New Baby

Today, I am super excited to share with you all some pretty big news! If you didn't already know, I'm on the path to starting a career in photography. Because business is a boomin', I've been needing a computer that can really keep up with my workload. 

I've dreamed about owning a MacBook Pro for a few years now. After lots of saving and contemplating over the past few months, I was finally able to make it happen! I am seriously so excited about this, I could almost pee myself. Really. 

I chose to go with the 13" MacBook Pro 2.5 GHz with Dual-Core Intel Core i5 processor. I am so beyond happy with my new computer! The fact that I felt the need to share it with you within the first 3 hours of buying it should tell you something. 

Listening to my girl Katy, as always.

Now, being that I've only had my MacBook Pro for about four hours, I can't tell you just yet if I'm a die hard Apple fan just yet. But, I can tell you that I do absolutely love my new baby and I can't wait to learn more about her! I know it's silly, but my new super cool computer makes me want to actually focus more on blogging. So maybe you'll be seeing more of me from now on. We shall see!

Mac or PC. Which one are you? 

Most Used Brushes

Like most makeup junkies, I have an extensive collection of brushes. I have extras, backups, and brushes that I honestly have no idea what their use is. In total, I'd say I have somewhere around 30 or 40 brushes. (I buy in kits and lots and lots of elf!) Even though I have so many brushes, I generally stick to using the same ones, over and over again. 

As you all know, I love my Real Techniques brushes. But then again, who doesn't?! If you don't own these brushes yet, you MUST! Seriously. I love all of these and I really don't think that I have a favorite from these two collections, but if I had to pick, I'd have to the that the buffing brush and the all over shadow brush are my two favorites. But I really love them all. The contouring brush is great, and so is the fluffy crease brush! 

I know that most people use the buffing brush for foundation, but I prefer it as a blush/powder brush. I don't find that it is dense enough to apply foundation, but that's just me. 

The next two brushes that I love are the Sephora Proffessionnel Contour Blush/Bronzer brush and the Eco Tools Blush brush. These two brushes are ones that I have seriously had for years. If you're on a budget, I highly suggest Eco Tools. They are probably the most affordable, best quality brushes you can buy. They really do hold their own. and they are made incredibly well! I love to use the Sephora contour brush to really blend out my bronzer and blush. It is super dense and the bristles don't have a lot of give, so it blends beautifully!

My next three most used and from e.l.f. You all know how much I love this company, and for good reason! The brushes from their Studio line are so incredible! In my opinion, they are softer than my RT's. The only reason that I like RT's more is because the quality is better. It's mostly in the weight on the handles, not so much the actual hairs on the brushes. If you are looking for some really nice brushes, but don't have the money to invest in something like Sigma, I would definitely recommend any of the brushes from e.l.f.'s Studio line! My favorites are the powder brush (more of a flat top kabuki), the large stipple brush, and the small stipple brush. The stipple brushes are perfect for cream products, like blushes and highlighters. I even use the small stipple brush for contouring, especially my nose. 

Which makeup brushes are your go to's? Do you tend to gravitate towards the same ones, over and over?

Cozy Spaces

I feel that part of the reason that I lack motivation for blogging, is because of my lack of legitimate work space. The vast majority of the time when I post, I'm posting from my couch. Now, it may just be me, but I've always been one of those people who need a more structured work enviroment, something more along the lines of a home office. 

Like most girls these days, I'm constantly browsing the pages of Pinterest for inspiration for my one day blogging room/office. I could seriously spend hours going through pins that fill my head with crazy decorating ideas. Will I ever actually have a room all to myself as beautiful as the ones on Pinterest? Probably not. Will I ever actually have a room all to myself that's half as beautiful as the ones on Pinterest? It could happen!

I have a rather tiny den space in our house here in Italy. It's what we call the "downstairs" and there is really nothing there, and it's never been used. The natural light in the room is incredible, and the staircase and floors are marble. I'm in love with this room and I would absolutely love to make it my office! All I need is a desk and some type of organization system for my makeup, and I'll be set! 

This is the desk that my heart desires, but I can't get my husband to take me to Ikea. Oh, the struggle! I feel like this desk would just be the perfect size and the drawers would be perfect to store all of my makeup! Maybe one day soon I will work up the nerve to drive myself there, but those chances are super slim. 

***driving in Italy is the scariest thing ever!!! I don't venture out alone too often. 

How do you feel about home offices? Do you need your own little space to be productive?