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Accidental New Favorite Cleanser

31.3.15


So last weekend after work, I decided to have a little wander around the nearby Sephora. While I usually have difficulties on not going too overboard in that store, I managed to control my spending this time. I went in intending to look at the "new white" collection from Nails Inc after hearing about it on a video that Alex from the YouTube channel I Covet Thee talk about how gorgeous the off white colors were. Once I found the Nails Inc section on the nail polish stand, I decided I would get the shades Whitehorse Street and Swan Street.


Next I went to have a look in the skin care section and ummed and ahhed at several different products and was about to head to the cashier to pay for the nail polishes. As I was walking, I saw the the First Aid Beauty section and remembered that I had been wanting to try on the Skin Rescue purifying mask with red clay. You know the one that makes your face look all red, scary and dries so you get to peel it off your face, yeah that one.

So as I was in such a hurry, I grabbed the cleanser instead and only noticed when I was having a bath and went to put the mask on my face and then saw it was the skin rescue cleanser and not the mask! I decided to try it out anyway and surprise suprise, I love it! It makes your skin feel super clean but not dried out at all. I was thinking about returning it to Sephora but now I think I'm gonna keep it. I've been using it in the mornings and alternating between this new cleanser and my glam glow supercleanse mud cleanser at night. This just might replace my Kiehls cleanser. Have you tried this cleanser or any other First Aid Beauty products? What are your favorites? Hope you enjoyed it! 

Lazy Girl's Guide: Everday Makeup

25.3.15


A few days ago I came across a video called " Lazy Girl's Guide: Updo hairstyle" on MarissaLace's YouTube channel. She talked about how to create this really pretty updo in literally 5 minutes. After watching her video, I was really inspired to write a post all about how I like to wear my makeup when I'm feeling particularly sleepy or lazy. Anyway, lets get started!






For my face, I usually use a light tinted moisturizer, BB or a CC cream and a concealer for any redness and one for my under eye area. Right now I'm really enjoying the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. Its amazing at giving decent coverage while still feeling very light on the skin. I will usually use the Nars creamy concealer under my eyes to brighten up any dark circles and the Urban Decay Naked Skin one for any redness or problem areas around my face. After setting with some translucent powder, I'lll move on to adding a light wash of color to make my eyes look more awake.


The Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rose Gold is a great product to use when you just want a light wash of color but it's also very buildable if you want a more intense look. For this no fuss look I just take one swipe of this shadow stick on my lid and blend it outwards. Next I use the Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme mascara as it lengthens incredibly, opening up the eyes. Lastly, I use the Benefit gimme brow in dark. This product holds my brows in place while also giving them a slight tint making them look fuller and defined.

The Tarte cheek stain is a great product to use when you want a natural looking flush on the cheeks. I find it's easiest to use a stippling brush and push the color onto apples of the cheek and blend towards the hairline. I love using it with my fingers to dab onto the lips for slight bit of color.

All finished and now you're ready to take on whatever lies in the day ahead of you! Hope you enjoyed it and be sure to come back every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for new posts on all things beauty and fashion! Have a great day!



Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion Spray Review

23.3.15

Bumble and Bumble products pretty much make up the majority of the hair care section in my bathroom. Their Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner are basically the only things that keep my hair manageable and healthy. I get my hair colored every two and a half months or so to keep my beachy/ natural looking blond color looking its best. I think it's safe to say that my hair goes through alot and it's literally a miracle that it still looks this healthy. I give credit to the amazing products from Bumble and Bumble for how good my hair looks now despite all of the damage it goes through.

I can't say enough good things about this brand! After discovering the original Surf Spray from the brand a few years ago, I fell in love with the way that it gave my hair that amazing look that your hair gets when you've just come out of the water during a beach holiday. There was one thing about it that I didn't quite like about it though and that was the dry feeling that I felt whenever I would touch my hair. That one flaw didn't stop me from using an otherwise AMAZING product. I used it interchangeably with the Toni and Guy salt spray whenever I wanted to add extra wave and texture to my mildly wavy hair. 

This continued until I got an email from Sephora informing me that VIB Rouge members had the opportunity to get the new Surf Infusion Spray before it went on sale to non VIB members. I was really intriguing to me, so naturally my impulse shopping tendencies kicked in and before I knew it, there was a Sephora package waiting for me on my doorstep a couple of days later. Long story short,I frickin' love this stuff! It's like the original Surf Spray but the oil in the surf spray keeps it from making your hair feel all dry and crispy. In other words this is sexy beach hair in a bottle and receives a 12 out of 10 from me! What are some of your favorite products to get effortless hair?


Monday Catch Up

16.3.15

Happy Monday all! I hope that everyone has had an amazing weekend and if you've just come back from Spring Break; I hope you've had an amazing break! I have just returned from spring break myself, that is my explanation for not putting up a post on Friday. I just need a couple of days of pure me-time and now I am back and refreshed to take on this month in full force!

Today's post is sort of a cross between a mini haul and a favorite places, I hope you enjoy it and share it with your friends, cats, dogs, and anyone who is around you!

Part One: A mini haul from my shopping trip with my mom from last Friday ( March 13, 2015) as well as my new favorite quote found on Rebecca Minkoff's Instagram page.
1. Madewell ( Button-down shirtdress):
https://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/DRESSES/shiftdresses/PRDOVR~C0499/C0499.jsp                                       
 
 2. Madewell ( Denim boyshorts: rip and repair edition)
https://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/DENIMBAR/shorts/PRDOVR~C1734/C1734.jsp                                            
 
 3. Topshop Black Ripped Jamie Jeans
http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/clothing-70483/petite-70510/petite-jeans-70650/petite-moto-black-ripped-jamiejeans-3984246refinements=category~[209946208681]&bi=1&ps=20                                                              

4. Topshop Petite Lace Cap Sleeve Playsuit
http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/clothing-70483/rompers-jumpsuits-4107634/petite-lace-cap sleeve-playsuit4142432bi=1&ps=20                                                                                                                                   

5.Topshop Lace Trim Runner Shorts
http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/clothing-70483/shorts-70503/lace-trim-runner-4111187?bi=1&ps=20
 
6. Night Circus By Erin Morgenstern ( Availible at Barnes and Noble or Amazon) 

Part 2: Favorite Places:
True Food Kitchen in Lenox Square Mall Buckhead, GA: 
After a day of shopping on Friday March 13, my mother and I decided to try out True Food Kitchen's Atlanta location. This is probably my new favorite restaurant in that area, the food is healthy and oh my gosh, it tastes even better! It is a "health" restaurant so expect lots of fresh ingredients and and food that will make you feel full but not too sickly full so that you feel like you have a food baby. You come out nice and satisfied with that "ahh" feeling. If you're looking for a good restaurant in the Atlanta area, then this is definitely one to try out.
                                                        The inside of True Food Kitchen [Photo credit: https://firefighterfitnessllc.wordpress.com/2014/09/07/dining-out-on-a-diet-our-guide-to-atlantas-healthiest-hot-spots/] 

[Photo credit: http://a3.urbancdn.com/w/s/HO/4gNNF7UUxTrflh-640m.jpg]
Hope you guys have a fantastic week and I'll see you again on Wednesday!

Quick & Easy Recipes+Kickboxing?

13.3.15

Happy Friday! So seeing as how yesterday was the official first day of spring, I thought that I would pay tribute to the fact that bikini season is just around the corner with this healthy recipes post! I am also going to talk about my workout that I've been doing for that last couple of months, so this should be a fun and inspiring post to get all of us into the mood for the upcoming warmer months! Hope you enjoy!



Let's start with the first meal of the day and my personal favorite! BREAKFAST!! I used to hate eating breakfast, like literally hate eating it so much to the point where my mom used to have to sit with me and watch me eat something in the morning before school to make sure that I had something in me before I left for school. Fast forward a few years later and its my favorite meal of the day! There are so many different things you can do with foods in the morning and since it's your first meal of the day you can eat as much as you want to get some fuel in your tank (aka your belly)! Here are some of my favorite things to make in the morning.
Photo via: http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2013/03/08/green-smoothie/

Banana Berry Green Smoothie:

1 scoop of a wheat grass powder or matcha
green tea powder
1 banana ( frozen optional)
1/2 pint of water or 1/2 pint of milk of your choice

place in a blender and mix till smooth
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Photo via: http://www.vansfoods.com/user_files.vansfoods.com/file_939.jpg
Ancient Grains waffle with berries and Nutella
( the ultimate lazy breakfast )

1 gluten free ancient grains frozen waffle 
handful of berries frozen or fresh
tablespoon of Nutella spread

Toast waffle then spread on Nutella and place berries on top. Enjoy!
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Next I have two ridiculously easy lunch recipes that require almost no prep on your part.

http://www.judiorlick.com/data/photos/72_1gottlieb_chixspinachsalad_.jpg

Grilled Chicken Spinach Salad

3 or 4 grilled chicken slices ( I get mine precooked from Kroger but any store should have them)
1 1/2 cups of spinach
any other toppings that you prefer. I used chopped up tomatoes and a 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

mix all of these together and you have a easy, healthy lunch that travels well too!
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Photo via: www.jerseygirlcooks.com


 Hummus and Sliced Veggie Wrap

1 tortilla wrap of your choice
Cut up vegetables ( I like using bell peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers)

Hummus:
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 can of chickpeas drained
1 clove of garlic chopped
l tablespoon of lemon juice
1/4 cup of tahini

Blend all of the hummus ingredients in a blender or food processor. Once blended smoothly, spread the hummus on the wrap, place vegetables on the hummus, wrap it up and enjoy!
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When dinner time rolls around I usually eat some kind of protein and a side of vegetables or a major carb like mashed potatoes or sweet potato fries ( my fave!! )

Photo via: http://www.poorgirleatswell.com/2013/08/pgew-turns-5-the-top-ten-recipes-from-year-two.html

Seared Ahi Tuna steak

For this all you need is:
1 (4 oz) tuna steak seasoned with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper
An oven preheated to 425 degrees Fahrenheit ( 218 degrees Celsius )

Cook the tuna for 6 minutes and then it's ready to go!
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Well, there you have three meals that are all so easy to make in no time at all! To continue with this theme of all things healthy, I want to share my workout that's been my obsession over the last couple of months.

Kickboxing, you might have heard some of the Victoria's Secret Angels gushing over this full body workout backstage at last year's VS fashion show. I started in January in an effort to increase my self confidence and to be more healthy in general. I used to hate going to the gym in the past but ever since I've started working with the trainers at my kickboxing studio, I have become obsessed with it and have been going 5 days a week! If you knew me before discovering kickboxing, then you'd know that I hated working out with a passion! I did spin classes to get some cardio in my life but that was the extent of me working out! I know, I was a lazy bum.

If you want me to do a separate post on what gave that extra push to try out this new lifestyle change then I''ll do one next week maybe. We'll see how it all goes. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this more health and fitness focused post and I will see you on Monday! Remember to share this if you enjoyed my posts so far and want to spread that happiness to all of your friends.

Rose Gold Obsessed!

11.3.15


I know that according to Pantone ,you know the people who come up the color of the year; have proclaimed that Marsala is the color of the year. However, if it were me who had the power of deciding the color of the year, it would be the color rose gold. I know I'm a bit late on the bandwagon but lately I've been loving every thing rose gold! My second choice is the color copper but that is not the star of the show here, now is it?

Here are some bits in rose gold that I am IN LOVE with!

Gold Drip Mug: Forever 21 $6.50; Bow-Twist Rose Gold Earrings: Wanderlust + Co. $17.50;Rose Golden Complete Eye Set: Zoeva $78.00; Rose Golden Luxury Set $78.00

So are you Team Marsala or Team Rose Gold? Let me know below!

My Spring Must Haves

9.3.15

Hey guys! With spring quickly arriving, I thought that today's post would be just the thing to help us get into the mood for some spring weather. As if we needed another excuse to get out of this miserable weather. Anyway, here are some things I look for in my spring wardrobe!



My Spring Must Haves:

1.     A good neutral colored light/medium weight jacket( i.e. trench coat.) This will keep you warm if the weather turns from sunny and 65 degrees Fahrenheit to rainy and 38 degrees F. Wearing a light outer layer like this will add an extra something to your outfit and can pull together almost any look whether your wearing a casual day dress or jeans and a t- shirt.
2.     Colorful Jumper/ Romper/Playsuit: I don’t know about you but after wearing what feels like every dark neutral color under the sun, I start to crave little pops of bright colors in my wardrobe. That is where a brightly colored jumper comes in to play. These two-in-ones are literally my favorite things to wear in the spring. They come in most spring type colors and are an instant outfit that makes it look like you actually tried to look put together. My favorite ones are floral printed ones and jumpers with different colored top and bottoms, so it looks like you’re wearing a separate top and bottoms when really it’s all one piece! GENIUS IDEA!
3.     A small but roomy crossbody bag: A couple of years ago I was a big bag kind of girl. The bigger the bag the better it was, that was my way of thinking back then. Around September of last year I bought my first Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC in the taupe color with the silver chain and that was what made me a small crossbody girl. They come in so many different colors, they are available at all different price points and they offer you so much freedom. You can put all of your things (makeup, phone, keys, wallet etc.) in your bag and not have to worry about dropping anything out of your bag. Another plus is that you can be wearing a “meh” outfit but wearing this kind of bag will instantly make it look un-intentionally cool girl chic.
4.     Statement Sunglasses: Last spring I was looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses that were classic and understated. I found them in the black Ray-Ban Wayfarers, unfortunately I forgot them in the restroom at Target a few months after I bought them. Fast forward to January of this year and I decided to embrace the concept of wearing sunglasses that stand out.  That’s when I bought my Wildfox “ Club Fox Deluxe” 54 mm sunglasses. If you are a fan of wearing sunglasses that make a statement, Wildfox make great ones! Plus spring and summer is the time to really make a statement with your accessories.
5.     Lipgloss/Lipstick Hybrid: If you’ve been keeping up with all the new launches that different brands have been putting out lately, you’ll know that lip products that have the moisturizing benefits of a gloss but the pigmentation of a lipstick are one of the more popular releases from late last year through this year’s spring makeup collections. My favorite is the Chanel Rouge Allure color and shine lip gloss in the colors pirate and sensible. The first is a true red color and the second is a peachy pink color that is good for everyday use.
6.     Slip on shoes: White, black , leopard print, it does not matter. Pick whichever color you like. These are the shoes that replace my black chelsea boots which I wear nearly every day in the fall/winter seasons. Comfortable, versatile and stylish. What more could you ask for from a pair of shoes?
7.     Lightweight Foundation with SPF: I usually stick with a bit of concealer on any redness or blemishes but if I feel like putting on foundation, I usually stick with one like Chanel’s Vitalumiére aqua. Hands down my favorite one for the warmer months.
8.     Cotton tank tops: These are great for layering under all kinds of jackets, blazers, and cardigans. You can wear them with jeans and sneakers or with cute lacey shorts and heels to dress them up. Definitely a must have as the weather warms up.

What are some of your must haves for spring? Comment down below and share this link if you enjoyed it!
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