Fine Shine

I was so fortunate to shoot with my beautiful friend Nicole Busch again. She is immensely talented so definitely go and check out her work here. Anyway, I thought I would post a dressier look which happens to feature a lot of my favorite pieces from my wardrobe currently. The skirt that I am wearing is actually a midi skirt that I purchased around this time last year. For this look, I rolled it up at the top to make it the length that I wanted. I am really loving turtleneck sweaters at the moment and this little black number is from Urban Outfitters. That pink furry bag I am wearing pretty much explains itself. I mean, what is not to love about a fluffy baby pink cross body? Black pointed pumps are such a closet staple and the ones I am wearing here are from Steve Madden. I just got my hair cut again and I am still absolutely loving the shorter length! The vampy lips can be attributed to Rebel by MAC. 

As this year is coming to a close, I just want to thank anyone who has ever read or viewed my blog! This site is such a positive outlet for me and it is always so nice to receive nice feedback about it. I really look forward to seeing where Life on Lotus takes me in the new year and I am already so inspired to post a lot of exciting content. This year, I started putting a lot more of myself into these posts and some of my thoughts come directly out of my journal. I have enjoyed sharing more of my opinions and feelings on here and I think this blog has slowly started to become a more accurate depiction of who I am. Here is a final thank you for reading and further inspiring me to do this and I will see you in the new year. Have fun and stay safe. 

xx Michelle

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A quote to guide you into the new year ~

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." - recently read in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 

Cleansing with oil?

Oil cleansers always seems a little contradictory to me. I mean, you typically cleanse your skin to remove the oil your skin has built up so the concept of using oil to remove oil seemed a little odd. I am always dabbling into new skin care products and I have now developed a decent understanding of cleansing oils. I stuck with some lower end options, but both higher and lower end brands offer similar products. The two I tried were from The Body Shop and Garnier. Both look and feel like an oil, but they smell lovely and lather up slightly when you rub the oil between your hands. The oil consistency really helps remove all the makeup on your skin and I even use it gently to remove my eye makeup, including my waterproof eyeliner. From what I have gathered, cleansing oil is just a very nourishing alternative to cleansing. It cleanses your skin and leaves your skin supple once you're done. I still like to do a quick wash with a normal gel cleanser once I finish with this, because it does leave an oil residue on my skin after. Because of that, it does seem like just an extra, unnecessary step sometimes. But when my skin feels irritated or dry, it is nice to remove my makeup with something more nourishing opposed to just using a gel cleanser or makeup remover. I think cleansing oil is great for the winter months or for anyone who experiences dry skin - it will clean your skin while the oil puts moisture back into your skin. I recommend both the Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil and The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. Both are great quality and affordable, especially if cleansing oil is new to your skincare regimen. 

 I am still very much a beauty product junkie, so I am definitely making a mental note to write more of these types of posts. 

Hope you enjoyed.

xx Michelle

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twitter - @itsmemichelleg

Grey

The world is not simply black and white - it's extremely grey.

I just keep running into this idea when there is no right or wrong answer to anything. What is the "right" way to go about dating someone? Grey. What is the answer to social justice issues? Grey. What is the solution to all the material covered in my women studies class? Grey. This is sometimes really frustrating for me when I am looking for a particular answer, yet I also find it somewhat comforting. These "grey areas" are open for interpretation and there is always a different, perhaps better way to approach something. It is also quite comforting to know that there isn't really a wrong way to do something, you just attempted one of the methods possible in this vast "grey area" and you can always try again. 

In regards to this outfit, I think this look directly parallels my thoughts and feelings as of lately. I also dressed this way in response to the cold and rainy weather we have finally been given in Southern California! I think we all needed it...the lakes and riverbeds, our over-worn sandals, and our sanity. The grey chunky knit is from Urban Outfitters. We have been given sweater weather, and Urban Outfitters has responded people. The dark wash denim is my new favorite pair from Zara and the hat was thrown on because I didn't feel like washing my hair. The glorious boots are by Stuart Weitzman, which I have already featured here and here. 

I have learned so much in 2014 and I look forward to more lessons and experiences in 2015. You will be reading a lot more from me in the new year as well! Hold me to it. 

xx Michelle

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twitter - @itsmemichelleg

Songs on repeat lately: Afterlife - Arcade Fire. All of nostalgia, ULTRA by Frank Ocean. I Forget Where We Were - Ben Howard. Dreams - Fleetwood Mac.