Monday, November 25, 2013

Holiday Gift Guide for College Girls: $25 dollars or less

Beautifully natural cheek color with all day staying power. This product is natural and comes in 6 shades. Perfect for any beauty lover out there.

I'm in love with Daisy by Marc Jacobs. It's a fresh scent and isn't overpowering for daily wear. It's quite subtle so many different girls could enjoy wearing it. Not as floral as you might think!

Paltrow has a clean and healthy diet laid out in her cook book. So many deliciously clean foods that will leave anyone feeling energized for the new year.

Hilarious movie for any girl in her 20s. I loved it, but the idea here is that movies are great gifts. Doesn't have to be this one in particular.

This one is for the athletic girl in your life. She can be feminine, but still tough. Doesn't matter if she wears mascara while she plays, she still kicks butt!

If you know anyone as in love with Pilates as I am, then she needs this. It provides the resistance necessary for a killer workout.

What girl doesn't love a delightfully summery candle. Perhaps not an appropriate scent for a holiday gift guide, but it's a heavenly scent, regardless.

Get her a shirt with a quote from her favorite movie! This one happens to be from mine (You've Got Mail!). 

I am not alone in my obsession with coffee and tea. If she's in college, she needs this more than you know. Who doesn't need that afternoon pick me up to pound through homework and study for those exams?

Thanksgiving Outfit Idea

Earrings - Etsy, Jacket - Target, Booties - JustFab, Sweater - J. Crew Factory, Leggings - Zara
This chic Thanksgiving Day outfit idea is perfect for whatever events you have planned. It's appropriate for a family gathering, but still chic for if you're more of a "Friendsgiving" kind of gal. You can step right into Black Friday shopping, too. Just be sure you've got a coffee in hand after a day of gobbling up that delicious turkey!
Unfortunately, I will not be wearing this exact outfit on Thanksgiving, but I'll do my best to recreate this look with pieces already in my closet.

What will you be wearing this Thanksgiving?

Friday, November 22, 2013

Thankful





It's so very human to take the good things in life for granted. I wish I could say I think about the things I'm thankful for daily, but I'm with the majority on this one. I complain about school work, I whine about the weather, and I'm often upset or worried about things that don't matter. Thanksgiving is a time to really appreciate what you have and spend time with the people you love. I know the holidays are a time when everyone gets extra mushy about what they love, but we should try to continue those joyful exchanges throughout the year. We can be thankful for our families and our friends without it being Thanksgiving. Regardless, I'm incredibly thankful for the blessed life I live. I have a strong family with loving parents who I can count on and a supportive, encouraging brother who continues to be a role model for me. I attend a university where I'm growing my knowledge every day and learning about the world. I have close friends who I care about deeply and know they'll always be there for me. I have a boyfriend that loves and respects me. I have my health, and so does my family. I have a fluffy, goofy pup that makes me smile. The list could go on. I'm so blessed and I will no longer take that for granted. Take a moment to think about what you're thankful for and HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Response to an "Existential Bummer"

"Existential Bummer"


Filmmaker Jason Silva's words inspire me. Some days I go through the motions and forget to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds me. I forget to smile at strangers or take a minute to realize the seasons are changing before my eyes. One day I will be gone. Everything will be gone.

As Silva says, I think we've all felt nostalgic for something over something we haven't lost yet. Days we haven't lived, places we haven't been, time we haven't yet spent. I find myself worrying about things that may never happen while I could be out making something more of my life. I want to vow to live life a little harder. Say yes more often. Follow my dreams even if I am uncertain of where they'll lead me. Love without reservations. I will recognize the transience, but I'll hold onto the love and make it last. "I do not accept the ephemeral nature of this moment. I'm going to extend it forever, or at least I'm going to try." 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Empty Products #3

I'd say this Empties Review consists of my most used products. Many of them I'm sad to see go, but that just means there's an opportunity to try something new, or repurchase the item and have a brand new bottle of it! I love Empties because they make me feel so accomplished, regardless of if I'm sad about finishing it or not.


Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel
I've used this cleanser since my freshman year of college and I've loved it. It was extremely gentle for my sensitive skin and it smelled quite nice, like herbs. This bottle was the second I'd purchased and it lasted forever. Granted, I don't use ten pumps every night, but I did use this every day and I think it lasted me a year, not kidding. I didn't repurchase this product, but I will go back to this in the future. It was just time for me to try something new. I'm using La Roche Posay Gel Cleanser at the moment. It's quite nice. Haven't decided which one I like more.

Twilight Woods Bath and Body Works Lotion
This is a classic Bath and Body Works scent for me. It will always remind me of reading Shiver and thinking about the wolves in Mercy Falls. It's a nice Autumn/winter scent and I'm sad it is gone. The rest of my lotions at my house aren't suited for winter. I love them, but they're very summery.

Coconut Lime Breeze Bath and Body Works Shower Gel
I got this product for free using one of the coupons from Bath and Body Works. I believe it's the same as Coconut Lime Verbena? Who knows! It smelled nice, though the bottle didn't last me very long. I did not repurchase this because I'm not loyal to any certain shower gels.

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Bath and Body Works Lotion
I'd had this lotion since last fall and only used it in emergency situations because it was in my backpack. I took it out of my backpack and started using it for an everyday moisturizer back in October. I love this scent because it's not too strong, but it's definitely pumpkiny and spicy. Good fall scent, but I did not repurchase this. I have so many lotions to get through!

Pssst Instant Dry Shampoo
I raved about this a few months ago, but I have a really hard time committing to a dry shampoo. I no longer like this dry shampoo and have moved onto other products. Maybe someday I'll find a favorite, but I haven't found it yet. I don't even like the one I am using currently.

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial
This is a staple in my skin care routine. I believe this was my second pot and it lasted me about 6 months. I don't slather this stuff on because it is expensive, but also because it is so thick and rich. You really don't need more than a pea sized amount to cover most of your face. I've already repurchased this, and I've repurposed this pot as a small portable container for coconut oil. I have a giant tub of it, but it is not practical to travel with!

LUSH Fair Trade Foot Lotion
I am very sad that this lotion is all gone. For one, it is very expensive, but, most importantly, it relieved my sad injured feet. It has a subtle minty scent, but doesn't linger for too long. I love love love this and recommend it to any athletes out there, or anyone in the service industry where you may be on your feet for hours at a time.

Evian Facial Mist
I love facial mists and this one is nice because it is just water. It doesn't have any fancy ingredients, it's just water for hydration during the day. Loved it, but didn't repurchase.

Neutrogena Skin Clearing Blemish Concealer
If you know me, this is my holy grail concealer and repurchased it already. Actually I even have a back up to the one I repurchased just so I'll never have to be without it. I don't know what I'd do. It's amazing and I don't even know why I like it so much.

Bioderma
Now this is the most depressing of my Empties. I love Bioderma and this bottle lasted me almost an entire year. It's gentle, doesn't have a fragrance, and is great for getting off tough makeup. I did not repurchase this because it is so expensive to get in the U.S. I'll be stocking up when I go to Paris in January, though. So don't worry. It'll be showing up again.


Pumpkin Spice Yankee Candle
Great fall candle scent. I believe this was cheaper than Bath and Body Works candles and it lasted just as long. I didn't repurchase, but would consider it. Maybe next year.

Market Peach Bath and Body Works
This is one of the best Bath and Body Works candles, in my opinion. I'm not missing it right now because there are so many lovely fall candles, but I'll be looking for this again in the spring.

Blueberry Pumpkin Patch Bath and Body Works
I only wish I would have purchased a bigger candle. It smells so good and it made my whole apartment smell warm and cozy. Like I was baking something nummy! Anyway, I'll be looking for this next fall.

What should I try next?
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