Now that the temps have dropped enough for the snow to stick, my denial that winter is right around the corner is pointless.
And while I may not be ready emotionally, I have prepped myself with some winter essentials.
Aside from the obvious coffee thermos, snow boots and Zara blanket scarf, here are my necessities:
1. I love Vermont’s Original Bag Balm because, one, I’m a proud Vermonter, and two, my lips get really disgustingly chapped, and it works. Yes, I know the original use for it. No, IDGAF.
2. My skin literally drinks lotion when it’s cold. I’ve tried so many different brands and types, but my current favorite is the Intensive Care Advanced Repair by Vaseline. I got it for free from Influenster, and am so glad I did. I am dreading when it runs out, but it’s gotten me through most of November, which is a pretty major first for me.
3. My hands are another story. I don’t want to carry around a full sized bottle of lotion for mis manos, but a hand cream the smells good + is über luxe? Now we’re talking!
4. All the prep in the world doesn’t exactly help with winter and it’s seasonal effects. But this Yankee Candle in Balsam & Cedar does…it smells like Christmas! And I’d suffer all the snow for a white Christmas.
I almost never post twice in one day, but when one of your favorite beauty bloggers tags you for a ‘This or That’ post, you do it. Thanks, Kristina!
How This or That works:
1. State who tagged you (provide link) Answer all the questions.
2. Select one ‘This or That’ question for all your readers to answer.
3. Tag 4 others to answer ALL of the “this or that” questions on their blogs (provide links)… They say you really get to know people when they’re put in tight situations. Today’s “This or That” is going to do just that!”
Any other fellow bloggers that want to are more than welcome to consider themselves tagged!
Not a blogger + not tagged?
It’s OK, you can still comment! And I’d be interested to know your answer for number 29!
One thing that living in Vermont has taught me is to support both local and small businesses.
While that doesn’t mean that I will be skipping out on Black Friday, judge if you must…what it does mean is that I will also be supporting Small Business Saturday.
I didn’t have any major plans this weekend, the only thing I knew I wanted to do was spend some time reevaluating my goals. But, when I sat down to do actually do that, I couldn’t.
It was just too much.
It’s not that I don’t know what I want, or that I can’t see the big picture…
A list was just…boring.
So, I spent the weekend making a Pinterest board. Well, an inspiration board.
I printed images from Pinterest, prints that I plan to buy, inspirational images, motivational quotes, and tacked them to a giant cork board. This way as my dreams change and my goals are met, I change switch up what’s on my board.
I also added the Bannerie banner that I got in my Monarch Workshop goodie bag. Come on, YOU GOT THIS…fitting, right? How could I not?!
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy buff shirtless guys, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I had gotten myself into. Leave it to Cosmo to start of with a bang(ing bunch of hotties)!
And while there was truly something for everyone, I left feeling like that I had permission to dream BIG and the tools to go out and make those dreams a reality.
From the speaker + panels, to the networking sessions. To learning that my twenties matter, how to channel my inner mentor…
It’s mid-November and although I still have yet to see snow, I can feel that the holiday season is fast approaching.
Things have had their ups and downs for me so far this year, and I am thankful for all of it. That being said, I’ve found five products I’m thankful for as well…
1. I own and love the Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette. When I hit pan, I died a little on the inside. Then I was gifted the Maybelline Nudes palette and not only do I actually like it more, it costs less, so no more dying.
2. Sens’eyes was recommended by Stephanie. Most makeup removers contain oil, and even some of the ones that claim to be oil-free, leave your face oily. This doesn’t. It’s perfect for those times you get mascara on your eyelid when putting on your face. Try applying your mascara first. When I don’t forget to, it works like a charm!
No more having to start all over. Say what?!
3. Despite what you may think, I’m actually pretty low maintenance. Or rather, my skincare routine is pretty weak. Well, was. I invested in the Clarisonic Mia and I was able to step up my game with out have to add extra work.
Hard work may pay off, but unnecessary extra work is just dumb.
4. I’m all for No Shave November. However, I don’t want to participate. So, yeah…‘Fuzz’ Off works and doesn’t smell as strong as other similar products. I’d wax, but I’m not a masochist.
5. A wallet isn’t a beauty product.
Nor is it something that most people are really thankful for.
But this wallet is special and I am VERY thankful for it.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll admit when it comes to my phone I am always on it. When the battery low alert goes off, I have to resist the urge to drop everything and find an outlet. Sometimes that’s not an option. Dislike.
Problem solved!
There’s a whole lot more out there to be thankful for, read these blog posts for other products!
Despite what one might think, my place isn’t very decorated.
I have, however, tried to give it more of a homey touch by adding some decor pieces that I feel could work in just about any space, generally speaking, of course…
1. A collection of some sort. I’m not big on history or geography, but I like to travel + globes are pretty neat.
2. Something alive. Plants that don’t die easily are ideal.
3. An artistic personal touch. Photo magnets via PicStick.
4. Fancy expensive looking things. Found at Wal-Mart.
5. Trendy touches. How doesn’t have the Domino book on their coffee table?
Since bascially forever ago, Birchbox has been my go to subscription service.
But a little more recently, Birchbox has also been my source for good reads.
Yes, you read that right.
This past summer Birchbox started the Birchbox Book Club and it’s been providing me with my what to read next ever since!
The October book was Gone Girl, and thanks to the monthly giveaway that Birchbox hosts on Twitter, I was able to score The Complete Gillian Flynn collection!
I haven’t started reading Gone Girl just yet, but now that I have new reading glasses, I will be very soon! I purposely did not watch the movie adaptation, because I didn’t want to spoil the book.
The fact that there’s two additional books to cozy up with, makes me wonder if it means that there will be two more movies…
Have you seen Gone Girl or read the book? Both? Tell me what you thought.
(Please no spoiler alerts!)
So, I got new glasses and I couldn’t be more excited or more in love with them.
After seeing and learning about Warby Parker on Instagram (because that’s now where I learn about pretty much everything), I wanted to give the home trial a try and figure out which pair would be perfect for me. I found two pairs that I knew I’d like and a few others that I thought could work. When one of the two pairs I knew I wanted wasn’t available to try, I took the plunge and went ahead just buying those two pairs of glasses and I am SO glad that I did!
Even if they are just for reading…
I had been on the hunt for clear glasses since before clear glasses were cool. The Coley in crystal are not only perfect but they sort of taper in and fit my face in a way that I finder kind of flattering and didn’t think was possible.
The Kimball, are just plain fun, and I think I’m fun, so of course I HAD to have them.
I figured you could all use a break from my face so no selfies this post, but if you want to see either of these on me, check out my Instagram!
That’s right. After almost three years of being natural and shaving my head, I couldn’t do it anymore.
Living in Vermont with ethnic hair isn’t easy. No matter how you choose to wear your hair, you have to resort to DIY.
One of the perks of being a naturalista is the versatility. I finally was able to flat iron my hair again, and it took FOREVER. Literally over eight hours. Um, nope…Not for me.
I can’t even. And I’m OK with that. Natural hair isn’t for everyone.
Are you team natural or team relaxed? Tell me why, I’m curious!
