Well we bought a house. This has been so time consuming but so rewarding! I have been filming and photographing our journey with full intentions of making a video about the process. I don't feel like our house is ready just yet but it is getting there. Quite honestly, I don't think I'll ever think it is totally complete but I guess that is normal.
Once we closed, our first priority was paint. We painted the whole house with the help of our friends and family. Not only did we paint the walls but we also painted the ceilings, doors and molding. It was painting overload. Let me tell you what, paint makes a big difference but it is also outlandishly expensive! We did luck out with available rebates and sales but still...hundreds of dollars on paint and painting supplies. I have also discovered that painting is my least favorite thing in the world. Maybe not the least but it is right up there with washing makeup brushes!
AFTER!!!
I have also discovered that I have a love for power tools! Buying a house is really just an excuse to buy a half dozen saws...and a SUV...and/or truck. Ah I want so many things! The fist power tool that I picked up was a DeWalt sander. I was and still am in LOVE and am always looking for an excuse to use it. The prior owners loved chair rails and drywall anchors so I definitely got my use out of it. I'm actually quite surprised that I didn't burnout the motor.
I'm very proud of all the work we have done so far. For first time buyers I think we're doing a pretty good job. Now that the most important rooms in the house have been completed, I can finally get some real work done in my office. I will finally have a space that I can create content in which is very exciting! This space will now give me the room I need to create more consistent content. We're coming into my favorite season so get ready for all the blog posts and YouTube videos! Thank you all so much for your ongoing support! It truly means the world to me!
One of my goals for 2015 is to read more books. I know that listening to a book isn't technically the same as reading it, but whatever! I have a half hour drive to work and I thought that listening to something other than junk radio on the way in would be a better use of time. I have listened to several books recently and "Yes Please" remains my favorite.
When I downloaded this book I honestly didn't know what to expect. The books that I typically go for are nonfiction crime or psychological works, but something drew me to this. Before I read this, I was not an Amy Poehler fan. I didn't dislike her, I just never really payed much attention to her. After listening to this, I can say that she is one of my biggest female role models. I was under the assumption that this was suppose to be a memoir, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was much more. She tells bits and pieces of her life and sprinkles in a whole lot of advise. She's realistic about life and the demons that everyone has in their mind. She speaks to the reader in such a loving and motherly way that it's unreal. Parts of this book made me laugh and others made me cry. She spends just enough time on each topic so that it is not depressing or overly goofy. I am truly sad every time I finish this book.
I wanted to write a very short review on this book today because it is International Women's Day. She builds up other women rather than tearing them down. She is an inspiration. As I started the book I was very uncertain that I would enjoy it. After I finished the book, I felt like I hadn't gotten my fill yet and listened to it a second time. Two of my favorite quotes from her are, "Yes, please." and "Good for you. Not for me."
In the audio version, she has several guests read various parts of the book. Two of these special guests were her mother and father. It is mind-blowing to see how down-to-earth she remains after all the years of fame. I highly recommend this book. It's a great read for women of all ages. She is empowering and everything I hope to be. If you don't believe me when I say she's awesome, google, "Amy Poehler SNL rap."
If you've read or listened to this book, leave a comment down below letting me know what your thoughts are on this. I look forward to reading them. Happy International Women's Day!
It's time for a product review! So I recently got the itch to pick up a new foundation and after having this one forced down my throat at Sephora, I decided to pick it up. After using this for about two weeks, I can confidently say that I want to love this, but it's not for me. It makes me think of Amy Poehler's "Yes Please" motto, "Good for you. Not for me." Let me give you a little bit of background about my skin. My skin has always been dry and sensitive. I have large pores on my cheeks and I'm prone to hormonal breakouts. This sounds so lovely. With this said, I was intrigued by this foundation because the word "luminous" is in it's name. I have a love hate relationship with this foundation. Let me breakdown the pros and cons.
PROS: CONS:
-Feels light -Not luminous
-Non-irritating -Emphasized imperfections
-20 shades -Not full coverage
-Doesn't oxidate
-Blends easily
-Doesn't easily crease
-Long wearing
I love the feel of the formula but it does NOTHING for my skin. From a distance, my skin looks very nice; however, if I look in a mirror, it looks pretty terrible. The following images are unedited. I have Smashbox Photo Finish Primer on under this foundation and that is it. I actually went out and purchased this primer specifically to used with this foundation. You can easily see my pores in these pictures so imagine how much worse it looked without the aid of a thick primer. I've applied this with my Beauty Blender. I found that this provided the best coverage and also helped to minimize the appearance of my pores. I also want you to note that you can very easily see my blemishes in both pictures. These spots really aren't that bad so I can only imagine how bad a real breakout would look. Personally, I think the formula is too thin for my skin. I love the way it feels and blends, but it doesn't do my skin any favors. With a $48 price tag, I will not be repurchasing. Be sure to check out my video review below and leave me a comment if you have used this foundation. I'm interested to hear what others with different skin types think of this product.
Once again, it is time for me to round up my favorite makeup products of the past year. I always find it so difficult to whittle down the seemingly never-ending list of products. When I'm creating my list, I find it useful to think of what items I've been taking with me when I'm traveling, repurchase before they run out, and reaching for consistently throughout the year. When I think about it like this rather than what products I was excited to use once they were released, it became a little easier and the list narrows. These might not be the most exciting products of the year but they were certainly my everyday staples. There is also a pretty nice combination of high end and drugstore products listed here. I promise, I didn't do that one purpose. These just happen to be the products that I would immediately run out and repurchase if I woke up and all my makeup was missing.
Revlon ColorStay Foundation: The formulation of this foundation is fantastic! It comes in two different formulations, normal/dry skin and oily skin. They both dry to a demi matte finish and stays put for hours. This is a medium coverage foundation that can easily be built up to full coverage.
M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural: I have very dry skin and this is my go-to powder foundation. When I apply this over my moisturizer, I get a very natural looking finish. Powder foundations are not the most forgiving product for people with my skin type but there is something about its formulation that makes it look simply beautiful.
Maybelline Dreamlumi Touch Highlighting Concealer: This product is seriously like a full nights sleep in a tube. This is the most amazing under eye concealer I have ever tried. It is a full coverage concealer that adds brightness and life back to your complexion. I've found that most "brightening concealers" really only do one or the other. This is the first one that I've found that does both well. Seriously, pick this up today if you've never tried it.
M.A.C Soft & Gentle Mineralized Skinfinish: This is such a beautiful highlighter for people with warm undertones. This is a fine shimmery (not glittery) powder that gives a beautiful candlelit glow to the skin.
NARS Blush in Desire: Talk about a versatile blush. This is an intensely pigmented blush that looks amazing on people with fair skin and dark skin. This gives a very youthful look. Imagine the color of your cheeks when you blush. It's that color! I've used it all throughout the summer and winter months and still can't get enough.
L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Iced Latte: If you watch my YouTube videos then you've probably seen me use this at least a dozen times. This pressed pigment is my favorite inner corner highlight.
Urban Decay NAKED Palette: The original will always be my favorite. If you have green or blue eyes then this palette will be your best friend. The gold and purples in here will make your eyes pop. There are 12 shadows in this palette. Two are matte and the rest are either shimmery or have fine glitter in them. Are are intensely pigmented and are true to color. The combination of light and dark shadows make it easy to put together great day and night looks.
Anastasia Brow Wiz: This is a completely idiot proof product. The one end has a thin rollup eyebrow pencil and the other has a dense spooly. If you overfill your brows, you can easily brush out some of the pencil strokes. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to do your brows in under a minute.
Rimmel Lipstick in 08: I stubbled across this lipstick early on in 2014 and I'm still obsessed with it. First of all, the color is amazing. This is my perfect "your-lips-but-better" color. It's close to that Kylie Jenner color that everyone is losing their mind over, only better. The formula is also amazing. I find that I don't often like drugstore lipsticks because the product either separates on the lips or slips around or generally just looks unappealing. This one is different. The formula is creamy and comfortable feeling on the lips but it still stays in place for hours. As the hours roll by, it fades properly. I've never experienced it looking blotchy. Love, love, love!
Channel Rouge Coco Shine in 54 Boy: I like to think of this as a highly pigmented lip balm. It's not really a lipstick and it's not quiet a lip balm. This feels much like a lip balm on; but, it provides a "medium coverage" color and leaves an intense gloss look on the lips. This product is smooth and hydrating. You don't have to be very careful while applying this product which makes it a great on-the-go lip color.
These are my top 10 products of 2014! I hope you've enjoyed this post. Leave a comment letting me know what some of your favorites are.
I started packing for my trip home and I suddenly felt a wave of inspiration come over me. I planned my Christmas look a few days ago so I though I'd share it with you. I know what you're thinking, who the hell plans their makeup looks...me, okay! We all know I'm obsessed.
I want to go with something classic. What is more classic than beautiful porcelain skin and a bold red lip? Nothing. Photographed on the side are the products that I will be taking home with me. I will do my best to post some pictures of the look to my Instagram account. Click HERE to follow me on Instagram.
I have been so in love with bold lips for the past few weeks and this Chanel color is one of my holy grail lipsticks. The Rouge Coco line is amazing! The lipsticks in this line are incredibly hydrating and comfortable to wear. With that said, this is not the most long wearing lipstick that I own. To get the lasting power that I want, I pair this with a lip pencil. Lining your lips before you apply your lipstick is a great way to keep you edges looking sharp but also great for extending the lasting power of your lip color. You can go for a pencil and lipstick that are the same color but I personally like to pair ones that are in the same family but a couple shades apart. I find that doing this helps to add dimension to my lips.
Since my lips are the main focus of the look, I wanted to keep the rest of the makeup clean and simple. This Chanel shadow in Emerveille is my go-to natural color. It's like a "your-lips-but-better" shade for your eyelids. There are only a handful of shadows that I wear and get compliments on in real life and this is one of them. I will say that the major downside to this product is that it dries out so quickly! I do have a solution to this but that will come in a later post.
This eyeshadow and blush go together so well because they both have champagne colored undertones. The undertone in the blush creates a natural looking highlight on the cheeks. It leaves you with a nice glow rather than an intense highlight.
Okay, I have to finish packing. Remember to check my Instagram for pictures and before you head over there, let me know what makeup you are planning on wearing Christmas day. Have a safe and happy holiday!!!
Welcome to the final installment of my holiday gift guide series. I've had a lot of fun with this series and I hope you have enjoyed reading these posts as much as I have enjoyed writing them. Today's post is about what to get that person who seems to have everything. Some people are always going to be difficult to shop for but I think I have come up with some good ideas. Let me know your thoughts on these.
-Make a scrapbook. This is an absolutely amazing gift for parents, spouses, and siblings. Scrapbooks are so personal and touching. They can be very time consuming and even expensive to make but no one can replicate it. It's unique and filled with love. You can't place a value on these and they will be something that the person will cherish forever.
-Spa treatment. Everyone loves a little pampering but most people will not buy these services for themselves. Massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, and shaves are great services to pickup gift certificates for.
-Murder mystery dinner. These are so much fun! If you've never been to one I highly recommend booking one...like now! It combines two of the best things in life, food and fun. Instead of just taking the person out to dinner or a show, combine the two. I promise you can't go wrong with this.
-Winery tour. If you do not live close to a winery this can double as a fun weekend getaway. All wineries have a different vibe so make sure to do your research before select any one. Some are more laid-back while others are pretty formal. Select one that best matches the mood you are trying to create for the day or weekend.
Hard to believe this week is already over! If you've enjoyed this series be sure to leave a comment down below letting me know.
It is day four of my holiday gift guide series! Time to get pumped! So, today's post is geared towards that person who loves to entertain. We all have that one friend who is ways looking for an excuse to throw a party and now it is time to celebrate them...corny I know. OK, let's dive in!
-Subscription boxes. You know the drill by now. If you don't, refer to my first installment of this series. Subscriptions boxes rock. Check out some awesome options below.
-Cigars. Now I know that this isn't every ones cup of tea but some people really enjoy smoking a cigar or two with their close friends. If you do plan on picking up a few of these I'd recommend getting a kit with it. A personalized box of matches would also be a nice touch.
-Engraved decanters. If you know the persons liquor of choice, pairing that along with an engraved decanter would be an excellent idea. I have a link below to where you can get some great deals on engraved decanters.
-Coffee table books. I feel like these are not very common gifts but to the right person they can be very special. They make great conversation starters and will be a treasure that he or she will have for many years.
-Board games. I find that I play just as many board game now as I did when I was little. The games have changed but the excitement and fun I get from playing them hasn't. Some of my personal favorites are below.
Welcome to the third instalment of my holiday gift guide series! Today's post is all about staying healthy and fit. A lot of really cool stuff has come out in recent years that makes working out and eating right a lot easier. These are my top picks for the workout buff in your life.
-Subscription boxes. I spoke about these previously in my "trendsetter" category. Subscription boxes make wonderful gifts because the person receives different items every month for a period of time that you select. There are many different boxes available but I have my favorites linked below.
Naturebox FabFitFun -Workout clothes. Proper workout clothes can be a little on the pricey side and not everyone likes to spend money on clothes that they'll just be sweating in. Quality workout gear can make a big difference and I guarantee it will be greatly appreciated.
-Nifty gadgets. I really have no idea what to call this section but there are some really nifty health gadgets available. Some are really technical and others are just practical. Below I have two stocking stuffer ideas and one luxury item.
Welcome to part two of my five part holiday gift guide series! Today's post is geared towards all those tech and gadget lovers. There are so many great gadgets available that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Below I've listed a few of my personal favorite items. These are all easy to use and come in an array of prices.
-Headphones. These come in a variety of prices and styles. You can find really trendy pairs and ones with super high quality sound. You have to have an idea of how the person will use them in order to find the right fit. When it comes to sound and quality, I feel like you can't go wrong with Bose. I have a pair of in-ear noise canceling headphones from them and they are truly amazing. Although I love them, I hate them for editing and general music listening purposes. Don't get me wrong, when I am working out or running errands while listening to music they are great but when I'm lounging I prefer an around-ear pair. On-ear and around-ear headphones are super comfortable and you can find so many different colors and patterns with this type. My personal favorites are linked below.
-Portable chargers. Most people have smartphones now and if you have one, you have personally experienced how terrible the battery is at holding a charge. If I get 12 hours out of mine, I am happy. I recently received a portable charger and it is amazing. I can't even count the number of times I've already used it.
-Speakers. So many people now stream music off of their iPhones, iPads and other devices that it's almost a necessity to have an external speaker. Most standard speakers on these devices are not loud enough for parties so portable speakers make a huge difference. It's also a bonus if they are cordless so that way you don't have to worry about any extra hassle.
-Phone cases. There are so many options available when it comes to phone cases. You can get cases that double as wallets all the way to cases that double as Swiss Army knives and everything in between. I personally have a life proof case and it is the best thing I've ever spent money on. A good case is really worth the investment.
I hope you enjoyed today's edition of my holiday gift guide series. If you are still looking for some more techie ideas be sure to check out the link below. It is such a fantastic website for these types of products. I've ordered many things from them in the past and I can't say enough good things about them. See you all tomorrow.
My first category is for all those trendsetters. This is designated to those individuals who are interested in fashion and grooming products. Unlike the gift card to Sephora or an Axe gift set, these are some really unique and personalized gift ideas. Some are more specific than others but I will do my best to include links where appropriate. Let's get started!
-Fragrance sample sets. Many of these sets come with a coupon that is redeemable for a full size of one of the fragrance samples that are included in the set. Basically you are paying for the full size bottle in advance and the giftie gets to pick out which scent her or she really wants. My current favorites for men and women are linked below.
-Personalized accessories. I have fallen in LOVE with Etsy! I've ordered many gifts off on Etsy this year and have had wonderful experiences with all of the vendors that I have purchased from. I highly encourage checking out this site. Some great personalized accessories would be cuff links, tie clips, business card cases, tote bags, phone cases, and key chains just to name a few. I have ordered several engraved and embroidered items this year and they look beautiful and are so unique.
-Monthly subscription boxes. There are so many of these companies out there. Some are geared towards men and others women. You can typically select different subscription lengths so you can pick the one that best fits your budget. I have ordered from many of these sites myself and have not been disappointed.
-Scarf and gloves. It is cold outside and everyone could use a quality scarf and a nice pair of gloves. A cashmere scarf would make a wonderful gift for the gentleman in your life. They are sleek and you can find them in a wide variety of colors and patterns. As for women, chunky knit scarfs are warm and trendy. For gloves, I would recommend going with the touchscreen sensitive options. Nothing is worse than having to take off your warm gloves to respond to a text.
-Playful socks. Don't take life too seriously. Everyone could use a pair of completely goofy socks.
I hope you found this helpful! Remember to subscribe and keep an eye out for tomorrows blog post.
In previous years I have really struggled to come up with clever holiday gift ideas for my friends and family. I really like to tailor my gifts to each person in my life rather than buying something thoughtless and generic. Unlike past years, I now feel like I can't stop coming up with awesome gift ideas. Since I seem to have a surplus of ideas and a limited bank account, I thought I'd share some of these ideas with you. Some of the gifts will be stocking stuffer items and others will be investments. Many of the gift ideas that I will be mentioning are suitable for both genders. I will have five categories filled with multiple ideas. Some of the items will be very specific and accompanied by links to some my personal favorites and others will be very broad. I will release a new category each day. This series will start on Monday, December 1st and will conclude on Friday, December 5th. Stay tuned and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any new posts!
I have started this blog because of my love for makeup. I hope to be able to pass along some of the knowledge that I have acquired over the years. For more information about me go to the "About Me" tab.
