May Favorites

I cannot believe it is almost June! I am personally excited because that means we are one month closer to my baby niece being born and our mini vacation this month. One of my best blogger friends gets married in the month of June too, and I cannot wait to see the pictures Macy!

I had some new favorites this month that I wanted to share, beauty/skincare and one random favorite of the month.

Clinique Moisture Surge | I am obsessed. Although a little pricey, and I did only buy the mini - it has lasted me all month and I haven't even put a dent in it. A little goes a long way with this product and it has made my dry skin so happy this past month. I use it once a day in the morning before my makeup, I will definitely be repurchasing this one.

L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Foundation | This goes along with me having dry skin. I love any product that will give me a natural looking glow. I apply this with my beauty blender and it is medium coverage with one application. I would recommend if you have drier skin like I do.

CoverGirl Super Sizer Mascara* | I was sent this product just to try out, and it instantly became a favorite for me. I was in love with the CoverGirl Lash Perfection mascara, and since it has been discontinued this is my new favorite from the brand.

NYX HD Concealer | I cannot say enough good things about this concealer. It gives amazing coverage and brings a lot of light to my under eye area. It's less than five bucks at Ulta too, so you can't beat that.

Essie "Blossom Dandy" | Definitely my favorite nail polish of the month. I cannot stop painting my nails this color. Joe tried to say that I already had this color, but I think he just meant that I have a ton of turquoise/blue polishes which I do but this one is so so pretty.

Simple Cleansing Micellar Water | I picked up this product toward the end of the month because I've heard so many good things about it. I've never felt the need to spend a ton of money on the Bioderma water, so when I saw that my favorite skincare brand came out with one I had to try it. I use this product every morning before I do my moisturizer and at night after I take off my eye makeup.

My random favorite of the month has got to be my FitBit. I've actually been using this everyday and committing to setting goals and trying to achieve them. It's sometimes really hard to get in my steps sitting in a cubicle so this really holds me accountable.



All products were purchased with my own money unless stated above, all opinions are my own.

Beauty Box Five | Radiant and Remarkable

My favorite time of the month is when I look in my mailbox and see a blue little box filled with new products to try out! This month Beauty Box 5 has put together a box that encourages you to be radiant and remarkable.

The cost is $12/per month with free shipping for a box delivered right to your door of five deluxe samples.

Purlisse pur~protect SPF 30 | A lightweight moisturizer with SPF. I have received so many Purlisse products lately so I will definitely be passing this along to one of my family members and I know they will enjoy it!

La Fresh travel lite makeup remover wipes | You can never have too many makeup remover wipes in my opinion. I like to keep a small pack in my bag. I have received the La Fresh wipes before and was not a fan of the smell of the other package I have but these seem like the smell is a bit more mild. 

Nanacoco Lip Gloss | I received a really pretty bright pink color. Although this color is a bit out of my comfort zone for lip products I really liked the consistency and that the gloss wasn't sticky. 

Novex brazilian keratin | I am always down to try out products that will help nourish my hair so I will definitely be giving this a try this week! 

Style Essentials nail polish | This nail polish is a blue-ish glitter nail polish. I may be able to use this before the summer is over. 

Beauty Box 5 is also having a promotion going on where you can add 10 free samples to your order by just paying for the shipping! Check it out HERE!

*I was sent these products for a review on my blog, all opinions are my own.*

A self proclaimed bag lady.

I am a self proclaimed bag lady. Ever since I desperately wanted  needed to carry a handbag, I did. I love getting a new purse and putting all of my belongings back in a neat order. I'm a freak like that. I remember for my 16th birthday I still thought Juicy Couture was the ish and my dad bought me one. I had never had an expensive bag because duh, I was only 16 but I was so proud of that pink velour bag. To this day I love me a good handbag. Oh, and I like the biggest of handbags. I have my small cross body bags for going out or whatever but pretty much every day you will catch me with a huge bag. I need my stuff, guys.

I recently scored this Steve Madden bag at TJ Maxx for about 40 bucks, and I love it! TJ Maxx always for the win.

Que the Iphone photos...

(Front)

(Back)

 I love bags with at least one outside pocket. I stash my phone and a chapstick in there so I don't have to go through my whole bag to find my two most needed things.

Here's the overview of the inside. I'm a bag lady who likes bags inside of bags - don't judge me.

I usually have a third makeup bag if I need to carry any extra makeup for throughout the day.

Orbit bubblemint gum - Why yes that is the car cup, I keep it in my bag because it's my favorite and I go through one of those like crazy fast.

My notebook because it has everything in it and all of my to-do lists!

My beloved Nivea chapstick and NYX buttergloss (I have another one in this bag as well)

Tokyo Lotus & Apple Blossom from BBW lotion; it's my fave.

PINK body mist

And sunnies of course, which are Steve Madden and I scored from TJ Maxx once again!

The junk that is inside my smaller polka dot bag:

Two mirrors, just in case one breaks I guess.

A tide to go because I'm messy.

Fruit snacks because I get really dizzy and hangry when I don't eat. I always have a snack in my bag.

Hand Sanitizer because I don't like germs. Plus it smells like strawberries.

Two rewards cards I just got that haven't found their way into my wallet. Mostly because my wallet can't hold much more.

More lip products, some pens, tissues, headphones and a USB flash drive (this comes in handy all the time), and band-aids.

I have to mention that most of the time I have half empty water bottles, Peppers leash & dog toys, and a ton of other really weird things. Since this is a new bag I haven't had a chance to clutter it up yet!

What's the weirdest thing you keep/have found in your bag?

All About Engagement Pictures

If you follow me on any and all social media (and if you don't, well why not?) then you would know that we received our engagement pictures! You may have already seen some of the pictures from the second I got those babies in my hand, but I didn't share the majority until today. I also thought I would write some tips for taking engagement photos because I was a nervous wreck the days leading up to actually taking the pictures. So here are some pictures, and some tips for my fellow brides to be. 

1. Be comfortable - This was huge for us, we are not ones to be overly fancy and I didn't want to fake that in our pictures at all. I wanted our pictures to be completely 100% true to our personality and styles. We got started at 7 am before the heat was unbearable to take pictures, and even at 7 am it was pretty warm. Don't wear anything that will make you look and feel uncomfortable, its not worth it.

2. Go with the flow - Being the control freak that I am, sometimes I can be a little afraid to look silly (only in front of people I'm not comfortable with) or do things without planning first. I had to let go big time. Let your photographer lead the way because hopefully they'll know what they are doing.

3. Bring an outfit change - I knew that I wanted to wear a casual dress and something even more casual. Once again, go by your own personal style though. When you look on pinterest you sometimes see these elaborate outfits with perfect high heels that these girls are wearing, and that's just not me at all. I wanted to have two outfits that I knew would work best for me. By the way - I had to change in our blazing hot car for the second outfit change into my jeans and you could totally tell I was a little wiped out after that. 

4. Bring supplies - I packed like I was going on a weekend trip when going to take these pictures. I was equipped with bobby pins, my makeup, chapstick, water, and anything else you might need. We were about 20-30 minutes out of town so I brought things to freshen up in the middle.

What was your experience with taking engagement photos, or how are you looking forward to them?


Linking up for Wedding Wednesday!

Five on Friday

Well this week has been pretty crazy, and here are some things I wanted to talk about on this Sunday (for me) Friday. 

1. If you follow me on twitter you probably saw that I mentioned that my eye looked like I got punched. Well, I've never been in a fight..ever. Don't plan to either. But I do think a lot of people in public thought I was in an abusive situation by the way I was being looked at. I'll make this short an sweet: Apparently I was bit by a bug or insect, who knows. It got really infected and turned into cellulitis, which isn't what it sounds like. I went to the doctor and now I am taking really huge antibiotics to help this stupid infection go away! I must say spring, if these insects make an appearance again I may knock you down to my least favorite month ever. 

2. Self tanner...If you read my Beauty Box 5 review post, you probably saw that I mentioned how excited I was to try out Jergens "3 days to glow". Well, sadly after using day one of this stuff my entire body looked a streaky mess. Now, I have so many Jergens gradual tanning products and love them, and never had a problem with streaking. This product is so intense that from just using day one my skin looked so dark but so messy and orange. I'm not sure if a tanning mit would have helped me or if I am too fair skinned for this particular product, but it just didn't work for me. Oh, and it has been a few days since applying and I have scrubbed and it still wont budge. 

Now, onto some happier things!

3. Easter is something that I am so looking forward to. Since I never have weekends off this will be nice to be with my family and to of course celebrate the reason for Easter. 

4. Flowers from Trader Joe's are a favorite right now. I purchased some pink tulips for only $3.99 last week and they are still going strong! 

5. Nail polish overload. Sometime last week I started following an instagram account that sells Essie nail polish for an amazing price and ships them to you. I had to buy more and now I have absolutely no more storage for anymore nail polish. Someone please tell me where to buy decent nail polish storage or how you have found to store yours. 

That's all for this week, I hope you all have a great Easter and I'll be back Monday!

I linked up for Five on Friday at North Carolina Charm

Twitter and Blogging

There are so many reasons to love and use different social media platforms when you're a blogger. My favorite happens to be twitter. I can't even say how many people I had randomly followed when I first started Twitter, and now I chat with them back and forward like they are real life friends. Not to mention the exposure for your blog, etsy shop, YouTube, or whatever you do. I love Twitter for many reasons, so here are three of them!

1. You can talk to people you would have never met otherwise. Following random people on Facebook is usually looked down upon, and kind of weird. Not on Twitter though. The people I have stumbled across on twitter has got to be my favorite reason for loving it so much. I honestly don't know how I would have found some of my favorite bloggers that I read every single time that they post without social media. Not to mention that I have made so many blogging friends through Twitter. Macy over at  To Travel And Beyond happens to be someone I met through Twitter, a few years ago and I'm pretty sure we were separated at birth or something because we have so much in common. I still don't really know how we started following each other, but if she comes to California we are so hanging out.

2. Hashtags and Twitter chats. When you're trying to grow your blog you have to be active by meeting other bloggers and putting yourself out there. This is such an easy and effective way to do that. Most of the time when I log on at least one blogging hashtag is trending. Participating in twitter chats for the type of blogger you are is so great, you can talk to other people blogging about things you love and you can share yours as well.

3. You will know everything that happens before the anyone else on Facebook. As for news stories you cant beat Twitter. I will know someone famous has died at least four hours before anyone on Facebook will.


What are some ways you have found some of your favorite bloggers?

The Blogmopolitian Quiz

Anyone who knows me will tell you that Cosmopolitan is my all time favorite magazine. I somewhat have an issue where I have been collecting them since 2007 and feel the need to keep every issue...When I saw this quiz that Erin created floating around blog land I knew I had to participate! Let me know if you did this as well, I love reading them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The perfect getaway

These past few days were filled with so much happiness and days off that didn't include homework, grocery shopping, and cleaning! Since this was the week of my Birthday and Valentines day I thought I would post about our week!

Wednesday: This was my 22nd birthday! I had work until 5pm and was surprised that my co-workers brought me such sweet gifts. (I work with my mom in the office, so I know that's how they knew) After work we went straight to BJ's which is where we had dinner and I got to open presents from my mom and sisters. I also had a red velvet pizookie, which if you don't know what that is then you need one right NOW. Its a hot baked soft cookie, with ice cream on top and it's amaze. After dinner Joe and I went home, where I found flowers and the whole living room decorated with balloons, streamers, and a banner for my birthday and Valentines day. I swear he's the best.

Also, on mine and my moms lunch break we went and looked at a wedding venue and I think it may be the one!!

Thursday: I had class which was a bummer because Joe and I wanted to head to the beach, but I had to be responsible first. Thankfully, my teacher let us out 45 minutes early and we were good to go! We left home around 2:30 and arrived in Morro Bay around 5:00. With the help from a Venti Starbucks Carmel Macchiato; thanks birthday reward! We were just in time to see the sunset, so we checked into our room and walked down to the dock and ate dinner watching the sunset! When we went back to the room we watched a show that I swore I would never, ever watch but when you're in a hotel without your trusty DVR you will stoop low. We watched three episodes of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.......I am so ashamed. We got sucked in because of how horrible it was. I know, no excuses but it's true. Then after that train wreck, we went to sleep.

Friday: This was our one and only full day to spend at the beach so we got a really early start and headed to Pismo beach, the fog was really thick and crazy so we waked the boardwalk, bought a ton of candy, and ate at the best place for clam chowder - Splash Café. We did some mandatory outlet shopping and headed back to Morro Bay. When we got back it was still pretty cold but so much less fog, so we decided to go to the aquarium and feed the Seals! This was Joe's first time doing this, I have done this since I was little so I took pictures while he held raw fish to feed them. They would bark for the treats and slap their bellies, it was funny. Then we walked the beach on the hunt for sand dollars which is something you just have to do when you go there. They are my mom's favorite and I wanted to get one for everyone! We found a ton thankfully and walked the beach for a while. We were missing Pepper pretty bad and we still had a three hour trip home, so we decided to leave and head home.

This fish seriously was scary..

I could not have asked for a better Birthday weekend! I hope you all enjoyed the pictures!

I am linking up with Rachael and Lisa!

Visa Giveaway!

I am super excited to be working with some fabulous bloggers to put together this giveaway for all of our readers! We are doing a $50.00 visa gift card giveaway this month, and just in time to buy yourself something pretty for Valentines Day! 

All you have to do to gain entries is follow the rafflecopter below!

Good luck to all of you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Current Favorites {January 2014}

I have a lot of things I have been loving lately, and I forgot to do my monthly favorite for the past two months! So here are some things I have been raving about!

Makeup:

Naked pallet I got from my mom for Christmas is at the top of this list, because I have neglected all of my other pallets and eye shadows since receiving it!

Urban Decay B6 (complexion prep spray), I absolutely have been loving this product! I will have my updated skin care routine up this week and a review on this soon.

L'Oreal Magic Lumi has been so good to me lately. I have such dry dull skin in the winter and since purchasing this product I actually have some glow to my face!

Hervana blush by Benefit has been my number one go to blush. It is perfect for my skin tone.

NYX Butter Glosses, I have been collecting all of them! I absolutely love éclair and apple strudel.

Nails:

Chinchilly and Ballet Slippers by Essie have been my favorite combo lately.

Hair:

I just got my hair done last night, and I am so happy with it! I usually try and get my hair cut short at least once a year to have fresh ends, and it was definitely time. My hair grows so fast that I wont even have time to miss my long hair.



Paul Mitchel Blonde hair care line, since I have ombre I still need to take care of my ends and the blonde parts, and the products from this line are the best.

TV Shows:

Dexter has been a recent obsession. I mean it, I have been addicted. The entire series is on Netflix and that has made my days filled with watching a show about a serial killer, but a good serial killer so it's okay.

Pretty Little Liars just came back everyone! I love this show, something about drama/suspenseful shows that get me addicted. I am writing recaps on the episodes weekly over on polished.tv here is my first recap! EP:1 Who's In The Box - please leave me a comment over there and let me know if you stop by! It would mean so much!

I have become a self proclaimed smoothie master, I recently bought chia seeds to add to my morning smoothies, this the highlight of my mornings! Sad, I know.

What are some of your current favorites?

31 things to do before December 31st is over ~ Update ~

Happy New Years Eve!

I wanted to update you on my list of things to do before 2013 is over! Since this is the last day of the year I figure it's very fitting.

*( ) - indicates my excuses

1. Take longer walks with Joe and our puppy. (in my defense it has been cold and I work until its dark)

2. Bake a pie from scratch. (I made fudge though)

3. Do black Friday shopping.

4. Buy gifts for children who need them.

5. Send out Christmas cards.

6. Hand make Christmas decorations.

7. Watch ABC Family Christmas movies.

8. Buy someone coffee at Starbucks. (does my mom count :/)

9. Go to our local museum and zoo for their Christmas festivals.

10. Try a bold lip. (I'm pale, and I was scared)

11. Drink hot cocoa - a lot.

12. Make my Aunt Kim's fudge. (I also made my own peppermint fudge!)

13. Go ice skating.( I did have the opportunity but I didn't wanna break my neck)

14. Decorate our house for Christmas.

15. Drive around and look at Christmas lights.

16. Kiss my love under the mistle toe. ( I didn't have any mistletoe)

17. Make my new years resolutions.

18. keep working toward my goals and future.

19. Celebrate mine and Joe's four year anniversary.

20. Put effort into picking out thoughtful gifts.

21. Bake cookies. (Whoops)

22. Build a gingerbread house. (Ahhh I wanted to do this and didn't)

23. Listen to a ton of Christmas music.

24. Take a ton of pictures.

25. Buy my dog a cute winter sweater.

26. Donate clothes and blankets to a shelter. (We did donate Christmas gifts)

27. Be kinder to people, even when they may not be kind in return (always something to remember)

28. Make homemade soups.(Campbell's was easier)

29. Try egg nog for the first time. (I don't think I ever will)

30. Spend the holidays with my favorite people.

31. Make a ton of new memories. I did get engaged which is a huge memory!

Cheers everyone! I hope that you all have an amazing 2014!!!

 

 

 

 

Hello 2014!

Happy New Years Eve Everyone!

 

I had a really hard time trying to remember everything that happened this year, maybe I am getting old ;). Anyway, after looking back at pictures I realized how great this year was and how many good things really did happen, and how blessed I am with the support system that I have in my life. 

 

I have a lot of changes coming in the new year that start so soon. One including changing my career choice to something I am so excited and passionate about, and that is becoming a first grade teacher! I start school in the middle of January and I am nervous and super excited all at the same time.

 

I got engaged this year which is huge, and I have a wedding to plan this year!

 

Here are some highlights of my year in pictures:

 

 

 

I turned 21 in February! 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2013: I was chosen to attend Generation Beauty in Los Angeles!

 

May 31 2013: my baby sister Meagan graduated high school!

 

 

 

 

 

October 2013: My mom got bambino/beans/bambi - all of the names we call him. He is now apart of our family and I love him so much!

 



 

Cant forget about Pepper and how much he has grown and how many new tricks he has learned!

 

September 2013: Joe and I moved into our very own first place!

 

 

 

September 2013:

I got to host a lash bash from Benefit Cosmetics for me and all of my friends!

 

October 2013 - The county fair came to town, like it does every year. We watched Dustin Lynch preform and ate fair food of course!

 

October 2013 - A trip to Santa Monica for the day was absolutely perfect and much needed.

 

November 2013 - I won tickets to see the Zac Brown Band, if you don't know I love country music so this is so fun! We even got eat and greet passes where we got to eat with the whole band!

 

 

I was engaged on December 15th 2013 - This was the highlight of my year, Joe is my best friend and I couldn't imagine anything better happening this year.

 

A few of my 2014 new years resolutions:

 

~Focus and vamp up my blog.

~Make major progress on wedding planning

~Read more often

~Focus on my health

~Find a job as a preschool teacher while I continue school

~Save money, and spend less

~Start our wedding fund

~Grow my blog following to hopefully 750 followers!

~Take more pictures

~Go to Disneyland

~Go back to Vegas and try to not chain myself there so I don't have to leave.

~Grow in faith, pray more and worry less.

 

Cheers to the new year and all of the resolutions and good changes to come! 

 

XO, Vivian