Friday, April 12, 2013

An Update: Please Donate for a Cure!


Hey guys! Yesterday was a tough day. As I told you, My sweet sweet cousin was rushed to the ICU because he hit his head and has blood on his brain (Due to passing out via Low Blood sugar. He's type 1 diabetic).
He was kept there overnight and wouldn't be released until he was more responsive. 
I have great news, folks! You're continuous prayers have worked! He was released this morning from the hospital and has had an amazing turnaround from just 24 hours ago. My grandma reported that he is
eating, showering, teeth brushing and no more slurring of speech!  His headache is gone and he is watching tv and taking it easy. He has to do just that for 2 weeks. So no PE, baseball, running playing, skateboarding. This will be hard for him because he is 100% boy, but we are all glad he is better and most important, alive!
THANK YOU! Thank you for your prayers.
God is so good.

Please please donate to JDRF. It is a terrible disease that is taking the lives of so many innocent children. 
Even if you can only donate $1, it can still make a huge difference for finding a cure. 
Jake even has his own team for a Walk for the Cure:
You can donate directly to him using this link.

love you jakester!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Prayers, please!

I don't even know where to begin.... but my cousin, Jake, who is 11 years old, has type 1 juvenile diabetes. I should say that I consider my cousins my brothers, and love them all dearly.

Today, while playing basketball, he passed out, fell and hit his head on the concrete--due to low blood sugar. He was taken to the ICU. They think he may have had a seizure. He has a contusion and does have blood in his brain. They are keeping him over night. I don't know too many details right now, but I am asking for prayers.
Please please please pray for him, for my Aunt and Uncle, for his twin and his other youngest brother. Pray for my grandparents who are there with them.

Please pray that my sweet cousin heals quickly.
ABOVE all, PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR A CURE for type 1 diabetes.

To donate to help find a cure, Click Here. Every little bit helps.

my cousin Jakey and I in 2009

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

40 Random Facts About Me

I'm a curious person by nature, so I always enjoy reading about other people. I find it so interesting. I figured other people may be the same way, so I thought I'd share some really random facts about myself.
This is harder than it looks, but feel free to challenge yourself to do this too!
Here are 40 facts you may not know about me:

1. I wear my highest heels when I am cleaning my room. I like to pretend that I am fabulous.

2. I can't go to sleep until all my drawers are shut on my dresser. 

3. When I was 12 years old, my aunt let me witness my cousin being born. It was a crazy experience, but my little cousin, Matt, and I have a very special bond because of it.
isn't he cute!??!?!

5. I'm a (minor) picky eater. Although a pet peeve of mine are picky eaters. I know, hypocritical.  

6. I can watch the same movie/ tv show episode over and over again, even if I have already seen it 5 times before. It drives my family nuts. Oh, and I tend to re-read books a lot. 

7. Throughout school, (even college) professors have either forgotten my name or called me another name (Amanda mainly). One teacher even told the principal that there was no "amber" in this class, and to take her off his roster. Pretty mortifying.

8.  I would rather be in a roomful of 3 year olds than a room full of adults. They're funnier. 

9. I left my heart in Paris two summers ago.
on top of the eiffel tower.

10. When I was younger, I got to perform a dance solo at the Miss Texas Pageant and I completely forgot all of my routine. I'm not a good dancer at all- no coordination!

11. I've never met a flavor of Bluebell Ice Cream I didn't like.

12.  Today, my breakfast was half a chocolate donut. Lunch was a slice of pizza and dinner was two slices of pizza. Healthy, huh?

13. On that note, I could eat pizza all day everyday. 

14.  I won a sweepstakes a few years ago, and I got to fly out to L.A. to meet one of my favorite artists: Taylor Swift. Yes, she is just as sweet as you'd think.

15. I often have the same nightmare over and over again ever: I am stuck at an indoor pool and I am drowning. This started when I was a young girl. 

16. Because of that, I don't like public pools or waterparks... well that and because they're yucky.

17. I am also deathly afraid of deep water, mainly because I don't know whats under me. 


18. Some girls name their future children, I name my future dogs: 
two large Goldendoodles whom I will name Winston and Genevieve. 
                                                        Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest



19. I hate wearing pink and avoid it at all costs.

20.  I cannot do a math equation to save my life, but I can crank out a 5 page paper like it's nobody's business. 

21. I always have to have my toenails painted, even in the winter. Currently, they are aqua and glittery.
but I hardly ever have my fingernails painted.  

22. I solve all my problems in the shower. It's also when I 'ugly' cry. 

23. I never memorized all my multiplication tables because I had a pencil in 3rd grade with all them on it. I guess you could call that cheating. To this day I couldn't tell you what 7x7 is off the top of my head. See #20.

24. I went to my senior prom by myself. I also wore cowboy boots.

25. I skipped ninth grade.

26. My favorite {most recent}movies are Shutter Island and Midnight in Paris.
My all time favorite movie, though, is Christmas Vacation.
Oh, and Clue. 

27. I have abnormally small hands. When people notice, I am forced to reenact Tarzan with them.

28. I dropped a can of Pledge on my big toe, and my toenail grows back crooked to this day.
maybe this is the reason why I always have to have my toenails painted. 

29. I laugh during uncomfortable situtations. It's pretty embarrassing. 

30. I lived in Calgary, Canada for 1 year. (which is also the reason why I skipped a grade) Yes, it was cold and it snowed. a lot.

31. I was an officer of my high school's French Club. 

32.  My mom always threw the most awesome birthday parties for me as a kid. For example, one year all my friends and I went to see monsters inc. in theaters, then we all camped out in my back yard in tents. Oh, and she threw a 70's disco party and covered all the walls in our house with aluminum foil. It rocked. 

33. I can't dance. (Have I mentioned that already?)  In fact, at all the middle school dances, I sat on a bench and watched (like a creeper).

34. Once my family went to a drive-thru zoo, and a zebra attacked me. 

35. I have Victor Hugo's "demain des l'aube" Poem memorized, in french. I also have the Preamble to the constition memorized.
But definitely not 7x7
;)

36. I met my best friend in orchestra in middle school. We still are bffs to this day, even though we haven't lived in the same state for 8 years.

37. Oh, and if you notice above, I died my hair brown once. It was a very bad idea. See also: taylor swift picture. 

38. I would rather scrub a dirty public restroom with my bare hands than watch the news.

39. My dream in life is to one day travel the world!

40. I'm happiest when I am surrounded by family.
and chocolate.

whew, here's a round of applause if you made it this far!

Monday, April 8, 2013

The Flawless Red Lip: An Easy How-To















"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or kick-ass red lipstick."
-Gwyneth Paltrow
                                                           Source: drugstoreprincess.com via Amber on Pinterest


Red Lips. 
A timeless look that looks wonderful on any woman.
any age, any size.
It shows class, elegance, style.

However, it also can be one of the hardest makeup looks to achieve.
Let's be honest, it's not the color you can apply while one hand's holding the steering wheel and you're looking through the mirror on your car's visor. 
It's bold and has to be precise.

So, I am going to show you a step-by-step process on how to I achieve a perfect, flawless red lip.
Here is what I use:
Lush: Sweet Lips
Urban Decay Lip Primer Potion
Covergirl Lip Perfection Lip Liner-In color Passion
Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color: In color Very Cherry


Now, the tricky part is finding the right shade of red for your skin tone.
I'm very pale, so I find that blue-tone reds look better on me than more orangey-tone reds.
Here is a great guide:

After you find your perfect shade,
your first step is to exfoliate your lips. You want to remove all the dead skin off your lips, so there is a smooth surface for your lipstick.

I use Lush's Sweet Lips. It works great, although I hear there are some homemade versions of this.

Next, prime your lips. Like I said, I use Urban Decay's primer and I like it. It is pricey though.
This step isn't necessary, but it really helps.
I have very pigmented lips on their own, so I use this to neutralize the color so I get the true shade of red I'm going for. It also helps the lipstick to stay on a lot longer. If you don't want to fork over $20, you can use your concealer to do the same job.

Then, I line my lips. This step is crucial.



please ignore this extremely awkward and cheesy facial expression.
This is very important because it helps your lipstick to 'stay in the lines' in a sense. 
It also helps so your lipstick wont bleed all over the place. This the key to make your lipstick look flawless.
Go from the very inner corner on each side. Make sure you line your cupid's bow!

After, you can either use your liner to fill in your lips, or you can use a lipstick.
I chose to use a lipstick. (Maybelline Very Cherry)

You'll notice that my lipstick and lip liner aren't the exact same shade.
It really doesn't matter because you can't tell a difference,
 and it may even add some 'demension' to your lips.

Finally, the secret every woman should know:
how to prevent lipstick from getting on your teeth
There is nothing worse than flaunting your gorgeous lipstick all day only to realize you had some on your teeth. 
Yeah. it stinks.
but...
all you have to do is this:
and you'll never have any on your teeth again. 
I know it looks awkward, but trust me it works!
Just stick your finger in your mouth, and pull it out.
It grabs all that lipstick that's inside your mouth,
so it doesn't end up on your teeth. 

and that's it!
You'll never have to feel this way again:
Source: younggandbeautifulandfree.tumblr.com via Jenna on Pinterest

So, try the red lip, even if you think it won't flatter you!
I can guarantee you it will.
I dare ya...

Sunday, April 7, 2013

The Butterfly Effect is Now on BlogLovin'

Hey guys! I can't believe the weekend is already over! I recently added my blog onto the site bloglovin', so feel free to follow me there!
Over to the left, you can easily click the blue button to follow me. Or you can go directly to the website and follow there.
Here is the website:
http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3661736

Thanks, and see ya tomorrow for a new post!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Current Playlist

After reading one of my favorite blogs, Deaf Girl Musings, who posts her current music playlist every month, I got inspired and figured I should play copy cat and do the same. 

So here is what I'm jammin' to while washing dishes or typing up an essay, and even blasting on my car's stereo.

*disclaimer* Some of the music videos may have bad language...sorry if that offends you!

1. well actually two songs by The Imagine Dragon's:
It's Time:


and 2. Radioactive:


3. Cher Lloyd's "Oath"
This song literally makes me get up and dance and sing into the mirror every time I hear it.



4. Passion Pit. This is arguably my favorite band. I love Sleepyhead and Little Secrets. Oh and Take a walk. :) But right now, I'm obsessed with Carried Away:


5. Oh, this song gives me goosebumps. Hunter Hayes, Wanted:


6. This one does too! Jason Mraz, I won't give up:



and finally, the ultimate 'girl power' song: I Love It, by Icona Pop:



What are your favorite songs of the moment?

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

To my family...

A Thank You Note to my family:
To my brothers: Thank you for playing rough with me, for giving me a hard time, for standing up for me, and for fighting for me. Thank you for joking with me and for always informing me on the latest video game or sports car. 

To Addison:
Thank you for teaching me how to live carefree and to live in the moment.
Thank you for always cracking jokes and putting a smile on everyone's face. Thank you for adding zest  to our family. Thank you for teaching me to live life to the fullest. 

To Austin:
Thank you for being the rock in our family. Thank you for stepping in where we are lacking. Thank you for loving me and truly caring for me and my needs. Thank you for loving our family and wanting to spend time with us. Thank you for your genuine kindness.

To Holly:
 Thank you for loving my brother and for showing him what true love is.
Thank you for being my sister I never had, and for trying your hardest to understand our family's humor.
Thank you for being around when times got tough and thank you for caring for our family like it's your own.

To Mom: 
 Thank you for continually forgiving me for my mistakes and for loving me regardless. Thank you for teaching me to grow in my faith and to look to God for all my needs. Thank you for always being there for us and for always sacrificing your needs for ours. Thank you for teaching me the value of travel and for showing us that memories matter more than material things. Most importantly, thank you for showing me how to love and be loved unconditionally.

I love you guys.