Anthem of the Week #6 | One Direction

I can't follow rules.  It's a problem.  Today is not one song, but an entire album.  There isn't one song that I can single out in particular that I've been jammin' to on this thing.  Because I love every single song on here.  I even asked my roommate, "Which song have we been listening to the most?" and she responded with, "Uhhh...all of them?"  So, here ya go.  From me to you, just listen to the whole darn thing.

Current Obsessions #6

I have quite a random smattering of things to share with you guys, so let's get started!

This hooded knit sweater from American Rag is so comfortable!  I love the pattern on it, there are so many different textures, and it's perfect for one of those lazy rainy days.  It's not a heavy, heavy sweater, but it still keeps you warm and shnuggly.  I'm actually wearing it as I'm typing this right now!

Look!  It's Biggest Loser approved popcorn!  My mom is quite a health nut, and she bought this but didn't like the taste.  I took a few bites and loved the parmesan and herb flavoring.  This is a truly gigantic bag, so it'll last you forever.  I'm quite a popcorn addict as it is, and I'm glad that I've found a healthy alternative to the usual movie popcorn that I devour.

I have become a huge fan of mint tea.  I have this odd habit of drinking half of it as is without adding anything to it, but once I get to that halfway mark on my mug, I add a bit of honey to sweeten it up.  Even though this Tazo version is caffeine free, I find it very refreshing, rejuvenating, and energizing.  I tend to drink this at night when I have a lot of work to do but don't want to drink caffeine.  It wakes me right up!   

This Merry Marshmallow Kiss is by far my favorite holiday scent from Bath & Body Works.  Don't get me wrong - I thoroughly enjoy all of their other holiday scents, too, but I just love this one.  It's a more sophisticated scent, despite the name.  It's not overwhelmingly sweet, with notes of pear, bergamot, raspberry, jasmine, amber, and vanilla.  I love the complex scent of this, and I look forward to slathering this lotion on my skin after the shower every day.

I recently bought the Real Techniques Core Collection, and this Buffing Brush is by far my favorite of the four.  It blends your foundation flawlessly - it's unlike any other brush that I've used thus far.  This has become an absolute must-have in my brush collection, and I can't go a day without it.

My Christmas To-Dos

As it is the first week of December, I figured I should get all my thoughts together and make a short list of what I wish to do before the month is over!  (And because I'm publishing it on here, maybe that somehow makes me accountable...)  Is it just me, or does December fly by?  I always have these grand plans for the holiday seasons, and all of a sudden, it's February...

One of the things I've always wanted to do is go out in the middle of the night while it's snowing.  Now, I'm not going to subject myself to blustering winds and blizzards, but I'd love to go out at midnight during the flurries.  Let's just cross our fingers that it actually snows this year!  There's something magical about being outside and looking at the stars in the middle of the night.  I used to do it all the time with my friends when I was younger, but I never did it while I was snowing.  New goal!

Do you ever have those visions of drinking hot chocolate (for me, it's always hot chocolate) while reading a book in front of a fire?  You're all cozy and wrapped up like a little burrito with big fluffy socks, and the snow is falling down outside.  The crackling of the fireplace is comforting as you turn the page.  Ah, how romantic.  I always picture myself doing this, but I always get sidetracked, and it never happens.  Even if it's only for an hour, I need to do this!

If there's one thing I'm good at doing (besides blowing all my money to feed my beauty product addiction), it's making playlists.  Spotify is my best friend for this, and I have countless playlists for different occasions.  But there's one missing from my collection: a Christmas playlist!  I plan on including some newer songs, like Michael Buble's Christmas album, but I also need to include some songs from my childhood, like Hilary Duff's Santa Claus Lane and Faith Hill's Where Are You Christmas.  My wonderful mother also bought me a 2-CD album called Carols for a Cure, and it's filled with a ton of Broadway casts singing holiday tunes!  I'm so excited to give that a listen.  Also, I have a confession: Celine Dion's Christmas album is my guilty pleasure during this time of year.

Every year, I make a gigantic mental list in my head of what holiday movies I'm going to watch.  Every single year, I never watch them all.  I'm going to really commit this year!  Some movies I absolutely can't live without are Elf, Year Without a Santa Claus, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Love Actually, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation,  and Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.  My favorite holiday movie though is The Holiday, starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, and Jude Law.  

I'm actually going to commit to getting meaningful presents this year, too.  Each year, I manage to give one or two presents that I'm really happy about, but the rest are just those rushed presents, like random t-shirts.  The best kind of Christmas shopping is when you're not looking for presents - you just happen upon something and know that it's perfect for a certain someone.  I also like making presents - not necessarily making the entire thing, but taking a couple of products and arranging them in a creative way.  I love doing that with beauty things, like lipsticks and bath bombs.  My brother is always tough, though.  I never have any idea what to get him, because I think clothes are boring.  Suggestions, anyone?  The first present I bought is for my best friend here at school, who's also my roomie.  She's obsessed with Corgis and I found this hugely amazing and fluffy Corgi pillow from Modcloth.  I can't wait to see her open it!

Whoa, that was quite a lot of writing.  I want to know what you guys plan to do this holiday season!

My Christmas List: Top 5

Hey guys!  I thought I would show you guys the top 5 things on my Christmas list this year.  Let me know what your favorites are!  These are in no particular order, by the way.

I need this Popsugar Must Have Box subscription in my life.  I've watched countless unboxing videos on YouTube, and I absolutely love every single product that I've seen.  Boxes include books, food, clothing, jewelry, beauty products (not all at the same time, of course!).  I've always wanted to have a subscription to something like Birchbox or Ipsy, but I think Popsugar takes the cake.

Next up: the Sigma Beauty Premium Kit.  You may be surprised to know that I don't have many makeup brushes, and the face brushes that I do have are crap.  I just recently bought some Real Techniques brushes, but I want to explore what else is out there. This set is $189, which I think is a fabulous price for so many brushes.  I don't own anything from Sigma, so I'd love to have this set to get me started!

NARS Guy Bourdin Limited Edition Palette is something I've been lusting after ever since I heard that it came out.  It's sold out nearly everywhere, but I won't give up on it!  I don't have anything from NARS, but it's my Mom's favorite high end makeup brand - I just need to be introduced to the world of Orgasm and Laguna!

I saw the Camden Tote when I was in Madewell a couple of months ago, and because it was $218, I kept it in the back of my mind to ask for for Christmas.  I love how it has a shoulder strap but also can be carried on its own.  It's structured, but not stiff.  This leather bag is roomy, versatile, and elegant.  I can't remember when I purchased my last purse, which is a tan leather Ralph Lauren.  As much as I love it, it's been years.  I just need a change, and I think this bag is perfect.

Lastly, I'd love a Polaroid camera.  They're not very expensive, and you can get them almost anywhere.  This one is from Target.  I think the pictures will be great for hanging up in my room!

Monday Motivation #5 | Take Time

Hello, everyone!  I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving.  I'm back on my regular schedule, and I thought these words of wisdom I stumbled upon earlier were fitting, especially for us college kids who are preparing for finals.

We are so preoccupied with our jobs, with school, with our kids, and with all sorts of other obligations that it almost seems selfish to take time for ourselves.  But taking just a few minutes a day, or taking just a few hours a week to relax and do exactly what you want will benefit you in ways you can't imagine.  Pick up a book.  Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while.  Paint.  Watch that movie you've been dying to see.  It refreshes you, and it makes you feel more prepared for everything that you have to face.

Anthem of the Week #5 | Marianas Trench

This Canadian band is one of my favorites!  I saw them over this past summer, and it was quite an amazing experience.  I've been listening to their song Acadia all week long, and it brings up a lot of nostalgia.  It's an amazing melody, and the lyrics will make you smile!

Every memory comes on

When I hear that old song 

That we used to sing

with the words all wrong.

Current Obsessions #5 | TV Version

I'm packing things up to take home for Thanksgiving already, so I thought that I would do a TV obsessions today instead of digging through my bags!  These are shows that I'm obsessed with at the moment, but I must warn you: I am a huge TV addict.  If there was a rehab for too much TV watching, I would need to go!  But it's how I like to spend my time.  

One of my many guilty pleasure shows: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (or RHOBH for those of us who don't want to say that long-ass name).  I've been a fan since it started, and the two new girls, especially Carlton, add a bit more to the show.  Yolanda is definitely my favorite!

WHO WATCHED LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE!?  WHAT, WHAT WHAT?!! If you guys haven't watched any seasons of American Horror Story, have no fear.  You can just catch up on this season, because the other seasons don't have anything to do with each other.  Although the first season is still proving my favorite, I love what they're doing with the now seemingly overdone concept of witches and magic that we seem to see everywhere these days.  They're breathing new life into a very old concept to make it interesting.  And the plot twists have you screaming at the television every single episode.  What I love about the show (well, besides Evan Peters) is that each episode is packed with action.  There aren't any filler episodes - every episode is important and contributes to the story.  

Misfits is one of those shows that has me laughing out loud all the time.  From Alex's power to tortoises to Rudy's calling Finn Finley, the show is always funny.  I can't describe how much I love Rudy.  Without him, I probably wouldn't be watching the last season of this wonderful show.  It makes me sad that no one from the first couple seasons remain, but I love this cast nonetheless.  I'm crushing a little bit on Alex From the Bar, I must confess.  

Dracula by Bram Stoker is one of my favorite books.  So when I heard that it was becoming a show, I felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension.  You're always nervous about how one of your favorite novels will get adapted to television or the movie screen.  But I was pleasantly surprised with this show.  I've always loved Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and I'm a huge Katie McGrath fan (even though I'm still getting used to her being blonde!).  I love how they kept the bones of Stoker's story but gave the show almost an entirely new storyline.  Yes, the concept is the same - it's all about a very old vampire - but the relationships and plotlines are different.  It always gives me a show to look forward to on Friday nights!

Million Dollar Shoppers is my ultimate guilty pleasure show.  There's just something so entertaining about it, from the shopper's personalities to the buyer's personalities to the outrageous closets.  I look forward to this every single Thursday!  So yes, after I finish writing this post, I will go put on my comfy pajamas and settle in to watch.  My favorite by far is Gregg.  I think he may be my soul sister.

I also have to give a shoutout to Sleepy Hollow, which I talked about last week!  I still have to watch Monday's episode!

What are your favorite shows of the moment?

Taking Care of Skin During School: A Study Guide Part 2

Here's Part 2 of the stressful skin series!  Let's get right into it.

When you're too busy studying, and when you get so incredibly into it, you forget to eat or drink (once again...extremely guilty!).  I'm not going to say "remember to eat healthy and have plenty of fruits and vegetables," because we all know college students live on Ramen Noodles and Pop Tarts.  All I'm saying is: don't forget to eat!  It's happened many a time to me where my head is throbbing and I just feel faint and then it dawns on me that the only thing I had to eat all day was a Clif bar.  Don't fall into that trap!  I also recommend having a bottle of water by your side at all times.  It reminds you to drink just by seeing it, and it's an easy way to stay hydrated all day long.  

Lastly, take breaks.  Don't kill yourself studying for hours on end (trust me, it doesn't work).  Take a shower, relax, put on a face mask, listen to music. Clear your mind.  

I know this isn't too much more about skin, but keeping yourself hydrated and taking breaks to calm yourself down will greatly help your skin. 

Now stop reading this and go study! 

Taking Care of Skin During School: A Study Guide

The week before Thanksgiving break is always pure hell for anyone in school.  The professors work together to jam as many tests and papers and all kinds of evaluations into this one week, resulting in many a stressed student.

It's so easy to let yourself get caught up in the stress and the all-nighters and completely forget about your skin (guilty!).  It's easy to go to bed without even taking your makeup off (also guilty!).  But you need to take care of your skin during this stressful time, because a stressed out you equals stressed out skin.  Without further ado, here's how I take care of my skin during this hellish week!

Let's face it: even though we may not have stressed out skin in the beginning of the week, we just know that it'll be stressed later.  So, be proactive!  Instead of using an acne spot treatment once a day, do it twice a day.  Spray some hydrating spray throughout the day that will also keep zits at bay (was that a rhyme?) - my favorite is Caudalie's Beauty Elixir.  Make sure you use a toner!  Use once a day, if not twice a day.  It'll balance out your skin tone, combat redness, and also keep breakouts from happening.  And it's time to break out that eye cream, especially the de-puffer!  We know we won't be getting much sleep this week.

And now the three most important things.  First, wash your face!  Cleanse in the morning and at night.  Second, take your makeup off!  If you do nothing else at all, take your makeup off.  For me, I don't see the effects of sleeping with my makeup on for a couple of days, but those breakouts last for a long time.  It's just not worth it.  All you need is a cleanse.  But a step further (which is oddly my favorite part of my nightly skincare routine) is using a cleansing water.  I actually like to use a cleansing water after I've washed my face, just to make sure that I've gotten the last bit of makeup off my face.  It's scary how much makeup can still be there even after you've cleansed!  My absolute favorite is Caudalie's Cleansing Water.  It smells so fresh and earthy.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow!

Monday Motivation #4 | Nothing is Permanent

This is the cover of my "Words of Wisdom" Pinterest board, and I thought I'd share it with you guys.  I forget which show I was watching last night, but someone said "It can't rain forever," and this is along the same lines.  If you're going through a hard period in your life, whether that be a bad breakup, getting laid off from work, or dealing with depression, always remember that this isn't a permanent thing.  It can't rain forever!  It might pour for awhile, but the sun will always come out again.  Always.  Have faith in that.

Anthem of the Week #4 | Bastille

If you read yesterday's post, you'll know that I am completely smitten with Bastille's new album, Bad Blood.  Although I've been listening to all of their songs over and over each day, one has stuck out to me.  Oblivion is the first song I click on when I'm in the Bastille mood (which is pretty much always these days...).  It's such a calming song, the melody is fantastic, and it just gets you thinking about things.

Are you going to age with grace?

Are you going to leave a path to trace?

Current Obsessions #4

It's that time of the week again!  My favorite time of the week actually...and I have quite a smattering for you guys.

This tray from Target is a real life-saver!  I don't have a lot of space in my dorm room, and waking up for early classes while trying not to make any noise (because your roommate is sound asleep) can be quite tricky.  I put all of my every day makeup necessities in here so that I can just sit down at my desk and have everything I need right there.  It's so convenient!

I am becoming more and more obsessed with this TV show by the minute.  I've always been a fan of Sleepy Hollow - from the book by Washington Irving to the Johnny Depp movie - so this was a must watch for me from the getgo.  This version involves a lot more supernatural aspects, which I love!  Plus...Tom Mison.  Need I say more?

I can't describe how much I am obsessed with Bastille. I listen to their album at least twice over every single day.  My favorite songs of theirs are Bad Blood, Oblivion, and Flaws.  If you haven't heard anything by them, seriously - give them a listen!

This Knock On Wood palette from Wet 'n Wild hasn't left my lids for the past week.  It's the perfect simple trio for fall.  The bottom cranberry color is absolutely gorgeous, and the brown shade for the crease isn't too shimmery.  It's a great blending color.  The cotton candy pink softens things up for a romantic, easy look that can be worn night or day.

Lastly, my newest staple in my foundation routine: Rimmel's Stay Matte powder.  I have the translucent shade and apply it with a big fluffy powder brush to set my foundation.  I have very oily skin, so this is a lifesaver, especially when I'll be in class all day!

Review | Marc Jacobs Genius Gel

Hey guys!  I thought it would be a good time to tell you that I have a YouTube channel, called KayandYou (but I'm pretty sure the name will be changed soon; I'll keep you updated!).  I do all sorts of things on there, including what I like to call "two-minute reviews."  Here's a recent review I've done: the hyped-up Marc Jacobs Genius Gel!

Oh...what an attractive face!  Enjoy, ya'll!

Monday Motivation #3 | Comparing Yourself

Alright, ladies.  We all know that comparing yourself to someone else is incredibly unhealthy, but we all do it.  We're all guilty of wishing we were someone else, and we're all guilty for beating ourselves up because we aren't like another group of people or one specific person.

Everyone grows up and learns about themselves (or just learns in general) at different paces.  It's so hard to start anything, just because you compare yourself to people who are already past the finish line.  Example time!  So many people don't start YouTube channels, because they compare themselves who are YouTube famous.  They figure no one will pay attention to them, so they already write their own channel off and don't even start it.  You do what is right for you.  Because you'll get there!  You will!

But you have to start first.

Anthem of the Week #3 | Pentatonix

I was planning on doing a Bastille song today, but when I heard the Daft Punk Medley by Pentatonix, I knew this had to be my anthem of the week.  I have listened to this piece too many times to count, and it just came out a couple days ago.  Guys...you have to watch their video.  Just do it.  Just do it!  I said so!

Look at how easy I'm making it for you: 

We've come too far to give up who we are.

Current Obsessions #3

It's that time of week again!  I have quite a mixture of things to share with y'all, so let's get started!

My Lilly Pulitzer Jumbo Planner finally arrived!  The design is amazing, the inside pages make me so happy, and it gives me enough room to plan everything.  This is a HUGE planner.  I had the medium-sized one last year, but found that I needed some more room to write things.  This is perfect, if a bit heavy.  The designs are cheeky and cute, and they get you excited for each month! Oh and bonus: there are stickers :)

I devoured The White Queen on Sunday, but I just had to share it with you guys!  I saw the White Queen show, fell in love with it, and decided to read the book.  I got it for $1 at a used book store (what a steal!), and having read Philippa Gregory before, I knew this book wouldn't disappoint.  It certainly didn't!  This follows the ambitious  Elizabeth during the time of the War of the Roses.  If you love any type of historical drama or historical fiction - acted on the screen or written in the pages - I highly recommend this!

I am in love with this ribbed infinity scarf!  It's what I call a "transition" scarf.  It's too heavy to wear during the summer, but too light to wear for winter.  So these transitional fall months are perfect to wear this knit piece!  The material feels wonderful against your skin, and I got it at J. Jill of all places.  I just happened to walk in there with my mom and fell in love with this scarf.  They have a few other neutral colors, but I thought that black would go with everything.  It's easy to throw on over any outfit, and it definitely keeps you warm!

I have been wearing this jumbo lip color  NONSTOP.  This is one of Tarte's LipSurgence Matte Lip Tints in the color Envy.  This matte shade is a berry color.  It goes on a bit sheer, as in you will be able to see a hint of your natural lip color shine through once you apply, but don't get me wrong: the color shows!  It just doesn't go on like a matte lipstick.  I think it's a perfect balance if you want a shimmer-free lip color but not a full-on matte lipstick.  

I am obsessed with L'Oreal's Color Riche Eyeshadow Quad in the shade Perfume ID.  I love purple eyeshadow, so I was naturally drawn to this specific quad.  I also loved this palette because you can do simple day looks as well as dramatic night looks with it, so there's definitely a versatility factor there.  And I can't even begin to explain how much I love the formula of these shadows.  I wore this for about 8 or 9 hours, and I'm not lying when I say that the color had not moved - at all.  The only thing I applied underneath the shadows was a primer.  My eyes looked exactly the same that night as when I applied them that morning.  I'm so excited to pick up more Color Riche Quads!!

Wednesday Motivation?

Sorry everyone!  It's been a whirlwind of a week, but I thought I'd just start the blogging week here.  Here's some motivation to get you through the rest of the week!

Think of something you love to do, or someone you love to be with.  You know that feeling when you lose all sense of time, because you're completely lost in that activity or that person?  Draw strength from that feeling and try to bring it into other aspects of your life.  Use that feeling to drive you when you can't be with that person or you can't be doing that activity you love to do.  It makes the day go by so much faster, because it gives you something to look forward to.  This feeling is something to cherish, because not everyone can feel it.

Anthem of the Week #2 | One Direction

Alright, don't judge me.  I love One Direction.  And I love their new release, Story of My Life.  My roommate and I have been jammin' all week long.  It's definitely a different, more mature sound for them.  I could get used to this.

Written on these walls are the colors that I can't change.

Yeah guys, be yourselves.

Current Obsession #2

Hey guys!  Today, I'm bringing you my top five products that I haven't been able to put down this week.  Here we go!

These first two products are from Caudalie.  I'm a Caudalie virgin, so I thought that I would buy the sampler at Sephora to try out five of their products for $32!  Two of them I know I will be saving up to repurchase.  

I used this Divine Oil last night and woke up with the best hair I've ever had.  Let me repeat that: I woke up with my hair in perfect beachy waves.  The only thing I had changed about my hair routine was this product.  I usually put other oils in my hair after I get out of the shower, and then I go and wash my hands to complete my nighttime skin routine.  What I love about this product is that you can go right from running this through your hair to applying it to your face.  It's incredibly hydrating and smells like the hair salon!  And, you only need the tiniest bit.  I know this bottle will last me quite a while!

This is the one product that I have been dying to try, thanks to YouTube!  The Beauty Elixir is a cult product, and let me say that this does not disappoint.  I'm completely addicted to it, and I use it throughout the day whenever I need a refresher.  It smells so wonderful, the minty smell wakes you up, and it feels rejuvenating on your face.  I would go and shell out the $49 to buy the full-sized bottle in a heartbeat.

Another product that's getting a lot of hype is the Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Foundation.  I have an entire post about my morning foundation routine, so I won't go into how I apply it.  But what I will say is that I love the consistency of this!  It makes my skin feel so amazingly smooth that I can't stop touching my face when it's on (that's probably not a good thing...).  I'll probably do a full review on this sometime, so stay tuned!

And yet another product that's getting a lot of hype: Benefit's Rockateur.  I have naturally red cheeks, and I have been on the hunt to find a product that enhances the natural color of my cheeks instead of just making them redder.  This is like a highlighter / blush combo, and I'm absolutely loving it!  I feel like my skin looks radiant after I apply it, and bonus: it smells good!

Last thing: my morning savior.  I have always been a Tazo tea fan ever since I tried their Zen tea at Starbucks.  This English Breakfast is a strong, bold black tea, and it gets me going in the morning.  It tastes great, I feel awake after I drink it, and I don't know where I'd be without it!  Well...probably in my bed, sleeping.  The great thing about Tazo tea in general is that it's so inexpensive!  Each of their filterbag teas are $4.95, and you get 25 bags.  And I love the packaging!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post!  Just one more day until the weekend :)

Top 9 Nail Colors for Fall

Hey guys!  So I was organizing my nail polish, and I decided to pull out a few that I'm rockin' / planning to rock this fall.  So, starting in the back row, going from left to right, let's get started!

Essie's Parka Perfect is my idea of a Fall neutral.  It's a perfect mixture of blue and gray, and this cool tone goes on seamlessly.  I saw this at the store, walked by it, and then had to run back and get it.  It just sucked me in!

Revlon's Colorstay Longwear Nail Enamel in 130 Velvet Rope is a perfect red shade for the colder months.  It's not a bright red, but it's not a super deep red either; it's somewhere in the middle of that red range.  Let me say that the name does not lie: this stays on forever!

Revlon's Nail Enamel in 480 Chic is just like a darker version of Essie's Parka Perfect.  I really like using Parka Perfect on my nails and then using this shade on my fourth finger.  The colors go so well together!  That said, it's pretty amazing by itself, too.

Alright, there's been so much hype about Essie's For the Twill of It polish.  I. Love. It.  I bought this when the new line first came out and applied it the same night.  It changes colors under the light - from silver to green to a gorgeous purple.  

Now for yet another Essie!  This is called Midnight Cami, and I have yet to try this.  There's a slight shimmer in this beautiful navy shade.  It's not too dark, but it's still vampy.  

Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in the shade 320 Earl Gray is absolutely wonderful.  This is what I'm wearing as I'm typing this post!  This is another one of those Fall neutrals that I love.  And I love the Salon Manicure brush: it's thick and applies just the right amount of polish.  This is also quite a large bottle, and I have no doubts that I'll be making a serious dent in it.

Now for the Sephora by OPI mini polishes!  The two on the left are from their Manhattan Minis collection.  The furthermost left is Stand by Your Man-hattan and is a deep copper with a lot of shimmer.  I haven't tried this yet, but I really love the color and am excited to try it!  

The middle bottle is Never Know 'Til You Tri-beca (who else is loving these names?!).  This is a gorgeous, warm purply-pink shade.  This warms up your look but is still perfect for fall.  Unfortunately, the Manhattan Minis collection is no longer available, but I'm sure there are some full-size dupes out there!

And last but not least: my absolute favorite shade of the season: S-age Is Just a Number.  This is part of the Spice Market mini collection.  If only this shade was full size!  Let me tell you why I'm absolutely obsessed with this shade.  Go look at that picture again.  Starting from the outside, there's a purple tint, then a blue tint, a green tint, and then the golden core.  When you put this on, this polish changes color depending on what light you're in.  And it's all gorgeous!  I'm the kind of girl who would change her nail polish every day if she could.  This stays put like a dream and doesn't chip.  I love, love, love it!  Sadly, I will have to hoard this color, because Spice Market isn't available anymore, either!  And, unlike the previous 2 colors mentioned, I don't think I'll be able to find a dupe for this one.  Sad!

If I could buy all the nail polish, I would.  But....I can't.  So let me know which shades are your favorite for this season!

What's On My Face | Foundation Edition

Today I decided to revamp my facial makeup routine, and it has absolutely amazed me and has stayed on my face all day without any shininess!  So let's get started!

First, I applied Mary Kay's Foundation Primer with SPF 15.  Usually, I use Benefit's POREfessional, but because my skin was relatively clear this morning, I decided that I didn't need the extra coverage and instead reached for MK's clear, silky primer.  I focused this on my T-zone.

Next, I applied Stila's Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Illuminating Beauty Balm with SPF 30 (goodness, could that name be any longer?) all over my face.  This was the first time I used this, and I'm very impressed with it.  I love the creamy consistency, and a little goes a long way.  This gave me a little bit of coverage, but I still needed more.

This is where my Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick (I used shade 220: Natural Beige) comes in.  I used this on the areas of my face that get oily as well as areas that need some heavy coverage, like my red cheeks.  I blended that out with a Beauty Blender, and then moved on to concealer.

I used the wonderful Boi-ing concealer from Benefit (you can find my review of it here).  I used the 02 shade under my eyes and on my chin, and I mixed the 02 and 03 shades to hide any blemishes and discoloration that was still showing.  I blended all of that in with the Beauty Blender, too.

Then, I took my Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Foundation and, using the back of my hand as a palette, applied it with the BB in stippling motions.  I made sure to bring that down onto my neck.  

Then, using my Mary Kay Highlighting Pen in shade 02, I applied under my eyes, on my cupid's bow, on my chin, and on the center of my forehead.  Then using my - you guessed it - trusty Beauty Blender, I blended that, but only a bit.  I made sure that the color didn't disappear.  At this point, my face looked a little scary, but no worries!

The last thing I did was set everything with powder.  I used Benefit's Cute as a Bunny, Honey powder and applied that with a big powder brush all over my face.  This blended my highlighter in more and made my face look radiant and natural.

Now, I know what you're thinking.  That's 7 products!  What can I say?  It works!  You're also probably wondering how I can apply this much to my face without it looking cakey.  All of the products I used - except for the stick foundation and concealer - are very sheer.  I only applied one very thin coat of the Marc Jacobs foundation, and I made sure to spread and blend my primer and BB cream.  I also made sure that everything blended seamlessly with my Beauty Blender.  

I had some extra time this morning, so I thought I would experiment, and I'm so happy that I did!  I'm writing this 8 hours after I applied all of this, and I haven't touched up anything.  I didn't need to!  And I only have minimal shine.

I just thought I'd share this with you guys, because as you can see, I'm experimenting with layering products.  And this combination seems perfect!

Monday Motivation #2

Happy Monday, everyone!  With Monday being the beginning of the work week, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about beginnings.  

It's never, never, never too late to change something that you're not happy with in your life.  That could be anything from the foundation you're using to the person you're dating.  If it's not making you happy, walk away from it!  You can choose to start fresh whenever you want to.

Think about it.  You could start exercising and lose fifty pounds.  You could walk into Sephora, get a makeover, and realize your love for everything beauty related and decide to make it a career.  You could drop out of school to pursue your dream.  You could tell that one person that you love them.  You could confront someone about something that's been bothering you for years.  You could adopt a puppy.  You could adopt ten.  See where I'm going with this?

Any moment, you can choose to start something.

Anthem of the Week #1

Every week, I find myself listening to one particular song over and over.  All throughout the week, this song is at the top of my playlist.  It changes just about every week, so I thought I'd share that one song with you guys as it changes! 

This week, I can't stop listening to Whole Wide World by Mindy Gledhill.  It's such a happy, uplifting song with a laid back vibe.  I listen to this every morning and on the way to classes.  I heard it for the first time on a YouTube video (I completely forget which one), but I loved it.  I'd never even heard of Mindy Gledhill before, but her music is gorgeous.  While this song is my favorite of hers, she has some amazing other music, too!  I highly recommend you check her out!  I just love the cover of her new album, too.

There is one part of this song that gets to me.  Often times, I feel like I just need to take a break from school and life in general and just relax.  But I always feel guilty when I do it.  I feel like I should be working, working, working 24/7, but these words remind me that it's okay to take some time for yourself.

I'm gonna run right up this hill

Summer sky or winter chill

If I gotta take a break I will

But I'm gonna run right up this hill

Current Obsessions #1

Every Thursday, I'll be bringing you my favorite products of the week!  Usually it'll be around five things, whether those be beauty-related, fashion-related, food, or any other awesome thing I discover!  So, here goes!

First is my cute little Jack Skellington doll. One of my favorite Halloween (and Christmas) movies is The Nightmare Before Christmas, and when I saw little Jack at Barnes & Noble, I just had to have him.  Even though I purchased this last year for Halloween, B&N still has it!  All of the other plushies had straight legs, but I had to pick the one doll that had crossed legs.  It just makes him that much more adorable when he sits on my table, just waiting for Halloween!

Next comes my C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve.  I've only had this a week, but I've already made a dent in it!  Let me just say that I am a serious Chapstick addict, and I never thought the day would come when I reached for another lip product when my lips were chapped.  But this is it!  Although I use this mostly on my lips and cuticles, you can also use this on your knees, face, elbows...basically anywhere that's in need of some serious hydration.  I even used it on the heels of my feet, and it softened them right up.  I love how versatile it is, plus it smells like roses.  Who doesn't like that?

One of my favorite things about fall is fall scents.  And we all know where to go to stock up on all those wonderful scents: Bath and Body Works.  This Creamy Pumpkin scent is to die for.  I'm not a fan of very sweet-smelling lotions or hand sanitizers, but I make an exception for this scent.  It's just too good!  It's not overpoweringly sweet, but it just reminds me of pumpkin pie baking in the oven.  I'm upset that I only got it in a PocketBac!  I wish I had gotten the hand soap to go with it, too!

I'm usually a drug store mascara kind of girl.  But Benefit's They're Real! mascara has been getting so much hype, that I just had to try the mini size.  Just to try it.  I have naturally long lashes, and it's hard for me to find mascara that makes them look fuller and not spidery.  This is it.  I love the brush, I've had zero clumps, and I'm totally regretting not purchasing the full-sized bottle!  Right now on Benefit's website, they're running a deal for a full size mascara and a mini size mascara just for the price of the full size!  It's a $33 value for $23! They call it Double the Real.  I highly recommend taking advantage of that!

Last but not least is Maybelline's Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation.  Because I have extremely oily skin, anything with the words "shine-free" immediately catches my eye.  I've never tried a stick foundation, and this one has a powder core, which locks in the liquid part of the foundation.  It's like a medium-coverage liquid foundation and powder all in one!  This is definitely the thing to use when you're running low on time.  You basically draw all over your face with this stick and then just blend it in with your fingers (or a Beauty Blender - that's what I use!).  And you can add more coverage wherever you need it.  I love the amount of control it gives while still being very blendable. Let me tell you something: With all other foundations, I have to blot several times a day, and it always frustrates me!  Guess how many times I had to blot today while wearing this foundation?  ZERO. I'm officially addicted!  Plus, the matte finish is fantastic.

Well, that's all folks!  See you tomorrow!