ordinarily extraordinary

“ I feel stunning a nd entrancing . I f eel like running a nd dancing for joy !” –Maria, West Side Story I started my girlish obsession with makeup when I was very little. I would rummage through my mom’s collection of Mary Kay, put on my favorite dress up gown (either my gold Belle dress or pink Meg dress), slip into my mom’s too-big high heels, layer on my Mardi Gras beads, and strut through the house like it was my very own catwalk. As young girls, that’s how we begin to discover who we truly are. We discover who we want to be, and who we want to be soon becomes who we ARE. A few weeks ago, I took part in a Mary Kay makeover day with my momma. It was so much fun, and it was a great way to kick off my Spring Break! What I love about Mary Kay is that it was specifically designed for women to treat themselves, to take a moment and feel truly beautiful. We spent the morning trying out face cleansers, foundation, eye shadow, and lipstick. Makeup is meant to enhance the natura...

"They know just where I stand. It’s all a part of me, and that’s who I am…”  -Jessica Andrews, Who I Am My parents like to joke that it doesn't take much to amuse me. For once, I don’t disagree with them. I’m one of those people who finds humor in anything, whether it’s a joke my brother makes or a cat video. I’m one of those people who finds a reason to dance, whether it’s at a Zumba class or washing the dishes. I’m one of those people who see beauty in anything. I see beauty in nature because it is proof of God’s touch. I see beauty in the starry sky, in the shapes of the clouds, in the way water droplets rest on a rose, in the light that streams through the leaves. I see beauty in the women I surround myself with. I see beauty in the determination of my mom, in the calming presence of my favorite red-head, in the fun-sized energy of my future roommate, in the child-like joy of my oldest friend. I see beauty in the eyes of people when they talk about somethi...