Twenty Something Plus

March 12, 2014

Velvet Nails

Velvet nails. Sounds interesting, right? Well, in my January Birchbox a while back, I got Nail Rock by Rock Beauty London in Velvet Burgundy.

The application was simple enough, just two coats of polish, then dip. The results? Soft and fuzzy! Very cool.

If you’re not adventurous when it comes to beauty, I’m not really sure how’d you feel about it. Otherwise, this is worth a try. The velvet effect doesn’t last that long, mine started to fade after a couple of days, but the color shows through so it’s hardly noticeable.

I really wish there was a way you could feel this via the internet right now! Think it’s something you’d consider trying? Velvet too creepy? It also comes in glitter!

March 11, 2014

Spring Cleaning

I hate cleaning.

Correction: I hate starting to clean.

Once I am cleaning it becomes almost therapeutic. And when I’m done, I always feel better. My mind a little more clear.

I hate living in filth. But every so often, I look around and find myself sitting in it and dealing with all it’s chaos.

I have tried almost everything when it comes to cleaning strategies. All I want is for everything to just be clean.

I have learned that you have to work for what you want and that doing things is the best way to get them done, and so, I am just going to start cleaning my apartment, room by room, area by area, until it’s clean.

The bathroom is one of my least favorite rooms to clean, but since it’s small and one of the rooms we (the manfriend and I) use most, I started there. Scrubbing and bleaching (sorry, I know it’s not the greenest way to clean…) every inch.

I have never been one for spring cleaning, but I figure since it’s still winter it doesn’t really count.

Any cleaning or project that you’re working on? Any that you need to work on?

March 10, 2014

Mani and a Magazine: Mellow Yellow

Daylight savings was just what I needed. Bring on the sunlight, longer days, and warmer weather! Can’t wait for spring, so I went with a yellow effect mani and a bright and cheery magazine.

Instyle Magazine is one of my favorites and I used OPI Nail Lacquer in Alpine Snow as my base and OPI Sheer Tints Top Coat in I’m Never Amberrassed. Both were purchased from the Birchbox Shop.

Sheer Tints are also perfect for creating an easy ombré look.

Have you tried Sheer Tints yet? What do you think? Thoughts on the ombré nail trend?

March 9, 2014

DIY: Sequin Sweatshirt

I am forever finding projects on Pinterest that I want to do, but don’t really ever get around to actually doing them. So when I saw the sequin sweatshirt diy on A Beautiful Mess, I didn’t think I’d do it, but I wanted to.

Durning my trip to Old Navy, I bought a sweatshirt similar to the Forever 21 top that was used on A Beautiful Mess. I love F21, but I live in Vermont and there isn’t one in the state. Nor is there a Target. Google it.

Because my sweatshirt was dark gray I had to use a white paint pen instead of a marker so I could see what I was doing, but other than that I just followed their steps and hoped for not the worst…

I am really impressed with how it came out. And don’t worry, I crossed the T before sewing it.

I love it and I feel super accomplished!

March 8, 2014

Fitting Room Sesh: Old Navy

One of my New Year’s resolutions this year was to shop less. I knew that if I quit shopping cold turkey, that I end up blowing money on a massive shopping spree and that would kind of defeat the purpose. My goal was to cut out particular spending each month. So January, no clothes shopping, which continued into February. March is going to be no makeup shopping, and I’ll figure out the rest as I go. I also just generally tried to shop less than I normally would.

Aside from a few Poshmark hiccups in January, I have been doing really well with this. So to reward myself, I set today aside to go clothes shopping. I went to Old Navy and was pleasantly surprised by their spring collection this year. Normally I would go into every store, but part of my method of shopping less is pick a destination in advance to avoid mass impulse buying. Another part of my method is to try on everything first, this way I know if I like how it looks on and know for sure that it fits.

Even though I wanted it all, I ended up getting the black dress, the blush sweater, the blush top, a sweatshirt for a diy project that I saw on A Beautiful Mess, and a harness for one of my dogs (it was on clearance and so was the blush sweater).

See anything you like? What do you think I should have gotten?

March 7, 2014

A Week Plus: White Tee

This week I wanted style something that I’m sure just about every owns. I also wanted to plug my favorite white t-shirt.

I know that I have mentioned Birchbox in a few posts, and while it remains my favorite box subscription, it is not the only one that I am currently signed up for. I decided to try Giuliana Rancic’s FabFitFun and liked not only the products that came in the box, but the fact that it included vouchers for a few things as well.

One said voucher was for $20 toward Me Undies and being that I wanted to get the most out of my voucher without spending a single cent of my own, I opted to try one of their t-shirts. Great life choice! I’m tiny so I got an XS and the fit was as if it was tailored for me! I should probably invest in at least another one, because, if I could get away with it, I would wear it every single day. And sleep in it…

Do you have a favorite white tee? What brand do you recommend?

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March 6, 2014

What’s in My Bag: Summer Essentials

I know that it isn’t even spring yet, but I live in Vermont and am beyond done with snow. Taking advantage of the winter by trying xc skiing was a blast, but I need the summer sun. I miss the beach and the smell of the ocean.

In anticipation of daylight saving time and the first day of spring, I am switching over to my summer work tote and using some of my summer essentials. Pathetic? Maybe. But it sure is brightening up my mood.

Are you yearning for summer? What do miss most about it? How are you prepping for warmer weather? What are some of your summer essentials?

March 5, 2014

Two Subtle Ways to Try Orange Lips

It seems like everyone is talking about orange lips and while I’m all for bold, I’m not sure orange is something I’m ready to jump into…At least not yet.

Want to try it without actually trying it? There are two ways that I have started bracing myself for giving this trend a shot:

1. Not ready to go so bold? Try a colored balm, it gives you the orange color minus the shocking electric effect.

I used Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in 12 Oversized Orange

2. Don’t mind bright lips, just not sure about orange? Go for a red lipstick with an orange tint.

I used MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Lady Danger.

Already dived in? What orange do you use? Have any recommendations? Would love to hear your suggestions, in case I do decide to give this orange lip trend a try!

March 4, 2014

Sick Day

Sick days are always bittersweet. On one hand it’s a day off, but on the other…you’re sick.

I know I always end up out of bed trying to get things done around my place, instead of resting like I need to. This time, I am making the extra effort to get rest and take care of myself.

My plan?

1. Stay hydrated.

Gatorade Thirst Quencher Orange, Schweppes Ginger Ale, LOTS of H2O (not shown in photo) — Gatorade Thirst Quencher Orange, Schweppes Ginger Ale, LOTS of H2O (not shown)

2. Soup.

3. The world’s best tissues and Vicks Vapor Rub.

Kleenex Cool Touch Moisturizing Tissues, Vicks Vapor Rub

4. Meds.

Halls Defense Dietary Supplement Drops in Assorted Citrus, Mucinex

5. Pinterest. Because, otherwise, whenever I wasn’t sleeping, I’d have no reason to stay in bed.

Mad that I turned my sick day into a blog post? I couldn’t resist, what can I say? I am an opportunist, lol! How do you spend your sick days?

March 3, 2014

Mani and a Magazine: The Classics

When deciding on what color to paint your nails, you can never go wrong with red. Likewise, when picking a magazine, you can never go wrong with Vogue. These are the classics.

Picking out which shade of red may be another story, but I went with Butter London’s Ladybird (Because it’s my newest red polish, and it matches this month’s cover of Vogue).

March 2014 Vogue, Butter London in Ladybird, Foster Grant Sunnies, Catbird Ring. Oh, and photobomb courtesy of my cat Valentino Gronkowski. — March 2014 Vogue, Butter London in Ladybird, Foster Grant Sunnies, Catbird Ring. Oh, and photobomb courtesy of my cat, Valentino Gronkowski.

Is red your go-to nail color? Do you have a a favorite red nail polish? Share in the comments!