I'm Back! Happy New Year!!

Hi Everyone! Happy New Year!!

I am feeling much better after my little hiatus I took and feeling really good about the year ahead. I needed to take some time off to focus on work and Christmas and all the craziness that comes along with that. It was hard for me to make the time needed to produce well thought out blogs for you guys and I figured it would be best to take a break to avoid putting out half a$$ed posts. You guys deserve better than that!

On a positive note, during this time off I had the opportunity to accumlate a lot of material for the blog, so not only am I back - but I'm back with an arsenal. There will be some changes in the blog, you might not see some series that I had produced every month, but this is only because I want to introduce a lot more (better!) content that I think would be best to make this a well rounded blog. A little something here and there to keep things fresh and everyone on the spectrum happy ! :)

Here's a photo recap of the past couple months up until today, from my Instagram (@fernonje) to keep you up to date with some moments from the holiday season. I kept active on my Instagram, don't forget to follow and tag all things beauty to #makeupmasochist !

As always, My feed is flooded with photos of my pugs, Babii and Tuna. No better way to start my little summary. Here's Babii trying to catch the last of the sun before the snow and Old Man Winter rolled in and her as a tiny pup for #throwbackthrusdsay. Isn't she the cutest ever!!?!? The cutest!!

 We lost two very sweet and very much loved pugs from our pug family on Instagram. We lost our beloved Sue and Oreo. They will forever be loved and missed. RIP Puggie friends, until we meet at the Rainbow Bridge.

Babii catching up on her beauty sleep, and Tuna looking all cute and stuff (as usual!).

 We celebrated Babii's 8th Birthday in September, can't believe my baby is 8 already!! Time is going by too fast. My pugs bring me the greatest joy and are my best friends. I love them more than anything, and am blessed to be their Mama. I couldn't be luckier to have a couple of the best pugs anyone could ask for! Hope this year is the best yet for my Babii!

 Here are a couple photos of my girls with some nice Christmas cards and gifts that we received from our IG pug family around the world! We were so happy and are so lucky to have friends all over - from the States to Japan to Brazil... and we love you all!! Hope that 2014 brings so many blessings to you all!

Here's Maggie and Babii showing us all the proper way to relax for 2014. Ready, go!

We were so happy to meet out pug friend Bijou's (@bijou9) mom when she visited Toronto over the holiday season! We just wished we had more time and better weather to plan more to do! When she returns to Toronto in the summer like planned, we are going to show her the best time! Love that Instagram brings new friends into your life, and brings people together! We cherish our friendship!!

Here's our two trees (yes I got a second one this year!). So happy with both of our trees! Our original tree is the one on the right, its decorated with red and gold ornaments and this year we added this cute starbucks ornament to it. It's soooo cute!! Our new tree is placed in the family room in the front of the house and I decorated it with white and silver ornaments and an Angel on top this time instead of a star. Lovee them, I was so sad to take them down!

I had used some of my free time to cook a lot more and work on some of my recipes. I had also made bread with my grandma again. I love being able to do things with my grams, and she loves that I can pass down her recipe of making bread and keep the tradition going. I truely cherish these special moments I spend with her. I also mastered (and maybe even improved) my 'Pasta Carbonara' recipe (to see my original post of this recipe, click here) by adding halved grape tomatoes, spinach and black olives. I think it was my best batch yet!

Here are some makeup posts and MAC moments with friends over the holiday season. We had 3 great collections lauch during December, first pic is me and my friend wearing "RiRi Woo' Lipstick from the 'Rihanna <3's MAC Holiday Collection; one of my 'Punk Couture' Collection inspired looks (A post for this collection and this look will be posted this month); and one of my 'Magnetic Nudes' Collection inspired looks (I have been loving this collection and will post swatches and this look this month). Can't wait for the spring collections to launch, I'm already so excited!!

And the best, I've saved for last. Here is my new baby nephew looking like the cutest baby that ever lived. I love that I have these photos on my feed, because I use them as a little pick me up with I'm feeling down. How can that not put the biggest smile on your face? Loved spending time with this special little guy!

Well there you have it loves! A little recap of my life in the past two months. Obvi, there was a lot more going on, like work and Christmas shopping - but I didn't think that would make for good blogging ;). Don't forget to leave me comments in the box below and subscribe to my blog by typing in your email to the box on the top right corner of the page! Follow my blog on Bloglovin' (icon at the top of the page) and don't forget to follow me on Instagram and post your looks with #makeupmasochist for me to like and comment!

Have a great 2014 everyone, I have a good feeling about this year!

xoxo
Ashley

The Best of the Golden Globes: Hair, Makeup and Dressed

Can't believe the Golden Globes have come and gone already for this year - 2014 seems to be passing us by too quickly already!

I love awards season, all the excitement, predictions, and of course the beauty and fashion! This is when the best of the best looks and outfits from Runway make their celebrity debut, something I always look forward to right after ringing in the new year!

Last nights red carpet did not disappoint, it was so hard to pick which looks, hair and makeup I loved most. Of course, without saying, this is just my opinion of what were my favourites of the night, I'm sure there will be readers who disagree, but that's ok. We just have differences in opinion. Here's what I loved most from last night's festivities at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards.

Best Hair:







Sandra Bullock - I loved her whole look, but I especially loved her hair and makeup. Although this just seems like a messy ponytail - its actually quite thoughtful. The tail of the pony is messy and youthful, while the deep side part keeps it fresh and put together. Paired with a berry flush on her cheeks and berry lip, she kept it light and whimsical for spring. Stunning as usual!












Olivia Wilde - What I love most about her beauty look is that it just seems so effortless! Clean, loose waves with her ombre hair colour, just makes her whole look look earthy and complete. The colour and the fact that she wore her hair down was a good choice not just for her dress type/neckline, but also keeps it to her taste. Very Bohemian-chic.

Amy Adams - I love that she went after an up-do to complete her look, because I think it's paired perfectly with her dress type. If she were to wear her hair down it would overwhelm and take away from her stunning dress. Not to mention, how fun and perfect is this messy bun? I love that there's a ton of texture with the braids and twists, and the bun is messy but again - thoughtful. Just gorgeous!



Best Makeup:

Jennifer Lawrence - I loved her look, but most of all, her makeup. I think her soft grey/silver smokey eye is paired perfectly with her deep red lip. It just goes so well with her edgy hair and the pop of colour on her lips is very welcome to accompany her black and white dress. A very modern twist and interpretation of a classic Hollywood look.

Sofia Vergara - With her dress and necklace making quite the statement, I was happy to see that she chose to use a more neutral colour palette for her makeup. I love that she has a natural, strong brow and paired her neutral eye makeup with a fun wisp of winged liner. Top that off with the perfect coral lip to pop against the black of her dress and compliment the teal in her necklace, and shes hit it out of the park!












Olivia Wilde - I loved her overall beauty look - hair and makeup. I think both complimented each other and her dress well. I especially loved her makeup though, because I think it was genius of her makeup artist to do a purple smokey eye instead of a traditional black/gray smokey eye. The purple smokey eye is still soft enough to remind us that she is with child and makes the green in her eyes and dress really pop. Perfect makeup colour choice and I love that she's paired it with a trendy nude lip.










Best Dressed:

Emma Watson - I loved her bright, red/orange dress and pant hybrid outfit. I think its genius of the house of Christian Dior to produce such a piece that actually makes us look at a dress and pants outfit and not be completely horrified! Not to mention that the orange and blue colour combination is super fun and youthful and really - Emma looks good in everything. Her hair and makeup paired it perfectly. So much fun and so chic!

Taylor Swift - I have to admit, at first glace I was like "Whoa!", but when she finally came up the carpet and I got a good look at the dress, I fell in love! The fabric is a little heavy and can easily be interpreted as matronly, but the cascading waves, draping and strapless neckline keep it youthful. As well as the colour block and colour. How fun is this red/pink?! And the details on the back are gorgeous! This Carolina Herrera dress really brought out her fun side while still having that classic Hollywood Glam style. Love, love LOVE!

Emma Roberts - She looked so stunning! I loved her overall look, something I didn't quite expect from such a young and edgy actress. I was pleasantly surprised by this sleek black mermaid style dress. I absolutely love the neckline, its gorgeous and she paired the dress well with a bright necklace which popped against the black colour, along with that beautiful engagement ring she rocked for the first time. Congrats!

Best Dressed Man:

Leonardo DiCaprio - Who doesn't love a man in a dapper suit? Come on. Leo is definitely no exception. Looking so handsome as usual in a tuxedo with a crisp black tie and Jennifer Meyer cuff-links. There's no wrong he could do looking like this!

Best Overall Look:

Olivia Wilde - I loved, loved, LOVED everything about this look! From her perfect ombre, long waves to her purple smokey eye to her green sequined gown and most of all - the baby bump. She is doing pregnancy right! Such an effortless and glamorous look there's nothing that I would want to see differently or do differently. It's just that perfect! So hard to choose just one, I loved a lot of looks last night - but this is one that we won't soon forget!

Did you tune in to the GG's last night? What did you think of the looks and what were your favouties? Let me know in the comments box below and don't forget to let me know what you want to see on the blog!

For more best dressed posts and looks, you can subscribe to my blog by typing in your email into the box at the top right corner of the page. You can also follow my blog on Bloglovin' (icon at the top of the page) and follow me on Instagram (@fernonje). Tag me with #makeupmasochist so I can see what looks you loved best from the Golden Globes last night!

Have a great week lovers!

xoxo
Ashley

Happy Birthday Dad!

On January 6th, it was a very special mans 55th Birthday, my Dad!

My dad has always been an inspiration to me and my sister and shown us that family means everything. We sacrifice, work hard and love hard for our family. There't no other greater reason or reward than to give your everything to your family. These are some family values and morals that I have learned and have been instilled in not only my mind, but in my being. Gifts for my soul from the most important man in my life, my Dad.

My dad turned the tender age of 55, and we celebrated by going to Mandarin restaurant. No better place to celebrate and stuff yourself for the rest of the week. I hope that everything was to your liking dad and you had a great day with all of us. It was a special day for a special man. Your everyone's favourite uncle, colleague, brother-in-law, and brother (we all know it!), and that's because you are an amazing person and love all of us with all your heart and make it known. There's not one 'I love you' that I don't hear and appreciate everyday, every chance. So I want to take every opportunity to let you know how much we love and adore you! Hope this year is the best yet!!

Me and my favourite boys in the world!

Make a wish Dad!

Family Photo - My Everything.

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you to the moon and back and back again and again and back again times infinity (like Michael would say lol).

xoxo
Ashley

We Will Miss You Sue

This is going to be a hard one. I've been purposely procrastinating doing this or even leaving my condolences because I have been having a hard time mustering up the strength to do so. I will be writing this with a heavy heart, but it's the least I could do to pay tribute to a special girl that brought so much joy to myself and so many others on a daily basis.

Sue was the beloved fur-baby of friend and fellow pug nut, Trisha (@trisherpie on Instagram), and I have known and followed for over a year now. To be honest, I initially loved Trisha and her account because of Sue bear. I couldn't resist that face and fell in love instantly. Over the course of our friendship, I've gotten to know Trisha and her pug family and have been attached to them all. Besides Trisha being awesome and one tough cookie, I've always admired her for her crazy love for her pugs and others. She often leaves messages for me and others in our wonderful pug community on Instagram and it wouldn't be the same without her.

I am always so grateful for how much Trisha shares with us, especially when she shares her precious pugs and their adventures. Piggy sue was the eldest, followed by twin trouble Rudy and Penny and a Pomeranian somewhere in the mix too. I always look forward to seeing them everyday, especially photos of Sue and I am so thankful that she understood how much and how often we needed to see Sue in her last weeks. Trisha did a beautiful job of making and sharing special memories, showing us a happy and very loved Sue bear.

Sue was incredibly loved and happy all the way to her last moments, you could tell how much she loved her Momma and her family. She looked like she had an amazing life and she was blessed to have a mom and family who would do (and did) anything for her. I also truly believe that Sue was a blessing in Trisha's life and their bond was a very special one. Sue was a very special girl and lived the life any dog would be very lucky to have.

I just want to pay my condolences and hope that Trisha and anyone who knew Sue, know how truly sorry I am. My heart has broken for you, I can only imagine how hard this must have been and how difficult it must be to remain strong and positive. I just hope that you take solace in knowing that although Sue is know longer with us, she lives on in so many of our hearts all around the world. We, the Pug Nation of the World, all shared an immense love together for your little piggy Sue. We can't thank you enough for sharing her with us, but more importantly - doing such an amazing and beautiful job of preparing us to say goodbye to Sue. It was perfect and I'm sure Sue wouldn't have wanted it any different. We could always tell she was proud to have you as her mom, as I'm sure she still is now. We are grieving with you and send you lots of prayers during this hard time.

We love you little Sue bear. We will miss you dearly.

R.I.P. Piggy Sue 10th May 1998 - 10th November 2013

She will always be loved, never be forgotten.

xoxo
Ashley, Babii, Tuna and Maggie