Shimmery Bronze Smokey Eyes!

Well, You will get a little bit of everything I'm into here in this blog... The next blog I will post will deal with Fitness and Nutrition since (6 weeks after surgery)I am finally able to get back into my regular practice of working out again... which I started LAST NIGHT - and I sit here now with a VERY, VERY sore behind in a hard wooden chair typing at this very moment. :)

TODAY however - You are going to get another fun - VERY detailed tutorial on creating a

SHIMMERY BRONZE SMOKEY EYE LOOK! 

TUTORIAL VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW!

I am getting a little more skilled with filming and editing this, so this video will give you a few more up close and personal details of how to create this look...

For those of you who are afraid of going with the full BLACK or CHARCOAL smokey eye, this is a beautiful alternative.

What you will need...


- A Neutral Cream Eyeshadow or a Neutral Eyeshadow Base
-Loose or Pressed Powder to set
- An assortment of loose or pressed shimmery eyeshadows in shades ranging from Cream or Beige to Gold, to bronze to Dark Brown
- Several Blending brushes
-Creamy Black or Black/Brown eyeliner
-And eyeliner brush, preferably angled
-Black Matte Powder Eyeshadow/Eyeliner
-BLACK mascara - and False Eyelashes are optional

TIPS-
- You MUST properly conceal under eye circles and discoloration (and we ALL have these, if we are over the age of 13!!!) to pull off a smokey eye!!!! Do not assume that using your foundation alone here is enough coverage.

Chanel Under Eye Concealer

- Start with a NEAUTRAL CREAM EYESHADOW or an EYESHADOW BASE! Dark colors need to go on a completely neutral canvas. We all get discoloration in our eyelids because the skin is so thin there... so be sure to even the color with a Cream eyeshadow or an eyeshadow base. This also helps the powder shadows STAY ON LONGER by giving them something other than skin oils to hold onto (which eventually lead to creasing and smearing) And never forget to SET your cream shadows or Eyeshadow base with a little powder to keep them from "grabbing" the color too strongly when first applied. 

Eyeshadow base by Lancome

- Always warm up colors on your hand or a tissue before applying to your eyes... and I always apply dark color with  a firm brush, and blend with a completely separate blending brush. This gives you so much more control of the darker colors.

Eye Shadow Brushes

Here are more detailed pictures of some of my favorite products that I used to create this look, as well as products I enjoy using to create different versions of this look...

Mac Loose Pigments

Victoria's Secret Highlighting Powder

Victoria's Secret Brilliant Shimmer Shadow

Maybelline Eye Studio Shadow Quad

I love to wear this look, and have worn this on MANY an occasion both on and off stage. The photo I'm using at the end of this video is from the CMA Awards Show Dog- Universal After Party this year - I wore this look to compliment my gold/sage After Party Dress compliments of Bebe.

Enjoy creating your own Sexy Smokey Shimmery Bronze Eye Look!

The Wonder Of Wonderful Parents

Recently I have been spending some time at night watching old episodes of “ The Wonder Years”.  I marvel at how well the production, acting, and especially the writing of this show was executed.  This show really captured the beauty of an American family and all the ups and downs of childhood and growing up. And they REALLY captured the ups and downs of the love and respect issues that we all struggle with during not only adolescence , but also throughout our entire lives.

In the last several weeks, I have spent a lot of time thinking about my family and how important their support has been to me. Watching this show reminds me of all the GRIEF I put them through as a teenager… and how sometimes I really didn’t appreciate just how lucky I was to have two parents together who loved me so much, and  who support and love me still.

My mother recovered from Stage 2 Breast Cancer in October of last year.  I had surgery just about 5 weeks ago that was a little scary, but  thankfully,  I came out with a clean bill of health. Then, just about 3 weeks ago, my Daddy was admitted to the hospital for severe staph infections in both of his knee replacements (which were originally replaced when I was a child). He has had a really rough go of it, but he will finally be going home tomorrow for a few weeks. 

All of these circumstances, have made me reevaluate my own life, and decisions about my future. They have also made me realize how even on the worst days, I am still so lucky to have two people who even in all the hard times they are going through, still love and support me no matter what. 

And the fact that they stood by me through the ever blessed “HIGH SCHOOL YEARS” pretty much is beyond my ability to comprehend!

So THANK YOU momma and daddy for being so WONDERFUL!

Here is a clip of one of my favorite episodes of “The Wonder Years” – I dare you to try to watch this without crying.

And here is a song that I performed for my mom -  “I Am A Woman” - at The Chords For A Cure Benefit in my hometown the week of her final cancer treatment.

National Anthem Performance And An Awesome Night With Friends

This will have to be brief today. LOTS to do.

But I will share a bit about my evening last night.

I started the night by performing the National Anthem at the sold out (17,000 plus) Nashville Predators Hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche. The Preds won, and my "streak" continues. The last 17 anthems that I have been a part of performing has brought a victory for the home team... Now I'm not saying I'm the lucky charm, but I like to think that maybe there is something to this "Streak"!

I then had a quick change to dress up a bit, and then it was OFF to Maggiano's Little Italy for my best friend Dan's party that he had planned for his partner Victor's 50th Birthday.

It was a BLAST! We consumed a LOT of food and wine... and laughed a LOT!!!! I think we scared off most of the patrons with our volume!

With Charlie and Brian

Dan and Victor with Victors sister and her husband

Me and Victor - Happy Birthday VIC!

I then went out to see my friends Kelly and Amy and our buddies, who had all been at the Hockey game earlier... and we proceeded to play all the 80's music the jukebox had to offer... and make complete fools of ourselves. And we LOVED every minute of it!

With my very good friends Amy and Kelly

With Amy and my Kell-Bell!

 I also ran into my new friends Lee Ann and Tyler at Decades, where there was more dancing to 80's music...

With my new friends Lee Ann and Tyler

I got home really late and slept in today to recover... Now I need a major shower, and I'm getting ready to support my friends who are nominated for Grammy's tonight.

Great weekend!

What Amazing Night For An Amazing Cause

Last night I participated in great event for a truly great cause.

"Songs For The Cure" is an event organized by Nile "Big Daddy"  Peaytt. It was held last night at The Red Rooster on Demonbreun, in Nashville... and it was a GREAT turn out - both in audience and in "line-up". Hit songwriters left and right... and all to benefit a very sick little girl named Savannah.

Nile "Big Daddy" Peaytt

Unfortunately, Savannah had to be admitted to hospice that day, as was not able to be at the event, but everyone who set foot on the stage was sending her love and happy thoughts, and lots of songs!

The event was hosted by GAC's Storme Warren, and was broken into segments of 4 songwriters/artists in each group and we all played 2 songs a piece. 

I was featured in the second round of songwriters and played two new songs that I wrote a couple of months ago, and I was backed up by my very good friend Eddie Heinzelman. While I was onstage, this ADORABLE little boy named Clinton jumped up and played shaker for us... and before our set was up we had a whole stage just FULL of kids! It was a great experience.

Me and SWEET Clinton!

Performing my first song "Whiskey Makes Me Want You Back"

Eddie Heinzelman backing me up on guitar

Getting "High Fives" from a stage full of precious kids!

My good buddy Keith Anderson (who I have been friends with for over 10 years) headlined later, and was backed up by another very good friend, and co-writer Chad Warrix. Darryl Worley made an appearance to support the cause and play some of his hits as well.

One of my favorite parts of the evening was a little girl named Ireland. She had her own booth set up by the back bar, and she was giving manicures for donations. She raised over $200! The best part is, I never saw a single woman in her booth. But there were men lined up left and right to have her paint their digits in an array of shades from pink, to purple, to red. It was fantastic!

Keith Anderson and Darryl Worley with sweet Clinton

Ireland painting the boys nails

Host Storme Warren getting his sassy pink polish!

Big Daddy with his pretty manicure!

It was such a great time, and a truly moving experience to see all these amazing talents come together to support this incredible little girl as she fights for her life.


Thanks to Eddie and Big Daddy Nile for inviting me to be part of such a special event.

For more information on upcoming events please follow "Songs For The Cure" Here...

Click Here to find "Songs For The Cure" on Facebook

(Also, I ran into Melody Guy -incredible songwriter - and she sent me this today, a demo I sang for she and Quinn Loggins YEARS ago! I still love this song... enjoy.)

Click Here To Play "Best Love I Ever Had"

Bat Those Incredibly FALSE Lashes!

Bat Those Incredibly False Lashes!
(Video Tutorial Below)

So, every time you see a photo in a magazine, a commercial on tv, or a pic of a celebrity on the red carpet and think…" I WANT TO HAVE THOSE EYELASHES!" 

These are clearly NOT her lashes... but they look amazing!

Well, ladies, you are NOT alone, So DOES She!!!!!! As with a LOT of things in the beauty industry… 

They are usually FAKE!   

Now here is my biggest problem...  MASCARA  ADS! They are almost all using FAKE LASHES to promote the actual mascara… as if you could EVER get those crazy long, thick, and perfectly separated  lashes just from the mascara! Even if it's a great mascara - THIS look requires a little "outside help"...

My favorite new mascara that really does give you fuller, thicker, longer lashes, but NOTHING LIKE THE ONES IN THIS AD that is clearly using actual FALSE EYELASHES

What they should be saying is… “Ladies, this is a great mascara – But if you REALLY want Kim Kardashian or Eva Longoria Parker’s lashes… you should do what their make-up artists do, and just GLUE THEM ON!

Kim Kardashian with and without her infamous False lashes

Eva Longoria Parker with and without some SERIOUS FALSE LASHES

Now I don’t recommend that everyone needs to wear false lashes all the time, but for a special occasion, a photo shoot, an evening out, or just for fun it... they can add a huge boost to the overall look of your eyes. 

There are MANY different types of false lashes. You can choose -

Individual Lashes

Partial Lashes

Strip Lashes

I personally find the easiest to apply, that are the most effective for just about anyone to use are Strip lashes...

Follow this simple tutorial here to learn how to easily apply False (Strip) Eyelashes.

Today I Begin A New Journey...

http://www.trailerchoir.com/node/1437

 I have important news to share with you. 2010 has been an incredible and challenging year for me and my family. I look forward to the potential that 2011 has to bring, and I know that God is watching over all of us to show us the way to a bright future.

Today I will be leaving the group that I have come to call  my family,  that you all have come to know as Trailer Choir. I do so with complete respect and appreciation for my very dear friends Butter and Big Vinny. We are parting ways on mutually amicable terms, and we are all very proud of our work and efforts together. Right now,  I am focusing on writing music and preparing for the next chapter in my life. As always I am so grateful for all of you, and I appreciate the support that you have shown me through out the years. I ask you to join me in continuing to support my friends in Trailer Choir (and their supporting band who are also like my brothers) as they continue on  their journey. Working with this group has been an amazing experience, and I wish them nothing but the best.