April Favorites

A few things I discovered and loved this month...

I caved and bought the Kylie Lip Kit. Yes, I sat at my computer for about 10 minutes before they were supposed to be restocked, then when 11:59 hit, I reloaded the page about 100 times before they became available. I then added two "Koko Ks" to my cart (one for me and one for my sister) and was lucky enough to actually get them. They sold out within a minute. Now, I don't think they're as amazing as selling out in 60 seconds, but they're pretty good! Each kit includes a liquid lipstick and matching lip liner. The liner is super soft, and the lipstick is gorgeous. I love the color I got, and it has a really nice matte-not-flat finish. I really like it, but probably not enough to buy one again if they stay this popular.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue. I've been searching for a good tinted moisturizer for a while, so when Bare Minerals, one of my favorite cosmetic brand, came out with this, I had to have it. I love it! It's perfect for my every day when I don't want full makeup but would like a bit of coverage with my moisturizer. Plus it's SPF 30, so it's everything I need in one!

I received this Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder sample from Sephora and was really excited to try it. I love this brand and love the idea of any kind of dry shampoo. It absorbs extra oil, and adds volume and texture. This has become a must in my hair routine and I'll definitely be buying the full size when I run out.

Joe has been trying to talk me into getting an Apple Watch since they came out. He got one and loved it, but I just didn't see a need for one. They seemed pointless and overpriced to me. But a few weeks ago they were on super sale at Best Buy and I finally let Joe get me one. And I am actually enjoying it. I really like the athletic tracking part of it, and it's nice to be able to glimpse at alerts I get without having to pull out my phone. I still think they cost too much for what they are, but I've been having fun with it.

Canon 40mm Pancake Lens. I actually bought this a couple years ago and completely forgot I had it. I pulled it out recently because I really want to restore my photography knowledge. I've gotten way to comfortable using auto mode and my iPhone lately so I'm trying to practice using my camera on manual more often. I forgot how much I love this lens. I actually prefer using prime lenses, and this one is perfect for taking photos of Violet.

I'm literally 12 years late to this, but I just discovered Desperate Housewives while searching for a new show to fall into on Hulu. I remember my mom always watching this and thinking it looked so stupid, but maybe I like it since I'm a mom now! I'm kind of obsessed with it now and watch it whenever I get an extra 42 minutes.

Have you tried any of these things before? What have you discovered and loved recently?

February Favorites

The things I've extra-adored this month.

Covered Goods Nursing Cover. Kind of weird to love a nursing cover, but I do. Sometimes nursing in public can be tricky, especially if you're kind of shy like me. I really didn't like the first nursing cover I had. It looked like a big apron and made me feel like a tent. Plus it slid around and I would constantly be adjusting. Then I discovered Covered Goods on Instagram and LOVE it! It's four uses in one: a nursing cover, a shopping cart cover, a stroller cover, and a scarf! I love that it can also be a cute scarf because I have it right there ready to go when I need it. It's light and airy, so you don't feel like you're suffocating your baby, and it's slim and doesn't look bad while wearing it. I'm really glad I found this thing, I just wish I had earlier!

Poshmark! I've talked about this app before, but I returned to using it after not for probably a year. I had forgotten how simple it is to get rid of your things and make a little extra cash for new things. So far, selling my used clothes and shoes, I've made $637. Not bad for stuff I was just going to get rid of! I still like to donate most of my stuff I don't wear anymore, but this app is a fun way to earn some extra spending money.

Fresh Peony Night Treatment Mask. One of my biggest complaints when it comes to my skin seems to be it's discoloration. I'm super pale, so every little spot, scar, or red patch is very noticeable and I hate it. I always want to not wear makeup but feel pretty insecure about my skin. I did some research and found that a lot of people with the same issue as me found results in this treatment. All you do it apply a thin layer to your face for two nights a week, and it's supposed to even out your skin tone. I've only been using it for a few weeks, so no crazy results yet, but a couple of the brown spots beside my eyes seemed to have lightened up! I have high hopes for this product, and I'll report back if it ends up working a miracle!

Eve Lom Rescue Mask. I actually bought this mask when I was in Hawaii last March, but never had a chance to use it because I was trying to be very natural throughout my pregnancy. Well, I discovered it again when cleaning out my bathroom drawers and was so excited. This mask is supposed to really work well at cleaning out and shrinking pores, and just making your skin feel nice. And it really does! I put this on probably once a week for twenty-or-so minutes, and my skin feels amazing afterwards! So soft and fresh. This is a great mask to try if you're looking for something to really get in deep and clean out pores.

The 52 List Project journal. I love things like this. Pretty journals that give you prompts to fill out. With this one, you make a list every week for a year. Some examples are: list your best qualities, list your favorite quotes, and list what you would spend a million dollars on. I really like this journal because it gets you thinking without being over complicated. It gives you the idea and you just make a list. With some journals I get overwhelmed and end up blowing them off, but I look forward to filling out this one because of it's simplicity and ease.

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette. I'm such a sucker for blush, I'm even a bigger sucker for pretty packaging, so I had to have this palette. It's six blushes that come in the most beautiful white and gold case with a big mirror, and it feels heavy and quality. Apparently, Gwen designed the blushes based on colors that she would wear, and since she has a very fair skin tone like me, I figured it'd work out! I love collecting pretty makeup like this one! So much fun!

What did you love during the month of love?

♥

January Favorites

Some random things I'm loving this January.

Wildflower by Drew Barrymore. Joe gave me this book for Christmas because he knows how much I love Drew Barrymore, and it's so good! It's just a few essay-style stories she wrote about her life, in no particular order or theme, just random stories she felt like sharing. It's so interesting getting an insight into her life, and I loved learning more about her. It's also the perfect style book for me right now; I can read a chapter or two right before bed and not feel like I have to remember details to keep up. Great, easy read!

A Color Story app. I couldn't wait to have this app since I first heard about it, and downloaded it the morning it came out. And I love it so much. It's a photo editing app by the creators of A Beautiful Mess, and includes a ton of beautiful photo filters, effects, and very intricate editing tools. It comes for free with the essential filters and sample effects, but I really recommend you buy all of the different features, it's so worth it!

Adult coloring books. Yes, I'm into the coloring book trend. They're really "in" right now for a reason! It's so therapeutic and relaxing to just color in these beautiful images. I don't have a ton of extra time right now to color, but I also have an app on my iPad called Colorfy that is a digital way to color in the same type of pictures. The other night after Violet went to sleep I sat in a bath and "colored" on my iPad for about a half an hour, it was amazing!

iPad Mini 4. Speaking of iPads, Joe gave me the new iPad Mini for Christmas, and I'm seriously loving it. I've had the original iPad Mini since it came out, and Joe kept saying I needed a new one, but I kept insisting mine was fine. I'm so glad he got me a new one anyway, such a difference! This one is so much faster and nicer looking, and the charge lasts longer than a few hours, haha! I should listen to him more when it comes to techy stuff.

Marvel's Jessica Jones. Joe is the Marvel/ comic book person in the family. Although I actually really enjoy Marvel movies, I've never gotten as into comic books or super heroes as he is. Well, it was actually my idea to start this show because a few friends of mine who aren't too into superhero stuff loved it. So we started it one night and were hooked after the first episode. We finished the first season last night and it was SO GOOD. I'm surprised I loved it so much because I'm usually not really into action-y type shows like this, but this is up there with one of my favorite shows. I already can't wait for the next season to come out.

Canon Selphy CP910. I bought this little photo printer because I thought it would come in handy for printing out 4x6 photos for Violet's baby book and albums, and it really does. It's super easy to use, you just send a photo wirelessly from your phone and it prints. It's nice when there's a photo I want to add to her book and can just print it out right away instead of sending it out to pick up.

Hunter Boots. I've been wanting these forever, but for some reason wouldn't just buy them. But Joe finally got them for me for Christmas (he did good this year!) and I've been wearing them pretty much every day! Even when it's not rainy, they're so easy to just throw on, and so warm with the Hunter socks! I love them so much and am so glad I finally have a pair!

Anything extra special you've been loving this month?

February Favorites

A few random things that I loved during the month of February.

Jan Marini Bioglycolic Fave Cleanser. I had never even heard of this brand before until an esthetician recommended this cleanser to me after a facial. I usually don't buy what is recommended to me at a salon or spa, but my skin had been really bad lately, so I decided to give it a shot. This stuff really works! I started using it the next day, and right away my skin felt so clean and fresh. I've been using it about three weeks now and those pesky little zits on my cheeks have really started to clear up. I'm so glad I decided to try it and will definitely be listening to the experts more often, they know what they're talking about!

Orla Kiely Yoga Mat. I've been eying the this yoga stuff at Target for a while now, but kept telling myself I already had a perfectly good yoga mat and don't need a new one. But a few weeks ago, there was a deal on CartWheel for 30% off, and I couldn't pass up a deal like that, so I grabbed one. I love it so much! I'm a huge fan of Orla Kiely, and I've loved being able to buy her stuff at Target. This mat is super adorable and makes me want to get the rest of the collection!

Jane the Virgin. When I first saw this show advertised last year, I wasn't really interested. It just didn't seem like my type of show. But then my sister recommend it to me, we usually like the same stuff, so I watched the first episode. I was hooked. This show is so unique, like nothing I've ever watched before. It's an awesome combination of comedy, drama, and romance, with a really quirky twist. It's really fun to watch, kind of like a silly soap opera. I'm having a really hard time describing it haha, but if you haven't seen it yet, I really recommend you give it a try!

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara. I've talked about this brand a ton on here, and for good reason, it's amazing. I heard a couple of months ago that they were coming out with a new mascara meant for people with very straight lashes, which is a huge annoyance for me. It promises the results of an eyelash curler without actually having to use one. I was really excited to try it when it came out (today!) but they sent me a sample size in the mail at the beginning of the month and obviously I fell in love. I really does curl even my super straight lashes and holds them up all day. I'm super happy with the results and ran out to get a full size earlier today. Another win for Benefit!

Honeysuckle Bouquet Candle. This candle smells AMAZING. Such a light, fresh scent. It's really gotten me into the spring mood. I've pretty much burned it every day this month and am prepared to go buy another once this one runs out. Probably my favorite candle ever from Bath and Body Works!

Anything extra special you discovered in February?

♥

January Favorites

Just some random things I loved in the month of January.

She and Him Classics album. Joe gave me this vinyl for Christmas, and I've been playing it nonstop! She and Him is one of my favorite bands, so I'm always so excited to hear their new stuff. I really love this album in particular because it's all covers of classics songs, with a very She and Him sound. If you're a fan of this band or classic music, definitely give this record a try!

Viva Glam Miley Cyrus Lipstick. When I first heard last year that Miley would be coming out with her own Viva Glam lipstick, I knew I'd have to get my hands on one. I'm a big Miley fan, and I really love the whole concept of Viva Glam. If you don't know what that is, it's a line of makeup, usually a lipstick or lipgloss, that MAC Cosmetics and a celebrity spokesperson come out with annually. 100% of the proceeds go toward those affected by AIDS! I already have the Lady Gaga and Rihanna lipstick, so I'm excited to be adding Miley to my collection. Plus, it happens to be a gorgeous hot pink that I just love.

Chapstick Duel-Ended Hydration Lock. This product was super used by me this month. Being in the middle of winter in a dry state, my lips get so chapped. I was excited to try this product when I saw it in the store because it seemed like such a cool concept; a daytime formula on one end and a nighttime formula on the other. The daytime side is a little lighter and contains SPF, while the night side is thicker with natural butters to replenish lips over night. For me, this thing worked so well, I love it! And the two in one stick is super convenient. I'm sure I'll continue to use this even after winter is over.

Dr. Marten 1460 Boots. I think it's safe to say that these have been my most worn shoes this month, I'm obsessed! They are so warm, are great in the snow, and looks so cute with everything. My go-to outfit this whole month has been a loose dress with a cardigan, leggings, and these boots. Super cute and comfy! I know the grungy/90's look isn't everybody's cup of tea, but I think these boots add that perfect touch to an otherwise simple look.

Shades: A Simple Puzzle Game. I downloaded this app when it was the free app of the week in the app store, and quickly became addicted. I usually don't really like playing games on my phone that much, but for some reason I got really into this one. It's one of those games you start playing and just can't really stop/look away/talk to anyone. Haha! It's fun though to try to beat your own high scores and to have something to pass time when your bored. It really kept me busy on a 5 hour flight to Ohio! (more about that later.)

Kate Spade 2015 Agenda. This was another gift that Joe gave me for Christmas, and I completely love it. I usually don't write things in a physical agenda, since the calendar on my phone is so handy, but for some reason this year I really wanted an actual book to write my 2015 plans in. I loved going through and writing in everyone's birthdays, and events we already have planned for the year. Plus the black and white stripes look beautiful displayed on my desk. This book makes me want to make tons of plans just so I can fill out the pages!

What have been some of your favorite things in January! I hope you had an amazing first month of the year!

♥