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Friday, November 28, 2014

Black and White Shenanigans















I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday!!! Good luck shopping!

Here are some fun black and while photos from my shoot with The Pinwheel Collective.

Check out the outfit details from these posts:
The Wanderer 
Industrial Backdrop
Faerie Foliage


photos by The Pinwheel Collective




Wednesday, November 26, 2014

I Wear My Sunglasses at Night











Outfit Details: 
sunglasses: Asos (major sale now!!!)
jacket: Bernardo Leather via Nordtrom
top/bodysuit: Oh My Love via Asos (on major sale now!!)
skirt: Express


I wear my sunglasses at night. 



photography by Travis Curry Photography








Tuesday, November 25, 2014

A la carte Scheduling: The Life of a Freelancer

A La Carte  Scheduling: The Life of a Freelancer









 For the past few years I have gone through so many types of schedules. Productivity levels were like a roller coaster. Most of this happened because of the viscous cycle of uber productivity and then lapses that followed suite when inevitably I would burn out. The hard thing about being self-employed and a freelance makeup-artist is that you have to remain motivated and driven in order to continue your growth and obtain new business.

My goal has been to create a balance between all of the dreams I am cultivating and having a social life and most importantly getting enough sleep. Most of the time in the past I am able to throw myself into one or two of those things and always having one fall into the background. I have found that if I slow things down and give small amounts of time (except for sleep- need a bit more than small amount of time) to each task/job at hand I am able to get more done. Below I am going to break down how I have broken up all the tasks/jobs I have to normally do or get done and how I can schedule each type of day I could have depending on the type of work I have lined up.

Of course I have a daily planner where I keep track of when I do a blog post and when I work out and jobs I have scheduled. I usually keep a general to do list for each week on that calendar. I now have added a new organization to do list tool and that is the small notebook (photo above). So each day I break down in that notebook what tasks/jobs I have on hand and what things I need to get done in each category. One thing I try to do is, that say I get carried away with a certain task/job and even get ahead in it, but other things on the list fall to the wayside. Instead of stressing, anything I didn't get done will get pushed to the next day that I have time to get it done. I have to teach myself to prioritize and to not stress about not finishing things. There is always tomorrow.

Here are my types of tasks/jobs defined:

Long Workout: 30 minutes or more of working out-- walking or running outside and workout videos

Quick Workout: Short workout video or quick walk or run, 8 minutes - 20 minutes of working out

Blog Work: Editing photos for blog post, writing a blog post, taking photos for blog, researching new post, filming video tutorials, anything to do with the blog basically

Website Work: Updating makeup artistry website, updating photography website, getting photos organized, emailing photographers for photos, updating spreadsheets for makeup and photo business

Art Projects: Any paintings to start or finish, sewing projects, makeup face charts for projects/collaborations, photography pieces to edit

Social Media Posting: Posting to Facebook, Tumblr, Chictopia, Social Bliss, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter for Lipstick & Chiffon, Carolyn Thombs Makeup Artistry & Consulting and Carolyn Thombs Fine Art & Photography

Miscellaneous Tasks To Do: Organizing, cleaning, laundry, finances, paying bills, answering emails, cleaning brushes, organizing kit, appointments and errands

*Now of course these can always change, especially if I ever get caught up on certain things-- i.e. updating my websites-- but then again that is life: ever changing! *

Now here are how my different types of days can be scheduled: 

Open Workday Schedule-- usually is a day off, or a day where I don't need to travel- I need to try and do at least 5 of the above tasks/jobs: Long Workout (30mins+), Social Media Posting, Blog Work (30mins+), Website Work (1hr+), Art Projects, or Miscellaneous Tasks to Do

Short Workday Schedule-- normally just a photoshoot in the morning or afternoon (9-1130am or 3-6pm), Wedding early in the day short distance away (9am-1230pm), Dior evening events (4-930pm)-- I need to do at least 3 of the above tasks/jobs: Long Workout (30mins+), Social Media Posting, Blog Work (30mins+), Website Work (1hr+), Art Projects, or Miscellaneous Tasks to Do

Dior Workday Schedule-- normally 12-6pm-- I need to do at least 2 of the above tasks/jobs: Quick Workout (8-20mins), Social Media Posting, Blog Work (30mins+), Website Work (1hr+), orMiscellaneous Tasks to Do

Long Workday Schedule-- normally 9am-8pm- long phtoshoots, weddings farther away, multiple jobs lined up-- I need to do at least 1 of the above tasks/jobs and to sleep as much as I can or unwind when I get home after the job: Social Media Posting, or Miscellaneous Tasks to Do

Rest Day-- a day off that I schedule when most of my work is caught up on, or if I need a break, to just do nothing and to reorganize my thoughts-- Relaxing, meeting up with friends (trying for that social life), reading or working on art projects that are soothing in nature are all in order-- Essentially my Sacred Pause Day


I have slowly been implementing this type of scheduling into my life and it definitely has made me feel more productive and less stressed! I will keep you updated on how it works in the coming months! I hope all of you freelancers out there trying to find some balance in your scheduling find this helpful- let me know if you do!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving this week!!!


What types of organizational or scheduling techniques work for you?






Monday, November 24, 2014

Classic Red




















Outfit Details: 
lipstick and lip liner: Dior Lipstick 999  and Dior Lipliner Pencil 999 
dress: BcbgMaxAzria
boots: Ninewest (similar)
necklace: South Moon Under
rings: Hautelook

Dior Rouge 999 is the first Dior product I ever bought and it is always a red lipstick I have on hand. It is such a classic and goes with my blonde hair and even my red hair now. On my nails I have the Dior Vernis 999 to match! The classic red is a perfect pop to pair with this black dress I have on and the black and white statement necklace from South Moon Under. 

Here are some great statement necklaces from South Moon Under to pair with your black dress: 

G-Lish 6 Row Set Beads with Chain Fringe NecklaceG-Lish Burgundy Center Metal Diamond Necklace
Nakamol Designs Clear and Gold Glass Bead Collar

What is your favorite red?

Check out my previous post on all the best reds to find your perfect one if you haven't already: