Moi!

I was 3yrs old and determined. There, sitting at the top of my sister's monstrous dresser was her shiny black tube of ruby red lipstick. I hovered between the bureau and the entrance into the room for what seemed like hours, weighing the pros and cons. To my toddler's mind, scaling the towering bureau just to get my hands on the tiny gem seemed worth the risk. Even as a child, I had a gargantuan fear of heights. So, I approached the dresser and clenched my tiny fists around the knobs. While maneuvering my toes around the second drawer, the half empty bureau shuddered under my weight but then miraculously retained its upright position. I exhaled a sigh of relief and continued on my trek. Once I was close enough to the top, I threw my hand over the top of the bureau and searched blindly for my prize. I felt it! I grasped the tube quickly and lowered it into my line of sight. Finally, I could have the beautiful red pout that every woman in my life flaunted in front of me every day. I relished in the moment, imagining how wonderful I would look. Alas, karma reared its dark head for my theft and sent the entire bureau toppling over me, breaking my wrist in the process. Luckily my mother immediately heard my cries and came running. And despite the unfortunate circumstances, I still held firm to that little tube of lipstick.

This story is an illustration of my own personal motto to live within my passions regardless of the obstacles that face me. Let's face it, beauty and fashion is EXPENSIVE. And if you aren't the 1% of Americans that can afford to buy designer labels, living the "fab" life is near impossible. I am here to tell you that it isn't. I have been a firm believer in DIY for my entire life. My tools? A sewing machine, makeup brushes and magazines galore! With a little bit of instruction and creativity, anyone can be me.