New Year's Eve | 2014 Recap

This New Year's Eve, Gary and I are planning on attending a party and then spending some time at home with his mom. For the party, I'm donning a sequin-covered dress with a pair of heels. Accompanying my outfit, I am going to use a long-lasting blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. I continually talk about my favorites which are Tarte's 12-Hour Amazonian Clay Blush, Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette, Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, and Maybelline's the Rocket Volum Express Mascara. For nails, I'm wearing OPI's Taupe-Less Beach with an overlay of OPI's Love.Angel. Music.Baby. After the party, I'm going to throw on a pair of jeans and a comfy sweater while my makeup takes a transition from party to relaxing at home.

This time of year, especially New Year's Eve, is always about recapping the previous year and making plans for the new one. So, I thought I would reflect on the past year today and on Friday, explain my goals for 2015.

In 2014, Gary and I spent a lot of time apart. From driving back and forth from Huntsville to Birmingham every weekend, to him going to Las Vegas and me to Florida, we have spent a lot of time individually. The time apart was good for us to grow individually and make us that much closer. This year, I read fourteen books for fun - yes,  fourteen books. I did very well in school. I completed an internship and part-time job in Huntsville and then moved back down to Birmingham and gained another part-time job. Over the summer, Gary, my sister, and her best friend, and I, all went to Florida and did the four Disney parks and had so much fun. 

This year, although still good, was not as great as I'd like it to have been. I was so bogged down with school that I hardly lived my life outside of school. On the weekends, I was kind of a home-body and didn't really experience anything but the back of my eyelids and the occasional Netflix binge. However, I plan on 2015 being the best year yet!

Cheers to 2014 and bring on 2015! 

I'll be posting my 2015 goals on Friday, so be sure to check back!

Florida Product Haul

During my family's trip to Florida, we stopped by a beauty store and TJMaxx where I picked up a few beauty-related items. 

Here's what products I bought:

OPI Taupe-Less Beach - the perfect grey/purple that don't make my hands look too dull. 

Essie Waltz - a lovely white that's not too white-out white.

Essie St. Lucia Lilac - a beautiful purple pastel that's wearable during any season.

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In - the product that makes your hair extra soft.

A nail buffer - everyone needs one of these.

Birchwood cuticle pushers - everyone needs one of these, too.

OPI Cajun Shrimp - I got a pedicure before we went shopping and then found this color at the store and couldn't resist buying it. It's the most ideal summertime red with a hint of pink.

Rusk Texture Dry Finishing Spray - a product that gives your hair a little more oomf.

Things I Like/10

{A winter getaway} for vacation
{A cozy bed} for snuggling
{Sugar cookies} for snacking
{A city} for adventuring
{A top knot} for lazy days

Merry Christmas

photo

"Then the angel said to them, 'do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" - Luke 2:10-11

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas tomorrow!

My Travel Essentials

Like me, I know a lot of you may be traveling this week, so I thought I'd share my travel essentials. First off, I wear a pair of really comfy joggers or leggings and a soft t-shirt to stay as comfortable as possible on a long car ride. I also pack my iPad for music, Pinterest, or games. I take my iPhone for texting and snapping quick photos along the way. I keep my sunglasses close by because we mainly travel by car and it can be so bright! I bring my polaroid camera for photos and a chapstick/lip treatment because my lips tend to get extremely dry whenever I travel.

What are your travel essentials?

Birchbox/3

I have another Birchbox review today! I was so so happy when I opened this box. This month's products seem to be so much better than last month's. If you want to see October's box click here and if you want to see November's box click here. 

December's Birchbox:

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil | Full-size, $24.95
What: This customer-fave hair oil defends against UV rays, heat, and breakage.
How: Work 1-3 drops into damp hair, or to the ends of dry hair. Perfect for all hair types.
My Thoughts: I love hair oils and oils in general, so I was really excited to see this product in my box this month. The oil leaves my hair so soft!

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre | Full-size, $16-$28
What: A makeup artist fave, this French moisturizer heals dryness and preps skin for foundation.
How: Smooth onto face and neck.
My Thoughts: Although I haven't tried this product yet, I think it's a great addition to the box this month because of the current season and a moisturizer is always something I have on hand.

Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder & Mini Fan Brush | Full-size $37
What: Give skin a soft-focus finish with this smoothing powder and brush duo.
How: Apply makeup, then dip fan brush in powder and dust onto forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
My Thoughts: This product was also really exciting for me. I love Laura Mercier's makeup. I've never tried loose setting powder, so I can't wait to use this with the mini fan brush. It's too cute!

Vasanti Cosmetics Kajal Extreme Intense Eye Pencil - Rose Gold | Full-size $18
What: Creamy, metallic liner that doesn't budge for up to eight hours.
How: Glide on a thin line for a gilded look, or smudge a bolder line for extra shimmer.
My Thoughts: This was a product I actually got to pick out. I've never tried a colored liner before and this rose gold one looks like so much fun.

Whish Shave Crave - Acai Grapefruit | Full-size $20
What: A shea butter-packed shaving cream in a fresh scent.
How: Apply to legs, armpits, or bikini line before you shave. 
My Thoughts: This shaving cream is another great product I received. I'm going away next week for Christmas and this is a nice travel size to take with me. 

What did you get in this month's box?

My Everyday Look - Winter Edit

Around this time of year, my skin gets drier and lighter which results in my makeup being a bit different, but not too different. I begin by slapping on some moisturizer, buffing in Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc, cover up my spots with Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer in Fair, mix the Fit Me Concealer with Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Fair on the back of my hand and apply under my eyes. I use just a bit of Maybelline's Fit Me Powder in Ivory on my T-zone, add a bit of Rimmel Natural Bronzer underneath my cheek bones, around my face, and down my neck and then apply Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Memorable to my cheeks. I then add a tiny amount of Urban Decay's Potion Primer to my eyelids and slather on a bit of Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded. Afterwards, I curl my lashes with a Revlon eyelash curler and then apply Maybelline's The Rocket Mascara. For lips, I apply Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment in Berry.

What's your winter edit everyday look?

Weekend/8

Hi, everyone! I'm finally back from my long break of blogging. This semester made it really hard to keep up blogging and get school work done and keep my sanity. However, I am back and I have finally figured out the direction I want to go with this little space and what schedule I'm going to stick with. I'm thinking that I want to have posts up three days a week - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. So, make sure you come back and check on those days.

This weekend was so nice. Gary and I went home after work on Friday. On Friday night, we watched a Christmas movie with my sister and then celebrated Gary's birthday on Saturday night with Italian food, drinks, and cake. On Sunday, we went to church and then had lunch with our families and headed back to Birmingham. On Sunday night, Gary and I headed to our first Christmas party of the season. We had a great time spending time with friends that we hadn't seen in ages.

What did you do this weekend?

Birchbox/2

I know it's a bit late, but it's that time of the month again! Ahem, not that time of the month. The time of the month where I share about my Birchbox (this is only my second box, but you get the gist). Let's get started!

November's Birchbox:
Coola Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face | Full-size $36
What: Mineral-based tinted moisturizer that softens, evens skin tone, and has a matte finish.
How: Smooth a thin layer onto clean skin. Wear year-round to protect your skin from UV rays.
My Thoughts: This item seems really out of season seeing as it's winter right now. I wasn't too happy with this product because it came out very watered down and looked like mustard.

Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy Body Lotion | Full-size $15
What: Antioxidant-rich  moisturizer that smooths and softens with botanicals like grape seed.
How: Message generously into dry skin.
My Thoughts: I wasn't very happy with this product either. Like the product before, this lotion seemed like it was made up of 80% water. Five minutes after I applied it to my hands, they were dry again.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive | Full-size $39
What: An amazingly effective (and gentle!) peel with fruit-derived acids to dissolve dead skin.
How: At night, apply a thin layer onto clean skin. Rinse after 10 minutes. Use 1-2 times a week.
My Thoughts: This product also comes out extremely watery! What is it this month with watery products?

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk in Natural Tint | Full-size $19.50
What: Naturally tinted for brunettes, this formula absorbs grease and revives second-day hair.
How: Shake can. Spray 10 inches from roots. Wait 2 minutes, massage into hair, and brush through.
My Thoughts: This formula does not look like it is tinted for brunettes because it comes out of the can very lightly colored. The formula does a great job of absorbing excess oil from the roots like a dry shampoo is supposed to. However, it makes my hair feel dirtier.

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick in Get Naked | Full-size $24
What: Hydrating, semi-matte formula that lasts as long as the party does.
How: Swipe onto lips for nourishing, stay-put color in a classic nude shade.
My Thoughts: Unfortunately, I really dislike this lipstick. Although it did come in a full lipstick size, the color was just not right. The color is not a nude. It is more of a light orange which does not compliment my fair skin very well!

Bonus:
Firecracker ChocoPods - not a fan of this either.

My overall experience with Birchbox this month: I liked 1 out of 6 products (including the bonus)
Product-wise, this month was not a good one for me. The products weren't very appealing and I was very unimpressed. I thought about unsubscribing, but thought I'd stay in it one more month. Come back next Friday for my December box review!

What did you receive in this month's box?