5 Little Things

Often times, life gets busy. Sometimes, so busy that running errands becomes date night, and that’s just no bueno!

The manfriend and I have made it a point to do little things to show each other that we care.

Love notes. Cards are cool. Cards with money are great. Cards with sentimental messages inside are treasures. No card? No problem! Notes on paper are keepsake-worthy too.

Flowers, just because. Not only do the spruce up the place, it is alway a nice, pleasant surprise to get pretty somethings!

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Writing on the walls. Well technically the mirrors, but you get the idea! I love this because with chalk markers, it’s another way to communicate that’s super fun and outside of the usual.

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Pillow talk. Making it a point to catch up before bed gives us the a chance to talk about our days and connect one on one.

Back rubs. Massages are one of life’s luxuries that can be a little on the costly side. Not only does this save money, it means even more when exchanging endorphins with the one you love!

 

This post was sponsored by Paper and Twine.

 

Blog Tour

A while back, I was nominated for a Liebster Award by Michelle Nguyen of Midwest Beauty on a Budget, a blogger with impeccable style. We met in a beauty + fashion group on Facebook, and I have been envious of her wardrobe ever since! Sorry, Michelle, I totally dropped the ball on that one…

I was given the chance to redeem myself thanks to my obsession with Instagram, where Liv found me! Liv is the voice behind Unbelievably Human + my BBFF.  Her energy is undeniably contagious and there are SO many times she says something and I’m like, “YASSS!” or “Get out of my head!” (And yes, I had to spell it that way, because it is THAT serious.)

Thank you Liv, for being my BBFF, and also for giving me the chance to be a part of this blog tour!

What are you working on?

Currently, I am working on a style post that’s totally different then the ones I’ve been doing. I don’t want to give too much away, but it was inspired by People StyleWatch.
Aside from that, a giveaway, and a couple of other ideas, I am really just trying to focus on posting more often.

How does my work differ from other of its type/genre?

In a lot of ways what I do is very similar to others with similar blogs. BUT, I like to think that I’m more fun. I try to be informative + real, while giving you a little bit more of my cornball personality.

Why do I write/create what I do?

In all honest, because I needed a hobby that would last longer than a day. I mean, I have an English degree that I wasn’t really using, and in my book, this counts!

I really enjoy blogging. I allows to me tell people about things I care about. I know that the people that care about the same things can read it and the ones who don’t care, don’t have to. This is not always the case irl. When I talk, you listen. You don’t have a choice. When I’m passionate, I get LOUD.

How does your writing process work?

I’d love to be like, oh my process is A, B, C…but it’s not. I write about what excites me. New makeup, clothes, a fun date night. I try to plan ahead as best I can, but really my best blog posts are when I share what I am currently experiencing. I’ve also become aware of the fact that I am very easily inspired so when I do plan I come up with like five bazillion ideas, some good, other not so much…

 

Next up on the blog tour:

Christa of Beatrice Clay | I know I bring up Alt Summit quite a bit, but it is because I came away with so much for the experience. Including new friends. One friend in particular, Christa, was one of those people you meet and just know that you met them for a reason. She is so inspirational in a way that I can’t even begin to explain. One look at her blog and you’ll understand! Need a hug? Her Hump Day Hugs are simply the best!

Know someone with a blog that you think others should check out? Share in the comments!

xx
Bet

Makeup by One Direction

Guess what I got…

The Looks Collections

Makeup by One Direction!

Makeup by One Direction

I was lucky enough to score the Looks Collection in Up All Night, before big debut.

The Looks Collection

These colors pack punch! When I first heard about it, I kind of figured they’d be bright, but they are so bold it’s ridic.

Make Up by One Direction

Makeup by One Direction

My personal favorite in the kit is the lipgloss. It’s a pretty pink, has glitter it in, AND glows in UV light…WHAT? I

Makeup by One Direction

While I liked the eyeshadow palette, I am not a huge fan of the small brushes palettes like this come with. This one didn’t suck, but I’ll probably be using my other brushes instead from now on. Oh, and I will be refraining from using the center color outside of concert/club nights because it is REALLY glittery.

The Look Collection

There’s even cute little bonus stencils. C’mon! What’s not to love?

Looking to get your hand’s on one of the three limited edition collections? They will be available at Macy’s starting TODAY + Beauty Brands, Dillards, Lord and Taylor, and Stage Stores August 25th!

 

This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.

#ootd: Back to Work

I have summers off.

It’s pretty glorious.

This past Friday (which would have been my first day back in the office) and Monday I had off to attend a wedding, so today was my first day back in the office.

What does one wear when going to back to work after two months off?

A dress. Obvi.

eShakti dress

While this #ootd is very simplistic, I like it because the dress is by eShakti, so I was able customize it!

eShakti dress

I got to pick the neckline, the sleeves, and who doesn’t want a dress with pockets?!

BCBG shoes

AND my necklace was custom made by Oh So Antsy, a very talented friend I made at Alt Summit!

Oh So Antsy Necklace

Still can’t believe that my summer is over! Anyone else have the summer off?

This post was sponsored by eShakti.

National Lipstick Day

Since today is National Lipstick Day, I wanted to share one of my favorite lip products + a dupe that I discovered recently.

Dior Lip Glow

Dior is luxury. And while I try not to spend too much money on beauty products if I can help it, I am a Dior Addict.

I especially love their new It-Lash Mascara and their Lip Glow.

At $26 the mascara cost right around what most other non-drugstore brand mascaras cost. However, the Lip Glow is a little more pricey at $32. Not too bad, but I use it a ton, so it starts to add up.

Color Reveal Balm

I the other day I attended a Sephora event, and they almost always have a little gift that they give out at the end. This time it was a sample size of their new Color Reveal Balm. It’s only $13 and works just like the Lip Glow. I will say that I still prefer the Lip Glow, the Color Reveal Balm has a slight weird taste/smell to it, but I’ve been using the sample and am considering buying the full size.

When searching for the Color Reveal online I found a Color Adapt Gloss and since I prefer glosses, I plan to snag one of those for sure.

Henna Lipstick

Looking to go a tad more bold? The Man Repeller wrote about Henna Lips on her blog, the effect is similar, but with a little more punch.

Left to right: Dior Lip Glow, Sephora Collection Color Adapt Gloss, Magic Moroccan henna lipstick.
Left to right: Dior Lip Glow, Sephora Collection Color Adapt Gloss, Magic Moroccan henna lipstick.

Color adjusting lip products may not be your thing, but I like them for a soft, natural look. Don’t forget to share your lipstick looks on Instagram and hashtag #nationallipstickday.

Smooches, y’all!

xx
Bet

Random, but One Direction…

Yes, One Direction. You know…The boy band.

And just in case you don’t…

They’re having a pretty major giveaway. You have a chance to win tickets to the 1D “Where We Are” Tour Concert next month at Gillette Stadium + their makeup before it hits stores!

For more details, check out the Facebook page.

There’s only 2 days left so enter, like, now!

That’s right they’re coming out with a makeup line! I won’t lie and pretend to be a huge Directioner. But I like their songs, and I’m pretty pumped about the makeup line.

One Direction The Looks Collection

But more on that later…

Stay tuned!

xx
Bet

This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.

#ootd: Sweats

I don’t always dress up.

But even in sweats, I like to make a statement.

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If these shoes don’t scream STATEMENT, then I don’t know what does. I saw them and fell.

Hard.

And, yes, they are just as comfy as they are bright!

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I almost didn’t get this shirt. It’s a size large. I am not. But I tried it on anyways and loved the fit. It’s perfect for lounging around, or with leggings.

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Old Navy Active sneakers, Old Navy tee + sweats from TJ Maxx.

#ootd: Poshmark Finds

My obsession with Poshmark is completely + totally normal.

Just ask anyone that uses the app.

Aside from the fact that it goes along with my personal mission to be more sustainable, I really enjoy the community. I mean even the New York Times knows that the awesomeness of Poshmark is worth mention.

black, white + camo

black + white ootd

camo clutch

This Zara tux blazer,  J. Crew graphic tee, Zara flats, and custom camo clutch (an @ellebee206 exclusive) are all “poshfinds” (short for Poshmark finds, which is literally items that you find on Poshmark).

Check out my Other Stuff page to explore some of my favorite closets on Poshmark!

july julep maven box

I fully intended to skip my Julep Maven Box this month. Not because I don’t love it, but because I have A LOT of nail polish + not so much money. That being said, I am SO glad that I didn’t!

The Bombshell colors were just to die for…

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And a while back I got the Beach Tonic, loved the scent, loved the product, HATED the bottle. I couldn’t get it to spray consistently without have to pull the nozzle up after EVERY. SINGLE. SPRAY.

So, even though it was probably just a bad bottle (I also got the Sea Salt Hair Spray, in the same style bottle and it worked just fine), I didn’t use it nearly as much as I would have liked to.  This month the featured item was the Bare Body Milk, that smelled just like the Beach Tonic, but in lotion form. I die.

Beach Tonic

Now I get to rock the scent that I enjoyed with the hassle. Plus, it works really well!

I am one happy chica.

xx
Bet

5 Products I Heart + Their Minis

While science isn’t a subject that I fully grasp (don’t get me wrong, I get the basics), experimenting with beauty products is a completely different story. Trying new things is seriously SO much fun!

This month (so far) I tried a ton of different new products + here are five that I absolutely love:

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Bioré has been featured on so many blog recently, so after getting a sample in a magazine, I rushed out to get the full size. Later while perusing the aisles at CVS I found a deluxe sample and since summer is all about traveling (well, at least mine is) I grabbed it to add to my to-go products. Also try their heated masks!

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I first learned about Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Push-up Liner from Birchbox. They offered the chance to win a sample in your June Birchbox. The catch? You wouldn’t know until you got your box if you would be receiving it or not.

Patience is not my virtue.

So, I bought the full size liner off Benefit the second I could. And. Let. Me. Tell. You. This liner makes up for the fact that they don’t have a Big Easy shade for my complexion! I mean I love black eyeliner. I love gel liner. It is legit struggle city for me to apply gel liner, so I ofter opt to forgo the intensity and settle for pencil instead. But NO MAS! Now thanks to the geniuses at Benefit I can have my cake and look hot too!

The mini? I actually ended up not getting it from Birchbox (hey, you win some, you lose some) + got an offer from Sephora that I took advantage of instead (it really does pay to be VIB Rouge).

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For my June Julep Maven box, I decided to add-on. I wanted to start trying out different top coats and read some good reviews for the Freedom Top Coat, I got both the full-size and the mini as a set. I gifted the mini, but use the top coat every time I paint my nails. I cannot get over the shine + it’s pretty quick drying. I still want to find something that is more like gel (without the light), so if you have any suggestions please throw them my way!

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The Target dollar bins section KILLS ME! I mean live in Vermont, so whenever I go to another state that has a Target, I suffer from serious fomo (fear of missing out).

I want it ALL.

Not too long ago I picked up a bunch of travel sized littles and one of the was Dove deordorant. I usually wear men’s. I sweat. A lot. Especially when I’m cold. I have considered getting those botox injections in my pits to handle some of the perspiration but would rather buy shoes than pay for that. I have tried clinical strength and that was a waste of money for me because I still sweat like crazy. Then, I learn that the PR girl for Oscar de la Renta used Old Spice and gave it a try, it worked better than anything else I’ve tried, so I converted. I’d even keep a mini in my purse at all times. I saw the Dove mini and wanted to try the scent and I was in the dollar bins section so really I didn’t need a reason, I was going to buy it regardless. I not only liked the scent but it worked! 48-hour protection was my answer. I don’t expect it to work 48 hours but all I need is to get through the day. I blew through the mini and picked up a 2-pack of the full-size and keep one in my bag and the other in my bathroom. Perf.

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So, I don’t have mini of the eos shave cream, but I know it exists, because I saw it. At Target. In the dollar bins. But I didn’t buy it. Hear me out! I am pretty hairy chick, so shaving isn’t something I can just sample, I need a lot. Running out mid-shave is not an option. So I didn’t get it. I will say that this is the only shaving cream I will ever buy again. It claims, as many other shaving creams/gels do, that you can dry shave with it. I tried and yes, yes you can! I HATE dry shaving and only do it if it is my last resort. I hate how itchy and dry my legs feel after so I avoid it at costs. Remember when I said I must be a cat? Well, my curiosity got the best of me, and I tried it. I am telling you, you can dry shave with this stuff! That being said, I still prefer to shave in the shower, I enjoy it…