Moving & New House Sneak Peek!

Most of you that read my blog regularly will know that I just moved. It's been really exciting but also stressful, as moving usually is, for several reasons: 
- The house was getting painted while we were moving in making it so that we couldn't unpack 2 of the bedrooms.
- We cleaned a lot of it before moving in, but we got a coupon in the mail for professional cleaners and decided to set up a time for that to get to the things we didn't have time for.
- Carpet cleaners are coming this weekend so that limits the amount of unpacking we're doing upstairs (bookcases, desks, etc.) because we want as little to move around as possible when they come and I don't want books and decor pieces falling out/off of furniture.
- The washer and dryer have come twice and right now, we only have the washer (which we discovered has an issue so it may have to go back too). The dryer is supposed to be here Saturday but I think I'm gonna have to head to a laundromat because we're not going to make it until we have both here and working properly!
I'm the type of person that wants everything done right away, and we have quite a ways to go before we get everything looking the way we want it, but it's slowly coming together.
The two rooms I have pictures from were just painted and I'll share the colors in another post with before and after pictures. We've gotten rid of most of our boxes, but there's still a few hanging around...I'm going to try to keep up with posting, but it probably won't be as regular as usual until everything settles down a bit!
What have you guys been up to?

Revlon "Fearless"

I posted the top photo on instagram over the weekend about this new nail polish I got recently. I have a hard time picking out nail polishes, I guess because I'm just picky! I love the way certain colors look on other people, but I just never like them on myself. My favorite shades are nudes, baby pinks, bright pinks, reds and dark purples. I do like white, mint, lavender, etc. but outside of those main colors and I never know how I'm going to like something.
I was looking for a summer red when I was at the drugstore a few days ago. I don't have a big nail polish collection but I do own a couple of reds. The ones I already had are darker reds, more of a wine tone, and that's not what I wanted. What I wanted is exactly this red by Revlon called Fearless! It's almost a hot orangey-red, so it's not too christmasey or too fall looking of a color. It's a bright, fun, classic red, but with a spin, perfect for summer! The formula of this polish is really nice, not streaky at all. You can even get away with just one coat to keep it nice and bright.
And how fun is the name? I feel like it's so appropriate for a red!
What are you favorite nail polish colors to wear?

NYX Waterproof Concealer

My camera wouldn't focus for ANYTHING on this, so sorry about these semi-blurred last couple of photos!

I've been trying out quite a few NYX products lately and being that it's summer, I figured I'd give their waterproof concealer a go. This particular concealer is solid and in a twist up tube. I got the lightest shade, and it's pretty nice- not too pink or too yellow. 
My issue with it is that it doesn't have great coverage and part of the problem is that when I apply it and blend, it blends out basically to nothing, no matter how careful I am. Because of the formula, it doesn't look good under the eyes, and the only reason I say that is because it's waterproof, I imagined that if you wanted to go to the pool, an amusement or water park, etc, maybe you want a little concealer for dark circles that's not gonna wash off...I wouldn't recommend this on any spots, blemishes or like I said, under the eyes. Applying it directly to the skin, it just rubs off of any spots/blemishes and doesn't blend it. Applying it on spots/blemishes over foundation and it just disrupts the foundation and covers nothing in the end.
I haven't tried any other waterproof concealers, but I feel like there are probably better ones out there. I wanted to go swimming with this on before this review, but haven't been able to so my only test has been splashing some water on my face (not as fun as the commercials). It just didn't hold up. It wasn't awful looking, but I would rather not have it on at all.
Because I hate to waste money, I tend to find a way to use my products...What I've been doing with this one is cleaning up underneath and above my eyebrows to make them look more defined after filling them in. The product is pretty narrow and small in the tube so it actually works really well for this area!
Have you guys tried any waterproof concealers? What do you do with products that don't work as you intended?

Home Office Inspiration

3 prints; white desk; cute accessories

3 prints; white desk; cute & metallic accessories

Mug for pens, tools, etc.

Black accent wall; shelving; double desk

White desk; shelving & accessories

Gold/metallic accents; colorful/fun storage boxes

As you guys may know by now, we are moving in a little over a week and we're so excited about it! I've been thinking about so many ideas for a home office because right now, I have no work space. I sit in bed and blog or at the kitchen table, but I really want a desk, a definitive place that I will feel motivated to actually get things done. I'm also looking forward to having a little space where I can put all of my etsy shop related tools, papers, files, etc because those are literally all over the house right now and it drives me crazy!

I think you can pretty much tell my style by looking at these images. I also put what I love about each of them in a caption at the bottom of each photo. I really like the double desk idea because one side could be my nice and tidy desk side for blogging and the other side could be my workspace for my shop, but in the end, it'll all come down to what we have space for!

If you have any home office tips, tricks, advice, websites to look at, etc. send them my way!

My Summer To-Do List!

I was reading Carly's blog at Carly Blogs Here and saw that she did a Summer To-Do List post and linked this super cute printable so I decided to fill one out for myself! 

GO:

Petting Farm

Ghost Walk

Evening walks in the park

Downtown DC

MAKE:

Orange Marmalade Loaf

Peach Pie

Homemade ice cream sandwiches

"About" page on my blog

DO:

Games at Dave & Busters

Refinish dresser

Move into new house!

Repaint thrifted sconces

At home movie night

Read before bed

Focus on decorating master bedroom in new house

EAT:

Carmines

New BBQ restaurant

Ice Cream from new favorite shop

I tried to be realistic when making the list because I didn't just want to fill it with things that we knew we probably wouldn't get around to doing. These are all things that I'd like to do and I think we will actually be able to do. We did a ghost walk in my college town and loved it and we've been wanting to do one since we moved but haven't yet. Even though we go to the gym several times a week, I'd like to take evening strolls in our local park while it's warm just to keep us from sitting in front of our computers every night. I'd also like to go back to DC while it's warm out just to enjoy hustle and bustle and atmosphere.

My whole "Make" list is food...#sorrynotsorry. I see myself adding to that quite a bit and that one probably getting accomplished before the others, even with additions! We aren't too far from a Dave & Buster's and neither of us have ever been and I've always wanted to go so I'd like to go this summer (I hope I have fun though, I get really competitive when it comes to winning tickets!)

We're moving in 2 weeks so there's accomplishing that and then refinishing a beautiful dresser I got off of craigslist- I can't wait to show you guys! In terms of decorating, I'm going to focus on the master bedroom first because I have the most solid vision for it and I'll slowly make my way throughout the rest of the year with the other rooms.

What are you guys hoping to accomplish this summer?

{Super Easy} Strawberry Banana Baked French Toast!

Just in time for your weekend breakfast I have an amazing dish for you! I got it via Pinterest (of course) and adapted it slightly to my taste. The original recipe is here if you'd like to take a look at that as well! 

I'm sorry the pictures are a little "eh" but my boyfriend was being really impatient and just wanted to eat it, so pictures weren't really happening! We both completely love this recipe and what's great about it is you can slice your bread and strawberries the night before and then just assemble everything in the morning. So, if you have guests or just want to be with your family, you can still hang out with them while breakfast is in the oven! It's also a great way to use up some old bananas, which we find ourselves with often!

INGREDIENTS:

• 6-8 slices bread (gluten-free, whole grain, white wheat, etc.), crust trimmed, cut into cubes
• 1-2 bananas, mashed
• 8 strawberries, diced
• 1/2 cup (more if needed) milk
• 4 eggs or eggwhites (I used 5, but I like my french toast eggy, so do this to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• maple syrup for serving

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a baking dish or individual ramekins with spray oil and place cubed bread in baking dish(es).
2. Mix mashed banana, strawberries, milk, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla together in a medium bowl. Pour milk mixture over bread cubes and toss until bread is evenly coated.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. For the last minute or two, move the baking dish to the top rack and put on broil for a little added crunch- just be sure to keep your eyes on it!
4. Serve it up with your choice of syrup!

It's finally Friday! Yay for the weekend! What recipes do you guys like to use for the weekends?

Hair Inspiration...Help! Suggestions!

Okay you guys. I've had the same "hairstyle" for years. It's been dark, long, middle parted and wavy for SO long. I just continue to get it trimmed an inch at the time because I'm too scared to do anything else.  I have gotten it cut short several times in my life and most of them ended with me crying as soon as I get in the car. Sounds pretty pathetic, I know, but I was younger and they always took off way more than I asked for. That always seemed to happen to me so I'm really hesitant even to get my trims.

My hair has gotten rather unruly lately. It's too long, frizzy, I have crazy baby hairs...I just don't know what to do with it and it's so frustrating! Sooooo, I've been thinking of making the plunge and getting a lob. Yep, a lob, or a long bob. I feel like it'll look more put together, but still fun because I can still curl it. I also feel like it'll suit my face shape better because my face is kind of long/narrow and I think it'll fill it out better..does that make any sense at all?? haha

If I actually do it, I want it to be shoulder length- no shorter! I know I'll be sad when it's gone, but I just have to remember how much time it takes to style and that it doesn't really look good after about 15 minutes anyway! I also want it to be subtle, not like the photo below...

All images courtesy of Google.

What do you guys think I should do? Do you like this haircut?

My Summer Essentials

1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9

Since we're well into summer now I thought I would share the things that I have found to be essential this time of year!

(1) Sunscreen is so important, even when  you're not at the beach or the pool. Just being outside in general, sunscreen is something we should be applying. I currently have this Coppertone SPF 50, but really any type with a higher SPF is key for protecting yourself. 

(2) You can still get a tan even if you use sunscreen, but self-tanner is a good alternative. I don't use it often, but the St. Tropez mousse is my absolute favorite. It has an amazing natural color and is so easy to apply. 

(3) I love using cross-body bags in the summer because they're so easy, they're light weight and perfect for long summer day outings. The mini Hamilton from Michael Kors is on my wish list- it's the most adorable bag ever!

(4) Because I wear lighter lip colors in the summer and sometimes don't wear one at all, lip balm is super important! If you can find one with SPF that's great, but I just like mine to have lanolin in them because they're so moisturizing. 

(5) What would summer be without a great pair of sunnies?? I love these Ray Bans with the blue lenses! It's important to protect your eyes and if you can be stylish in the process, why not?

 (6) I also like to have a basic pair of flip flops in the summer. I know they're not "fashion forward" but they're easy, cute and go with pretty much anything!

(7) I love using a setting spray like the All Nighter from Urban Decay because it finishes off your makeup and gives a natural looking finish and helps it stay all day. 

(8) My hair gets really frizzy and crazy looking so a hair oil is nice for summer to get it under control and add some moisture! I carry the small one from Macadamia Natural Oil in my purse for when things get bad. 

(9) When I drive back home or we go on outings that last all day, I always bring along my thermos. This Thermos thermos is so amazing because my water tastes cold like it's right out of the fridge 8 hours later, I LOVE this and highly recommend it.

Those are my summer essentials! Are any of these things on your must-have list too?

Blog Hop Link Up!

NYX Stay Matte but Not Flat Foundation

Since we've gotten into the warmer weather I knew it was going to be about that time that I needed to try out a matte foundation. I remembered hearing about the NYX Stay Matte but Not Flat liquid foundation and I've always been pretty impressed with NYX as a whole so I decided to give it a go.

This product is about $7.49 and you actually get 1.18 fl.oz., which is more than your typical 1.0 oz. foundation. 

One thing I love about NYX is their color range. For most of their products they have a lot of color options available and the undertones are just right, at least they always are for me. My skin is neutral toned and foundations that I buy are almost always too pink toned or too yellow and they just don't look right. This color, which by the way is SMF01 Ivory, is a PERFECT match for my skin in color and undertone. I don't think I've ever had a foundation with as perfect of a match so I am extremely pleased with that.

As far as staying matte and not flat, when you first put it on, your face will look flat. As with most NYX products, this one is pretty pigmented and it's a medium coverage, I'd say. I find that the best way to apply this foundation is actually with a foundation brush. I thought that a wet beauty blender would be the way to go with a product like this so that my face wouldn't look too flat from the start, but it actually breaks down the foundation and it doesn't go on evenly. To apply it, I get a small amount on my brush and blend it across my face with the brush the best I can and then I go around my face on the areas where I see brush strokes and smooth it out with my dry beauty blender. 

The foundation brush helps me to only put on a thin layer and even though some of my blemishes/old acne marks show through slightly, I just use a concealer to cover them to my liking. Because this foundation has a matte finish, it's prone to looking cakey so the foundation brush/light layer routine help combat that. 

I've noticed that it does have good staying power. I was in very hot weather for an extended period of time last week and my face got SUPER shiny, but for your regular days of work or what have you, it does hold up well. You may have to blot once (if you don't powder), but other than that it should last you the entire day.

I have had a few dry areas on my skin because of more breakouts than normal and this foundation definitely does accentuate that, but overall, I think I would repurchase this. It's a perfect match for my skin and has a nice finish once you find the way you like to apply it.

How do you guys feel about matte foundations?

I hope you all enjoy your 4th of July weekend!