Lifestyle Archives - Page 5 of 17 - Twenty Something Plus

April 18, 2016

Beauty in Bloom

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

It’s been a very long time since the last time I purchased a Limited Edition Birchbox. But the Beauty in Bloom box has a couple of products I had been dying to try and a really cute tray to put it all in!

Honestly, I wanted the tray for blog photos.

The products that I had to have?

The Smith & Cult The Shining Lip Lacquer (in High-Speed Sonnet) and stila HUGE extreme lash mascara. The rest was all a super sweet bonus!

There wasn’t a single thing that didn’t like or won’t use.

There’s always the option to buy the full size of the products individually. But, why? When for $64 you get $188 worth of products! Which is basically buy two get a bunch of other stuff free!

April 7, 2016

How to Look 10 Years Younger (Tips from The Age Fix)

It’s no secret that I like to tweak my skincare a ton, trying new products to find the ones that work best for me and my skin. While I tend to gravitate towards whatever is new or trending, sometimes it’s nice to get advice from a professional.

Dr. Anthony Youn is a top plastic surgeon, but his book The Age Fix is all about how to keep your skin healthy and looking young without surgery.

He shares everything from DIY face mask recipes, to quick makeup fixes. My personal favorite part is the section on what to eat for your best skin. I haven’t been able to fully commit to giving the suggested meal plan a try.

It is on my to do list, though.

For now, I’ve been making a serious effort to drink more water (adding lemon slices has been a huge help, in addition to opting for seltzer water instead of soda every once in a while).

Also, fruit. Apples, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, blueberries. I really like fruit, so making sure to start my day with at least one of something was a pretty easy transition.

Since I’m also trying to use healthier beauty products, I figured baby steps are probably in my best interest.

March 31, 2016

How I Keep My Black Clothes Dark

A lot of people say that they only wear black. Or that black is the main color in their wardrobe. I am not one of those people.

Although I love color, I do own a lot of black clothes. Particularly a ton of skinny jeans and leggings. And I very much so prefer it when my black clothes stay dark, bold and vivid. Black is my confidence color.

I would love it if I could pick out all of my outfits in advance. However, life happens and that’s not always possible. Black is the perfect color for that. I feel confidence and look chic, regardless of what else I am wearing. Well, within reason…

Nothing is worse than having a favorite shirt or pair of jeans fade overtime. I know I don’t want that to happen. So, I switched to Woolite Darks.

My darks stay dark.

I stay confident.

I’m going to be sharing some outfits that make me feel like my very best, so be on the lookout for that post!

March 17, 2016

Green Beer for St. Patrick’s Day

Two blog posts in one day? I know, I know…

I just couldn’t not share about what I’ll be drinking tonight! Don’t hate me, but I’m not a big fan of Guinness, or Baileys. So, still wanting to keep it festive for St. Patrick’s Day, I found a green beer DIY on Pinterest.

SUPER easy you guys! The how to can be found here.

Essentially, you just add green food coloring to your favorite light colored beer. But the order is kind of important.

Happy St. Paddy’s Day! If you’re going out tonight, be safe. And also wear green, especially if you want to avoid getting pinched.

March 17, 2016

St. Patrick’s Day Mani

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Being crafty this month, has really started to inspire me to be more creative in general. So, forget your standard green St. Patrick’s Day mani!

I wanted to go all out colorful and used the St. Patrick’s Day confetti from my March Confetti of the Month Club box.

Aside from the confetti, all you really need is your favorite base coat and top coat of nail polish. For the top coat, I like using one that is a no light gel.

If you have really short nails like I do, you’re going to want to cut the confetti into smaller pieces. I cut each piece in about half.

After prepping your nails as you usually would, apply your base coat, then, without letting it dry place a piece of confetti on each nail.

This part can be a little tricky (and a little messy). If you have nail glue, you can definitely use it to hold the confetti in place. I didn’t. But it’s an option.

Let dry before applying your top coat. I let this dry and added another coat, you don’t have to, I just get slightly paranoid.

Plus, I really wanted to make sure they lasted as long as possible.

This may have to be my new St. Patrick’s Day tradition!

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March 10, 2016

DIY Polka Dot Clutch

Continuing my National Craft Month challenge, I decided to attempt one of my more recent pins.

After not being able to successfully track down the Who What Wear x Target zip pouch, instead of giving up all hope, I took the DIY approach.

From the second I spotted The Crafted Life’s 10 Minute DIY Polka Dot Purse, I knew I wanted to make my own polka dot clutch. Something I could use to keep my purse a little more organized or quickly grab on my way out the door for a few quick errands.

The hardest part of this craft project? Picking out the colors!

In other words, it’s super easy, really quick and, most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!

For the directions on how to make it yourself, check out Rachel of The Crafted Life’s blog. And if you’re not following her on Pinterest, you need to.

Seriously.

March 7, 2016

Confetti of the Month Club

Chances are you’ve heard of The Confetti Bar, or at least seen their confetti around Instagram. It’s also likely that you got the today is National Cereal Day memo, even if it was a little too late.

I hate scrabbling around at the last possible minute to get everything together. And with so many holidays to keep track of and to prepare for, it can really get to be a bit overwhelming.

Not anymore! The Confetti Bar now has the Confetti of the Month Club and I got to give their first box a go. Included is four different confetti mixes that go with that month’s national holidays and a digital holiday calendar is sent to you via email in advance so you’ll be able to know what holidays are coming up.

This month’s confetti is for National Cereal Day, St. Patrick’s Day, National Awkward Moments Day, and Easter. Which is in March this year.

The Awkward Moments Day mix is scented, I can’t quite figure out what the actual scents are, but sunshine and rainbows smells pretty darn close!

Today is the last chance to sign up for the April box, if you’re already signed up for the ultra-exclusive email list. Find out how to get the party started here!

March 4, 2016

A Simple Eucalyptus DIY (That’s Easier Than a Wreath)

Did you know that March is National Craft Month? I plan on taking full advantage of this and using it as an excuse to do at least one of the thousands of Pinterest projects I’ve long since sworn that I was going to do, each week this month.

One easy craft project each week for a month?

That’s totally doable!

I wanted to start with something pretty, and while at Trader Joe’s picking up flowers, I spotted a bouquet of eucalyptus branches for only $2.99. After having just bought a rug at IKEA and keeping the string that it came wrapped in, I knew I had my first simple project. A minimalist eucalyptus DIY arrangement that is WAY easier than making a wreath or even a garland.

STEP 1: Open the bouquet and cut the branches (on an angle) to desired length.

STEP 2: Gather a few branches and wrap your string around them. Finish by knotting the string.

That’s it!

Simple, right?

What you decide to do with your arrangement next, is completely and totally up to you. I currently have a bundle I made displayed on a tray with faux steer skull and a candle, but I have given some thought to hanging one up in the shower or on the wall over my bed.

If this is a craft you’d consider doing, how would you show it off? Tell me in the comments!

March 2, 2016

Barreless Barre at Crane & Lion

Joining the Boston Bloggers Facebook group has led to some pretty great opportunities for me. One such opportunity was getting to attend a Barreless Barre class at Crane & Lion.

Hosted by Jenna of Boston Chic Party and Jessica Diaz, the class itself really worked your core. I didn’t realize just how much until the next day. My abs were sore, but in a good way.

I’ve taken a Barre class before, but didn’t think you could get such a great workout without even using a barre!

After class there was wine, noms and a Crane & Lion sample sale. Everything was up to 60% off!

I spotted the cutest ever jacket, and I just may have to go back for it. Sale or no sale.

I ended up not actually buying anything, which was sad because their clothes are athleisure, but casual in a way that I could see myself wearing them even on days where the gym is the furthest thing from my mind.

Thankfully, Crane & Lion sent us home with one of their tanks. I’ve already worn mine once, and it was to workout in! Can you believe it?

January 19, 2016

Good Clean Saving

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

One of the gifts I wanted for Christmas was Sigma Spa Express Brush Cleaning Mat. I was beyond ecstatic to get the Brush Cleaning Glove instead. Cleaning my makeup brushes is no longer something that I dread.

But while it makes cleaning my makeup brushes only about 1000 times easier, it doesn’t mean that I want to clean my makeup brushes every other day. Or even on a weekly basis.

So, in between washes, I use paper towels to help manage my mess.

To make sure that I’m saving and getting the most for my money, I get the SCOTT, Choose-a-Sheet Mega Roll 6 Pack at Dollar General.

They also carry SCOTT 1000 Bath Tissue, 16 pack and Extra Soft Bath Tissue, Double Roll 16 pack. All three special Bonus Packs are in-store through the end of February. Find the closest Dollar General to you, here.

Plus, you can use their new Digital Coupons to save even more. You just sign up, create an account and load the coupons you want to use. Then go to your local Dollar General to redeem your coupons at checkout. SO much saving!

Which, of course, for me, means that I have more money to spend on makeup…