Happy Birthday, Blog!

On April 1, 2008, I started this blog. With this post. 214 posts and an eventful/tough year later...

I am a big fan of milestones. It's strange to look back on this last year. Slightly discouraging with my continued tough health, but most of the progress is so slow that it's hard to recognize it as it's happening.

I love blogging about the little things in life. It makes the bigger things easier to deal with, and keeps my mind feeling productive.

Contentment

When I started this blog, I wrote about the battle of contentment that wars against always wanting new stuff. I maintain that I hate excess. I don't want too many pairs of shoes, too many options for makeup, too many accessories...I simply want the perfect assortment of these thing. Hence the title of my blog. I truly am a less-is-more kind of gal. So, I apply myself to finding that perfect product, that perfect pair of jeans, that go-with-everything necklace, that classic watch, those comfy-yet-stylish pair of shoes I inevitably put on even when given a choice of all of my others ones...


I am naturally more than a little OCD (obsessive-compulsive.) So, sometimes, these endless searches wear on me and I have to accept something a little less than perfect.

This week, I've been off work and just lounging by the pool, reading and catching up on life in general. I went to return a sweater to the mall yesterday, and, of course, perused Sephora. In my walk across the mall, I saw so many good deal things that I wanted and contemplated purchasing. But, somehow, I wasn't in the mood to buy. I just felt thankful for all the perfect things I've purchased in the past. It felt good. I don't have a lot of energy for shopping since I got sick, but it doesn't stop me from constantly wanting new things...improvements.

I like to step back and look at all the thought I've put into what I do have and just leave it at that. And go back to reading by the pool...

Oh, and try to finish shower products before buying new ones!

Indecision

I am a perfectionist when it comes to making decisions. I agonize over the smallest of ones. It's a sickness. It is the reason behind my obsessive-compulsive search for the perfect wardrobe and beauty products/routine. Let me clarify, it is not that I want a dream wardrobe or beauty arsenal, but simply want the best and most efficient/realistic stuff for me.

I agonize over what the best deal is, where to find discounts on non-discounted beauty products. What to splurge or save on. What shoes to buy when I don't want to clutter up my closet with stuff that really isn't practical in my lifestyle. On one hand, I despise excess (having more stuff just to have more stuff) and, on the other, I am constantly agonizing over what the BEST stuff for me to research and purchase is. I want to look into the future and see what spur-of-the-moment purchases will end up being my go-to's--that sweater I always grab, those shoes that are perfectly versatile, that blush that I never get tired of, those jeans that don't show my love handles and go with flats or heels...

I know the solution to this problem is to simply be content with the stuff I have, and let it all go! But, since I battle with my health so much and really can't have too many activities in my life other than work, I just have to learn to research this stuff and not let indecision plague me.

Such as my search for my next body wash. Yes, it is a tiny, insignificant detail in the grand scheme of life, but--given the myriad of choices--turns into a game for me to find the perfect one. It's all very silly, and causes me undue stress. But, it also entertains me.

Sometimes, I need to learn to close my eyes and just pick one.

Beautiful Weekends

Garance Dore

I love the blog Garance Dore. I don't know what the English translation is, and I don't even remember how I found it about 6 months ago. All I know is that the pictures inspire a natural, beautiful look for me. It makes me want to frolic outside, makeup-free and semi frizzy-haired. While some days, I truly enjoy wearing no makeup, I think I enjoy working for a seemingly makeup-free face even more. I always read magazine beauty editors writing that they all fight to see who can expertly apply makeup the best ,in order to look completely free of makeup--subtle eyeliner, lash tint, sheer face coverage and MLBB (for those not familiar with Makeup Alley, it stands for "my lips but better", a desirable achievement for lip color.)

I had a spectacular weekend. I got to spend time with a few of my closest friends, celebrating one's 30th birthday and having a reunion of our now long distance friendships. We get to talk about our beauty hang ups and achievements, and I find myself looking at each one and appreciating the beauty of each. We all look completely different, and the level of effort we put into our beauty routines is very different.

It made me think about being comfortable in my own skin. The reality is that I will never achieve perfection in my products...however much I try to assemble the perfect combinations. It doesn't stop me from enjoying my pursuit of perfect products, but it's nice to know that my own skin is just fine too.

A Perfectionist Disclaims

I have to start off my second blog already disclaiming the very title of "In Pursuit of Perfection." A few years ago, the editor of Glamour magazine's husband wrote the letter from the editor. One thing he said jumped out at me. He said he can't understand why women are never satisfied with themselves. We are always looking to better ourselves, and for ways to correct our flaws. This is so true of me.

As I've stated, I feel like I contradict myself constantly. I pursue perfection in every area of my life. On one hand, I recognize that my life in general will never be exactly the way I want it, and I choose to be thankful for what it is. That is one of the key lessons from my life as a sick person. On the other hand, I am an obsessive fan of self-improvement.

During this time of not being able to exercise, or better myself in traditional ways, researching for the HG beauty products gave me an odd sense of control and of bettering myself. The funny thing about me is that I don't even wear that much makeup. I do love having the options, though, and I love knowing which are the best options. I know I will never see my skin or eyelashes or hair as perfect, but I LOVE the pursuit of the perfection...

Shrine to the Shallow

And so begins my blog. As I sit in front of Real Housewives of New York, I am reminded that I am less shallow than the women on there. And even MORE, uh, less shallow than the Housewives of the OC (because that is correct grammar, kids.) That aside, my first blog is about nail polish. First of all, let me explain my insatiable thirst for all beauty products. Research has always been a hobby of mine. However, over two years ago, I went from being an active person to being a sick person. While I'm on the mend, I have spent intermittent periods of disability and unemployment glued to beauty blogs and forums. On Makeup Alley, my favorite source of user reviews for all makeup and beauty products, reviews include describing things as HG. It took me awhile to discover that it stood for "holy grail." Meaning, there is an HG of each type of product for each person. A few such HG's I have already found, but others...those I spend countless hours online and in Sephora searching for.

One HG is my absolute favorite color of nail polish. It is OPI My Auntie Drinks Chianti. A few years ago, I happened upon it in a nail salon. The weeks my toes sported its perfection, people stopped me everywhere raving about the color. How to describe it--violet, magenta, purple--none will come close. I ended up finding it online on a site selling discontinued OPI nail polish. I still love it.

The picture of me very cheesily giving my blog a thumbs up is an edgy, matte purple. It has gotten rave reviews, and even inspired Julia to purchase a purple (and in turn Julia inspired me to get on it and actually start my blog.)

Next up, my quest for the HG mascara...and the joy/agony of the search.