This post is sponsored by Clinique and the new StoryChangers program. “We Are Story Changers. Watch and read stories from women like you who prove that when you change your story, you change your outlook.” For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.
I was looking through some old pictures the other day when I came across one of me and my best friend, Jen, on the day we graduated from high school (20 years ago!).
In the pic, we’re standing in my living room in our graduation caps and gowns, all excited and hopeful, and truth be told a little clueless, LOL!
Of course I had to snap a pic with my phone (I feel like I’m always doing this, taking pics of other pics). I texted it to Jen with a note, “Recognize these two youngins?”
She wrote back, “WOW. Just look at our faces. We were babies.”
And yeah, I guess we were. Although at the time, I remember thinking that I was all grown up because I was off to college in a few months.
Little did I realize then the challenges ahead, and when I look at the pic now, at my smooth, unlined skin and my squishy baby-faced cheeks, I see a young girl who has no idea of the hills she’ll have to climb, the obstacles she’ll eventually conquer, the missteps she’ll make, and make again, and again, the wonderful people she’ll meet along the way and the lessons she’ll learn.
And when I look in the mirror now, these many years later, I see proof of those lessons in my lines.
Sure, my pores are more visible, and my under-eye area isn’t as bright as it once was (ah…to be 18 again and able to get away with not wearing under-eye concealer!), but those smile lines around my eyes that show up when I’m happy, and those lines that show up around my mouth when I’m laughing, are reminders of the good times I’ve had along the way.
We all have our stories to tell and our paths to take. The decisions we make — both big and small — chart the course of our lives, and the beauty of it is, we can change that course. It’s kind of powerful, really, if you think about it. I don’t know where I’d be now (maybe still working at a job I didn’t like) if I hadn’t listened to that nagging voice in my head seven years ago that kept bugging me to start a blog. I’m grateful I listened to it.
This idea that we have the power to change our own story is the backbone of Clinique’s new StoryChangers program, a new multimedia platform on Clinique.com with videos, stories and vlogs from bloggers (including yours truly!) that celebrate the different ways women change their own stories, while introducing Clinique’s line of Acne solution products.
Hopefully one of their stories inspires you (and maybe your skin, too!), one decision at a time.
Every day of my life, my skin is changing, and so am I. As are you. We can’t stop things from changing, but we can alter course along the way. 🙂
If you have any questions at all about Clinique Acne solutions and you want answers straight from the source, they have a live chat available on their website where you can talk to a Clinique consultant about a regimen that’s right for your needs.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S.
Tracy says
March 21st, 2014 at 8:33 amFirst off I wanted to say how truly beautiful it is for you to embrace the who you were and who you are today. I think for women it’s harder to do this than men (aka my husband’s hair is all salt/pepper while I cried when I recently found 3 white hairs). We also have our 20 year high school reunion this year (YIKES) and looking back at old photographs has made me appreciate who I was back then and how it ultimately played a huge role in who I am today. Thank you for your lovely sentiments about how getting older doesn’t mean growing old. 🙂
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 9:09 amHi Tracy,
Thank you for this thoughtful and kind comment. 🙂 Sometimes I can’t believe that all this time has passed, you know? I feel like it was only yesterday when I was a senior in high school. It’s been a weird and wonderful journey so far, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Anywho, that’s awesome that you’re going to your reunion soon. Mine was last year but I didn’t go because of timing. Do you have your outfit and makeup picked out yet? I hope you have fun!
Laarni says
March 21st, 2014 at 8:37 amVery well written! *teary*
Laarni recently posted … Outfit: the Violet Tulip, the Hemlock, and the Sand
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 9:05 amThank you, Laarni! 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
Tracy says
March 21st, 2014 at 9:49 amI have no idea what I’m going to wear yet but I have decided to do my makeup myself. We have 2 to go to so it will definitely be interesting. Thanks for the well wishes!
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 9:58 amYou’re welcome! Kind of crazy how the years go by so quickly.
Anywhoooo, makeup. Does your reunion makeup look involves false lashes? 🙂 I hope so! They take everything to the next level.
Tracy says
March 21st, 2014 at 10:24 amI normally wear false lashes to special events but not sure about wearing them to the reunion. Guess it would depend on where the reunion is going to be (5 yr was on a boat = disastrous). Sadly a lot of my classmates whom I do still communicate with aren’t really into make-up (gasp). Since my hubby and I are DINKS I have a lot of free time. I realized I had a makeup addiction when I visited Sephora 2x in one day, the girls ta Sephora told me I was their favorite customer and I was offered a job at because I knew more than the current staff.
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 11:31 amYou could always do some falsies that aren’t too crazy, like the MAC 33s. Those are my favorite. The lashes are in little bundles, so they give your lash line some kick, but they’re not over the top. A lot of MAC artists use them on brides. I always keep a few in my drawer! 🙂
situ says
March 21st, 2014 at 11:11 amloved this entry. and hey does your CSF stole=California Scholarship Federation?? If so, I had one of those too at my high school! Memories!
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 11:29 amHi Situ,
Yes! LOL…I was kind of a nerdy over-achiever back in the day. Whereabouts in California are you from? I’m in the North Bay Area now, but I grew up in the East Bay.
Allison C says
March 21st, 2014 at 11:21 amWhat a wonderful program from Clinique, and I loved your story! Karen, you are even more beautiful now, 20 years later! Clinique was my first serious brand of skincare and makeup, so I have fond memories of Clinique when I first went off to college and for many years to come as well. I may have to check out that promo.
Allison C recently posted … Freebies for Me: NYX, Rimmel and NYC
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 11:27 amHi Allison,
Pop on over and check out the site! There’s some wonderful stories that I think you will enjoy.
Can you remember your first Clinique products? I had a blush, eyeshadow, lipstick and powder. 🙂
Grace says
March 21st, 2014 at 3:01 pmWow–so awesome!! You are such a wonderful, funny, talented person and I really look up to you a lot. I love that you forged a path for yourself doing what you love–and being happy. That’s something everyone should strive for 🙂 Love, Grace xoxo <3
hanna says
March 21st, 2014 at 3:37 pmI love your story!
hanna recently posted … Tag: More About Me
Chelsea says
March 21st, 2014 at 5:58 pmLove this story! You and Jen are so cute!
Chelsea says
March 21st, 2014 at 5:59 pmOh, and you must have done well in HS! I see honors medals and sashes.
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 6:00 pmI was such a nerd, man! LOL. Good times, good times.
What did you end up getting from the NYX sale, btw?
Chelsea says
March 21st, 2014 at 6:44 pmI ended up getting frustrated and giving up! Site was going really slow (probably from all the crazy makeup obsessed stocking up), so I didn’t place an order. I got the shadow I wanted from Ulta today though, a matte gray from the nude matte shadow collection. I decided I probably didn’t need the rest of them :p
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 6:48 pmAww, bummer. Well, I’m glad you were able to get that shadow. It sounds really pretty! 🙂
What’s the plan for the weekend? Tomorrow I’m cleaning in the morning, and then in the afternoon, I’m going to get frozen yogurt with a friend.
Chelsea says
March 21st, 2014 at 6:50 pmNice! I got frozen yogurt today on my way to Discount Tire (Michigan is full of potholes from the crazy weather and salt, needed new tires).
My plans tomorrow are sleeping in, and then I’m signed up for two workout classes – aerial conditioning, and aerial silks. Hanging from fabric that’s hooked to the ceiling, climbing, super fun, but really hard!
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 6:55 pmI’m looking forward to it. I haven’t had fro-yo in a while and there’s a new place in town. Plus I haven’t seen my friend in a while! Always nice to have girl time.
Sleeping in sounds FANTASTIC. I hope the fur kids let you sleep in! Tabs never allows his assistant to indulge in that particular activity on a Saturday.
Um…that class sounds really scary! How long have you been doing that sort of thing?
Chelsea says
March 21st, 2014 at 6:57 pmIt’s a little scary, but really cool once you learn the basics. This is my third week of class, but I took a couple others at other places. I’m not that good yet, but I’ll keep working at it!
This place has a hoopdancing class I’m taking too, and they do trapeze, burlesque classes… It’s pretty fun!
Jiji does wake me up a bit early for breakfast (which is fine with me, I wake up hungry before I’m not tired anymore), but he and I go back to bed together after breakfast, LOL.
Karen says
March 21st, 2014 at 8:26 pmProps, man! I don’t think I could do that. (I don’t like being upside down.) I would definitely sign up for the burlesque class, though. Fun fun!
That’s so cute that you guys go back to sleep together. Can Jiji please send Tabs that memo?
Sylirael says
March 22nd, 2014 at 1:16 amAww 🙂 What a lovely story to share! I always think that laugh and smile lines just make you more beautiful – it’s the frown ones that you gotta aovid if you can!
Sylirael recently posted … The Search for The Holy (Foundation) Grail Part 1: YSL Top Secrets BB Creme in Clear / Fair