October Favorites

FabFitFun – My newest subscription addiction!!! I decided to treat myself to this subscription just in time for the fall box and seriously love what I got. Yes, it’s a pricier box but I honestly love almost every single item that was included and think it is more than worth the money.

White Pumpkin Candle – It’s a pumpkin candle… I mean, need I say more?! #Swoon

Rampage Glasses – I had an eye exam this month, upped my prescription, and got these babies. I love the cat eye shape and gold metallic finish. They go great with any outfit and are super comfortable to wear.

Village Naturals Therapy Aches and Pains Foaming Bath Salts – As the weather gets colder and colder I find myself taking more and more baths. This has been my favorite add-in when I want to relax in the tub lately. Smells great and you can’t beat the price! My husband  bought this for me last year around this time and I’m just now about to finish it up.

Mirabella Velvet Lip Pencil – Red lips have seriously been on repeat for me this month and this lippie has been my go-to. The pigmentation is incredible and it wears so nicely and comfortably.

 

Fall Reading List – Update

Voluntary Madness: This book is based on a true story of a woman faking her way into three admissions to three different psychiatric facilities. She tells her experience going through each stay. I got about a third of the way through this one and I honestly don’t plan to finish it at this time. For me, the tone was a bit too cynical. Since I work in mental health it was an interesting read but it brought me down a bit. I may pick this one back up in the future, but right now want to take a break from it.

The Gifts of Imperfection: Probably the best book I’ve read all year!!! Brene Brown is a true inspiration. She speaks in a way that is so true to life… honest, genuine, confident, and proud. This book depicts some of her work with resiliency and what really lies behind the idea of imperfection. Her descriptions of the work is so easily applicable to life that it is astounding. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for some life direction, a little motivation, or a pick-me-up. I can’t wait to delve into some of her other works.

Key West in History: I don’t know about you, but I love reading up on places that I have traveled or will travel to. The tough part is finding a book that is the right amount informational but not boring. This book filled that criteria really well! It was informative without being dry and I think that if you’ve been to Key West or plan to go that it is a must read, XOXO.

Ipsy Review – October 2016

Ummmm Ipsy were you literally reading my mind this month?! I’m so excited for this bag of goodies!!! I have seriously been wanting to some of these products forever and a day. And this super appropriately themed Halloween bag?!?! STOP!!!

If I had to pick, I think I would say I’m most excited for theBalm Cosmetics blush in Cabana Boy. I am in love with Frat Boy and can’t wait to try this one because of the warm tone and shimmer quality. I’m almost equally as excited for the MeMeMe Blush Brush because the bristles look like they will give a really natural appearance for the blush application. The blush brush I currently use has very tightly packed bristles, which I think gives a harsher look, and these look looser. Next up I’m super stoked for Sally’s Box Aqua Moist Gel Cream. I’ve heard that gel moisturizers help control acne more than others, so really look forward to seeing if that will hold true for me. While I am excited for the Ciate London Fierce Flicks Eyeliner, I do have several black eyeliners that need to be used up so I’m not as excited for this product but will get use out of it. Can a girl really have too many black liners?! And lastly is the Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick in Mysterious Mocha, which looks like a shade I may pass along to my (trendier than me) niece.

Overall I’m super excited for the bag this month!!! I do find that Ipsy bags tend to wax and wane for me… some months are kind of meh and others are amazing like this one. I hope you enjoyed  this pre-unbagging and as always you can click here to sign up to get Ipsy for yourself, XOXO!

Walmart Beauty Box – Fall 2016

Who else loves seasonal beauty subscriptions?! I think I’ve been subscribed to this service for a year now, though have only showcased one other box on my blog, and definitely think this is the best Walmart Beauty Box I’ve gotten so far!

Like I’ve mentioned before, Walmart offers this seasonal box for $5 per month, which is charged and received around the start of every new season, so 4 times per year. About 6-8 samples are sent in each shipment and if you are interested you can click here to sign up. I like to use the Walmart Beauty Box to stock up on mini-sized items… super helpful for travel and you get more bang for your buck this way!!!

Here is what I got this month…

Brush cleaning cloths, biotin gummies, charcoal pore strips, bath salts, dry shampoo, toothpaste, a shower mask, lotion, and a body cream. Does it get any better than this?! I literally can’t decide what I’m most excited for but have to say that Batiste, Clean & Clear, and Village Naturals products probably top the list.

If you do end up signing up for this service, I like to warn my followers to not expect many makeup products or trendy names because I know (for me at least) that’s common to look forward to in a beauty subscription. You can expect items that are more geared toward drugstore essentials. It’s a great box and I would totally recommend giving it a shot, especially if you don’t want to pay the hefty price that other boxes require, XOXO.

 

September Favorites

Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder

I have been to Ulta twice this month to get color matched on new foundations and each time I have been recommended a shade that is too light. Needless to say I needed a little extra bronzing this month and this one was a life saver. Pretty much nothing beats a coconut fragranced face powder, am I right?!

Smashbox Photofinsh Pore Minimizing Primer

Don’t underestimate the power of a high end primer! This was my first and I love what it does for my skin… fills in pores and evens out the texture. I don’t use it on my whole face, just the parts that need a little extra love like my t-zone and areas that I have scarring from acne.

Essence Sheer & Shine Lipstick

I tend to have a heavy hand with makeup. I also tend to LOVE vampy lip shades for fall. Enter this product!!! There is literally no way you can overdo it with this lipstick and you will always get a nice, deep shade. It gives off a your-lips-but-better vibe with a sheer wash of color that is easy to build up and super comfortable to wear.

The Gifts of Imperfection

I featured this on my Fall Reading List post a few weeks back as a book I wanted to read up this season. Well, it was not at all difficult to get through! I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration in their own well-being. Brene Brown has a way of explaining her fascinating work on living a Wholehearted life in easy to relate to ways.

Old  Navy Striped Boat-Neck Tee

Picture this long sleeve tee with cozy black leggings, knee high boots, a warm wooly scarf, and Starbucks in hand. I mean, could it be anymore seasonly appropriate?! I got it in red, too :).

Favorite Fall Nail Polish

Here are just a handful of my most favorite polishes for fall from my personal collection! To me, nothing beats a dark and vampy shade on my nails for cooler weather. Enjoy, XOXO.

Formula X – “Revved Up”
OPI – “Manicurist of Seville”
Revlon – “Fashionista”
Rimmel – “Rags to Riches”
OPI – “French Cognac”
OPI – “How Great is Your Dane?”

Ipsy Review – September 2016

Ipsy time!!!

Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service that allows you to try unique brands, use different products, and collect items items that you may not pick up on your own… AND it’s only $10 a month!!! Five customized beauty products are sent to you each much in an adorable new bag. Sign up by clicking here.

Here is what I got this month…

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics – Nail Polish: I received the shade “Holy Fuchsia” and think this will be oh-so perfect for fall! I love deep, vampy colors on my nails.

Eva NYC – Forget Me Knot Dry Conditioner: Never have I ever even heard of a dry conditioner. I honestly just used it like I would a dry shampoo to cover up oil on day three hair. It did work nicely and smells amazing.

Trestique – Mini Highlight Stic: Because I use powder on the daily, I don’t tend to reach for cream highlights. The shade I got is “Maldives Luminescent” and it does not show up well on me even pre-powder, so I’ll be passing this along to a friend. (Love this brand, though!)

Too Faced – Lip Injection Extreme: I haven’t tried a lip plumper in years and am totally in love with this one! The effects visibly show within 15 minutes. It goes on clear with subtle shimmer and tingles just a tad at first. The only thing I don’t care for is the scent and taste, which both remind me of candied grapefruit.

NUXE – Moisturizing Mask Creme Fraiche de Beaute: This will be super helpful for me in the colder months to come. I am typically pretty oily but when winter rolls around my skin needs a little bit more moisture, XOXO.

Fall Reading List

I recently took a look at my bookshelf and realized that I definitely don’t read as many books as I purchase. (Anyone else out there a self-proclaimed book collector?!) I’ve always loved reading, however something has always taken precedence over it, most recently graduate school and wedding planning. Now that I have more free time I’ve decided to make some reading goals.

Here are the books I want to read up this fall…

Voluntary Madness: I work in mental health so am looking forward to this one a lot. It’s about a woman who committed herself to three different facilities and faked having mental health struggles. It sheds new light on healthcare from a unique perspective.

The Gifts of Imperfection: Brene Brown is someone I have found to admire in my recent work, though have not actually read any of her books in full. She performed qualitative studies on the positive power of shame and guilt. This book is all about accepting yourself as you are, which is something I believe in for everyone.

Key West in History: On our trip to Key West this summer, my mom purchased this book and I’m so happy she lent it to me! Granted, it would have likely been more helpful to read prior to the trip, but I’m happy to read through it and reflect on the amazing time that we had.

Fall Boot Wishlist

I know, I know… It’s not quite fall yet, but a girl can dream right?! XOXO

West Blvd Boston Quilted Riding Boots, Henry Ferrera Mission-100 Duck Boot, City Classified Rex Wedges, Frye Claude Tall Slouch Boot, Western Riding Chunky Low Heel Bootie, West Blvd Bangkok Thigh High Flat Faux Suede Boots