De Nouvelles Aventures à L'horizon

After much thought and deliberation my family is making some much needed changes to our life. We are moving back to California, where my darling man is from. He was able to get a really good job. I have an interview to work for an Aveda retail store on Wednesday. I am SO excited.

My favorite part of this move is going back to the Aveda Institute in Los Angeles, rather than Portland. I am looking forward to this more than words can even say. In the Los Angeles area being a stylist is a very lucrative profession. That and a machine will never be doing my job. ;) I previously thought I didn't want to go back, but a few months ago I interviewed at MAC cosmetics, and I realized that is still a field I want to go into. I have been watching YouTube videos on makeup application because I realized I really don't have a lot of experience in applying makeup myself. I was always my friend's and aunt's model. Other people do my makeup. I was in such a routine prior to pregnancy, I put mascara and eyeliner on every day. But because of my upbringing, I only wore "makeup" for special occasions or a night out and then it is always the same smokey eye, basically. So I have been trying to build up my collection, because all I had were a couple brushes and one E.L.F. eyeshadow palette. And I've awakened the beast... LOL. I just got the OZ Theodora Palette from Urban Decay, Oh dear goddess, MOST AMAZING COLORS. I have hazel eyes and the greens(Jealous) and browns(broken, west, and) really make them pop. The gold (Spell) makes my eyes look really big. I really want the Glinda Palette now that I've seen how gorgeous these shadows are. I have seen some tutorials on their uses, and that is one way I hope to learn multiple techniques. Anyway, I also just picked up my E.L.F. haul from the office. LOVE IT. I bought all new brushes, some concealer I heard was well made (I've been using Urban Decay's and I am not really a fan of the thickness), a couple lipsticks, some travel nail polish remover pads that won't explode in my bag, and this awesome little Makeup box that has all sorts of goodies. I made off like a thief because I didn't even spend $40. So less money than my Theodora palette. Heehee. I am going to just keep up the practice. If you know of a good tutorial you can link it below!
Another change I have made recently is getting serious about my weight loss. It's taken a lot to get my brain to not default to Eating Disorder thoughts. I am doing really well. I eat normal amounts as much as possible, if I am having a hard week, I count calories just to make sure I meet the normal amount for weight loss. I am taking a wonderful supplement called Plexus Slim, OMG amazing, I have only been on it for a week and have noticed a marked change in my stomach flab. Much more flat. I don't feel as critical as I normally would bem even though I am not where I would like to be weight wise. And recently I looked at a picture and rather than thinking I looked awful even said "Look how much weight I've lost" and was actually proud, considering how I looked a year ago.
Anyway, I will keep all of you updated on the changes!
Au revoir,
Bird Lalena

Grande Changement Vient

     My family has been struggling a lot the last year financially. My fiance lost his job in April of last year for an unfair reason, so we were left without income and a baby on the way. My fiance got a job shortly after Baby came, but that only lasted a few months. He's been applying for jobs here in Oregon, but hasn't had much luck. So we released it to the universe and started applying for jobs in his hometown, Thousand Oaks, California, looking at schools, and see what happens. Well, we received an answer quickly! He got a job and I got into Aveda Institute LA. I miss beauty school and am looking forward to it! 

     We will be moving my fiance down in a week, and than I will move in June, after spring term. I get to start at Aveda on 1 July. And I am so excited. We need change and my Gypsy soul has had wanderlust. An adventure is just what the doctor ordered! 

     I am hoping my Origami Owl Living Lockets business will do much better as well. The product appears to be a much better sale down there. I love this company, and really want to be successful. My next post I will post pictures of my lockets and tell my story! In the meantime, check out my site, like my FB, and shoot me an email or comment here. First person to like my FB and comment will get a free Dangle!

Prene le temps...

     I know it's been a long while since I've posted. Life got crazy there for a minute. Lots of sickness in our house. Si I apologize for my abcense.

     Today I  am going to be discussing something important, a cause near to me. I have been editing a brilliant book written by my dear friend, Alys B. Cohen, entitled Sacred Blood. This book is brilliant for so many reasons but right now I am going to just discuss one part of it with you.

     In Popular Literature today it has become an epidemic to read of abusive men in relationships. These men are not the villians, either. Unlike times past, these men are the so-called heroes. The Edwards and Christians. As the product of an abusive relationship, I am not OK with this glorification of what my own mother had to protect me from. What my mother taught me to avoid in a man. What does this have to do with Sacred Blood? In this book the Heroine, Juliette St. Clare, is in an abusive relationship. The difference? She has the guts to get out of it and go to her friend who has offered to help. The clencher? Julette doesn't just sit idelly by while her friends go and fight an epic battle against her ex-boyfriend. No, she LEADS the battle. She not only gets of the bad situation, she also kicks that creeps ass in the end. This story is full of Humor, Romance, History, and is well researched. Alys has worked hard to right an amazingly original supernatural tale that is desperately needed right now when the polar opposite is being idolized by this generation.

     Why am I telling you about this? Because my friends, Alys has started a Kickstarter to help finish the editing (I am by no means a professional) and print out enough copies that Alys can take them to a writing confrence and get face time with various agents. This book NEEDS to be read by the masses. The only way to do that is to get it published. Honestly I don't know how this isn't getting gobbled up as is. It already is mountains ahead of Twilight and 50 shades in quality. So my dear friends, please contribute what you can.

    Sincèrement,
Bird