Hello, Ladybugs!!
Long overdue for this edition of Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 06.2019. Had originally planned to write one of these posts at the end of every month. And then things took a turn for the worse for a bit this spring with my mom and I just didn’t get these posts written. Oh, and there was that pesky red security warning message I was getting on my blog, too. Remember that? Fun times! And I kind of got discouraged about blogging while that was going on.
But mom is doing great! And my sweet brother-in-law John worked with my dear PC to get rid of that warning. So life is good. And here I am, once again, with Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 06.2019. That whole spring season was a stretch outside my comfort zone but I survived!!
Today I want to share an activity I participated in that was…you guessed it, completely outside of my comfort zone. Let me explain.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 06.2019
One of the activities I didn’t accomplish on my spring bucket list was taking a course or class. Had hoped to take line dancing with PC but that didn’t get off the ground. So, I brought that item forward onto my summer bucket list, knowing that when I shared my bucket list on 06.21.2019, I was registered for a photography class the very next day.
However, what do they say about best laid plans?? What do they say about best laid plans? All I have ever heard is “the best laid plans of mice and men…” Had to stop right now to look up this Robert Burn’s quote to find out what comes after the … (the ellipsis). The full quote is:
The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
And my plans to take a photography class were no exception. My Purrsimmony disappeared just before I was to leave for the class. I looked for that little devil all over the place to no avail. She was nowhere to be found, inside or out. Finally left for the class but arrived after it had begun and felt bad about class crashing! I noticed another class was about to begin, a pin up photo shoot, in the same place, so opted to do that instead. Which was light years outta my comfort zone.
Pin Up Photo Shoot
Both the portrait photography class and the pin up photo shoot were hosted by the great folks at the Resiliency Through Art branch of Morale Welfare Recreation (MWR) at Ft. Bliss. For the $60 registration fee, participants were given demonstrations on how to apply cat eye makeup, create the perfect cupid’s bow lip, and a pompadour hairdo. Then we were invited to change into rockabilly/pin-up inspired clothing (of our own) for a photo shoot by a professional photographer. For a gal who barely combs her hair and considers lipstick and mascara a full-face, this was an almost overwhelming possibility!
Enter the Ladies of Sephora
Wish I had written down the names of all the great gals from Sephora but I didn’t. Think I was still in shock that I was participating in this class! I did take voluminous notes as these ladies demonstrated how we would apply our makeup and fix our hair for an authentic pin up look. This gal had never before worn false eyelashes or this much hair spray!! You know I was way out of my comfort zone.
My Turn
My hands were shaking so badly, it is truly I wonder I was able to get my make up on at all. The fact that I did, just goes to show how well the girls from Sephora guided and helped us.
Look how hard I had to concentrate just to apply mascara on my fake eyelashes.
And lip liner, which I had never worn before either.
Then came teasing my hair and loads and loads of hairspray.
And my final look.
I ran home during our lunch break to change clothes. Had not known what the day had in store when I planned what I would wear. But wound up keeping my Simply September custom graphic tee on and adding some rolled up boyfriend jeans and floral heels. Oh, and guess who was in the house asleep? Purrsimmony!
Photo Shoot
So fun. We posed beside 2 vintage vehicles…a Falcon and an old Chevy truck. Just call me Porky Pig because I turned out to be quite the ham in front of the camera. Oink, oink.
The professional photographer who took our photos is going to be sending us some of the polished pictures she shot. I cannot wait to see them! Was thankful that the other gals who participated in the pin up photo shoot took photos of me with my phone and I reciprocated for them.
I had such fun doing this. The make up, the hair, the hamming it up were all a stretch for me. But the gals from Sephora, the wonderful women who organize the Resiliency Through Art program, and the photographer all helped me to feel comfortable in front of the mirror and in front of the camera.
Best part of the whole day was when I met my Prince in full regalia for lunch after his ball game. I think he kinda liked the way I looked, too! He had that twinkle in his eye. You know the one.
I am looking forward to finding new ways to stretch with MWR and Resiliency Through Art again in the near future.
Your Turn
What did you find yourself doing in June that was a departure from your same ole same ole? Didn’t it feel good to stretch yourself, to enjoy a new experience? The older I get, the easier it is to try something new. Not especially more confident but just figure at 61 years old, why not? Why not try a pompadour and prissy around a vintage car? Why not protest our pool company? Why not eat dinner alone at a restaurant or treat myself to a movie? Why not!!
Didn’t create a link-up for this edition of Stepping Up but would like to invite you to write up a post about how you stepped outside your comfort zone this month. Or leave a comment below.
Thank you for stopping by, sweet friends. Hope you are enjoying a restful last weekend of June. Triple digits here. It is HOT!
Hugs and kisses,
Oh what fun! And even better because when you left the house that morning you had no idea what the day had in store for you. Can’t wait to see the official photos!
Thank you, Deb. Really enjoyed the pin-up photo experience. Now to take the class I intended to take in the first place.
What a wonderful way to leap out of your comfort zone. So glad that your mom is doing well!
Leap is right!! I would never have done this on purpose but so glad I had this experience. Felt like a fancy lady. And thank you for commenting about my mom. We are so thankful that she is having more good days than bad!
Sounds like you had fun…as for me, I try not to step out of my comfort zone 🙂
Ha! You silly. Come step out of your comfort zone this month and share with me on 07.31!
What a great photo and it sounds like you had a lot of fun.
Thank you, friend. Would never have guessed I could learn to tease my hair and wear false eyelashes…guess they can teach an old dog new tricks.
Your photo shoot sounds like lots of fun! I’ve always wanted to have a “glamour” shoot when I was younger, I always thought boudoir photography would be fun. Teacher-librarians can have a glamorous side. This month, I donned a poodle skirt to enter the costume parade at Dachshunds on Parade. Our little dog also wore a poodle skirt.
Oh, Joanne, a poodle skirt? Would love to wear one!! I know you and your pup were just precious in your skirts. Teachers-librarians can be quite glamorous!
One of my daughter’s had her senior pictures (as did the whole senior class) at Glamour Shots. It was kind of fun. Wonder if they are even still in business?
Oh that is a lovely surprise to attend that course! And the first photo is beautiful!! Happy Summer Leslie!
What an absolute blast and I bet your PC had that twinkle in his eye! You look like a little hottie! You make a great pin up! I love that the Sephora gals helped with the make up – and teased hair is my favorite. I wish I had been a teen in the 50’s, that would have been so much fun.
You look terrific – I love that first photo!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you so much. I want to try teasing my hair again. It is pretty darn flat normally and I have a high forehead (billboard) so I think teasing might have helped in both areas. I had such fun at the pin-up class. Now to take the photography class I originally signed up for.
That sounds like a lot of fun! And so brave!
Thank you!! I was so nervous it’s a wonder I got the false eyelashes on at all!!
You look great! I kind of like the old-fashioned look, though I’ve never done it myself. I was in a wedding this past December and that was the first time I’d worn false eyelashes; they looked great though! I’m glad your cat was home sleeping though, and that you had a great time at a class you weren’t prepared to go to! 🙂
-Lauren
Thank you so much for your kind words. The pin-up photo shoot was fun…stressful from the start but once I calmed down, it was great fun. I want to try to the false eyelashes again. Really liked the way they looked.
That’s so fun that you did this Leslie. I feel like trying new things is the key to keeping up young and fresh!!!
And I’m so glad you got your blog up and running again. I’m sorry Rob couldn’t help you…
XOOX
Jodie
Jodie, you and Rob were so dear to try to help with my blog. I appreciate your concern and interest. I am having hiccups with my laptop shutting down now. Always something!
The pin-up photo shoot was fun, once I calmed my nerves. Turned out I can be quite the ham.
I did a professional photo-shoot last year to get a good picture for my book cover (that was my excuse anyway)… and yeah, false eyelashes were a hoot! I had someone do the make-up, so slightly different experience. And there was a whole lot of concealer going on! But definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I adore the picture on you with the vintage car! The heels with the jeans are great.
Thank you so much, Pat. I need to look again at the cover of your book. I bet you didn’t need that concealer at all. The gal at Sephora sold me some and I just can’t seem to get the hang of it. Bet your professional photo shoot was great fun, too.
Well done, Leslie! Your header photo looks great. I visited Malta for the first time in June. Even though I travel frequently, the first trip to any new-to-me country is always a step outside my comfort zone. Stay cool 🙂
Thank you, Natalie!! I enjoyed your Malta post. Traveling abroad to a familiar or foreign country is always huge for me.
How much fun!! Love the idea of a make up session. I believe that my blogging was a kick out of my comfort zone. And I’ve been growing ever. I don’t think growth is possible unless we’re just a teensy bit uncomfortable.
Thank you, new friend, for coming by my blog. Blogging is a step outside my comfort zone, too. And I totally agree, we don’t really grow unless we stretch ourselves, make ourselves a little bit uncomfortable. I write these posts at the end of each month. Would love to have you join me with some way you have stretched yourself during July. If you are interested, please let me know!! I will send you the link-up code.
LOL. What fun! You certainly look fine. I’m loving my visit at the Blogging Grandmothers Link Party 39. Thanks Leslie for hosting. My share this week is “Top Reasons to Practice Gratitude with Tips to Help You Do It.” Wishing you warm fuzzy feelings you get from gratitude.
Thank you, Nancy, for stopping by and for linking up for Blogging Grandmothers Link Party. Practicing gratitude is something I try to be mindful of and I fill a gratitude journal at night before bed.
Stepping out of your comfort zone can be pretty stressful, but look what you did in a day! I think it’s fantastic and I can tell that you had fun even though it might have made you nervous for a minute. Great job! #grandmotherslinkparty39
Thank you, Candi!! I was super nervous but did have fun learning to apply false eyelashes and create a pompadour.
Thanks for linking up and co-hosting at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 39! If you haven’t already, I’d like to invite you to linkup this post and more at the UNLIMITED Monthly Link Party (open for 25 days) and the Wednesday AIM Link Party.
Thank you, Dee. Just seeing this! Will link up for the Monthly Link Party, too.
Trying something new can be stressful but it looks like you had such a fun day! Your hair and makeup look so good – you are such a pretty pin-up girl! So cool to do a photoshoot with the vintage cars!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you! This pin-up shoot was totally outside my comfort zone but such fun. Felt like a fancy lady!
What a fun thing to do! You’ve inspired me to take on online course for photography. I love that you blew off the course you’d signed up for and that the rest of the time was just spontaneous, from being made up and having your photo done to lunch in full regalia with the hubby. I’ve never seen a course offered for online pinup photography. You looked great with the pinup makeup and I think you should take it out more often!
Ruth
http://www.VogueFauxReal.com
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. The pin-up photography class was great fun and so out of my comfort zone…I am a librarian (retired) and grandmother, for heaven sake!! But I had a great time, learned some new tricks and seemed to impress my Prince Charming!! Please come back again!!
Hi Leslie,
How cute and what fun! That whole scene would have definitely been outside of MY comfort zone!
Oh, it was definitely out of mine, too. But I warmed up and turned out to be quite the ham in front of the camera!
Leslie, what a fun experience! Sounds like you had a blast!! Love the pics! (btw – I’ve had that very same experience with my kitty a few times. Where DO they hide???). Thank you for cohosting at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkparty.
Thank you, Lori, for stopping by. Where DO our kitties hide? I even looked under all of the beds. She went invisible!!
What a fun day!!!!! Your writing reflects the experience so well..