Sunday, June 30, 2013

Urban Decay's Moondust Eyeshadow

Normally I like to wait until I have a few new makeup products and then write about them in one post, but this product is so good, it deserves its own post.

I just couldn't wait to tell you about it, since it might be one of the most fun makeup products I've ever bought.


The worker at Sephora told me that Urban Decay used to sell the Moondust Eyeshadows but took them off the market several years ago. They just recently re-released them though after they improved the eyeshadows.

The eyeshadows come in 7 different shades, including a silver, dark brown, purple, light brown, pink, dark green, and light green. I got the light brown shade called Space Cowboy.

What sets this eyeshadow line apart is the glitter. They are the most glittery eyeshadows I have ever seen. However, they are super gorgeous and wearable.

They pack on a lot of glitter, but it isn't chunky glitter. The glitter is super fine, which is different from most of the glitter eyeshadows I've seen. A major plus to the fine glitter is that you don't get a lot of fall out. I wore it for the first time last week, and when I took it off at night (about 12 hours after I had applied it), I had very little glitter under my eyes, and my eyelids looked the same as they did when I put my makeup on in the morning.

If you're looking for something fun to add to your makeup collection, I would definitely recommend checking out the Moondust Eyeshadows. I don't see myself wearing it every day, but it's just such a fun product. You also need such a small amount, that I could see this product lasting for years, making it worth the slightly more expensive price.

Here's a couple of tips I have for applying the Moondust Eyeshadow.....

1. At least with the Space Cowboy (since it doesn't really have any pigmented color), apply your eyeshadow as you usually would, and then apply the Moondust Eyeshadow on top.

2. Use your finger, not a brush, to apply it. The lady at Sephora told me the brush tends to just flick glitter everywhere and that your finger actually does a better job.

3. Use an eyeshadow primer (I personally like the Urban Decay Primer Potion) before you apply your eyeshadow to help keep the glitter in place.

4. Apply your eyeshadow before your foundation and under-eye concealer. That way, if you do have a little bit of fall out initially, you can cover it up easily.

5. You need such a small amount (a little goes a long way) that all you have to do is touch the eyeshadow with your finger, and you get plenty!


I'm super excited about this new product, and I can't wait to keep using it. If you're into makeup and like trying out new things, I think this eyeshadow collection is definitely a winner!

Friday, June 28, 2013

I'll Admit It.....

......I'm a little weird.

There are some things that I don't like or have never done that most people like or have done before. Alright, maybe it's a lot of things.

It doesn't bother me, but some people think it's weird! The kids I babysit used to make fun of me all the time for the things I didn't like or didn't know how to do. They thought it was so funny when I had no idea how to cut up a mango and had to watch a YouTube video on it - ha! Although, I thought that was pretty funny too :)

So here's just a few things that make me "unique".....

I admit that I don't like oranges. Or clementines. Or cuties. Or orange juice. Or orange sherbert. Basically, I don't like anything orange flavored. At all.

I admit that the smell of syrup makes me gag. I will eat syrup, but only a very small amount, and I HAVE to be able to brush my teeth directly afterwards because I hate the aftertaste too.

I admit that I have never seen the movies Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Sandlot, and a bunch more that I can't think of right now.

I admit that I haven't consistently watched a TV show in almost 2 years. In other words, the TV shows that air a new episode every week are the ones I never watch anymore. I used to have a list of TV shows - Amazing Race on Sunday, Grey's Anatomy on Thursday, etc. The last few years have been busy though, and I just haven't had the time to keep up with shows like that. I'm lucky if I can fit in a random TLC episode over the weekend. In fact, during the school year I very rarely watch TV shows during the week.

I admit that I have never seen an episode of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, nor do I know all of the words to the rap, although it seems like every other teenager I know does.

I admit that I have never tried, nor do I really have a desire to try, sushi.

I admit that I don't like pop because the carbon dioxide bubbles freak me out.

I admit that when I go to restaurants, I usually always get the same thing. I'm always afraid that if I try something new it might not be as good as my usual menu item, and then I'll just be disappointed that I didn't get my usual. I told you I was weird unique :)

I admit that I have never seen Pitch Perfect, which is another thing that I'm pretty sure every teenager has seen except for me.

I admit that I don't like bacon. SO gross.

I admit that the thought of living in a dorm has never crossed my mind and kind of weirds me out. I can't imagine voluntarily living with a stranger, paying mucho bucks for it, and being confined to such a small room. I'll take my free and spacious room to myself with home cooked meals any day, thankyouverymuch.

I admit that I don't like coconuts, onions, peppers, olives, pepperoni, pineapple, raspberries, blackberries, green grapes (I love purple ones though!), raisins (unless they're covered in chocolate), Doritos, Lay's potato chips, chips & salsa, pickles, any kind of nuts, popcorn (except for Garrett's Caramel Crunch), or Cheetos. And my list could go on and on - ha!

I admit that I only eat fried chicken with a knife and fork. I personally don't think it's weird, but my friends laugh at and make fun of me for it all the time. I just don't like my fingers to get all greasy!

I admit that I would rather go to bed early and get up early than go to bed late and get up late, which is pretty much the complete opposite of every other teenager on this planet.

I admit that I am not a procrastinator. I never wait till the last minute to do anything, especially school work. I'm pretty sure the majority of people I've gone to school with are procrastinators though, so I guess that sets me apart.

I admit that I don't understand the pop culture phenomenon that is the Kardashians. I'm still just trying to figure out why they are even "famous" in the first place? (And seriously - North West? Come on!)

I admit that I only like to use Facebook to connect with friends and family. I am happy with my only 256 friends, and I also admit that a lot of those friends are hidden from my News Feed. I've never added someone I haven't at least heard of, but I still have a lot of friends that are people I don't know that well, so I'll hide them so I can just see the posts from my friends and family that I really want to see.

I admit that I actually read every single book that was assigned during high school, even the bad and boring ones.

I admit that I cried throughout pretty much all of my high school graduation. I thought I wouldn't be the only one, but whenever I looked around, I totally was. Oh well!


Anyone else out there have some weird quirky characteristics that seem different from everyone else?

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Obsessions

I feel like with graduation and senior trip it's been awhile since I was able to write just a post on some new things I've been loving/things I'm obsessed with lately. So this is just going to be a random post of a bunch of different "favorites" as of late.......

I have always loved Pinterest, but I have found it to be extra fun these past couple of weeks as I planned my graduation party which was last weekend (I'll post about it soon!). I found so many great ideas and gained a lot of inspiration from Pinterest that it made party planning so much easier and more fun! If you're on Pinterest, follow me here, and I'll follow you back - I'm always looking for new boards to follow.

When I was in Savannah earlier this month, my friend Danielle and I stumbled upon a store called the Savannah Bee Company on River Street. It was a cute store that sold every type of honey imaginable (I didn't know there were different types of honey!), but they also had a bunch of body products and lip products. I picked up a lip tint in Blackberry Shimmer, and I am obsessed with it now. When I got home, I thought I had misplaced it, and I was SO sad, but thankfully I found it! It has the color of a lipstick, the shine of a lipgloss, and the moisture of a lip balm, not to mention the fact that it smells amazing. I love everything about it, and now I just wish I had bought a few more, including the Peach Blossom Shimmer, which I bet is amazing too. I just found out that you can order them online, which I may have to do when I run out of my Blackberry :)

The Kellogg's Fruity Snacks are one of my favorite snacks. No, I'm not a 5 year old, but I eat fruit snacks like I am - ha! Seriously though, when we have these in the house I eat 2-3 packs a DAY. They are hands down the best fruit snacks out there.

I know I've written about my Erin Condren Life Planner before, but I'm doing it again. I bought one last year after reading so many rave reviews about it, and I'm so glad I did. I have gotten lots of compliments about it over the past year, but when people ask me where I got it and how much it was, they think I'm crazy. And I can honestly see why. I mean, $50 for basically a big notebook? Let me tell you though, it is worth it.

For one, it is completely personalized. You pick out the cover you want complete with your name or whatever else you want on it. They also made everything in the US, which I think is pretty cool too. After your first order, they send you a $10 gift certificate that never expires too - bonus! Overall, I just think the company is a really nice one.

Not to mention the fact that the planners are awesome. They have inspirational quotes throughout, the months are color coordinated, and the whole thing is just set up really nice. The fact that I used it every single day in the past year has made it worth it to me.

The 2013-2014 Life Planners were just released at the beginning of June, and I placed my order a few weeks ago, so I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival! I know it's going to help me stay so organized in college. All of my friends going off to college next year - I would definitely suggest looking into ordering one!

Macy's Sales
So about a month ago I went to Macy's and found these cute tops that I fell in love with, although I passed because they were expensive and not on sale.

This is a Michael Kors.......

......and this one is INC.

Well, a few weeks ago I was out at Macy's again and found both of the shirts on sale, plus I could use an additional coupon on them! Both of the shirts together would have cost me over $150 full price, but I was able to snag them both for about $40. Score! I have found that if you just wait and watch things at Macy's, most of the time you can find them on sale later on.

I would never pay $90 for that Michael Kors top, but around $20 I could do! You can find that top here online, although it's still a little bit more than what I paid since I had the coupon and employee discount. It pays to watch and wait for sales.

Target Dollar Center
For me, the Target Dollar Center isn't something I hit every time I go to Target. I think you can find some good deals in there (I love getting small gift fillers in there), but sometimes I think you get what you pay for and some of the stuff is cheap and weird. But my favorite thing about Target's Dollar Center is the little buckets they sell. They always have some kind of little bucket or pail in there, and I use those a lot for gifts. My favorite thing lately has been to use them for cake pop bouquets. They're the perfect size, and I love the colors and patterns they come in.


Sam & Libby Shoes
I wrote about these shoes a little while ago when I first got them (read that post here), but I think it bears repeating. The Sam & Libby shoe line for Target is amazing. I got the leopard print sandals, and I have been wearing them like crazy since they are cute and comfortable. And at only $25, they're a steal! I just might get another pair one of these days.......

Those are just a few things I've been loving lately. Hope you all are off to a great summer!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Makeup Monday {5 Minute Face}

I'm one of those girls that doesn't leave the house without makeup on. I like to at least even out my complexion and put on some mascara before facing the rest of the world. If you're like me though, you don't have a whole bunch of time in the mornings. If it's a weekday, I do a minimal amount of makeup because I don't have time to do a whole face of foundation and a bunch of eyeshadow.

This routine is what I expect I'll be using a lot in college this fall. In high school, I did pretty much everything except the eye color since I went to an all girls school and most of the girls barely even brushed their hair let alone applied makeup - ha!

So today I'm sharing with you my 5 minute face. It's quick, easy, uses only a handful of products, still provides good coverage, and makes you look much more awake and human.

Step 1: Moisturize
I usually use the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, mainly because I can get it for free during Clinique Bonus a lot.

Lately though I've been using the Estee Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme. I have found it to be moisturizing, while also helping my makeup stay on a little bit longer throughout the day. It smells good too and just seems to be an overall really good product. I think I like it better than the Clinique moisturizer.

Step 2: Eyes
I have found the perfect alternative to a full lid of eyeshadow when you're running out of time but still want something on your lids. I start off by using the light gold end of the Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick in Atomic. I apply it all over my eyelid.

I then smudge a little bit of the Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in Fuller Fudge on the outer corner of my eye and blend it towards the middle a bit. I have really been using this product a lot lately. It's the same idea as the Revlon Sticks, but I do find that the Clinique one is better quality and applies much smoother.

I then use a little bit of the darker side of the Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick on the outer corner.

I finish up my eyes with some mascara. If you only have 30 seconds for makeup in the morning, you should do mascara! I alternate between the three different mascaras I have, which are Benefit's They're Real!, Clinique's High Impact Mascara, and Covergirl's Waterproof Lash Blast Volume. Lately though I've been using a little bit of the Clinique and then going over it with a second coat of the Covergirl.

Step 3: Face
If I have time, I use the Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion next. It really smooths out your face. I just apply it to my nose and cheeks, as those are the areas that are the roughest for me.

Now, I have to admit something................
......
.....
....
...
..
.

I haven't used liquid foundation in weeks! In fact, over the past few months, I have really only used it a handful of times!

Instead, I have been using Clinique's Age Defense BB Cream (Shade 2). I find that it's quicker (you just apply it with your fingers), and it provides excellent coverage when used with a moisturizer and primer. I can put it on in the morning and go all day (even in the summer), and when I take off my makeup at night, it's still on my face. It feels much more natural than a liquid foundation too. Basically I just use foundation on special occasions now when I want a little extra coverage (the last time I used it was at my graduation!).

Step 4: Concealer
My favorite concealer is the MAC Studio Finish Concealer (Shade NC20). It's a little pricey, but I've been using it everyday for probably about 9 months and I haven't even hit the bottom of the pan yet. A little goes a long way, so I think it is well worth the money since it doesn't even have to be purchased once a year!

Step 5: Powder
I cover my face with a thin dusting of powder just to set all of my makeup. I use the Covergirl Tru Blend Pressed Powder (Shade Translucent Fair).

Step 6: Undereye Concealer
This is another step that I never miss when heading out the door. The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circles Eraser (Shade Fair) is the best stuff ever!

Step 7: Blush
Blush is one of those items that is super flexible in my makeup routine. I usually end up picking whatever shade I feel like wearing. One of these days I need to get a few more blushes to choose from, but for now I have three. The Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed is one I use more in the fall and winter since it's a little bit of a darker tan-ish pink (it just looks like a winter color to me). I really like the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Candy Coral since it's the perfect coral color. The texture of it is a little weird though, as it is a cross between a cream and powder blush. My only drawback to it is that the loose bristles in my blush brush tend to get stuck in the blush and winds up looking kind of gross - ha!

My favorite blush though, and the one I use probably most often is the Nars Orgasm. It's the perfect pink with little flecks of gold. That was the first high-end makeup product I ever bought, and I still haven't hit the pan on this one either.

Step 9: Lips
Again, this is one of those parts of my makeup routine that I can have a bit of fun with. I usually keep some of my favorite lip products on my desk within reach, so I'll either grab one those, or I'll apply it later (if I'm not leaving the house right away) when I'm heading out the door. I have so many lip products (an almost embarrassing amount but I seem to just keep buying more) that I keep a couple different ones in each of my purses. I tend to switch purses almost daily, so I'm constantly rotating lip products too.

And that's my super quick school morning makeup routine. It takes me about 5 minutes, but the payoff is great. My skin tone looks even, my eyes look awake, and my eyelids look like I spent a lot of time on them when I really didn't. Overall, it works super great for me!

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Sleepover Party!

My mom and I had my cousins Maddie and Sydney over to spend the night earlier in the week. We do this maybe twice a year, and it's always fun. I always think it's funny because my mom used to have Melissa (Maddie & Sydney's mom) over for sleepovers, Melissa used to have sleepovers with me when I was little, and now we do the same with her kids - it's like a never ending cycle of slumber parties! Maddie and Sydney (and Savannah - their younger sister) will have to have sleepovers with my kids one day ;)

We started off the night with pizza and Zip Dip - our favorite creamy whip!

We also played outside a bit.

Look at the cute bunnies we had bouncing around our yard!

Catching lightning bugs


GLOW STICKS!



The girls put on a dance show with the glow sticks.


I took a little video of it because I thought it looked so neat.

Maddie and Savannah in the morning before they left.

They were so into Despicable Me, which is funny because they watch it every single time they come over.

And that was our fun sleepover!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

STILL Catching Up!

I'm picking up where I left off with this post on some other things that have been going on lately. I don't think there are ever enough hours in the day to get everything done!

The other day my mom and I got Zip Dip for lunch, and we weren't even on vacation! Have I mentioned before how much I love summer?

Almost all last week was spent working on a high school scrapbook. After my freshman year, I went out and bought an album along with some stickers and pages. I had every intention of scrapbooking freshman year that summer, and I never did. Then I just forgot about it until this year. I really wanted a scrapbook of high school, so I busted my butt to get it done since I wanted it finished by my graduation party as well. After many hours and several days spent on it, I'm happy to say I did finish it, and I'm super happy with the way it turned out.


We went to see my little cousin's baseball game the other night too. I think little boys playing baseball is just the cutest thing, although the game dragged on a little long for my liking ;)

How cute is this girl?


On Father's Day I went to Cabana with my mom's side of the family. A majority of our family was there, and Cabana is my grandpa's favorite restaurant, so I think he really enjoyed it.


Maddie and I

My dad and I

My mom, aunts, and grandpa

Another sweet picture of my pup!

I started my first "real" job on Monday. By real I mean not babysitting and actually having to pay taxes - ha! I'm working up at UC, and I think it will be a pretty good job. It's flexible, I won't have to ever work nights and weekends, and it's right up on campus. It's so weird to think that this is only my first of probably several "real" jobs. Who knows, I may now be working continuously for the next 5, 10, 20, or more years (not going to lie, that thought is depressing me a little).

I hope everyone is having a good week and one that is slightly less busy/crazy than the one I'm having :)

Sunday, June 16, 2013

College Cake Pops & Other Things I've Been Up To.....

I feel so behind on blogging. With catching up on posts about my trip and then just being super busy in general, I haven't had a whole lot of time to blog. Plus I haven't really taken that many pictures recently, so I haven't had a ton of things to share either! So this is just going to be a catch up post.......

I have been going to graduation parties like crazy recently. Last weekend I had five, and last night I went to another one. My first one last weekend was for my friend Amanda who I used to dance with. We don't get to see each other very often anymore, so it's always fun to get together.

I had a cake pop order from my friend Abby for her graduation party last weekend. It was for both her and her sister (who graduated from grade school), so I had to do both Seton and UC cake pops. I will always love doing Seton ones, and it was fun to do UC ones for the first time.


I loved the way the graduation caps turned out!


UC logo!

I tweeted a picture of my UC cake pops, and got a response from the official UC Twitter page - I already feel super welcomed at UC.

I had a few other graduation parties for friends too. I know that buying gifts for parties like that isn't required, but I couldn't bear just showing up empty handed, so I've been making little cake pop bouquets for them. These are 2 UC bouquets for my friends Laura and Erin who are going to UC next year too.

This one is a Mount St. Joe bouquet for my cousin Jessica who graduated from there. I made this to go along with our gift my family got her.


Last night I went to my friend Christina's graduation party and made her Loyola of Chicago cake pops since that's where she's going next year.

When I saw that their mascot is a wolf, I knew I just had to try it out. I'm not one to shy away from something that looks complicated. It didn't turn out perfect, but I was still pretty happy with it.


When I haven't been making cake pops, I've been super busy doing other things!

I've been playing with Coco a lot.

I also went shopping last week and bought my first professional pencil skirt. I am now ready to be a businesswoman - ha! Obviously I won't be wearing it with just a cami, but I couldn't pass up this skirt - it's made really nice and was marked down to $30 at Express. Score!

I have just really been loving Express lately, which is funny because I don't usually shop there and have only a handful of items from there. But I bought this tank a few months ago and just wore it for the first time the other day. I think it is now one of my favorite tops ever, and I expect to be wearing it a lot this summer. I just love the color and fit of this peplum tank!

I think I'm going to stop there and pick up another day soon with some more catching up. Hope you all had a great weekend!