2014 has been pretty good to me.
I won a few contests, started blogging, got to attend a ton of fun events, quit my job…
The list goes on.
Aside from crossing off some more things off of my 30 before 30 list and making my life + blog better, I don’t really have any specific goals or resolutions.
None of that new year, new me stuff here. But I am still working on things…
A lot can happen in a year, can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store!
Have a happy New Year!
With all of the holiday parties, gatherings and events going on this time of year, the struggle to save face is real.
By that I mean that it’s hard enough to get makeup to last throughout the day, and then the night? Forget it!
Well, I found five long lasting makeup products that help my face last!
While any waterproof mascara is technically longer lasting, I hate clumps. AND since I don’t really have any lashes to begin with the Revlon Lash Potion is the best mascara for me to wear daily, on long days I opt for water proof.
If you had told me that there was an eye shadow primer could guarantee that your shadow would last until you washed it off, as much as I would have wanted to, I would not have believed you. BUT I SWEAR THIS DOES! I can wear the sparkliest of all shadows and at the end of the day it’s still all there.
All of it.
And just as bold as when I first applied it.
The only setback it that it makes washing off your makeup really hard to do. It comes off just fine, but I want to leave it. Forever.
Lip primer is something that I found very unnecessary. I have big lips so no need to plump, so why bother?
Then I tried the Julep lip primer after getting it for free in my monthly Julep Maven box. I’ve been missing out!
Those fine lines? Gone. Made for a dreamy application of my lipstick.
I will say that I still had to reapply a few times, but not nearly as often as I would without it.
Blush is one of those things that disappears first, and you don’t really even notice. I tried Paula Dorf’s Cheek Color in Passion and I kid you not, I noticed.
Not that it had faded, but my rosy cheeks were very much still there! I didn’t even use a primer or anything the first time I wore it.
And just in case, spray your face with Urban Decay’s Makeup Setting Spray and you’re set!
Literally.
I apologize in advance for the pain that this post will cause you when you go to wash your face before bed.
Sorry…
+ Paula Dorf is offering 20% off of any Cheek Color purchase. Just use code CHEEK!
This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.
During Joe Zee‘s keynote interview with Catt Sadler at Simply Stylist New York, he said something that really resonated me…
Basically, he said that if your job makes you angry, you shouldn’t be doing it. He clenched his fist when he said it. And don’t ask me why, but that was the eye opening, soul shaking push that I needed.
At times my job can make me so angry!
I. Can’t. Even.
So I quit. (And by quit, I mean, gave like a month’s notice.)
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate my job.
I’m not a huge fan of the 4AM duty calls or the constant fire alarms, because someone burnt popcorn for the thousandth time…
But, really what it all boils down to is that it doesn’t make me happy.
I want to love what I do.
Don’t you?
I think it’s pretty safe to say that I was more excited for Scratch to release their Zodiac Collection sagittarius nail wraps, than I was for my actual birthday.
The Zodiac Collection nail wrap sets include a set of custom nail wraps designed by Katie E. Lehman, comes in a custom sleeve complete with horoscope AND the cutest matching midi ring!
I am not exactly the most creative when it comes to nail art, but thanks to Scratch, I don’t really have to be…
Scratch also has a monthly mani box, and each month they feature a different (and super cool) artist. Plus, you get a fun surprise based on that month’s artist.
A ‘little birdie’ told me that they’ve got some “seriously amazing plans” for 2015!
I don’t cook.
I can…
I just don’t.
Well, haven’t.
And I haven’t really ever given cooking much thought.
(Eating is an entirely different story…)
So this month’s book for the Birchbox Book Club was received with some mixed feels.
I wanted to read it and was thrilled to win it, but I wasn’t entirely sure why.
As much as I would love to be Joy Wilson, or at the very least bake like her, it’s not going to happen.
But I am willing to try. (A recipe from Homemade Decadence, not to be Joy Wilson…)
At least a few recipes…
Just call me Bet the Baker!
I promise if I bake anything that looks even the slightest bit edible, to share about it.
And if anyone wants to get me one of these fun dish towels from Whisk + Brush, that’d be cool.
All I want for Christmas is…
EVERYTHING!
No, but seriously, with so much great stuff out there it can be kind of hard to decide what to put on your holiday wish list.
While there are a lot of things that I would like to make mine, I am asking Santa for a few (OK ten) blogger faves to put under my tree this year…
Can you tell that I’m just a little obsessed with makeup sets and the color gold much?
The tree isn’t the only thing I’ve been thinking about.
By the chimney there’s something that needs to be filled.
And in case you’re stumped for stocking stuffers, here’s a few ideas to hint to the fam…
+ Everything is clickable so click away!
+Need more ideas? Check out these Bloggers Holiday Wish Lists as well!
Sammi from College Beauty Buff
Lisa from Subscription Therapy
Vivienne from Jolie Pagaille
To celebrate my birthday, the manfriend and I went to the city.
NYC obv.
Even though it was super rainy, I had an amazing time and was even able to cross a few things off of my 30 before 30 list.
Warning: As always, I took a crap ton of photos + I’m going to over-share…
Our visit started with a 10AM Info Session at Columbia Journalism School. 4. Go back to school (Masters in Journalism maybe?)
Then shopping which unfortunately consisted of mostly window shopping (such a tease!), but I did get to build my own box at the Birchbox store in Soho. I didn’t get my nails done, but maybe next time… 10. Shop at the Birchbox store in Soho
After dinner we enjoyed cupcakes from Sprinkles. Mine was strawberry and his was chocolate marshmallow. 13. Hit up the Sprinkles ATM
The real reason for the trip was to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, thanks to Groupon.
Since it was all for my birthday, I had to have champagne.
In a novelty cup.
With a light up swizzle stick.
We had tickets for the 10PM show…
It was a VERY long day. But SO worth it!
Heels were a bad idea.
A little while back I did a blog post on brows. When I shared the sneak peek on Instagram, I had a couple of people ask me how to do eyebrows. While I do consider myself to be a beauty blogger, I am very much aware that I am not a makeup artist.
Now, that being said, here are the steps that I take when I do my eyebrows…
Brush + Fill
Up and out when brushing, then quick tiny strokes when filling.
Gel
Same as when you brush, only this time with gel to hold the hairs in place.
Highlight
Line underneath your brow.
Blend
You’ll look silly if you don’t. If you need to you can also use your finger.
And voilà!
+ The kit comes with a free sharper
+ Billion Dollar Brows is giving away 30 of their Holiday Best Sellers Kit!
This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.
Today is my birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
I really wanted a party headband (think Ban.do).
Knowing that they have them online at Urban Outfitters, I figured I could go to the store and pick one up.
I was wrong.
Don’t assume.
Ever.
Talk about disappointment…
So, I improvised + made one myself!
What are my plans?
To party like it’s my birthday!
Not really, but whatever I do, I’ll make sure to share it on Insta.
Even if it’s just hanging out on my couch + watching Netflix…
Yay!
P.S. Even though it’s my birthday, here’s a little something for you…
In addition to the camera giveaway (which ends this week, so if you haven’t entered yet, what are you waiting for?), I am also participating in a holiday giveaway!
+This is open National & International. International winner will receive PayPal Payout only. National winner will have a choice of Sephora, Nordstrom, or PayPal payout.
+Sweepstake starts today (12/10/2014) and will end December 19 2014, 11:59PM.
+Winner will be randomly picked, via Rafflecopter.
+Winner will be emailed from vivienne@joliepagaille.com, in which he/she will have 48 hours to claim the prize; otherwise, it will be forfeited to the 2nd runner-up.
+This prize is sponsored by Vivienne of Jolie Pagaille, Christine of Simply Stine, me, Kristina of The Feminine Files, Megan of Polished Portland, Chelsea of Chelsea Go Brightly, and Ghia of Beauty Blogger Goddess.
In two days I turn 28.
28.
Not 22.
But 28.
That means I have two more years until I’m 30.
NBD. Right?
Wrong!
Thirty is NOT the new twenty.
Your twenties matter.
But instead of spiraling into yet another quarter-life crisis, I made a list of 30 things I want to do within the next couple of years, to make the most of what’s left of my twenties!
My 30 before 30…
1. Finish enough of the VT brewery tour to send in for a prize
2. Get a second tattoo
3. Decide if I really want my tragus pierced or not
4. Go back to school (Masters in Journalism maybe?)
5. Run a 5K with friends (A fun one)
6. Plan a Twenty Something Plus event
7. Learn Photoshop
8. Visit Europe again
9. NYE in NYC
10. Shop at the Birchbox store in Soho
11. Find work in Social Media
12. Attend NYFW
13. Hit up the Sprinkles ATM
14. Create a Twenty Something Plus photo challenge
15. Watch fireworks on Niagara Falls
16. Undergo a Twenty Something Plus redesign
17. Be a model for something
18. Go Rollerskating with my sisters
19. Collaborate on something major
20. Fancy restaurant dinner date with the Manfriend (So, not Buffalo Wild Wings, sorry Andrew)
21. Present at Alt Summit (I would be happy just to go again, but I figure dream big!)
22. Invest in a quality large mirror (and then take a #selfie)
23. Move to the city
24. Update my wardrobe to match my style (Read: PURGE)
25. Go to a blow out bar
26. Go on a cruise
27. Down size (See number 24)
28. Get a photo feature in a magazine
29. Write a book (Or write an article that goes to print)
30. Seriously consider freelance
The 22 parody 32 is much more fitting, but sometimes the internet doesn’t like to share…
What’s on your “to do” list?
