Twenty Something Plus

April 13, 2015

My April 2015 Julep Maven Box…Oops!

Remember when I said I wouldn’t be getting my Julep Maven box for a while? Well, I may have forgotten to skip this month and was really upset with myself. That is until I got my box, or rather, until I tried the beauty product included.

I have so much nail polish that, according to the manfriend and my family, I don’t need more. I say, I don’t need that kind of negativity. And that’s what my bank account tells me. I half joke…

But, what I do need is an endless supply of Don’t Leave Your Brows At Home in rich brown.

I have shared almost way too many brow products that I use. That’s because I really go through them. I like trying different ones, because the only way to know which one you like best is to try them all. Again, half joke.

But seriously, even when I don’t really put on a lot of makeup, I do my eyebrows.

Don't Leave Your Brows At Home in rich brown

This is my favorite, yes, favorite brow product to date. Minimal effort for eyebrows on fleek. I mean it.

And the polish colors are two that I know I’ll be using this summer. One of them is named Drew. (In case you didn’t know, the manfriend’s name is Andrew and thanks to all the college students we’ve worked with I call him Drew more often than he probably likes. Also, my niece and youngest nephew call him Uncle Drew. The other three refer to him as their aunt’s boyfriend…) Plus you can’t really go wrong with pink.

Next month I’ll go back to skipping, and set a reminder in my calendar so I don’t forget. And now I know what I’ll be using all my Jules Points for!

In case you were wondering, this month’s candy was the Everlasting Gobstopper.

April 7, 2015

Make Me Blush

BH Cosmetics just had their Spring Makeup Madness Sale, I was so proud of myself for scoring the Glamorous Blush Palette for only $6.95. Said palette is regularly $16.95 and still on sale, but the sale price went up to $8.95.

If you’re thinking so what, big deal, then you don’t know me (or my shopping habits) very well.

It was only like a year ago that I spent enough at Sephora to qualify for VIB Rouge. So believe me when I say that I have been really, really good.

You would not believe how good I’ve been lately. This was the only thing I purchased, and the brushes were on sale too!

Yep, 10 blush colors for under $10.

And the variety!

Some shimmery, some matte, pinks and berries…

I own a few blushes, but mostly in similar shades, so I’m happy to now be able to switch up my look more often and in a different way than I typically do. Maybe, I’ll start sharing beauty looks…

Maybe.

The only thing I’d change is that the colors don’t have names. Don’t worry, I’ll get over it.

April 1, 2015

What is Monarch Workshop?

A few times, I’ve mentioned Monarch Workshop, but I haven’t really talked about the full experience. After attending for the second time, some sharing needs to happen.

In the fall, Monarch Workshop was held in the B:Hive, this time we convened there in the AM for coffee, but then moved to The Bananaland.

There was food provided by Whisk + Brush throughout the day.

Yoga happened.

It was much needed.

There were tons of raffle prizes.

And swag. SO. MUCH. SWAG.

We were inspired.

We crafted.

We ‘grammed. A lot. I even got to take over the Stiletto Shoe Lounge Instagram Account!

And this is just in a nutshell.

Monarch Workshop is by far the most (if not the only) holistic workshop EVER. We talked about everything from nutrition to networking and then some. And even better? I can honestly say I’ve made some really great friends.

Plus, PHOTOBOOTH!

If you’re thinking about attending, I encourage you to treat yourself. And if you’re not thinking about attending, I think you should at least think about it…

Thank you, Maddie, Jessica and Dream Team for another unbelievably empowering experience!

Every single one of these photos is from Victoria Gloria, because I love her oh so mucho and her photos totally put the ones I’d taken to shame.

Also, in case you needed a little more encouragement, here are some blog posts from other Monarch Workshop attendees (one of them is a video!):

Sami Jo of Poor & Pretty
Mary of Uncustomary Art
Christine of CrissCross Journeys
Whitney of Leopard Spots & Pineapple Dots
Kimberly of Happy Healthy Hearts
Melissa of the Haven Collective
Cassandra of Cassandra Madeline
Maya of Mojalvo

March 27, 2015

Five on a Friday: Orange

Unless you count leopard print, I don’t have a favorite color. There are colors that I like, colors that I love, but none that I would consider my favorite. When people can’t understand that, I used to just tell them yellow.

Thanks to J. Crew, I think it’s safe to say that my signature color is now orange.

My coat is not the only orange possession I have and am obsessed with…

Lately I’ve been feeling like Olaf from Frozen. Go With the Lava Flow from OPI’s Hawaii Collection that I got from People’s Stylewatch, gives me hope that summer will come.

This clutch is far from new, but I love it.

I have the pleasure of attending Monarch Workshop this past weekend and meet some of the most amazing women, EVER. I’ll be sharing more about my experience later, but one inspirational beauty, Alyssa Antonucci, makes the absolute cutest beaded bracelets. I am so in love with this tassel one from her, that I don’t think I’ve taken it off since the workshop!

For the longest time I thought that flip flops were flip flops and Havaianas were overrated. Then I found a pair at T.J.Maxx and I can’t believe I ever though such ludicrous things…

And last, but not least, I snagged this orange tank from Old Navy clearance for $2! I’d seen it and wanted it, but wasn’t sure just how much so I didn’t buy it, wait, and then had to have it. I went back, couldn’t find it, got really upset, then went through the entire clearance section until I found it. I earned this top. You will definitely be seeing it in an outfit post or two at some point.

Do you have a signature color? What’s your favorite color to wear?

March 25, 2015

Switching Up My Skincare

Did you know that e.l.f. Cosmetics now has a skincare line?

Well, until very recently, neither did I.

I have been asked about my skincare routine a few times, and to be quite honest, I don’t really have one. Or rather, I didn’t have a consistent one. I tried a few lines, but never found anything that I loved to use on a regular basis, and could afford to buy more of when I needed to.

While very familiar with e.l.f. Cosmetics (their lengthening mascara is one of my favorites), I know they’re a brand that I can purchase something from without feeling guilty. If I were to go on vacation and forget to pack my makeup brushes, I wouldn’t even think twice about buying a whole new set. Call me crazy, but you can literally buy an entire quality e.l.f. set of brushes for the same price as one brush from just about any other cosmetic brand.

Day:

I wash my face, apply the soothing serum, then the daily hydration moisturizer and finish by dabbing the illumination eye cream around my eyes (all around, not just underneath).

Tip: When applying the eye cream, use your ring finger to dab gently, the eye area is very sensitive.

Night:

After washing my face (or more realistically cleaning it with a makeup removing wipe), I apply the Nourishing Night Cream.

I’ve now been using the e.l.f. Cosmetics skincare products for the past two weeks and I can already tell that this is going to be a phenomenal relationship!

Also, if you don’t follow them on Instagram, you might want to…
#playbeautifully

March 13, 2015

Gap Ankle Booties for Spring

I’d been saying that I need to replace my brown booties for a while. And lately I’ve been obsessed with Gap (and more specifically the ridiculous sales they’ve been having lately).

These ankle booties were basically a no brainer. As were these jean leggings, which I got for only like five or six bucks!

In other news, I have yet to part ways with my other brown ankle booties. I mean, they’re different. They have more of a heel, and they are a bit taller…

This is my first outfit post (I’ve been trying to do more) since Daylight Saving Time, and the New England temps have basically been borderline spring (SO tempted to wear shorts), so layers had to happen. I don’t have too many transitional season styling tips, but layers are a MUST. Especially, for those spring “hot flash” moments, where you’re um am I hot or am I cold…

Forever 21 Sweater | H&M t-shirt | Gap Jeans | Gap Ankle Booties| H&M Purse

I like to think of my style as pretty basic, like chic, but casual. And I even tried to follow the three piece rule. Thoughts?

March 12, 2015

My March Birchbox

Guess what I got!?

My March Birchbox. No surprises there. Once again, despite the fact that I said I wouldn’t, I decided to select the feature box this month. There wasn’t a guest curator, but there was a theme.

Beauty Solutions!

Products that are the answers to some of our biggest beauty blunders…

What made me change my mind?

Well, honestly the blush. It’s baked, and I had yet to try a baked blush and wanted to know what the hype was all about. Let’s just say, Laura Geller Beauty’s Baked Blush-n-Brighten in Pink Grapefruit is my new favorite blush.

It also didn’t hurt that there was a derma e product again this month. Still can’t get enough! And paired with the derma e product from my box last month, perfect combo. My travel bag has never been happier!

Not everyone gets their monthly subscription box one the same day. So, after seeing a comment on Facebook about the smell of the Whish body butter, I was worried I would hate it. Delightfully, to me, it smells like almond scented anything else and I really enjoy it. It’s now a staple in my handbag, and I have yet another item added to my list of things to save my Birchbox points up for.

I’d never heard of Dear Clark and since discovering Ubuntu oils, I’ve been pretty loyal. However, I started running low, so giving this hair tonic a try will be happening, just not quite yet.

Usually, when I get a smaller sized sample, I am left feeling slightly cheated and a little disappointed. I’ve learned that with Supergoop! a little bit goes a very long way, so I don’t mind as much. I’ve tried this eye cream before, and I think I may still have some left from the last time I got a sample.

Is there anything from my March Birchbox that you’d want to try? Anything you already use? Let me know in the comments!

March 9, 2015

Big Hair Don’t Care

After getting my Big Hair Don’t Care sweatshirt from Birchbox (because you know, I just had to have it), I may or may not have gotten my hair cut (thank you, Supercuts), and completely forgot to share about it.

The phrase didn’t really seem to apply anymore (sorry, Bow & Drape), but I wanted to rock it while there was still snow on the ground. (Not that this much can go anywhere…)

So, I decided to go ahead, give my newly short hair a little bit of volume, and call it a day.

~~Big~~ Short hair don’t care.

My growing obsession with this sweater has lead me really want the short-sleeved I Need Coffee one, super bad!

March 6, 2015

My Take on evian Facial Spray

I’ve been hearing a lot about facial sprays lately, so I thought I’d throw in my two cents.

Some want to know if they are worth it and others question which sprays to consider. I’ve tried a few, and think they are worth it for sure.

Lately, I’ve been using evian Facial Spray. I really like that it leaves me feeling refreshed and clean, without a bunch of random ingredients.

Another reason I like evian Facial Spray is I can use it to set my makeup. It not only gives my skin a dewy look, but also helps my look to last. And if I need to freshen up a bit, instead of sifting through my handbag for everything to reapply, I can just give myself a quick spritz.

Trying to find a way to blend your makeup better? Spray your makeup sponge, then blend. You’ll look #flawless! (Because without the hashtag it’s a totally different word.)

Want to intensify your makeup and make it really pop?

These swatches of blush are the same color. The only difference is for the top swatch, I sprayed my makeup brush with evian Facial Spray before applying. Such a drastic difference! Can we please just take a moment to admire the boldness?

A major thanks to The Wilkes Group for sponsoring this post!
Bonus: Right now evian has a giveaway going on, you can find out the details and enter here.

March 2, 2015

Quick and Easy DIY Lip Scrub

I have lips that are on the more full side and if I don’t exfoliate them with a lip scrub, gross things happen.

Even though it is now March, it is still very much so winter. I know this because I’ve needed to pick away the blatant dead skin off my lips more times than I care to share…

Lip treatments, balms, and glosses are great, but if you are not exfoliating, then peeling is going to happen.

My current favorite lip scrub is one I found on Pinterest from Her Campus. It’s really easy and you only need three ingredients that you can probably find in your kitchen.

Just a tablespoon of sugar, the same amount of honey, and a teaspoon of olive oil. Mix and store. My mom happened to have some salad dressing cups and they were the perfect size!

There’s quite a few different lip scrub concoctions that I’ve come across, but I haven’t tried too many. Do you have one that you swear by?