PSA: A Life-Changing Event

Hello little owls. I know I'm neglecting The Nesting Owl as of late, and that's all due to my hectic schedule at SH Weddings. I promise soon I'll be back with some more lovely decor inspiration and an update on how I organized our disaster of an office.

But, in the meantime, I must share a life-changing even that's happened recently. But first, I have to explain something.

I'm a make-up Moron. With a capital "M." In the past, my make-up routine has consisted of a tinted moisturizer, maybe some under-eye concealer if I'm especially tired that day, one color of neutral eyeshadow all over the lip, some liner and some blush.

That's it. I have tons of eye shadow colors, and I don't know know how to use them, and I don't even know if they're right for my skin tone.

Enter, my life-changing moment: the day I discovered Make-Up Geek.

I've been forever-frustrated since our wedding, when my make-up artist at the always awesome Make Me Fabulous made me look amazing. My skin was flawless, and not red and discolored, and my eyes popped like Whoa. Since that day, I've been unable to recreate the look.

Finally, I turned to You Tube one night when I couldn't sleep. I found TONS of tutorials on how to not be a moron when applying make-up. And then, I stumbled upon Make Up Geek, a professional make-up artist that does close-up demonstrations of make-up applications and provides step-by-step instructions.

I watched video after video, learning the formulas for applying the perfect make-up. Did you know there's a pattern for applying eye make-up, tweaked a little for each eye shape? Yeah, me neither. Apparently there's this thing called "the outer V," and that's what makes your eyes pop and give them their shape.

I learned that for my red skin, I need to apply a heavier foundation (duh), and that I'm a warm tone, which means my skin has yellow undertones. I learned all about MAC products and their amazingess. I've always stayed away from MAC because they looked too bold for me, and quite honestly, the stores with the super fabulous make-up artists and the uber trendy music playing intimidate me. But I've come to realize that their saturated colors are what keeps me from looking washed out.

Each tutorial shows you all the colors she uses, the tools and cheap substitutes. Can't afford to pay $26 for MAC's Studio Fix Foundation every few months? Me neither. That's why I now use Revlon's Color Stay, a tip courtesy of Make Up Geek.

I've been studying these videos for a few weeks now, and my world has opened up. I kid you not. I'm obsessed.

So, I now present you to my new make-up collection of must haves, and almost all these tips and suggestions I learned from Make Up Geek:


Primer. Make Up Geek recommends Monistat Chafing Gel as an inexpensive option to the Smashbox and MAC alternatives. I know, it's totally weird, but apparently, it gives you the same, smooth finish for a fraction of the cost. I have yet to buy this one, but after my little Nars primer sample runs out, this is my next purchase. My wedding days usually last at least 14 hours, so primer is a must!



Next step is concealer, and I invested in the Mac one, which is MAC's Studio Sculp Concealer. I have very stubborn redness and under eye discoloration, and I've tried so many concealers out there. This one tops them all, and also, what my wedding day make-up artist used on me.



Sister Owl introduced me to MAC's Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, and I LOVE it. However, I don't love the price. Since foundation is something I use almost every day, I needed a less-expensive alternative. Make Up Geek introduced Revlon's ColorStay Foundation as the perfect substitute, and it's actually what she uses on a daily basis. I've only used it for a few days, and I think it works just as well, too.



So apparently there's this stuff called eyeshadow base, and it's really important. Is that why my eyeshadow would be a giant brown smudge at the end of the day? I guess so. Make Up Geek told me about MAC's Paint Pot in Painterly and I love it. My eyeshadows last all day long, and it also makes the colors stand out more.



I can't stand having individual eyeshadows, so I really needed to purchase the $5 four-quad compact for my new colors.



MAC's eyeshadow in Phloof is my lid color. I wanted something light, slightly shimmery and fun because the rest of my colors are neutrals. I also have small eyes so a light lid color was a must to open them up.



MAC's Wedge is my crease color. It looks really light in the store, but it's actually a little darker once its on.



MAC's Espresso is my "outer V" color. I only use a little to wing out my eye and make them stand out. It looks really light in the photo for some reason. It's actually a few shades darker.



MAC's Vanilla is my highlighting color for right under the brow.



Finally, for shadows, I also purchased MAC's Expensive Pink. This picture doesn't do the color justice, though. I bought a separate compact for just "fun colors" that I can use for going out and special occasions. This is my first and only for fun colors so far. Make Up Geek claims there's no other color out there like it, and it flatters all skin tones. In person, it's gorgeous.



To line my eyes, I've had the same routine for about a year. I use Stila's Smudge Pot in brown (I also have black for special occasions). I use an angled brush, and line my eyes with it. It lasts ALL day, and it's hard to get off, which is why I like it. I have very short lashes, and just can't get them to stand out much, so the gel liner is perfect for me because it gives the illusion of a thick lash line.



Of all the mascaras that are out there, my wedding day make-up artist used Loreal's Double Extend Mascara. It has a primer on one end, and the mascara on the other. I don't often have luck with mascara because, as I said before, I have very short lashes that are also very thick, so curling does nothing. This is the only mascara I've ever used that does something for my lashes. It's not much, but I'll take it! I also don't use it every day. Only for special occasions.



Make Up Geek recommends Maybelline's Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin, so I bought it. And surprise, I loved it. It's inexpensive, and you only need to use a tiny bit each day. The color is perfect - very fresh and lively - and it lasts all day. I bought an extra because they were Buy 1, Get 1 Free at Ulta, and I keep it in my purse. I find that if I need to freshen up one thing late-afternoon, it should be blush. It instantly makes me look more, well ... awake! Ha!



This is something I came up with on my own. To highlight cheeks, Make Up Geek recommends MAC's very expensive Mineralize Skinfinish and while I'm sure it's an amazing product, it's not in my budget right now. For half the cost, I found Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls, which I purchased in Translucent. I brush it along the tops of my cheek bones for a subtle glow, right where the light catches, and it lightens up my whole face.



Finally, last step! I set everything, especially on wedding days, so I don't melt! I'll dab a bit of whatever's-on-sale-at-the-drugstore mineral powder on my T-Zone (I buy small sizes to keep in my purse), and spray MAC's Fix and Spray all over to give my entire face a nice, subtle shine and set everything. I love it. It feels great in the morning, and it helps to keep everything in place until I get home at night.


So, there's my new and improved make-up routine. Luckily, I already had nice brushes, but did invest in MAC's No. 217 brush, which I can't seem to find an equivalent of anywhere else. I bought it on eBay, though, for less money. It takes me about 5-10 minutes more in the morning to get ready (before it only took me 5!), but it's worth it.

So many thanks to Marlena at Make Up Geek for being awesome and sharing all of your tips with the world. You can also visit her site with all her videos, product reviews, articles, etc.

So, why am I posting about make-up on a home decor blog? Well, there's actually a reason. Now, my tiny little make-up counter in our bathroom is overflowing with products. Another organization project for me this weekend! I'll post before and after photos on how to organize your make-up counter. Coming soon!

Martha Stewart Fails Sometimes, Too

No one's perfect, including Martha.

I was flipping through my August 2010 Martha Stewart Magazine this weekend, and I found this on Page 64:



What the heck?

These are ripped and braided together strands of dupioni silk, in different colors, worn as necklaces. And I'm really not getting where they were going with this.

I guess even when paired with a $600 designer dress (as pictured), some things still just don't look good.

Home Office Inspiration or, Cleaning Up After a Tornado

Even though my job requires me to be insanely organized (and when it comes down to it, I truly am), but you might be surprised to learn that my home office is a disaster zone that should be barricaded off for a Haz Mat team. It's that bad, my friends. What happened, you ask? We planned a wedding, that's what happened.

Since July of 2008, our office (which we share), and which also doubles as a walk-in closet for seasonal storage (gotta love city living!), became Wedding Central. It quickly filled up with vases, boxes of paper samples, crafting tools galore, envelopes, pens, markers, ribbon and favor boxes. After the wedding, we had full intention of making our home office our No. 1 priority, but that didn't happen because we went right into the birth of SH Weddings. Then, it got worse.

Now, our office is home to scraps of paper, old crafts that never got completed, extra invitations, menu cards and programs, and everything else that was leftover. My desk because a giant storage box, and even though Mr. Owl found motivation somewhere between the wedding and now to clean off his desk, I just couldn't find the time. My new work area consists of our couch and our bed, which is nice sometimes, but others, I crave a clean workspace.

This past weekend, I decided to do something about it. I really enjoy scrapbooking, and had folders of beautiful papers crumpled up in piles on top of each other. It broke my heart. It was overwhelming to figure out how to even start to form some sort of organized system, so I turned to the Internet for inspiration, and my good 'old standby, Pottery Barn.

Someday, when we have a house with an actual office, I hope it will look something like this:


The Bedford home office collection from Pottery Barn.



Also from The Bedford collection at Pottery Barn.



The Daily System from Pottery Barn.


But for now, what I need are creative ideas for small spaces. Luckily, I currently have a desk from IKEA (that they no longer make), which offers plenty of vertical storage. For additional inspiration, I found these photos, all courtesy of Real Simple:



I like the idea of putting up a beautiful floral wallpaper behind my desk for constant color and inspiration. Being that we rent, it's not an option (boo!), but the idea is lovely. I also like the painted blue desk.



This is one idea I really think I'll use. Taking old cans and wrapping them in drawer liners is a brilliant idea. I'll have control over the colors and patterns, and it'll give me an excuse to look for the perfect paper. And, the cost-effectiveness is a huge plus.



Brilliant! A corkboard screen! Stylish and useful, I could plaster so many photos to keep me inspired, and then take them down when I've used the idea, or moved on to something else. It would be great for designing weddings for my clients, as it could also double as a real-life inspiration board for presentations. Love!


Most of these set-ups aren't quite possible right now, but they've given me a lot of really good ideas. My current goal is to just clean up and bring a little color and style to my work space and be able to maintain the organization. I got a start this past weekend, and you'll have to stay tuned to see what I came up with.

Martha Stewart Launches Pet Line

Martha Stewart has just expanded her empire for our furry friends! Our dog Betty is very excited about this:




Martha'a pet products can be found exclusively at PetSmart, and her line ranges from beds to toys to grooming products. Here are some of the things on Betty's Christmas list for this year:



Snuggler bed, $49.95




Bath tub, $19.95



Bath robe, $19.95



Sudsing mit, $7.00



Tennis balls, $4.99



Chicken coop toy set, $14.99



Fleece birdie chew toy, $7.99



Doggie day care kit, $16.99

Cottage Guestroom Inspiration

I'm ashamed to admit this, but when I think about buying a house someday, the room I'm most looking forward to decorating is our guest room. I love having people over. I love welcoming them into my home, and making them feel like they're a part of it. I also know that when we have company, they're on vacation, and I want to make their vacation as relaxing as possible because I know how stressful it can be to travel.

However, our current guest room is about the side of a refrigerator, and therefore, when we have company, our guests feel, well ... cramped. There's not much we can put in there other than a day bed. Someday, though, when we have a house, I plan to turn our guest room into a relaxing place seemingly separate from the rest of the house. One that looks like it belongs in a country cottage in the hillsides of New England, and one that makes our guests feel totally relaxed and at home.

To start, one thing I really want to focus on is a vintage metal bed frame; one that looks like it was rescued from an old farm house. This is what I envision:


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And for the rest of the room, pieces that seem random, but fit together nicely:


Top row:Turquoise dresser; Peeping Posies Knob; Glazed Fondant Vase
Middle row: Damask bathmat; Ektorp armchair
Bottom row: Francesca Patchwork Quilt

Newlywed, and separate beds?

Mr. Owl brought this article to my attention yesterday, and now I feel like I can divulge our deep, dark secret: we, too, sleep in separate bedrooms.

Well, not all the time, but most of the time Mr. Owl and I kiss goodnight, and he's off to our guest room. For so long, we've questioned this, thinking, "Oh my gosh, are we doomed because we can't sleep together in the same bed?" Everything else in our lives is, quite honestly, easy peasy. This is just one thing we can't master for two major reasons:

1. I'm a light sleeper, and he's a two-minutes-on-the-pillow-and-I'm-out kind of guy. It usually takes me at least a half hour to fall asleep, and meanwhile, Mr. Owl starts snoring or night-jerking and sleep is a lost cause for me. Often, I have to rely on Melatonin supplements and a sound machine to sleep, and even then, it's not guaranteed. The slightest movement or noise will wake me up.

2. I like to sprawl. And when I say sprawl, I mean one limp at each corner of the bed. I grew up with a full-size bed all to myself, and then suddenly, I had to share it with another person. I started to feel claustrophobic and closed-in. It played mind games with me, and I just couldn't fall asleep. Eventually, my sprawling led to Mr. Owl waking up in the middle of the night to one tenth of the mattress to himself, causing a sleepy husband the next morning.

So, when my insomnia got really bad shortly after our wedding, Mr. Owl happily started to sleep in our guest room. And what do ya know? I started sleeping like a baby. Right now, it's what works for us, and it's not a sign that our marriage is doomed for failure. It just means we both want our sleep!

So, why didn't I take the guest room? Because Mr. Owl can sleep anywhere (including the floor), and be out like a light. Our bedroom has all the blankets, sheets and pillow situated just how I like them. It's just easier on both ends.

Long-term, we know we can't live like that forever, though. Well, we could, but we don't want to. While I am getting my sleep, I miss having Mr. Owl next to me as I doze off, and having him there when I wake up. Luckily, we've come up with a solution that's a guaranteed win:

We'll buy a king-sized bed.

Seriously.

When we stay at hotels with king beds, we both sleep together without any issues (as long as I have my sound machine, of course!). I have tons of space to sprawl, and Mr. Owl is far enough away that I'm not affected by any jerking or snoring, and he gets as much space as I do.

In Chicago, it's beyond rare to find an affordable apartment with a bedroom big enough for a king bed. We currently have a full-sized bed, and the width of our bedroom only allows for the bed, two nightstands and zero extra space. Eventually, when we feel ready, we'll move on, and the king-sized bed will be our first purchase.

Sometimes, we spend our Saturday afternoons at furniture stores and drool over fancy, grown-up beds. These are our favorites so far:



Brighton Coffee Bed; Crate and Barrel



Tate Bed; Crate and Barrel



Portman Panel Bed; Restoration Hardware



Farmhouse Bed; Pottery Barn


Do we go with a fabric upholstery for comfort? Stick with the traditional elegance of wood? Right now, we're leaning toward a wood bed, and making our own headboard. I love color, and the more color I have in my life, the happier I am.

Headboard inspiration:


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It's a good thing we have years to make this decision!

Welcome, welcome!

Welcome to The Nesting Owl!

My name is Samantha, and I’ve gone from unofficial family party planner, to bride, to wife, and finally, professional wedding planner. I adore weddings. It's my passion and on my brain almost every second of the day. But, it may surprise people to know that deep down, I love weddings because I get to help create the start of two newlywed's life together. Life after weddings is just as exciting, whether you're buying a new house, sprucing up the same 'ol condo, or just trying to convince the hubs that yes, 24 clear plastic bins at seven bucks a pop from The Container Store is necessary for adequate shoe storage. Regardless if everything changes, or nothing changes, the adventure together starts with where you live.

My husband, Mr. Owl, and I currently rent a third-floor condo in Chicago, but we’re originally from upstate New York. Chicago is an amazing city with so many things to offer its inhabitants (Momma Owl calls me at least once a week because a Chicago restaurant has been featured, yet again, on the Food Network). But, during our three years so far in this great city, I started dreaming of renovating a country house on a few acres of land, with peony bushes galore and daisy-lined walking paths, in a quiet part of the state to really create a forever home and plant my nest for good. For now, our small square-footer will happily do, but day dreaming is always an option.

Your wedding day will be the happiest day of your life up until that point. But for the days when there’s a gentle breeze wafting through your living room, and all is quiet but the sounds of sipping tea, sighs from your pup at your feet and your husband clicking away at his laptop, and you look around your living space and think, “I’m so content right now.” That, my little owls, will be the new happiest day of your life. And The Nesting Owl will be here to inspire you as you make the transition from bride to home-creator, 20-something to full-blown adult (gasp!) or simply renter to home-buyer.

And we couldn't be happier about it!