get this at Sally's Beauty Supply store, so I looked to see if they had it. They had one left! It is a beautiful emerald green. I love it!

7. On Christmas Day I saw Les Miserables with my dad. It was so good! That is my favorite musical!

So that is everything I got. I'm very happy with everything. I feel very blessed, and I have yet to see my relatives. One side of my family was in Hawaii, so we are trying to find a time to get together and go see The Hobbit. The other side of my family we will see on Sunday. I love being with my family. I'm fortunate to have great people in my life. That is worth more to me, than all the material possessions.

What did you get for Christmas? What do you hope for in the New Year? Please, leave a comment!

Christmas Eve OOTD: Opposities Attract

I haven't done one of these for over a year! My one I did in September 2011 was about complementary colors. It was also for church and casual, like I'm doing for today. My eyes are not the focus of my makeup, I have no blush on, and my lips are the main thing. I have red lip liner and plum lipstick. The lip liner is Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Contouring Pencil in Red Dynamite. My lipstick is Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum.

I'm not exactly sure where I heard this tip from. I think it might be from the Makeup Geek website. It's about not matching your makeup to your tops. If you wear a teal top let's say, then wear orange on your makeup because orange is the opposite of teal.

These are the opposite colors:

Black = purples, teals, greens
Red = green
Red Violet = yellow green
Violet = yellow
Blue Violet = yellow orange
Blue = orange
Blue Green = red orange

If you are wearing black, brown, or another neutral than go with a brighter color for the eyes or lips for that pop.

If you aren't sure go with golds because it's a neutral, but not flat like a brown.

Since my lips are a red violet/plum color, I'm wearing a long sleaved yellow-green t-shirt with a matching hoodie to wear over it. It's really cold outside. I'm going to wear jeans and black tennis shoes.

I hope everyone has Happy Holidays and/or a Merry Christmas!

Winterlicious Tag

This is a tag by MacBarbie07 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV-ZkATZ9lE. I thought it seemed like a fun tag to do, and I hope lots of other people do it too. Leave a comment below if you did it or if you want to answer a question or two!

1. Favorite Winter Nail Polish? Nailtini in Millionaire: It is a rose gold glitter with green bars. It reminds me of the colors on a Christmas tree. I got it in my November IPSY Bag (Glam Bag).

2. Favorite Winter lip product? Chapstick Fresh Effects Invigorating Green Tea Mint: It feels so nice on the lips. I always keep this in my coat pocket for when my lips are feeling a little dry.

3. Most worn Winter clothing piece? My coat from Land's End

4. Most worn Winter accessory? My gloves and ear muffs. I don't remember where I got them.

5. Favorite Winter scent/candle? No candles (because I'm afraid to light them). I have a lot of scents that I love. I'm going to do a separate post on that.

6. Favorite Winter beverage? I'm going to be boring and say water. I don't really like hot drinks because I don't like to burn my tongue.

7. All time favorite Christmas/Holiday movie? I love watching Elf. Will Ferrel is so funny!

8. Favorite Christmas/Holiday song? I love The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole.

9. Favorite Holiday food/treat? I am on Jenny Craig's diet. My favorite snack on the diet are the Pumpkin Spice Cakes.

10. What is your favorite Christmas Decoration this year? I love seeing the houses lit up.

11. What's at the top of your Christmas list? I would be happy with money or a gift certificate somewhere. I like to be able to choose my present.

12. What are your plans for the holidays this year? I will see my aunts, uncle, cousins, cousin's husband, and cousins' children. If nothing is planned for Christmas Eve, I might go to my church's Christmas Eve service. I want to see a bunch of the movies coming out. I will probably do that with my friends. I want to see Anna Karenina, Les Miserables, and The Hobbit.