Monday, November 5, 2012

A Formal Apology

I've already lied to you as this will in no way be formal—it's not how I roll.

Let me catch you up on my happenings in the last few months...

I am currently on bed rest due to major knee surgery I participated in 3 weeks ago. By "participated" I mean I 'volunteered' to go under the knife. However, if I started the story here I would be lying to you once again about catching you up in the last few months. You're welcome.

This past summer I did a few fun things, I went to Florida, hung out with friends—you know, the twenty-something usual summer activities. In other words, all involving alcohol. But perhaps the biggest thing to happen in my life this past summer was something that happened to my sister.

Her boyfriend and her went on a week-long trip to Rome, Italy. His company apparently has GREAT selling incentives. The day they left my sister, Andrea, had one last exam to complete and then she would have to grab her stuff and run to the airport (they had an evening flight). She left for the day and maybe an hour later Matt, her boyfriend, showed up back at the house with flowers. I was called down from my room and from their body language I could feel the intense emotion building. Matt was clearly nervous while he explained that the bouquets were for my mother and I. This guy was good. It was one of those moments where nothing had to be said, we knew what was coming next. He asked for my mom and I's approval to propose to Andrea. Mom started balling, I hugged Matt then asked to see the ring—of course I would. Bold. He was prepared for it though.

It was a beautiful ring! I asked if he picked it by himself and he admitted he had help from his mom but I still commended him (them). I yelled up the stairs to my friend Kayla. She had stayed the night and was closer to my phone or my camera than I. She promptly came running down the stairs, I told her what had just happened in a voice that was louder than necessary but I was really excited and couldn't be bothered to control my volume. Snap! Picture acquired. 

He asked where he could find my dad and my mom instructed him to visit the nearest Canadian Tire. Matt found him at the hotdog stand waiting for his tire to be changed. So, Matt rolled with the punches, paid for my dad's Italian sausage which brought him more joy than a bouquet of flowers ever could and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage.

They left for Italy and we were all on the edges of our seats waiting to get THE phone call. I thought mine came while out with my friends. I looked down and saw I missed a ridiculously long phone number and shouted out "ANDREA JUST CALLED!". Of course my friends knew all about it the moment I saw them. She left a message. Great, I may have missed the call but she left me a sisterly message telling me she was now engaged. It was sisterly alright, but didn't go the way I had hoped. She was angry that she could not reach our folks or myself and she had been trying for a while. No "I'm engaged!". No " He put a ring on it!". Nothing. Just sisterly anger. Sonofa...

She eventually made it back home and we saw the actual footage of the proposal. Adorable.

There's a funny thing that happens to a twenty-something girl, at least this one, when my friends get engaged. I start rethinking my own life journey and choices. I am happy for my friends for one minute before some voice pops into my head, "And why aren't you engaged yet?". Excuse me voice in my head but I don't appreciate questioning if I am doomed to become a spinster just because someone in my life has found her other half. Maybe it's just me but I have a strong intuition I'm not alone on this. Can I get an "Amen"!?

As I spend more days on my rump I plan to blog lots more. More makeup posts, more design posts and more fitness posts. With that being said, I will end this blog for this evening and leave you with some catch-up pictures. Including the ring!



My Matthew and I in Florida

What I had to work with the days I spent at Land's End.

My sister and her Fiance Matt, (yes we are both with Matt's) in their engagement shoot.

The professional shot of the ring.

My professional shot of the ring 5 minutes after her asked my mother and I.



Sunday, April 1, 2012

Cartooning?

I was given a drawing tablet for Christmas this passed year and have been having a lot of fun with it. I have always drawn growing up and this is like a new toy for me. Lately I've been cartooning people, including Marilyn who you can read about on my "In Memory" post here. So check it out—me as a cartoon.



Angelina Jolie eyes!

Found this awesome makeup tutorial on how to get those rockin' Angelina Jolie cat eyes.
Enjoy!




This blog is in memory...

I had the gift of growing up with the Giometelo family. Greg Giometelo was good friends with my father long before I was even a thought. He is the guitar player in my dad's band—who still play gigs every now and then. Greg's wife Marilyn and my mother bonded over their husband's band and became best friends. They were all very close and both couples had two daughters within months of eachother. Hayley Giometelo who is about a year about from my older sister Andrea. And Summer Giometelo who was born within four months of me.

We all grew up together. Summer was my first friend, and has been one of my best ever since. As we grew older, our parents would still get together. My entire life I saw Greg and Marilyn as my uncle and aunt. There has always been a family bond.

Early last year, Marilyn had been battling with liver issues and we were all so happy that she improved and was well enough to share Hayley's wedding day with her in Cuba. My mom still remembers her vision of a very happy and at peace Marilyn walking along the white sandy beaches. 

In August of last year, two months after my month-long journey in Italy, Greg and Marilyn were over for a visit. Everyday I was in Italy I kept a blog, keeping in touch with everyone back home, and sharing my adventures from day to day. I had turned my blog into a final project and was just finishing it. I asked Marilyn if she wanted to see it and she couldn't have been more happy to. 

Aside, Marilyn told me that while she was stuck inside all day she would look forward to reading my blog posts everyday. She told me they took her away from the pain and loneliness that was her everyday life. We both had tears in our eyes. I will never forget that moment. It meant the world to me.

In February 2012, Marilyn passed away from liver complications. My world, along with my family's world was rocked. It was one of those things in life that is just so hard to understand.  

Marilyn was one of my favourite people in this world. She watched me grow up. I feel like everyone, as a kid, knew that kid who had the mom they thought was so cool. Marilyn was it. She was cool to hang out with, she was cool to talk to, I had a world of respect for her. On top of this, Marilyn believed in me. She supported all my art and design achievements and endeavours. She made me feel proud.

When she passed, this blog was still being designed. I decided right then that this blog would be in her memory and everything I did from then on, part of it would be for her. 

This blog is in memory of Marilyn Giometelo. A wonderful women who had a bigger impact on my life than she ever knew. I will never forget her and her smile.

I love you Marilyn.
Hope you enjoy this blog too.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

IVSO Advertising

Take a look! I ordered these custom post-it notes with my IVSO logo and website on them. I've been writing positive messages (that I sincerely believe) and sticking them on mirrors, laptops, doors and lockers around my school. I even passed them to a couple of people and it was such a positive experience. Making people smile by encouraging them to believe how beautiful they are is one of the best feelings I've ever felt!

Keep your eyes out around George Brown College for the love notes.





For more on my thesis take a look at IVSO's facebook page.


Yummy snack idea!

TheYummyLife.com featured this recipe for overnight  no-cook oatmeal and even offer different flavours. So cool and they all sound so, well, yummy! I'm so looking forward to doing this! Plus, I thoroughly enjoy eating out of mason jars. Who doesn't ?! Click the image below to be taken to their page or click here.




Tuesday, March 27, 2012

What I've been working on recently

So being that I'm in my final year and final month of my graphic design program I had to create a design thesis. I chose to advertise (it's my major) for a makeup company NOT using insecurities as every other company does. Thus the birthday of IVSO or Inside vs. Outside.

I'm down to the wire to get everything done in time for our year end show. I've even created a facebook page for people to follow and enjoy. Check it out here .

It's time for women to feel proud of who they are and use makeup to show that off, and not to use makeup to hide what they don't like.

Help to EXPAND the ideal of beauty. Support IVSO!





How to get Lana Del Rey's look

Hey makeup lovers/ Lana Del Rey lovers! (I happen to fall into both categories)
I found this video tutorial showing you how to achieve her look! Also, you get to listen to Lana Del Rey's "Video Games" whilst watching. Win/Win. That is, unless, you don't like her music...then I suggest pressing "mute".
In any case, enjoy!



Understanding eye shapes

One thing that makeup artists have on non-makeup artists is that they have an understanding of different eye shapes and how makeup interacts.

I found this picture that sums it up pretty nicely. Hope this helps!!


I can also answer any further questions.


Subtle Smokey Eye Video Tutorial

Hey look! A video makeup tutorial! Enjoy!
Feel free to comment or email me and ask for a specific tutorial!



Body Rock

If you have never heard of BodyRock.TV it's a free online program you can do at home. They have different levels of intensity for beginner, intermediate and advanced for men and women. It's fantastic and the workouts are totally a challenge. Speaking of challenges they have series of workout challenges. Awesome!
Go to : http://www.bodyrock.tv/