Danielle's Thought Bubble

What makes someone feel beautiful? Is there a difference between inner beauty and outer beauty? I decided to put these questions to the test. I interviewed 10 friends at my university and asked them one simple question: what is something that makes you feel beautiful on the inside and/or outside? It was interesting to see their thought processes and various answers. Some were concrete actions or activities, and others were intangible ways of being.  First, I want to share my answer to the question. Something that makes me feel beautiful is skincare. If you've been on my blog before, this might not come as too much of a surprise, but I love skin products and self care! It's partly the result that makes me feel beautiful, but it's mostly the process. Feeling the cool water on my skin in the morning, patting in different creams and serums, and trying out new formulas is so wonderful to me. It physically feels soothing and generally helps me feel put together. No matter if I...

Anna is one of the most sprightly, silly, and sweet Disney Princesses ever, and that's what makes her so loveable. Her awkwardness is relatable and her bravery is commendable as we see throughout both Frozen and Frozen II . As a Princess Performer, I have transformed into the Snow Princess a handful of times, and, to be honest, I have to do a bit of a deep dive to find all that energy that she has within myself. It's a tall order as an introvert, but I've come to enjoy stepping into someone else's shoes and another character's confidence through performing. I am going to explain step-by-step how I do my makeup for the Snow Princess. Just to note, this is quite a similar process to my "Becoming the Snow Queen" post, but there are a few steps that are distinctly "Anna." Let's get started! FACE After I've prepped with skincare and SPF, I apply the e.l.f Poreless Face Primer , focusing on the T-zone. This offers a smooth canvas to work on an...

Do you come to work in a ballgown and crown? I do. As a Princess Performer, I sing, dance, storytell, improv, and become just like your favorite storybook characters. It's basically like meeting princesses at Disneyland, but right in your own backyard. Bringing magic to kids at parties and events is such a special gift to be able to give.   For the past two years, I've worked as a Princess Performer and have learned a lot of things along the way. I have learned how to roll with the punches (I mean, children are so unpredictable!), how to be “on” all the time giving out constant energy, and how to transform my physical self into the princesses we know and love. I’m going to give a rundown of how I do the Snow Queen’s makeup from Disney’s Frozen . She is one of my favorite characters across the entire Disney franchise because I see parts of her in myself. Her trajectory from “conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know,” to “you are the one you’ve been waiting for all of your life,...

Getting a facial has been an annual treat for myself since I was 17. Once a year I get a facial to let a professional improve and maintain my skin -- and I so look forward to those appointments! It started when I was working as a salon receptionist and got to take advantage of free services (woot woot!). The aesthetician there provided a fantastic facial using PCA Skin products, and I knew I was hooked. From there I tried a facial at a salon that focuses on natural skincare. I learned a lot about what ingredients and chemicals to avoid and left looking as glowy as a glazed donut (in a good way 😆). Finally, I stumbled upon KS Skin , a woman-owned small business in my hometown, and I haven't looked back.  I've gotten three facials from Kristin at KS Skin, and each time does not disappoint. The first thing I do upon arrival is fill out a short questionnaire regarding the current state of my skin and health. This provides information about skin goals, any treatments you're on,...

This summer I had the opportunity to intern at Sister Bay Furniture Company in Sussex, WI, specifically in the sales and marketing department. I learned a lot about how businesses are run and that marketing is all about finding the things that work. Some efforts (ads, social posts, events, brand collaborations, flyers...) will be like dropping a pebble into water: there's not much reaction or response. But sometimes you will find the thing that skips a stone across the water, reverberating excitement and intrigue about your brand one skip after the next. Being a girly-girl at heart, of course I was going to take this opportunity to try out a new style, this time with the goal of business casual chic in mind. Some days it was more casual than chic, to be honest, but it was still fun to develop my professionalism and have outfits to match. Before my internship began, I went on a brief shopping spree to get some clothes that would coordinate with pieces I already had. I bought three p...

"I am bad at being fun." That has been my negative narrative, if you will, for quite some time. I don't party, I don't get drunk, and I'm not super social. Things like loud music or inviting someone over or laughing too hard make me anxious. Something must be wrong with me, I guess.   I am also quiet. Yes, quietness is a part of who I am, and I accept that God made me more of a thinker and less of a speaker. But I'm still learning how to let go of the view that my quietness is a bad thing. The world has taught me that quiet people are boring or weird or forgettable. Some of my timidity, I'll admit, is just fear. Sometimes I squander statements because I am fearful of the response (or lack thereof) that I will receive. Sometimes I won't talk to people because of an unexplainable divide I feel between me and the rest of the world.   Somehow these thoughts of being "not fun" and quiet are colliding into something my mom said to me tonight. It...

I believe skincare tends to both the body and the mind. Taking care of your body's largest organ not only keeps you clean and prevents damage, but it also is a daily regimen that reinforces a commitment to yourself. When you look in the mirror, you see the human that has gotten you this far in life. Each swipe and pat on your face says, "I am worth it." I have taken a strong liking to skincare and continue to look for ways to improve and adjust my routine. For me, it's about finding what products and steps are reasonable to my lifestyle and budget and finding what feels and performs the best. Here are the steps for my current morning skincare routine! Cleanse: Start the day off right with a clean face -- I use the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel . It has a great liquidy formula that gently lathers on the face, and I have been using it for almost two years. There's nothing too special about it, but it really leaves my skin feeling fresh and supple. Mist: Next I s...