Twenty Something Plus

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 13, 2015

Styled by 5 featuring Shabby Apple

You know how I’ve been saying I want to start doing more style posts?

Well, I’ve teamed up with four other boss blogger babes to bring you Styled by 5!

The five of us will each style the same piece of clothing and since we all look and think differently from each other (hair, religion, location, skin, size, height, style…all of the above), you’ll get five totally different looks. That means you’ll get to see what I style, on other body types so you can find something that is best for you!

Make sure to check out Deidre, Sarah, Jacque and Kaylynn’s blogs to see how they styled this Shabby Apple dress too. And lookout for something styled by the five of us every month!

My style can (and has) been defined as traditional dramatic. I tend to vary between very classic things and super bold edgy pieces. Shabby Apple dresses are dreamy, and this one is timeless!

To add a little bit of drama to it I paired it with a Jenny Bird necklace from Rocksbox and leopard print flats. Even though technically, in theory, leopard tends to be considered a neutral, I don’t care. Leopard print is my favorite color.

So, what do you think? Is the little blue dress the new little black dress?

Maybe not, but that doesn’t make it any less cute!

August 12, 2015

Baking with Bet

Not sure if you remember, but I’ve posted about baking before.

But this kind of baking is totally different!

If you are any bit of a beauty buff, you’ve probably heard about contouring, strobing, and now baking. I can kind of contour and think I get the concept of strobing, but this? This I’ve got down packed! (Yes, that was an intentional pun, and I’m laughing at my own cleverness as I type this.)

So… What is baking?

Basically it involves concealer and a translucent powder.

I won’t bore you with all the details, but you put on your face. Then apply concealer under your eyes and blend, followed by the powder which you let sit (or “bake”) on your face for a while before brushing it off.

Here are some actual directions.

If you had to pick one: contouring, baking or strobing?

August 10, 2015

My July Birchbox

Even though I still haven’t got around to trying all the products in my July Birchbox, I know I need to share what was in it (before skipping ahead to my August Birchbox)!

This has probably been one of the most useful boxes I’ve ever gotten. I may not be head over heels for all the products, but I can (and will) use all of them so that’s a major plus.

Every month there’s a theme and this month’s was go bold. From the box to the lipstick, Birchbox did just that!

I think I’ve said this before, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE getting to try product I would never buy strictly because of the price. $72 for an exfoliant? Not going to happen. Sample from Birchbox? Don’t mind if I do!

Ok, so to be honest, I don’t fully understand the difference between dry shampoo and texture spray. I mean, I do, but there’s just too many sprays! It is nice to be able to do an actual side-by-side comparison, though, since I still have yet to finish off my amika dry shampoo sample from last November…

I love Caudalie. And I have yet to try an oil product and hate it. This should be divine!

This Stila lipstick (yes, lipstick, because it’s that vibrant) is one of my favorites. The color, however, is not. It’s so bold that you seriously might need to wear sunglasses just to look at me when I wear it. I did find a way to make it so that I don’t feel like a clown. Maybe, if I start sharing makeup look posts, I’ll show you what I did.

If you get Birchbox, did you get the lipstick in Beso? If so, I think I hate you. Not really, but it’s the best and I missed out on the sample choice, color me super jealous. I made sure not to make that mistake for August!

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August 7, 2015

Why I Prefer Two Piece Swimsuits

I recently spent a week in Maine on vacation with the manfriend and his family. This is something we try to do together at least once every year.

I absolutely love it there.

Mostly because I love the beach.

The sun, the sand, the ocean…

And TWO PIECE SWIMSUITS!

This year, I decided I wasn’t going to bother buying a new bathing suit. I mean, I already had several. But the universe clearly had other plans. I somehow found out that Brickyard Buffalo was having a flash sale. All swimwear was $5. Five dollars?! How could anyone pass that up?

I sure couldn’t.

There were quite a few choices but I basically already had my heart set on a two piece swimsuit with high waisted bottoms.

Why a two piece?

I have nothing against one pieces. To be honest it’s not even like I’m all that crazy about two piece swimsuits.

I just really like having the option to mix and match…

Can you blame me?

Plus, I still have two other tops I could rock these with. And when you add bottoms into the equation, I have even more bathing suit possibilities.

What’s your favorite swimsuit style? Comment and let me know!

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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!

August 4, 2015

My 5 Favorite Birchbox Samples (So Far)

I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by! We are more than half way through the year, which means that I am half way through my 2015 Birchboxes.

So far, here are my favorite Birchbox samples:

Dr. Jart’s Dermaclear Micro Water really outdid itself. My expectations were serious shattered.

Just when I thought my obsession with Macadamia Professional could not get any worse, I get their Nourishing Moisture Oil Treatment, and I can’t even. The sample size was pretty big (I got this in May and still have some left), and it really helps my hair feel soft and look shiny!

Derma e is a brand I LOVE. Their products are ones of amazing quality and that I trust. If I sample one of their products, it will be one of my top picks. In February I got the Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub and in March I samples the Evenly Radiant Brightening Day Crème with SPF 15. Not only did I love them both, but the make the perfect pair!

It’s no secret that true beauty lovers can never have enough makeup. That being said, I had never tried baked blush because I didn’t see the point. I would have rather have every single Naked palette. I did not know what I was missing. I wear this Laura Geller Beauty’s Baked Blush-n-Brighten pretty much every day.

I feel like I have to at least give an honorable mention to the Marcelle eyeliner I just received in June, mostly because I really love the color.

I haven’t gotten my August Birchbox just yet (two words: Nicole Richie), but I’ll be sharing my July samples very soon!

July 30, 2015

My June Birchbox

Back tracking a little bit here, but I want to show you what I got in my June Birchbox, before it’s August…

While this was not my favorite box, I didn’t hate it. I know I will use everything in it, so I guess there’s that.

I’m pretty sure I will never have enough makeup. This Marcelle eyeliner is a pretty color that’s perfect for summer, and my second favorite product in this month’s Birchbox.

I was least thrilled about the Pura Vida headband. Not because it isn’t cute, but I know I’m going to end up with a headband headache. Or I’m going to lose it…

I am officially sick of shampoo and conditioner samples. I haven’t tried these yet, I have added them to my collection.

I’m a fan of Tocca, but perfume samples can really be hit or miss. Thankfully, for me, Bianca was a hit!

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to pick for my sample choice, I’m pretty indecisive like that, but I am SO glad I opted for the Dermaclear Micro Water! I seriously cannot believe how well this stuff works. I’ve already used up the entire sample, which is actually kind of bittersweet.

I’ll be sharing my July Birchbox soon, and already know that I’m going to L-O-V-E my August box!

July 27, 2015

July Loves

I’ve decided that I really love sharing the things that I love with you. Since that’s the case, my monthly Loves are here to stay. Yay!

July is typically a big beach month (at least it is for me). What I’m loving this month somewhat reflects what I find myself packing for the beach.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

I’ve been trying (and I think doing really well) not spending a ton of money. I have only gotten one pedicure this year. And although I don’t necessarily need more nail polish, sometimes I just want to treat myself a little. Sinful Colors has vibrant colors and cost under $2. Whenever I go to get groceries, I tend to come home with a new fun shade.

It’s all fun in the sun, until someone needs aloe. Thanks to melanin, that someone is never me, but I still want to take precautions against harmful rays. At the same time, when it comes to applying sunscreen I don’t want to spend forever and a day putting it on. With spray that’s not an issue.

In my humble opinion, it totally does not count as shopping if my mom buys me something. She recently got my a pair of Birkenstocks that I am absolutely obsessed with. I have literally worn them to every single cookout I’ve been to so far. Good job, Ma Dukes!

Birchbox points are truly a blessing and when I am able to get something awesome, it’s a wondrous thing. My Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Duo Brush is seriously a treasure. I don’t know how I ever did my eyebrow makeup without it.

Even when I’m on vacation, I having blogging on my brain. What should I write about? Who can I collaborate with? This Market and Luxe print pretty much sums up the blog life.

Do you have a blog? Like the print? Want it? Well comment the name and URL of your blog and you could win it!

Thanks SO much Market and Luxe for sponsoring this giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Begins Monday, July 27, 2015 12:00AM EST and runs until Saturday, August 1, 2015 12:00AM EST. Open to the U.S. only. No purchase required. Winner will be selected at random and must respond within 48 after being contacted. This giveaway isn’t endorsed or associated by anyone but me. Good luck!

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!