Seattle in June; Father's Day, Best Friends (3/3)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

This is the third and final post for my trip to Seattle. I wrapped up my stay with a nice at-home dinner for Father's Day, and caught up with my friend, Zach. Sunday night, my sister went up to Saint Mark's Cathedral for Compline. Afterward, an organ performance major from Pacific Lutheran University gave a mini-recital. I'll add in the photos and audio from that once I get it sorted out.

Lazy fruit tart: graham cracker crust, cheesecake pudding, 

strawberries, mandarin oranges, kiwi

I make good use of the macro smart mode on my camera

Filet Mignon, Steamed Artichoke, Artisan Bread

Flowers from Pike Place Market

Chrysanthemums from my Dad's garden

"This one is nice,"

...

"but this captures us perfectly."

Pastries from Vosen's Bread Paradise German Bakery in Salt Lake City

Seattle in June; Snoqualmie Falls, Downtown Seattle (2/3)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

There are two major reasons why I rarely update my blog:

1. I don't do exciting things or take photos on a regular basis
2. I hate editing photos.

That being said, I'm rather proud of myself for get photos from my trip edited and uploaded within a week afterward. Hooray for productivity!

Snoqualmie Falls

more falls...

Even more falls, this time with a dark filter.

Base of the Falls, from the safety of the viewing platform.

It's a bit nostalgic, seeing sunlight filter through the leaves of a big leaf maple tree.

Because smiling and looking at the camera is so not vogue.

47.611365, -122.345138 in Seattle.

Chocolate macaron from Le Panier at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Strawberry macaron from Le Panier at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Grape leaves from Falafel King at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

First time visiting The Freemont Troll in Freemont, Seattle.

Greenlake, Seattle.

Seattle in June; Traveling, Graduation (1/3)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

I flew back to Seattle last week to attend my sister's hooding and commencement ceremonies for her Master's of Education, and also to spend Father's Day with my Dad. Somehow, my parents and I were able to keep it a surprise that I was coming until I got there. It was around 60F and drizzling most of the trip, but I still enjoyed my time there.

Leaving SLC

Heading West over the Cascades

Seattle

UW-T Campus; Downtown Tacoma is a mixture of old  brick buildings like this one, and newer modern-style buildings. I think it's a rather interesting combination.

People confuse the two of us all the time...even though we're nearly polar opposites.

Mmm...buttercream frosting.

Gotta love port cities and their hills.

Post-Hooding dinner at Harmon Brewery & Eatery with some of  the graduates from my sister's program.

This is half a order of fish and chips; it looks small but it's probably 6-8oz of fish. The fries were coated in parmesan and tasted amazing.

Commencement in the Tacoma Dome; included both Master's and Bachelor's degree recipients.

[Giveaway Ended] ToppDogg Special Album Arario Giveaway

NOTICE:The giveaway is now over. Congratulations to twitter user _VIXXETERNITY_ on winning!

Gold and Green

My camera having "beauty mode" may or may not have influenced my decision to buy it.

Face: 

Physicians Formula Conceal Rx Concealer - Soft Green

Physicians Formula Super CC+ Powder SPF 30 - Light

L'oreal TrueMatch Crayon Concealer - Fair/Light (W1-2-3)

Eyes:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Greed

Maybelline Eyestudio Eyeshadow - 90 Irrisistibly Ivy

Covergirl Lashblast Clumpcrusher - Very Black (Water Resistant)

WetnWild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner - 884 Espresso

Three cheers for single-palette eyeshadow looks.

Brows look a little wonky because I forgot to powder them before filling them in. I'm back to wearing Eucerin's Aquaphor every day because Acutane makes my skin really dry. Not powdering my brows before filling them in results in shiny brows. Oops. Also, I don't curl my lashes because I'm lazy. And they stand out a lot if I do, because they're so long.

xx

Mary

p.s. I cut my hair. I love it.

Easter Dinner

Deviled Eggs, Lamb Loin Chop, Rice and Lentil Pilaf

Angel Food Cake, topped with Strawberry Glaze

I don't have much to say about Easter. The lamb was probably the best I've ever had (sorry mom, dad) and the pilaf turned out surprisingly well. If I had had the time, I would have made my own strawberry glaze. Red food dye isn't my thing.

xx

Mary

Robin Egg Nest Cupcakes

For Easter this year, I decided to make these fun cupcakes as a treat! They're pretty self-explanatory, but here's how to make them.

Quick update + OOTD

I did my presentation for my Literature Review today. My topic is "The Effects of Anxiety and Depression on Academic Achievement", specifically the anxiety [and depression] that come about as a stress response to academics. 

Afterward I had a great mini-discussion with a guy who is doing his lit review on ADHD in adults. He made an interesting point about how the symptoms are similar for anxiety and ADHD, but if a boy and a girl exhibiting the same symptoms were treated, the boy is more likely to be treated for a type of ADHD while the girl is treated for anxiety. Yes, research shows that more boys are diagnosed than girls with ADHD but who's to say that they're all correct diagnoses. Maybe some of those boys just have anxiety. 

OOTD: 01.26.14

I was feeling like trash (that statement could mean so many things, honestly) so I put some effort(???) into dressing up for church. I left my black flats (my only black dress shoes at the moment) in Washington so that cuts out about 1/2 my wardrobe for church. I haven't worn this blouse much due to the odd cut on the bottom (it comes to about mid-thigh in the back on me). I have a plain black long-sleeve roundneck shirt on under the blouse to add warmth and make it "modest".  The coat is actually a recent purchase (as in 01.25 lol) but it's already clearanced down to 70% and we've had them since November, so technically it's "old".

Coat: Target (Merona) [old]

Shirt: Target (xhilaration)[old]

Skirt: Fred Meyer (JohnPaulRichard) [old]

Shoes: Jeffrey Campell Lita in Brun [old]

Necklace: H&M [old]

---

Foundation: Revlon Colourstay Normal/Dry in 150Buff

Powder: Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Translucent

Bronzer: Rimmel London Natural Bronzer in 021 Sun Light

Blush: L'oreal True Match Blush in C1-2 Baby Blossom

Brows: e.l.f. Matte Lip Colour in Rich Red
Sonia Kashuk 2013Holiday Eye on Neutral-Matte/Shimmer palette, shadow 5x3

Eyeshadow: Sonia Kashuk 2013Holiday Eye on Neutral-Matte/Shimmer palette, shadows 1x2,1x4,3x4

Eyeliner: wetnwild H20Proof liquid eyeliner in 881

Mascara: Covergirl Clump Crusher by lashblast (water resistant) in Very Black

Lips: Benefit Lollitint

photos from winter break

 So good to see these two again xx

Make sure you have your volume up for this

(Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" is playing when I come out of the closet)