Favorite YouTuber Friday: LeighAnnSays

Hey y'all! I can't believe it is Friday once again and I am ready for the weekend (as always). It is time for another 'Favorite YouTuber Friday' moment. I always get excited when my twitter feed tells me that LeighAnnSays has a new video posted on her YouTube channel. She is seriously hilarious and is from Houston, which automatically makes me love her even more. Her channel has makeup tutorials, reviews, outfit of the day and anything else a girl might want (like hauls). She is absolutely stunning and her makeup tutorials are always realistic looks for a married, working woman like myself. I think I like watching her videos so much because she reminds me of one of my best friends due to her goofiness (as seen in her actual videos and bloopers) and she reminds me of home in Texas. Seriously, go check her out and tell her I sent you! Show her some love!  

 

Have a great weekend.

Be back soon.

B

Thankful Thursday

Hey y'all! Thursdays are the days I usually begin to lose sight of what is important throughout the week. I'm tired. I want to lie on the couch and watch crappy television. I begin to think about my lack of finances or the job I want, but do not have. I lose sight of God’s grace and all that he has given to me. To try and combat my human instinct to pity myself, I thought I could list some things I am thankful for this week.

I am thankful for J. I love him so much. Isn't he cute?!

 

Sweet flowers J brought home last Friday that brings a smile to my face every time I walk into the kitchen.

 

 

The cutest dog ever. Ellie. Ellie Mae. Eleanor.

 

 

I am also so thankful for my family. I love them so so much. Their support throughout my life has always made me feel secure enough to follow my dreams. I love you guys.

 

I have so much more to be thankful for...air conditioning, a job, a car and so so much more.

 

Make sure and count your blessings.

 

Be back soon.

B

About Me

Hey y'all! So I'm talking to my sister the other day about my new adventure: Tasteful Texan. She brought up some pretty great points like "um, hey do you have a 'about me' section? Because you need to explain where you are coming from and stuff." Well she is completely right. I just kinda dove into this blogging thing because I had so many ideas building up for months before I actually created the website. So thanks, sis. Here it goes.

My name is Brittani.
I was born and raised in Texas with one younger sister, my mom and dad.
I'm in my early twenties.
I have been married for about two and a half years.
J got a promotion through his job which required us to move to Chicago in December 2012. (That's right, us southerners moved to the north IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. Welcome to Chicago.)

So basically we are missing our families, hanging out with each other and figuring it out as we go along.

I chose to start a blog because:
1. I love reading them!
2. I wanted a place to document our adventure of living 14 hours away from everyone we know and love.
3. It sounded like fun. J used to be a webmaster for a small company so with his computer 'expertise' and my ability to talk about...well anything...I thought it would be a fun thing to do together.

The name 'Tasteful Texan' was created because my first choice (Misplaced Texans) was taken. The word tasteful means "having good taste" and some synonyms are classy, graceful and elegant. I wouldn't say those words describe me, but that is the vision I have for the blog and how I ultimately would like to be described.

There you have it. Hope this provides a little insight. I'm sure I will digress much more information the longer my blog stays alive.

Be back soon.
B

20 Books to Read in Your Twenties

Hey y'all! Recently I found a list on this website via Pinterest that had me very intrigued. The list was titled "20 Books to Read in Your Twenties." As I scrolled through the list I realized many of the books were novels I wanted to read, but never got around to doing. Welp, I am done procrastinating. No time like the present. Blah blah blah. You are only in your twenties for 10 years...so I better get on it, I guess. So throughout the next several weeks I will be making my way through the list and on Tuesdays for "Twenties Tuesday" I will provide a book review on a book I have finished OR I will update y'all on a book I am currently working on.

The list includes:
1. Girls In White Dresses by Jennifer Close
2. On the Outside Looking Indian by Rupinder Gill
3. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche
4. How to Raise a Boyfriend by Rebecca Eckler
5. 50 Shades of Grey by E L James
6. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
8. It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken by Greg Behrendt & Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt
9. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
10.The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
11. Magnified World by Grace O'Connell
12. Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan
13. Have Him at Hello by Rachel Greenwald
14. One Day by David Nicholls
15. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
16. Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
17. The Girls by Lori Lansens
18. The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald
19. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
20. The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne

While some might not apply to me (since I am a very young, married twenty), I know I will enjoy others. I am most looking forward to:

 

Let me know if you have read any of the books on the "20 Books to Read in Your Twenties" list.

Be back soon.

B

 

Ombre Nail Tutorial

Hey y'all! Aren't three day weekends glorious!? Saturday night after a great day of shopping, eating Lou Malnati's and going to see Epic in theaters J and I settled in to watch the Spurs game. While he intensely watched (I'm a Mavericks fan), I decided to try out Allison's nail tutorial from her YouTube channel: Amarixe. The ombre trend is hanging on for dear life and I love it! She used pinks and yellows for her ombre effect, but I decided to fade from dark blue to purple to white. I really love how the look turned out.

 

This set was made exclusively for Merle Norman back in 2011. It includes Hussy, Alpine Snow, Yoga-ta Get This Blue and a top coat. 

I used Alpine Snow and Yoga-ta Get This Blue for this look.

 

 

Final look.

 

Go check out her channel for a complete tutorial. Maybe try out a red, white and blue ombre in spirit of Memorial Day?

 

I would like to thank all those (past and present) who have served our country in order protect our freedoms. I am eternally grateful.

 

Be back soon.

B

Favorite YouTuber Friday: Jaclynhill1

Hey y’all! I first started watching Jaclyn when I saw her foundation routine pinned on Pinterest and since then I have loved watching all of her makeup tutorials. She is so beautiful, easy to watch and her experience as a professional makeup artist makes me trust her opinion even more. Her sarcasm will keep you laughing, but her ‘tell it like it is’ attitude will make you respect her. I have enjoyed every single one of her videos! Check her out.

Have a great long weekend!
Be back soon.
B

"Commencement" by J. Courtney Sullivan

Check it out

 

This novel follows the lives of four friends transitioning into womanhood after meeting at an all-girls college and struggling to make their friendships last the tests of time, other relationships and separation.

I couldn't put it down. I'm a chick flick reader (don't judge), but this book also incorporated major issues such rape and sex trafficking. Another reason I was so enthralled was that it seemed realistic to me that a group of four girls from such different walks of life would come together and that the different ‘dramatic’ events that happened to each girl seemed to be events that was secretly happening to girls I knew in real life. Most chick flick book scenarios are: boy meets girl, they fall in love, boy breaks up with girl, boy realizes he can’t live without her and then boy sweeps girl off her feet and the live happily ever after (insert periodic steamy sex scenes). While the book addressed all the cliché chick flick stereotypes, it also created a sense of sisterhood that I have yet to determine is realistic in my own life. It created a sense of comfort at the possibility, but mostly skepticism.

Be warned: the book addresses other controversial issues such as equal rights, homosexuality and uses profanities. The types of books people read are so personal and I do not want to offend anyone by recommending a book they end up hating. Just putting it out there.

Be back soon.

B

  

Oklahoma Prayers

Hey y'all! I just wanted to take today to send thoughts and prayers to those suffering from the devastation caused by the storms and tornado in Oklahoma. I can only imagine the sense of loss whether it is loss of life, possessions or security. The Lord is our greatest comforter and I have to trust that he will be with these families during their grieving and hardships.

The Red Cross is also taking monetary donations to help those in need. Check this out. Anything helps.

Don’t forget to say an extra prayer tonight for those families who lost a child, father, mother or other loved. They need our extra love tonight and many more nights to come. I want our country to remember our recent tragedies. If it doesn’t happen in our town, we keep it relevant for about a week and then move on. I can guarantee that the families in Newtown, Boston, West and other cities affected by tragedies have not completely healed. Don’t forget. Keep sending up prayers and offering personal time and money.

Be back soon.
B

 

6 Steps of Makeup

Hey y'all! I have become one of those girls that have to at least put on some makeup before going out into the world. My mom always says "You never know who you are going to meet, so you better look like you want to look." Pretty great advice if you ask me. I decided to throw together a make-up post to show my morning routine when I’m not in a rush.

 

Don't let it scare the children.

Merle Norman

Face Makeup: Rimmel Match Perfection/Maybelline Concealer/Merle Norman Ultra Powder Foundation/Beauty Blender/Kabuki Brush

Under Eye Concealers: Ulta Double Duty Concealer/ Covergirl Concealer

 

 

Lips: Ulta Perfect Nude/ Sugar Frosting Lip Butter

 

Eye Makeup: elf Eyeshadow Palette/ Falsies Maskara/NYC Liquid Liner/Covergirl Maskara/Ulta Brow Gel/Merle Norman "Pennies From Heaven" Eyeshadow/Ulta "Bronze" Liner

 

Bronzer/Blush/Highlight

 

 

Finished product

 

In other news, errand running was successful today. Hobby Lobby provided me with some clearance frames and other crafty things (pictures soon!) that I have been putting off getting for a long time. I also got my library card! I picked up “Commencement” and “Maine” by J. Courtney Sullivan. Reviews will be on the way as soon as I finish them because there is nothing like a good book. Grocery shopping was also on the list of things to do today, which I do not enjoy. A full fridge keeps a girl happy though.

Be back soon.
B

Weekend.

Hey y'all. I love the weekend. Don't you? My husband is home and we get to hang out. I get to cook good food with no rushing. Vegging on the couch and napping is no longer prohibited like it is during the week. Catching up on my favorite blogs and YouTube videos is always on my list for a relaxing weekend. I love the weekend.

Being a 'misplaced' Texan in Illinois causes me to want to spend the whole day outside since it has finally reached 80°. I can begin to thaw from the winter that I was NOT used to and thought was never going to end. J and I woke up and had breakfast and then took Ellie on a nice long walk around the neighborhood. This next part is exciting...we went golfing. I don't really know if you would call it golfing. It was more like smacking the little white ball then searching/losing it in the trees. It was really fun to hang out together, laugh and drive the golf cart.

Now, let's talk food. J's favorite food is anything Italian, but particularly Chicken Parmesan. I made a little Chicken Parmigiano Reggiano for my darling on Saturday night, but I am most proud of the roast I cooked for Sunday lunch. Our apartment smelled so good when we came home from church! Roast. Potatoes. Carrots. Yum.

The countdown until Memorial Day weekend has already begun.

Be back soon.
B

Shopping Addiction

Hey y'all! Let's get one thing out in the open from the very beginning...I can't stop shopping. I mean, we aren't going into debt or anything, but I love to buy stuff. Watching YouTube videos and reading every reasonable "fashion" blog known to man is feeding my obsession because every time a beauty guru suggests or raves about a product I feel the need to purchase it. That's the point right?

Today the damage was done at Marshalls and Target. Not too much damage, but just enough for me to be excited about the things I got!

 



Of course, J (my husband) didn't like the wallet I found for him so I will be returning to Marshalls in the near future.  I'm sure you will hear much more about my shopping endevors in the near future. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Be back soon.
B

Slow Start...

Hey y'all! I wanted to get into a routine of posting everyday...even if it's just a little something. I can't wait to get started. There is nothing like trying to start a blog while watching the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. Love.

Be back soon!

Howdy!

Welcome to the Tasteful Texan. We're just getting started, so check back soon (like tomorrow (no, seriously)) for some great stuff!