Spring Makeup Haul

I don't know about you, but when I read blog posts on hauls or watch YouTube hauls I get the biggest urge to shop. I did however do a no makeup buy for the month of January, until the 15th of February so I guess this is why I did this...I'm not too sure. I did receive a few gift cards for my birthday and actually won a Sephora gift card from a giveaway too!

 So here are some of my makeup purchases for the spring time:

I decided to try a couple new fun products from Tarte and these both are going to be perfect for spring!

Tarte Energy LipSurgence  | This product really cool because the lip tint actually reacts to your "energy" meaning it changes different shades of pink. Very pretty, and really moisturizing!

Tarte Fearless Cheek Stain | I am usually not a blush girl but lately I have been actually loving them, so I decided to try this cheek stain. Fearless is from Tarte's new collection for spring and it is the perfect pink color. I dab this on my cheek bones and use my Real Technique Sponge to blend it out and it gives me a perfect dewy look.

Maybelline was BOGO 50% off at Rite Aid...so of course I had to try out these next two products.

Maybelline Master Hi-Light - HiLighting Bronzing | I am such a sucker for new bronzing products, and this is awesome. It is subtle enough on days you want to wear light makeup (which I love in the spring time) but it also gives you a great glow.

Maybelline Eyestudio "Copper Chic" | I absolutely love the eyestudio products, they have the best pigmentation for drugstore makeup, and these colors are so gorgeous!

L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara | I have been meaning to try this mascara out for the longest time, but never have. After finding it on sale for only $4.99 I knew it was meant to be. I love using this to lengthen my lashes and then use my They're Real from Benefit for the fuller lashes on top.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Foundation | I needed a new foundation, and I wanted to try out something more high end and with SPF. I have heard great things about this one and they were right! I love the amount of coverage, but that it isn't heavy on the skin. I also love SPF foundations in the spring and summer.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Moose "Taupe" | I never realized up until about less than a year ago how much brows can change your entire makeup look, in the best way! I am so happy with this product, it matches my eyebrows perfectly and blends so nicely.

What are some of your favorite spring time makeup products?

Five on Friday + A Giveaway

I am linking up this week for Five on Friday, and at the end there is a special giveaway!

1. If you didn't already know, I picked out my wedding gown! You can see how that all went down here. This is #1 on my list because this is so exciting for me!

2. Spring weather really nothing beats spring weather, except of course fall weather. But that's besides the point. I love random rain showers and being able to wear sandals all the time again. We wont have a spring for too long, summer will come and take over so I have to enjoy it while it lasts!

3. Dogs | I love being able to be in the backyard with my dog while having my mom and her dog over. They love playing out in the sun and we love sitting in the backyard chatting. I mean, look at how cute they are!

4. Anything and everything in the Kate Spade bridal collection. I want it all. Especially this "Mrs" necklace.

Source

5. I have a very exciting giveaway for you all today, that Stephanie over at Meet With A Smile put together with some other really kind bloggers. All you have to do is enter in the Rafflecopter form below! Good luck :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

March Ipsy Bag

Happy Spring everyone! 

I love sharing my monthly Ipsy bags with you. You probably already know, but if you don't, this is a monthly subscription service that delivered beauty items right to your door for $10.00 a month. I have been an active faithful member of Ipsy since attending Generation Beauty. 

The bag this month, is honestly not one of my favorites. It was made by a Ipsy member and I just really don't love the pattern or the weird plastic type material.

Here is what was in my bag,

1. NYX Love In Rio

2. Chella Indigo Blue Eyeliner

3. Pixi Beauty Flawless Beauty Primer

4. bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie "Get Ready" Lipstick

I can honestly say most months I am so happy and impressed, but this month was just a bummer. I know I'll use the eye shadow at some point but the rest is just not my cup of tea. The blue felt tip eyeliner is something I know I wont wear, and the other two just are not for me.

 Honestly though for $10.00 a month you never know what you'll get! I'm not complaining, because I really love getting new things, and I can share with friends and family! You can join here!


Let me know what your favorite subscription service is!

My week, and my top 5 most used products recently.

Hey everyone!

Today I am here because I cannot focus on my homework for these classes and I feel like I am starting to neglect blogging. Nooooo I don't want to do this because I love it so much, so I will always make time. I tend to overextend myself when it comes to taking on new projects, or in my case taking a full load of child development classes on top of an almost 40 hour a week job. It makes for a tired and boring me.

 I am an organizational freak and cannot seem to get it together with these classes and it's driving me crazy. I have my cute little planner from target, yet I just cant seem to get into the grove yet. I guess since it's only the second week I better calm down. But if anyone has any tips, please feel free to leave them!

My 22nd birthday is on the 12th of February, yes two days before Valentines Day; don't worry I feel bad for my fiancé too. I usually have my birthday week planned out a month in advance, not this time. I feel like an old lady who has to work on her birthday and doesn't care anymore, but that's a lie though cause I really do care!! I just have no idea what I want to do for it, and going out of town isn't really an option this time around since work and school suck all the fun out of things.

Anyway, that's my boring dilemma for the week; on a very positive note we have started our bloggers online bible study with Brittany from Happy is a choice and she's pretty much the best and the sweetest person! So far I am absolutely loving the book we are reading, "A Modern Girl's Guide To Bible Study"  I got partnered up with such a sweet girl named Katie, and I am so happy we have become friends! Her blog is here. I hope that with this I can grow and learn a lot!

Now on to the top five things you wont catch me without using in my morning routine lately!

1. L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer - I had been searching for a perfect primer for my face, I have super dry skin and staying matte is not a priority of mine. I love having a glow to my face and this is just the perfect product for that! You can also mix it with foundation as well, but I just put this on after moisturizer and before foundation and it makes my skin have a very pretty glow and not too shimmery.

2. Naked Palette - I received this palette for Christmas from my mom, and I have neglected every single other eye shadow I have because I cannot keep my hands off of it. Every morning when I do my eye makeup I look at my other sad eye shadow products, but I cant seem to get enough of it! Such pretty colors and very pigmented.

3. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk - This will always be a staple in my makeup collection because not only is it amazing as an eye shadow base, but it is the best to use on your bottom water line to make your eyes look awake and bright! It's also great to use in your inner corner.

4. Urban Decay b6 complexion prep spray - I feel like I have talked about this product so much lately, but I just love it. It has reduced the redness in my cheeks and has helped any small breakouts go away so fast! It's great for spraying during the day over your makeup as well!

5. CoverGirl Outlast 3-in-1 foundation - I have not even thought about purchasing another foundation in over six months because I am so happy with this one. It has a built in primer and concealer which I would agree, it stays on all day and it gives the perfect amount of coverage without ever looking flakey or dry.


Let me know how your week is going and what some of your favorite products are!

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

January Ipsy Bag

My January Ipsy bag was 50/50 this month for me, I love my little bag that comes in every month and I love sharing all of the things I receive. Some months I will love every single item I get in my bag and some months (like this month) I just don't really care for some of the products.

But hey! that's okay because it's only $10.00 bucks a month and you really can't beat it.

In my bag this month I received:

Benefit - Porefessional: This is the one item I saw in my glam room and knew I was so excited to get! I love anything and everything from Benefit!

(MALIN + GOETZ) mojito lip balm: I had never heard of this brand, but after trying out this lip balm I am so happy that I received this product because it is doing wonders for my chapped lips.

Yaby liquid foundation - Buff: I was really excited to get a foundation in my bag but unfortunately I am pretty light skinned and this product only came in one shade to all Ipsy subscribers; Buff. I may be able to use this in the summer though mixed with my BB creams. I do really like the consistency of the product.






The next few products are things that I will most likely give away.








Balm me up organic sweet cocoa & tangy body balm: This has a VERY strong scent and I want to try it out I just am really not sure about the scent. Someone else may really like it though! I have read good reviews about the product and how nice it is, it's just not my favorite smell.









Absolute Make up cleansing tissues - pomegranate extract: I am very picky when it comes to products that I put on my face, because I have pretty sensitive skin. These have a smell I cannot even explain, and not in a good way. I could not imagine putting these on my face and eyes.

I love Ipsy and will always stay faithful to my favorite subscription service. I love that I can review the products that I love and don't love so much so they know what I like/dislike.


Try out Ipsy for $10.00 a month plus always free shipping!

 

Week 1: Get Fit, Feel Confident Be Healthy Linkup!

This is my first week of joining Brittany and Sam's "Get Fit, Feel Confident Be Healthy Linkup". I am so excited to read all of the girls posts on being healthy and getting fit, it is super motivating for me!

I will say that I am starting as of now; Monday January 13th. I also have not weighed myself yet for the week which is why I am starting today and weighing myself tonight to get started!

My problem: I have hypothyroidism, it was diagnosed about a couple of years ago and pretty much every girl in my family has the same problem. We all have to take thyroid medication every morning for probably forever. It's not fun having to wake up and remember to take a pill every morning when you should be a young healthy 21 year old. But I am very thankful that it is manageable, it just makes some things tough for me.

I had started doing morning smoothies with a ton of fruit and veggies including spinach....well after doing more research I found that I really shouldn't have raw spinach with hypothyroidism because it contains Goitrogens that slow down the thyroid function. NOT COOL, I thought I had been doing so good every morning throwing all these delicious fruits and veggies only to find out I was sabotaging my thyroid and medication! Since then, I have added carrots, Chia seeds, ginger root, and zucchini. I have also taken out all things that may affect my medication in the morning. So I am starting fresh this week with my new and improved smoothies, and I am bringing my lunch to work every day as well as cooking dinner at home.

I know that roughly I would love to loose about 15-20 pounds, as well as being fit and healthy!

My fur baby will love this because that means more walks for him daily as well.

 

Follow the hosts on Bloglovin (Brittany and Sam)!      

 

 

 

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?

Semi Annual Sales

Semi annual sales are a girls best friend, it's almost like black Friday minus the insane times of night, the kitchen appliances and televisions; oh and the scary fighting people. I went to the mall this week and found that the deals were so much better than even black Friday, and I got a good night of sleep! I had Christmas gift cards and I waited until I knew the sales were out and I would get the most out of them.

 

 

First stop was Victoria's Secret - DUH when I think semi annual sale my mind goes directly to VS. I had already spent some of my gift card on the online sale and still haven't received those things yet, but lets just say I went a bit overboard on the underwear sale. In the actual store I purchased 3 lounge wear V-necks (normally 20 each, on sale for 9.99), a push up demi campus bra (normally 40, on sale for 20), and a pair of the beloved yoga pant leggings (normally 40 on sale for 20). I was excited to say the least, and I still have to look forward to my online purchase to come!

Next was Bath and Body Works - I know I know, I am a very stereotypical girl going to Victoria's Secret and then the one stop shop for all things smell good. I can't help it. Pretty much everything was around 50% up to 75% off!
I purchased:
Cranberry Pear Bellini - Wallflowers (2) on sale for $5.00
Japanese Cherry Blossom - Cream Body Wash normally $12.50 on sale for $4.00
Japanese Cherry Blossom - Golden Sugar Scrub normally $16.50 on sale for $4.18
True Blue Spa - Face Scrub on sale for $4.00
Aloha Orchid - Hand Soap on sale for $3.00
the lip gloss was something I needed to purchase to spend at least $30.00 to use my $10.00 off coupon. Not a fan of it at all after trying it on. Way too sticky, almost like a kids lip gloss.

I had a Sephora gift card and used that to purchase the Urban Decay b6 vitamin infused complexion prep spray ($33.00). I was really drawn to this product and wanted to splurge on it since I did have a gift card. I cannot wait to do a review on this product and I really hope it does what it says! You can find it here

I bought a dress shirt at cotton on which was also on sale!

I'd say I had a pretty successful shopping trip! Did anyone else get any good deals after the holidays?

 

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

 

 

 

 

Smoothie Obsession

I recently received a blender as a gift from my sister and her boyfriend Anthony, I had been wanting one ever since Joe and I moved into our own place. I was a little too excited (adult probs) to have a blender and immediately knew I wanted to start doing smoothies for breakfast. I have noticed after doing smoothies every morning for a week straight that I have so much more energy, as apposed to when I drink coffee which gives me energy for about an hour and then I crash and feel grumpy. I already have a certain recipe that I kind of threw together and I am loving it, so I wanted to share with you all!

I have been using:

1 Banana
2 Tablespoons of Greek Plain Yogurt (great for protein)
2 handfuls of Organic Spinach (the tubs are so much easier and the spinach is already washed, organic has no pesticides.)
3-4 of the Frozen Peach Slices
3-4 Mango Cubes
A splash of Orange Juice
A couple of Ice Cubes

**This makes enough for Joe and I to both have a smoothie each morning**

~Always make sure when buying frozen fruit that the only ingredient is the fruit itself and not any extra sugar or anything else. ~



You honestly don't taste the spinach whatsoever and you know your getting all of your vitamins in the morning!

If any of you have any great smoothie recipes or other veggies or anything else that would be good in my smoothie let me know! I have been wanting to try Chia Seeds in my smoothies.

Christmas 2013

 

 

Hi Everyone, I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and any other holidays you celebrate! I had a very great Christmas with my family, and I am very sad it is over. Now that the tree and decorations are put away and the new year approaches I get a little bit sad because I love the spirit of Christmas, I love the pretty lights, decorations, food, and special family time. I know those things should and are celebrated everyday but it's just something about the days that lead up to Christmas that are the best; they are days to remember what Christmas is truly about and to be grateful and thankful.

My family has a new tradition of having a Mexican food feast for Christmas dinner since we do the traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. It was such amazing food!  This year the only thing I made was peppermint fudge for all of my co-workers and my family. It was delicious if I say so myself.

I thought I would share some pictures from the day as well as a few gifts I received, that I am so thankful for.

The girls of the family

 



Sisters

 

Since moving into our own place, I love getting new kitchen things and my mom got me everything I need to bake pretty much anything!

 

Along with the theme my sister got me a really cute cupcake calendar that has recipes each day.

 

My really good friend came to town and we exchanged gifts, she only got to stay for a short time but it was really great that we got to see each other on Christmas.

 

 

 

I received some really awesome beauty products that I am super excited about, including the original naked palate which is the one I wanted!

 

A really pretty necklace my mom got me.

 

  Pepper                                                                Bambino

 

I had to include pictures of the dogs!

 

We all watched We're the Millers that night, which is one of the funniest movies and ate pie!

 

Now it's back to life, and work before New Years Eve!

 

 

 

XO, Vivian