Lifestyle Archives - Page 10 of 17 - Twenty Something Plus

August 28, 2015

Birchbox Book Club: Current Reads

Some people are really good at reading two books at once.

Not me. I can’t even read in the car.

As big a mistake as it might be for me to try doing either of those, I still do…

I’ve had Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin and Yes Please by Amy Poehler tucked away on a shelf in my bookcase for the longest. Too long.

I received both books from Birchbox and wanted to get caught up with the Birchbox Book Club, so I finally started reading Yes Please. I got a decent way through it and just stopped. Not for any reason, just did.

But then, instead of picking it back up, I started Better Than Before.

I don’t know why I would think that was a good idea. My plan is to finish Better Than Before and then go back and finish Yes Please. They’re both really good reads and if you haven’t read either one of them, you should add them to your reading list!

Next on my reading list is one of the many fantasy novels that the manfriend has. He has a blog, and is sharing on going chapters of what he’s been writing. Maybe I’ll be supportive and start with his…

Maybe.

For anyone who has read Better Than Before, I’m a rebel, what are you?

August 25, 2015

Easy Flatlay Tips

My favorite style of photos on Instagram are flatlays. They are such a great way to showcase things in a really neat way.

There are tons of resources out there to master the art of the flatlay and I’ve already shared my number on Instagram tip (along with what I use for my white backgrounds), but here are five quick and super easy tips to help you nail them!

Think square! I’m all for thinking outside of the box, but for a flatlay you have to get super creative within it.

Move things around, see what works. Keep in mind that sometimes less is more!

Switch things up, try different angles. Who said a flatlay has to be dead on and from above? Zoom in, get close, crop it like it’s hot! You can also try different backgrounds.

Use airplane mode (and make sure your wifi is turned off) if you want to edit your photo in Instagram but save it for later. #latergram (I’ve also done this to brighten up a photo twice!)

Edit! If you want that crisp white background? Brighten up your photo and add a little contrast.

Bonus tip: Try to remember the four F’s!

Fit (Think square), Free-up (Less is more), Focus (Is your phone’s lens clean? Did you tap the screen where you want the focal point to be?), and Fine-tune (Make any changes and add any finishing touches).

If you want to know what I keep in my Instagram prop box (yes, I have one), go check out this post!

August 20, 2015

Throw Yourself a Crabby Party

Did you ever have one of those days where you in a meh kind of mood?

Indulging in the act of self-pity is not something that I would typically encourage. But sometimes you just need to.

The idea of having a literal pity party doesn’t appeal to me, I’d much rather channel my inner happy crabber.

These Woven Pear socks certainly help!

Think of it as a mini treat yo self sesh.

Movie?

Check.

Fun fact: The manfriend and I saw 27 Dresses on our first date and ever since I’ve been obsessed with Katherine Heigl movies!

Noms?

Check.

Wine?

Do you even have to ask?

Company is optional.

But ice cream is not.

It’s not an exact science and really doesn’t take much. And, if I’m being totally honest, I’m pretty sure this is how I spend most of my nights anyways…

So get comfy, pop open a bottle of wine and enjoy. But only if you’re 21.

So happy to have Woven Pear sponsor this post!

August 14, 2015

Vanity Details

Only recently have I become somewhat of a morning person.

I wake up, check my Instagram, think about my plans for the day, and finally get out of bed because I can no longer here myself thinking over the sound of my stomach growling…

But my favorite part of the morning, after coffee, is the getting ready part. I truly enjoy the process of sitting down at my vanity and putting my makeup on.

What do I keep on my vanity?

Only the basic beauty essentials.

You know, makeup. Which is kind of obvious.

Some makeup brushes. A variety.

Hair accessories. (I know that I have really short hair, but these hair ties keep my bangs out of my face without creasing my hair.)
And of course, no vanity is complete with out a mirror. I adore my motivational one from North Detail! Plus, it’s super portable, so I can grab it and go. Get it girl!

What’s on your vanity?

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August 5, 2015

Stay Comfy, Be Confident with U by Kotex

Did you know that today is National Underwear Day?

Well, when it comes to my underwear, I’m all about feeling comfortable, yet confident.

No matter what pair I decide to wear, I want to stay as clean as possible. The last thing anyone wants is to get their period unexpectedly. Goodbye, cute expensive panties…

You then wish you’d worn the ratty grannies as you try to gently scrub the stained ones.

Even more horrific is when this happens in public… Yikes!

How nice would it be if you just be confident 24/7, without sacrificing comfort?

Stay one step ahead with U by Kotex® liners!

U by Kotex® offers a full line of feminine care products for periods including pads, liners and tampons. Outstanding protection that keeps you one step ahead.

Want to try for yourself? Get a free sample!

There’s also a #BringComfyBack contest! To enter visit bringcomfyback.com and upload your creative pic or gif showcasing your best uncomfy face.

Each month, one lucky winner will receive a $200 Urban Outfitters gift card, a Go Pro Hero 3 white camera, a $100 Sephora gift card and U by Kotex products.

At the end of the contest, the most creative selfie will be chosen and the winner will receive a trip to L.A. with a girlfriend, an exclusive U by Kotex photo shoot to be their new social star and $2,000 spending cash!

U by Kotex will be judging based on originality, style and how hard you can make them laugh. So be creative and get crazy!

July 16, 2015

Who Needs Just One Shower Caddy?

My dad has been renovating our bathrooms and I was trying to hold off until he was finished before sharing this post.

But, again, I have the patience of a two year old.

So, instead here’s ~~what’s in my shower~~ what will be in my shower!

Taking a shower (when not under construction) should be a relaxing experience. Lugging things back and forth is not an option, but I hated it when I would reach for my conditioner and knock over everything else. Picking it all back up was a nightmare, and cutting my finger on my razor in the process is a literal pain.

Well that won’t be a problem anymore, because all my shower products will each have their own home with this seven piece set!

Thanks to the MyEssentials Shower Caddy Set, everything has gets is own little caddy and my fingers and toes are all safe.

The set includes:

-MyHook
-MyShave
-MySmile
-MySoap
-MyGrip
-MyHeadstand
-MyHolder

Each piece is unique and some can fit items of different shapes.

Perfect for Umbuntu Oil products.

Even worked with my Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle…

And there’s a hook for your loofah!

This is exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

My question is, do you brush your teeth at the sink or in the shower and why? I’ve done both, but I want to hear from you all.

June 18, 2015

Polyvore is My Newest Guilty Pleasure

About a year ago I joined Polyvore. I had learned about it at Alt Summit, but I really only used it to do a couple of wish list style blog posts.

This year at Alt, one of the sessions talked about Polyvore in a community sense. I must be a sucker for community, because I have been on it creating sets and entering contests like a madwoman!

I seriously can’t get enough.

You know how you go on Pinterest to “pin a few things” and the next thing you know it’s been two hours? Same concept. Except in stead of pinning outfits that you wish were in your closet to your style board, you’re creating those outfits.

Here’s a little outfit inspo I created using Polyvore:

I know I would SO wear both of these outfit options…if I had all those things, that is.
Who wants to go shopping?!

Oh, and feel free to pin…

May 26, 2015

Alt Summit Summer: I’m Going Again!

Around this time last year, I won a ticket to a conference that would legitimately change my life. Especially the blogging part of it.

I got to hear Joy Cho and Martha Stewart speak. Huge.

I networked and made friends.

I learned SO much about blogging.

And I got to party my little butt off.

It was everything.

I don’t think that it’s humanly possible for me to be any more thrilled to be attending Alt Summit Summer for the second time.

And even more so, because this time I’ll be speaking.

Yep, that’s right, I’M SPEAKING AT ALT!

I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED.

I’ll try my best not to go Alt crazy on you, but my mind is already going into overtime thinking about things I want to share, like what I’m bringing with me, and what I plan to wear, and what I want to accomplish while I’m there…

No promises.

If you’ll also be at Alt, I can’t wait to see you there! How are you prepping?

Fun fact: I’m a tiny bit shy, but love conferences. If you’re anything like me or even just feeling a little nervous, this will help!

P.S. In case you haven’t yet had your fill of my IG ramblings, make sure to be on the lookout for an Instagram related post that may possibly be coming soon(ish) to Gilit Cooper’s blog, Shoes Off Please.

And, yes, the Gilit Cooper of The Bannerie. Love her!

May 22, 2015

My Number One Instagram Tip

If you’re not on Instagram, you are seriously missing out.

And if you do have an Instagram account and aren’t following me, we’re fighting.

Hardcore.

When I first started out on Instagram my page was private, I didn’t follow anyone, was obsessed with using filters and pretty much just used it to tweak my photos before sharing them on Facebook.

I may not be all that well known in the blogosphere (yet), but 9 out of 10 times, when someone has heard of Twenty Something Plus, it’s because of my Instagram account.

The most common question I get asked about Instagram is what do I use for my white background. I recommend a basic white foam board that you can find in any office or craft store. But you can pretty much use anything white. Paper, fabric…I also use white (or off-white) walls, the top of a short white bookshelf that I have, and I now have a white tray I found at Target (similar here), which I like because I can also carry stuff on it and don’t have to worry too much about getting it dirty.

There are tons of articles and blog posts out there about Instagram tips, tricks, and apps. My number one Instagram tip is to use natural light.

Why?

I mean, seriously, just look at the difference!

Both photos were taken with my iPhone 5s, are haven’t been edited, aside from being cropped to be square. The ONLY difference is that the second one was taken in front of a window and the other wasn’t. Natural light provides a much better starting point for editing. No?

When natural light isn’t an option, I use daylight light bulbs. They’re still not quite as good as using natural light, but believe me, they make a world of a difference. (So much so that my mom switched most of the lights in the house to daylight ones.)

Oh! And those things that roll around when you’re trying to do a flatlay like a boss? Painter’s tape. It’s cheap, and in my opinion, works the best, without tearing your board.

Want more tips?

Here’s some Instagram related blog posts that really helped me:
Cupcakes and Cashmere
Bloguettes
Zelma Rose
Who What Wear

May 21, 2015

DIY Floral Arranging with Neatly Noted + Azalea Floral Design

I am not always the most creative person , so when I get the chance to learn how to do something new or crafty, I jump at it.

Like, almost literally.

A few weeks ago, I joined fellow Monarchs, Latanya of Sprinkles and Booze Whitney of Leopard Spots & Pineapple Dots for a DIY floral arranging ladies night event hosted by Ariel Nathan of Neatly Noted (a friend of a friend, I’d been dying to meet, plus secretly stalking on Facebook and Instagram…) and Shannon Gagnon of Azalea Floral Design.

There was SO much food, wine, and lots of shared laughs. I. HAD. SUCH. A. BLAST!

I managed not to cut myself and walked away with a super cute, flower filled Neatly Noted coffee mug.

I hope this was the first of many other craft events.

There was talk of a DIY flower crown night…
If so, count me in!

If you’re not in CT, there’s no need to be too jealous, you can get your very own mug here. Photos via the Neatly Noted blog. Except for the last one, that was me.