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

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"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?

Hair Care

After reading quite a few posts about how other bloggers work with their hair, I thought I could put a post together about what products I use in my hair.
For starters, my routine is very simple. I'm in college and don't have a lot of extra money to spend on expensive hair products so I tend to stick with the bare minimum. Also, I only wash my hair twice a week (didn't mean to gross you out there).
I use Suave Professionals Natural Infusion Macadamia Oil and White Orchid Shampoo and Conditioner. I only use conditioner in the bottom half of my hair and wash it out at the very end of the shower.
After I'm done in the shower, I towel dry it, brush through it, and then spritz It's a 10 plus Keratin in my hair then towel it again and then run my fingers through my hair.
The morning after I wash my hair, I style it with my CHI straightener and then run through my hair  with Suave Moroccan Oil.
If my hair starts to feel a little limp and dried out but I'm not ready to wash it, I usually apply Neutrogena's Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Cream, focusing on the bottom half of my hair. This product leaves my hair smooth and shiny.
Once I notice my hair is getting a bit oily and I'm not ready to wash it, I use Tresemme's Dry Shampoo. I absolutely love this stuff. It seriously gets my hair through the week!

What is your hair care routine?

LORAC Skinny

 
Hi, everyone! I'm finally back from my super long break from blogging. Life has been very busy and I haven't had much down time. However, we are heading to the beach today and I'm so excited because we haven't had a break all semester!
Last week, I celebrated my 21st birthday and Gary bought me a camera (I hope you can tell by the photos) and he picked up this LORAC palette I've had my eye on for a few weeks.
The palette, LORAC Skinny in Nude, comes in at $15 with 3 matte and 4 shimmer shades. I think it is a great palette especially for this time of year. The shadows are so creamy and blend-able with a long-lasting power that will last all through any holiday party. It's such an easy gift or stocking stuffer if you need any ideas for a friend or your sister!

Have you tried any of LORAC's eyeshadows?

Birchbox/1

 

As you can see, this month I jumped onto the Birchbox train. I have been thinking about subscribing to Ipsy and Birchbox for a few months before finally deciding to go with Birchbox at the beginning of the month. Because I spend so much money trying new products for a few weeks and then realizing I don't really like them, I decided to subscribe to Birchbox that way I'm only spending $10 a month and trying 4-5 new mini-sized products. I thought this was the most efficient way to fulfill my beauty/makeup obsession. So, let's get started!

October's Birchbox:
Camile Beckman Tuscan Honey Glycerine Hand Therapy | Full-size, $13.95
What: "Sweet-smelling cream that restores and protects hands with glycerin and healing botanicals."
How: "Smooth generously onto dry hands and massage into skin."
My Thoughts: Personally, I love this stuff. It isn't oily on the hands and it smooths into the skin quickly. This cream has a hint of an organic sweet smell that I really like.

Coastal Scents Revealed Eyeshadow Palette Set in Latte | Full size, $34
What: "With these versatile nude and metallic shadows in your beauty arsenal, you're all set."
How: "Sweep preferred hue over lids for day. Layer shadows for a more dramatic night look."
My Thoughts: I love these shadows! I'm so happy I received this quad. There are two warmer tones and two cooler tones. I think the colors are so great. The shadows are creamy and very blend-able.

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips | Full-size, $14.50
What: "Originally made for nursing moms, this ultra-hydrating balm is a makeup artist fave."
How: "Dab onto parched lips, cuticles, and elbows as needed."
My Thoughts: My first reaction to this product was "nipple balm? why??" I was caught off guard while reading the product name but soon got over it after I read that it was for lips, not the other. I think this is a great idea - a super hydrating lip balm always brings music to my ears. Even better, you can use it on your cuticles and elbows as well. I think I'm saving this for my ultra dry winter skin.

TOCCA Eau de Parfum, Florence | Full-size, $68
What: "With notes of bergamot, gardenia, and jasmine, this floral scent has an old-world charm."
How: "Spritz onto pulse points to make an elegant impression."
My Thoughts: First spritz onto my wrist and I absolutely disliked this scent. First of all, I have a really sensitive nose. I'm pretty much like a hound dog. I have this super heightened sense of smell and this can be a really big disadvantage sometimes (Exhibit A: walking by Bath & Body Works, Exhibit B: when someone sits next to me in class with really bad body odor). Second, I'm not a big perfume wearer unless it's a special occasion. Third, I absolute loathe floral scents. All in all, this was a complete miss for me and I will most likely be throwing this away.

Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator | Full-size, $34
What: "This customer fave mimics effects of microdermabrasion for a glowing, smooth complexion."
How: "3-5 times a week massage a pea-seized amount into damp skin and rinse. For all skin types."
My Thoughts: I've been using this a few times a week when my face starts looking a bit dull. I'm really enjoying it. The formula has tiny exfoliating bits in it, but it is very gentle. My face is left really soft and perked up. I'm really thinking about buying a full size of this because it's that amazing!

My overall experience with Birchbox this month: I liked 4 out of 5 products.
I went into this thinking I would just get one box and then unsubscribe. However, I was really impressed with the products in my box. My only complaint with this month's box was the perfume.

Have you ever tried Birchbox?
What did you receive in your box this month?

Wednesday/13

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"Well done is better than well said."

-Benjamin Franklin

Full Exposure

Hi, everyone! I'm back today with a review of a product that I just had to share with you. I was in the checkout line at Sephora and I can never help myself when it comes to the mini's section. I always find something I need. When I saw this Smashbox palette, I couldn't resist. It is the cutest palette I've ever seen!
At the size of a palm, this palette is perfect for traveling. With four shimmers and four mattes, it's great for a day at work and a night out. The matte shades are very pigmented, neutral, and a little goes a long way. The shimmers are more on the sheeny side, maybe even too glittery for me. They need to be built up, but I still think they can work if you are going out at night.
Overall, I have deemed this palette as my go-to for the fall and winter months.
Have you tried any eyeshadows by Smashbox?

Wednesday/12

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"Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple…"

-Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Weekend/7

On Friday morning, I woke up to a foggy morning in Birmingham. Later Friday afternoon, I got off work early, Gary and I drove to Gadsden and picked up Maggie, and then Maggie spent the night with me Friday night. Saturday morning, my parents came down to Birmingham, and we all went shopping for a homecoming dress for Maggie because her homecoming is next week. We spent the day eating at Urban Cookhouse, shopping, and eating some more at Cocina Superior. On Sunday, Gary and I went to the late service at church, met our new pastor, went to lunch with friends, and worked on schoolwork all afternoon.
My heart is so full. It was the best weekend.

Oreo Cream Popcorn

If you follow me on Instagram, you would've seen my post over the weekend about the Oreo Cream Popcorn we made. Gary and I planned to watch movies on Saturday and Gary picked out a dessert he wanted us to try, so we headed to the kitchen and got started. It was highly addicting and so good!

What you'll need:
-Two mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
-Popcorn kernels
-One pack of Oreos
-Sprinkles
-Mixing spoon
-Vegetable oil
-Large pot
-20 oz. white chocolate bark
-Cutting board
-Knife

How to:
-Put enough vegetable oil in your large pot just to cover the bottom
-Add in 6 tablespoons of popcorn kernels (or, however much you'd like. we made a lot to give to our friends)
-While popcorn is popping, begin to melt white chocolate (I did four squares of chocolate at a time for one minute, added four more for one minute, etc)
-Chop one package of Oreos on your cutting board with a knife
-Once popcorn is all popped, pop it in into the large mixing bowl
-Then, add in the chopped Oreos
-Mix the popcorn and Oreos together
-Drizzle the white chocolate all over popcorn
-Incorporate the three ingredients by stirring it all together
-Add sprinkles

Happy popping!

September

September.

What a whirlwind of a month.

Collectively, Gary and I have had 4 interviews this month. We now both have new jobs! yay!

We have traveled every weekend this month. But this weekend, we are doing absolutely nothing (I'M SO EXCITED) until Sunday and then we have to finish our school work (the never ending stream of assignments).

I have tried four new recipes this month. Yay for food!
School has taken over my life this month. But hey, what can I say? College is good. Life is good. Fall is right around the corner. What more could I ask for? [Pumpkin everything. That's what.]

Last weekend, Gary and I went to Tennessee to meet up with my family for Maggie's volleyball tournament and her eighteenth birthday. It was so much fun. We were talking about it all week and how much fun we had.

How are you guys?
Sorry, this was a weird post. 

Do You Ever...

Go home and never want to leave?
Reward yourself with buying a new pair of shoes?
Wish that you could pack up all your things and teleport to somewhere other than where you are?
Not have dinner until after 11 p.m.?
Online shop but leave everything in the basket and never buy any of it?
Wish that you could sleep for an entire day?

Yeah, me too.
This past weekend Gary and I went home and I got to spend a lot of time with my dad. We ate some great food and spent time with friends. It was great. This week, I have my first exam of the semester, start a new job, and get to celebrate my little sister's eighteenth birthday! I'm excited!
What are you up to this week?

Favorite Candles

Hi, everyone! Today I wanted to share with you all my favorite candles of the moment. I am burning these all on rotation practically every day because I can't get enough!
From left to right:
-Volcano Candle in the scent Capri Blue
-Bath & Body Works in the scent Sundress
-Bella in the scent Almond Lily
-Bath & Body Works in the scent Fresh Linen

What are your favorite candles?

Beach Weekend

Last weekend, Gary and I went to the beach with some friends. Being my one of my favorite places to visit, the beach was just what I needed after a stressful school week. I couldn't stop taking pictures! Here are a few photos that I took over the weekend:

What is your favorite place to visit?

Ikea Desk

Hi, everyone! I apologize for the lack of posts lately. I had some planned, but if you follow me on Instagram, you would've seen that Gary and I went to the beach last weekend with some friends and got back Sunday night and I worked on homework until 11 p.m. and then went straight to bed so I didn't get any posts completely ready over the weekend!
During the week, I haven't had much time to do anything but prepare for class, go to class, and do work for class. By the time I get done with all my work, I'm left without any creative juices and my mind is practically fried! However, I promise I'm working on some upcoming posts for you all so don't go away just yet!
Anyways, today I wanted to share you some (iPhone) photos of my desk I bought from Ikea!

For right now, my desk is pretty boring. I haven't really had the time to completely decorate it like I want to, but for now, I think it's pretty functional! This desk, the Ikea Micke, is seriously amazing. There is so much space for all different kinds of stuff. It has a large drawer, and four shelves with lots of desk space. Not to mention, it has a place for your computer cords to come through the desk. I bought the Alex add-on unit to put my laptop on to make more room for books and for the two drawers for extra storage space.
I'm pretty much obsessed with my new desk and it was so fun for me and Gary to assemble it together.
Have you ever bought and assembled anything from Ikea?