2015 Goals

Hello Beautiful Ones!

I've never really been a big fan of New Year's resolutions. As we all know most of us don't make it past a couple of days with our resolutions. I always felt like it was easier just not to make one than to fail miserably. But this year I thought I would give myself a list of goals to work towards.

2014 was a pretty big year for me. I graduated from college, started my first grown-up job, and moved into my very own tiny one bedroom apartment. A lot of changes happened for me this year and I can't wait to see what 2015 holds.

Here is my list of goals for the new year:

1.) Laugh more.

I love laughing just as much as the next girl, but sometimes I can be a little too serious. This year I want to try to laugh as much as I can.

2.) Read a book every month.

I've always loved reading, but lately I just haven't really been making the time for it. I'd like to try to read at least one book a month this year.

3.) Stay in touch better.

Sometimes I just get stuck in my own little world and I don't take the time to check in with friends and family that I really care about. So this year I'm going to try to pick up the phone more or send an email just to say hello.

4.) Go to the gym at least once a week.

I know that getting in better shape is a pretty cliche resolution, but ever since the weather turned colder I've gotten pretty good at talking myself out of hitting the gym (I'll go when the temperature reaches double digits again). I figure that going once a week is a good compromise.

5.) Try something new.

Remember how I said that I can often get caught up in my own little bubble? Well I can also get stuck in my comfort zone very easily. This year I want to keep pushing myself to try something I've never done before.

In 2014 I started this blog and I can't wait to see where it and the new year takes me. Thanks for joining me on the journey.

XO- Brittney

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Lush Winter Bath Goodies!

Hello Beautiful Ones!

I have long stood by the statement that bubble baths can have magical powers. Sometimes I just need a really good soak in the tub to relax and re-energize. I know there are people out there that think baths are a waste of time. If you fit into that category then this might not be the post for you, because today I'm reviewing two bath products for Lush's winter/holiday collection: the Butterbear Bath Bomb and the Christmas Hedgehog Bubble Bar.

First of all, these both look adorable. They would make great gifts for anyone in your life who likes to pamper themselves in the bath every now and then (who doesn't?). These would also make great stocking stuffers or a good small gift for a friend or co-worker. 

Butterbear Bath Bomb- $4.95

Lush took its Butterball bath bomb and reshaped it into a cute little bear which is adorable. I had never tried the Buterball bomb before and this adorable bear was hard to resist. If color is something you go for when you use a bath bomb, then this probably isn't the one for you. After the bomb fizzes out you are left with a vanilla scented bath that is filled with the cocoa butter that the bear leaves behind. I loved how moisturizing this one was, definitely perfect for a nice winter bath. 

Christmas Hedgehog Bubble Bar- $7.25

I know I keep going on and on about how cute these are, but this one is just so adorable I can't get over it. It was almost hard for me to actually use it (almost!). This was my first experience with a Lush bubble bar. The idea is that you crumble the bar under your running bath water to create the bubbles. I have to say that I would have liked even more bubbles, but I did really enjoy the floral scent.

Let me know if you've tried any of the winter/holiday goodies from Lush!

XO- Brittney

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New from Revlon at the Drugstore

Hello Beautiful Ones!

There are a lot of lovely new things at the drugstore right now. Without really doing it on purpose, I realised that I have recently picked up quite a few new goodies from Revlon so I thought I would give you a little first impressions/mini review (also bonus points to me for picking colors that all look good together, that was complete accident I swear!).

Revlon Photoready Eye Art in Fuschia Flash- $9.99
Even though I've been dying to get my hands on one of these I actually almost walked by the display at Ulta because in my head I was thinking that they were the nail art duos instead. The packaging for the eye art is almost identical to their nail duos, but I don't mind. I like how you can really see the colors through the glass packaging. The display was pretty picked over so I ended up getting the color Fuschia Flash, which is not necessarily I color I would normally gravitate towards for eyes but it has kind of won me over. Revlon is marketing that these can be used for lid, line, and lash. One one end you get a shimmer (light pink) and on the other end you get glitter (bright fuschia). So far I have gotten a lot more use out of the shimmer. This is a really gorgeous pink that catches the light really beautifully. I find the glitter a little chunky and definitely more appropriate for a big night out or a holiday party. I really like the lasting power of this product and I feel like it could be really versatile. The applicators are also pretty good, the shimmer side is larger making it easy to apply to the lid and the glitter side has a small thin brush (almost like a lip brush) that makes it easy to line. I remember wearing liquid eye shadow when I was younger, so this product makes me feel a little nostalgic.

Revlon Photoready Kajal Matte Eye Pencil in Matte Charcoal- $9.99
Kajal is having a major moment in beauty right now (I might be doing a Kajal liner post in the near future). Of all the Kajal eyeliners I've tried, I think that this one is one of the best in terms of staying power. I wore it on my lower lash line during a night out recently and it held up pretty well. I also like that it's a thin pencil. As with most Kajal liners it glides on really smoothly. I almost always pick up eyeliners in black, but since they were all out of the coal color I went with charcoal and I really like it (the lesson here is to try new things). It's a great grey liner to have in your collection. The pencil also comes with a sponge smudger on the other end which can always come in handy.

Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in HD Garnet- $7.99
I always think to myself that I really don't need another lip gloss (which is true), but I had been hearing a lot of buzz on the blog-o-sphere about this one so I decided to give it a shot and I'm really glad I did. First of all, this gloss has fantastic coverage. I would describe it as sort of a gloss/liquid lipstick hybrid. It's really light and shiny like a gloss, while still having great coverage and pigmentation like a lipstick. Also, the packaging is sleek and simple with a cute little diamond on the top of the lid. I like the thin brush applicator, it makes it easier to get the color exactly where you want it. Once again, this is not a color I would normally pick but for some reason I just grabbed for it when I saw it on the shelf. I feel like it's a totally wearable deep fuchsia that is perfect for the winter.

I hope you enjoyed this little mini revlon haul! Let me know if you have tried any of these.

XO- Brittney

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Essie Winter 2014: Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Low & Jump in my Jumpsuit

Hello Beautiful Ones!

It's officially December and I can practically feel the tinsel coursing through my veins. Ok that would be weird and probably not healthy, but the point is that I've been feeling super festive lately. So if you're like me and you are looking for more ways to express your holiday joy then Essie's new winter nail collection has you covered.

Essie's winter collection for 2014 includes 6 shades, and today I've got reviews and swatches of two of them: Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Low & Jump in my Jumpsuit. These are the two that I just couldn't walk by without picking them up at the store, I also think that these are perfect for any holiday parties you might have coming up. Let's get right to it shall we?

Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Low

As you can see from the pictures this is a gorgeous sparkly gold (but it can also look silver depending on the light.) I immediately gravitated towards this color when I saw it on the shelf, there is just something about sparkle that always grabs my attention (shocker). But even if glitter isn't your go to I think that there is just something about this time of year that begs for a little sparkle. My advice is to give it a try, you might just fall in love! But if you're still not convinced, this would also make an amazing accent nail.

Jump in my Jumpsuit

I'm going to be honest with you, whether it is on nails or lips I sometimes find red to be a little intimidating. But, I am officially in love with this one. It's a really gorgeous deep red that gives you amazing color and coverage with only one coat. You might already have something like this in your collection, but if not this one is great to have. I'm thinking I'm going to be rocking a lot more red this winter.

As always with Essie polishes the lasting power of these is fabulous. Have you tried anything from the Essie winter collection? Let me know in the comments!

XO- Brittney

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November Beauty Favorites

Hello Beautiful Ones!

I don't know how it happens but every month I find myself sitting here and thinking "wait, is it time for a monthly favorites post already?" So I know it's three days late, but better late than never right? I would promise to do better next month but that would probably be a lie. :)

This month I've been loving all things shimmery and moisturizing.

Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream- $15 (2 oz.)
As I've mentioned before my naturally curly hair is always in constant need of moisture, and that is especially true during the colder months. Lately I've been really loving this styling cream from living proof. You can get the small travel size for $15, but it really does last quite a long time. I just work a small amount of it through my damp hair after I get out of the shower.

Lorac Pro Palette 2- $42
I've had this palette since it came out in the summer. I remember really loving the Pro 2 when I first got it, but then it sort of just drifted to the back of my collection. I've only recently rediscovered it. The palette is 16 shades (8 matte, 8 shimmer) of really high quality shadows. I know the price tag is a little hefty at $42, but I promise you won't regret it. The colors are highly pigmented and long lasting.

Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream- $10 (0.5 oz.)
I recently received a small travel size of this product as a beauty insider reward at Sephora and I've been really enjoying it. I have the worst time with dry skin during the winter, especially on my face. I just put a little of this argan oil cream on the dry spots on my face before I apply my foundation and it helps my makeup glide on smoothly. As you probably know trying to put makeup over dry flaky skin is a nightmare. This will help you avoid that whole mess!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream in Light- $38
Some days I want moisture more than I want coverage, so on those days I skip the foundation and instead reach for this. I like BB creams, they're kind of like the ultimate multi-tasker. You could also layer this under your foundation, but I usually just wear it on it's own or with a little concealer.

Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color in Twilight- $24
I got this shadow pencil as part of the #GILTYLOVE Holiday Set at Sephora (you can read my whole review on the set here). All of the Nudestix products come in a handy little tin case and with a sharpener. These magnetic eye pencils have become my new go-to shadows. Not only are they super handy, but the lasting power is awesome and they are incredibly pigmented. This champagne color called Twilight is my favorite.

That's all I have for this month. As always, let me know what you guys have been loving!

XO- Brittney

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Beauty on a Budget: L'oreal EverCreme Moisture System Intense Shampoo & Conditioner

Hello Beautiful Ones!

The weather outside is definitely frightful here in Nebraska. For me, colder weather also brings dry skin and hair. My naturally curly hair always seems to be needing added moisture, but that is especially true during the winter months. That's why I get so excited when I find hair care products that help me keep the dryness in check, and when they're affordable it's even better! During a recent trip to Target I found myself wandering into the shampoo aisle and picked up the L'oreal EverCreme Sulfate-Free Moisture System Intense Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner.

Despite the super long title the concept behind this shampoo and conditioner is pretty simple: add moisture without adding harmful sulfates. L'oreal is marketing this as a shampoo that will give you moisture without stripping your hair of necessary oils. That's a big plus for me, since my hair is naturally curly I don't want my hair stripped of the necessary oils that make my curls look good.

Let me just start off by saying that these both smell amazing. I know smell isn't the most important thing when it comes to shampoo, but it is an added bonus. These smell like warm vanilla sugar, which is such a lovely scent for this time of year. And the feel is really thick and luxurious (do I totally sound like a shampoo commercial or what?). 

Finally, let's get right down to the performance: these do exactly what is advertised. I've used this shampoo and conditioner a couple times now (I like to rotate my shampoos and conditioners to give my hair some variety), and I've been really pleased with the outcome. The added moisture is really lovely, and the shampoo lathers up nicely. 

Bottom line: these are great and you can get them for only $6.99 each! 

XO-Brittney

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