Monday, October 31, 2016

Minion Madness- A Night At A Villain Halloween Party!

Guys, we had the best time being minions for Halloween!

Also I took some pictures after I finished my makeup and I feel like such goober sharing them but I really want to tell you about all the makeup that I love!


See? Such a goober! Anyways here's what I put on to create this look
Foundation: Marcelle BB Cream
Bronzer: NYC Sunny
Blush: Nars Orgasm
Highlighter: Milk
Eyeshadow: Busted from Naked2 Palette
Eyeliner: Marc Jacobs Pencil
Mascara Primer: Diorshow
Mascara: Benefit Rollerlash
Lipstick: Stila in Patina


Normally I can't bring myself to wear lipstick all night but I had no problem with this one! I really liked it and the darker color really brought the whole look together.


Once we were ready it was time to make the hour drive to Megan's house!


We made a point both last year and this year to not mention our costumes before arriving at the party. It just makes it more fun that way! That way everyone is surprised when they see you walk in and you get the nice surprise of seeing what everyone else is dressed as too.

So we were super surprised to see Megan's parents...


We were so excited to see that they were dressed as our villains! We thought our costumes were pretty creative since we weren't actually villains, we just work for them. It was fun to find other people who fit in with us.


Our costumes were super comfortable and pretty easy to assemble. Tim's overalls were easier to find then mine, he ordered them from Target.com while I managed to find mine on clearance at Old Navy. Tim picked up his yellow sweatshirt at Macy's (literally the ONLY yellow thing we could find for men! Apparently guys do not wear yellow...) I bought my yellow shirt at Target. We picked up both our hats at Old Navy. The minion goggles Tim also ordered from Target. Our shoes are just black ones we had laying around. (Mine are hip hop sneakers and Tim used some black dress shoes)

Although now we have some clothing pieces we may never wear again (Hello, overalls), it was fully worth it to put together comfortable costumes that we were able to enjoy being in all night.


Laura and Megan were two out of the three Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus. Their third got called into work, but they were super cute anyways! It is so nice to be back with my college roommates and see them. We aren't able to see each other as much as I would like but when we do we always have fun!


Megan's sister Kelsey has always been a part of our group since we saw her quite often being at schools near each other. It's always fun to see her as well! She was dressed up as Mr Smee and her boyfriend was Captain Hook.


Megan's mom always makes a ridiculous amount of food and all of it is so delicious! She always has a creative display for it too which makes me wish I took pictures of everything. Besides the food, we did a lot of dancing and chatting and ended up staying until almost midnight (which these days is pretty late for us!)


I love this picture that Megan took of us and I think it will be finding a home soon on our gallery wall!

Our plans for tonight are pretty tame but we definitely got all our Halloween out this weekend! I'd love to know what you were/are for Halloween this year!

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Nailpolish Declutter

I have been in the mood to declutter lately and I found a great drawer for my next session.

My nail polish collection has slowly gotten out of control. I paint my toenails pretty regularly but don't paint my nails much anymore. Most of this polish came in random Birchboxes, Pinch Me Boxes, and I picked up free couponing so it quickly filled up this drawer! 

I had gotten rid of few polishes here and there but it was time to really dive in and toss what I didn't love, what was old, and also some of it was actually separating or clumpy....yuck!


I ended up getting rid of quite a few things I was honestly impressed with myself.

This was my final get rid of pile:


27 bottles of nail polish, two nail pens, and various old nail files later we had a nice clean drawer!


Now I can see everything and my collection is more streamlined. I only use Seche Vite as my top coat so I no longer have five top coats that I'll never use. So many of my polishes were super clumpy and many were colors I received without choosing them so there were a lot of colors I didn't love anyways. Now it's so much more manageable and there is room to grow if I see any new colors I have to have!

What does your nail polish collection look like?

Monday, October 24, 2016

Two By Two




The first Nicholas Sparks book I ever read was in seventh grade. As someone who has always been a hopeless romantic I absolutely loved devouring every book he had previously released. Throughout the years I've kept up with his novels reading them immediately once they are released. Nicholas Sparks most recent book was released earlier this month and only took me two days to complete.


Two By Two I found to be pretty different from all previous Nicholas Sparks novels. The story involves Russell, his wife Vivian, and their daughter London who live in North Carolina. Their world is turned upside down when Russell decides to leave his job and start working at home for himself. Vivian decides to head back to work which involves a complete change of roles in their household. 

Russell finds himself home most days with his daughter taking on the sole responsibility of carting her to and from her activities and caring for her. London and Russell develop an amazing bond while Vivian seems to be drifting further and further from her family.

I won't spoil the book for you, but throughout the majority of it I really hated Vivian. She was a deplorable character who was extremely controlling and I couldn't see a single good quality that Russell seemed to find in her. However, their relationship is not the only one this novel focuses on. Russell's relationships with his parents and sister are explored as well.

Overall, this is a book I would highly recommend if you love a good, easy read. There is plenty of drama but also many heart-warming moments that left me tearing up.

What books have you been reading lately?

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Products I've Used Up


Hello hello friends! Today I am sharing with you my recent empties. I've decided to do these posts/videos more often  since I hate hoarding trash! I had quite a few items in a month and a half and am here today to share them with you...so here we go:

Swiffer Sweeper Wet Mop Wipes- I use these babies every time I clean the house and end up using three on each occasion. I use one for the kitchen/entryway, one for the office, and one in the bathroom and it keeps my floors looking super shiny!

Lysol Wipes- I try not to use these as much as other products since it's not quite as green as the others  but I still use these quite a bit in the bathroom since that is an area that always can use a little sanitizing.

Method Bathroom Cleaner- I have already repurchased this because I love it so much. It's a great bathroom cleaner, safe to use and very effective. It has a nice mint smell as well so it's not super overwhelming which is great.

Tide Detergent and Tide Pods- I never used Tide growing up because my dad was unable to have his clothes washed in anything but Purex due to allergies, but now that I'm on my own I can do what I want! I think Tide works great and I love how easy pods are to transport to the laundromat. I wish it got a little more sudsy though because I do miss that when I use the pods!

Palmolive Dish Soaps- I used up a pink and a teal and both worked just fine. I hate washing dishes and absolutely cannot wait until I have a dishwasher once more. I still am working my way through all my free dish soaps so I'm hoping to not have to purchase a single one while we live here and continue to get there from couponing so I'm not too picky about what I use.

Febreeze Car Air Freshner- This was a tropical scent and it was just okay. I've repurchased the febreeze product but in a different scent which I really like so far!

Bath and Body Works Leaves Candle- I love, love, love this candle! I purchase this every year and I don't allow myself to start burning it until fall starts and I've already finished one up! I will continue to buy these candles because they make me so happy!

Yankee Candle Amber Sunset Tealight- Once in awhile I use one of these tealights up because I once had so many. I do like the scent but tealights drive me nuts because they don't last long at all. I won't purchase tealights in the future but would potentially consider buying a full size of this scent.



CVS Cotton Rounds- I use these to remove nail polish and to put on my toner- they are nothing special but definitely get the job done.

Bath and Body Works Forever Beach Days- This is one of my favorite lotions. I love these creamy lotions and this scent is fantastic. It smells like sunscreen and I will definitely purchase it again in the future.

Cake Batter Chapstick- I have successfully finished up five of them in a month and a half. I have a problem. 

Rainbow Ice Gum- I am loving this gum! You can purchase it at Target and enjoy every second of snow cone heaven!

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black Perfume Sample- I liked this perfume but it was too strong for me. Tim could smell it from the other room when I sprayed it so it just doesn't really work for me- I like things a little more toned down.

Dove Deodorant-  I much prefer my natural deodorant but I definitely liked this as well for those super hot summer days. I would definitely use this again in the future.

Eyeko and Nyx Liquid Eyeliners-  All were great, I just had used them for too long. I did like the precise line it makes and will definitely repurchase them in the future but now I love the one I'm currently using which I'm sure I'll chat with you about soon. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara- I really liked this mascara at first but it got quite clumpy towards the end which I didn't love. I think I'll be moving on to other products in the future. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara Primer- I am not a huge fan of brown mascara so I didn't finish this sample up. I wouldn't purchase this primer because I love my other one that I use so much!

Shea Moisturizer Shampoo and Conditioner- I hated this shampoo and conditioner! It dried out my hair so badly and I couldn't even finish it. I would not recommend it even though I really wanted to like it because it's an all-natural product. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray- I never remember to use setting spray but I finally got this baby finished. It was okay, nothing super special because my makeup stays on pretty well all on its own so I won't purchase this in the future.

Covergirl Foundation and Concealer- These were kind of light on my skin so I wasn't a huge fan and I kept them so long that I knew I wasn't too comfortable putting them on my face anymore. Someday I will find a foundation I actually like...

Biore Charcoal Strip- Tim used this up and said it was good. He didn't get too specific but I don't think he noticed a huge change either way.


That's all! All the products I've used up lately. You can check out my video of all the products as well over on my youtube page. I apologize for the grainy video- I don't have any special camera or anything yet to take great video!



Have a great day everyone!

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Pure Barre

For my birthday my mom purchased a five class pass for Pure Barre. I was so excited because I had mentioned it several times in the last few months. It seemed like something I would really enjoy with my love for dance.

I took Tuesday and today off of work this week to turn my three day weekend into a five day weekend. I'm loving not having to work! Anyways, back to Pure Barre...


Our local Pure Barre studio is only ten minutes from my apartment which is fantastic! 

I had taken a barre class at the gym a couple of years ago, but it wasn't the same as taking an actual Pure Barre class. I expected it to be a little more like ballet then it was. It was a lot of small movements and my legs were shaking by the time class was over.  What I loved about the class was that we worked abs, butt, arms, and thighs but it was with super small movements that worked my body until I was uncontrollably shaking.

The instructor Jess was great. She was very encouraging and came over to make corrections to my form several times which I always appreciate! The hour long class went by so fast and we ended with a nice deep stretch which made me feel great.

I wasn't entirely sure what to wear so I opted with leggings, a loose t-shirt, and sports bra. I fit in just fine since there was a mix of tank tops, t-shirts, and long-sleeved tops. Everyone was pretty much wearing leggings and it is required that you wear socks during the class. They do have Pure Barre grip socks that you can purchase but I found that I was just fine with my regular white socks.

All the equipment is provided during class which includes; a ball, stretch band, mat, and weights. I took small 2.5 pound weights because I'm not a major weight lifter but I felt I could've handled larger weights.

I have four classes left to use in the next 30 days and I will definitely be using each and every one of them. My only issue with enjoying the class so much is how expensive it is. I can't exactly afford to spend over $200 every month when I could just join another gym for less then $50. I wish it was just a little cheaper!

If you have a Pure Barre in your area definitely check it out! You can always try it through a Groupon deal and from time to time they do offer free class weekends.

What workouts have you been doing lately?

Monday, October 10, 2016

Massive Makeup and Product Declutter!

Oh my god you guys- I am a hoarder. 

I am terrified of becoming a hoarder, I toss things on the regular. I never keep any extra things. I recycle paper like a mad woman and Tim knows not to leave things lying around because they'll disappear faster then he can blink. But with my products, I am a disgusting hoarder. 

My white Alex 9 drawer tower from Ikea was packed with products. I have gone through it a few times but never with the amount of honesty I went through it this time. I got rid of items I will never use, I got rid of expired items, I tossed anything that was almost empty and I knew I wouldn't finish. I was brutal and I took pictures of the process to share with you of course!

Lets start with the top drawer which was filled with face masks, cleansers, makeup remover, sunscreen, scrubs- basically any face product that was not makeup. Here's what we started with:


So much stuff! Where did it all come from?! Well I've been receiving Birchboxes for the last four years, I know most of the sunscreen samples came from a Sephora.Com order where I got them free...from over a year ago. So I sifted through; first getting rid of anything that was expired (which was a lot). Then I took a look to see when I received the birchbox items- if it was over six months ago I tossed the item because clearly I'll never use it! Here's what was left behind:


I kept more then I intended to but I will try the cleansers and face masks and if by Christmas I haven't they are gone! The sunscreen I held onto is good through next August so that's okay to keep. Everything else is on the newer end.

Next up is a drawer that holds my perfume samples and face products (including blush, bronzer, highlighter, foundation, etc):

So much stuff. Now I didn't end up getting rid of any perfume samples. They only have 2-3 uses in each tiny container and I do like to try different scents now and then. I also didn't get rid of my anti-bacterials from Bath and Body Works since I keep them in my purse and use them regularly. Blushes and bronzers did stay since I only have two or three of each. I kept a few concealers but the rest were tossed. I also tossed the majority of my foundations/bb creams. I kept only the newest of what I've received and the rest was tossed. Check it out!


I am an eye shadow hoarder because I love it so much. But I honestly wouldn't be able to get through all I have in a lifetime. I constantly dream of getting the Naked 3 Palette but I know I don't need it with all the eyeshadows I already have. Which also means I don't need the Chocolate Bar palettes either right??? This is where I started:



The palettes I use most often are my Naked 1, Naked 2, and Coastal Scents. I have a Jessie Girl Palette and another from Wet and Wild that I've never touched. So they were sent packing. I don't use a lot of my single shadows and smaller duos and trios. I asked myself if I honestly saw myself wearing them ever, I also got rid of any sparkly shadow I owned because the glitter always gets in my contacts and hurts my eyes. After decluttering here's what the drawer looked like:


Still a ton in there, but not as bad as it once was!

I am not a lip product person, I love my chapstick and don't wear lip gloss or lipstick much at all. So why did I have so much?! I also have a ton of eye pencils which I'm not using either.

I forgot to take a before picture so here are the products that I started with in this drawer:



Afterwards I was left with a few lipsticks, a few lip glosses, some eye pencils and one set of eyebrow products. In the blue box is all my chapstick, which will all be used!


Much nicer right?

Hair product were a little harder for me. I mean I don't use a lot of hairspray, but it's good for awhile right? So I might as well keep it on hand...


Only one product out of that drawer...


I went through my hair products one by one and decided whether or not I thought I was ever going to use them.


I managed to cut it down a little bit...getting rid of mostly texturizing sprays which I will never use!

 The bottom drawers stayed the same because I don't need to go through my nail polish right now. I have quite a bit but nowhere near some of the other collections I've seen and I'm comfortable with the amount that I have right now.


Same with my extra supplies...nothing to get rid of...



Now here's the final pile of all the products currently leaving my house...


Awesome right?!  I'm so glad to no longer have these items cluttering up my drawers! I can find the products I actually want to use because they are right there and nothing else is blocking them.

Feels good to declutter! Have you done any decluttering lately?

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Decorating For Fall!

Fall is by far my favorite season and I love to decorate! I don't have quite as many fall decorations as I have for Christmas but I love the simplicity of my apartment right now and don't feel the need to cover it in all sorts of knick-knacks. I have a few decor items that I love and it seems to be just enough for us right now. So come on in and take a look around!

I have a little witch hanging out on the couch with us, because what is Halloween without a witch hanging around?!


Last week while I was at my moms she had fake leaves that she was planning on getting rid of and when she offered them up to me I agreed to taking them with me. I found a home for them around the base of our living room tv. You can also get a glimpse of what Tim was doing while I cleaned up and decorated.


The small pumpkin on top of the console is from Christmas Tree Shop and says Hocus Pocus. It's from a few years back and I think it's super cute. The pumpkin candle holder inside the console is a few years old and I don't remember where I picked it up.

Of course I had to decorate our living room windows. You can also see that our shades are two different colors. They are ones that came already in the apartment when we moved in and I just noticed it now looking at this picture... #superobservant

Anyways, the window decals are from Target and I just purchased them a week or so ago.


One more metal pumpkin candle holder from Kohls on our bookshelf.


Isn't this little scarecrow so cute? I picked him up at Pier One a few years ago. So cute :)


Our bedroom has one decorative candle shaped like a leaf. Just adding a little bit of fall in there too!


Lastly our bathroom got some loving too with another decal picked up from Target. 


Now there's nothing to do but kick back, breathe in the amazing scent from my Bath and Body Works Leaves Candle and enjoy the cooler weather!



Have a great day everybody!