The Liebster Award!

Hello, everyone! I hope you're all having a nice weekend. I took a nice drive through some nice scenery this morning with the radio on and my windows down. It was really nice!

I was recently nominated for a Liebster Award by handful of  lovely bloggers! Before this, I had seen this award floating around, but I wasn't really sure what it was. I did a little poking around and found out that the Liebster Award is more like a tag than an actual award for bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. I did some research on it, and I tracked down one of the original posts--it used to be for blogs with fewer than 3000 followers! I guess this "award" is just a bit like a big game of Telephone... it means a little something different to everyone. 

Because of this, the rules were different from each person that I was nominated by, so I just decided to mix them all together. Here are the rules: 

1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the eleven questions from the person who nominated you. 
3. Write down eleven more questions.
4. Nominate eleven more bloggers that have less than 200 followers.
5. Let the bloggers you've chosen know about it!

The Liebster Award is a great opportunity to get to know other bloggers that aren't as well known in the blogging community. I'm extremely flattered that I was tagged! So, I believe a big THANK YOU is in order for the following lovely ladies that tagged me: Rina from Beauty Over Boys, Emily from Eager Emily, Emily from Trial and Error Beauty, and Jenna from Northern Beauty 85! Thanks again, you guys. :)

Here are the questions that I'm supposed to answer (buckle down, there's a good number of them):

Rina's questions (Beauty Over Boys):

When did you start blogging and why? I started blogging in mid-April 2013. I first stumbled across the blog of one of my favorite YouTubers, Estee (from EssieButton.com or YouTube.com/EssieButton). I got really into keeping up with her blog on a regular basis and finding other blogs to read while I was supposed to be studying for finals, preparing for concerts, and writing my term papers. Since I can never have too many ways to procrastinate, I thought starting a blog of my own would be a lot of fun. So I did it! And I love it. 

If you could choose only one brand of makeup to use, which would it be?  I would probably choose Benefit. They make nice mascaras and face products, which is what I mostly use. Plus, their packaging is really fun. 

Sneakers or heels?In all honesty, neither. I'm either barefoot or wearing flats. I'm pretty much a hobbit.  

What is your favorite color?I oscillate between loving daffodil yellow and yellow-green. 

What is your favorite nail polish color? I really don't wear a lot of nail polish! I know, I know... What kind of beauty blogger doesn't like nail polish?!? If I really had to pick, I would choose Zoya's Emme polish because it was given to me as a gift because it has the same name as me. (PS: if you're reading this... thanks, Haley!) 

What is your favorite blog?I mentioned this earlier, but I read essiebutton.com religiously. Estee is phenomenal!  

What kind of music do you listen to?I really, really like classical music. But fun fact about me: I'm a music history buff. So when I say "classical music," that's a broad category. I used to really like the Baroque period and Vivaldi and Bach (and I still do), but I've recently come to love the Romantic period, especially Schubert and Chopin. I'm very into indie music and 60s/70s rock. I was raised on The Beatles and Chicago and Paul Simon! (Okay, how pretentious do I sound now?)

Would you rather have long hair or short hair for the rest of your life? Long hair, definitely. I recently cut a couple of inches off my below-the-boob hair and it now falls just under my shoulders, but I really miss my old hair. There's something I just love about having long, flowy hair. There are so many things you can do with it. Plus, braiding it is fun! 

What is your favorite food? I'm Italian, so I definitely have to say pasta! Recently, though, I've been really loving berries. Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries... can't have too many of them, I say. 

When you do your makeup, do you focus more on your eyes or your lips? I definitely focus on my eyes more. I love to eat, and I really can't be bothered keeping up with reapplying anything while I shove my face with food every few hours, know what I man? Plus, I think that having a really well-defined eye can really make a face look sharp. But because I have acne-prone skin and dark circles, what I focus on the most is foundation and concealer. 

Emily's questions (Eager Emily):

What is your favorite item you have thrifted? I haven't thrifted enough to have a favorite item! One day, maybe. 

Did you buy make up in your last shopping trip? If so what? I actually didn't! I'm not letting myself purchase any more makeup until 2014 (partially as a bet with my dad, but also to whittle down my collection!). The last things I actually bought were a six pack of Angry Orchard and some sushi.  

Do you run out of foundation before you start trying new ones? Not really. I enjoy trying new foundations, so I buy one whenever I decide that I really want to try one. I like having my usual foundation around while I experiment so I'm always covered. (Ha! Covered. Get it?)

What type of camera do you use to take your photographs? Depends on where I am. I've recently been using my Canon Powershot (A4000 IS), but I'm looking to upgrade. When I'm at school, I borrow my boyfriend's Canon EOS Rebel T3. 

The top 5 items you carry in your purse at all times. My wallet, my phone, hand sanitizer, a lip product, and hand cream! 

What is your favorite scent? Daisy by Marc Jacobs. I'm working through a rollerball I purchased a year ago, but when I run out I'm buying the full-sized bottle. I keep coming back to it and I love it! 

Do you tweeze, wax, or thread your eyebrows? I trim and tweeze them myself. I've never had them professionally done. 

What is/was your favorite subject in school? English! I love reading, and I love how there are as many interpretations of a single reading as you want there to be. If we're talking college, then definitely MUSIC.

What is your favorite holiday? Definitely Thanksgiving! There's no gift-giving commitment, it's only one day, and my whole family gets together to eat. Plus, my aunt makes AMAZING cheesy mashed potatoes... 

What color eyeshadow do you wear most often? Light, warm browns. 

If you won the lottery what would you do? Go to grad school! And buy a DSLR. And maybe a car. (Definitely a car.)

Emily's questions (Trial and Error Beauty):

If you weren't blogging, what would you spend your time doing? Probably playing with my dog, watching Netflix, or learning piano.

Would you rather give yourself a manicure or go to a salon? I'd rather give myself one! I love having a nice, quiet night in, so I'd make a whole evening of it. 

If you could go anywhere for the day tomorrow where would it be? Cardiff, Wales. I'd love to go to the Doctor Who Experience! I'd also love to walk around and see landmarks from where the show was filmed. 

What is the one makeup or skincare item you use but really don't know why? TONERS. I don't really know why I use those. I thought they helped with my skin, but I've been skipping it a lot and haven't noticed a difference. 

Whats the one item (beauty or non - beauty) that you couldn't cope without? Conditioner. If I tried to wash my hair with just shampoo, I would look like I had a bird's nest on my head. 

Which person's style do you follow the most? I haven't really thought about this, but probably Emma Watson. I'm still trying to figure out my personal style, and I'm not the greatest at being fashionable. It's a work in progress!

If you could only use 5 makeup products what would they be? I usually use five or less for my everyday makeup, so I'd pick undereye concealer, foundation, mascara, brow gel, and blush (or bronzer, depending on what mood I'm in. Today it's bronzer, if you're curious).

Beach hair or glossy locks? Beach hair, for sure. It's closer to my natural texture, and I've surrendered. I can't fight nature.

One random beauty tip... Take off all of your makeup before going to bed! Seems like a no-brainer, but I often didn't do that in high school. Now I cringe thinking back about it. 

One random life tip... Don't get yourself worked up over details. Things will work themselves out over time. 

What do you love most about blogging? I get to write about whatever I want to! It's a really nice creative outlet for me. I've never been one for journaling, so it's just a great space to write my thoughts and be myself, as silly as that sounds.

Finally, Jenna's questions! (Northern Beauty 85):

What is your favorite part of Blogging? I just kind of answered this, but I also love the process. Especially when I sit down with a cup of tea and my puppy at my feet to write my posts. It's so relaxing! 

Are you an indoor or outdoor person? I love aspects of both, but I'm usually indoors. I do have times when I'd rather be outside, though! 

Name the product you've repurchased the most? I think it's the Rimmel Stay Matte powder. I've been using that since high school. I think I've repurchased it over five times.

What are you wearing as you type out this post :p A green v neck t-shirt that I got from Target a few years ago and some American Eagle skinny jeans. No shoes, though (See? Hobbit. I am all about that comfy life).

Who is biggest inspiration (beauty or in life)? Wow, this is a tough question. I'd say my choir director for sure. Not only is he my teacher, coach, and mentor who inspires me to do so many musical things (and life things!) that I would never have done otherwise, but he's also a good friend. :)

What is your #1 beauty or fashion tip?  WEAR SUNSCREEN. An actual sunscreen. Not just moisturizer with SPF in it. Think of how much moisturizer you use in the first place... and then think about how the low SPF in it is even less effective. (Also, sunscreen on your body is a good thing. It doesn't have to be crazy for everyday: SPF 15 works just fine.)

What is at the top of your wish list right now? a stable career for when I get out of school The Naked palette. I have dreams about that thing, but I really don't need it. Like, at all. but it's so pretty 

Do you have a pet? Tell us about them! I have a dog named Stella! She's a four year old german shepherd/something mix that we rescued my junior year of high school. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on her that she was the right pup for our family, but my parents were interested in another dog. I came home from school one day, and there Stella was! I cried. There are pictures. It's embarrassing. But she's my girl. :) I constantly post pictures of her on Instagram and elsewhere on my blog, so you've probably seen her already.

You can only buy one Lipstick for the rest of your life. What is it? MAC's Russian Red. 

What is your dream career? Opera singer! I would love to travel the world and be the next Renee Fleming. I want to sing in Parisian opera houses and in the Metropolitan Opera (where I saw my first opera - Goethe's Faust!).

Now that you know a good deal about me, here are the people that I nominate to do a post like this on their own blogs:

• Lindsey | Zip & Zeal
• Essie | The Lil' Sparrow
• Natalie | Salt & Sail
• Jenn | A Beautiful Zen
• Lara | You, Me and Beauty
• Manda | A Little Powder
• Rebecca and Amy | beautipop
• Jimmy | by Jimmy
• Megan | meganmaisies
• Justine | Brighton Dream
• Cutting Edge Beauty
• And you, if you want to do it and I didn't tag you! Leave your answers in the comments.

Here are the questions!

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
2. Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
3. What are some interests of yours besides beauty and makeup?
4. You woke up late and have five minutes to do your makeup! What do you reach for?
5. What's your favorite type of clothing or accessory?
6. What's the last thing that you genuinely laughed at?
7. What's your favorite book, movie, song, or television show?
8. What skill do you wish you had, or one you wish you could do better?
9. If you could speak any language fluently, what would it be and why?
10. Name something off of the top of your bucket list.
11. What do you usually do when you want to have fun? 

Want to answer some, but you don't have a blog or I didn't tag you? Leave your answers in a comment! I'd love to hear them.

Don't forget that you can also follow me on Twitter or follow my blog with Bloglovin'!

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend! 

Until next time, 

 :)