Beauty Essentials For Fall and Winter

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my blog! Today I have a post regarding the beauty industry: my beauty essentials for the colder months.

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Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup

In one of my more recent posts, I shared my night routine with you all. I stated that I like to get to bed around 9:00 p.m. Sometimes that's not the case; sometimes I don't get to bed until 11:00 because of having soccer practice and tons of homework. Therefore, this product comes in handy come morning. I like to apply this product in an upside down triangle. I also like to bake my face for a minute with a matte powder. It makes all the difference!

Maybelline New York Dream Matte Mousse Foundation

Any and all matte foundations are a go for the fall and winter seasons. This one is tied for first place along with my BB Cream Face Defender from Mally Beauty. (I'm currently wearing the one from Mally Beauty. It has amazing coverage. Let me know if you would like a more in-depth review on this product.)

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder

I have very limited experience with powders. I've used this one for quite some time and really like it. I use it to bake my under eye concealer, which I mentioned earlier. It definitely leaves a desirable matte finish. (It looks great if you wear glasses! It hides that bit of shadow that glasses cause.)

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint

I love, love, love Benetint! I swipe this on with ease and then blend it in with my fingers. It looks so natural; and it literally takes me 30 seconds. Plus, the color is compatible with many different skin tones. I would highly recommend it!

Benefit Cosmetics Satiny Pink High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter

High Beam has always been my favorite product from Benefit Cosmetics. It's perfect for that Friday or Saturday night out. I am always applying this product to the high points of my face.

Honest Beauty Truly Kissable Lip Crayon Demi Matte

Lip crayons are my favorite for the fall and winter season. I find that they are extremely easy to apply on the go. A pop of color on your lips is super trendy; and the matte finish completes your effortless look.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eye Palette

I'll be honest: I've never used this palette, but I've heard fantastic things about it. I personally use Stila's Trust In Love eyeshadow palette, but that's not as well known. Both palettes have neutral shades that you can wear for school purposes. You can also create a smokey eye on your lids for nights out.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mini Mascara

This is my favorite mascara of all time. The effects are incredible. I first line my eyes with a Marc Jacobs eyeliner. Then, I go in with this mascara. I usually apply 1-2 coats. Definitely no more than 2. I find that it separates, lengthens, and darkens; all things wonderful.

Goof Proof Brow Pencil Easy Shape & Fill

I simply use an Ulta brow pencil to trace my eyebrows. Then I fill them in with a generic brow powder. Following that, I go in with a spoolie to ensure there are no harsh lines.

These makeup products are a must for the fall and winter season. They will ensure your makeup look is trendy and chic.

What is a must-have makeup product on your list for the colder months? Comment below!

Thanks for reading,

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What's In My Purse? | Fall 2016

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my blog! Today I am sharing the insights of my fall purse with you all. Now that the weather is changing, the contents of my purse have changed quite a bit. Let me know in the comments what you carry in your purse during the colder seasons!

ABOUT THE BAG

I purchased this bag a few days ago from Primark. I first want to draw attention to the structure of the bag. I love how it looks like an expensive bag, but it is quite affordable. I also adore the color, which is the main reason I purchased it. I have a million and one purses, but not one of them is black! Can you believe it?


WALLET

I love big, heavy duty, envelope wallets like this one from Michael Kors. This one holds all of my cards, IDs, coupons, etc. I love it because I can grab it with ease when I'm in a rush.

TISSUES

Tissues are extremely important; especially during this time of year. I find myself constantly having the sniffles.  

LIP BALM

I know I am not alone when it comes to having super dry and chapped lips during the fall and winter seasons. I like to carry an assortment of lip balms. I specifically have my holy grail Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 with Natural Mint & Shea Butter which works wonders. (I talk about this product way too much!)

HAND CREAM

Same goes for my hands- they get extremely dry. I hate the feeling of dehydrated palms. Therefore, I carry around a small portable hand cream.Most of the time it's something peppermint scented.

HAIR BRUSH

I usually spend about an hour getting ready in the morning. There is no way I am going to let a gust of wind mess up my hair! I like to carry a hairbrush for quick touch ups throughout the day.

HAND SANITIZER

And make it something fall scented. Are you with me? 

GLOVES

My fingers immediately freeze up when they touch my steering wheel. I like to keep a pair of spare gloves in my purse for safe keeping; these ones are maroon, which I like a lot.

AGENDA

During the fall and winter seasons my schedule becomes 10x busier. I like to keep my agenda on me in order to stay on top of everything: assignments, blog posts, dates, holidays, etc.

That concludes my fall/winter handbag essentials. I would also throw my phone and headphones in my purse as well. Because, musts! 

Thanks for reading,

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How I Balance Blogging + School

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my blog! Today I am sharing with you how I balance blogging and school, two of my biggest priorities. I am not going to lie, it is quite difficult, but I've managed and you can too!

School is a huge part of my life, especially now that I am a senior taking several AP and CE courses. I'm also one of the editors for my school newspaper and Vice President of Key Club. Oh, and I play intramural soccer.

Yes, finding time to blog is quite difficult, but also quite manageable. I have a certain schedule that I stick to in order to stay on top of my game:

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is so important for me. During the month of August, I planned most of my blog posts up until the end of October. Keep a notebook for ideas with you at all times, or an updated Google Doc. I find that they both work very well.

With planning ahead, have an editorial calendar. It will make planning content much, much easier. Mondays rotate between a beauty, fashion, or lifestyle post. Thursdays are always a lifestyle post. It's pretty simple, therefore achievable. Coordinate your editorial calendar to content in which you'd like to produce.

Draft In Chunks

I recommend drafting posts throughout the week before bed. Personally, on Mondays I like to take a hot bath and follow up with some blogging time. Drafting blog posts is super easy. Then, throughout the week I manage time to edit them. 

Take Advantage of Weekends

School work always comes first. I like to carve out most of my school work on Friday night and Saturday morning. Hopefully then, by the afternoon I'm done! I spend the rest of my Saturday balancing my time between blogging and friends. Sundays too! This is the perfect time to schedule your posts! You can also schedule your Twitter posts with Hootsuite.

Use A Planner

I like to use my Lilly Pulitzer agenda for school work, but I will also put some blog information in there, such as collabs and brand work. 

When my planner isn't handy, I use monthly printables. I can easily color coordinate them to match my editorial calendar on my drive. I then highlight them as I complete them. This allows me to see which posts are coming up and which ones I need to desperately work on. It's super convenient! 

2-6 Hours Per Post

Basically, it comes to a total of 2-6 hours a week spent on a blog post, which isn't too much time. I spend about 1-2 hours throughout the week and the remainder finishing it up on the weekend. 

Most of the bloggers I stay in contact with are also in school. They do a great job at balancing their school work and blogging matters too. It truly comes down to the tools you use and your time management.

How much time do you spend on a single blog post? I'm curious! Comment below!

Thanks for reading,

My Night Routine | Fall 2016

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my blog! Today I am sharing my night routine with you all. Let me know what you all think!

3:00 p.m.

Now that I can drive myself too and from school, this is around the time I get home from school. I love that I can drive myself so, so much.

From 3:00-4:00 p.m. I take some time to myself in order to unwind. I usually start off with removing my makeup with my favorite makeup remover wipes. Then, I raid my pantry for a snack and catch up on some videos from my favorite YouTubers; such as Aspyn Ovard and Alisha Marie.

4:00 p.m.

Around 4:00 I realize the day isn't going to last forever, so I tackle my homework. Homework ranges on the night. As of lately, my homework schedule has been packed. 

5:00 p.m.

Around this time, my family usually eats dinner.

Most of you probably don't know this, but my grandma lives with me. She does most of the cooking in our household. Though I am slightly bias, my grandma's cooking is the bomb. I don't know if I have a favorite meal from her; her spaghetti might top all... but then again her quesadillas are a close second.

6:00 p.m

From 6:00-7:00 p.m. I usually finish up my homework. I like to use this hour for studying. It is recommended for my Spanish class that I study fifteen minutes a day, therefore I like to follow through with that. I also like to review the notes that I took that day for other classes. If you do, your recall rate during test time is much higher.

If I don't have any other homework, this time slot allows for a mega blog session. I have a set schedule: on Mondays my blog post goes up, on Tuesday I promote, Wednesdays I outline content, etc. As of now, it seems to be working out quite well with my busy school schedule. I am so happy that I am able to post not only once a week, but twice a week.

7:00 p.m.

Around this time I like to get completely ready for bed. I know it might be quite early for some, but it's definitely not for a gal like me who craves the morning sunshine.

• Drink a cup of hot tea/hot chocolate
• Exfoliate (every other night)
• Nose strip (once a week)
• Clean nails
• Maybe paint them
• Clean up eyebrows
• Brush my teeth
• Pop in retainers

8:00 p.m.

By 8:00 I'm usually pretty tired, as I get up around 5:45 a.m. every morning. From 8:00-8:30 I like to spend some time on Pinterest and Twitter to ensure I'm up to date with my favorite bloggers.

9:00 p.m.

Around 9:00, I like to hop into bed! I finish off the day with checking my email, crossing some things off of my to do list, and making the next day's to do list. Knowing I have a set schedule for the next day makes me sleep with ease.


And that concludes my night routine during the fall season. What do you do once you get home from school? Comment below!

Thanks for reading,

Check out my school morning routine: http://bit.ly/2cImUKl

Fall Wardrobe Staples 2016

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to my blog! Incase you didn't know, I live in Pennsylvania where it is currently freezing. I'm already done with the winter season even though it has yet to arrive. With that being said, I am sharing my fall wardrobe staples with you all. 

These pieces keep me nice and toasty:

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Tory Burch Junction Riding Brown Boots

I have been eyeing up these beauties for quite some time. I currently don't own these riding boots, but I own a very similar pair from Lauren Conrad. To me, they are basically the same thing- just 1/3 of the price! I love wearing riding boots because they are structured, compared to UGGS which aren't as formal.

Hue Cable Knee Socks

I love wearing my knee socks over my jeans for extra warmth. Here in Pennsylvania our falls and winters can get extremely chilly. Click here to see other ways to style your fuzzy knee high socks.


Hollister Jean Leggings

Because I love wearing knee high boots, I like to tuck my jeans into them. Skinny jeans and jeggings are the perfect way to do so with ease. I especially like darker printed jeans for the fall and winter season. (If you're looking for a great steal on your denims check out Primark. They're jeans are extremely cheap, yet such great quality. You won't be disappointed.)


Army Green Detachable Fur Trimmed Hood Lined Parka

Anything army green is a fall staple as far as I'm concerned. I like this one because it easy to layer with heavy duty sweaters.


Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 Monogram Canvas

Top handle bags scream fall to me. I especially love my Speedy 30 from LV. It is so classy and chic looking. I use it all the time throughout the fall and winter season. I am even guilty of using it during the spring and summer seasons since I love it so much.


Hollister Lace Hem Pullover Sweater

You may have seen this sweater in my back to school clothing haul. I love how it is so effortless, yet appears like I put a ton of effort into it. Win, win! Am I right?

Stardust Bar Pendant Necklace

I love long statement necklaces for fall and winter. When it is so difficult to crawl out of bed in the morning, a throw on accessory like this one will be a lifesaver.

Hollister Wrap Front Ribbed Sweater

This is another sweater you might recognize from my back to school clothing haul. First of all, I love the color. The off white shade will go with anything. More importantly, I love the deep neck. It's not extremely deep ton the point where you're revealing too much, it's the perfect amount.

I just think it makes me look more grown up.

Keds Metallic Knit Infinity Scarf

Scarves in general are a staple for me. I have at least twenty scarves; and yes, each and every one gets warn throughout the season. They're perfect for layering!

Allegra Classic Wristlet

I find that throughout the fall and winter seasons I lug huge purses around. Sometimes, I'm just going over to a friend's house and all I need is a wristlet. It would most definitely come in handy! I love the color of it too! Another something that screams fall!

Old Navy Womens Textured Stripe Poncho

Ponchos and wraps are my go-tos during this time of year. I love throwing on a long sleeve and throwing a poncho or wrap over it. Add some skinny jeans and ballet flats. You are good to go, my friend!

Alex and Ani Initial Bangle

I love bangles for the fall and winter season. Come summer, they are just too hot to wear. I have three that I constantly stack: the Initial G Charm Bangle, the Path of Life Art Infusion Charm Bangle, and the Scorpio Celestial Wheel Charm Bangle. And of course, they all have a silver finish.

That concludes my fall staples! Comment below what some of your fashion staples are!

Thanks for reading,

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10 Fall Date Ideas

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my blog! Over the summer, I shared 10 summer date ideas with you all. I got some great feedback from the post, therefore I decided to share 10 fall date ideas with you guys. I hope you all like them.

Go to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard.

This is definitely on my bucket list this fall. I would absolutely love to go apple picking. But, if you go pumpkin picking, you can make a date out of carving them too.

Here are some Disney pumpkin carving ideas: http://bit.ly/1kdvPnt


Go to your school's football game.

This is my last year of high school, I am going to live it up in every possible way I can. I'm going to hangout with my friends and cheer on my school's football team, but more importantly my school's band.


Have a bonfire.

Sitting by the fire under a cozy blanket is the perfect way to spend a Friday night as far as I'm concerned.


Explore a corn maze.

Because my birthday is on October 25th my family will do something festive. A few years ago we went to a corn maze. It was a blast!


Go to a haunted house.

I'm not as fearless as I would like to be; and though I know it is just people dressed in costumes, I still get a little freaked out. But if you're a thrill seeker, go for it! I went to Jason's Woods a couple of years ago. It still haunts me in the back of my mind.


Go to a harvest festival.

My town has a really nice fall festival. Hopefully I'll be able to go back again this year!


Have a picnic.

Have a sweater weather picnic! I adore this idea. I would love to wear a chunky sweater and my Lauren Conrad boots to an open field. Lay a blanket down and sip on some warm apple cider. Who's with me?


Go hiking.

May was the first time I ever went hiking- real hiking. It was so much fu! I would love to go during the fall season to see all of the beautiful leaves.


Have a scary movie marathon.

I read about this elsewhere, as I am not much of a scary movie person. I watched The Purge a few months ago- I was feeling fearless- and quite frankly that was enough for me. Way too scary!


Make homemade hot chocolate.

Who doesn't love hot chocolate? I love sitting under a cozy blanket catching up on my favorite blogs with a cup of hot chocolate. Perfect!

Try this one out: http://bit.ly/2bQ6KvS


Go on a hay ride.

This is definitely on my hit list this fall. So romantic!


That concludes my fall date ideas. If you have any ideas, comment below!

Thanks for reading,

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My HOCO Makeup + Tips

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my blog! My school's homecoming dance is this Friday. Therefore, I decided to show you what makeup I'll be wearing. You can checkout my second blog this weekend for some fun pictures.

✦Use a cancelling primer.

After prepping my skin with moisturizer, I like to dive right into primer. A primer that eliminates redness and other concerns is your best friend on the night of homecoming. My personal favorite is Superprimer Face Primer in Colour Corrects Redness from Clinique. The lightweight, oil-free formula creates an ideal makeup canvas.


✦Use a matte foundation.

A matte foundation is essential come picture time. You're going to want a foundation that doesn't have a ton of reflective particles or a high oil content. If you wear a foundation that does contain one of those ingredients, you might end up with a "ghost" effect from the camera flash bouncing off your makeup.


✦Use a concealer to outline your lips.

I just use my everyday concealer and make little dots around my lips. By doing this, I am preventing my lipstick from bleeding.

✦Use a powder based blush. Oh, and make it something natural.

Chances are you are playing up your eyes, with that being said, go natural on the blusher and bronzer duo. 

✦When applying highlighter, don't forget about your collar bones.

If you are wearing a strapless dress, or a dress that is revealing your collar bone, dust your highlighter  over them. It doesn't make you look skinnier by any means, but it does make you look "lifted". Though this isn't a technique you'll use everyday, it's one you may like to use for a special occasion, like a school dance or wedding. 

✦Use a white eyeliner on the base of your eyelid in order to make shadows pop.

I've never tried this technique until this past weekend. I used a white eyeliner from Ulta Beauty as a base. Then, I applied my favorite smokey eyeshadows; my eyeshadow truly popped! 

✦Use a setting spray.

If you choose to disregard everything I previously stated, no big deal. This tip is going to save you in the end though. Gravitate towards Urban Decay's All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. According to the Urban Decay website, "All Nighter keeps your makeup looking gorgeously just-applied for up to 16 hours – without melting, cracking, fading or settling into fine lines." I couldn't agree more. I like to go in with 4-6 sprays after applying my makeup in an "X" formation.


✦Use a matte top coat over your nails.

I love painting my nails, it makes my look appear so chic. Making my nails matte is definitely a style statement in itself. Because I like to go with the classic LBD, I like to spice up my look with burgundy matte nails. The look is priceless!


That concludes this blog post. The products I featured are the ones I am wearing to my homecoming dance, whereas the tips I provided are the ones I will be using on myself and my friends. I am super excited. My homecoming dance is this Saturday! When is yours?

Thanks for reading,

*My HOCO pictures will be on my second blog come October 16, 2016.

10 Ways To Distress

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my main blog! We've finally hit October; mid-terms are literally right around the corner. Anyway, to help you distress I put together a list of 10 ways to distress. Note, this is a collab with my good friend, Vanessa. She is also sharing her top 10 ways to distress. I will have her blog and social media links below if you're interested. Enjoy!

1. Exercise!

As far as I'm concerned, exercise is the most efficient way of distressing. Being on a soccer team has allowed me to blow off so much steam. In the off season, I take advantage of my treadmill. Either way, I feel so much better.


2. Have a spa night.

Stress definitely plays a role in my skin appearance. I typically get an inflamed pimple or two on my chin the day before an exam or project. Or just when I have a lot going on in my life. I like to take some time to myself throughout the week to take care of myself. I like to exfoliate with baking soda and shave my legs with olive oil.

Click the following link for some home remedy natural detox bath remedies- http://bit.ly/1sdLyqJ


3. Call a friend.

I'll be the first to admit that I need help; I'm definitely not one to hold it in. I like to call my boyfriend or talk the problem out with my mom. I know I can count on my mom for guidance- whatever the situation is.


4. Watch your favorite movie.

On Sunday nights, I like to curl up in a warm fuzzy blanket and watch The Longest Ride. Oh, and I like to snack on some hot popcorn. All of my worries are washed away.


5. Make a to-do list.

For those of you who are more problem-focused copers, make a to-do list. I recommend writing everything out as it makes a nice visual.


6. Take a walk in nature.

Henry David Thoreau wrote a poem called Walden, regarding his lifestyle outdoors. He talked about how nature played an important role in the development of the soul. I couldn't agree more! My first experience proved his theory true. I felt at peace.


7. Listen to some music.

Music is another coping method I use. I love listening to Meghan Trainor, singer of "Better" and "Me Too". These songs are very influential on my mood.


8. Write. Then, write some more.

After writing in my journal I feel 110% better. I actually keep a prayer journal now. I write as if I'm speaking to God... then once a few months go by, I read them and determine which prayers have and haven't been answered.


9. Read.

I'm not much of a reader to be honest. With my free time, I would much rather string together a story on my own. With that being said, I do need inspiration every now and then. I love reading other blogs via Bloglovin'.


10. Clean your space.

I feel a weight lift off of my shoulders after I clean my room. I feel like I can conquer just about anything!


That concludes my 10 ways to distress. How do you distress? Comment below!

Thanks for reading,

Vanessa's Blog: http://www.itssimplyme.com

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My 18th Birthday Wishlist

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my blog and welcome to October, my birthday month! On the 25th I am turning 18-years-old. I can't believe it! Where has the time gone?

With that being said, I decided to share my 18th birthday wishlist with you all:

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BlendSMART Automated Makeup Brush System 

I came across this product while scoping out some new YouTubers. The idea of this product is so cool! I love wearing richer foundations during the fall and winter seasons, therefore this would be perfect for ensuring all of the product is blended in completely.


Lilly Pulitzer Seahorse Stud Earrings

I recently purchased my graduation dress; yes, I know, crazy! But I wanted to make sure that I would be the only person with that dress. I want to get a pair of gold stud earrings, preferably a pair of star fish studs, but these ones from Lilly are just as nice.


Miss Aili's Corner Navy & Beige Plaid Blanket Scarf

If you know me, you know that I love scarves. I especially love blanket scarves. I'm always looking to add to my collection.


Michael Kors MICHAEL Rhea Medium Perforated Leather Backpack

Purses are another one of my lusts. I get weak in the knees at the sight of a cute purse. Don't pretend like you've never been there; I know that we've all been there. This black backpack is so cute! It screams fall and winter to me. I can definitely see myself using this!


Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette by Too Faced

I have heard such good things about this eyeshadow palette. I simply have to try it out for myself! I mean, a makeup product that smells of chocolate.... how can you say no to that?


Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipstick, Summer Peach

Mally Beauty cosmetics never fail to disappoint. I've gone through eyeshadows and foundations; and immediately I fell in love. Now, I'm scoping out their lip products. I would love to get my hands on a few of their high shine liquid lipsticks.

*AFTER PUTTING THIS POST TOGETHER I CAME ACROSS MALLY'S PERFECT PREP LIP SYSTEM. IF I COULD GET MY HANDS ON THAT THAT WOULD BE INCREDIBLE. 


Glow Kit Sweets Anastasia Beverly Hills

A few months ago I found myself in a Sephora where I came across this product. Everyone raves about this glow kit in the blogging community. I would love to highlight my cheek bones with this pigmented quad.


Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

After hearing about this product for several months via the blogging community and YouTube, I decided that I want to try this product. Though I've never used a translucent setting powder before, I think it would be exciting to see what this one can do. I've always used pressed powders and was never truly impressed. 

That concludes my 18th birthday wishlist. When is your birthday? Comment below!

Thanks for reading,

Checkout my previous birthday wishlists:

My 17th Birthday Wishlist: http://bit.ly/2bLHucE

My 16th Birthday Wishlist: http://bit.ly/2blvb8z

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