Want to be a Model?

Okay, I have had a lot of people ask me how MacKenzie was signed to Tabb Models.

I will start from the beginning, and give some tips on what to do and what NOT to do.

It all started when I was hired to work at a little family owned boutique called Fourth and White Oak. It was a brand spankin' new store when I was hired... I think it had been open for 2 days! Anyway, I had also made a business connection with a photographer who was also pretty new at the time. I thought it would be really cool if we did a photo shoot to show off the clothes and my bosses agreed. Long story short, we rounded up some of our friends, slapped some makeup on 'em and my photographer friend Brandon Burton showed up to shoot them. MacKenzie was one of our models and she loved it. She told me she wanted to model all the time, and I agreed to get her signed.

As my makeup career grew, so did my connections. This is where my advice comes in and you can take it or leave it. This is what worked for us.

1. I was very picky about who MacKenzie could shoot with. I have a certain "no shoot" list that are basically No-No's. Choose to be picky!

2. MacKenzie was 13 when this process began. She was 15 when we signed the contract. Be patient! If this is your passion, then don't give up. We had interviewed with another agency in the OKC area and they turned her down. If she had been 2 inches taller, they would've signed her right then and there. But it turned out okay because we love her agency now!

3. We tend to shoot with a certain type of photographer. Classy. Elegant. NOT creepy. If they seem creepy, they probably are. NEVER GO BY YOURSELF TO A SHOOT. This is so important! Especially in this business, you may meet up with a complete stranger in an area foreign to you. Bring mom, boyfriend, best friend, sister, anyone. If the photographer acts put out by this, then he/she may not be the best person to shoot with. Most male photographers want a witness at the shoot... It protects them, too!

4. Now, when looking to shoot with a photographer, look at their pictures. Have you found cheesy, weird or just plain bad photos in their portfolio? Then don't shoot with them. You don't want that crap in your portfolio!

5. You will need to have nice head shots and body shots taken. Natural, "no-makeup" look, body hugging clothing... People want to see those pictures and think, "Wow, she looks beautiful with no makeup!" You may need to hire a makeup artist for this. If you aren't good at your makeup, then find someone who is good.

6. Okay, to address the skeezy photos I see around Facebook all the time. Do you want to do porn? Do you want to be in Playboy? Does your dream involve nude modeling? No? THEN STOP TAKING NUDIE, SUGGESTIVE PHOTOS. That is all you will ever be contacted about!!! Even if being a Victoria's Secret model is your dream, don't do those kind of photos! Do you see Pam Anderson modeling for VS? No, you don't. (I mean, I get that she totally doesn't have that body type, but you get what I mean.)
Example: Karlie Kloss is a supermodel who did tons of classier shoots. She was in Teen Vogue for goodness' sake. She did her share of edgier stuff, but kept away from non-classy shoots. Now she models for Victoria's Secret. Just sayin'. If you want, take some boudoir pictures. But keep them classy. You know the difference when you see them.

7. Be persistent. This is the best advice I can give. It sounds cheesy, but just don't give up if this is truly what you want.

8. Don't harass the agency you are contacting though... That's just weird.

Again, this is just my advice based on my experience in this business; you can take it or leave it!
You can e-mail me with any questions you may have.

morgan.makeupartist@yahoo.com

Good luck!
Morgan

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How To Be a Bride

How to Be a Bride

Prep List for the “Big Day.”

So you’re engaged… Congratulations! Your wedding day will not only be one of the most exciting days of your life, but it will also be the most photographed. To be glowing and ready on the big day, you will need to follow a few simple steps.

1.  You will need to contact your hair stylist and makeup artist as soon as possible. Most Hair and Makeup Artists are booked at least 6 months to a year in advance. Do your research. Ask for examples of their work. And for goodness’ sakes, hire a pro.

2. You will most likely do a test run of your hair and makeup. I personally like to do them about a month out. Let your makeup artist know if you plan on getting spray tanned, or will be tanning. This will most likely change your foundation color, so they will need to be prepared for any changes. 

3. Ask questions; don’t be afraid to ask for a couple different looks if you aren’t sure what you like best! If you don’t like something, please tell your hair stylist or makeup artist. It won’t hurt our feelings, I promise.

4.  If you are going to get a facial before the big day, you need to get it at least 1-2 weeks before the big day. A facial can cause redness, irritation, and sometimes your skin will get worse before it gets better. Give it time to heel up so you will be glowy on the big day. Also, go to a pro!

5. Eyebrows should be done about 3 days to a week before the big day. This allows time for the redness to die down, as well as any subsequent break-outs or shiny-ness. IF YOU ARE SPRAY TANNING: Ask your eyebrow lady and your spray tan artist when to get your eyebrows done! You don't want to wax off your spray tan!

6. Teeth bleaching should be done according to the directions on the package. Don’t try to use 20 Crest White strips in one day… It doesn’t work like that!

7. On the big day, you will need to eat and drink plenty of water. Most brides forget to do both and they end up feeling awful on their wedding day. Of course, you will need to brush your teeth, wash your face, take a shower, (Don’t wash your hair the day of unless your hairdresser says otherwise!!!!) and MOISTURIZE. This is so important to do, especially on your face. It creates a nice, smooth base for the foundation to sit on. Also, exfoliate your lips, and then apply lip balm.

8. Seriously though, follow your own personal hair dresser’s and makeup artist’s instructions for how they want your hair and face to look the day of. If they say, “Don’t wash your hair on the same day, please!” then wash your hair the night before. Trust us. If you hire a pro, they know what they are doing and wouldn’t let you look bad! 

These are my basic Bridal instructions… Even if you don’t hire a hair stylist or makeup artist, following these basic steps will help create a great foundation for your wedding day!

Good luck! 

Morgan

Conversations with my Dad

What Are Your Goals?

Last night, I was sitting in the living room with my younger sister Madison and my Dad. 

Now, my Dad has always been one of the smartest people I know.

I mean, I'm pretty sure he is actually James Bond. 

His name is James Black...and I have no idea what he actually does for a living...

But anyway, Madison and I had been talking a lot about feeling restless in our lives.

I know she has her reasons that I won't share because it's not my place to say, but I have been feeling a restless in my heart and couldn't put my finger on it.

Then last night, I read a quote that read something like:

“It has been said that we need just three things in life: Something to do, Something to look forward to and someone to love.”

It hit me! I have been missing something to look forward to!

When I was in college, I was excited for Makeup School. 

Then I was excited for my license.

Now I have my Cosmetician license and I feel at a stand still.

When I told my Dad this, he asked if I had written down my goals and I said I hadn't. 

So he told me I need to think of the biggest goals I could and that everything I have aspired to and worked towards I have achieved. The only thing that holds me back is my own small goals. 

Well, this just about blew my mind!! 

So last night I wrote them down.

Some of them seem way too crazy, but it's like my dad said, 

"You need to aim big because even if you don't hit the target, you'll still do something great." 

Or it's like that kind of cheesy saying in all the classrooms I've ever been in.

"Aim for the moon because even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."

(I wish I had recorded my Dad because he is much more eloquent than I represented him!)

Here are some of my goals:

1. Work for a major modeling agency

2. Have my hair and makeup on a major magazine cover

3. Own a hair and makeup studio

4. Travel to every state

5. Run a 5K

6. Pay off my student loans

7. Do makeup for New York Fashion Week

8. Be a speaker at the IMAT's.

9. Own a home out right

10. Pay cash for a car

11. Be financially able to just work as a hair/MUA within the year 

12. Participate in a pageant.

Some of these are scary for me to share, but I think it is a good thing to put them out there, for accountability's sake!

I'd love to know some of your goals, too!

All my love, Morgan

It's Been a Long Time

Since I posted last and a lot has changed!

 I went back and read my last post to see where I left off.

I will try to sum it up for you:

1. I graduated from Rose State with an A.A. of History. 

2. I went to Italy for 2 weeks with my sister. I was ridiculously sick the first 4 days (pretty much the whole time I was in Rome!) and also didn't sleep more than 12 hours over a 9 day period, so I have been dubbed the worst travel partner EVER. With good reason though... I accept my title! Ha ha.

3. I started attending Clary Sage College's Cosmetician Program starting back in September. It is a 20 week program, and I am in the middle of my 18th week back in school. It is probably the best decision I have ever made. I will talk more about my experiences there later though! 

 

(Some of my work and such from Clary Sage!)

4. After a year long effort to help my sister MacKenzie break into the modeling business, she has entered into negotiations with Tabb Models and will sign a contract with them very soon. I am not only ridiculously proud of her, but I am also relieved! I did a lot of work booking shoots, contacting and arranging meetings with agencies, etc. I loved it, but I am so glad she has an industry expert representing her now! 

(Model: MacKenzie....Photo: Kenn Perry....MUA/H: Me, Morgan Black)

5. I was nominated for OKC's Makeup Artist of the Year, too! Which was pretty dang exciting!

(My models at the RAW SemiFinals Show!)

This blog is entitled, "Morgan Turns Twenty" but I am Twenty-One now! And I will be turning 22 this year. My twenties so far have been like a mental puberty, I guess. That is the best way I can describe it! 

In the past, I had felt like I must be doing something wrong because my friends were getting married and having babies or pursuing their Bachelors' Degree. 

I'm just in a different place in life than them! And Gosh dang it, I am young. Marriage and Babies and Degrees can wait while I pursue my dreams and goals and career ambitions. 

That is what is right for me, Morgan Black, but it could be different for you.

That is what your twenties are all about!

You can bet I have had a stressful, but amazing 2012. And I can't wait for 2013. 

I can't promise I will update everyday, or even every week!

But blogging will be a priority again.

Writing is like a therapy, a prayer, for me and I have missed it!

With all my love, Morgan

Facebook: www.facebook.com/faceonfaceoff 

Twitter: @MorganBlackMUA

Instagram: morganmakeupartist

Favorite Thursdays

I've been so busy lately, with wedding season and lots of other shoots, that it has been difficult to write anything! Even my article for BBP Magazine was last minute.

I'm not proud of that either!

I wanted to talk about some of my favorite things...and some of my not so favorite things haha.

This week, I had a TF (time-for, basically means unpaid) shoot with a photographer I had never worked for before. We'll call him Phil. He offered to do a TF shoot with me sometime, if I ever wanted to. Well, I did have a shoot in mind! Now, I can't tell you all the things he said because it will give away who this photog is. I don't want to ruin his rep, I just wanted to tell a story.

So after he was rude to one of my models, he continued to do rude things throughout the shoot, but not before he told me to hold his sunglasses.

Ok, I just have to say something: I AM NOT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT, NOR AM I YOUR MAN-PURSE.

I do not mind helping every once in a while, especially if asked nicely, but he shoved his glasses at me and then proceeded to be so rude that I cut the shoot short.

You may be thinking, "Well, sheesh, Morgan, what's the point of this story?"

Well, while we were walking around, a part of his sunglasses must've fallen off!! Hahaha

I promise I didn't break them!

Let's just say he can no longer wear them! Hahahaha!

That was my favorite part of the whole shoot.

Thus, making it the favorite moment of the week so far.

My other favorites include:

-My sparkly star ring I got at a Buck Jewelry

-Pinteresting for shoot ideas

-Nice Photographers!!

-This really cool bronzer from Stila- Click here for Bronzer's link!

-Planning my move to a whole new city for Cosmetician school (EEEK!!!)

-Designing the matching tattoo with my sister that we'll probably never get! haha

-Hello Kitty anything!

Image: Google

-Feeling very content and restless at the same time

-Almost having your diploma!!

-The Red Dirt Daughters (http://www.reddirtdaughters.com/)

My not-favorites include:

-Wearing black and having your dog's hair stick to it!

-Pinteresting and coming across porn-ish images. Really, people?!

-RUDE Photogs.

-Looking a little TOO tan from over-bronzing haha

-Paying for the move to a new city...GULP

-Trying to eat healthier...I miss you, Toaster Strudels...

-Second day mascara that insists on clumping.

-Feeling so restless! I will be glad for some traveling next month.

-FINALS WEEK.

So this is my week so far!

With all my love, Morgan



ITALY!!!

Oh, Italy, I am so pumped to meet you!

Well, I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

I still have a little less than 2 months before I board my flight to Italy, never to return again!

Ok, just kidding, I'll be back in 2 weeks haha.

It looks like we will be seeing Naples, Pompeii, Rome, Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast...Oh, I am so excited.

(This is the Amalfi Coast)

The reason for my seemingly pointless bragging about this fabulous trip??

I was thinking about it, and this trip is like everything in life:

If you want something bad enough, you'll work your hiney off to do it.

I found out about a yeart ago that Matt was being stationed at Aviano Air Base in Northern Italy. Immediately, I knew I had to go!

It has not been easy to afford this trip.

I was in school full-time, working at the boutique, subbing and trying to build my own brand as a makeup artist.

I come from a family of hard-workers, but I would definitely say that I am not even close to being the hardest working one.

My point is, I KNEW Italy was a once-in-a-lifetime trip!

If I didn't work hard to save up, I might never get another chance.

It's like with my business: I want clients, so I'm persistant about e-mailing business contacts and even doing some TF work just to spread my name.

I'd bet money that every successful person out there would say the same thing: You have to work hard to get what you want.

I'm sorry for this kind of peppy sounding post...I know I've been down lately, but I've just been pretty happy and I'm even more so happy that all this hard work is about to pay off!

With all my love, Morgan

I was sitting here at work, feeling sorry for myself, because things don't really feel like they're going anywhere.

I feel very much like a stagnant being, and I find myself unsatisfied and, ok, more than a little pathetic.

Here I am, in this summer where nothing will change.

Not that it won't be worth it:

I will be going to Italy and then coming home and starting esthetician school.

It will be a new part of my life!

I guess I am just impatient for it.

I think I've been counting on my trip to Italy to change me.

There are a lot of things I expected from it that I wouldn't put online.

I know, I know, I said I'd be honest!

But some things are too embarrassing for even me to admit.

I guess I thought I would be a different person: more adventurous, happier...

You get the gist.

I am starting to realize that nothing I do on the outside, like traveling, changing my hair color, getting new clothes, whatever, will make much of a difference.

I need to accept that Italy and all that this trip represents to me is just that:

A trip that I am lucky to go on.

I have to change myself from the inside to ever feel complete.

Sometimes I feel like I shouldn't go to God about this, but that's exactly who I need to turn to when I feel down and out.

On a much lighter note, I would like to list out why today is going to be an awesome day:

1. I have leftover pizza for lunch...which is pretty much my favorite type of pizza! haha

2. I have a photo shoot with BRC Photography. Benita, the owner/photographer is so wonderfully talented. I really enjoy working with her and seeing her vision come together.

3. I really like my hair today. Ok, that's super shallow haha, but I'm growing it out and I don't always like it!!

4. I am going to get through today, this work shift, the shoot, the drive home, and I'm going to go to bed and tomorrow will be a new day.

With all my love, Morgan

My Past Few Weeks in Review

I have had such a busy month of May!

Technically, I should be doing some work for my online 2-week interim course for First Aid

(Yes, I do indeed hate myself already for it! Haha.)

But see, I didn't think to order the book it needs!

I have placed my order however, and it'll be in tomorrow.

So I am going to play catch up haha.

So, as for the past few weeks:

I graduated from Rose State! Ignore my dumb looking hair...it was raining all that day and it was not cooperating at all!

I am technically a summer candidate, but I don't care! Haha

This is my "something new." I had never graduated from an institution of higher education.

Then...

My little sister graduated from high school!

Those are her two best friends, Tim and Dylan.

She was honored as a National Honor Society Member, National Forensic League (with, I believe, an honorary degree!!) and a frequent blood donor. She's the woman!! Haha

It's been a crazy few weeks gone by, and I'm glad it's coming to a close.

I feel worn out!! Haha.

Also, have you guys tried these??

I'm OBSESSED!!! I love them! Haha

And, alas, I am sad, for this is what I did to my phone just last night:

I popped the camera button right off!

I didn't even realize I did it until this morning!

SO MUCH SADNESS!

On a positive note, I did get a mani/pedi.

Well, not a real mani. I just had them shape up and paint my nails.

I hate to paint my own nails.

Also, I would like to announce that even though this has been probably the toughest semester of my college career, I made A's and B's.
I will take that! Hahaha.

Something I didn't want to do? I hung out with someone even though I really wanted to stay in my comfort zone and blow this person off.

Hoping to blog more now that it's summer,

with all my love, Morgan



What a Long Day!

And it's not over yet!

I am definitely ready to go home, eat some spaghetti and sleep.

Unfortunately, I will have to postpone the sleeping thing.

I need to clean my makeup brushes sooo bad.

I hate to do it, but they really need it! Haha

Plus, I have about another hour of work so I'm not going anywhere for a little while.

SInce I LOVE lists, here is my to-do list:

1. Clean makeup brushes...as stated earlier haha

2. Get makeup organized for the opening of MacBeth tomorrow night.

3. Laundry...Note to self: aren't you sick of wearing all the stuff from your sister's closet?! Wash yo clothes, fool!

4. Study -_-

5. Take some tests -_-

6. Figure out Life Plan

Ok, I'm just kidding on the last one! Haha. I wish I was kidding about all of that list though!!

You know, sometimes I look at my life and just think:

Ok, God, where are we going with this??

I see my friends being able to date and let people in their lives.

(Although, it would probably be easier for me to date if I was ever asked out by some medium other than a Facebook message...not that I'm not appreciative, just commenting!)

I have to wonder what makes things so easy for them, that they can meet people and it's like, Bam! Ok, we like each other now.

The only thing that makes me feel better about it is hoping it's not as easy as it appears.

I don't mean to sound pathetic, because I have to believe that there is someone for me that God has in mind and it's just not the right time for me to meet him, I'm more amazed at how easy it is for people to open up to others when it is so dang hard for me.

But heck, I'm also amazed that some people actually like  Math enough to major in it, so what do I know? Haha.

When I was growing up, my mom and sister didn't understand why it was so hard for me to make friends. Thank goodness my father and youngest sister have a shy streak too or I would've been a total outcast amongst my outgoing relatives haha.

I'd just always think people didn't want me around so I won't bother them.

Even today, I give myself pep talks to make myself seem more outgoing and friendly.

People who drive by me when I'm going to a social event probably think I'm totally nuts!

This post has totally taken a way more serious tone than I originally intended haha.

I am just very tired and a little down today.

It's hard to fake being chipper when all I wanna do is be down for a little while, ya know?

I was at Life Church this past weekend and it was like the pastor, Craig, had read this blog and said:

Hey! I know what you have! It's called a heaviness of the soul!

And I was literally tearing up in the middle of this sermon because it's so true.

He literally said something along the lines of:

Everything is fine, but something is just not right.

And I knew exactly what he was saying.

You should check it out, yo!

Click here to watch the sermon online!!

 

 

I feel like this was a very long and sad post lol.

I'm sorry for my ramblings!!

And I promise for a more upbeat post soon.

with all my love, Morgan

As My Mama Would Say...

I am just full of piss and vinegar today!

I don't know where she gets her little sayings.

She'll do something kinda crafty or impressive and us kids will say:

"Where'd you learn that, Mama?"

And she'll reply, "Oh, I learned it in 'Nam."

My mother was not fighting in "'Nam."

Haha she was barely born!

I don't even think HER dad was stationed in Vietnam!

Or we'll walk outside on a windy day and say:

"Well, it's windier than a sack full of buttholes out here!"

You are so right, Mom, that's exactly what I was thinking hahahaha.

Well, my point is, I am all fired up today!

That is what piss and vinegar means I guess ha ha.

I am very annoyed with school.

People were making fun of me because I got upset when my Hitler and Nazi Germany Professor (Yes, that is the class' actual name haha) asked if we had to choose between certain members of our family, who would we let die? (She was asking this because we were talking about the Jewish ghetto in Krakow and sending people to the camps)

And I said I wouldn't know and it made me really upset to even think about it!

THEN, my supposed "best friend" is terrible about keeping in contact with me.

I swear, I have acquaintances who are better about calling me or messaging me back.

So now, I am just ticked! Lol.

I just want people to let me feel upset about choosing my hypothetical children over my hypothetical mother in the hypotherical Jewish ghetto! It's a very upsetting thing to think about, gosh darn it!

And I just want my best friend to act like he wants to talk to me!

THESE ARE NOT BIG WISHES!!

They are average ones!!!!

GOSH!!!

Ok, I'm done now haha.

I do have a quick beauty tip for you all though.

I just started using Jergens Self Tanning Lotion for body and their stuff for your face.

Well, let me tell you, I really like it!

I was a big fan of the mousse type stuff from Urban Decay but I don't think they make it anymore.

My tip would be to really exfoliate well. It doesn't look dark when you put it on, but I didn't exfoliate well the first night and I had some streaks on my chest the next day.

I can't wait to try out St. Tropez's...My hero, Kandee Johnson, always uses it and gives it rave reviews...only problem is it's pricey!

I got my Jergens Tanner at CVS, but I imagine you can buy it at any drug store or Wally-World or Tarjay!

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

With all my love, Morgan



Update!

Well, a little while back I made a goal for myself:
1. Do something nice for somebody everyday.
2. Do something I don't want to do as often as possible.
3. Do something new (was it once a month?)

Well, I can tell you right now that I have been keeping up with the middle one!
I have been going to SWITCH, and finishing all my homework assignments and going to class...even when I really really hate my 8 am Mythology class. I mean, that class has so much homework! They do know that 99% of that stuff isn't real right?! Haha

However, I have not been good about doing something nice for others on a daily basis, which is sad because that should be the easiest when you think about it!
As for something new, well, I attribute that to no flippin' free time! I need to quit with the excuses though, I know.

I'm not sure I will tell you all when I do something nice...that feels like I'm trying to get compliments for being decent to other humans!! But when I do something new...now that will be documented! Like, I'm about to graduate from junior college...something new!! Huzzar!!

So for the actual beauty post: I got nothin.'

How pathetic is that? Haha. I have been so focused on finishing school, I'm surprised I've even worn makeup this semester. If you wanna read something about beauty, then you'll just have to check out my article in BBP Magazine! Go subscribe now...why not? It's free! I love free, it's always in my price range!


With all my love, Morgan

Two Million Years Later...

This has been one crazy and great semester for me...it is so hard to do anything else but study and work and study some more! Haha.
I have some really cool things going on right now.
My friends Brandon and Kaitlin (aka Cutest Married Couple Ever) are launching an online magazine.
Click here to see BBP Magazine's Website!
Anyway, they have offered me a chance to be a beauty writer for it! I mean, how exciting is that??
Things have definitely been more positive lately.
I made myself go to SWITCH and it has been so rewarding.
I am kind of co-leading a group of 6th and 8th grade girls and sometimes it just astounds me how much they've gone through.
It is something I pretty much look forward to now!

It has been about, oh, two gazillion years since I wrote about anything beauty related!! Haha.
So, I'll talk about vitamins and the benefits they have for your outside appearance.

Now, I do not have the qualifications to tell you what you should take. Nor do I have the education! Ha! But I can tell you this: Vitamins are not only necessary for fulfilling nutritional needs, but they can greatly improve things like your hair, skin and nails. Now, some people will tell you to take Biotin. It's supposed to make all of that stuff grow and all that jazz. But in my opinion, everything will function better if you take a multivitamin! My mom even says that her Women's Daily multivitamins and Calcium supplements help calm her "Crazy Legs" or Restless Leg Syndrome!
I don't think anything will make your hair or nails grow faster. I do think that by getting the proper nutrition, your body will respond and perform better for you. So talk to your Doc or someone wayyyy more qualified than me, and get yourself a multivitamin! Also, I like to take Omega 3, 6 and 9's...our body needs those Oils but we don't make them! You can eat food high in Omega 3's, but we can't eat salmon everyday! Haha.
Again, I AM NOT A DOCTOR!!! This is simply my opinion. If you have a question about what vitamin you should take, find an actual doctor...they'll hook you up with some knowledge!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
With all my love, Morgan

P.S. If you want your hair to grow out nicely (not faster...not possible!) You need to exercise, be easy on the heat styling and coloring/bleaching, take your vitamins, wash your hair every other day, use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove potentially clogging build-up from products and massage your scalp! I know it sounds weird, but it is really relaxing. I've also heard doing hand stands help but I wouldn't know! Hahaha

My Pursuit of Happyness

Yes, I did spell "happiness" wrong on purpose! Haha.

My dear 5 readers, I must make an announcement.

This is the beginning of my pursuit of happiness.

I truly believe my unhappiness is not normal.

I shouldn't be hung up on something that happened a year ago.

I believe that inner joy can only come from God.

And God has truly blessed me but I still don't know how to allow myself to be happy.

I was thinking about it last night and thought to myself:

"Self, now you are happy like 90% of the time. It is only when you allow yourself to dwell on stupid stuff in the past that you have bad days."

So in my pursuit of happyness, I have even talked to my mom about seeking help from a pro.

This is so embarassing for me to put out there for you all to read, but I am very much ready to be happy. I want to let go of everything and be myself again.

I haven't felt like myself in a long time.

So here is my declaration: I will follow my own advice and tell myself I am happy.

But I also have a plan. You know I love lists!!!

Morgan's Game Plan!!!

1. Do something new every week. I would say everyday, but let's take one step at a time here! Haha

2. Do something nice for someone else everyday. This I think is even more so important than my own happiness. I want it to spread to everyone else.

3. Be the best student, daughter, sister, friend, whatever, I can be. I have seriously neglected my friendships and relationships with people and that isn't tolerable anymore.

4. Do something I don't want to do as often as possible. I tend to avoid social situations, anything new or scary, etc. For instance, I have started to volunteer at SWITCH, which is Youth group at Life Church and I constantly think of excuses not to go. Also, I got a makeup job with a photographer this weekend and even though I want to go, I immediately thought of a reason not to go. And it's only because I don't know what to expect!

5. Start checking things off my Bucket List. I am sitting around, wasting my life, and that has got to change. I need to do something at least once a month. This may increase once I graduate from college.

6. I have somehow got to allow myself to be happy. I deserve to be.

With all my love, Morgan

Some Big News Brought to You By My Family!

Well, I have been so busy this semester. I don't remember if I told you, my dear 5 readers, but I may get to walk at graduation this May, and just take my last two classes this summer and get my diploma in August. Well, even BIGGER stuff has gone down! Not for me, but for my sister, Maddie!

You might not be able to see it very well, but my little sister is the new Miss Choctaw 2012!!!!
I'm so happy for her. She has had a tough senior year so far, and she has risen above all of negativity to receive this title. Also, she is the new recipient of the Freshman Achievement Scholarship (I think that's its' name) at UCO...which is the BIGGEST tuition waiver scholarship they offer! I'm so proud of her. She is so deserving of this scholarship. She worked her tail off in drama, volunteering, and most importantly her academics. What person actually elects to take physics when they're not especially gifted in math anyway??? Hahah!
 It almost makes me want to cry because I know she is going to be so successful and happy and I feel like this title and scholarship are her chance at starting fresh and becoming an adult.
Here's a few more pics...I did her hair and makeup.

Casual Wear, after crowning!

Maddie, Me holding up the Dress haha and Miss Choctaw 2011 Melody High marveling at her choice of foot wear for Formal wear! Haha. The dress was too long, so we decided on the highest heels we have! Hahaha

My other hair/makeup appointment, Kenzie Kulig! She is GORGEOUS!!

My two clients before formal wear!

As you can tell, I had such a great time and am very proud of not only my sister, but the other ladies.

I think pageants are often seen as a shallow event. I'm guilty of this thinking too! Ha!

But it takes a lot of guts to get up there and strut your stuff in front of people being paid to judge you!

With all my love, Morgan

To Be Honest...

You've probably seen those all over Facebook at some time or another.

TBH! Like my status! Hahaha. I'm "friends" with some of my 14 year old sister's friends on Facebook and I love to read their posts...always so dramatic and they somehow manage to use more exclamation points than I do! Which is a pretty big accomplishment I think hahaha.

As a blogger with at least 6 readers (Woo-hoo! hahaha) I have always tried to maintain my honesty with my readers. I like to think of us as friends..in a weird, "Never actually try to contact me" way!

So here's some honesty for you guys:

I wish today was Thursday so I could call this Truthful Thursday but instead it is.....

MORGAN'S TRUTHFUL FRIDAYS!!!!

So I suppose number one is...I'm feeling really anxious to be finishing school.

Now I actually have to do something with my life! Haha. I thought I had at least 2 more years to figure things out, but with my recent decision to pursue makeup full time, I will not be getting a degree in Social Studies Education anymore.

School was a great thing to hide behind.

Something that I feel ashamed about is...feeling sad.

Now hold on, let me explain!

I feel like I have a lot of great things going for me: I've been talking to lots of photographers and even have a shoot booked for Tuesday morning. No, not the store!! Haha. I'm about to finish school, and lots of other things I don't need to list.

I love this quote from one of my favorite books, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

And I know exactly how that feels! I feel so ingrateful because I have EVERYTHING and I'm still sad.

I just think it makes no sense.

Now, I'm not gonna lie, it has been a lot better lately. I think all of this is a mixture of anxiety about the future (which is stupid because God has a handle on it), school, and a couple of other things.

Recently, I found out my sister might move to Ohio for school.

I don't want to sound all "emo middle school kid" or anything, but I really don't want her to go because I have already lost one best friend and I'm not sure what I would do if I only saw her at holidays and the summer time.

I feel like when she leaves, then that's the last time my siblings and parents will all live together.

And I'm just not ready for that.

Plus, I'm the oldest...shouldn't I be the first to leave?

I promise I'll think of something ultra fun for the next post...but to be honest, I am physically exhausted and I've been doing homework all day so now my brain is tired too! haha.

With all my love on this beautiful Oklahoma day, Morgan

Things To Do In Your Life

I've been really thinking about things I'd like to do.
I've talked about this before and everytime I think of all the exciting things this world offers I just get so pumped!! Haha. I know God has put them all here and is probably thinking, "Well, Duh there are great things about the world...I MADE it!" Hahaha.
Here is a list (because you know I love lists!!) of the...

To Do List...of Your Life!

Hahaha! Here are the things I personally think everyone should do.

Again, this is my PERSONAL opinion, so if you disagree then I'm sorry but I'm not changing my list! Haha

1. Get Obsessed. For me, it's the Hunger Games. I love the books. I'm officially changing my future husband list to "Must Be Peeta Mellark, or exactly like Peeta Mellark."

Mmmhhhmmm! Josh Hutcherson as Peeta! Ohhhh yeaaahhh! Haha

I already have my tickets for the midnight premiere and I have picked out my nerdy fan shirt!

The point is, I have a lot of fun obsessing over the Hunger Games. Sometimes with my sisters, sometimes my mom, and sometimes total strangers! Hahaha.

So find something, obsess, freak out, have fun.

2. Do something weird to your hair.

I love weird hair.

Is that not so cool??

I'm about to do something weird to mine...I'll be sure to post pics!!

3. Go somewhere you've never been at least once a year.

This year, I get to go to Italy but I would like to go a few other places just in Oklahoma this summer.

I've been thinking about going up north to check out these Indian burial mounds...which, I know, to a normal person that sounds terrible but I'm kind of interested!! Also, the Oklahoma Natural History Museum...and the one museum in OKC near the Zoo; it has the largest collection of Nazi items in the U.S. I've heard!

Click here to see the 45th Infantry Museum that I wanna go to!

4. Read the Bible.

I think it is important, for more than the regular Bible school lessons. I love religious studies. I like to research other religions, too! I just finished one about the Hindu god Shiva and it was really interesting.

I think the Bible is really interesting to read because I love history and can tie other knowledge in.

For instance, the city of Caesarea is mentioned several times. It seems like there might have been two versions of it. One built by Herod, and the other by Juba II and Cleopatra Selene, who was Cleopatra's only daughter. The Ptolemy line died with her. Both cities were named for Caesar Augustus, since both men were "client kings." Anyway, not to bore you to tears or anything haha.

I just love the history that ties in!

There's Juba! Hahaha

5. Get a massage.

Why do I say this random and kind of shallow thing?

Because I just bought my first massage off of Groupon!!! Hahaha.

I love Groupon...so much!!

I hope everyone has a great day!

Words of wisdom for your work:

"Failure is an event, never a person." -Craig Groeschel, Life Church

With all my love, Morgan

Time For a Change.

The time has come for a change.
My goodness, I'm so restless and bored with everything lately.
I know, I sound so ingrateful, but I really don't mean to be.
I've just got to do something different soon or I'll scream.

For instance, I want to go on a road trip really bad.
And I'd like to color my hair something really crazy.
I want to do makeup all the time instead of every once in a while.
I want to graduate from college. Like, yesterday.
I want to see my best friend who I haven't seen since the beginning of November.

I make all these plans, create all these lists and where have they gotten me?
I feel like I'm just in a different place than a lot of my old friends.
I'm not seeing anyone, I'm not engaged or married or reproducing.
Now, before I even go down that pathetic road, there are some serious benefits to being single.
I am independent, I do what I want, I like the freedom that comes along with being a young single woman.
Sometimes I just have to remind myself that there is no rush when it comes to dating or getting married. Just because everyone else is, doesn't mean I have to.
There is something very freeing in that.
I love going to school, even though it stresses me out, and a lot of my friends don't get to do that anymore.
I love my boring life. Because I avoid things like drugs and alcohol, I have stayed true to myself and my beliefs.
And you know what?
Tomorrow may just be a great day for a mini road trip.
Tomorrow I may just have to go buy some purple hair dye.
The makeup jobs will come because I know I'm pursuing what I'm supposed to be doing.
I will be done with my Associate's this summer. I can handle school until early August.
As for my best friend, there is nothing I can do about that. He's in Italy and that's that.
But how amazing is it that I get to do see him in August?
Sometimes I just have to type this out to sort out my sad mood and gain a more positive attitude.

With all my love, Morgan

I Suffer From Foot In Mouth Disease.

It was a good day...
Until I took my foot and shoved it all the way into my mouth and all the way down to my stomach.
Sorry for the gross visuals, but I just have to illustrate how embarassed I feel!
So here's the deal: Just don't ever say anything that could taken as hurtful about ANYONE.
I just did this today. I didn't say it mean heartedly, but when the "messenger" told the woman what I said, it came out sounding so mean. Which basically means that I hurt the feelings of the sweetest woman on this planet. Even sweeter than my grandma!!
So remember, and this seems pretty basic, don't say anything about anyone that you wouldn't say to their face. It will get back to them and you will have to own up to it.
Good job me.

On a good note, I finally feel better. I was sick the past couple days. No bueno!
Also, I will probably get to walk in May with my Associate's in History. I won't get my diploma until after I take two summer classes. Well, actually three. A Physical Ed class, a science with no lab class and Eurpean history from 1500-1815!
I have to get a degree audit but hopefully I can apply for graduation soon!!

Well, off to pull my foot out of my mouth! I have to wax these brows and dye my roots tonight...they joys of being a female!
With all my love, and my now silent lips, Morgan

A picture to live my life by hahahaha

I Don't Like to Make Plans

Well, that probably sounds kinda weird now doesn't it?
I mean, who doesn't like to?
Because everytime I plan for something, God just changes my plans completely.
I thought I didn't want to go to school so I could follow a boy to Texas?
Yeah, right, said God...and my parents haha.
I thought I would go to hair school?
Puh-lease!!
I think I'm going to Tulsa this weekend?
Not gonna happen!!

Haha!
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm so glad God has the master plan.
It stresses me out just thinking about my future!
I go back and forth with it:
Do I want to get married and have kids and just raise a family?
Do I want to stay single for a while?
Not that it's even an option right now since my hiatus from dating life, but still, you get the point.
Do I want to go back to school right after esthetician school and pursue my Bachelor's in Social Studies Education? Or do I want to try to make it as a make up artist?
It's a very confusing and busy time in my life right now, which is why I rarely update this thing haha, but I am so grateful to know that as long as I try to follow God's plan, everything will work out fine.
It may not seem like it at the time, but in the end all will be well.
Off to make myself NOT drop one of my 18 hours worth of classes!
Have a great evening everyone,
With all my love, Morgan

Valentine's Day

While it is definitely easy to get all bummed out this time of year, I want to encourage you and give you a good Valentine's Day!

First of all, yes, it sucks to be single on V-Day. Duh, we all know that.

Now get over it.

You know what makes me feel so much better about it?

The fact that allll the candy will be on sale on the 15th!!!

It's true, save your chocolate craving for the day after.

When I worked at a Walgreens, it went 50% off the day after, and I think most places are the same way.

Also, you can take this oppurtunity to wear pink and red together and no one can say a darn thing!

Plus, you can have dresses like these!!!

This one says it's red, but it doesn't look very red to me.

Still amazing!!

This one is from ModCloth...super cute.

This one is only $24.80 from Forever 21!

So, that's all folks!

Maybe I'll do some date night beauty here soon!

Have a beautiful night!

With all my love, Morgan