Weekend Makeover

Wow, am I glad this is a three-day weekend (thank you MLK Jr)!  I am still yearning for another cup of coffee at 4 in the afternoon, and have contemplated a nap on several occasions throughout the day.  Unlike normal weekends that typically consist of an evening or two out, some various tidying of the house, errands, and time with friends; this weekend was filled largely with family.  Now, for Jay and myself, most family events consist of driving, having some conversation about current events or computer issues, eating, and then more driving.  Not to say that we don't appreciate the time spent, but we have previously not taken the most active roles that we could have in family participation; probably partly due to distance, and partly due to the stage we are at in our lives (busy career, no kids, social demands, etc).  This weekend, we entered into a whole new level of family participation when we invited our teenage niece, Rachael, to come spend the night.

Previously having some experience being a teenage girl, I remember how fun my own aunts seemed, and how I valued their influence and different approaches to life.  They were really strong role-models for me (even if they didn't know it at the time), and I aspired to duplicate different parts of their lives in my own.  I suppose I took the one thing that they all gave to me that meant the most - their time, and wanted to pass that irreplaceable thing on to my own niece.  After previously working in the cosmetics industry myself, and having developed a crush on the artistry of it all, I thought it might be fun to share my love of the subject with someone who is just approaching that place of self-awareness, exploration, AND confusion, by taking her for her first 'makeover'.  To add to the fun, we were also tasked with finding a dress for an upcoming school dance, and visiting with my Dad, who had made a three hour drive into town for a visit.  Whew!  What a packed day it turned out to be!

We started our fun by having lunch at New York Deli with my Dad, who did not miss a bite even for this picture!

Jay and Rachael were able to refrain from eating for their photo op.

After lunch, it was on to the mall for 'Dress Quest 2011'.  Rachael looked super cute and sparkly in this fabulous sequin number, humoring me by trying something completely out of her comfort zone and looking so fabulous in it!

Dress number two was a little more demure, but still smokin hot ... what a  cute niece I have!

On to the makeover!  BIG thanks to my friend Jonye Cordova of Chanel Cosmetics, and Jonyegirl Faces Makeup Artistry for showing Rachael the ropes.  It was great to catch up with old and new friends for some much needed laughter.  (Check out Jonye's blog for the latest cosmetic tips and tricks)!

And voila ... Rachael looking polished and proper with her new look!

So, we didn't end up finding the perfect dress or shoes, but we did find the perfect lipstick and the perfect time spent together.  Until recently, I think I had forgotten how important an influence our friends and family members can have on us, and what it means to see that someone has enough of an interest in you to really care enough to go out of their way to show it.  There are so many pitfalls in life, that it's truly nice to know that there is someone (or hopefully more than one someone) that has had your back from day one, and will continue to have your back as far as you can see into the future.  Having grown up feeling quite connected to my extended family, and developing special friendships over the years, I realized this weekend that not only do I miss and need their personal involvement in my life, but also that they might want and need mine.  I have always know what a makeover can do for one's self esteem and personal outlook, but I had never really contemplated how much a makeover in the cosmetics department could truly inspire a reconnection with those around us that are most important.