Popular?

I've been jamming to this song for the last few weeks:

Love it!

Now I've never been 'popular' but that's ok! I did my own thing, had my great friends and was happy. Kinda glad I wasn't! Too much pressure ;).

Anywho, just a short post. 

I love this song!!

-M.

Friday Mission!!

Hey Guys!!

I have a mission for you tomorrow!

So I've been loving my Feature Friend posts and will continue to do tons more...BUT I want to challenge you to do your own Feature Friend tomorrow!!

Feature Friend Friday we are going to call it!

I want you to publicly display your adoration for a friend of yours! 

Sing it from the rooftops! 

Why Can't We Be Friends - War

Yes we praise our friends in private when they accomplish big things or small things.

But I want this to be public! And long-winded! And from the heart!

True stories, memories, and everything under the sun!!

Please join me in this event! 

I may do a few posts myself ;)

-M.

These Boots Were Made For...

You know the saying 'he/she wears many hats?'.

Well as of last week, I was a woman who wore many boots! (Ok, not many by some standards, but a couple is many for me :)).

And it's interesting because with both sets, I 'feel' differently when wearing them.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra

Let me explain...

These are my 'work boots'. They are steel-toed, have good soles, and need to be double knotted or else they come undone and so do I! ;). They make me feel powerful and like my mind is into my work. They also remind me of '300' where they say 'THIS IS SPARTA' and then the victim gets kicked into the chest into the pit. I feel powerful enough to kick someone into a pit if need be with these boots on! And believe me that power feels amazing!! :).

Now these are different boots altogether. Heck, I named them my 'fancy boots' when I saved them on my computer. I just got these the other day from Addition-Elle and I. LOVE. THEM. I honestly haven't worn any other shoes! Except to workout! They are super comfy and easy to walk in! But when I hear that clack clack, I feel super powerful too! Like all businesswoman-like who is taking on her life. And I get a ton of compliments on them too! Heck the manager of where I work commented on them! And he's a man's man! I also think of Devil Wears Prada when Anne Hathaway calls the girls shes works with the 'Clackers'. I don't mind being a clacker in these boots ;). I can't wait to do a fall lookbook video on my YouTube page with these as a major feature! :)

This blog was mainly for me to showcase that you should do whatever makes you feel powerful, confident and your best self, because ultimately that's our goal right? Wear shoes that wow people and make you feel confident, dye your hair, wear a bold scarf, make a statement in your own life. 

Make your own happy!! 

Love y'all.

-M.

Feature Friend: Amanda Morie!! :)

Yep she's stunning!

Ok! I feel like expending all of my energy into telling you how fantastic one of my friends is! 

I've already done this once before, with Chelsea, remember? ;)

I loved it so much, being able to pour out my heart to one specific person that I decided I'd do it on a semi-regular basis! When inspiration strikes!!

And given all of the wonderful things I saw light up my FB feed about this lady yesterday, I decided that she deserved her moment from me :)

So may I introduce to you my amazing friend Amanda!!

She's Not Just A Pretty Face - Shania Twain

Kate, Shelena, Amanda and I :) Science Girls for Life!!

Okay so I'm not going to write a super professional expose on Amanda because with her amazing art skills she's had plenty written about her. I'm going to write this straight from the heart and make it personal :).

So I met this fabulous lady my first year at the U of A. It just so happened that we sat at the same table in our Science Curriculum class. Now this girl has style. And always astounded me with her choices to class. Her hair was perfectly curled, makeup was dramatic and stunning and the outfits looked like she was going to a boardroom rather than a University class. But she pulled it off and I wouldn't have expected any less. 

Very outgoing, say what's on her mind kind of lady. Which was awesome because the first year of University, I was a shy mouse. But that didn't stop her, no way no how. Chatted it up quite at bit at that table with the other girls (Shelena and Kate who just may get their own spotlight later ;)). We made amazing friendships at that table and I'm still friends with all three of them today! That's saying a lot since school ended like 4 years ago?

Amanda is energetic, feisty and very driven. She has passion and amazing talent. 

And of the biggest things that I love about her? She has confidence in her friends. Like I could tell her any of my plans and she's super supportive and encouraging and suggests other things I could look into.

I love this girl. I wish I got to see her more, but she's my little globetrotting friend. I definitely cherish when I run into her at the mall and get a quick hug and chat. I couldn't be prouder of her. I love that we met the way we did. 

P.S. - She does amazingly artistic things, like heck right now I'm wearing a hoodie with her art on the back!! She's always got my back ;).

-M.

Art from my beautiful friend 

I think of Amanda saying this every time I wear this hoodie :).

I have this one in my room in Slave!! :)

FOTN: September 19th, 'Rebel'tastic!!

Happy Tuesday!!

Ok, so sometimes I like to randomly do my makeup on Thursdays...or the night before a fancy lunch with coworkers to see which look would work ;).

This is my fancy make up :).

Hold On We're Going Home - Drake 

I've got my eyes on you ;)

NAKED FACE!! 

First product: Olay Moisturizer for Oily/Combo Skin :)

Next layer: Julep Blank Canvas Mattifying Face Primer (loving this!!)

CoverGirl Clean Foundation in 320 with my Beauty Blender :)

Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Concealer (can't remember the number ;))

Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil in Brunette

Urban Decay Primer Potion for Lids :)

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

Sephora Travel Brush Set

W.O.S. on the lid, Naked 2 in the crease

Smashbox Eye Brightening Mascara

Benefit They're Real! Mascara

Stila Eye Pencil

Nars Outlaw Blush

MAC Rebel Lipstick

Buxom OMG lipgloss

 ALL DONE!!

Comment if you like these types of posts :)

-M.

Reader Review: Amy's Take on Mr. Young :)

Good morning!

So I got to work today and started my normal routine type stuff, helping coworkers and thinking about coffee, when I turned on my phone and saw that I had a text from a fellow music lover friend.

Her name is Amy, and she's just lovely. She always leaves comments on my blogs and helps me to change it up to leave my readers happy :). Yay happy!

Anywho! Wasn't quite sure what the text was about, but after reading it, I realized that it was a review on a new album!!

An album I didn't even have!! Love that!!

So here is Amy's take on Chris Young's new CD 'A.M.'.

"Hey Marie. I have been listening to country since I started 'chasing that neon rainbow' with AJ. The new Chris Young cd is awesome. Like chili chocolate, salted caramel and bacon vodka awesome! You didn't even know those things could get better until they did. Just like this cd. Love love love :)"

Now if that's not a pure and honest review I don't know what is! 

This has definitely amped up my need to listen to this album now :)

Thanks Amy!! 

-M.

Country with an 'Urban' Twist

Hi Guys!

Just felt like being cutesy with the greeting today!

Probably because I get to talk about something that I love in this post! (not that I don't love everything that I post, otherwise why would I blog about ?!)

So this is going to be a concise (hopefully!) review of the new Keith Urban album 'Fuse'.

The first single off of this album was entitled 'Little Bit of Everything'. It has a very easy flow, kind of Caribbean with how relaxing and smooth it is. The lyrics themselves leave something to be desired with Keith proclaiming that he wants a woman who will cook for him, do everything he wants with him. Not a HUGE fan of that and a coworker actually mentioned it as well, but the song has a good flow so it's easy to listen to.

There are gems on this record that I really love. The first track called 'Somewhere In My Car' gets 'cranked' every time it comes on in my vehicle! My hand goes out the window and the world gets to feel my flow :). Reminds me of cruising and also, alas, of being alone :( (Debbie Downer moment!)

The next song that I really dig is called 'Cop Car'. It's all about teenage love and rebellion involving the police. Just the way that he sings about falling in love with the girl at his side at that moment gives me goosebumps, and lets me recover from the sadness of the first track! 

Keith has two awesome duets on this album. One with Miranda Lambert that may or may not be hitting radio stations soon as I saw a picture of them together on one of the local country stations Facebook pages (go Country 105!). It's a sweet song and I love Miranda's vocals with Keith's.

The other duet is with hot stuff Eric Church on a song called 'Raise 'Em Up'. Now listen to this song and tell me if the semi chorus doesn't remind you of 'Somebody Like You' (another Keith hit!). Just strange how it felt like deja vu when it came on in the car the other day!

Lastly a beautiful song, and possibly ode to wife Nicole, called 'Black Leather Jacket'. This song reminisces about the past, but also references the future and their current children. Love songs like this where artists reference their significant others. I love seeing the love.

Overall, a very good album from Keith. Not one that I adore every song, but that's rare. I love his voice and knowing how he performs live just makes me like him even more! Also I think that Keith is joining the group of country artists that are making the connection between country and top 40. You can tell by the beginning of some of his songs because they don't start like typical 'country' songs. Just adds to the experience!

I would definitely recommend buying this album if you are a country fan, especially a Keith Urban fan!

Love you all! 

-M.

Marie 'Writes What She Wants Cuz It's Her Blog' Monday! :)

I love my friends.

All of them. 

That's why they are my friends.

But there are certain days when one friend goes above and beyond and I just wanna shout from the rooftops how amazing they are!!

Today is that day!

This is Chelsea..and her beautiful daughter Sloan :).

Chelsea is an amazing person! (And I don't use the word amazing lightly..I really don't!)

She is so sweet, so kind, so funny and just an amazing person!

Whether she's helping me buy beautiful scarves, taking beautiful photos of me, or just making me laugh with anything and everything she does, I can't get enough of this girl!

It's funny because when we first met, I'll admit I was a bit intimidated by her, her style, her attitude and her overall awesomeness. But as I found my own confidence and willingness to reach out to people I saw how amazing she is. I believe our friendship has grown and continues to, which I love! I'm super happy that I decided to drop my shy tendency and ask her to take pictures of me and my Mom! I think it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I didn't just get great photos from the event, I got a lifelong friend too!

I just love this girl. Her cheery attitude is infectious and she laughs when I say funny things which is always a bonus in my book! 

Love her! And you should check her out! She does amazing things!

You might make a lifelong friend too!!

Here's her info: https://www.facebook.com/ChelseaDawnPhoto!

And because its' a music blog, here is what you'll have with Chelsea, whether a photo shoot or just hanging out

Good Time - Alan Jackson

-M. 

P.S. - Here are the shoots that I've done with Chelsea...Amazing and so much fun for both! She is an amazing photographer. I literally smiled and laughed during both sessions! :)

25 Years of Song!!

I think it's crazy that I am a quarter of a century old. But rather than look back through the years and wonder where they went, I want to look back and see what they sounded like! 

These songs are either top songs of that year, songs that say a message to me about that year, or just songs in general that have that number in them!

Enjoy my 25 songs through 25 years playlist!

0. Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
1. Straight Up - Paula Abdul
2. Hold On - Wilson Phillips
3. ABC 123 - The Jackson Five
4. Baby Got Back - Sir Mix-A-Lot
5. Whoop (There It Is) - Tag Team
6. The Sign - Ace of Base
7. Kiss From a Rose - Seal
8. Macarena - Los Del Rio
9. Wannabe - Spice Girls
10. Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
11. ...Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
12. Say My Name - Destiny's Child
13. Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Pink and Mya
14. 14 Years - Guns N' Roses
15. 15 - Taylor Swift
16. Sweet Sixteen - Hilary Duff
17. Something Like That - Tim McGraw
18. I'm Eighteen - Alice Cooper
19. Buy U A Drank - T-Pain
20. Womanizer - Britney Spears
21. 21 Questions - 50 Cent
22. 22 - Taylor Swift
23. Blow - Ke$ha
24. Big Girls Don't Cry - Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
25. It's My Party - Lesley Gore

Thank you for reading! And can't wait to see the next 25!

-M.