Twenty Something Plus

December 5, 2014

What’s In My Camera Bag? Camera Giveaway!

A good structure bag is timeless. Make it a beautiful kelly green and you’ve got a fun classic!
It almost goes without saying, that I am OBSESSED with my camera bag.

And so many compartments! It doubles as a diaper bag and even comes with a diaper pad.
I don’t have kids, but I use it whenever I watch my niece.

Other than my camera, it can hold A LOT!

Now, I’m no professional photographer, I use a Cannon EOS Rebel S1L because even though it’s a DSLR it’s small so it’s perfect for me when I out and about. The only other camera that I considered investing in was the Cannon EOS Rebel T5.

Speaking of…

I’ve teamed up with some FABULOUS bloggers to giveaway a Canon EOS Rebel T5 and two lenses!

Check out the 15 other ladies joining me on this giveaway by clicking on their image below.

So what are you waiting for? It’s your chance to make some photo magic with your family this holiday season. The giveaway will run from December 5th to the 19th and it is open to US and Canada only. All entries will be validated and if there are any issues with your entry all will be voided. So you’d better not lie, because we’re going to be like Santa and check it all twice.

Good luck + Happy Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. This blog and any participating blogs did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway and there is a limit of one entrant per household. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning are determined by the number of valid entries received. Entries will be verified. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be emailed via the email address used to enter the contest. New winner(s) will be chosen if original winner(s) has not responded within 48 hours of email notification. This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. Disclaimer is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

December 3, 2014

Naked on the Run

I must have picked up a Naked Flushed palette every single time I stepped foot into a Sephora.

But I’d never actually bought one.

I swear, everything happens for a reason.

Meet the Naked On The Run palette…

When Urban Decay announced the arrival of their newest Naked palette, I not so patiently waited for November 20th to make it mine.

The name kind of says it all.

Perfect for the girl who’s always “on the run”, you get a full face palette.
Grab this, and a foundation or BB cream and you’re ready to go!

For just $24 more than a Flushed palette, you can have a Flushed palette, 5 eyeshadows, a lip gloss, eyeliner, and mascara!

+ Naked On The Run is also really great if you’re moving…
You can pack up everything else and just use this.

December 1, 2014

My Winter Essentials

Happy December!

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.

Anyone up for building a snowman?

No?

Yeah, me neither.

+ Fun fact: December is my birth month.

November 28, 2014

Random, but This or That?

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!

I tag Broke College Beauty, Coming Up Roses, Collective Beauty, and The Skinny on Beauty.
No pressure…Just for fun and only if you want to…

This or That Questions:

Beauty

1. Blush or Bronzer?
Blush. I even use bronzer as blush.

2. Eyeliner or Mascara?
Mascara. Lots and lots of lash!

3. Foundation or Concealer?
Foundation.

4. Lipgloss or Lipstick?
Lipstick.

5. Neutral or Color Shadow?
Neutral. Naked, if you will…

6. Sponges or Brushes?
Brushes.

Nails

7. OPI or China Glaze?
OPI.

8. Acrylic or Natural?
Natural.

9. Long or Short?
Short. Even when I do get acrylics, I ask to have them cut down as short as they possibly can.

10. Brights, Darks, or Neutrals?
Darks.

Body

11. Perfumes or Mists?
Perfumes.

12. Lotion or Body Butter?
Lotion.

13. Body Wash or Soap?
Body Wash.

14. Wax or Shave?
Shave. Except for my eyebrows and even that’s only occasionally…

Fashion

15. Jeans or Joggers?
Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE jeans.

BUT, sweatpants that you can dress up without looking a hot mess?!

Joggers.

16. Skirts or Dresses?
Dresses. Love skirts, but dresses can be worn as a skirt, a shirt, or a dress…

17. Stripes or Checkers?
Stripes.

18. Flip Flops or Sandals?
Sandals.

19. Boots or Stilettos?
Stilettos. The make my calves look hot. And my ass. And they could double as a weapon…

Hair

20. Curly or Straight?
Straight. Because it’s longer…

21. Long or Short?
Long. Fake hair don’t care!

22. Bun or Ponytail?
Bun. Messy or top knot? Yes.

23. Light or Dark?
Light. Blondes have more fun!

24. Hair Spray or Gel?
Gel.

Random

25. Rain or Shine?
Shine. I have so many more options for shoes when it’s sunny!

26. Summer or Winter?
Summer. For the same reason as above and the beach.

27. Autumn or Spring?
Autumn, but only for my birthday and foliage.

28. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla. Fun fact: I don’t like chocolate, maybe a Kit Kat bar once in a while, but ice cream or cake, no thanks!

29. Fashion or Beauty?
Fashion.

No, beauty…

No, fashion…

I. Can’t. Even.

30. Leather or Sequins?
Sequins. I like to SPARKLE!

Can’t wait to read everyone else’s answers!

November 28, 2014

Shop Small Business Saturday

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.

Post by The Bannerie.

Don’t know where to shop?

Here are five of my favorite:

A Golden Garden

The Bannerie

The Confetti Bar

Crown and Glory

Ellebee206

AND because this is the season of giving, here are five more:

Hello Tosha

IWEARTHEHEADRESS

May Designs

Paper Jam Press

Until Next Time Notes

And there are so many more!

Can’t make up your mind? Check out Brickyard Buffalo or search Etsy! Just trust me…

+ A lot of online shops will be having Small Business Saturday and/or Cyber Monday sales!

November 24, 2014

DIY Inspiration Board

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?!

Happy Monday!

November 22, 2014

3 Ways to Add #SmileStyle to Your Holiday Dress

I found the most perfect holiday dress while at Cosmo’s Fun Fearless Life.

Dress: Express

I tried to convince myself that I didn’t have to have it, but I was lying to myself. With the holiday season just around the corner, I NEEDED it.

The question wasn’t if this was the right dress for the holidays, but how to style it just right…

Dress it up. Glitz on glitz? Sure, why not?! I mean, it is the holiday season after all.

Clutch + Shoes: Aldo

Make it cool. Who said you have to wear a dress as a dress? Not me! So go ahead, and add something to it. A sweater, a vest, a belt. Whatever floats your boat. I opted for boots, a fur vest and a skirt.

Skirt: LC by Lauren Conrad | Vest: Madewell | Boots: Old Navy

And bonus points if the skirt has pockets!

Keep it classy. A few classic pieces make any dress a timeless treat.

Jacket: American Eagle | Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Which look do you like best?

Photos by Eric Hudiburg

Except for the one I’m not in.
I took that one.

November 20, 2014

Cosmo’s Fun Fearless Life

Every now and then there are moments when you just know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

For me, being at Cosmo’s Fun Fearless Life in NYC was one of those moments.

At first, I wasn’t so sure…

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)!

But as Cosmo’s Editor in Chief Joanna Coles, took the stage, it was made abundantly clear that I needed to be sitting exactly where I was.

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…

Even the cocktail party in Hearst Tower.

Every second.

All of it.

Not mention the amazing swag from Maybelline + Express!

And the Origami Owl necklace I got to make at the VIP cocktail party.

I truly can have the fun fearless life that I want. And so can you! All you need is “attitude and drive”.

My next stop? New York…

More on Cosmo’s Fun Fearless Life Weekend:

+ 10 Reasons to Attend

+ What to Wear

+ 11 Highlights

+ 12 Inspiring Quotes

+ 19 Stunning Street Style Looks

November 17, 2014

5 Products I’m Thankful For

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!

You’ll thank me later.

Sammi from College Beauty Buff
Chelsea from Chelsea Go Brightly
Lisa from Subscription Therapy
Julie from Collective Beauty
Kristina from The Feminine Files
Vivienne from Jolie Pagaille
Cheryl from Skinny On Beauty
Angela from Your Beauty Whisperer

November 14, 2014

Formula X Challenge

Like many other beauty obsessed bloggers, I have a crap ton of nail polish.

But that doesn’t stop me from buying more.

So, when I have complimentary nail polish sent to me for being Sephora VIB Rouge, I get really excited and it pretty much makes my day. Yay, perks!

Super pumped to try the Formula X Challenge, I couldn’t wait to give myself a mani.

They had me falling in love (especially with the nail cleanser, which essentially preps your nails to be painted and helps the polish adhere and last longer), until the final step…

The top coat was extremely thick, sticky and not easy to apply at all. While not totally awful, I was not a fan.

I’d had such high hopes…

I’m not ready to write Formula X off just yet, so I do plan to go to Sephora and give the top coat another chance, (I’m hoping that I just got a bad bottle) and until then still use the rest of the system.

Have you tried the Formula X System? Thoughts?