Beauty...Is A Pain In the Ass

As I sit here typing with my face covered in some Chocolate fudge mask thingy, Im thinking to myself that its very hard to be a woman.  Of course theres the obvious reasons like giving birth ha, but I mean as far as beauty rituals go.  

-Black Milk Clothing Raven Skater Dress (no longer available)

-Feather earring by GypsiART, Etsy (FIND HER SHE MAKES AWESOME SHIT!)

They are all a pain in the butt.  Eyebrows, waxing, nail polish, pedicures, roots start showing, a huge pimple appears, dark circles, shaving, dry lips, white teeth.....the list goes on, I feel stress just writing it.  Luckily, I've discovered a cosmetic line that doesn't make SOME of these beauty rituals feel like such a chore.  And that place is called LUSH Cosmetics.  Where I can get at least half of what I need for skincare and have fun doing it without alot of fuss. 

We know we have to get in the tub daily and thank god for LUSH and their bath bombs, bath melts, and bubble bars because they knock a few things out for you with those ($6.95-$11.95).  Not only do you get to see them spin around and make crazy colors but some have essential oils to boost your mood, some help with body pain, and when you get out of the tub you smell wonderful and your skin is soft.  These are also awesome for kids cause some of these products aid in sleep and kids love the colors.  I think my favorite bath bomb is "Granny Takes a Dip" because of the rainbow colors it creates, Im easily entertained ha and my favorite bubble bar is "The Comforter."  It does get expensive to take $6-$10 baths so I recommend cutting the bubble bars into fours and you really cant tell the difference.  I promise you will get the same experience.  SO......Boom, bath done, moving on!

-Granny Takes a Dip Bath Bomb

-Phoenix Rising Bath Bomb 

-Ultra Violet Bubble Bar 

Gotta take care of that skin, while you're in the tub (if you have stubborn skin like me) use their Ocean Salt Scrub on your face for deep cleansing and soft skin ($21.95).  Get yourself in front of the mirror and spray your face with their Tea Tree Toner ($9.95) and let it dry; while you brush your teeth I scrub my lips daily with their Bubblegum Lip Scrub ($9.95) for soft lips....and you can eat it too ha.  When Im done I rub the amazing smelling Lustre Jasmine powder ($15.95) all over and sprinkle T is for Toes powder ($6.95) on my feet and in my shoes for any bacteria and a fresh smell.  Rocking and rollin so far, almost done!  Get dressed, do your makeup since the toner is dry now, and don't forget to never leave the house without wearing an amazing fragrance.  I have several perfumes that I alternate, but lately for daytime I use Flower Bomb Intense "Limited Edition" Boooo ($130) from Nordstrom and for the evening I use Chanel Noir ($140) from Nordstrom as well.  Both fragrances are a bit heavy, but I like that in a perfume.  They both also last very long so expect compliments on these two.
When you have a time in the evenings and you can relax with your bath bomb or bubbles, use one of their face masks while you relax to help with blemishes or just to keep your skin cleansed well.  Maybe you wanna be a rebel and use a bomb and bubble bar at the same time! Crazy woman I tell ya!  Almost everything from LUSH does have an expiration date so be sure to check it and also some of the masks do have to be refrigerated and used quickly so stay on top of that as well!  As I said I do have difficult skin so I use the masks often, I alternate between the cold Cupcake ($6.95) and the Mask of Magnaminty ($12.95).  Both are wonderful! 

So pick up your goodies at LUSH, my store is a bit far so you can order online as well.  However, the last time I did order online unfortunately my bombs arrived broken, but they were more than happy to send another set of bombs for free and they allowed me to choose a free product of my choice.  Great customer service, in store and online!  BUT, if you go in store and you're unsure if you want to 'take the plunge" and purchase an entire product they will be more than happy to send you home with samples of soaps, powders, and shower gels (no limit).  They also have sinks and bowls in store so you can play around a bit to see if its a bath product you like!  It doesn't get any better than that!  They also sell many other wonderful products but as they say, "these are a few of my favorite thingsssss"

xoxo @van_rogue83

Fathers Day weekend kicked my ass...

Father's Day weekend was a success.  I need some sleep ha.  Saturday began with dad smashing me in his new Land Cruiser with 7 inch heels on.  We were headed out to a little town he says...sigh..a little town.  What "little town" means for a pink haired girl with a huge septum ring and 7 inch heels is strange looks and possibly a few photos with strangers haha!  An hour an a half later we are in Lockheart, TX, home of the "best BBQ in Texas"...The Salt Lick BBQ.  Id never been, what a cute place.  An hour wait when by fast when there was a wine tasting room, a beer tasting area, a man playing the guitar and an amazing garden. We finally got in and then the tattooed manger called me back to cook some food it was so funny!  And then he called my dad back as well, and my dad was just super embarrassed.  The look on his face was priceless.  Hands down, the best BBQ ive ever had.  $24.99 buys you all you can eat BBQ and sides.  The staff clearly kicked ass and so did the food!

-Black Milk Clothing, St.Vitus Playdress $68, (no longer available)
*The Playdresses do run small so always size up one size*
-YRU Nightmare Boot, $110, YRU (true to size)

-Louis Vuitton Purse, Neiman Marcus, "Carry-All", $1200

Wrapped up Sunday at Ruth Chris Steakhouse in San Antonio for lunch.  I went a little crazy with the drinks (per usual) and the food and then had that astonished look on my face when the bill came.  Like "how could this happen?"  "Who did this?" HA.  A bill starting with the number 2 always makes me want to start the car and zoom off haha, but would what i do with the valet lady ya know?  She would eventually need a ride back to her car and that seemed like too much trouble so i paid it. :)

-Black Milk Clothing, Burned Velvet Blurple Evil Cheerleader Dress,$96 (no longer available)
-Grey Jewelry Lithe Necklace, $40, Shop Black Salt or Grey Diem Jewelry

-Kat Von D Studded lipstick in Coven, $25, Sephora stores or online

-Jeffrey Campbell Starry Night Heel (Not Pictured) $179, hard to find but they're still out there :) 

Gonna lay on the couch now with my puppies and get ready for Penny Dreadful in my UNIF Reaper Tee ($68, Unifclothing.com) and my Black Milk Wet Look Shorts,$25 (no longer available)
-Black Milk Clothing, (under shirt) "The Awesome Crop", $30 available online. 

Love you guys, make it a great week with positive thoughts :) xoxo @van_rogue83

A photo tells a thousand words...or maybe none.

Your photos and status on social media scream that you have a beautiful life.  Im not your best friend so I make these judgements about you because thats all i see about you. I don't see you on a daily basis so i build an assumption about your life based on your photos.  

Your life seems so special that some feel jealous seeing the 2 dozen roses you got at work, your huge engagement ring, the new Louie bag you got for your birthday or reading that you're so happy to be pregnant with baby number two!  Then there's some people (raising hand ha) that post a million selfies of how great their face and hair look. 

This really got me thinking.  Some post things just to innocently to share it with you, some post to brag, and some post to evoke jealousy. We could never know for sure.  I'll be the first to say Ive seen a girlfriend of mine get a ring on Facebook "just because" and feel jealous inside.  On the other hand I've seen photos of a girlfriend of mine with her 5 kids and find myself scrolling super fast all of a sudden ha.  But one thing i know for sure, is no one's life is perfect.  Including my own.  Though it may be a thought in your head based on my photos and writings that everything is perfect, its not.  It is what I choose to let you see about my life.  I argue, I cry, I feel pain, I get yelled at, I have health problems; like everyone does.  Sometimes i slam doors ha.  You don't know if Im on speaking terms with someone, you don't know if I just finished the worst screaming match of my life, and you don't know the events of my day, because again, people only choose to let you see what they want. 

My friend who got two dozen roses at work, sent them to herself; because she knew her boyfriend wasn't going to out of his way because he never does.  My other friend with the huge engagement ring?  She bought it herself and gave it to her boyfriend to give to her, because he was never gonna do it; she finally had to force him to propose.  Over a drunken conversation I finally get to see this Louie bag only for her to break down and tell me the whole story....I'll tell you this.  That bag deserved 5 photos on Instagram, because it only took her 5 birthdays of harassing her boyfriend to buy it for her.  And my girlfriend saying she is thrilled that baby number two is on the way!!!! She's terrified. Baby number 1, which was twins, left her stomach completely damaged and she was so depressed.  Oh and the one taking all the selfies.  She beautiful in every single way.  But inside she is in the darkest most depressed place and her self esteem is so low comments pick her confidence up, for just a day....... 

Photos can tell a story and have story behind them then just what we see or they could simply be like i said; an innocently posted photo of a "just because" ring because she was excited. 

There's no doubt that life is beautiful and we only have one chance at this thing to make it right and wonderful, but we all struggle with real life.  Your friend isn't balling out of control with that rolex his mom took credit out for him to get it and that super hot unattainable girl that is photographed at the club every night is battling a cocaine addiction that you would never know about.  Don't ever look at these things on social media and allow yourself to feel jealous or inadequate because you know nothing of these peoples lives, unless of course you're their best friend.  Most of the time people are just trying to convey how much fun they're having and how great their partner is and look what i bought etc.  Possibly with no motive or possibly with.  Either way, like the photo and keep scrolling and don't feel a thing but happy for them.  Because you don't know what struggles lie behind a "simple photo."

"Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of PERCEPTION, INTERPRETATION, and EXECUTION." -Ansel Adams

-Black Milk Clothing Mechancial Ribs swim, $72

-Unif Clothing "does heaven have wifi" tee, $68, (no longer available) 

-Black Milk Clothing, Love ya to bits Crop, $42 (no longer available) 

The Shoe of the Day.....We Dont Need A Reason

                      (Entry To My Closet)

Every woman has something they love to have much or many of.   It makes us feel beautiful, confident, and happy to have these items; and those 3 things are very important for a woman to feel. Whether it be expensive makeup, many of a special clothing brand, crystal vases, Louis Vuitton purses, whatever it may be.....but about 65% of women have what they call a "shoe fetish."  Otherwise known to women as, WE LIKE SHOES.  Otherwise known to men as, "SHE'S GOT A SHOE PROBLEM." 

       (Couldn't fit them all in photo boooo) 

Every woman has a specific type they like to have many of...I have a friend who's always waiting to grab the new basketball Nike thats coming out.  There's women who want very expensive shoes such as Christian Louboutin or Jimmy Choo and there's others who just want shoes of all types no matter the price or from where.  I throw myself into a category called shoes that are "eye-catching." Yes I do favor specific brands but again if it catches my eye, I gotta have it.  Men can think of this as collecting baseball cards, cars, and video games. I/We collect shoes.  I have been collecting for years so I have a whole shelf full and about 40 boxes which is nothing compared to other women i know, keep that in mind before you judge me ha!
My favorite eye catching brands are Jeffrey Campbell, UNIF, and YRU.  Then theres also the dream shoes I will never be able to obtain nor afford.  So lets get to it.  Im gonna show a bit of my collection and then some dream shoes. Enjoy....and don't forget, "Don't ever leave the house without a beautiful perfume on, at least some powder on your face, and a pair of kick ass heels." :)

Date Afternoon/Night: YRU Daydream Rainbow, $120, Solestruck.com

My Current Favorite Everyday Shoe: The YRU Nightmare Platform, $119, YRU.com

Extremely detailed and like nothing you've ever seen, in other words (don't wear these to go get drunk): Irregular Choice Fluffy Tail, $250 and Irregular Choice Sequin Unicorn, $250-both are no longer available:

Doctor's Office; without scaring the crap out of everyone: Jeffrey Campbell Margo in Taupe, $119-no longer available

Nights out: YRU Lavish F*** heels, $99, YRU.com/Wearing Black Milk Clothing's En Pointe Tulle skirt $100 and Webtacular Hosiery $25

Party Nights; Jeffrey Campbell Shadow Stud, $250-no longer available however i have seen these on swap sites, do make sure to size up one size with ONLY these Jeffrey's.

Dream Shoes by Nata Chamarro and Irregular Choice (Custom Made)

The Inside Out Dress...when your dad says "hey thats a neat dress"....

   The Black Milk Clothing inside out dresses.  Wow.  These dresses really are a piece of hard seamstress work and also a work of art.  Usually by now my dad doesn't bat an eye at anything i do anymore haha!  Im convinced that i could tattoo my face and he wouldn't even notice at this point.  BUT, when he says "hey that dress is neat," I stop in my tracks.  Either he's been drinking good shit without me or, even he could find an appreciation for what i was wearing. 

So what is an inside out dress?  It is a double sided dress basically that alot of work is put into making.  By double sided I mean one complete side has one image and when you take it off and turn it inside out,  there is a completely different print on the other side.  There are about 11-12 that i know of that Black Milk has made and as the years go by they go up in value.  They are a tad pricey, but remember you are getting two dresses in one and literally no one can tell the difference.  They have also recently gone down in price so they are a bit more affordable.  The most recent one released was about two weeks ago and that one was called the Tartan Barbie/Candy Hearts dress.  It sold out within the day.    

   Of course we would love to own all of them, but i only own 3. So i will allow the beauty of these dresses speak for themselves in these photos.
Pictured above is the Barbie Tartan/Candy Hearts, which I was thinking the hearts side would be nice for Fathers Day. The two below are the Mucha Black/La Trappistine and the lower bottom photo is the Fireworks/Not Actually Sequin dress.

(Fireworks Side not shown)

-Black Milk Clothing, Fireworks/Sequin IOD (no longer available) 

-Black Milk Clothing, Barbie Tartan/Candy Hearts IOD (no longer available) 

-Black Milk Clothing, Mucha Black/La Trappistine, "Limited Sizes" $136

-Bordello, Pink Glitter Pumps available on Amazon for $100 (more or less)

-YRU, Nightmare Boot, $110

-Jeffrey Campbell, Shadow Stud, Discontined but been on EBay $260-(size up on these) 

-Makeup by MAC, Cinderella eyeshadow

-Limecrime Lipstick, D'Lilac

-Eye Glitter by Shop Violet Voss in Unicorn Party

**See your on Instagram, @van_rogue83** xoxo

Create memorable birthdays every year, no matter what your age...

  These last few years have been very eye opening regarding life and how valuable and delicate it is. People say "YOLO" which has become a funny saying but honestly it's the way I live my life. Unfortunately, I have seen so much tragedy but it has opened my eyes about my life and life in general. I strive to make experiences and memories that may seem outrageous to some but it's important to me.  I am the annoying person who has to take a picture of EVERYTHING haha. A mini paparazzi if you will... So every year no matter what my age we plan a BIG memorable birthday.

   This year we are going to Disneyland which to me is just mind blowing. I've had my birthdays in Cancun and Vegas but I really think this one in particular is going to be very special. I am someone who loves Halloween and just about everything Disney (I could do without a few characters).  So since my birthday is at the end of Sept the park will happen to be under what they call "Jack Skellingtons" spell. I can't wait. I can literally ride the Haunted Mansion and The Tower of Terror over and over, and I'm staying in a special Tinkerbell suite at the iconic Disneyland Hotel. Also, if you can make it out there this year, it happens to be Disneyland's 60th anniversary so they're doing many special things to celebrate. But moving on....WHAT TO WEAR?!?!

   For this occasion of course I went straight to Black Milk Clothing. I was very lucky because what a surprise that they recently did a Disney 2.0 release so I was able to choose several outfits for my trip. So let's get to it! I wanted to have something Disney themed for all of our days there.  I also added in a few of my favorites from Black Milk's Disney 1.0 Release for the trip.  

  "I will never fully understand life. I know that it takes sadness to understand happiness and great noise to appreciate silence. An unexpected loss or diagnosis to fully value a day and the right hand that reaches down to pull you out of that dark place to see the light again. For that, I'm grateful".     -Van

   Live your life with no limits, and don't go on without making the memories or having the experiences you truly want to be happy.  Life is short.  Get the tattoo you've been scared to get.  Say Im sorry to someone who hurt you to give you peace.  Get a photo next to Mickey if you must have it.  There are no rules to this thing, make every moment count.

-Black Milk Clothing, Tinkerbell Skater Dress, $90
-Black Milk Clothing, Bambi Reversible Crop, $50
-Key Necklace, Tiffany & Co, $350
-Cross Necklace, James Avery, $150
-Fox and Owl, Infinity Belt 1.0, on Etsy for $50
-Black Milk Clothing, Awesome Pocket Skater Skirt, $56
-Black Milk Clothing, Painting the Roses Red Set, (no longer available)
-Black Milk Clothing, Tale as old as Time Dress, $95 AUD on WW site only
-Black Milk Clothing, Important Date Crop, (no longer available)

My heart has been stolen...oddly by a television show..

   I have never been the type of person to sit and watch TV; my mindset has always been "there's something that needs to be done" instead.  After hearing that the cast of this new show was at a recent Comic-Con, I thought nothing of it until I heard "Frankenstein"and "Witches" and I got sucked in.  Immediately I ordered Showtime to watch this television show called Penny Dreadful because it sounded right up my alley, a dark alley ha. 

  I have been sucked in ever since.  Penny Dreadful has done an amazing job at taking your typical mythical characters and making them real people living in London in the 1900s.  I don't want to make these writings a spoiler of sorts so i will reveal very little about the show.  Every Sunday night I absolutely cannot wait to see what Vanessa Ives (a medium), Ethan Chandler (a werewolf), and others such as Dr. Frankenstein and Dorian Gray (the immortal) will be involved in that will make my jaw drop.  It will also leave me thinking throughout the week about these characters so I have gone back to classics such as Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Grey", Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein", and Bram Stoker's "Dracula" to research and compare the accuracy of the show.  This is no goofy portrayal of monsters and goblins as some may think.  What creator John Logan has done is place these characters in a very gothic, morbid setting and created a story line like no other where they all fit together perfectly.  I have really not felt an excitement or thought so much about a TV show since HBO's Carnivale.  Its shows title is also a bit funny knowing that a "Penny Dreadful" was a one penny publication from the 1900s that spoke about supernatural entities.  So if you have a penny to spare put it towards Showtime to catch Penny Dreadful every Sunday at 9pm Central....(you see what i did there).

Also, if you love the show you must look at Hot Topic's Penny Dreadful clothing line which features themes used in the show.  You've got to have something comfy and chill to watch the show in. :)

-Penny Dreadful Scorpion Tank, $21, at Hot Topic

-Black Milk Clothing Mermaid Short Shorts, $35 now Sold Out

Panty Hose? Just like mom! :)

     The only thing i remember of Panty Hose is my mom washing them in the sink when i was little.  I never considered this would be something i would be looking into at my age haha!  But, Black Milk Clothing has made me rethink that decision.  Bare legs with my dresses and skirts has been working just fine for me for years.  But as of now I consider them an accessory and a necessity.  With so many styles to choose from to add a little BAM to your outfit, I went ahead and purchased their two top sellers.  The "Sporty Stripes 2.0" ($25) and the LIMITED, Webtacular Hosiery ($35), and they are ALL one size fits all; so that works out perfectly for women of all sizes.  I definitely want all of them now.  Being extremely durable and unique, this is an item I recommend to all women that want to add a little something not too extreme to a boring outfit. xoxo

-Matte Black Infinity Belt by Shop Fox and Owl on Etsy, $55