Seriously Springy! New Season + Luvocracy + Giveaway!

I am SO HAPPY to announce that IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

We made it, you guys.

For those that don't know, I am a ping pong ball. I've moved from Ohio to Florida and back twice - I just landed back here in December, as Mr. Doctor received a lovely fellowship for university. My inner islander was quite cranky to come back to snow, let me tell you! So finally, finally seeing longer days and warmer weather is FANTASTIC!

In celebration of SPRING SPRING SPRING, and fully embracing the fact that I'm a bit of a closet beauty addict, I'm going to share my Spring Essentials! Some are things I use every day that I think will translate to a nice fresh Spring look, and some are things that look so perfect for the season that I might just *have* to order them…and maybe you will, too! I'm including images from my Luvocracy collection for Spring, Seriously Springy - more on that below, be sure to make it to the bottom for a surprrriiiseeee! :D
 
BEAUTY!

I love a fast, fresh face for my everyday look. My skin staples don't change much, but my current look works great for Spring. I use Nars Orgasm, a super flattering peachy pink blush, on my eyelids and the apples of my cheeks. I use shimmery brown shades in my crease and to line my upper lid - like those in the Naked 2 palette by Urban Decay. Then I take a creamy black liner, and tightline the inside of my upper eyelid. It doesn't weigh your eyes down - and it makes you look instantly more awake! Finally, finish with a moisturizing balm and a fun pink gloss.

 

BODY!

Scents. Good, happy, bright scents that make you feel energetic and lovely. I am loving Bath and Body Work's Pink Chiffon Body Spray, I use a spritz every day out of the shower and sometimes at night to refresh myself - sometimes I even put it with my perfume. It's light, and delicious. 

It's also important to stay moisturized as you'll be revealing more skin as the months go on - a great lotion, like Lush's Karma Kream (splurge!) will make sure your skin stays smooth and sexy. Bonus: It's scented amazingly well - I always, always get compliments when I wear it (from men AND women!) And I notice an improved skin tone when I use it, too!

FASHION!

LAYERING is the name of the game! Ohio can be Hawaii one second, and Alaska the next. Or close to it. So light layering options are the way to go - and it works for most climates! I am loving kimono style cardigans in light fabrics, and skirts. I'd recommend splurging on a chic floral print, and a good staple color like black and navy for either of these styles. Mix and match them, try dressing them up for work or dressing them down with a boyfriend tee for errands and hanging out. This look is from H&M - the Jersey skirt is $5.99! I prefer a little longer, but what a steal!

Lastly, round out your Spring Wardrobe by refreshing your jewelry box with a little new bling - find a statement piece of costume jewelry that you ABSOLUTELY love, and incorporate it into your daily looks for an instant sunny pick me up.

You can find the products I mentioned below in my Luvocracy "Seriously Springy" collection, along with a few other items that I'm currently loving. Check out my Luvocracy Profile to see the items I Luv, including those in this collection. If you've never used Luvocracy, it's a site where you can share fashion and beauty favorites (among other amazing products!) AND easily purchase them. Luvocracy will find the lowest price for you, making it super easy.

AND! HERE'S THE MOST EXCITING PART! Luvocracy has partnered with me for a little cheeky giveaway - they're offering a chance to win a $10 Credit to my readers! The giveaway ends Mon, March 24. Winners will be notified via email on Tuesday, April 1. See the Giveaway Rules for more details, and good luck!

What are your Spring staples? Share with me below! + Be sure to comment if you join the giveaway!

Thanks, everyone, and HAPPY SPRING!

Creative Challenge #2 Extension + apologies!

Hallo, all!

I'm extending Creative Challenge #2 (Cooking) for another week. We'll start on a new topic early next week. Shortly after I'm going to work on reformatting these, making it a little more intriguing. Pushing back the deadline partly due to little interest, and partly for personal reasons - a relative went into the hospital at the end of last week, while I was out of town...too much was going on! Luckily, all's well - I'm just behind.

So! Next week we'll wrap up this challenge. And soon, they - and the blog in general - will be getting a facelift. Exciting!

Things to come: More beauty content, a birthday wrap up, and more art - somebody got some watersoluble oils gifted to her recently. Somebody being me. Wooooo!

Take care, all! See you soon!

<3K

Creative Challenge #2: Cooking!

Ittttt's Creative Challenge Monday! 
(deja vu, deja vu, deja vu? I really need to create a graphic set for these challenges.)

For a recap on the S?S! Creative Challenge click this pretty little link right here right now.

This weeks Challenge idea was submitted by my gorgeous, talented and brilliant writer friend, Liana!

"What about like. Cooking? Because it could get people to cook things. Or. Draw a cake DRESS. OR WRITE SOMETHING ABOUT CAKE!!!! ...I don't know?" - Sounds good enough to me!
(This is what people sound like when you push them for ideas. Get used to it, people.)

So this week, your Challenge is to create a new piece of art in the theme of COOKING. If haute cuisine is your medium, go for it - send me a picture! Or draw food, stitch food, sing food, record yourself performing an interpretive dance inspired by food - just get it done, and get it to me by Sunday, March 9th. Don't let the Challenge win!

You can send your entries to me in a comment below, or tweet @lakiki #seriouslysparklycc and your entry will be added to next week's results post. You will always receive credit - this is about inspiring each other to create, not taking work! Feel free to link your website / blog to your entry so I can share it. And if you have any ideas for upcoming challenges, comment or tweet them and we'll see if we can make it happen!

Disclaimer: Try to keep things work safe - this blog features art, and the human form IS art, so I can fully warn you a little bit of human body will show up as time goes on. But overtly sexual material won't be included in the Challenge posts, and nudity may be censored in thumbnail for younger readers. The same goes for linking to your page/blog - violent, overly sexual or hateful material won't be linked to.

Thanks, everyone, and GO CREATE!

If you're enjoying the Kristi experience (and who the hell wouldn't?), feel free to follow me on Blogger, Bloglovin' or Google Friend Connect on the right hand of the page to keep your day filled with all things Seriously? and Sparkly! You can also +1 this on Google+. Great new things are coming up - or my name isn't Earl.

What, it could be Earl. You don't know me. Yet.

<3E

J/K, <3K

Creative Challenge #1: TV Show - Results!

It's Creative Challenge Monday!(Pretend there's a pretty banner here. I should do that before next week. PRETEND HARD!)

In case you're completely lost, here's the Creative Challenge #1 post that explains the process & inspiration behind the weekly challenges.

Last week, I challenged everyone to create a piece of art inspired by the theme of TV. I was really pleased to find that I got a few comments, and even two submissions! I also have people promising to join Challenge #2 - and I'll hold you to it, guys!

The first person to play along was Grant. He wrote a haiku about the show "Chopped". Have you seen it? It's is a really fun show on Food Network, where four contestants battle to get through appetizer, entree and dessert rounds. There are four mysterious ingredients in each round's basket that YOU HAVE TO USE - and they're often really wild. He wrote:

"What is in the box?
Gummy bears, taro, fish sticks,
Get set for a meal!"

The best part is that this could totally be one of the baskets! Thanks, Grant!

The next submission was from the lovely Ms. Amber.

"I find it fundamentally strange / you're not a dessert person / that's just weird and it / freaks me out"

Amber said: "It's based off of New Girl. It's so simple, I will do better next week! Lol :))"

This is adorable, and so much fun! Amber really has a talent for doodles and text art, and she combined them beautifully in a fun print. I hope she does many, many more! And I totally agree - it freaks me out, too.

Finally, I had been wanting to start a small painting inspired by the Game of Thrones character Tyrion Lannister. I made a super quick sketch rough or what I was thinking of.

Booze and women, what a rascal! Tyrion the Imp.

Did I mention it was rough? In the books, they talk about how absolutely grotesque "The Imp" is. But the actor, Peter Dinklage, is really handsome :D I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go, so he sort of came out like a drunk child. Were it not for the Challenge, I'd not share this first rough...but hey! I played along and made something...and that's the whole point.

Congratulations to everyone who participated and kicked the challenge's butt! Next Creative Challenge topic coming very, very soon! Ridiculously soon. I should schedule these better. No matter. ONWARD!

<3K